This hour on Disrupted, we hear from three women who are rewriting narratives around death and dying in the U.S. The COVID-19 pandemic forced many of us to confront death head-on. At the same time, we’re also seeing major changes in the death care industry — from the emergence of things like green burials and human composting to the diversification of funeral directors.

GUESTS:
Cole Imperi:Founder of the School of American Thanatology and one of America’s leading experts on death, dying and grief
Joél Simone Maldonado: Licensed funeral director, also known as The Grave Woman
Celine Currier: Co-founder of the Connecticut Death Collective

This hour on Disrupted, we hear from three women who are rewriting narratives around death and dying in the U.S. The COVID-19 pandemic forced many of us to confront death head-on. At the same time, we’re also seeing major changes in the death care industry — from the emergence of things like green burials and human composting to the diversification of funeral directors.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://coleimperi.com/">Cole Imperi</a>: Founder of the School of American Thanatology and one of America’s leading experts on death, dying and grief</li>
<li><a href="https://www.thegravewoman.com/">Joél Simone Maldonado</a>: Licensed funeral director, also known as The Grave Woman</li>
<li><a href="https://ctdeathcollective.weebly.com/">Celine Currier</a>: Co-founder of the Connecticut Death Collective</li>
</ul>

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

Rethinking narratives around death and dying

When people think of craft, certain images might come to mind, like knitting in a rocking chair by a warm fireplace. People often think of it as a quiet, solitary activity— one that doesn’t make much of a public statement. But crafts like knitting can be radical. The rocking chair by the fireplace isn’t just quiet and solitary— it can also be a site of real political change.

This hour, we’re listening back to our episode about the power of craft. We’ll hear from a crafter who helped popularize the term "craftivism." It refers to a movement that combines craft with activism. We’ll also talk to a local potter who hopes to spread awareness of the indigenous Wangunk people. They are not recognized as a tribe by the federal or state government.

GUESTS:


Betsy Greer: writer and maker. She’s editor of the book Craftivism: The Art of Craft and Activismand author of Knitting for Good!: A Guide to Creating Personal, Social, and Political Change Stitch by Stitch. She helped popularize the term "craftivism."


Gary Red Oak O'Neil: a Wangunk Elder, potter, and educator. He’s been a member of Wesleyan Potters since 1968. His solo exhibition, Excavations, was on view at the Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery at Wesleyan University in fall 2025, and a current exhibition, The Art of Wangunk Elder Gary Red Oak O'Neil is on view at Wesleyan potters until March 22;

This episode originally aired on August 22, 2025.

When people think of craft, certain images might come to mind, like knitting in a rocking chair by a warm fireplace. People often think of it as a quiet, solitary activity&mdash; one that doesn&rsquo;t make much of a public statement. But crafts like knitting can be radical. The rocking chair by the fireplace isn&rsquo;t just quiet and solitary&mdash; it can also be a site of real political change.
This hour, we&rsquo;re listening back to our episode about the power of craft. We&rsquo;ll hear from a crafter who helped popularize the term "craftivism." It refers to a movement that combines craft with activism. We&rsquo;ll also talk to a local potter who hopes to spread awareness of the indigenous Wangunk people. They are not recognized as a tribe by the federal or state government.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.hellobetsygreer.com/">Betsy Greer</a>: writer and maker. She&rsquo;s editor of the book <a href="https://arsenalpulp.com/Books/C/Craftivism">Craftivism: The Art of Craft and Activism</a> and author of <a href="https://www.shambhala.com/knitting-for-good-1937.html?srsltid=AfmBOor0tcpp_yN7cdXxHvbmTzoVyG8Y9hkR9websrfjjBz9VGiHbIo9">Knitting for Good!: A Guide to Creating Personal, Social, and Political Change Stitch by Stitch</a>. She helped popularize the term "<a href="https://craftivism.com/">craftivism</a>."
</li>
<li>
Gary Red Oak O'Neil: a Wangunk Elder, potter, and educator. He&rsquo;s been a member of <a href="https://www.wesleyanpotters.com/">Wesleyan Potters</a> since 1968. His solo exhibition, <a href="https://www.wesleyan.edu/cfa/galleries/zilkha-exhibition/pages/upcoming/09092025-excavations.html">Excavations</a>, was on view at the Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery at Wesleyan University in fall 2025, and a current exhibition, <a href="https://www.wesleyanpotters.com/events/2026/03/11/the-art-of-wangunk-elder-gary-red-oak-oneil-1-1-1-1/">The Art of Wangunk Elder Gary Red Oak O'Neil</a> is on view at Wesleyan potters until March 22;
</li>
</ul>
This episode originally aired on August 22, 2025.

The power of craft, from activism to connecting with ancestors

A number of student groups and grassroots organizations recently called for a day of “No work, no school, no shopping,” to protest immigration enforcement in Minnesota. This comes at a time when consumers are used to seeing reasons not to support certain brands or companies, and worker strikes are up around the country.

This hour, we take a look at labor strikes and economic boycotts, when they work, and when they don’t. We discuss what power consumers have, and we explore the history of labor movements and talk about the present moment.

GUEST:


Americus Reed II: Professor of Marketing at The Wharton School


Kim Kelly: Labor reporter for In These Times Magazine. She is the author of Fight Like Hell: The Untold History of American Labor

A number of student groups and grassroots organizations recently called for a day of &ldquo;No work, no school, no shopping,&rdquo; to protest immigration enforcement in Minnesota. This comes at a time when consumers are used to seeing reasons not to support certain brands or companies, and worker strikes are up around the country.
This hour, we take a look at labor strikes and economic boycotts, when they work, and when they don&rsquo;t. We discuss what power consumers have, and we explore the history of labor movements and talk about the present moment.
GUEST:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://americusreed.com/">Americus Reed II</a>: Professor of Marketing at The Wharton School
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.kim-kelly.com/">Kim Kelly</a>: Labor reporter for <a href="https://inthesetimes.com/">In These Times</a> Magazine. She is the author of <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Fight-Like-Hell/Kim-Kelly/9781982171063">Fight Like Hell: The Untold History of American Labor</a>
</li>
</ul>

From strikes to boycotts: A look at consumer and worker power 

The Greater Hartford Gives Foundation invests in a wide range of projects from arts to education. And they recently celebrated their 100th year in existence. With that milestone, they decided to make some changes. Their projects include building a new headquarters and increased funding for scholarships. Even the name is new— until recently, the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation was known as the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

Joining us today to talk about both his work with the foundation and his past in politics is Jay Williams, President and CEO of the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation.

GUEST:


Jay Williams: President and CEO of the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation. He has also served as Mayor of Youngstown, Ohio and worked in multiple roles in the Obama administration.

<a href="https://greaterhartfordgives.org/">The Greater Hartford Gives Foundation</a> invests in a wide range of projects from arts to education. And they recently celebrated their 100th year in existence. With that milestone, they decided to make some changes. Their projects include building a new headquarters and increased funding for scholarships. Even the name is new&mdash; until recently, the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation was known as the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.
Joining us today to talk about both his work with the foundation and his past in politics is Jay Williams, President and CEO of the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation.
GUEST:
<ul>
<li>
Jay Williams: President and CEO of the <a href="https://greaterhartfordgives.org/">Greater Hartford Gives Foundation</a>. He has also served as Mayor of Youngstown, Ohio and worked in multiple roles in the Obama administration.
</li>
</ul>

Rethinking narratives around death and dying

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