Author Phil Klay shines a spotlight on modern warfare

Around the globe, artists are using their mediums to show how climate change is impacting our planet.

Today, we’re exploring the convergence of art and science. We'll be talking with artists using their craft to have conversations about the environment.

Earlier this year, Where We Live talked about how snow loss is impacting our ecosystems and community here in Connecticut. Today, we hear from Lynn Cazabon, the artist behind the multidisciplinary project “Losing Winter” who will join us from Australia.

But first up, we’re hearing from the Mattatuck Museum. The exhibit “Sea Change | See Change” is raising awareness of how climate change is impacting our oceans.

GUESTS:

• Sam Schwann: underwater explorer and ocean artist
• Keffie Feldman: Chief Curator at the Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury, Connecticut
• Lynn Cazabon: artist behind the project Losing Winter
• Elizabeth Ellenwood: an artist from Pawcatuck, Connecticut

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

Cat Pastor contributed to this show that originally aired on February 6, 2024.

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Tri-state area or New England? Nutmeg or Constitution State? "Stuffy, preppy, sleepy"? What really makes Connecticut Connecticut, and what stereotypes can we stand to shake off?

After the state's recent rebranding effort, it's a debate that has found its way to the national stage. This hour, Catherine Shen is joined by a roundtable of Connecticut Public hosts, as we debate what defines Connecticut.

And we want to hear from you. What characterizes or typifies where you live? What do you think people get wrong or right about Connecticut's reputation?

GUESTS:

• Colin McEnroe: Host, The Colin McEnroe Show

• Chion Wolf: Host, Audacious with Chion Wolf

• Dr. Khalilah Brown-Dean: Host, Disrupted

• Dr. Jonathan Wharton: Associate Professor of Political Science and Urban Affairs, Southern Connecticut State University; Columnist, CT News Junkie and Hearst Connecticut

Cat Pastor contributed to this episode which originally aired on January 25, 2024.

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According to the National Institutes of Health, average body weight drastically increased across the board for men and women during the pandemic lockdown.

Simply eating less and exercising more hasn’t been that effective when it comes to weight loss. In efforts to fight weight stigma, doctors are embracing a new idea that weight loss isn’t all about willpower and health is defined by more than just someone’s weight.

In 2021, the FDA approved Semaglutide for weight loss for the general population. Doctors and patients are flocking to get this medication.

Children over the age of 12 are now eligible to be prescribed this drug as well. Many celebrities have confirmed their personal use of the drugs, including Oprah. Influencers across the social sphere are partnering with pharmaceutical companies to promote the drugs.

Today, we talk about these drugs, and combating weight stigma in and out the doctor’s office.

GUESTS:

• Dr. Mara Gordon: Family Practice Physician from New Jersey
• Devika Umashanker: System Medical Director for Obesity Medicine at Hartford Healthcare
• Dr. Maria Asnis: Director of the Center for Weight Management at Stamford Health
• Dr. Sherry Pagoto: Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Professor at University of Connecticut

Where We Live is available as a podcast 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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In late January, Reuters reported that “some 70 U.S. cities, including Chicago and Seattle, have passed resolutions on the Israel-Gaza war," with the majority calling for a cease-fire.

Several Connecticut city and town councils have considered resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Bridgeport passed one of these non-binding agreements in January, Hartford City Council recently rejected a resolution, and Hamden’s Town Council is considering one. In New Haven, organizers staged an open hearing for a ceasefire at City Hall on Monday, after they say the Board of Alders "ignored" their requests.

Coming up, we discuss the significance of these local resolutions with Eddy Martinez, Connecticut Public breaking news reporter, plus University of Hartford politics and government expert Bilal Sekou, and Dartmouth University professor of government Dr. Nadia Brown.

But first, NPR national security correspondent Greg Myre discusses the significance of Sunday’s announcement, and the very latest around diplomatic negotiations.

GUESTS:

• Greg Myre: NPR National Security Correspondent
• Dr. Bilal Sekou: Associate Professor of Politics and Government, University of Hartford
• Dr. Nadia Brown: Professor of Government, Georgetown University
• Dr. Emy Matesan: Associate Professor of Government, Wesleyan University
• Eddy Martinez: General Assignment/Breaking News Reporter, Connecticut Public
• Christine Squires: President and CEO, Americares

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

For kids today, there’s a whole new career path: social media influencer. In fact, 57 percent of Gen Zs say they’d be an influencer. But some young people aren’t waiting to become social media influencers; they’re already ones.

These parent-run, kid centric accounts aren't all brand deals, and free merchandise. A new investigation by the New York Times showcases the darker side of the Kidfluencer world.

Today, we hear about the realities of working in this space — and how some young people are advocating to get their privacy back.

