Where We Live

It all started with a typo. Anelise Chen was going through a difficult divorce. Her career and job security was tenuous. She just got into a bike accident leaving her with bruised ribs, and she received a text from her mom: “Clam down! Just clam down.” This typo inspired a journey of healing: a journey that included retreating, diving into her family history and learning everything she could about the life of a clam, and other mollusks, some of the most resilient species on our planet. She joins us for the hour to talk about her new book "Clam Down: A Metamorphosis." GUESTS: Anelise Chen:Clam Down: A Metamorphosis 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. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here at Where We Live, this was a big year for books. Not only did we get the chance to speak with some terrific authors, we also launched our Where We Read newsletter, a destination for die-hard book lovers and the literary curious alike. Today, we are going to listen back to a few of our favorite author conversations. We hear from Connecticut natives Ocean Vuong and Wally Lamb. Listen back to their full interviews below: Wally Lamb's new book, 'The River Is Waiting,' explores prison injustice and forgiveness Connecticut native Ocean Vuong has a deep love for Hartford GUESTS: Ocean Vuong: writer, professor and author of "The Emperor of Gladness" Wally Lamb: author of "The River Is Waiting." He is also the author of "She’s Come Undone" and "I Know This Much Is True." 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. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What meal brings you back to childhood? This hour, two local children’s authors share how their young protagonists find meaning in the kitchen, using food as a tool to explore culture, loss, and belonging. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cat Shen has been hosting Where We Live long enough for the show to use a fork, and yet very little is known about her. In this hour, technical producer and partner-in-mischief Dylan Reyes sits down with Cat to get the inside scoop on the reporter turned host. The pair discuss some of their favorite songs, defining life moments and what it means to be the face of a show that's celebrating 20 years on Connecticut Public Radio in 2026. MUSIC FEATURED (in order): Milk Tea — Yuji Ohno (ft. Akari Dritschler Happy Happy Christmas — Drax (commonly known as it is a mystery) Complicated — Avril Lavigne Magpie — Peach Pit The Moon Represents My Heart — Teresa Teng (鄧麗君 — Deng Lee Jun) Uprising — Muse Mr. Resetti — insaneintherainmusic Ganja Smugglin — The Expendables Goofy Goober Rock — Tom Rothrock I'm Yours — Jason Mraz Sparkle (movie version) — RADWIMPS Or, find it all in this playlist! 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. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connecticut native and bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert’s new memoir, "All the Way to the River," tells the story of her late partner, Rayya Elias. The two began as fast friends, then fell in love. But as they faced tragedy together, their shared struggles with addiction put them on a collision course with catastrophe. This hour, Gilbert joins us to talk about Rayya — “the love of her life” — and what she discovered about herself, about love, and about the sanctity of truth in writing this deeply personal memoir. Guest: Elizabeth Gilbert: author of the new memoir, "All the Way to the River." She is also the author of several other bestselling novels including "Eat, Pray, Love" and "City of Girls." This episode originally aired on Sep. 11, 2025. 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. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From a mass shooting in Australia that left 15 people dead, to a shooting at Brown University that killed two students, the world has been rocked by gun violence at the end of 2025. In the U.S., 125 people die from a gun injury, and more than 200 people are shot and wounded each day, according to the nonprofit Everytown for Gun Safety. In Connecticut, there were at least 339 incidents of gun violence this year. The outpouring of shock and grief following the shootings was expected and understandable. But what is it like for young people to live with the constant fear of guns in their environments or the threat of mass shootings? Guests: Nelba Márquez-GreeneRenee BeaversStacey MayerCT Against Gun Violence.Malini ParikhSupport the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tuesday is the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth. This hour, we celebrate the beloved author's work, and look at why her six novels have endured for centuries. Plus, we hear from a horticulturalist about her love of gardens, and talk with a local historical clothing expert about fashion in Austen's time. GUESTS: Barbara Benedict: Tara Key:Jana Milbocker:Kandie Carle:Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why does Christmas bring out the ghosts? This hour, we dig into the world of Charles Dickens and Mark Twain, and the Victorian obsession with spiritualism that shaped so many holiday tales. We also explore two Connecticut productions of A Christmas Carol to see how performers keep this annual tradition fresh. GUESTS: Wesley Broulik:Times Fool CompanyCynthia Rider:Hartford StageEmma Gerstein: The Mark Twain House & MuseumSupport the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Millions of people in our country live with a chronic condition. From syndromes affecting our hearts and brains, to pain and inflammation, chronic illnesses can be hidden to the world, but are all too real for patients. Today, we dive deep into how culture and politics affect our bodies. We explore perceptions of what illness looks like (or doesn’t look like). And we'll ask what it takes for a patient to become an advocate, both for themself and for others. Are you or someone you love living with a chronic condition? We want to hear from you. Guests Eshani Surya: Author of Ravishing, a novel that explores the intersection of the beauty industry and chronic illness Jennifer Lunden: Author of American Breakdown: Our Ailing Nation, My Body’s Revolt, and the Nineteenth-Century Woman Who Brought Me Back to Life – An Illuminating Investigation into Chronic Illness and Environmental Ecosystems Lauren Stiles: Founder, Dysautonomia International Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Changing federal guidance on vaccines has Connecticut health officials in an uproar. