If you discovered a note from a loved one marked “burn without opening,” would you read it?

Author and former journalist Paul T. O'Connor did. He joins us to discuss the decision that sent him on a years-long search for the truth about his mother's past, chronicled in his new book, “The Missing Child.”

And later, we learn how Connecticut residents can begin uncovering their own family stories.

Guests:
Paul T. O’Connor: Author of “The Missing Child” 
Sierra Dixon: Director of research center, Connecticut Museum of Culture and History

If you discovered a note from a loved one marked &ldquo;burn without opening,&rdquo; would you read it?
Author and former journalist Paul T. O'Connor did. He joins us to discuss the decision that sent him on a years-long search for the truth about his mother's past, chronicled in his new book, &ldquo;The Missing Child.&rdquo;
And later, we learn how Connecticut residents can begin uncovering their own family stories.
Guests:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.ocolumn.com/">Paul T. O&rsquo;Connor</a>: Author of &ldquo;<a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-missing-child-the-life-she-lived-and-a-life-she-missed-paul-t-o-connor/c9e59d6699957aed?ean=9781611537161&amp;affiliate=100306">The Missing Child</a>&rdquo;&nbsp;</li>
<li>Sierra Dixon: Director of research center,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.connecticutmuseum.org/?utm_source=Google+Grant&amp;utm_medium=Search&amp;utm_campaign=Brand&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=15992302986&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADn2gNbj90eyRSSzoib1vLGlIFTYU&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwj7HTBhBiEiwA8s35OvbiynNLlTJsnErwX2OAhqvGbIooCravrl-qR-2qId3Pf4kaW5Z1LhoCd6oQAvD_BwE">Connecticut Museum of Culture and History</a></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.

'Burn without opening:' How a mysterious note led to a family history investigation

What makes someone willingly leave the safety of shore and head into the unknown?

Connecticut adventurer, Elizabeth Fry, has swum some of the world’s most challenging open-water routes, while Guilford-native, Brec Morgan, spent four and a half years sailing around the globe alone.

This hour, they talk about the fear, solitude and exhilaration of their journeys – and the emotional experience of finally coming home.

Plus, they explore why it’s worth doing things that scare us, and what the ocean has given them in return.

Guests:
Elizabeth Fry: marathon open-water swimmer from Westport, Connecticut
Brec Morgan: marine artist and sailor from Connecticut who completed a solo, unassisted-style circumnavigation of the globe

What makes someone willingly leave the safety of shore and head into the unknown?
Connecticut adventurer,&nbsp;<a href="https://today.uconn.edu/2011/12/there%E2%80%99s-no-stopping-long-distance-swimmer-elizabeth-fry/">Elizabeth Fry</a>, has swum some of the world&rsquo;s most challenging open-water routes, while Guilford-native,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/Artist-and-sailor-comes-home-from-sea-11897578.php">Brec Morgan</a>, spent four and a half years sailing around the globe alone.
This hour, they talk about the fear, solitude and exhilaration of their journeys &ndash; and the emotional experience of finally coming home.
Plus, they explore why it&rsquo;s worth doing things that scare us, and what the ocean has given them in return.
Guests:
<ul>
<li>Elizabeth Fry:&nbsp;marathon open-water swimmer from Westport, Connecticut</li>
<li>Brec Morgan:&nbsp;marine artist and sailor from Connecticut who completed a solo, unassisted-style circumnavigation of the globe</li>
</ul>

What draws these Connecticut adventurers to the sea?

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.

'Burn without opening:' How a mysterious note led to a family history investigation

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