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.

  • 17 minutes 41 seconds
    What’s next for Vermont’s only law school?

    South Royalton has something that no other Vermont town does: a law school. But for a long time, there’s been one rumor the town and the school can’t seem to shake — that Vermont Law & Graduate School is on the verge of upping sticks for Burlington. 

    Question-asker Tess Mix, of neighboring Tunbridge, has been hearing this rumor her whole life. She wants to know, is it true? And how reliant is the community on the law school, anyway?

    For more photos and an episode transcript, head to our website.

    ***Get our brand new, limited-edition BLS beanie! You’ll feel extra cozy and help support independent public media. Click here to get started.

    This episode was reported by Sabine Poux. It was edited and produced by Josh Crane and Burgess Brown. Our intern is Catherine Morrissey. Angela Evancie is our Executive Producer. Digital support from Sophie Stephens. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

    Special thanks to Stephanie Clark, Don Hayes, Lisa Lance, Todd Tyson, Katie Merrill, Victoria Paquin, Andrew Hockenberry, Matthew McGovern, Drew Collins and Kelli Cigelnik.

    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. 

    3 April 2025, 8:52 pm
  • 13 minutes 25 seconds
    What’s the story behind the omnipresent ‘Stowe’ logo?

    You can find the swoopy, stylized version of the word “Stowe” everywhere — police cruisers, store windows, a covered bridge. It’s as if the entire town is part of one giant marketing campaign. Question-asker Joe Emery of Essex finds this sort of weird, and wants to know how it came to be.

    We made a video version of this episode! Check it out here. 

    For more photos and an episode transcript, head to our website.

    This episode was reported by Sabine Poux. It was edited and produced by Josh Crane and Burgess Brown. Our intern is Catherine Morrissey. Angela Evancie is our Executive Producer. Digital support from Sophie Stephens. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

    Special thanks to Nina Keck, Poppy Gall, Carrie Simmons, Amy Spear, Emily Hurd ,Tommy Gardner, Marina Gisquet, Abby Blackburn, Tim Hayes, Courtney Difiore, Sarah Tauben, Keri Smotrich, Maggie Hughes, Ezra Spring and the folks at the Stowe Free Library..

    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.

    20 March 2025, 7:00 pm
  • 22 minutes 8 seconds
    What is the Bennington Triangle?

    Five mysterious disappearances were the talk of Bennington in the mid-20th century. Now, they’ve developed a cult following online. We revisit the initial cases and trace the rise of the “Bennington Triangle” in the popular imagination.

    Thanks to Kevin Landry of Claremont, New Hampshire for the great question.

    Check out the web version of this story here.

    This episode was reported by Howard Weiss-Tisman and produced by Burgess Brown. Editing and additional production from Josh Crane and Sabine Poux. Our intern is Catherine Morrissey. Angela Evancie is our Executive Producer. Digital support from Sophie Stephens. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

    Special thanks to Laura Nakasaka, Jon Ehrens, Betty Smith, Eric Ford, Laurie Kigonya, Matt Harrington, Ashley Jowet, Nancy Koziol, PJ DeVito, Tyler Resch and Brian Campion.

    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. 

    6 March 2025, 8:00 pm
  • 27 minutes 32 seconds
    Why is health insurance in Vermont so expensive?

    Cha-ching. Vermont health insurance is pricey, and getting more expensive really quickly. For one listener in Montpelier, it’s just not adding up.

    Rosie Krueger says sky-high health insurance costs were a real pill when she was building budgets on the Montpelier City Council a few years ago. Since then, this health insurance dilemma has only gotten worse.

    The good news: There’s a pretty straightforward answer to Rosie’s question. The bad news: It’s hard to know what to do about it.

    For a closer look at the data we mention in the episode, check out the web version of this story.

    Thanks to Rosie for the great question. 

    This episode was reported by Josh Crane, with additional reporting from Lexi Krupp. Editing and additional production from Sabine Poux and Burgess Brown. Our intern is Catherine Morrissey. Digital support from Zoe McDonald. Angela Evancie is our Executive Producer. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions and Universal Production Music.

    Special thanks to Laura Nakasaka, Michelle Goodell, Phil Galewitz, Kiana Moore, Annie Mackin, Kristen LaJeunesse and Sara Teachout.

    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 3/5/25: If you have commercial insurance and get an outpatient procedure, treatment or test done in Vermont, it’ll run you about 11% more than the national median — not 30% more. We’ve updated the audio to reflect this.

    27 February 2025, 10:45 pm
  • 19 minutes 56 seconds
    Inside Vermont's weird and wonderful town forests

    Forests for the people! Democracy in the woods! Most towns in Vermont have a locally owned forest, but no two are exactly the same — and their stories are still unfolding.


    Check out the web version of this episode for photos and a full transcript. You can participate in UVM’s town forest census project here.


    Thanks to Anne Wallace of Bristol for the great question.


    This episode was reported by Lexi Krupp. It was produced by Burgess Brown, with editing from Josh Crane and Sabine Poux. Angela Evancie is Brave Little State’s Executive Producer. Our intern is Catherine Morrissey. Our theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.


    Special thanks to Larry Bush, Neal Maker, Bob McCullough, Callie Brynn, Michael Giammusso, and Reg Dearborn.


    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.

    6 February 2025, 9:33 pm
  • 28 minutes 53 seconds
    New Hampshire has 6 landfills. Why does Vermont only have 1?

    Vermont used to have hundreds of dumps all over the state. These days, most of the state’s trash ends up in one place: a landfill in Coventry. Question-asker Sylvia Dodge, of Lyndon, wants to know why all that trash ends up in just one small town.

