Brave Little State

Vermont Public
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Brave Little State Podcast

What if you could decide what stories Vermont Public should be covering, before they're even assigned? That's the idea behind Brave Little State.

  1. 6 SEPT

    Is Vermont’s motel program a ‘magnet’ for out-of-staters experiencing homelessness?

    For as long as Carly Berlin has been reporting on housing issues for Vermont Public and VTDigger, she’s been hearing some version of this question: Is Vermont’s rise in homelessness due to unhoused people moving here from out-of-state?She hasn’t been able to track down an easy answer to this question. And in the absence of information, the idea that Vermont’s benefits are a “magnet” for those experiencing homelessness has taken root, from the aisles of grocery stores to the Statehouse floor. It’s a narrative that’s shaping the conversation about homelessness in Vermont, and what the state should do to address it.But is it even true? In this episode, Carly goes digging for data.Find the web version of this story here. Thanks to Joseph Valaske and Mark Tarmy of Putney for sharing their curiosity with us. This episode was reported by Carly Berlin and produced by Burgess Brown. Editing and additional production from Sabine Poux and Josh Crane, with support from April McCullum and Alicia Freese. Angela Evancie is our executive producer. Theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.Special thanks to Lola Duffort, Laura Nakasaka, Sophie Stephens, Jess Graff, Sarah Russell, Rick DeAngelis, Frank Knaack, Stephen Waclawik and Mary Mojica. As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:Ask a question about VermontSign up for the BLS newsletterSay hi on Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevtDrop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.orgMake a gift to support people-powered journalismTell your friends about the show!Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network. Updated: September 7, 2024 — We removed a caveat about data presented in this story to avoid repetition and the potential for misinterpretation.

    38 min

  2. 22 AUG

    When the Space Race and arms dealing came to the NEK (encore)

    A chapter of Northeast Kingdom history that is most mysterious. A man whose talent and ambition led him down a perilous path. To answer a question from Eric Lucier of Jay, Henry Epp tells the story of the Space Research Corporation and its founder, Gerald Bull. We originally released this episode in 2022. Check out photos of the Space Research Corporation site, then and now, in our web feature. Henry Epp reported this episode. It was produced by Angela Evancie, with additional editing and production by Myra Flynn and Josh Crane. This encore presentation was produced by Burgess Brown. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions. Special thanks to Anna Ste Marie, Kevin Trevellyan, Mark Davis, Michael Rogers, Kate Phillips and Paul Carnahan. As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it: Ask a question about VermontVote on the question you want us to tackle nextSign up for the BLS newsletterSay hi on Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevtDrop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.orgMake a gift to support people-powered journalismTell your friends about the show! Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public.

    52 min

  3. 8 AUG

    Our 7th Annual Brief History of Vermont Road Names

    What’s summer without a road trip? Every year, Brave Little State travels around Vermont to find the stories behind the road signs. But even with several years of investigations under our seatbelts, we’re still finding plenty of surprises. This year, we looked into the stories behind Lake Willoughby, Hells Peak Road and Pumpkin Harbor Road. You can find the web version of this story here. And psst — check out our new Brave Little State landing page, which, for the first time, has a searchable archive of all our past episodes.Check out our previous brief histories of Vermont road names:2023: Tigertown, Hateful Hill and Gerts Knob2022: Iranistan Road, a Jericho grab bag and punny highway signs2021: Cow Path 40, Agony Hill Road, Texas Falls2020: Devil’s Washbowl, Popple Dungeon Road, Lost Nation Road, Smuggler’s Notch2019: Mad Tom River Road, Hi-Lo Biddy Road, Star Pudding Farm Road, Sawnee Bean Road2018: States Prison Hollow Road, Poor Farm Road, Lime Kiln Road, Kelley Stand RoadThis episode was reported, produced, edited and mixed by Adiah Gholston, Burgess Brown, Samantha Watson and Sabine Poux. Our managing editor and senior producer is Josh Crane and our executive producer is Angela Evancie. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.Thanks to this year’s question askers: Beverly Decker, Sarah Hazleton and John Finlay.As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:Ask a question about VermontSign up for the BLS newsletterSay hi on Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevtDrop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.orgMake a gift to support people-powered journalismTell your friends about the show!Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

    41 min

  4. 25 JUL

    Are Vermonters happy?

    Whew… a big question. And certainly not one with a yes or no answer. Happiness looks different depending on who you ask. So we visited five Vermonters to learn what happiness looks like to them.  Question-asker Courtney Rabuffo is a recent transplant to Vermont. She’s found a lot of happiness in her new home in North Hero. But she wants to know how other Vermonters are faring, which is why she asked us:  "Are Vermonters happy? And are they happier than people in other New England states?" Find the web version of this episode here. This episode was reported by Mitch Wertlieb and produced by Sabine Poux. Editing and additional production from Josh Crane, Burgess Brown and Kevin Trevellyn. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.  Special thanks to Zoe McDonald, Winona Johnson and Heather Call. As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it: Ask a question about VermontVote on the question you want us to tackle nextSign up for the BLS newsletterSay hi on Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevtDrop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.orgCall our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880Make a gift to support people-powered journalismLeave us a rating/review in your favorite podcast appTell your friends about the show! Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

    28 min

  5. 18 JUL

    Jeezum crow!

