Where We Live

Neil Berro, a local amateur historian, is building a massive manuscript on the history of Connecticut oystering titled Oyster Haven Lost. This hour, he previews this trove of information, spotlighting the state's once-booming oyster industry.

Plus, the Sound School in New Haven was founded with a mission of centering hands-on curriculum, incorporating the harbor, marine science and oceanography in an “exciting educational alternative to the large comprehensive high schools in the city.”

We'll hear from Sound School aquaculture coordinators about how students encounter oysters and other filter feeders in the wild, helping to bolster their growth in Long Island Sound by planting "reef balls."

GUESTS:

• Neil Berro: Amateur Historian
• Tim Visel: Former Aquaculture Coordinator, The Sound School
• Peter Solomon: Aquaculture Coordinator, The Sound School

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Known as the seventh continent, Antarctica is much more than home for penguins!

Today, we explore the least inhabited continent in the world.

We hear about how climate change is impacting wildlife on Antarctica, and what life looks like for those that live and work there.

What questions do you have about living in Antarctica?

GUESTS:

• David W. Brown - contributor to the New Yorker and author to the forthcoming book The Outside Cats
• Matt Jordan - Project Manager for Antarctica New Zealand and board member for the Antarctician Society
• Claire Christian - Executive Director of ASOC or the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition
• Talbot Andrews - Assistant Professor with the Department of Political Science, studying climate policy at the University of Connecticut

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If you experience headaches, fatigue or gastrointestinal issues during difficult times, you’re not alone.

Today, we explore the link between our physical and mental health. Doctors typically treat these areas of health separately, but there is a lot more connecting these two areas of health than you might think.

Dr. Julian Ford, clinical psychologist and professor in the department of psychiatry at the UConn School of Medicine joins us to talk about the physical consequences of chronic stress.

GUESTS:

• Dr. Julian Ford - Clinical psychologist and Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine
• Aneri Pattani - National Correspondent with Kaiser Health News
• Heather Labbe - Director of Trauma Informed Wellness and Education at the YWCA in New Britain, Connecticut

Cat Pastor contributed to this show which originally aired May 6, 2022.

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The State Department of Education and five Connecticut tribal nations are working together to meet a legislative mandate calling for Native American curriculum for K-12 social studies classes. Resources with localized information from the tribal nations themselves – Eastern Pequot, Mashantucket Pequot, Mohegan, Schaghticoke and Golden Hill Paugussett – are expected to be available in January 2024.

This hour, we preview this collaboration with educators from the Mohegan Tribal Nation and the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, as well as State Department of Education social studies advisor Steve Armstrong.

Darlene Kascak, education coordinator for the Institute of American Indian Studies and a traditional Native American storyteller with the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, explains the importance of centering, and distinguishing, each tribe's story and voice.

Plus, Sam Cholewa Tondreau is the director of curriculum and instruction for the Mohegan Tribal Nation, helping develop the Educators Project, an online portal that provides a "combination of free Native American study resources and tools" to educators and homeschoolers.

GUESTS:

• Darlene Kascak: Education Coordinator, Institute of American Indian Studies; Traditional Native American Storyteller, Schaghticoke Tribal Nation
• Sam Cholewa Tondreau: Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Mohegan Tribal Nation
• Steve Armstrong: Social Studies Consultant, Connecticut State Department of Education

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Doctors and scientists are increasingly seeing obesity as a complex disease that needs to be treated as such.

Today, we talk about the psychology of obesity, and emotional eating. We learn about binge eating disorder and how stress and trauma can impact our metabolism and how we eat.

We hear from Dr. Sherry Pagato, Licensed clinical psychologist and professor at University of Connecticut. She researches weight management.

Going into the holidays, and the New Year, are you thinking about health and weight?

GUESTS:

• Dr. Sherry Pagato - Licensed clinical psychologist and professor at University of Connecticut
• Katie Mittelstaedt - Outreach and Clinical Consultant and licensed psychologist in Florida - National Alliance for Eating Disorder
• Dr. Jeffrey Hunger- Assistant Professor of Social Psychology Miami University in Ohio

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7.2 million Americans watched the FIFA World Cup opener, AP reports. Live viewership on Fox "was up 88% from the 2018 opener."

Christine Huber, a sports analyst who organizes local Team USA watch parties in the New Haven area through American Outlaws New Haven, says she's observed an increase in local attention on the games. She and local soccer commentator Shawn Mecchi join us to discuss, and spotlight the teams and players to watch.

We also get the very latest on the games, and the geopolitical backdrop, from NPR sports correspondent Tom Goldman in Qatar.