    We visit the Coventry landfill, trash bag in hand, and talk to the people doing the dirty work. You can find photos from our reporting, and a full transcript for the episode, here.

    Share your feedback about BLS! We’d love to hear from you and it will help us make the show even better. Plus: prizes!

    This episode was reported by Mikaela Lefrak. It was produced by Josh Crane, with additional editing from Burgess Brown and Sabine Poux. Angela Evancie is Brave Little State’s Executive Producer. Our intern is Catherine Morrissey. Our theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

    Special thanks to Kari Anderson, David Littlefield, Chris Bray and Jeff Weld.

    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.

    23 January 2025, 8:45 pm
  • 15 minutes 5 seconds
    Who takes care of Vermont’s tiny cemeteries?

    We track down the Lorax of Vermont cemeteries and visit a farm in East Putney where the past and present collide.

    Share your feedback about BLS! We’d love to hear from you and it will help us make the show even better. Plus: prizes!

    Thanks to Kathleen Cuneen of Thetford for the great question. Check out the web version of this episode for photos and a full transcript.

    This episode was reported by Sabine Poux. It was produced and edited by Burgess Brown and Josh Crane. Digital support from Sophie Stephens. 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 Sam Eaton, Tom Giffin and Martha Howard.

    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.

    9 January 2025, 8:04 pm
  • 29 minutes 13 seconds
    Brave Little State goes hunting

    Alex Larrabee is in 10th grade at the Danville School in the Northeast Kingdom. She doesn’t hunt, but her family does and her classmates do. And she’s noticed that people who go hunting… it’s not a casual interest. They’re passionate about it. Alex, on the other hand, doesn’t really get what all the fuss is about.


    Now, we at Brave Little State are not big hunters, and neither is Lola Duffort, our reporter for this episode. So, we figured the best way and probably the only way to answer Alex’s question was to head into the woods and see for ourselves. We hope you’ll tag along.


    Check out the web version of this episode for photos from our hunting excursion and a full episode transcript.


    This episode was reported by Lola Duffort. It was produced by Burgess Brown and edited by Sabine Poux and Josh Crane. Digital support from Sophie Stephens. 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 Abagael Giles, Travis Tremblay, Mike Covey, Matt Breton, Rachel Keach, Natalie Conway, Chris Bray and all the teachers and administrators who helped facilitate the high school voting round that led to this episode.


    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.

    19 December 2024, 9:08 pm
  • 24 minutes 11 seconds
    How has Vail’s acquisition of Vermont ski areas impacted locals?

    It’s been seven years since Colorado-based Vail Resorts bought the ski resort at Stowe. Almost immediately, Vail cut the cost of a season pass there in half. But cheaper skiing hasn’t deterred people from lampooning Vail online or displaying angry bumper stickers in ski town parking lots — spotlighting a tension over the soul of Vermont ski culture and ski towns.


    In this episode, we look into what’s changed since Vail’s entry here, from chairlift upgrades to stress on the housing market. Plus, a general sense of transformation that’s harder to pinpoint.


    Check out the web version of this episode for photos from our reporting and a full episode transcript. And to learn more about a new exhibit on Vermont’s lost ski areas, check out the Vermont Ski & Snowboard Museum in Stowe.


    Thanks to Nathan Evans for the great question.


    This episode was reported by Sabine Poux. It was produced and edited by Josh Crane and Burgess Brown. Digital support from Sophie Stephens. 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 Laura Nakasaka, Abagael Giles, Nina Keck, Robert Parrish, , Jason Blevins, Tom Gianola, Lindsay DesLauriers and Izzy Mitchell.


    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.

    5 December 2024, 9:08 pm
  • 29 minutes 5 seconds
    Why is there such a problem with the U.S. Postal Service in Vermont?

    Government for the people! A beacon of democracy! The Postal Service has been essential for free speech and the circulation of ideas since before the founding of the United States. These days, it's becoming increasingly important during elections, as more people vote by mail. And it’s still a vital part of many communities, from beloved local mail carriers to shiny, gold P.O. Boxes in general stores.


    But in recent years, it’s been struggling to make good on its public service — and Vermonters are fighting back. Check out the web version of this story here.


    If you have questions about the 2024 election and its aftermath you want us to answer, we’d love to hear from you. There’s a form on our website, or leave us a voicemail at 802-552-4880.


    This episode was reported by Burgess Brown. It was produced and edited by Josh Crane and 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 Zoe McDonald, Bob Kinzel, Adiah Gholston, Rachel Hellman, Paul Montague, Trevor Braun, Alexia Murray, Bruce Olsson, Ned Swanberg, Justin Hopkins and Alice Angney.


    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 November 2024, 9:33 pm
  • 51 minutes 47 seconds
    Emelia's Thing

    We’re sharing a story from New Hampshire Public Radio’s Document team.


    A young police officer unexpectedly finds herself back in New Hampshire, and she’s not the same person she was when she left. Something happened to her – to all of us. But for Officer Emelia Campbell, this thing still lives in her brain and her body.


    NHPR’s Lauren Chooljian brings you Emelia’s story of survival and resilience in the wake of Jan. 6, 2021. You can find the full transcript here.


    Heads up: This episode contains unbleeped swears and mentions of death by suicide. If you need support, call or text 9-8-8, or click here, for the Suicide and Crisis lifeline.

    This story was reported and written by Lauren Chooljian. Jason Moon produced and mixed this piece, and composed all the music. Katie Colaneri was the editor, with additional editing by Dan Barrick, Todd Bookman, Taylor Quimby and Kate Dario.


    Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network. As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:


    1 November 2024, 1:12 pm
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