Can you remember a teacher who changed the course of your life? Maybe it was someone who helped you find your voice? Or someone who challenged you to think differently?

This hour, we’re exploring the impact of great mentors – those who shape us both in and beyond the classroom.

Sarah Ruhl, author of the new book, “Lessons from My Teachers” shares personal stories and reflects on the lasting power of mentorship.

GUESTS:
Sarah Ruhl: Author of “Lessons from My Teachers.” Sarah is also a playwright, two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, a Tony Award nominee, and the recipient of the MacArthur Genius Fellowship. 

 

This episode originally aired on June 2, 2025. 

Can you remember a teacher who changed the course of your life? Maybe it was someone who helped you find your voice? Or someone who challenged you to think differently?
This hour, we&rsquo;re exploring the impact of great mentors &ndash; those who shape us both in and beyond the classroom.
Sarah Ruhl, author of the new book, &ldquo;<a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/lessons-from-my-teachers-sarah-ruhl/21981833?ean=9781668034965&amp;next=t" data-cms-ai="0">Lessons from My Teachers</a>&rdquo; shares personal stories and reflects on the lasting power of mentorship.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.sarahruhlplaywright.com/" data-cms-ai="0">Sarah Ruhl</a>: Author of &ldquo;<a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/lessons-from-my-teachers-sarah-ruhl/21981833?ean=9781668034965&amp;next=t" data-cms-ai="0">Lessons from My Teachers</a>.&rdquo; Sarah is also a playwright, two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, a Tony Award nominee, and the recipient of the MacArthur Genius Fellowship.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
This episode originally aired on June 2, 2025.&nbsp;

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.

Author Sarah Ruhl on the teachers who stay with us

A new exhibit at Yale’s natural history museum is highlighting a culture with deep ties to many in the state.

It’s called “¡Taíno Vive!” or “Taíno lives,” and it’s all about the native people of the Caribbean.

Today we celebrate the history and contributions of Taínos. It’s a culture with roots in Puerto Rico, Haiti, Jamaica and other ancestral homes throughout the Caribbean.

We’ll learn about legislative efforts to recognize Taínos and examine the ongoing question of identity for Taínos both in the past and today.

Guests:
Rachel Iacovone: Connecticut Public Puerto Rican Communities Reporter.
Stephanie Bailey: Archaeologist and member of AraYeke Yukayek, a New York based Caribbean Indigenous Taíno community.
Geraldo Reyes: Democratic state representative representing Waterbury
Matunheri Angel Sibakuyali: Representative from Higuayagua Taíno of the Caribbean
Victor Piñeiro: Author of "The Island of Forgotten Gods"

A new exhibit at Yale&rsquo;s natural history museum is highlighting a culture with deep ties to many in the state.
It&rsquo;s called &ldquo;<a href="https://peabody.yale.edu/events/taino-vive-exhibition">&iexcl;Ta&iacute;no Vive!</a>&rdquo; or &ldquo;Ta&iacute;no lives,&rdquo; and it&rsquo;s all about the native people of the Caribbean.
Today we celebrate the history and contributions of Ta&iacute;nos. It&rsquo;s a culture with roots in Puerto Rico, Haiti, Jamaica and other ancestral homes throughout the Caribbean.
We&rsquo;ll learn about legislative efforts to recognize Ta&iacute;nos and examine the ongoing question of identity for Ta&iacute;nos both in the past and today.
Guests:
<ul>
<li>Rachel Iacovone:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/rachel-iacovone">Connecticut Public Puerto Rican Communities Reporter</a>.</li>
<li>Stephanie Bailey:&nbsp;Archaeologist and member of&nbsp;<a href="https://arayekeyukayek.wixsite.com/arayeke">AraYeke Yukayek</a>, a New York based Caribbean Indigenous Ta&iacute;no community.</li>
<li>Geraldo Reyes:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.housedems.ct.gov/Reyes">Democratic state representative representing Waterbury</a></li>
<li>Matunheri Angel Sibakuyali: Representative from&nbsp;<a href="https://higuayagua.com/">Higuayagua Ta&iacute;no of the Caribbean</a></li>
<li>Victor Pi&ntilde;eiro: Author of "<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220481327-the-island-of-forgotten-gods">The Island of Forgotten Gods</a>"</li>
</ul>

Taíno culture and heritage celebrated across CT

How will you preserve your family history? Maybe through journaling or family movies? What about grabbing an audio recorder?

Today, we’ll hear all about oral history projects in Connecticut that are recording stories for posterity. Later on, we’ll also hear how the Yiddish language and its dialects are being preserved.

Guests:
Katie Heidsiek: Director of Exhibitions for the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History
Jamil Ragland: writer for the New Haven Independent, Hartford community member and Hartford bureau chief for "Midbrow"
Elizabeth George: Doctoral student at the University of Connecticut and an instructor for “My Story, Our Future.”
Christa Whitney: Director of the Yiddish Book Center's Wexler Oral History Project

How will you preserve your family history? Maybe through journaling or family movies? What about grabbing an audio recorder?
Today, we&rsquo;ll hear all about oral history projects in Connecticut that are recording stories for posterity. Later on, we&rsquo;ll also hear how the Yiddish language and its dialects are being preserved.
Guests:
<ul>
<li>Katie Heidsiek:&nbsp;Director of Exhibitions for the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History</li>
<li>Jamil Ragland:&nbsp;writer for the New Haven Independent, Hartford community member and Hartford bureau chief for "Midbrow"</li>
<li>Elizabeth George:&nbsp;Doctoral student at the University of Connecticut and an instructor for &ldquo;My Story, Our Future.&rdquo;</li>
<li>Christa Whitney:&nbsp;Director of the Yiddish Book Center's Wexler Oral History Project</li>
</ul>

Preserving stories and languages one oral history at a time

Believe it or not, spring is just around the corner. But it’s been a rough winter for those growing crops and raising livestock.

Today, we hear how this winter season has impacted Connecticut agriculture and farms.

More Connecticut farmers are working to bring new products to market and maybe inspire your tastebuds along the way. We hear from one farm doing just that.

Find your local farm by visiting www.ctgrown.org.

GUESTS:
Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt: Connecticut Department of Agriculture
Mackenzie White: Diversified Livestock Extension Field Based Specialist at the UConn Extension College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources
Spencer Lord: Owner of Oracle Mushrooms Company in Kent, Connecticut
Matt Went: president of the New Connecticut Farmer Alliance

Believe it or not, spring is just around the corner. But it&rsquo;s been a rough winter for those growing crops and raising livestock.
Today, we hear how this winter season has impacted Connecticut agriculture and farms.
More&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grownconnected.org/findfarms">Connecticut farmers</a>&nbsp;are working to bring new products to market and maybe inspire your tastebuds along the way. We hear from one farm doing just that.
Find your local farm by visiting&nbsp;<a href="https://ctgrown.org/">www.ctgrown.org.</a>
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt:&nbsp;<a href="https://portal.ct.gov/doag">Connecticut Department of Agriculture</a></li>
<li><a href="https://extension.uconn.edu/2024/11/07/meet-mackenzie-white/">Mackenzie White:</a>&nbsp;Diversified Livestock Extension Field Based Specialist at the UConn Extension College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources</li>
<li>Spencer Lord:&nbsp;Owner of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oraclemushrooms.com/">Oracle Mushrooms Company</a>&nbsp;in Kent, Connecticut</li>
<li>Matt Went:&nbsp;president of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newctfarmers.com/">New Connecticut Farmer Alliance</a></li>
</ul>

Author Sarah Ruhl on the teachers who stay with us

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