In this episode we tackle the critical issue of book bans and restrictions impacting libraries and schools across the United States. Our expert panel, including Lauren Anderson, Sam Lee, and Harold Steward, will explore the cultural battles over intellectual freedom and the essential role of education in promoting diverse perspectives. Discover the challenges faced by librarians and educators as they navigate these complex issues and learn about the importance of preserving access to informat...

In this episode we bring together a distinguished panel to explore the crucial role of preserving cultural identities in our changing world. Featuring Sandy Grande, Chris Newell, Nakai Clearwater Northup, and Dana Jackson-Washington, the discussion dives into the importance of maintaining diverse cultural heritages for current and future generations. Our panelists share their unique experiences and insights into the challenges and successes of cultural preservation, offering valuable perspect...

Shelly C. Lowe (Navajo), Chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and Jason Mancini, Executive Director of Connecticut Humanities, discuss the critical role the humanities play in tackling society’s toughest contemporary challenges. Chair Lowe will highlight new National Endowment for the Humanities initiatives that respond to some of the most pressing issues of our time: strengthening our democracy, advancing equity for all, and addressing our changing climate.Thanks for listening...

Step into the tempestuous world of Shakespeare's King Lear and explore its profound relevance to our modern climate challenges! No work of English literature speaks more directly to human vulnerability in the face of climate disruption than Shakespeare's King Lear. The old king, thrust into the storm, feels his environmental weakness to his skin. This round-table conversation is led by renowned Shakespearean scholar Steve Mentz. Speakers will include David Sterling Brown, a CT native wh...

Join Laurie Santos, host of the Happiness Lab Podcast, and Tamar Gendler, Yale Professor of Philosophy and the Science of Human Nature, for an enlightening discussion on the science, history, and philosophy of happiness. Learn useful tips and ideas on how to live a more positive life. Whether you're curious about what makes us happy or just want some advice on feeling better, this conversation will be packed with helpful information and good vibes.Thanks for listening and don't forget to subs...

Join author and activist Ashton Applewhite and Donna Fedus from Borrow My Glasses for an enlightening conversation on aging and inclusivity. Discover how aging can be a period of growth and vitality, while exploring strategies to combat ageism and promote fairness. Challenge common beliefs, share ideas for fostering a welcoming society for all ages, and delve into the importance of reshaping perceptions about aging. This discussion highlights the importance of reshaping perceptions about agin...

Join host Catherine Shen on CT Public's "Where We Live" as she moderates an engaging discussion with Deb Bibbins, founder of For All Ages. Discover why social connection is the foundation of our mental and physical health, who the loneliest age group is (it’s not the one you think!), and how we can help one another improve our social connectivity. Learn how intergenerational connection has the power to add years to our lives and help our community feel more connected and livelier. Don’t miss ...

Enjoy this unforgettable evening with John Dankosky, CT Mirror's Director of Events, and Erick Russell, Connecticut’s 84th State Treasurer! With John's charm and expertise as a renowned radio personality and moderator, and Erick's historic achievement as the first Black LGBTQ person elected to statewide office, get ready for an engaging and inspiring discussion.Thanks for listening and don't forget to subscribe on YouTube!

Can science save us? Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson of Urban Ocean Lab and John Dankosky from Science Friday, discussing Dr. Johnson's latest book, "What If We Get It Right?" Explore the bold notion of envisioning a future where we act out of love for what's to come, navigating through the complexities of climate change with optimism and determination. This transformative dialogue offers a roadmap for embracing solutions at the intersection of science, policy, culture, and justice, inviting ever...

Enjoy this enlightening discussion on climate displacement, featuring speaker Tabitha Sookdeo from IRIS, Maya Prabhu from Law at Yale Law School and Yale School of Medicine, and Keshia "Talking Waters" De Freece from Sovereign Science LLC. Delve into the pressing question: Who are the climate migrants, and what challenges do they encounter? Gain insight into the complexities of climate-induced migration and the legal and humanitarian issues involved. Don't miss this opportunity to deepen your...

Lucy Nalpathanchil moderates a powerful conversation on Activism and Optimism that features LGBTQ BIPOC activists Adrian Huq, co-founder of the New Haven Climate Movement Youth Action Team, and Kwolanne Felix, Fellowship and Community Manager at Black Girl Environmentalist. This empowering dialogue highlights the potential of emerging climate leaders of color, including Black girls, women, and gender-expansive individuals, in climate leadership. Don't miss this opportunity to be inspired by t...

Enjoy this invigorating community conversation hosted by the Citywide Youth Coalition Inc! In this Ideas event, recorded live on the New Haven Green, we tackle a transformative topic: expanding voting rights to 16-year-olds for local state elections. Dive into an engaging discussion as we explore the benefits and challenges of empowering our youth with the right to vote. We share insights on civic engagement, voting practices, and the importance of investing in the next generation of voters. ...