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vaccine committee recently altered long-standing guidance on how newborns are vaccinated. Meanwhile, doctors say more patients fear vaccine side effects, which doctors are addressing on a case-by-case basis during consultations. Public health experts are concerned that fear and confusion could bring back diseases that the U.S. had forgotten. We’ll dig into the history of vaccines in America, check in with Connecticut doctors and ask the state's top public health official what's next. Guests: Jason L SchwartzDr. Manisha JuthaniDr. David BanachSupport the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This hour, we listen to “Oy, with the Gilmores already!," an episode of Connecticut Public’s new podcast "Generation Gilmore Girls." We learn about the show's staying power 25 years after its premiere. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to getting behind the wheel, there’s a lot to be stressed about, and we're not just talking about bad drivers. The average cost of a new car today is about $50,000. Car insurance rates have risen 55% since February 2020. Car maintenance costs are also on the rise. Today, we talk about what you should know if you’re in the market for a new vehicle. Later, we hear from the Connecticut Mirror. They recently completed an in-depth investigation into vehicle-selling practices at Connecticut towing companies. GUESTS: Dave Altimari:Ginny Monk:Tracy Noble:AAA in Greater HartfordCamila Domonoske:Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Like many humanitarian crises, the situation in Sudan is complicated. The nation has a long history of violence, war and genocide. Several militia groups, factions and tribes have contributed to the devastation. The region is facing mass starvation. Millions of people have been displaced and impacted by famine. Mass killings and sexual violence have become all too common in this region. Today, we hear what humanitarian aid organizations are doing to provide support to this region. GUESTS: Arjan Hehenkamp:International Rescue Committee,Janti Soeripto:Save the Children,Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This hour, Marc Brackett, founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, talks about why managing our emotions might be the most important skill we ever learn. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Thanksgiving week! This hour, Where We Live is celebrating the holiday season with a listen back to some of our favorite conversations about cooking and the social power of food. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lebanese cuisine is all about slowing down, gathering with friends and family and taking your time to enjoy a meal. "I have a clock that doesn't move in the restaurant," said chef George Noujaim. He's the owner of Noujaim's Bistro in Winstead, Connecticut. Noujaim is one of two Lebanese chef-owners we’ll hear from today, who are teaching their customer base to slow down. With gathering in mind, we’ll also listen back to our conversation with cook and author Samin Nosrat. Her new book is “Good Things: Recipes and Rituals to Share with People You Love.” GUESTS: Samin Nosrat: cook, teacher and author of “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat” and “Good Things: Recipes and Rituals to Share with People You Love" Reem Hadir: chef and founder of Lebnani Mediterranean Kitchen and Bar in Watertown George Noujaim: chef owner of Noujaim’s Mediterranean Cuisine in Winsted Tess Terrible: Senior Producer of Where We Live 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. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many Americans are feeling the pressure of rising grocery bills. Meanwhile, an estimated $550 million worth of food will go to waste this Thanksgiving alone. That’s according to the nonprofit ReFed. This hour, we’ll hear about statewide efforts to reduce, reuse and rethink what we throw away. And later, we’ll hear from experts on the front lines of food recovery — people working to get good food out of landfills and onto kitchen tables instead. GUESTS: Katie Dykes:Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental ProtectionJennifer Heaton-Jones:Housatonic Resources Recovery AuthorityLori Martin: Haven’s HarvestKaren Saggese:Food Rescue USSupport the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Haven's Claire's Corner Copia has been a Connecticut institution for 50 years now. This hour owner Claire Criscuolo joins us to talk about food, building community and her new cookbook. We'll get vegetarian cooking tips ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, and take your calls. GUEST: Claire Criscuolo: Claire’s Corner Copia50 Vegetarian Recipes from 50 Years of Claire’s Corner CopiaSupport the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For generations, stories of Native America were erased from the American story. Today, we explore the Native American experience in New England. Connecticut Public Special Correspondent Diane Orson has spent nearly a year researching, producing and reporting the stories in this series, called "Still Here." We hear from Diane, and get a preview of this special series. Guests: Diane Orson: reporter and producer at Connecticut Public Radio Chris Newell: Co-Founder and Director of Education for Akowmawt Educational Initiative, a majority native-owned educational consultancy and Native American Cultural Director of the University of Connecticut’s Native American Cultural Program 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. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hurricane Melissa was one of the most powerful hurricanes on record. This Category 5 storm caused devastation in Jamaica and across the Caribbean, permanently changing the lives of those living and working in this region. Here in Connecticut, many residents have felt the ripple effect. The West Indian community makes up a large portion of the immigrant population in Connecticut. There are 70,000 West Indian immigrants in greater Hartford area alone. Many individuals in this community were unable to reach loved ones at the height of the storm, and are now stepping up to provide support for those impacted by the hurricane. Today, we hear from them. Guests: Azaria Tyler:Jamaican American Connection in New HavenDr. Gary Rhule:West Indian Social ClubGlobal Jamaica Diaspora CouncilCarolyn Vermont:West Indian American Association of Bridgeport Caribbean organizations in Connecticut are requesting the following items for people impacted by Hurricane Melissa. Items can be dropped off at a number of locations located across the greater Hartford area. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.