This hour on Disrupted, we talk to three members of the theater community in Connecticut about how the industry moves forward, and what lessons they’ve learned over the last year.

This hour on Disrupted, we talk to three members of the theater community in Connecticut about how the industry moves forward, and what lessons they&rsquo;ve learned over the last year.

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 Theater In A Post-Pandemic World

Every February, the United States celebrates Black History Month. But in recent years, the celebration might have felt a bit different.

On January 31, 2025, the Department of Defense announced it would no longer use official resources to celebrate cultural awareness months, including Black History Month, which began the following day. That announcement came after the Trump administration's rollback of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives within the federal government.

This hour, we listen back to our conversation with a panel of experts talking about Black History Month and what it means today.

GUESTS:


Kevin Gaines: Julian Bond Professor of Civil Rights and Social Justice and former Interim Director of the Carter G. Woodson Institute at the University of Virginia.


Christina Greer: Associate Professor of Political Science at Fordham University


Michael Harriot: founder of ContrabandCamp and bestselling author of Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America.

In this episode, the guests mention several Black Americans who have made an impact on U.S. history. Here are some of the names if you want to learn more:

Ella Baker, Mary McLeod Bethune, George Washington Carver, James Chaney, Septima Clark, John Henrik Clarke, David Dennis Sr, Fannie Lou Hamer, Steven Henson, bell hooks, Barbara Jordan, Garrett Morgan, Constance Baker Motley, Gloria Naylor, Bernice Johnson Reagon, Gloria Richardson, Amelia Boynton Robinson, Jo Ann Robinson, Cleveland Sellers, Robert Smalls, the students in the court case Edwards v. South Carolina, Ida B. Wells-Barnett

Special thanks to our former interns Angelica Gajewski and Kathy Wang.

This episode originally aired on February 28, 2025.

Every February, the United States celebrates Black History Month. But in recent years, the celebration might have felt a bit different.
On January 31, 2025, the Department of Defense announced it would no longer use official resources to celebrate cultural awareness months, including Black History Month, which began the following day. That announcement came after the Trump administration's rollback of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives within the federal government.
This hour, we listen back to our conversation with a panel of experts talking about Black History Month and what it means today.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
Kevin Gaines: Julian Bond Professor of Civil Rights and Social Justice and former Interim Director of the Carter G. Woodson Institute at the University of Virginia.
</li>
<li>
Christina Greer: Associate Professor of Political Science at Fordham University
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.michaelharriot.com/">Michael Harriot</a>: founder of <a href="https://www.contrabandcamp.com/">ContrabandCamp</a> and bestselling author of <a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/black-af-history-michael-harriot?variant=40991976128546">Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America</a>.
</li>
</ul>
In this episode, the guests mention several Black Americans who have made an impact on U.S. history. Here are some of the names if you want to learn more:
Ella Baker, Mary McLeod Bethune, George Washington Carver, James Chaney, Septima Clark, John Henrik Clarke, David Dennis Sr, Fannie Lou Hamer, Steven Henson, bell hooks, Barbara Jordan, Garrett Morgan, Constance Baker Motley, Gloria Naylor, Bernice Johnson Reagon, Gloria Richardson, Amelia Boynton Robinson, Jo Ann Robinson, Cleveland Sellers, Robert Smalls, the students in the court case Edwards v. South Carolina, Ida B. Wells-Barnett
Special thanks to our former interns Angelica Gajewski and Kathy Wang.
This episode originally aired on February 28, 2025.

What Black History Month means in today’s political climate

When was the last time you dabbled in something? In this episode of Disrupted, author Karen Walrond talks about the joys of dabbling and the space where dabbling and activism meet. She shares how trying activities like sports, pottery or baking—even if you're not good at them—can expand our definition of self.

We also visit Jason Ramos' New Haven dance studio, Baila Con Gusto CT, where dabblers learn how to Salsa, Bachata and Merengue in community with one another.

Plus, Spanish artist Esther Gonzalez reads her essay, “How to Reset Your Artistic Life.”

GUESTS:


Karen Walrond: Author of ‘The Lightmaker's Manifesto’ and ‘Radiant Rebellion’. Her latest book is ‘In Defense of Dabbling: The Brilliance of Being a Total Amateur’


Jason Ramos: Founder of Baila Con Gusto CT, a dance studio in residence at St. Paul & St. James Church in New Haven


Esther González: Artist and author of the essay ‘How to Reset Your Artistic Life.’ Find her artwork on Instagram. And read more of her essays on her Substack, Journal Rash.

