Traditionally, college campuses are epicenters of activity, connection, and engagement. So why are students feeling so isolated?

39% of students have reported feeling lonely. Loneliness remains an ongoing health crisis throughout the nation. United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has raised concerns about loneliness, sharing that a lack of connection can increase the risk for premature death.

Today, we take a look at loneliness and isolation in the university setting, and hear how some colleges are working to address it. We also hear from students and learn about how they have addressed loneliness in their lives.

GUESTS:

• Nick Pinkerton: Associate Dean of Counseling Services and Wellbeing at Southern Connecticut State University
• Alex Kafka: Senior Editor, at The Chronicle of Higher Education and author of the report Overcoming Student Loneliness
• Krista Mitchell: Senior at University of Connecticut
• Bonnibel Lilith Rampertab: Sophomore at University of Connecticut

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Sy Montgomery is the author of several books on animals, ordinary and extraordinary. Her new book What the Chicken Knows tackles one of the most common birds on the planet, but she argues that chickens are truly exceptional creatures.

Today, Sy joins us for the hour to talk about her new book and her experience owning and raising chickens.

Although chickens have a reputation of being rather unintelligent creatures, they actually have distinct personalities and communities.

Later, we touch on a recent avian flu outbreak that occurred in Texas, and what poultry farmers and chicken owners in our state need to know about it.

If you have chickens, we want to hear from you this hour.

GUEST:

• Sy Montgomery: author of What the Chicken Knows: A New Appreciation of the World's Most Familiar Bird
• Indu Upadhyaya: Food Safety Extension Specialist, at UConn Extension College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources.

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This hour, we explore the beverage that helps us start our days, energize our bodies, and connect with friends: coffee.

Coffee has played an unexpected role in Connecticut’s history. It has fueled fights for workers’ rights and social reforms, and even shaped cultures. With the help of a local historian, we move through time; from the birth of the 'coffee house' to the rise in popularity of the coffee date.

And later, we talk to local roasters and business owners about how they bring fresh and unique perspectives to the centuries-old coffee industry.

GUESTS:

• Karen Li Miller: Research Historian, Connecticut Museum of Culture and History
• J. René Martinez: Owner of J. René Coffee Roasters in West Hartford
• Tiera Aighewi: Owner of Black By Demand Specialty Coffee in Norwalk

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77% of adults said the future of the nation is a significant source of stress in their lives. When anxiety is high, it can be more important than ever to lean into self-care routines to manage stress.

And today's guests say that strategies managing election stress aren't that different than managing everyday stress.

Today, interfaith chaplain Reverend Tracy Mehr-Muska joins us to talk about managing election stress, and staying resilient in the midst of uncertainty.

We also hear from Kate Dias, a math teacher at the Manchester School district and president of the Connecticut Education Association. We hear about the conversations she’s having with her students.

GUESTS:

• Patricia Crouse: Professor of Political Science at the University of New Haven
• Susan Raff: Chief Capitol Reporter, WFSB TV
• Jonathan Wharton: associate professor of political science and urban affairs, Southern Connecticut State University
• Reverend Tracy Mehr-Muska: assistant director in the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, at Wesleyan University and author of the book Weathering the Storm: Simple Strategies for Being Peaceful and Prepared
• Kate Dias: math teacher at the Manchester School district and is president of the Connecticut Education Association

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Election Day is finally here. Today, we’ll get updates on how Election Day is unfolding in our state and across the nation.

Connecticut Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas will join us, and we hear from one Connecticut Public reporter in the field. Later, we take a look at one of the oldest political campaign tools: lawn signs.

Are you voting today? What are polling stations looking like where you live?

GUESTS:

• Stephanie Thomas: Connecticut Secretary of the State
• Sujata Srinivasan: Senior Health Reporter for Connecticut Public
• Jennifer Hopper: Associate Professor of Political Science at Southern Connecticut State University
• Alex Coppock: Assistant Professor of Political Science at Yale University and a resident fellow of the Institution for Social Policy Studies and Center for the Study of American Politics

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This hour, we hear a panel discussion called “Artistic Congress,” held at the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut on October 26. Panelists, including educators, journalists, and artists, gathered to discuss the connection between creativity and civic engagement.

