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Brave Little State

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

  • 23 minutes 8 seconds
    Mud Season Madness (encore)

    It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Vermont’s messy transition from winter to spring always brings its fair share of surprises and obstacles. And this year has been no exception: The mud came early, and it came often.


    Keith Gadapee is on the front lines of battling mud season as road foreman for the town of Danville — which has more dirt roads than anywhere else in Vermont. We spoke to Keith back in 2022 for an episode we called “Mud Season Madness” and put your pressing mud questions to the expert. We dug out that episode for an encore and checked back in with Keith as this year’s roller coaster of a season comes to a close.


    Find the web version of this episode here.


    This episode was reported and produced by Sabine Poux and Angela Evancie, with editing and additional production from Burgess Brown. Angela Evancie is our executive producer, and our managing editor and senior producer is Josh Crane. Our theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.


    Special thanks to April McCullum and Sophie Stephens.


    As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:



    Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

    18 April 2024, 6:51 pm
  • 21 minutes 21 seconds
    What’s up with the Vermont wave?

    If you live in a rural part of Vermont, you know it — the one-finger lift or full-hand gesture from the steering wheel. Everyone has their own take on the so-called “Vermont wave.”


    Who gets a whole-hand wave and who doesn’t? When exactly do you do it and what does it mean? Reporter Nina Keck set out with question-asker Mica Tucker to learn the unwritten rules of the road and find out: “What’s up with the Vermont wave?”


    Find the web version of this episode here.


    This episode was reported by Nina Keck and produced by Burgess Brown. Editing and additional production from the rest of the Brave Little State team: Sabine Poux and Josh Crane. 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 Brittany Patterson, John Delgadillo and Sophie Stephens. 


    As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:



    Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

    4 April 2024, 8:53 pm
  • 18 minutes 43 seconds
    ‘Recognized’: An update

    Two Abenaki First Nations headquartered in Canada contest the legitimacy of Vermont’s state-recognized tribes. How are Vermont lawmakers responding? 


    Last October, Brave Little State published “Recognized”: a three-part investigation into contested claims that Vermont’s four state-recognized tribes are not legitimate. The Abenaki First Nations making those claims have called on Vermont lawmakers to reconsider the state recognition process. 


    Reporter Elodie Reed followed up on her original reporting and shared her findings with The Frequency podcast host Mitch Wertlieb. We’re resharing their conversation here.


    You can find a transcript of that conversation here.

    You can listen to the entire “Recognized” series here. 


    This story was reported and produced by Elodie Reed, with help from Mitch Wertlieb. The Brave Little State team is Josh Crane, Burgess Brown and Sabine Poux. Angela Evancie is Brave Little State’s Executive Producer. 


    We’ll be back soon with more people-powered Vermont journalism. As always, our show is better when you’re a part of it:



    Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.


    P.S. This story has been updated to more accurately reflect the response of Vermont's state-recognized tribes to scrutiny of the state recognition process. Additional context has also been added about genealogical documentation cited — but not made public — in state recognition applications.

    28 March 2024, 7:43 pm
  • 27 minutes 23 seconds
    Investigating far-right extremism in northern New York

    This week, a story from our neighbors at North Country Public Radio. If All Else Fails is a recent podcast about the growing presence — and threat — of far-right extremism in northern New York, and the voters and local law enforcement that are engaging with the movement there.


    You can learn more about the series here. That’s also where you can find photos from NCPR’s reporting, and listen to the rest of the series.


    Heads up: The show contains some harsh language and some listeners might find certain parts of this episode disturbing.


    This episode was reported by Emily Russell and Zach Hirsch for North Country Public Radio, with grant support from Grist and the Center for Rural Strategies. A big thanks to NCPR for letting us share their show here.


    The Brave Little State team is Josh Crane, Burgess Brown and Sabine Poux. Angela Evancie is Brave Little State’s Executive Producer. 


    We’ll be back soon with more people-powered Vermont journalism. As always, our show is better when you’re a part of it:



    Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

    21 March 2024, 2:54 pm
  • 21 minutes 39 seconds
    What impact does the VAST trail have on Vermont's economy?

    The Vermont Association of Snow Travelers, better known as VAST, maintains more than 6,000 miles of snowmobile trails across the state. Today, snowmobiling is one of the top contributors to Vermont’s winter economy. But for a sport so dependent on reliable snow, the future is uncertain.


