Where We Live

Carolyn Kuan has been the music director at the Hartford Symphony Orchestra since 2011. This hour, we speak to her about her work as a conductor, and the driving forces behind her music.

Like many organizations, Hartford Symphony Orchestra has put forth diversity and inclusivity commitments stating that they are, quote “diversifying programming by considering race, ethnicity and gender identity in the composers whose music performed.”We talk about how the orchestra is striving to become more inclusive and diverse, and what that work looks like.

We’ll also hear from Tyler Kline, he’s a composer and host of the Modern Notebook, a radio program that features work from the great living composers, especially those with underrepresented backgrounds. You can listen to the Modern Notebook on Connecticut Public on Saturdays at 10pm.

GUESTS:

• Carolyn Kuan: Music Director at the Hartford Symphony Orchestra
• Tyler Kline: composer and host of the Modern Notebook, a program by PRX, and host of the podcast "Music/Maker"

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Every year, we produce a summer reading hour to talk about some of our favorite books of this year, and give you recommendations of the best beach reads.

And this year, we’re diving into the illustrious, the notorious, the infamous paperback: the romance novel.

There’s a lot of stigma attached to romance reading, especially within the reading community. But this top grossing genre is actually one of the most popular book genres in the world.

Today, we go beyond harlequin bodice rippers and Fabio and dive into the world of romance with our panel.

Got a favorite romance novel or love story? We want to hear from you.

GUESTS:

• AK Nevermore: president of theConnecticut Romance Writers Association and author living in Connecticut
• Michelle Smith: President/Owner The BookSmiths Shoppe, LLC. in Danbury
• Lauren Anderso: Founder ofPossible Futures Bookspace in New Haven.

Authors featured in this broadcast:

• AK Nevermore
• Kristan Higgins
• Amy Neff
• JJ Graham
• Krystal Marquis
• Chloe Liese

Book recommendations from the staff at Connecticut Public

• Normal People, by Sally Rooney
• A Court of Thorns and Roses (series), by Sarah J Mass
• Fourth Wing (Empyrean series), - Rebecca Yarros
• Author Emily Henry
• Author Casey McQuiston
• The Selection, series by Kiera Cass
• Bridgeton, series by Julia Quinn
• The Princess Diaries, series by Meg Cabot
• Conversations with Friends, by Sally Rooney
• Persuasion by Jane Austin

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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Maurice Sendak is often celebrated for his contributions to children’s book art. You’re likely familiar with Where The Wild Things Are, or even Higglety Pigglety Pop. But in the late artist’s own words, "I do not believe that I have ever written a children's book. I do not know how to write a children’s book. How do you set out to write a children’s book?"

This hour, we’re exploring the Maurice Sendak Foundation in Ridgefield, where Sendak lived for forty years. There, the many layers of his artistic legacy live on, with the help of the experts and friends who knew and loved him best. We hear from them.

Twelve years after the artist's passing, the Foundation and HarperCollins are releasing Ten Little Rabbits.

GUESTS:

• Lynn Caponera: President and Treasurer, Maurice Sendak Foundation

• Dr. Jonathan Weinberg: Curator, Maurice Sendak Foundation

Cat Pastor contributed to this episode which originally aired February 12, 2024.

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The Cambodian genocide took the lives of up to three million people - between 1975 and 1979. Many were forced to work at labor camps where they faced abuse, torture and starvation.

But this is only part one of the story. The lesser known part is the story of Preah Vihear Mountain, where over forty thousand refugees were forced to climb to their death.

Many Cambodian refugees ended up in refugee camps in Thailand. But instead of being processed as refugees, they were forced on buses and driven to Preah Vihear Mountain, which is part of a mountain range between Thailand and Cambodia.

Returning to Cambodia was a devastating experience. Not only were they forced back into the country, but the mountain was filled with landmines, and refugees had no food or water. They were forced to climb down the mountain side, and those who didn’t comply were gunned down

Today, we heard from someone who experienced this firsthand. Bunseng Taing lives in Connecticut and is a survivor of this massacre. He joins us with his son, James Taing. Together, they produced the documentary film Ghost Mountain: The Second Killing Fields.

GUESTS:

• James Taing: producer of Ghost Mountain: The Second Killing Fields

• Bunseng Taing: survivor of the Cambodian genocide and author of Under the Naga Tail

• Jenny (JHD) Heikkila Diaz: Professional Learning Coordinator, Connecticut Council for the Social Studies and the Activist in Residence, UConn Asian & Asian American Studies Institute

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.

Music used in the broadcast:

• "Violin Sneha" by Keo Sokha

• Sarika Keo

• “Mad Because of Loving You" by Sinn Sisamouth

• Come Again Tomorrow by Yol Aularong

Dylan Reyes helped produced this broadcast.

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The Environmental Protection Agency has finalized the first-ever federal limits on a class of chemicals known as PFAS, or "forever chemicals," in drinking water.

This hour, we discuss what these enforceable limits mean for how Connecticut monitors and regulates PFAS. Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani joins us, plus Connecticut Mirror investigative reporter Andrew Brown.

