Where do our clothes come from? According to the Textile Exchange, 52% of our clothes are made from polyester.

Fast fashion is an enormous industry, allowing us to purchase low cost clothing quickly and efficiently. But the toll these companies take on the environment is significant, and the workplace conditions for the factories that create these products are questionable at best.

Building sustainable, ethical practices into the fashion industry will be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. There are ways to slow down the fast fashion cycle, and build better quality fabrics. Today, we talk about these solutions and what fashion brands can do to build sustainability.

We learn ways to slow down the fast fashion cycle. Lucianne Tonti, a fashion consultant and author of the new book Sundressed: Natural Fibres and the Future of Fashion joins us. We’ll also hear from Reboot Eco, a zero waste and swap shop in Middletown, Connecticut.

What does shopping look like for you? Do you thrift for your clothes, or prefer the convenience of shopping online?

GUESTS:

• Miriah Kelly: Assistant Professor of Environmental Science, Southern Connecticut State University
• Lucianne Tonti - consultant for sustainable designers and author of Sundressed: Natural Fibres and the Future of Fashion
• Yasemin Ugurlu - Founder and Owner of Reboot Eco

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Some 2,500 local newspapers have closed in the United States since 2005, 55 of which were in Connecticut. Researchers at the Northwestern Medill Local News Initiative have mapped out gaps in local coverage, marking "news deserts" across the country, including our own Tolland County, Connecticut's "quiet corner."

Still, there are 20 online news organizations, 13 ethnic media outlets, and five public radio broadcasting stations filling the void where we live, including Connecticut Public. And those researchers say they’re fielding more and more calls from hopeful newcomer newspapers.

One new paper recently popped up in Connecticut called the Winsted Citizen, initially linked to longtime consumer advocate Ralph Nader. We’ll hear from their editor and publisher Andy Thibault.

But first, journalist Ryan Zickgraf coined the term “pink slime journalism” to refer to low-quality journalism disguised as local news. Ten years later, he says the problem has evolved.

Plus, UConn journalism professor Amanda Crawford and FreePress senior counsel Nora Benavidez join us.

GUESTS:

• Ryan Zickgraf: Journalist
• Amanda J. Crawford: Assistant Professor of Journalism, University of Connecticut
• Nora Benevidez: Senior Counsel and Director of Digital Justice and Civil Rights, FreePress
• Andy Thibault: Editor and Publisher, Winsted Citizen

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After collecting oral histories from generations of women in her family in "My Little Red Book," Rachel Kauder Nalebuff created Our Red Book, an extended project reflecting the experience of people of all races, ages and genders around the world.

But there’s so much stigma and misinformation around periods.

This hour, three Connecticut-based contributors featured in her book join us, breaking down this bloody topic.

GUESTS:

• Rachel Kauder Nalebuff: Editor, Our Red Book
• Michelle Memran: Documentary Filmmaker
• Kica Matos: New Haven-based Immigration Rights Activist and Organizer
• Axel Gay: Teen Writer

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When you’re searching for personal care products, whether a bar of soap or a bottle of lotion, are you reading the ingredients label? What harmful ingredients should be avoided?

A recent study from the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found potential links between the regular use of hair straightening products like relaxers that contained "formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals," and uterine cancer, prompting a new federal lawsuit.

There have been similarly troubling findings and lawsuits around some deodorants containing benzene, and powders containing talc contaminated with asbestos. Researchers at the University of Notre Dame found PFAS, sometimes called "forever chemicals," in 52% of cosmetics. Only a fraction of those products listed PFAS on the label.

This hour, we hear from local makers who are focused on safe and natural ingredients.

Plus, the Environmental Working Group has been building a searchable database of different products and ingredients for almost two decades, hoping to make it easier for consumers to shop smart.

GUESTS:

• Melanie Benesch: Vice President of Government Affairs, Environmental Working Group
• Sami Jo Artus: Founder and Chief Beauty Maker, florapothecarie
• Mecca Davis-Provite: Owner, Rootuals Natural Hair Care

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After losing the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump made false claims about voter fraud, reigniting efforts from Republicans to restrict voting access across the country. States like Florida, Texas, and Georgia all have passed sweeping voting restrictions.

But here in Connecticut, the opposite has been true. There's been a push to expand voting access, after residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of early voting last November. Now, lawmakers in the state Capitol are figuring out what that could look like in Connecticut. This hour, we look at the state of voting rights in Connecticut and at the national level.