    The majority of VAST trails are on private land. One of those landowners is winning question-asker Barb Huibregtse of Danville, who asks: 


    “What is the impact of the VAST trail on Vermont’s economy?”


    Find the web version of this episode here.


    This episode was reported by Howard Weiss-Tisman and produced by Sabine Poux. Editing and additional production from Burgess Brown and Josh Crane. 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 Augie Melendez, Brian Henderson, Joan Cwirka, Kevin McDonnell and Zachary Amerling.


    As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:



    Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.


    Correction: We removed a statistic that said that the number of days with an inch or more of snow in Vermont had dropped 40% since 1960, because we could not verify where it originated. According to data from NOAA, the total days of snow cover greater than one inch in Vermont was actually the same in 1960 and 2016, with variability from year to year. The story has been updated with additional reporting.

    7 March 2024, 7:39 pm
  • 34 minutes 15 seconds
    What is the Upper Valley?

    A smattering of Vermont and New Hampshire towns on either side of the Connecticut River are known collectively as the “Upper Valley.” We set out to learn more about the origin of that phrase, and what makes the Upper Valley a geographic and cultural outlier.


    Our mission comes from question-asker David Watts, of Norwich:


    “What is the Upper Valley? And how did it get its name?”


    Find the web version of this episode here.

     

    This episode was reported and produced by Josh Crane. Editing and additional production from Burgess Brown and Sabine Poux. Angela Evancie is our Executive Producer. Theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.


    Special thanks to Bob Green, Sophie Stephens, Mark Davis, Bill Kane, Pat Boerum, John Lowe, Richard Hastings and Kat Blanchard.


    As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:



    Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.


    P.S. A previous version of this story indicated that the Claremont Eagle Times shut down in 2009 and reopened under new ownership in 2022. The Eagle Times did shut down in 2009, but reopened under new ownership later that same year. It was sold again in 2022. We’ve updated the audio to reflect this, and also fixed our pronunciation of the town of “Topsham.”

    23 February 2024, 4:21 pm
  • 25 minutes 19 seconds
    How do Vermont libraries stay alive and vibrant?

    Vermont is home to almost 200 independent and locally funded libraries. This means they each must evolve to meet the unique needs of their communities with sometimes limited resources. That got listener Diane Church of Fairlee wondering:

    “How do our public libraries manage to stay alive and vibrant in this age of technology?”


    Vermont Public’s Sabine Poux and Andrea Laurion visit two of Vermont’s libraries to see how things are going.  


    Find the web version of this episode here.

     

    This episode was reported by Sabine Poux and Andrea Laurion, and it was produced by Burgess Brown. Editing and additional production from Josh Crane. Angela Evancie is our Executive Producer. Theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.


    Special thanks to Sophie Stephens, Catherine Delneo, Oceana Wilson, DeAnna Romstad, Max Maylin, Carol Plante, Sarah Lloyd and Paul Dunn.


    As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:



    Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

    8 February 2024, 8:37 pm
  • 47 minutes 47 seconds
    What relationships are possible between Burlington and her sister cities, Bethlehem and Arad?

    Burlington has sister cities all over the world — including in Nicaragua, Mississippi and Japan. Winning question-asker Peg Clement is curious about the city's relationship with two, in particular: Bethlehem, in the West Bank, and Arad, in Israel. 


    Find the web version of this episode here.


    The Burlington-Bethlehem-Arad sister city committee holds public meetings on the first Monday of every month in Burlington’s Miller Center. You can find more information here.


    Additional resources:



    This episode was reported and produced by Sabine Poux, Burgess Brown and Josh Crane. Angela Evancie is our executive producer. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.


    Special thanks to Sophie Stephens, Sandy Baird, Prudence Doherty, Chris Burns, Rob Bliss, Emery Mattheis, Jonah Spivak, Jim Rader, and the CCTV Center for Media & Democracy.


    As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:



    Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

    25 January 2024, 9:16 pm
  • 55 minutes 34 seconds
    Why do people like Phish? (Encore)

    We journey into the weird world of Vermont's favorite jam band to explore the culture of "phandom” and Phish’s early roots in our brave little state.


    We originally released this episode in 2021. In it, Ethan Weinstein of South Woodstock asks: “Why do people like Phish? And how did they become such a big part of Vermont music culture?”


    (Heads up: There’s a bit of profanity in this episode, and some discussion of drugs and drug culture.)


    To see photos of Phish from their early Vermont days, check out our web post. You’ll also find a Phish starter kit with resources to further your Phish education, should you so desire.