Special thanks to the students at Baila Con Gusto CT who spoke to us about what inspires them to dance.

When was the last time you dabbled in something?&nbsp;In this episode of Disrupted, author Karen Walrond talks about the joys of dabbling and the space where dabbling and activism meet. She shares how trying activities like sports, pottery or baking&mdash;even if you're not good at them&mdash;can expand our definition of self.
We also visit Jason Ramos' New Haven dance studio, Baila Con Gusto CT, where dabblers learn how to Salsa, Bachata and Merengue in community with one another.
Plus, Spanish artist Esther Gonzalez reads her essay, &ldquo;How to Reset Your Artistic Life.&rdquo;
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
Karen Walrond: Author of &lsquo;<a href="https://www.chookooloonks.com/thelightmakersmanifesto">The Lightmaker's Manifesto</a>&rsquo; and<a href="https://www.chookooloonks.com/radiant-rebellion-1"> &lsquo;Radiant Rebellion</a>&rsquo;. Her latest book is &lsquo;<a href="https://www.chookooloonks.com/books">In Defense of Dabbling: The Brilliance of Being a Total Amateur</a>&rsquo;
</li>
<li>
Jason Ramos: Founder of <a href="https://bailacongusto.multiscreensite.com/">Baila Con Gusto CT</a>, a dance studio in residence at St. Paul &amp; St. James Church in New Haven
</li>
<li>
Esther Gonz&aacute;lez: Artist and author of the essay &lsquo;How to Reset Your Artistic Life.&rsquo; Find her artwork on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/estee.zales/?hl=en">Instagram</a>. And read more of her essays on her Substack, <a href="https://journalrash.substack.com/">Journal Rash</a>.
</li>
</ul>
Special thanks to the students at Baila Con Gusto CT who spoke to us about what inspires them to dance.

Karen Walrond on the joys of dabbling

Disrupted recently reached a milestone— five years on the air. We celebrated with a live event that included a panel discussion on “Finding Joy and Purpose in Turbulent Times.” Panelists Erik Clemons and Ryan Parker opened up about the duality between joy and turbulence in their lives, and Ryan gave us a stirring performance of his poetry.

GUESTS:


Erik Clemons: CEO and President of ConnCORP (Connecticut Community Outreach Revitalization Program) and ConnCAT (Connecticut Center for Arts and Technology). ConnCAT offers job training and youth programs, while ConnCORP is dedicated to economic development in New Haven


Ryan Parker: educator, poet and activist. He’s a certified mama’s boy and chocolate chip cookie lover. He works as an educational consultant and has spent more than two decades teaching. He was Poet Laureate of Manchester from 2019 to 2023. He helped create Project Happyvism, which includes a song and a children's book. His upcoming projects include a healing retreat in the Azores and an educational children's program with episodes set to release at the end of February.

Disrupted recently reached a milestone&mdash; five years on the air. We celebrated with a live event that included a panel discussion on &ldquo;Finding Joy and Purpose in Turbulent Times.&rdquo; Panelists Erik Clemons and Ryan Parker opened up about the duality between joy and turbulence in their lives, and Ryan gave us a stirring performance of his poetry.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
Erik Clemons: CEO and President of <a href="https://conncorp.org/">ConnCORP</a> (Connecticut Community Outreach Revitalization Program) and <a href="https://conncat.org/">ConnCAT</a> (Connecticut Center for Arts and Technology). ConnCAT offers job training and youth programs, while ConnCORP is dedicated to economic development in New Haven
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://ryantparker.org/">Ryan Parker</a>: educator, poet and activist. He&rsquo;s a certified mama&rsquo;s boy and chocolate chip cookie lover. He works as an educational consultant and has spent more than two decades teaching. He was Poet Laureate of Manchester from 2019 to 2023. He helped create <a href="https://www.projecthappyvism.com/">Project Happyvism</a>, which includes a song and a children's book. His upcoming projects include <a href="https://ryantparker.org/vila-pilar-azores">a healing retreat in the Azores</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ParkertheHipHopTeacher">an educational children's program</a> with episodes set to release at the end of February.
</li>
</ul>

Rethinking Theater In A Post-Pandemic World

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