Where We Live

Finding long-term resources and programs for young people with autism can be challenging, and in some cases, incredibly disheartening.

The needs of autistic youth can vary. As a spectrum disorder, some diagnosed with high functioning autism can live relatively normal lives pursuing college, careers and relationships.

But others require more support. Those with intellectual disabilities and communication challenges often require lifelong support to assist with tasks of daily living.

One school that claimed to fulfill that need was Shrub Oak International School in New York. This school takes students from across the country, including Connecticut. But a recent investigation by ProPublica showed that this institution that costs nearly $600,000 a year is failing its students. This investigation uncovered several accusations of neglect and abuse.

Today, we hear about the investigation by ProPublica. The Office of the Child Advocate weighs in and hear about a recent complaint against High Road Schools in Connecticut.

GUESTS:

• Sarah Eagan: Connecticut Child Advocate

• Jennifer Smith Richards: reporter for ProPublica

• Jodi Cohen: Reporter for ProPublica

• Dr. Mary Doherty: founder of Autistic Doctors International and anesthesiologist

Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

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Historian and scholar Deb Harkness was studying the intersection of science and magic in history and the humanities, when she was struck by the trend of "vampire boyfriend" stories in books and popular culture. She asked herself, "What if there really are these creatures living around us? What do they do for a living? Why have I never met any of them? And would it really be a great thing to have a supernatural significant other? I don't think so... I thought, right now people can't handle the idea of two women or two men getting married, and yet we think we want a vampire boyfriend. What is going on?"

These questions yielded the acclaimed historical fantasy series, "All Souls." The latest installment, titled "The Black Bird Oracle," is due out July 16. With ancestral ties to accused witches in New England, Harkness says she considers the book a "love letter to my Connecticut and New England ancestors."

This hour, Harkness joins us to discuss.

GUESTS:

• Dr. Deborah Harkness: Historian; Author, "All Souls" series and "The Black Bird Oracle"; Professor, University of Southern California

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Even before the pandemic, half of all adults reported experiencing measurable levels of loneliness. In 2023, a report from Surgeon General Vivek Murthy showed that loneliness and isolation has physical consequences like increased risk of heart disease, stroke and dementia.

Murthy stressed how social connection is the key to individual and community health and well being. This idea of social connection is something that today’s guest has spent a lot of time focused on.

Deb Bibbins is the Founder and CEO of For All Ages, an organization uniting older adults and younger generations, and its statewide initiative; the Connecticut Collaborative to End Loneliness.

We spoke to her at the International Festival of Arts and Ideas in New Haven. She talks about how social connection is the foundation of our health.

GUESTS:

• Deb Bibbins: Founder and CEO of For All Ages and the Connecticut Collaborative to End Loneliness

Listen back to our additional coverage on loneliness:

• What’s going on with loneliness?

• 'What's eating at America': Addressing the loneliness and isolation epidemic

Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Education budget cuts from this legislative session are slamming schools at all levels, from early education to higher education.

This hour, we hear from Connecticut Mirror budget reporter Keith Phaneuf, and education reporter Jessika Harkay.

Plus, we check in with the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, and Chancellor of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system Terrence Cheng.

GUESTS:

• Keith Phaneuf: Budget Reporter, Connecticut Mirror
• Jessika Harkay: Education Reporter, Connecticut Mirror
• Fran Rabinowitz: Executive Director, Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents
• Terrence Cheng: Chancellor, Connecticut State Colleges and Universities

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Housing in Connecticut has not only gotten more expensive, it’s much harder to find. The state vacancy rate is only 3.5% and the median rent is $2,000.

Housing touches every aspect of our life. From health to education to community, where you live, makes a difference.

So why is housing so hard to find? There’s no easy answer, but our guests say that in order to create a better future where housing is both accessible and affordable, you have to look at the housing systems that have been set up in the past.

This week, Connecticut Public will premiere the documentary Fighting For Home: How Housing Policy Keeps Connecticut Segregated. Today, we’ll hear documentary producer Sabrina Buckwalter and those featured in the film.

