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What do the ways we train our dogs say about us?

You’ll hear about how dogs are trained to search and rescue, dating back to some of our earliest wars. How they’ve been trained by authority figures for hundreds of years to bite - and hold - and sometimes kill. And how the street dogs of Moscow were trained to fly into space - even though it meant their certain doom.

GUESTS:
Blake Stilwellis a former air force combat camera operator, and currently the veteran jobs editor at Military.com
Denise Sanders is the Senior Director of Communications and handler relations for the Search Dog Foundation in Santa Paula, California
Shontel Stewart is an attorney based out of Montgomery Alabama who is committed to social and criminal justice
Kurt Caswell is a professor in the honors college at Texas Tech University, and the author of Laika's Window: The Legacy of a Soviet Space Dog

Photos: Quino Al (background), Niclas Moser (dog),  ActionVance (human) via Unsplash. 
Illustration by Chion Wolf.

What do the ways we train our dogs say about us?
You’ll hear about how dogs are trained to search and rescue, dating back to some of our earliest wars. How they’ve been trained by authority figures for hundreds of years to bite - and hold - and sometimes kill. And how the street dogs of Moscow were trained to fly into space - even though it meant their certain doom.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.military.com/author/blake-stilwell">Blake Stilwell </a>is a former air force combat camera operator, and currently the veteran jobs editor at Military.com</li>
<li>Denise Sanders is the Senior Director of Communications and handler relations for the<a href="https://searchdogfoundation.org/"> Search Dog Foundation</a> in Santa Paula, California</li>
<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontel-stewart-esq-37784054/">Shontel Stewart</a> is an attorney based out of Montgomery Alabama who is committed to social and criminal justice</li>
<li><a href="https://www.kurtcaswell.com/">Kurt Caswell </a>is a professor in the honors college at Texas Tech University, and the author of <a href="https://tupress.org/9781595348623/laikas-window/">Laika's Window: The Legacy of a Soviet Space Dog</a></li>
</ul>
Photos: Quino Al (background), Niclas Moser (dog),  ActionVance (human) via Unsplash. Illustration by Chion Wolf.

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood. Guided by deep curiosity and genuine compassion, the team behind Audacious creates space for the kinds of stories that rarely get told - and the kinds of questions we're often afraid to ask. From those speaking publicly for the very first time to voices already known around the world, every guest is met with care, and every story is honored as both deeply personal and profoundly human.

For more: ctpublic.org/audacious

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood. Guided by deep curiosity and genuine compassion, the team behind Audacious creates space for the kinds of stories that rarely get told - and the kinds of questions we're often afraid to ask. From those speaking publicly for the very first time to voices already known around the world, every guest is met with care, and every story is honored as both deeply personal and profoundly human.
For more: <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf">ctpublic.org/audacious</a>

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood. 

Audacious with Chion Wolf

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood.

Guided by deep curiosity and genuine compassion, the team behind Audacious creates space for the kinds of stories that rarely get told - and the kinds of questions we’re often afraid to ask. From those speaking publicly for the very first time to voices already known around the world, every guest is met with care, and every story is honored as both deeply personal and profoundly human.

Listen at ctpublic.org/audacious

Support is provided by a generous contribution from Suzanne Hopgood, in Memory of Frank Lord.

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood.
Guided by deep curiosity and genuine compassion, the team behind Audacious creates space for the kinds of stories that rarely get told - and the kinds of questions we&rsquo;re often afraid to ask. From those speaking publicly for the very first time to voices already known around the world, every guest is met with care, and every story is honored as both deeply personal and profoundly human.
Listen at <a href="http://ctpublic.org/audacious">ctpublic.org/audacious</a>
Support is provided by a generous contribution from Suzanne Hopgood, in Memory of Frank Lord.

We, The Dog

Wander with the Audacious crew through 175 acres of wonder and delight to meet the people who bring The Big E to life!   

From a Lost & Found sage, to a fairy from the Florence Griswold Museum, to a hot tub ace, to Amber, the bathroom attendant/joy DJ.  

President & CEO Gene Cassidy shares the soul of the Exposition, then we follow our heads, hearts, and (especially) stomachs through cream puffs, Pepe’s pizza, and cookie dough-on-a-stick.

This episode originally aired on October 4, 2025.

Suggested episodes:
Scenes from the Big E: A fair filled with food, animals, music – and heart

 

