Advanced degrees are increasingly out of reach for many. Receiving financial aid has gotten more difficult too.

Many schools are already rethinking how they support their graduate students.

We'll get an update on financial aid and hear what some Connecticut institutions are doing to make their graduate programming more affordable and accessible.

Guests:
Emily Roberts: Financial Educator and Owner of Personal Finance for Ph.Ds
Kymberly Pinder: Stavros Niarchos Foundation Dean of the Yale School of Art
Jessica Blake: Federal policy reporter for Inside Higher Ed, based in Washington, D.C.

Advanced degrees are increasingly out of reach for many. Receiving financial aid has gotten more difficult too.
Many schools are already rethinking how they support their graduate students.
We'll get an update on financial aid and hear what some Connecticut institutions are doing to make their graduate programming more affordable and accessible.
Guests:
<ul>
<li>Emily Roberts:&nbsp;Financial Educator and Owner of&nbsp;<a href="https://pfforphds.com/">Personal Finance for Ph.Ds</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.art.yale.edu/kymberly-pinder">Kymberly Pinder:</a>&nbsp;Stavros Niarchos Foundation Dean of the Yale School of Art</li>
<li><a href="https://www.insidehighered.com/author/jessica-blake">Jessica Blake:</a>&nbsp;Federal policy reporter for Inside Higher Ed, based in Washington, D.C.</li>
</ul>

Produced by Connecticut Public, 'Where We Live' puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines.  We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.

Produced by Connecticut Public, '<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/about">Where We Live'</a> puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines.  We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.

Where We Live is a call-in talk show about who we are in Connecticut and our place in the world.

Where We Live

Produced by Connecticut Public, '<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/about">Where We Live'</a> puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines.  We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.

Are graduate degrees worth the cost in 2026?

You’ve probably heard of the stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

But the stages of grief aren’t always linear. The grieving is almost always a little messy.

And when a child dies, navigating grief can become a lifelong journey.

Today, two parents who have experienced the death of a child join us and share their experience, and how they’ve channeled their grief into advocacy and awareness.

GUESTS:
Carolyn Fletcher: Organ donor advocate and New England Donor Services volunteer
Brianna Garrison: Associate Professor in the Social Work Program at Southern Connecticut State University 
Jay Rivera: founder of Always 65, a local organization dedicated to preventing sudden cardiac arrest in children and young athletes

You&rsquo;ve probably heard of the stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
But the stages of grief aren&rsquo;t always linear. The grieving is almost always a little messy.
And when a child dies, navigating grief can become a lifelong journey.
Today, two parents who have experienced the death of a child join us and share their experience, and how they&rsquo;ve channeled their grief into advocacy and awareness.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Carolyn Fletcher:&nbsp;Organ donor advocate and&nbsp;<a href="https://neds.org/">New England Donor Services</a>&nbsp;volunteer</li>
<li><a href="https://www.southernct.edu/directory/garrisonb3">Brianna Garrison:</a>&nbsp;Associate Professor in the Social Work Program at Southern Connecticut State University&nbsp;</li>
<li>Jay Rivera:&nbsp;founder of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.always65.com/">Always 65,</a>&nbsp;a local organization dedicated to preventing sudden cardiac arrest in children and young athletes</li>
</ul>

After losing a child, these parents dedicate their lives to advocacy

Dementia is one of the leading causes of disability among older adults. For caregivers of people with the disease, the role is filled with a variety of emotions like worry, sadness and grief. But it’s also a role often filled with connection and love.


In June, Connecticut Public’s Daniela Doncel moderated a conversation about dementia caregiving at the Webb Deane Stevens Museum in Wethersfield. Today, we’ll hear that discussion.


Panelists spoke about the logistics of care, the importance of speaking openly about the disease, and the experience of losing someone who is still physically present.
This conversation is part of Connecticut Public’s ongoing coverage focused on caregiving and aging. You can learn more here.


Guests:
Tonya Maurer: caregiver to her mother, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2017 and now lives in a memory care facility in Connecticut.
Maria Canales: a volunteer educator with the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut chapter who helps Spanish-speaking communities in the state learn about the disease.
Colby McCaskill: a writer and reporter living in New York City. His radio story, “Dear Papa,” explores his fear about his grandmother’s escalating dementia, and was selected as the grand prize winner for this year’s NPR College Podcast Challenge.