    Jeezum crow, is it tough to find the origin of the phrase ‘jeezum crow’! Join us for our exploration into this quintessential Vermont saying, as we journey from folklore to linguistics to… crows.  Thanks to Sandra Bettis of Middlesex for the great question:“Where did ‘jeezum crow’ come from and is it just a Vermont saying?”Find the web version of this episode here.This episode was reported by Mikaela Lefrak. It was produced and edited by Angela Evancie, Josh Crane, Sabine Poux and Burgess Brown. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions and Banjo Dan.Special thanks to Sophie Stephens, Laura Nakasaka, Jim Stanford, Martha Barnette, Grant Barrett and Mary Danko.As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:Ask a question about VermontVote on the question you want us to tackle nextSign up for the BLS newsletterSay hi on Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevtDrop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.orgCall our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880Make a gift to support people-powered journalismLeave us a rating/review in your favorite podcast appTell your friends about the show!Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network. P.S.: An earlier version of this story said Vermont History is a magazine. The audio has been updated to reflect that it is a journal.

    10 min

  6. 11 JUL

    What 'old streams' can teach us about flooding (encore)

    Here we are again. Exactly one year after historic floods ravaged Vermont, parts of the state are again dealing with devastating flooding following heavy rains. We turn back to a 2023 episode about how understanding why these floods are so destructive is not as simple as measuring rainfall. Last year, reporter Lexi Krupp took on what turned out to be a very timely question from Gus Goodwin of East Montpelier. He wanted to know: “What does an old stream look like? Does Vermont have any? And can we manage for them?”We’re revisiting that episode as Vermont assesses the damage from yet another round of flooding. You can find the web version of this episode here. For the most up-to-date flood coverage, you can visit vermontpublic.org. This episode was reported by Lexi Krupp and produced by Josh Crane with help from Mae Nagusky. This re-run was produced by Sabine Poux. Angela Evancie is Brave Little State’s executive producer. Our theme music is by Ty Gibbons. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.Special thanks to Sophie Stephens, Mark Davis, Mikaela Lefrak, Bill Keeton, Mary and Greg Russ, Ellen Wohl, Will Elridge, Skip Lisle and Elizabeth Trail.As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:Ask a question about VermontVote on the question you want us to tackle nextSign up for the BLS newsletterSay hi on Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevtDrop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.orgCall our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880Make a gift to support people-powered journalismLeave us a rating/review in your favorite podcast appTell your friends about the show!Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

    29 min

  7. 20 JUN

    What were Vermont’s ‘poor farms’ like?

    For about a century, a farm operated on a hillside in Hardwick. At one point, it was said to have one of the finest herds of cows in town. But life for those working the farm was less rosy. They were known as “inmates” — though they hadn’t committed crimes. This was Hardwick’s “poor farm.” Vermont towns used to be required by law to provide welfare locally. That’s where poor farms came in. A listener from Shelburne wants to know if there’s anything we can learn from this approach — in spite of its problems:“What were Vermont's 'poor farms' like, and could parts of the poor farm model of local aid be adapted for the needs of today?”Find the web version of this episode here.This episode was reported by Elodie Reed and produced by Sabine Poux. Editing and additional production from Burgess Brown and Josh Crane. Angela Evancie is Brave Little State’s executive producer. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.Special thanks to Zoe McDonald, Lexi Krupp, Erica Heilman, Liz Gauffreau, Tara Reese, Kent Osborne, Carlotta Hayes, Eric Jonathan, Jackson Miller and all the folks we spoke to at Heartbeet LifesharingAs always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:Ask a question about VermontVote on the question you want us to tackle nextSign up for the BLS newsletterSay hi on Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevtDrop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.orgCall our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880Make a gift to support people-powered journalismLeave us a rating/review in your favorite podcast appTell your friends about the show!Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

    29 min

  8. 6 JUN

    Why is it so hard to get a primary care provider?

    Hours and hours of calls. Months-long waitlists. Vermonters are spending a lot of time looking for primary care providers — and those providers are struggling, too.Question-asker Jen Kaufman is a doctor practicing in Vergennes who got into primary care because she likes spending time with patients. But she’s cut back on her hours seeing patients to manage her workload. She wants to know: What is the state of primary care in Vermont and where is it anticipated to go? Why is it so hard to get a primary care provider?Find the web version of this episode here.If you can, help us keep Brave Little State free for everyone by making a gift to Vermont Public at this link. It isn’t possible to make this show without your support. Thank you!This episode was reported by Lexi Krupp and produced by Burgess Brown. Editing and additional production from Sabine Poux and Josh Crane. Angela Evancie is Brave Little State’s executive producer. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.Special thanks to Sophie Stephens, Bobbie Groves, Alex Spieler, Jon Holmer, Gary Drown, Paul Capcara, Jessa Bernard, Susan White, Stuart May, Yalda Jabbarpour, Margaret Gadon, Leigh LoPresti, Fay Homan, John Saroyan, Jess Moore, Sheila Keating, Kristin Barnum, John Olson and Stephanie Pagliuca. As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:Ask a question about VermontVote on the question you want us to tackle nextSign up for the BLS newsletterSay hi on Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevtDrop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.orgCall our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880Make a gift to support people-powered journalismLeave us a rating/review in your favorite podcast appTell your friends about the show!Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

    23 min
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About

What if you could decide what stories Vermont Public should be covering, before they're even assigned? That's the idea behind Brave Little State.

Information

  • Creator
    Vermont Public
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2024
  • Episodes
    173
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Vermont Public
  • Show Website
    Brave Little State

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