GUESTS: 
Mary Naughton and Cyndy Penner: mother and daughter duo behind Cyndy’s Bears, selling embroidered teddy bears and other personalized items
Andrea Anderson and Sabrina Gagnon: at The Big E with their Clydesdale horses from Hobby Knoll Stable in Duxbury, MA
Susan Rotondo and Bill Motyl: longtime fair regulars from Southwick, MA
Tammi Flynn: Director of Communications at The Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, CT
Rita Rivera: a fairy for the day, advertising the Wee Faerie Village at The Florence Griswold Museum
Amber Stone: bathroom attendant at The Big E and recovery coach from Springfield, MA
Ed Ame: a Chicago native, who spends most of the year traveling and works at the Lost & Found booth at The Big E
James Tackett: a man from Madison, IN, who runs the mini ball booth at The Big E
Darryl Wilson: sales representative for MAAX Swim Spas and Hot Tubs
Melissa Russell: fife player from Bristol, CT, who performs with a fife and drum corps, and spent Connecticut Day with her family at The Big E
John Barrows: printer at Eastern States Exposition
Eugene Cassidy: President and CEO at Eastern States Exposition
Greg: a Faribault, MN, native, who sells blooming onions at The Big E
Kevin Gagliard: Operations Manager at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana 
Lynn Lischke: Newburyport, MA, resident, who sells cream puffs at The Big E
Josh Virkler: owner of Luann’s Bakery in Ellington, Stafford, and soon Hartford, CT 
Jackson Panek-Henderson: nine-year-old fairgoer from Newington, CT
Joseph Haag: owner of Kora and Mila’s Cookie Dough from Plymouth, WI, serving cookie dough on a stick at The Big E
Josh, John, and Henry Pupa: repeat fairgoers from Griswold, CT

Wander with the Audacious crew through 175 acres of wonder and delight to meet the people who bring The Big E to life!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
From a Lost &amp; Found sage, to a fairy from the Florence Griswold Museum, to a hot tub ace, to Amber, the bathroom attendant/joy DJ.&nbsp;&nbsp;
President &amp; CEO Gene Cassidy shares the soul of the Exposition, then we follow our heads, hearts, and (especially) stomachs through cream puffs, Pepe&rsquo;s pizza, and cookie dough-on-a-stick.
This episode originally aired on October 4, 2025.
Suggested episodes:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/news/2025-09-24/big-e-eastern-states-exposition-ct-mass-new-england">Scenes from the Big E: A fair filled with food, animals, music &ndash; and heart</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Mary Naughton and Cyndy Penner: mother and daughter duo behind <a href="https://www.cyndysbears.com/">Cyndy&rsquo;s Bears</a>, selling embroidered teddy bears and other personalized items</li>
<li aria-level="1">Andrea Anderson and Sabrina Gagnon: at The Big E with their Clydesdale horses from <a href="https://www.hks-clydesdales.com/">Hobby Knoll Stable</a> in Duxbury, MA</li>
<li aria-level="1">Susan Rotondo and Bill Motyl: longtime fair regulars from Southwick, MA</li>
<li aria-level="1">Tammi Flynn: Director of Communications at <a href="https://florencegriswoldmuseum.org/">The Florence Griswold Museum</a> in Old Lyme, CT</li>
<li aria-level="1">Rita Rivera: a fairy for the day, advertising the <a href="https://florencegriswoldmuseum.org/wfv-2/">Wee Faerie Village</a> at The Florence Griswold Museum</li>
<li aria-level="1">Amber Stone: bathroom attendant at The Big E and recovery coach from Springfield, MA</li>
<li aria-level="1">Ed Ame: a Chicago native, who spends most of the year traveling and works at the Lost &amp; Found booth at The Big E</li>
<li aria-level="1">James Tackett: a man from Madison, IN, who runs the mini ball booth at The Big E</li>
<li aria-level="1">Darryl Wilson: sales representative for MAAX Swim Spas and Hot Tubs</li>
<li aria-level="1">Melissa Russell: fife player from Bristol, CT, who performs with a fife and drum corps, and spent Connecticut Day with her family at The Big E</li>
<li aria-level="1">John Barrows: printer at Eastern States Exposition</li>
<li aria-level="1">Eugene Cassidy: President and CEO at Eastern States Exposition</li>
<li aria-level="1">Greg: a Faribault, MN, native, who sells blooming onions at The Big E</li>
<li aria-level="1">Kevin Gagliard: Operations Manager at <a href="https://pepespizzeria.com/">Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Lynn Lischke: Newburyport, MA, resident, who sells cream puffs at The Big E</li>
<li aria-level="1">Josh Virkler: owner of <a href="https://www.luannsbakery.com/">Luann&rsquo;s Bakery</a> in Ellington, Stafford, and soon Hartford, CT&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Jackson Panek-Henderson: nine-year-old fairgoer from Newington, CT</li>
<li aria-level="1">Joseph Haag: owner of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/koraandmilascookiedough/">Kora and Mila&rsquo;s Cookie Dough</a> from Plymouth, WI, serving cookie dough on a stick at The Big E</li>
<li aria-level="1">Josh, John, and Henry Pupa: repeat fairgoers from Griswold, CT</li>
</ul>

The Big E: What it takes to create 17 days of magic

After Charles Wolf’s wife, Katherine, was killed in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, he found himself taking on an unlikely new role: activist. 

Wolf became a tireless advocate for victims’ families, challenging the federal compensation system and successfully pushing for reform. His efforts later became part of the movie Worth, with Stanley Tucci playing him. 

Twenty-five years later, Wolf looks back at what grief made him do, what justice can and cannot accomplish, and the life he built without the woman he still loves. 

