Where We Live

4.2 (56)
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Produced by Connecticut Public, 'Where We Live' puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines. We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.

7H AGO

Food as medicine: How what we eat can nourish, support and even heal our bodies

There’s an old saying that goes “you are what you eat.” You might take that phrase with a grain of salt, but doctors agree: what we eat affects our blood pressure, blood sugar, cardiovascular health and more. It's knowledge that's generations old — food as a source of nourishment and healing. Essentially, food can act as medicine. From Ayurveda and Chinese herbs to modern-day food pharmacies — what we put on our plates impacts our health. But what can we do about it? Especially with inflation inching upward, seven-in-ten Americans say the cost of healthy food can be out of reach. We explore solutions. GUESTS: Dr. Anusha Sehgal: a classically trained Ayurvedic physician based in Boston Dr. Ulysses Wu: Chief Epidemiologist at Hartford Healthcare Skip Lewis: resident of Hartford living with polycystic kidney Disease David Juros: Operations Manager of Food4Health Clinic at Hartford Healthcare Jessica Soto: a patient at Hartford Healthcare. She was a recipient of the Food for Health Clinic at Hartford Healthcare Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

49 min
1D AGO

New Haven author Anelise Chen explores art of retreat and how to 'clam' down

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: author of "Clam Down: A Metamorphosis" and Associate Professor at Columbia University 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.

48 min
12/30/2025

Where We Read listens back to conversations with CT authors

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.

49 min
12/29/2025

Connecticut authors reflect on food’s power to connect us

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.

49 min
12/23/2025

Music and memories: A game of musical chairs with host Catherine Shen

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.

49 min
12/22/2025

CT native Elizabeth Gilbert reflects on love and loss in new memoir 'All the Way to the River'

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.

47 min
12/18/2025

Amid ongoing gun violence, how are young people handling anxiety?

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-Greene: Mother of Ana Grace, killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012. Community Scholar, Yale School of Public Health. Renee Beavers: Hospital violence intervention specialist (HVIP), Connecticut Children’s. Stacey Mayer: Director of Advocacy, Policy & Outreach at CT Against Gun Violence. Malini Parikh: Student, Hopkins School, New Haven. President of the CT Against Gun Violence Youth Council. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

43 min
12/16/2025

A celebration of Jane Austen, on her 250th birthday

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: Charles A. Dana Professor of English at Trinity College Tara Key: Manager of Reference and Instruction at the New Canaan Library Jana Milbocker: Garden designer, lecturer, and writer Kandie Carle: Known as “The Victorian Lady,” is an actress and historian Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

42 min

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4.2

out of 5

56 Ratings

Learning local

09/26/2025

LeGoodolato

Love learning more about CT after just recently moving here. Exploring through a podcast!
ProPublica Shrub Oak Coverage

07/02/2024

smcnall

Thank you for using the recent ProPublica investigation into Shrub Oak Int School as a platform to discuss ways in which we can provide equitable and meaningful support for autistic children and their families. Every thoughtful conversation raises awareness which is halfway to awareness on the way to advocacy.
Love this show

02/18/2015

Ctmac83

This show is great for CT residents, and I love it on WNPR. I have a hard time tuning in live because of the hours it airs, so I am very happy to see it as a podcast.
Can’t get past it

12/23/2023

Samandz

Host doing quietest ASMR voice while guests speak at a normal volume. This means you either have to constantly adjust the volume or get blasted with sound when the normal voices speak. Do they not listen once they’ve released it?

Produced by Connecticut Public, 'Where We Live' puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines. We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.