But before we get to that, we just had the first major heatwave of the summer. If you are hoping to cool down at a local pool, your options might be a bit limited this season. We learn why.

GUESTS:

• Oscar Rodriguez: the Director of Aquatics, at the Leadership, Education, and Athletics in Partnership, Inc. (LEAP) in New Haven
• Sabrina Buckwalter: producer of Fighting For Home: How Housing Policy Keeps Connecticut Segregated
• Jacqueline Rabe Thomas: reporter with Hearst Connecticut Media Group or CT Insider
• Shanay Fulton:Commissioner of Planning and Zoning in Middletown

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A recent UConn study found that three-quarters of Black households with cars in the U.S. spend over 15% of their monthly income on car-related expenses. For these researchers, transportation shouldn’t have to mean car ownership.

This hour, we spotlight "walkability" and public transportation alternatives. Hear from city planners and civil engineers who are driving the conversation forward to deprioritize drivers and "stroads."

"Our mistake over the years is that we have allowed streets to become half roads and roads to become half streets," writes city planner Jeff Speck. "On one, commerce has been sacrificed to speed. On the other, speed has been sacrificed to commerce."

GUESTS:

• Dr. Norman Garrick: Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering at the University of Connecticut

• Jeff Speck: City Planner and Author of Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time

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June is Infertility Awareness Month.

According to the World Health Organization, around 1 in 6 people are now affected by infertility. A new study suggests that microplastics might be impacting male infertility.

And while technological advances offer opportunities and hope for many would-be parents, treatments like IVF are expensive, and they’re not available for everyone. Plus, they don’t always work.

Navigating infertility can be an emotional for all those seeking parenthood. Today, we'll hear one local's couple journey. And we want to hear yours too. What's your infertility story?

GUESTS:

• Dr. Maya Barsky: Lead Physician at The Center for Advanced Reproductive Services and Assistant Professor in the Department of OB/GYN at UCONN School of Medicine
• Anthony Edwards and Yaneeke Calderon: a couple living in Connecticut.

If you need support, you can call the Resolve Helpline at 866.668.2566 or visit www.resolve.org.

Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2023, book club event listings grew 24% over the prior year according to the ticketing platform Eventbrite. Celebrities like Reese Witherspoon and RuPaul are among the celebrities who have launched their own book clubs.

This hour, we hear about these new communities of readers, and how the influence of BookTok and BookStagram factors.

We’re joined by one Silent Book Club chapter taking off in New Haven, and a shoreline-area business owner arranging “Blind Dates with a Book.” Plus, Anthony Bagley founded “Black Kidds Read Too” in his hometown.

GUESTS:

• Britt Rivera: Content Creator; Founder, Silent Book Club New Haven
• Anthony "Da Kidd PG" Bagley: CEO and Founder, A Kidd From New Haven
• Alyssa Korzon: Co-Owner, Bookish Babes and Brews

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This week, Muslims across the world celebrate the holiday of Eid-al-Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice.

Today, we are hearing from Muslims around Connecticut celebrating this sacred and special time honoring those who have made the Islamic pilgrimage known as Hajj.

We’ll hear from Connecticut residents, including one who is making the Islamic pilgrimage known as Hajj. If you’re celebrating this holiday, we want to hear from you.

GUESTS:

• Khaleel Rahman: a producer with Audacious with Chion Wolf on Connecticut Public

• Imam Safwan Shaikh: Farmington Valley American Muslim Center

• Asif Chaudhry: Connecticut resident taking a Eid-al-Adha pilgrimage this year

• Dia Fortenberry: Assistant Athletic Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Engagement at Wesleyan University and Speakers Bureau with the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut

Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the LGBTQ community, “found” or “chosen family” can be crucial. It's the idea of a social support system beyond your biological family, and one of the themes Ella Dawson explores in her book, But How Are You, Really?

This hour, the sex and culture columnist from Connecticut joins us to discuss her first novel, found family, burnout, second-chance romances, and much more.

GUESTS:

• Ella Dawson: Sex and Culture Critic; Author, "But How Are You, Really?"

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