The United Nations General Assembly is currently in its 80th session. This hour we look at the status of the organization today, and the challenges it faces.

Plus, historian Thant Myint-U has a new book out about his grandfather, U Thant, who was the UN’s first non-European secretary-general, and a leading ambassador of peace during the Cold War. Myint-U joins us to talk about his grandfather's role in the history of the United Nations and the lessons we can take from his example for the present.

GUESTS:


Thant Myint-U: Author of Peacemaker: U Thant and the Forgotten Quest for a Just World. He is an Honorary Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, a Senior Fellow at UN Foundation, and he formerly served on three UN peacekeeping operations


Eugene Chen: Senior Fellow at the United Nations University Centre for Policy Research. He is a former UN official

This episode originally aired on October 31, 2025.

The United Nations General Assembly is currently in its 80th session. This hour we look at the status of the organization today, and the challenges it faces.
Plus, historian Thant Myint-U has a new book out about his grandfather, U Thant, who was the UN&rsquo;s first non-European secretary-general, and a leading ambassador of peace during the Cold War. Myint-U joins us to talk about his grandfather's role in the history of the United Nations and the lessons we can take from his example for the present.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
Thant Myint-U: Author of <a href="https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324051978">Peacemaker: U Thant and the Forgotten Quest for a Just World</a>. He is an Honorary Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, a Senior Fellow at UN Foundation, and he formerly served on three UN peacekeeping operations
</li>
<li>
Eugene Chen: Senior Fellow at the United Nations University Centre for Policy Research. He is a former UN official
</li>
</ul>
This episode originally aired on October 31, 2025.

Disrupted is about the changes we all encounter and the forces driving those changes. Some disruptions spark joy and possibility. Others move us to take action and re-evaluate our world. But the show isn't just about those disruptions; it’s about embracing them, exploring new perspectives, and feeling more connected to ourselves and our communities. Host and political scientist Khalilah Brown-Dean creates a place where changemakers come together to help us see the world differently and challenge us to grow together.

Visit ctpublic.org/disrupted for more! 

Disrupted is about the changes we all encounter and the forces driving those changes. Some disruptions spark joy and possibility. Others move us to take action and re-evaluate our world. But the show isn't just about those disruptions; it’s about embracing them, exploring new perspectives, and feeling more connected to ourselves and our communities. Host and political scientist Khalilah Brown-Dean creates a place where changemakers come together to help us see the world differently and challenge us to grow together.
Visit <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/disrupted">ctpublic.org/disrupted</a> for more!

Disrupted

Pushing for peace: A look at the past and future of the United Nations

In 2018, the Supreme Court Case Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association reshaped gambling in the U.S. The ruling ended a ban on sports gambling— it had previously been illegal in every state except Nevada. Today, 39 states and Washington, D.C. have at least some form of legalized sports betting. Sports betting became legal in Connecticut in 2021.

This hour, we’re taking a look at how gambling has changed since then. We'll talk about how sports betting companies think about the work that they do and the way people are impacted by gambling addiction. We'll also discuss the the effect gambling is having on college students.

GUESTS:


Danny Funt: Reporter who’s covered the sports betting boom for publications like The Washington Post and The New Yorker. His new book is Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling.


Brian Hatch:Community Engagement Manager for the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling. He’s also the host of All in: The Addicted Gambler’s Podcast.

If you or someone you know is being adversely affected by gambling, there is help available. You can reach out to the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling’s helpline at 888-789-7777. You can go to their website at ccpg.org. You can also reach the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY RESET (1-800-697-3738).

Here are some of the other resources mentioned in the episode:


To find treatment programs in Connecticut, you can contact a Bettor Choice Program.


You can find a local or virtual Gamblers Anonymous meeting through their website


You can also listen to Brian's podcast, All in: The Addicted Gambler’s Podcast

In 2018, the Supreme Court Case Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association reshaped gambling in the U.S. The ruling ended a ban on sports gambling&mdash; it had previously been illegal in every state except Nevada. Today, 39 states and Washington, D.C. have at least some form of legalized sports betting. Sports betting became legal in Connecticut in 2021.
This hour, we&rsquo;re taking a look at how gambling has changed since then. We'll talk about how sports betting companies think about the work that they do and the way people are impacted by gambling addiction. We'll also discuss the the effect gambling is having on college students.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://dannyfunt.com/">Danny Funt</a>: Reporter who&rsquo;s covered the sports betting boom for publications like The Washington Post and The New Yorker. His new book is <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Everybody-Loses/Danny-Funt/9781668062029">Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling</a>.
</li>
<li>
Brian Hatch: Community Engagement Manager for the <a href="https://ccpg.org/">Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling</a>. He&rsquo;s also the host of <a href="https://addictedgamblerpodcast.libsyn.com/">All in: The Addicted Gambler&rsquo;s Podcast</a>.
</li>
</ul>
If you or someone you know is being adversely affected by gambling, there is help available. You can reach out to the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling&rsquo;s helpline at 888-789-7777. You can go to their website at <a href="https://ccpg.org/">ccpg.org</a>. You can also reach the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY RESET (1-800-697-3738).
Here are some of the other resources mentioned in the episode:
<ul>
<li>
To find treatment programs in Connecticut, you can contact a <a href="https://www.ccpg.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/bettorchoiceprograms.pdf">Bettor Choice Program</a>.
</li>
<li>
You can find a local or virtual <a href="https://gamblersanonymous.org/">Gamblers Anonymous</a> meeting through their website
</li>
<li>
You can also listen to Brian's podcast, <a href="https://addictedgamblerpodcast.libsyn.com/">All in: The Addicted Gambler&rsquo;s Podcast</a>
</li>
</ul>

