As more and more of our daily life moves online, digital access has become essential.

But not everyone has the skills, or the tools, needed to keep up in a digital age.

The Digital Equity Act was designed to help close the gap. But recent funding cuts by President Trump have stalled that progress.

This hour, we explore how those cuts are affecting communities in Connecticut and beyond. We’ll hear how local institutions – like libraries – are working to keep people connected despite the challenges.

GUESTS:

• P.R. Lockhart: Economic Development Reporter, CT Mirror
• Bonnie Solberg: Director of Public Services, Hartford Public Library
• Bridget Quinn: President and Chief Executive Officer, Hartford Public Library
• Dr. Elena Forzani: director of the Literacy Education and Reading Education programs and an assistant professor, Boston University

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When you think of foods that give you a sense of home, what comes to mind?

Culturally connected foods are those ingredients, dishes and tastes that connect you back to your heritage and cultural identity.

For the AAPI community, finding those foods can be challenging.

In May, Where We Live host Catherine Shen hosted a panel discussion called “Cultural Food Systems Through the AAPI Lens” at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

The panel discussed ways to expand access to these foods and increase food security for all communities in Connecticut.

• Mia Ayer: Policy Manager at the Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum

• Dr. Helen Wu: Associate Professor of Psychiatry at UConn Health

• Quan Tran: Senior Lecturer in Ethnicity, Race and Migration at Yale

• Vicheth Im: Connecticut organic farmer

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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Nearly 4 million college students have experienced food insecurity.

Here in Connecticut, several colleges have food pantries and programs working to address food insecurity on campus.

But addressing this issue goes beyond giving out canned goods. It’s about giving students access to quality foods, and addressing the root causes of food insecurity.

Today, we hear from students and those working build better food security in higher education.

GUESTS:

• Nelly Birmingham: undergraduate student at Southern Connecticut State University
• Rakeria Thomas: graduate student at Southern Connecticut State University
• Caitlin Caspi: Director of Food Security Initiatives at the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Heath at the University of Connecticut
• Hayley Berliner: Sustainability Coordinator at Trinity College

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What role can poetry play in times of political and social turmoil?

This hour, we’re joined by Connecticut-based poets who will share how their work challenges dominant narratives and amplifies voices from the margins.

They’re part of a Ridgefield, Connecticut-based festival called “Poetry in the Garden.” This year, the festival will mark its fifth year with a series of poetry-filled evenings featuring the work of Indigenous, immigrant, LGBTQ+, and Black poets.

GUESTS:

• Barb Jennes: Director of Poetry in the Garden at Keeler Tavern Museum, Ridgefield’s Poet Laureate Emerita from 2020-2023
• Joan Kwon Glass: Korean American poet, author of poetry collection: “Daughter of Three Gone Kingdoms”

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When you think of creativity, you might think of aha moments, sudden bursts of inspiration, and perhaps the dreaded writer’s block!

But creativity isn’t a skill limited to those working in the arts.

Author and researcher Zorona Ivecvic Pringle says that creativity is a trait that can build slowly and steadily over time.

Provided by AuthorZorana Ivcevic Pringle, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. Author of The Creativity Choice: The Science of Making Decisions to Turn Ideas into Action.

Today, she joins us for the hour to talk about the science behind creativity and innovation and ways to explore these skills in everyday life.

GUEST:

• Zorana Ivecevic Pringle: Research Center at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and author The Creativity Choice: The Science of Making Decisions to Turn Ideas into Action

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What meal instantly takes you back to childhood? Whether it’s a dish made with grandparents or a recipe passed down through generations, food has the power to unlock memories. 

This hour, two local children’s authors share their belief in food’s ability to connect us. They discuss their latest novels, the challenges they face in an industry that often pigeonholes writers of color, and how they tackle complex emotions in stories for young readers.

GUESTS:

• Debbi Michiko Florence: author of children’s and middle grade books including her latest, Last Chance Academy: A Study in Secrets
• Caela Collins: owner of Caela Enterprises, LLC, and author of Food Is Love

This episode originally aired on May 5, 2025.

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Born in Pittsburgh, Michael Luo is the son of Chinese immigrants. He attended Harvard, and later became a reporter at the New York Times and today he is the Executive Editor at The New Yorker.

One rainy afternoon in 2016, he was standing on the sidewalk with his family and some friends after church, trying to decide where to go to lunch when a stranger accosted him and his family. “Go back to China,” she said.

Today, he joins us for the hour to talk about his new book on the hidden history of brutality and violence that so many Chinese Americans faced at the turn of the century.

GUEST:

• Michael Luo: Executive Editor for the New Yorker, and author of the book Strangers in the Land: Exclusion, Belonging, and the Epic Story of the Chinese in America

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.

This episode originally aired May 20, 2025.

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Reading can take us on adventures beyond our own backyards but perhaps not too far!

Amity Gaige is the author of Heartwood. It explores the story of one woman who gets lost on the Appalachian Trail. Did you know this trail runs through Connecticut?

And Ethan Rutherford is the author of North Sun: the Voyage of the Whaleship Esther. Connecticut was once home to one of the largest whaling ports in the world.

These local authors join us for an hour to talk about their new books and we want to hear what you’re reading right now!

GUESTS:

• Amity Gaige: author of four books including her latest, Heartwood. She also teaches creative writing at Yale.
• Ethan Rutherford: author of North Sun: the Voyage of the Whaleship Esther. He teaches creative writing at Trinity College.

 

This episode originally aired on April 10, 2025.

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Connecticut’s kelp industry is booming! This versatile type of seaweed is farmed right off Connecticut’s shoreline and used in a variety of cuisines, fertilizers, lotions, and more!

 

This hour, we’re joined by local kelp farmers and experts for a deep dive into aquaculture’s fastest growing industry. We’ll look at how chefs are using kelp in their favorite recipes and why seaweed is a powerful force against climate change.

 

GUESTS:

• Suzie Flores: co-owner of Stonington Kelp Co.

• Zachary Gordon:  Assistant Extension Educator, Connecticut Sea Grant

• Eric Dawson: Director of Program Innovation, Yellow Farmhouse

This episode originally aired on April 14, 2025.

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Visual poet Monica Ong grew up as an art school kid. She had a deep interest in photography and print artistry, but she also had a deep love for language.

Mixing these two mediums has resulted in something she calls visual poetry: an alchemy of text and image where the elements of an image, also make up a poem.

She joins us this hour to talk about her work and her new book Planetaria where she explores astronomy, motherhood and the diaspora identity.

GUEST:

• Monica Ong: Connecticut artist and visual poet

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.