    Josh Crane reported this episode, with editing and production from Myra Flynn and Angela Evancie. Mix and sound design by Josh Crane. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music. Thanks to Phish Inc. for permission to use some of the band’s music.

     

    Special thanks also to Jonathan Heller, Billy Glassner, Paul Brill, Stephanie Jenkins, Jay Curley, Anne Rothwell, Jenn Moore, Beth Montuori Rowles, Anna Van Dine, Mary Engisch, Peter Engisch, Laura Schoenfeld, Steve Zind, Patti Daniels, Chris Albertine, John Van Hoesen, Mitch Wertlieb, Alex Burns and everyone who left a voicemail on our Phish hotline — Chris, Chris, Christina, Jonathan, Jim, Antonia, Ron, Philip, Andy, Stephanie, Molly, Robb, Shannon, Bryant and Nina.


    Music featured in this episode, in order of appearance:


    • "Orejitas" by Blue Dot Sessions
    • “Gotta Jibboo” by Phish
    • “Ghost” by Phish
    • “Hardboil” by Blue Dot Sessions
    • "BLS Theme" by Ty Gibbons
    • “Sargento” by Blue Dot Sessions
    • “Halley’s Comet” by Phish
    • “Trois Gnossiennes 3” by Blue Dot Sessions
    • “Wilson” by Phish
    • “The Queen of Cones” by Blue Dot Sessions
    • “Tyrano Theme” by Blue Dot Sessions
    • “The Curtain With” by Phish
    • “Maldoc” by Blue Dot Sessions
    • “Auld Lang Syne” covered by Phish
    • “Leaves” by Phish
    • “Cran Ras” by Blue Dot Sessions
    • "Ferus Cut" by Blue Dot Sessions
    • "BLS Theme" by Ty Gibbons

    

    As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:



    Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a member of the NPR Network.

    4 January 2024, 7:50 pm
  • 39 minutes 35 seconds
    How are towns hit by summer floods doing?

    Volunteers were still pumping water out of basements from the July floods when another round of flooding hit this week. Vermonters on the front lines say the frequency of these events point to the need for more durable solutions.


    On this episode of Brave Little State, a question from Sophi Veltrop, of Woodbury:


    "How are towns hit by 2023 flooding doing? What locally-driven solutions are helping those most harmed and setting the stage to rebuild better?"


    Reporter Pete Hirschfeld talks to some of those who were hit hardest over the summer, from a family whose home is still uninhabitable to a woman on dialysis who lives alone. He also explores how local recovery responses are filling the gaps where state and federal relief have fallen short — as Vermont barrels toward a future filled with more severe, and more frequent, flooding events.


    Find the web version of this episode here.


    Pete Hirschfeld reported this episode. It was produced and edited by the Brave Little State team: Sabine Poux, Burgess Brown and Josh Crane. Angela Evancie is our executive producer. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.


    Special thanks to Lexi Krupp, Tom Drake, Sarah Henshaw, Rev. Dr. Wendy Jaine Summers and Meghan Weyland.


    As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:



    Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

    21 December 2023, 8:44 pm
  • 40 minutes 1 second
    What’s the deal with Act 250?

    Vermont’s pastoral, small town charm didn’t just happen out of thin air. It’s been legislated. And it’s especially baked into one really important Vermont law — Act 250. But as Vermont changes, there’s an increasing push for Act 250 to change with it. 


    That’s why Danielle Laberge of Wells submitted this winning question to Brave Little State: 


    “What's the deal with Act 250, Vermont's signature land-use law? Why is it important and what's changing?”


    Reporter Sabine Poux digs into the story of Act 250, from its origins in the 1960s to a present-day battle over how it should be implemented. This isn’t just a story about a law. It’s a story about our shared values, and how we want our state to change — or not — over the next 50 years and beyond. 


    Find the web version of this episode here.


    Sabine Poux reported this episode. Editing and additional production from Josh Crane and Burgess Brown. Angela Evancie is our Executive Producer. Our theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.


    Special thanks to Sophie Stephens, Pete Hirschfeld, Bruce Post, Mikaela Osler, Marjorie Strong, Prudence Doherty, Katherine Sims, Peter Gregory, Caleb Elder, Todd Heyman, Christine and Mark Hughes, Brian Shupe, Mary Kasamatsu and Mimi Aoun.


    As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:



    Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

    7 December 2023, 8:22 pm
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