8 years after a major Supreme Court decision, where we are with gambling today

Housing policy impacts everyone, so this hour, we are taking some time to break down what is happening with housing policy in Connecticut's current legislative session. CT Public's own Abigail Brone joins us to talk about some of her recent reporting.

Plus, in the 1970s, a wave of arson swept U.S. cities. The arson has long been attributed to the Black and brown residents of apartment buildings, but Bench Ansfield argues that the fires were most often set by the landlords who owned the buildings. That's part of the book Born in Flames: The Business of Arson and the Remaking of the American City.

GUESTS:


Abigail Brone: Housing Reporter for Connecticut Public


Bench Ansfield:Assistant Professor of History at Temple University and author of Born in Flames: The Business of Arson and the Remaking of the American City.

Housing policy impacts everyone, so this hour, we are taking some time to break down what is happening with housing policy in Connecticut's current legislative session. CT Public's own <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/abby-brone">Abigail Brone</a> joins us to talk about some of her recent reporting.
Plus, in the 1970s, a wave of arson swept U.S. cities. The arson has long been attributed to the Black and brown residents of apartment buildings, but <a href="https://www.benchansfield.com/">Bench Ansfield</a> argues that the fires were most often set by the landlords who owned the buildings. That's part of the book <a href="https://www.benchansfield.com/born-in-flames">Born in Flames: The Business of Arson and the Remaking of the American City</a>.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/abby-brone">Abigail Brone</a>: Housing Reporter for Connecticut Public
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.benchansfield.com/">Bench Ansfield</a>: Assistant Professor of History at Temple University and author of <a href="https://www.benchansfield.com/born-in-flames">Born in Flames: The Business of Arson and the Remaking of the American City</a>.
</li>
</ul>

A look at housing, from current legislation to a wave of arson in the 1970s

Wellness is a multi-trillion dollar industry, but it's not “one size fits all.” For some people of color, Eurocentric beauty standards can be harmful, and trying to achieve an arbitrary wellness goal can actually cause stress. We talk with registered dietician, Dalia Kinsey about the book, Decolonizing Wellness: A QTBIPOC-Centered Guide to Escape the Diet Trap, Heal Your Self-Image, and Achieve Body Liberation. We also talk with and highlight the expertise of two local women in the industry working to make beauty and wellness accessible to all.

GUESTS:


Dalia Kinsey: Registered Dietician, creator of the Body Liberation for all Podcast, and Author of Decolonizing Wellness: A QTBIPOC-Centered Guide to Escape the Diet Trap, Heal Your Self-Image, and Achieve Body Liberation


Maryah Gonzalez: Owner of Haus of Vanity in Cheshire, Conn.


Seryna Simmons: Owner of skin and hair care boutique, Seryna’s Holistiq in Middletown, Conn.

Wellness is a <a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/03/17/1263527059/its-been-a-minute-wellness-spirituality-religion">multi-trillion dollar industry</a>, but it's not &ldquo;one size fits all.&rdquo; For some people of color, Eurocentric beauty standards can be harmful, and trying to achieve an arbitrary wellness goal can actually cause stress. We talk with registered dietician, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/daliakinsey.rd/">Dalia Kinsey</a> about the book, Decolonizing Wellness: A QTBIPOC-Centered Guide to Escape the Diet Trap, Heal Your Self-Image, and Achieve Body Liberation. We also talk with and highlight the expertise of two local women in the industry working to make beauty and wellness accessible to all.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
Dalia Kinsey: Registered Dietician, creator of the Body Liberation for all Podcast, and Author of <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Decolonizing-Wellness/Dalia-Kinsey/9781637740309">Decolonizing Wellness</a>: A QTBIPOC-Centered Guide to Escape the Diet Trap, Heal Your Self-Image, and Achieve Body Liberation
</li>
<li>
Maryah Gonzalez: Owner of <a href="https://www.vagaro.com/hausofvanity">Haus of Vanity</a> in Cheshire, Conn.
</li>
<li>
Seryna Simmons: Owner of skin and hair care boutique, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/holistiqbeauty/">Seryna&rsquo;s Holistiq</a> in Middletown, Conn.
</li>
</ul>

Pushing for peace: A look at the past and future of the United Nations

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