Where We Live

Did you know that the Library of Congress is home to half a million children’s books? That’s a lot of summer reading!

Today, it’s our annual summer reading show, dedicated to all things YA and kid’s reads. We’ll hear from the author of “Tell Me A Story: Fantastic Children’s Books from the Library of Congress” and talk about the books to inspire the young reader in your household.

We want to hear about your favorite YA read that brings you back to those carefree summer days; email us at [email protected].

Guest:

• Kym Powe: Children and YA Consultant for the Connecticut State Library
• Hannah Freece: Writer-Editor, Publishing Office at Library of Congress. She is the editor of “Tell Me A Story: Fantastic Children’s Books from the Library of Congress”

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In April, 18-year-old Rihan was mistakenly detained by U.S. Immigation and Customs Enforcement. The teen, who lives in Cheshire, Connecticut, spent two weeks in a detention facility in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Today, Rihan is back home and just graduated from Cheshire High. 

But with his legal status in limbo what's next for a young man with a dream to attend college and an uncertain future in the U.S.?

"They have taken everything of mine," Rihan said. "My legal status and everything like that. I don't have anything now to move forward in the future."

This hour, we talk with Rihan and his father, Zia. We're using their first names only for their safety and the safety of their family in Afghanistan. We'll also speak with their immigration attorney about the tenuous road ahead for a family whose legal status hangs in the balance.

GUESTS:

• Rihan: Cheshire teen detained for two weeks by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in April, 2026.

• Zia: Rihan’s father. He served the U.S. Army as an interpreter and cultural advisor during the war in Afghanistan.

• Samantha Rosenberg: Cheshire Board of Education Chair

• Lauren C. Petersen: Private practice immigration attorney in New Haven, currently representing Rihan and his family. She’s Founder and Executive Director of Pavillion Immigrant Assistance in Hartford, and she’s also a co-managing attorney for the American Immigrant Legal Clinic in New Haven.

Connecticut Public's Patrick Skahill contributed to this episode. Special thanks also to Rihan's uncle Tariq, and family advocate, Dick Harvey.

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 “sandwich generation” is made up of people balancing the demands of raising children while caring for aging loved ones.

This hour, we learn about the emotional, professional and financial realities facing this population of caregivers.

Journalist Kelli María Korducki discusses her reporting on caregiving and career sacrifice, while University of Connecticut professor Laura Mauldin offers insight into the gender dynamics of care.

And later, we hear from a Connecticut resident and member of the "sandwich generation.” We learn what it's like to navigate these responsibilities in everyday life and what policies could provide some relief.

Guests:

• Kelli María Korducki: independent, New York City-based journalist and author
• Laura Mauldin: associate professor in the Department of Social and Critical Inquiry at the University of Connecticut and author of "In Sickness and Health: Love Stories from the Front Line of America’s Caregiving Crisis."
• Natalie Shurtleff: Associate State Director of Advocacy and Outreach for AARP Connecticut

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Advanced degrees are increasingly out of reach for many. Receiving financial aid has gotten more difficult too.

Many schools are already rethinking how they support their graduate students.

We'll get an update on financial aid and hear what some Connecticut institutions are doing to make their graduate programming more affordable and accessible.

Guests:

• Emily Roberts: Financial Educator and Owner of Personal Finance for Ph.Ds
• Kymberly Pinder: Stavros Niarchos Foundation Dean of the Yale School of Art
• Jessica Blake: Federal policy reporter for Inside Higher Ed, based in Washington, D.C.

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A recent study found that the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline may have contributed to a decline in suicide deaths among young people.

This hour, we learn what the research tells us and what questions remain.

We also hear from Connecticut advocates working to connect people with mental health resources and reduce stigma.

Later, two residents share their personal experiences navigating mental health challenges and how speaking openly about those struggles can help others find support.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential, and offers support 24 hours a day.

Guests:

• Anupam B. Jena: Professor of health care policy at Harvard Medical School and physician in the Department of Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital 
• Kai Belton:state representative for the 100th district, Middletown
• Jacquilyn Davis: Director of Learning Workforce Development, Mental Health Connecticut
• Rob Santos: Comedian and Connecticut resident 
• Rachael Perillo: Connecticut resident 

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There currently are over 2,000 confirmed cases of measles in the United States of America, including some cases in Connecticut’s surrounding states.

Today, we get an update on measles closer to home, and abroad.

Plus, we’ll hear about the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and other parts of central Africa.

Guests:

• Dr. Ulysses Wu: Chief Epidemiologist at Hartford Healthcare
• Dr. David B. Banach: Head of Infection Prevention and Hospital Epidemiologist at UConn
• Provash Budden: Americares Deputy SVP of Emergency Programs

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Actor and playwright Sam Shepard wrote over 40 plays and worked with some of the biggest names in entertainment.

After his death, Connecticut biographer Robert Dowling started a journey to learn everything he could about this larger-than-life artist. His book is “Coyote: The Dramatic Lives of Sam Shepard.”

Today, we listen back to a conversation with Robert Dowling. He’s a professor of English at Central Connecticut State University. This conversation took place at the Ferguson Library in Stamford.

"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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Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we live, work and communicate.

Now, Pope Leo XIV is weighing in, warning that AI poses urgent moral and ethical challenges for society.

This hour, we explore the growing debate over artificial intelligence from the Vatican to Connecticut.

We’ll hear from philosophers, theologians and researchers about the risks, rewards and unanswered questions surrounding this rapidly evolving technology.

Guests:

• Nancy Dallavalle, associate professor of religious studies, Fairfield University
• Michael Patrick Lynch, professor of philosophy, University of Connecticut
• Chetan Jaiswal, associate professor of computer science, Quinnipiac University
• P.R. Lockhart, economic development reporter, Connecticut Mirror

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There’s no question that transportation impacts nearly every part of our lives – from getting to work and school, to accessing health care and building community.

This hour, we’re digging into Connecticut’s plan for statewide transportation improvementsefforts.

We’ll listen back to “Connecticut on the Move,” a panel conversation recorded at the Parkville Market in Hartford.

We’ll unpack what investments are being made today and how those investments will impact tomorrow.

Guests:

• Matt Hart, Executive Director, Capitol Region Council of Governments

• Yvette Highsmith, Regional Vice President, Community Health Center, Inc.

• Chris Davis, Vice President, Public Policy, Connecticut Business & Industry Association

• Carlos Mouta, Owner and CEO, Parkville Market

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

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Contrary to popular belief, host Catherine Shen is a human with real human emotions. The fact is, she cares about her feelings!

In this hour, technical producer Dylan Reyes returns for a conversation with Cat on growing up and the music that shaped them.

Music Featured (in order):

• "Moon Prism Power Make Up!" by Arisawa Takanori
• "Bright Sized Life" by Pat Metheny
• "Fool" by MAYDAY
• "Tayo'y Magsayawan" by VST & Company
• "Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto" composed by Gang Chen (陈钢 Chén Gāng) and Zhanhao He (何占豪 Hé Zhànháo) as performed by Chloe Chua and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra conducted by Rodolfo Barráez
• "无心生大梦 (Unintentional Big Dream)" by 刘宇宁 (Liu Yuning)
• "Moon in One's Cup" by Yu-Peng Chen
• "Dahil Sa Iyo" by Pilita Corrales
• "Linus and Lucy" by the Vince Guaraldi Trio
• "紙上飛行 (Flying on Paper)" by 刘宇宁 (Liu Yuning) & CORSAK
• "Take Me Back (Owakare No Jikan)" by Ginger Root

Or, find it all in this playlist!

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