In 2012, Connecticut voters chose Chris Murphy as a replacement for retiring senator Joe Lieberman. He was the youngest U.S. senator serving at the time. And in the years since, his national profile has grown. He's been a vocal advocate for gun reform and become a high-profile critic of the Trump administration. But most recently he’s been talking about a different kind of crisis. It's the subject of his new book Crisis of the Common Good: The Fight for Meaning and Connection in a Broken America.

GUESTS:


Chris Murphy: Junior U.S. Senator from Connecticut. His new book is Crisis of the Common Good: The Fight for Meaning and Connection in a Broken America.

Photo Credit: Matt Ramey

In 2012, Connecticut voters chose <a href="https://www.murphy.senate.gov/">Chris Murphy</a> as a replacement for retiring senator Joe Lieberman. He was the youngest U.S. senator serving at the time. And in the years since, his national profile has grown. He's been a vocal advocate for gun reform and become a high-profile critic of the Trump administration. But most recently he&rsquo;s been talking about a different kind of crisis. It's the subject of his new book <a href="https://crisisofthecommongood.com/">Crisis of the Common Good: The Fight for Meaning and Connection in a Broken America</a>.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.murphy.senate.gov/">Chris Murphy</a>: Junior U.S. Senator from Connecticut. His new book is <a href="https://crisisofthecommongood.com/">Crisis of the Common Good: The Fight for Meaning and Connection in a Broken America</a>.
</li>
</ul>
Photo Credit: Matt Ramey

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

Senator Chris Murphy on the ‘Crisis of the Common Good’

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.

Jason Ramos with dance partner. (3000x2000, AR: 1.5)

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.

This episode originally aired on February 13, 2026. 

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.
Jason Ramos with dance partner. (3000x2000, AR: 1.5)
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>
This episode originally aired on February 13, 2026.&nbsp;
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

For Black Americans, following the news can be a psychological challenge. 4 in 5 Black adults say they see or hear racist or racially insensitive coverage about Black people at least sometimes. That’s according to a 2023 Pew Research survey.

And coverage can be hard to watch even if it isn’t insensitive. While news about violence against Black people is important for communities to know, it can also affect one’s mental health.

This can be a lot to deal with, so some people are trying to change the narrative by adding another emotion to the mix: joy.

This hour, we’re talking to people who are centering Black joy.

We’ll hear from the the owner of a local woodworking business called Black Joy Creations and the founders of a summer camp that is bringing smiles to campers’ faces.

GUESTS:


Akeera Peterkin: woodworker and founder of Black Joy Creations. The Connecticut-based business sells hand-crafted wood products and leads woodworking classes. Akeera also runs a business as a therapist and social worker.


Camille Hollenquest: Executive of Director of Detroit Heals Detroit and Co-Founder of Black Joy Summer Camp.


Brianna Donald: Co-Chair of Detroit Heals Detroit and Co-Founder of Black Joy Summer Camp.

This episode originally aired on October 3, 2025. 

Additional production help from our intern Amanda Adams.

Special thanks to our intern Katie Servas and our former interns Vy Duong and Talei Ricketson.