Where We Live is available on Apple Podcasts,Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

Dementia is one of <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia">the leading causes of disability</a> among older adults. For caregivers of people with the disease, the role is filled with a variety of emotions like worry, sadness and grief. But it&rsquo;s also a role often filled with connection and love.
 In June, Connecticut Public&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/daniela-doncel">Daniela Doncel </a>moderated <a href="http://ctpublic.org/caregivingevent">a conversation</a> about dementia caregiving at the Webb Deane Stevens Museum in Wethersfield. Today, we&rsquo;ll hear that discussion.
 Panelists spoke about the logistics of care, the importance of speaking openly about the disease, and the experience of losing someone who is still physically present. This conversation is part of Connecticut Public&rsquo;s ongoing coverage focused on caregiving and aging. You can learn more <a href="http://ctpublic.org/caregiving">here</a>.
 Guests:
<ul>
<li>Tonya Maurer: caregiver to her mother, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2017 and now lives in a memory care facility in Connecticut.</li>
<li>Maria Canales: a volunteer educator with the <a href="https://www.alz.org/ct">Alzheimer&rsquo;s Association Connecticut chapter</a> who helps Spanish-speaking communities in the state learn about the disease.</li>
<li>Colby McCaskill: a writer and reporter living in New York City. His radio story, &ldquo;Dear Papa,&rdquo; explores his fear about his grandmother&rsquo;s escalating dementia, and <a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/05/07/nx-s1-5766358/dementia-college-podcast-aging-family">was selected as the grand prize winner</a> for this year&rsquo;s NPR College Podcast Challenge.</li>
</ul>
Where We Live is available on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/where-we-live/id706066099">Apple Podcasts,</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0j08SgnZIU5BmjDyHbgjgP">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/43f3a507-ebfa-4876-b34a-030759a8924c/where-we-live">Amazon Music</a>, <a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/Government/Where-We-Live-p1207905/">TuneIn</a>, <a href="https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/where-we-live-connecticut-public-radio-lz9NAwSEexh/">Listen Notes,</a> or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

How dementia caregivers navigate a challenging role: Catharsis, humor and patience

Summer may be winding down, but there's still plenty of time for ice cream.

We go behind the scenes to learn how one of Connecticut's most beloved frozen treats is made, revisit the nostalgia of the neighborhood ice cream truck, and hear from local experts about what makes a truly great scoop.

We'll also explore creative flavors – including vegan options – and get recommendations for some of the best ice cream destinations around the state.

Whether you're loyal to vanilla or always chasing the next unique flavor, this episode is for you.

Guests:
Chris Casiello: plant Manager of Arethusa Farm Dairy in Litchfield
Reinaldo Sánchez: co-owner and chief operations officer of Vía Láctea
Lorivie Alicea: co-owner of Vía Láctea
Craig Behun: teacher and owner of the CT Ice Cream Tour food truck

Summer may be winding down, but there's still plenty of time for ice cream.
We go behind the scenes to learn how one of Connecticut's most beloved frozen treats is made, revisit the nostalgia of the neighborhood ice cream truck, and hear from local experts about what makes a truly great scoop.
We'll also explore creative flavors &ndash; including vegan options &ndash; and get recommendations for some of the best ice cream destinations around the state.
Whether you're loyal to vanilla or always chasing the next unique flavor, this episode is for you.
Guests:
<ul>
<li>Chris Casiello:&nbsp;plant Manager of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.arethusafarm.com/">Arethusa Farm Dairy in Litchfield</a></li>
<li>Reinaldo S&aacute;nchez:&nbsp;co-owner and chief operations officer of<a href="https://vialacteact.com/pages/meet-us?srsltid=AfmBOoqD5hpxWwETAza9UDTlVTr81nhcq_kD8-z428OuZfMV5_D1m8gO">&nbsp;V&iacute;a L&aacute;ctea</a></li>
<li>Lorivie Alicea:&nbsp;co-owner of<a href="https://vialacteact.com/pages/meet-us?srsltid=AfmBOoqD5hpxWwETAza9UDTlVTr81nhcq_kD8-z428OuZfMV5_D1m8gO">&nbsp;V&iacute;a L&aacute;ctea</a></li>
<li>Craig Behun:&nbsp;teacher and owner of the CT Ice Cream Tour food truck</li>
</ul>

Are graduate degrees worth the cost in 2026?

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