GUESTS:

• Jaden Edison: Justice Reporter, The Connecticut Mirror
• Dr. Bilal Sekou: Hillyer College Associate Professor of Politics and Government, University of Hartford
• Jonathan Wharton: Associate Professor of Political Science and Urban Affairs, Southern Connecticut State University 
• Ruth Greenwood: Director of the Election Law Clinic, Harvard Law School

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Eric Jacobsen is completing his final season with the Greater Bridgeport Symphony. Today on Where We Live, we talk to Eric about his work as a conductor and we’ll also hear about the search for the next Greater Bridgeport Symphony conductor.

The performing art took a huge financial hit during the pandemic, but the Greater Bridgeport Symphony found a way to gather and perform during this time.

We hear about their commitment to serving the Greater Bridgeport community, and their work to get the children interested in classical music.

Have questions about what life is like working in an orchestra? We want to hear from you.

GUESTS:

• Eric Jacobsen: conductor at the Greater Bridgeport Symphony orchestra. He is also a cellist and a member of Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Project
• Mark Halstead: Executive Director of the Greater Bridgeport Symphony
• Chelsea Tipton II: Music Director of the Symphony of Southeast Texas, in Beaumont, Texas He also serves as the Principal Pops Director for the New Haven Symphony Orchestra in Connecticut

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Pay transparency is a growing movement across the United States.Connecticut adopted its own legislation in the form of “An Act Concerning the Disclosure of Salary Ranges,” which went into effect on October 1, 2021.Today we talk about the types of pay transparency, the challenges that come with it, and what companies are doing to lessen the anxiety of talking about pay.We hear from the VP of Compensation Consulting at Salary.com, Garry Straker.What does the salary transparency movement mean for you?GUESTS:

• Garry Straker: VP of Compensation Consulting at Salary.com
• Hannah Williams: CEO and Founder of Salary Transparent Street 
• Mandi Woodruff-Santos: Founder of group coaching community Mandi Money Makers
• Peter Bamberger: Professor of Management at Coller School of Management at Tel Aviv University and Author of Exposing Pay: Pay Transparency and What It Means for Employees, Employers, and Public Policy

This show was pre-taped on December 15th, 2022, and originally aired December 20, 2022.

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Toys are occasionally marketed to "children of all ages." In recent years, market research has shown the number of toy-buyers over 12 years old is growing.

The demographic, sometimes called "kidults," now comprises a quarter of the annual toy retail market, and an impressive 60% of the market’s growth in the last year, according to market research company NPD Group.

Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, a professor of psychology at Temple University, discusses why familiar toys might appeal to us today, and the links between how we played as children and how we socialize now.

Plus, one California-based slime-maker is raking in millions from children and adults alike. There's even one slime product called "Clay-Doh."

What toy from your childhood still sparks joy? Connecticut Public staffers and listeners respond.

GUESTS:

• Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek: Professor of Psychology, Temple University; Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution
• Olivya Soth: Co-Owner, OG Slimes

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he rate of deaths caused by domestic violence in Connecticut hasn't changes much over several decades, averaging 14 intimate partner homicides per year. What has changed is the degree of lethality of these events. When they do occur, they are more aggressive and have an increased risk of being fatal.

This hour, we’ll hear from the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence. We’ll learn about statewide efforts to reduce domestic violence, and what teen dating violence looks like.

And we'll learn more about a recent law passed in Connecticut on coercive control, allowing individuals experiencing psychological abuse and other non-physical forms of abuse to file a restraining order.

GUESTS:

• Meghan Scanlon: CEO of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• Barbara Damon: Executive Director, Prudence Crandall Center

If you need help or just someone to talk to, please visit CTSafeConnect.org or call or text (888) 774-2900. Advocates are available 24/7. You can also visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text "START" to 88788. Learn more about lethality by visiting The Laurel Center's "Lethality Assessment"

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There have been more than 80 mass shootings in the U.S. so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive. But gun violence isn’t just limited to mass shootings. Every day, hundreds of Americans are shot in murders, suicides, and more.

In Connecticut, there are some of the strongest gun laws in the U.S. Yet gun violence continues to rock communities across the state. While Governor Ned Lamont has put forward a comprehensive and ambitious gun safety agenda, Second Amendment groups are already pushing back. This hour, we examine the state of gun reform in Connecticut and at the federal level.

Plus, in the coming weeks, thousands of Nutmeggers — especially low income residents — are expected to lose Medicaid coverage if they don’t act soon.

GUESTS:

• Mark Pazniokas: Capitol Bureau Chief, CT Mirror
• Christine Stuart: Editor-in-Chief, CTNewsJunkie
• Chip Brownlee: Reporter, The Trace
• Sujata Srinivasan: Senior Health Reporter, Connecticut Public Radio

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