Plus, Omid Namazi joins us, assistant coach for Connecticut's top pro soccer team, Hartford Athletic, and a former coach for Iran.

GUESTS:

• Christine Huber: Sports Analyst; General Manager, CFC Arena in Hamden and CFC Park in Bethany; President, American Outlaws New Haven
• Shawn Mecchi: Sports Commentator
• Tom Goldman: Sports Correspondent, NPR
• Omid Namazi: Assistant Coach and Director of Scouting, Hartford Athletic

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Suicide is the leading cause of death in college students, but are universities doing enough to provide mental health resources?

Today, on Where We Live, we talk about a growing need for more mental health support on the college campus.

We hear from Jennifer Rothman, of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and talk about what colleges can do to better aid students, and where students can go for help.

We want to hear from you - what mental health resources does your college offer? Is it enough?

GUESTS:

• Sarah Brown - News Editor at the Chronicle of Higher Ed
• Dr. Nick Pinkerton - Associate Dean of Counseling Services and Wellbeing at Southern Connecticut State University
• Jennifer Rothman - Senior Manager of Youth and Young Adult Taskforce, based in North Carolina for NAMI, or the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
• Alyeska Tilly - UConn Graduate Student

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One in ten Americans, or one on every elevator and four on every bus, is impacted by a rare disease. Yet, 95 percent of rare diseases do not have approved treatment. On a promising note, bio-pharmaceutical companies working on orphan drugs have more than 800 projects in clinical development.

In a ground-breaking clinical trial, a participating patient at the University of Connecticut Health Center was the first in the world to receive an infusion treatment for a type of glycogen storage disease.

This hour on Where We Live, we hear from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) on efforts to create a Rare Disease Advisory Council in Connecticut to elevate the voices of residents with rare diseases, something other states have done.

We also hear from a UConn researcher, and a father and son living with osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bone disease, on the latest treatment and challenges.

GUESTS:

• John D'Alessandro: Diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta at age 40
• Christian D'Alessandro: Diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta at around four weeks
• Alicia Lawrence: Patient Services Case Manager, National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
• Amber Barry, RN: Glycogen Storage Disease & Disorders of Hypoglycemia Program at the University of Connecticut Health Center, and Connecticut Children’s Medical Center

Cat Pastor contributed to this show which originally aired February 23, 2022.

Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode!

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New Haven social studies teacher Garrett Griffin Jr. noticed his students were treading lightly around the topics of slavery and ancestry, and he set out to learn more in order to spotlight "the complexities and rich accomplishments of the descendants of Africa."

By looking into this history, Griffin said, "I hope to empower my students about our complex past for the ultimate purpose of increasing their academic performance."

When Erin Caouette, a Southington High School English teacher, learned about the stark spike in violence against the AAPI community, she sought out opportunities to study the history of discrimination, and to diversify her source material.

This hour, we hear from Garrett and Erin about their experiences as fellows of Fund for Teachers (FFT), a grant program supporting educators pursuing professional learning opportunities outside of the classroom. They are two of nearly 900 Fund for Teachers fellows from Connecticut.

1 of 2Fund for Teachers fellows showcase their experience, including 2022 Teacher of the Year Kim King.Fund for Teachers / Carrie Caton2 of 2Southington High School teacher Erin Caouette observed a “Tree of Hope” in LA’s Little Tokyo while studying AAPI history as a Fund for Teachers fellow.Erin Caouette

Plus, we hear from those fielding proposals at Fund for Teachers, who underscore the increasing importance of culturally-sustaining professional development.

GUESTS:

• JHD (Jennifer Heikkila Díaz): Program Team Member, Fund for Teachers; Learning Coordinator, Connecticut Council for the Social Studies; Activist-in-Residence, UConn Asian and Asian American Studies Institute
• Karen Eckhoff: Executive Director, Fund for Teachers
• Garrett Griffin, Jr: Social Studies Teacher, East Rock School
• Erin Caouette: English Teacher, Southington High School

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The American Rescue Plan Act was signed on March 11, 2021. Less than two weeks later, $81 billion was released to states across the country.

This hour on Where We Live, we hear from experts on the state of ARPA spending in Connecticut. How is money being used to support housing, education and infrastructure?  

Municipalities must allocate funds by December 2024 and fully spend them by December 2026.

Guests

• Susan Raff: Chief Political reporter at WFSB
• Alan Berube: Interim Vice President and Director of Brookings Metro at the Brookings Institution
• Bilal Tajildeen: Co-Founder of It’s Time Waterbury
• Darrell Bradford: President of the John Read Middle School PTA

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