They asked: Is it political discourse that impacts art? Or is it art that fuels political discourse?

GUESTS:

• Lucy Gellman: Editor of the arts paper and cofounder of the Youth Journalism Arts Initiative at the Arts Council of Greater New Haven
• Leslie Blatteau: President of the New Haven Federation of Teachers
• Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi: Performance artist, playwright and curator of the Black Trans Women at the Center New Play Festival at the Long Wharf Theatre

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Happy Halloween!

Is Connecticut the spookiest place in the country? We’re not sure, but our guests today are pretty haunted!

All this hour, we’ll be talking about all things Spooky Connecticut, and not just our favorite haunted spots.

There will be candy debates, talks of our favorite horror flicks filmed right here in Connecticut, and more.

Watch the Connecticut Public documentary "Trail of Terror" here.

GUESTS:

• Colin McEnroe: Host of the Colin McEnroe Show
• Chion Wolf: Host of Audacious with Chion Wolf
• Francesca Fontanez: host of Spooky CT and Social Media Editor at Connecticut Public

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How do you spend your time online? Many of our online platforms are designed to encourage scrolling, and to benefit advertisers and algorithms. Platforms built to connect us have left us more disconnected than ever.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Technologists say that a better internet is possible. Today, we talk about the changing architecture of the internet to serve the public interest.

Later, we take a look at one of the largest libraries of online culture: The Internet Archive. It came under attack this month. We learn how this resource is being preserved for future generations.

GUESTS:

• Dan York: Senior Advisor at the Internet Society
• Andrew White: Caleb T. Winchester University Librarian at Wesleyan University

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It’s the season of the witch! While we prepare to wear our pointed hats this Halloween, we can’t forget the gruesome history of witch hunts in New England – including Connecticut.

While many movies today celebrate witches as quirky, empowered, and misunderstood, the history behind being called a “witch” is rooted in prejudice and fear.

In today’s political landscape, the word “witch” continues to be weaponized against female politicians. So how far have we really come from the days of witch hunts?

For more Where We Live conversations around Connecticut's history of witches:

• 'Before there was Salem, there was Connecticut': State formally pardons accused witches
• A push to exonerate victims of Connecticut's early witch trials
• Connecticut witches of the past, present and future
• Author Spotlights Connecticut's History Of Witch Hangings

GUESTS:

• Natalie Bellager, Public Programs Manager, Connecticut Museum of Culture and History
• Julie Walsh, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Wellesley College 

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When the Afghanistan fell under Taliban rule in 2021, instruments were destroyed and musicians were silenced.

Today, we hear from Afghan musicians taking part in a performance at the Bushnell Theater in Hartford entitled “Symphony of Resilience: The Afghan Orchestra Unsilenced.”

We’ll listen to some of their original music and learn how some artists in Afghanistan are finding ways to pursue and even record music abroad.

Plus, Kevin Bishop, the founder of Cuatro Puntos, a Connecticut non-profit that works to amplify persecuted and underrepresented music and musicians, joins us.

GUESTS:

• Nazira Wali: musician and composer
• Arson Fahim: musician, pianist, composer and conductor
• Kevin Bishop: Founder and Executive Director of Cuatro Puntos

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James White entered the Connecticut school system at age 7. Although he would go on to graduate high school and run a small business, he found himself struggling. He had to ask friends and family members for help with paperwork. Writing and reading was a challenge. But then he found the Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford and started taking classes.

Many adults struggle with reading comprehension, and writing. There are approximately 48 million adults in the United States that cannot read above a third grade level. Today, we take a look at literacy education in Connecticut and beyond.

There are many areas of literacy, including media literacy. If you hear the term media literacy, you might think of news, social media, or even yes, election ads and political messaging. But media literacy is starting to encompass a lot of other mediums including artificial intelligence. We learn about expanding media literacy education.

GUESTS:

• James White: Student taking courses at the Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford
• Steve Morris: Executive Director for the Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford
• Michelle Ciulla Lipkin: Executive Director of the National Association for Media Literacy Education

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