For Black Americans, following the news can be a psychological challenge. 4 in 5 Black adults say they see or hear racist or racially insensitive coverage about Black people at least sometimes. That&rsquo;s according to a <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/2023/09/26/black-americans-experiences-with-news/">2023 Pew Research survey</a>.
And coverage can be hard to watch even if it isn&rsquo;t insensitive. While news about violence against Black people is important for communities to know, it can also affect one&rsquo;s mental health.
This can be a lot to deal with, so some people are trying to change the narrative by adding another emotion to the mix: joy.
This hour, we&rsquo;re talking to people who are centering Black joy.
We&rsquo;ll hear from the the owner of a local woodworking business called Black Joy Creations and the founders of a summer camp that is bringing smiles to campers&rsquo; faces.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
Akeera Peterkin: woodworker and founder of <a href="https://blackjoycreations.com/">Black Joy Creations</a>. The Connecticut-based business sells hand-crafted wood products and leads woodworking classes. Akeera also runs a business as a <a href="https://amaninia.com/">therapist and social worker</a>.
</li>
<li>
Camille Hollenquest: Executive of <a href="https://www.detroithealsdetroit.org/">Director of Detroit Heals Detroit</a> and Co-Founder of <a href="https://www.detroithealsdetroit.org/summer-camp-registration/">Black Joy Summer Camp</a>.
</li>
<li>
Brianna Donald: Co-Chair of <a href="https://www.detroithealsdetroit.org/">Detroit Heals Detroit</a> and Co-Founder of <a href="https://www.detroithealsdetroit.org/summer-camp-registration/">Black Joy Summer Camp</a>.
</li>
</ul>
This episode originally aired on October 3, 2025.&nbsp;
Additional production help from our intern Amanda Adams.
Special thanks to our intern Katie Servas and our former interns Vy Duong and Talei Ricketson.

From woodworking to summer camp, there are endless ways to spread Black Joy

Confederate forces surrendered to Union forces in Appomattox Court House, Virginia in April of 1865.

But many people in Texas were still living under slavery. The Emancipation Proclamation had gone into effect in January of 1863 in places under Union control. But Union forces did not arrive to enforce emancipation in Texas until June of 1865.

That is why we celebrate Juneteenth— to recognize the day that the people enslaved in Texas were finally freed.

And while Juneteenth is the most famous holiday recognizing emancipation, different communities have held their own celebrations since the end of the Civil War.

This hour, we’re recognizing Juneteenth by taking a look at celebrations past and present. We’ll take a look at the history of Emancipation Days and how they’ve been documented, and we’ll hear from one of the organizers of this year’s Juneteenth celebration in New Haven.

GUESTS:


Blair LM Kelley: President and Director of the National Humanities Center. Her books include Black Folk: The Roots of the Black Working Class and her latest book, Black Freedom: A Visual History of Juneteenth and Emancipation Days.


Dr. Hanan Hameen: Founder of the Artsucation Academy Network, Co-Founder of the Official Juneteenth Coalition of Greater New Haven and award-winning choreographer and educator.

 

Photo source: Detroit Publishing Co.

Confederate forces surrendered to Union forces in Appomattox Court House, Virginia in April of 1865.
But many people in Texas were still living under slavery. The Emancipation Proclamation had gone into effect in January of 1863 in places under Union control. But Union forces did not arrive to enforce emancipation in Texas until June of 1865.
That is why we celebrate Juneteenth&mdash; to recognize the day that the people enslaved in Texas were finally freed.
And while Juneteenth is the most famous holiday recognizing emancipation, different communities have held their own celebrations since the end of the Civil War.
This hour, we&rsquo;re recognizing Juneteenth by taking a look at celebrations past and present. We&rsquo;ll take a look at the history of Emancipation Days and how they&rsquo;ve been documented, and we&rsquo;ll hear from one of the organizers of this year&rsquo;s Juneteenth celebration in New Haven.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.profblmkelley.com/">Blair LM Kelley</a>: President and Director of the <a href="https://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/">National Humanities Center</a>. Her books include <a href="https://wwnorton.com/books/9781631496554">Black Folk: The Roots of the Black Working Class</a> and her latest book, <a href="https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/blair-lm-kelley-2/black-freedom/9780762486939/?lens=black-dog-leventhal">Black Freedom: A Visual History of Juneteenth and Emancipation Days</a>.
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://artsucation.org/about-our-founder">Dr. Hanan Hameen</a>: Founder of the <a href="https://artsucation.org/">Artsucation Academy Network</a>, Co-Founder of the <a href="https://artsucation.org/juneteenth-coalition">Official Juneteenth Coalition of Greater New Haven</a> and award-winning choreographer and educator.
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Photo source: Detroit Publishing Co.

Senator Chris Murphy on the ‘Crisis of the Common Good’

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