Where We Live

Attendance in church pews has bounced back since COVID-19 pandemic lows. And many of these attendees are young worshippers, looking for religious community.

Today, church researchers and writers join us to help us understand why so many people are coming back to church.

Plus, are nuns having a moment? It certainly seems like it!

The Catholic Church is seeing an increase in interest in religious life, specifically the lives of religious sisters. We hear from the Global Sisters Report and hear what’s attracted so many people to the lives of the sisters.

GUESTS:

• Olivia Bardo: Multimedia and Social Editor at the Global Sisters Report, a Project of the National Catholic Reporter
• Scott Thumma: Professor of Sociology of Religion and Director of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research at Hartford International University
• Rev. Dr. Frederick Streets: Professor of Divinity and Social Work at Yale University Divinity School

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Finding affordable housing is a huge challenge in Connecticut. Could part of this problem be how housing is built and designed?

Architects aren’t just thinking about how to design better, more efficient homes. They’re thinking about how to design homes with community and affordability in mind. Today, we hear how architects are working to build better homes and communities across the state.

Plus, an update from the Connecticut Tenants Union.

GUESTS:

• Luke Melonakos: Vice President of the Connecticut Tenants Union
• Andrei Harwell: Executive director of the Yale Urban Design Workshop, and I'm a senior critic at the Yale School of Architecture
• Joan O’Riordan: Principal Architect at O'Riordan Migani Architects

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In the last month we have seen a flurry of warnings that lettuce might be infected with cyclosporiasis. To date, there have been over 60 cases here in Connecticut.

Wildfires from the west brought smoke to the East Coast, leading to air quality warnings and recommendations for residents to stay inside, if they can.

Today, we get updates on these public health situations, and hear what you need to do to stay well.

GUESTS:

• Dr. Manisha Juthani: commissioner, Connecticut Department of Public Health
• Scott Dolch: President and CEO of the Connecticut Restaurant and Hospitality Association
• Connecticut State Senator Dr. Saud Anwar: East Hartford, South Windsor, East Windsor, and Ellington
• Indu Upadhyaya: Food Safety Extension Specialist, UConn Extension

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Connecticut poet Rohanna Ssanyu Delossantos has a new chapbook, “The Marabou Who Crossed the Sea,” a collection inspired by her family's roots in Uganda and her own experience growing up between cultures.

What do we inherit from the places our parents left behind?

Connecticut poet Rohanna Ssanyu Delossantos discusses her new chapbook, “The Marabou Who Crossed the Sea,” a collection inspired by her family's roots in Uganda and her own experience growing up between cultures.

We explore how poetry can serve as a vehicle to unpack family history, navigate questions of identity, and carry memories across generations.

Rohanna will be at the Pardee-Morris Museum in New Haven on August 9 for an afternoon of art and storytelling.

Guests:

• Rohanna Ssanyu Delossantos: New Haven-based poet, author of “The Marabou Who Crossed the Sea” 

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As educators prepare to support students in the upcoming school year, some are facing a new challenge: how to respond to immigration enforcement.

Early research shows that many students are grappling with fear and anxiety when it comes to the threats of ICE arrests. This has already started to impact school performance and attendance.

Today, we hear what educators are doing to prepare and respond to ICE presence on campus.

Plus, some students of immigrant families face additional educational hurdles as English language learners. We hear how teachers are supporting these students, and their families.

GUESTS:

• Julie Sugarman: Associate Director for K-12 Education Research at Migration Policy Institute's National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy
• Luanelly Iglesias: Bilingual teacher at Danbury Public Schools
• Carolyn Sattin-Bajaj: Professor of Education Policy at in the Department of Education at the Gavert School of Education at the University of California, Santa Barbara

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Author Celeste Ng is familiar with the push and pull of adolescence.

In May, Ng had a conversation with Simsbury High School students and Where We Live host Catherine Shen. Students at Simsbury High School recently launched a documentary initiative called “Make Us Count,” inspired by the themes of identity and belonging in Celeste Ng’s books. Today, we listen back to that conversation

Listen to our episode on the Simsbury High School AAPI documentary and oral history project here.

Where We Live is available 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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The World Cup has come to a close, but soccer's impact reaches far beyond this global tournament.

This hour, we explore how the sport has grown from a niche pastime in America to our most popular youth sport – and why it's often called the world's universal language.

From immigrant communities to local professional clubs and the sport's very passionate supporters, we'll look at how soccer creates spaces where people from different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives come together, even during a politically divisive moment.

Guests:

• Brian Bunk: historian at the University of Massachusetts Amherst
• Shavar Thomas: Lead Coach for CT United FC
• Lukas Kamrath: Defender for CT United FC
• Douglas Hernandez: Member of “Raza Brava,” a dedicated Hartford Athletic supporter group that brings Latino flair and culture to the stands.
• Jake Fenner: Member of “Bonanza,” official, unified, and independent supporters group of Hartford Athletic

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Do you still make a list of all the things you want to do before the summer’s end? We sure do!

Today, we will share some of our favorite summer happenings around the state and we want to hear yours too!

Connecticut Public pals Frankie Graziano and Francesca Fontanez join us to share their favorite summer spots. These Connecticut natives have all the best tips and secrets to making the most of your summer.

GUESTS:

• Sheila Moeschen: author of "New England. Author of Book Lovers' New England: A guide to literary landmarks"
• Francesca Fontanez: Connecticut Public’s lead Social Media Editor
• Frankie Graziano: Host and producer of the Wheelhouse on Connecticut Public

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In 2025, there were nearly 200 animal cruelty cases in Connecticut.

Ten years ago, Connecticut passed “Desmond’s Law” a landmark animal welfare bill that allows attorneys to advocate for animals involved in abuse.

Animal abuse and neglect is complicated. Hoarding cases might start small, but getting out of hand very quickly. Local shelters can be a first line of defense against these situations.

Today, we get an update on animal welfare in Connecticut, from shelters and advocates around the state.

GUESTS:

• James Bias: Executive Director at Connecticut Humane Society
• Jessica Rubin: Associate Dean, J. Agnes Burns Professor of Law and Director of the Animal Law Clinic at the University of Connecticut
• Cesar Perea: Associate Vice President of Rescue at the American Humane Society

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Up to 80% of women will develop uterine fibroids by age 50, but many people still don’t know what they are or how they can affect daily life.

This hour, we break down the basics of fibroids, from symptoms and diagnosis to the treatment options available.

And later, as summer temperatures rise, we hear from an emergency physician about how extreme heat affects the body and who is most at risk. Plus, we learn practical advice for keeping yourself and your family safe during the hottest days of the year.

Guests:

• Dr. Cheruba Prabakar: Obstetrician and Gynecologist at Lamorinda Gynecology and Surgery, author of “Fibroids: Finally Heard” 
• Dr. Cynthia Laverne Price: Emergency Medicine Physician at Hartford Healthcare

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