Suggested episode:
Life after Parkland: A victim’s dad turns to art and activism

GUEST: 
Charles G. Wolf: After his wife, Katherine, was killed in the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, he became a prominent advocate for victims’ families, pushing for changes to the federal compensation system and working to preserve the legacy of those lost

After Charles Wolf&rsquo;s wife, Katherine, was killed in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, he found himself taking on an unlikely new role: activist.&nbsp;
Wolf became a tireless advocate for victims&rsquo; families, challenging the federal compensation system and successfully pushing for reform. His efforts later became part of the movie Worth, with Stanley Tucci playing him.&nbsp;
Twenty-five years later, Wolf looks back at what grief made him do, what justice can and cannot accomplish, and the life he built without the woman he still loves.&nbsp;
Suggested episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2022-10-20/life-after-parkland-a-victims-dad-turns-to-art-and-activism">Life after Parkland: A victim&rsquo;s dad turns to art and activism</a></li>
</ul>
GUEST:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Charles G. Wolf: After his wife, Katherine, was killed in the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, he became a prominent advocate for victims&rsquo; families, pushing for changes to the federal compensation system and working to preserve the legacy of those lost</li>
</ul>

What is a life worth? One 9/11 widower’s fight for fairness

Welcome to the Brimfield Antique Flea Market!

Thousands of buyers and sellers descend on a small Massachusetts town three times a year, filling fields with furniture, vintage clothes, tools, art, oddities and things you didn’t know existed five minutes ago. 

We spend the day roaming the country’s largest outdoor antiques show, meeting serious collectors, first-timers, lifelong dealers and shoppers operating almost entirely on instinct. 

Along the way: haggling advice, the difference between an oar and a paddle, clown art, a singing bowl sound bath and one important lesson: if you love it, somebody else probably does too. So grab it (preferably using cash). 

Suggested episodes:
The Big E: What it takes to create 17 days of magic
Audacious at sea: Wisdom from strangers on a cruise ship
Audacious Scotland: CT’s Highland Festival & Games, plus quarrelsome dames seek justice for witches
The minds, hearts (and stomachs) of competitive eaters
Welcome to the Punderdome! We're entering NYC's punniest pun competition
It’s A Brand Nude Day!

 

GUESTS: 
First segment: Lois Shelton, Jacey Bradshaw, Mike Vojnich, Monica Pedroso, Sarah Gray, and Emily Cahill, Ram Limbu, Bruce Baier, Sam Sutner
Second segment: Jen Davidson, Jen Weckbacher, Deborah Baird, Mary Smith, Collin and Kari McCaffery, Robert Simas, Kate Corriveau
Third segment: James Enders, Shiree Cole, Tonya Cameron, Mo Benzriouil, Sarah Baroud, Luke Davis, Ross and Laura Bonner, Garett Eisele

Welcome to the Brimfield Antique Flea Market!
Thousands of buyers and sellers descend on a small Massachusetts town three times a year, filling fields with furniture, vintage clothes, tools, art, oddities and things you didn&rsquo;t know existed five minutes ago.&nbsp;
We spend the day roaming the country&rsquo;s largest outdoor antiques show, meeting serious collectors, first-timers, lifelong dealers and shoppers operating almost entirely on instinct.&nbsp;
Along the way: haggling advice, the difference between an oar and a paddle, clown art, a singing bowl sound bath and one important lesson: if you love it, somebody else probably does too. So grab it (preferably using cash).&nbsp;
Suggested episodes:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2025-10-03/the-big-e-what-it-takes-to-create-17-days-of-magic">The Big E: What it takes to create 17 days of magic</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2025-12-05/audacious-at-sea-wisdom-from-strangers-on-a-cruise-ship">Audacious at sea: Wisdom from strangers on a cruise ship</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2026-02-27/audacious-scotland-cts-highland-festival-games-plus-quarrelsome-dames-seek-justice-for-witches">Audacious Scotland: CT&rsquo;s Highland Festival &amp; Games, plus quarrelsome dames seek justice for witches</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2026-07-03/the-minds-hearts-and-stomachs-of-competitive-eaters">The minds, hearts (and stomachs) of competitive eaters</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2023-09-22/welcome-to-the-punderdome-were-entering-nycs-punniest-pun-competition">Welcome to the Punderdome! We're entering NYC's punniest pun competition</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/mental-health/2020-07-03/its-a-brand-nude-day">It&rsquo;s A Brand Nude Day!</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">First segment: Lois Shelton, Jacey Bradshaw, Mike Vojnich, Monica Pedroso, Sarah Gray, and Emily Cahill, Ram Limbu, Bruce Baier, Sam Sutner</li>
<li aria-level="1">Second segment: Jen Davidson, Jen Weckbacher, Deborah Baird, Mary Smith, Collin and Kari McCaffery, Robert Simas, Kate Corriveau</li>
<li aria-level="1">Third segment: James Enders, Shiree Cole, Tonya Cameron, Mo Benzriouil, Sarah Baroud, Luke Davis, Ross and Laura Bonner, Garett Eisele</li>
</ul>

We, The Dog

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