This week Ana María Álvarez, Founding Artistic Director of CONTRA-TIEMPO Activist Dance Theater joins us in the studio to talk about their upcoming production of ¡AZÚCAR! playing at the International Festival of Arts & Ideas on June 28 & 29, 2024. Topics discussed include how the company was founded in the concept of resistance and what it means to resist. If after listening to this you are inspired to see the show tickets are available at artidea.org/azucar.Thanks for lis...

Keynote by Thi Bui, author and artist of the graphic memoir "The Best We Could Do". Introduction by President Dr. Elsa Nunez, Eastern Connecticut State University Moderated by Dr. Jason O. Chang, Associate Professor of History and Asian American Studies, Director of the Asian and Asian American Studies Institute, University of Connecticut Welcome to our Keynote address by Thi Bui, author of the award winning graphic memoir, The Best We Could Do, sponsored, in part, by the award from the NEA...

How we tell the stories about ourselves, traumatic or otherwise, can be used to categorize us in ways that are not always equitable. Are marginalized groups expected to share traumatic experiences when dealing with institutions of power? Join sociologist, Aya Waller-Bey, community engagement storyteller Mike Keo, and Andrus Awardee Betty Bajek to explore what’s contributing to this issue, why it hurts us all, and how we can best address it. Thanks for listening and don't forget to subscribe...

A world without housing insecurity. A realistic goal? Only if we better understand the inter-related array of steps that can lead to its elimination. Deepen your understanding and broaden your perspectives of this critical issue with the help of panelists Kellyann Day, CEO of New Reach, social worker Antwan Nedd, New Haven Housing Authority Director Karen DuBois-Walton, community organizer Billy Bromage, and New Reach's vice chair board member Aisha Bello. Thanks for listening and don't...

Artificial intelligence has been both idolized and demonized. Some have welcomed it into their businesses. Others fear it will destroy our lives. This lively presentation will help you take a fresh, informed, balanced look at how AI is impacting our lives now...and what we can do to ensure it will continue to be a force for good in the future. Speakers include Dr. Anat Lior, Bonnie Kaplan, and Michael Lynch. Moderated by CT Public’s Lucy Nalpathanchil. This event was recorded live on June 17,...

Join us for a Behind the Actor's Studio-style interview with powerhouse practitioners in social change and cultural equity! Grantmakers in the Arts President Eddie Torres will be joined by Pregones/Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre Founder and Artistic Director Rosalba Rolón in a session that will engage personal narrative to illuminate pathways of activism in the performing arts. Listen in as Eddie and Rosalba grapple with the tension between the individual and the societal as related to...

Amelia Winger-Bearskin showcases her art and science storytelling work and demonstrates how new technologies can help preserve and engage with ancestral knowledge. Discover how innovative formats can engage future generations. Additionally, Amelia discusses how her collaborations with scientists have enriched her artistic practice. Thanks for listening and don't forget to subscribe on YouTube!

The fight to save the planet begins with the drive to safeguard our towns. Learn how to do that in this discussion with climate change experts Bruni Pizarro and James O’Donnell. Moderated by John Dankosky, this panel will break down big concepts like climate justice and migration patterns into the effects on sea levels and storm water across Connecticut’s cities and towns. Just the kind of environmental insights you need to take smarter local actions. Thanks for listening and don't forget to...

Join author and award-winning journalist Ari Berman and award-winning scholar, educator, and author, Khalilah Brown-Dean, for a discussion on the history and contemporary relevance of voting rights. Berman is the author of Give Us the Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America and Herding Donkeys: The Fight to Rebuild the Democratic Party and Reshape American Politics. Brown's book Identity Politics in the United States traces the confluence of public policy, law, and...

American troubadour Shawn Taylor draws from his expertise in mythology, theater, and pop culture to discuss fandom that radicalizes for change. Fandoms—communities that form around common interests, often entertainment series like Harry Potter, Star Trek, or the Marvel films—capture the hearts and minds of millions across the globe. How do we harness that enthusiasm for social change? Shawn Taylor Shawn is the creator and was the host of the top-rated podcast, “Surviving Creativity.” He’s a...

Strike a pose! Drag performer and Beyoncé impersonator Miss Shalae and ball performer Aishah “Spyder” Murray discuss the roots of ball culture, an art form that originated in the queer and trans BIPOC community in the late 19th century. Today’s ball attendees dance, vogue, and serve looks in a range of fashion styles. If you loved FX’s hit Pose, a drama spotlighting the legends, icons, and ferocious house mothers of New York’s underground balls, this talk is for you. Michell'e Michaels -...

An honest discussion about the difficulties women face when returning home after prison, between Babz Rawls-Ivy and Tiheba Bain, who have been through the experience. Thanks for listening and don't forget to subscribe on YouTube!