GUESTS:

• Jennifer Valentino-DeVries: Reporter for the New York Times
• Chris McCarty: Student Founder and Executive Director of Quit Clicking Kids

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

Librarians in Connecticut say the number of book ban requests they’re fielding is still "soaring," and that the focus is on content relating to LGBTQIA+ identity and themes. Librarians have even looked to lawmakers for support.

This hour, we get the latest from state and national Library Associations.

But first, advocates and lawmakers hosted a vigil at the State Capitol last week for Nex Benedict, the teenager who died after a fight in the school bathroom in Oklahoma. Keith Brown with Gay Spirit Radio reports.

GUESTS:

• Keith Brown: Host and Producer, Gay Spirit Radio
• Deborah Caldwell-Stone: Director of the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom
• Samantha Lee: Chair, Connecticut Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Committee; Head of Reference Services at Enfield Public Library
• Mary Richardson: Teen Services Librarian, Simsbury Public Library; Co-Host "The Book Jam" Podcast

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

Applying for financial aid is no easy task. Whether you’re the parent or the incoming student. And a new FAFSA form hasn’t made things any easier.

The online FAFSA form - or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid was recently updated. But it’s come with a lot of glitches causing headaches for students and parents alike.

Today on Where We Live, we talk about what’s happening with this form and how universities are responding.

We’ll also talk about how some universities here in Connecticut are working to eliminate student loans from their financial aid packages.

GUESTS:

• Danielle Douglas-Gabriel: Reporter for the Washington Post
• Eric Hoover: Senior Writer at The Chronicle of Higher Education 
• Jen Duncan: Director of Financial Aid at Wesleyan University

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

Beloved Muppet Elmo recently asked social media a simple question, "How is everybody doing?" The answers ranged from incredulous to raging. The trauma-dumping on Elmo begged the question: Are we burnt out?

Burnout has been reported in many industries: Connecticut Public has previously covered burnout in health care, and among early child care educators and teachers, for example. When Where We Live covered burnout in the nonprofit world in 2022, our phone lines were flooded.

This hour, we hear from Emily Ballesteros, a management coach and the author of the new book, The Cure for Burnout. She defines the phenomenon, and fields your questions.

Plus, Elizabeth Thompson is a local news researcher focused on burnout in local journalism.

A 2020 report from UNC found that more than one-quarter of American newspapers had shut down since 2005, forcing more than half of all local journalists out of the industry, and "leaving many remaining newsrooms staffed by a small number of reporters burdened by excessive workloads and unable to dedicate themselves to particular topics of local interest."

GUESTS:

• Emily Ballesteros: Management Coach; Author, The Cure for Burnout
• Elizabeth Thompson: Local News Researcher, Center for Innovation and Sustainability in Local Media at the University of North Carolina

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

Two years ago, Russia invaded Ukraine and launched a full scale attack on the country. This hour, we hear what life looks like in Ukraine today and how Ukrainian refugees are adjusting to life in the United States. Since the recent invasion, many Ukrainians have made the difficult decision to leave the region, while others have stayed behind.

Americares, a humanitarian aid organization based here in Connecticut has worked to bring in over 300 tons of medical aid to the region. But providing mental health first aid is becoming as important as providing medical first aid.

Ukrainian refugees are also seeking mental health support, but finding Ukrainian speaking therapists and support systems is a challenge. We hear from those working to help this population and hear how refugees are adjusting to life here in the United States.

GUESTS:

• Adam Keehn: Director of Complex Emergencies at Americares, a humanitarian organization based in Stamford, Connecticut
• Olena Lennon: Adjunct Professor of Political Science (National Security) at the University of New Haven
• Dana Bucin: Immigration Attorney at Murtha Cullina and Honorary Consul of Romania to Connecticut
• Anne Howard: co-author and translator of the bookEscape from Mariupol: A Survivor's True Story. She is also an attorney and author.

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Quantum mechanics is a theory that even some scientists have trouble wrapping their heads around. But this industry is booming, and some physicists here in Connecticut are hoping to make our state the “Quantum Corridor” for research, workforce development and education.

In May 2023, “the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a $1 million federal planning grant to Yale University and the University of Connecticut toward developing quantum technology related businesses in Connecticut.”

Today, we hear about this project and learn about the future of quantum. We’ll attempt to answer the question: “what is quantum mechanics?” We only have an hour, but we will try our best.

We’ll hear how this field could eventually touch every area of science.

GUESTS:

• Michael DiDonato: UConn Tech Park Business Development Manager, and QuantumCT UConn Project Manager

• Steven Girvin: Eugene Higgins Professor of Physics at Yale

• Dr. Brian Sullivan: High School STEM teacher teaching physics, calculus and statistics at the Wooster School, a private co-educational school in Danbury Connecticut

Cat Pastor contributed to this episode which originally aired January 16, 2024.

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.