Plus, Attorney General William Tong gives an update on the lawsuits he filed against chemical manufacturers of PFAS.

GUESTS:

• William Tong: Connecticut Attorney General

• Dr. Manisha Juthani: Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Public Health

• Andrew Brown: Investigative Reporter, Connecticut Mirror

Cat Pastor contributed to this episode which originally aired April 22.

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In 2015, journalist Elise Hu moved to South Korea to open the NPR Seoul bureau. During her time in South Korea, she witnessed the rise of K-beauty culture or “Korean beauty.”

K-beauty encompasses a multitude of beauty treatments. It doesn’t just include luxury skincare lines, and expensive facemasks; there's also LED light therapy, injections, fillers, and a myriad of options for plastic surgery.

These procedures are becoming an increasingly normal part of daily life in South Korea, but also in the United States. They are also more accessible than ever to anyone that wants to change the way they look.

Although some are starting to question the pursuit of keeping up with today’s beauty standards, this multibillion dollar beauty industry isn't going away.

Today, Elise Hu joins us on Where We Live to talk about her book Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital.

We talk about the pursuit and pain of keeping up with today’s beauty standards.

GUEST:

• Elise Hu: host of TED Talks Daily and also a host-at-large for NPR. She is the author of Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital

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

Cat Pastor contributed to this show which originally aired September 19, 2023.

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Turtles are among one of the oldest reptiles to walk the planet. Although turtles often live long lifespans and are among some of the most resilient animals on the planet, human presence has meant a huge threat to their species. 

In her new book Of Time and Turtles, Sy Montgomery says turtles live “slow.” She spent time working with the people who have dedicated their lives to rehabilitating these fascinating creatures, and she joins us to talk about her book.

And Matt Patterson, fellow turtle lover, illustrator of this book and their accompanying picture book The Book of Turtles, joins us too. He is also a wildlife artist and sculptor.

We'll learn about what’s being done to care for and protect these animals.

GUESTS:

• Sy Montgomery: Author of Of Time and Turtles

• Matt Patterson: Illustrator of The Book of Turtles and wildlife artist

Cat Pastor contributed to this show which originally aired October 3, 2023.

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Connecticut Public has spent the past year investigating political dysfunction, , allegations of absentee ballot misconduct, and machine politics in Bridgeport.

The investigation has culminated in a four part series called “In Absentia.” Today, we hear the final episode of this podcast and speak to members of the Accountability Project, Connecticut Public’s investigative team.

You can listen back to all the episodes on ctpublic.org/bpt or wherever you get your podcasts.

GUESTS:

• Bria Lloyd: Investigative Reporter for the Accountability Project

• Jim Haddadin: Editor for The Accountability Project

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.

Every year, a cohort of emerging artists and curators gather at NXTHVN, a fellowship program located in the heart of New Haven's Dixwell neighborhood, and "a new national arts model that empowers artists, curators, and the community through education and access to a vibrant ecosystem."

This hour, we hear from Marquita Flowers and Clare Patrick, current curatorial fellows at NXTHVN. Their exhibition, "To Echo A Shadow," explores the links between industrialization and forced migration. We discuss how the Dixwell neighborhood, and its history, were embraced in the exhibition programming.

Plus, former NXTHVN fellow Michelle Phuong Ho discusses what artist community means to her. She recently launched the literary salon "quietly wild."

GUESTS:

• Marquita Flowers: Curatorial Fellow 2023-2024, NXTHVN

• Clare Patrick: Curatorial Fellow 2023-2024, NXTHVN

• Michelle Phuong Ho: Poet; Community Organizer; Former Curatorial Fellow, NXTHVN

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Connecticut's Department of Motor Vehicles began phasing out permanent or "lifetime" disability parking placards in 2010, to help curb misuse. Some advocates and lawmakers are hoping more can be done to regulate how these passes are issued, and how misuse might be enforced.

This hour, we hear from Alexandria Bode, who is behind the accessible parking-focused non-profit, Peace Love & ACCESSibility, along with her family members and fellow advocates, Sam Bode and Mary Caruso.

House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora and Transportation Committee Co-Chair Senator Christine Cohen are their legislators, and both testified for SB 279 this session. The bill, which passed under a different name, requires that a person’s treating physician, PA or APRN certify the need for a pass, versus an online provider, for example. They also join us.

The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles formed the Accessible Parking Advisory Council last year. DMV Commissioner Tony Guerrera discusses the latest after the council's second meeting.

East Haven Police Officer Joseph Murgo recently contributed to a PSA the Bodes' non-profit is producing. He also joins the conversation.

GUESTS:

• Alexandra Bode: Executive Director, Peace, Love & ACCESSibility
• Sam Bode: Volunteer, Peace, Love & ACCESSibility
• Mary Caruso: Founder, Peace, Love & ACCESSibility
• Joseph Murgo: Captain; Public Information Officer, East Haven Police Department
• Vincent Candelora: Connecticut State Representation; House Majority Leader
• Christine Cohen: Connecticut State Senator; Transportation Committee Co-Chair
• Tony Guerrera: Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles

Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, 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.