What meal instantly takes you back to childhood? Whether it’s a dish made with grandparents or a recipe passed down through generations, food has the power to unlock memories. 

This hour, two local children’s authors share their belief in food’s ability to connect us. They discuss their latest novels, the challenges they face in an industry that often pigeonholes writers of color, and how they tackle complex emotions in stories for young readers.

GUESTS:
Debbi Michiko Florence: author of children’s and middle grade books including her latest, Last Chance Academy: A Study in Secrets
Caela Collins: owner of Caela Enterprises, LLC, and author of Food Is Love

This episode originally aired on May 5, 2025.

What meal instantly takes you back to childhood? Whether it&rsquo;s a dish made with grandparents or a recipe passed down through generations, food has the power to unlock memories.&nbsp;
This hour, two local children&rsquo;s authors share their belief in food&rsquo;s ability to connect us. They discuss their latest novels, the challenges they face in an industry that often pigeonholes writers of color, and how they tackle complex emotions in stories for young readers.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://debbimichikoflorence.com/">Debbi Michiko Florence</a>: author of children&rsquo;s and middle grade books including her latest, <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/a-study-in-secrets-debbi-michiko-florence/21523123?ean=9781665950473&amp;next=t">Last Chance Academy: A Study in Secrets</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.caela.org/">Caela Collins</a>: owner of Caela Enterprises, LLC, and author of <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/food-is-love-caela-collins/10719946?ean=9781545661758&amp;next=t">Food Is Love</a></li>
</ul>
This episode originally aired on <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/2025-05-05/connecticut-authors-reflect-on-foods-power-to-connect-us">May 5, 2025.</a>

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

Connecticut Public's 'Where We Live' has curated a list of conversations featuring talks with your favorite authors and deep dives into literary themes and news from across Connecticut Public's talk shows.  

Connecticut Public's 'Where We Live' has curated a list of conversations featuring talks with your favorite authors and deep dives into literary themes and news from across Connecticut Public's talk shows.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Where We Read

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.

Connecticut authors reflect on food’s power to connect us 

In an age of increased isolation and loneliness, what does it mean to be a good neighbor, and build community?

Today, we hear from groups across Connecticut working to organize, support their neighborhoods and inspire change.

We’ll also get local reactions to the unfolding situation in Iran and the Middle East.

Guests:
Farhan Memon: Chairman, CAIR Connecticut, the state chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations
Provash Budden: Deputy Senior Vice President of Emergency Programs, Americares
Janti Soeripto: Save the Children U.S. President & CEO
Ra Carter: Founding member of Mutual Aid Hartford
Jim Chapdelaine: Founder of Indivisible CT

In an age of increased isolation and loneliness, what does it mean to be a good neighbor, and build community?
Today, we hear from groups across Connecticut working to organize, support their neighborhoods and inspire change.
We&rsquo;ll also get local reactions to the unfolding situation in Iran and the Middle East.
Guests:
<ul>
<li>Farhan Memon:&nbsp;Chairman, CAIR Connecticut, the state chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations</li>
<li>Provash Budden:&nbsp;Deputy Senior Vice President of Emergency Programs,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.americares.org/">Americares</a></li>
<li>Janti Soeripto:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.savethechildren.org/">Save the Children</a>&nbsp;U.S. President &amp; CEO</li>
<li>Ra Carter:&nbsp;Founding member of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mutualaidhartford.com/">Mutual Aid Hartford</a></li>
<li>Jim Chapdelaine:&nbsp;Founder of Indivisible CT</li>
</ul>

As CT reacts to unfolding situation in Iran, what's the importance of community in times of crisis?

Connecticut is facing a historic decline in public school enrollment, with enrollment dropping below half a million for the first time in two decades.

This effect is especially pronounced in Hartford, which saw a 5% decline in student enrollment amid a $45 million dollar school deficit. Now, city officials are looking to bring students back — and decrease the deficit.

Later on, we’ll hear from the Connecticut Education Association on the effects of federal cuts and the current legislative education committee hearings.

GUESTS:
Arunan Arulampalam: Mayor of Hartford, Connecticut
Theo Peck-Suzuki: Education reporter for the Connecticut Mirror
Andraé Townsel: Superintendent of Schools for Hartford Public Schools
Caitlin Richard: Chief Financial Officer of Hartford Public Schools
Kate Dias: President of the Connecticut Education Association

Connecticut is facing a historic decline in public school enrollment, with enrollment dropping below half a million for the first time in two decades.
This effect is especially pronounced in Hartford, which saw a 5% decline in student enrollment amid a $45 million dollar school deficit. Now, city officials are looking to bring students back &mdash; and decrease the deficit.
Later on, we&rsquo;ll hear from the Connecticut Education Association on the effects of federal cuts and the current legislative education committee hearings.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Arunan Arulampalam:&nbsp;Mayor of Hartford, Connecticut</li>
<li>Theo Peck-Suzuki:&nbsp;Education reporter for the Connecticut Mirror</li>
<li>Andra&eacute; Townsel: Superintendent of Schools for Hartford Public Schools</li>
<li>Caitlin Richard: Chief Financial Officer of Hartford Public Schools</li>
<li>Kate Dias:&nbsp;President of the Connecticut Education Association</li>
</ul>

Amid enrollment declines, an update on CT public school education

Speaking at the State of the Union, President Donald Trump demanded a full restoration of funding for the Department of Homeland Security.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, has carried out raids in major cities across the nation resulting in mass arrests, violence and the deaths of two people in Minneapolis, Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

Today, we break down what was said at the State of the Union. Later, experts join us to talk about immigration reform and ICE presence in Connecticut.

GUESTS:
Lisa Hagen: Federal Policy Reporter, CT Public and the Connecticut Mirror
Maureen Abell: Staff Attorney at New Haven Legal Assistance Association and Visiting Clinical Professor at Yale Law School with the Immigrant Rights Clinic
Sarah Pierce: Director of Social Policy at Third Way, a national think tank and advocacy organization

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92ekTv_ztHs&amp;t=4804s">Speaking at the State of the Union,</a>&nbsp;President Donald Trump demanded a full restoration of funding for the Department of Homeland Security.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, has carried out raids in major cities across the nation resulting in mass arrests, violence and the deaths of two people in Minneapolis, Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Today, we break down what was said at the State of the Union. Later, experts join us to talk about immigration reform and ICE presence in Connecticut.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/lisa-hagen-1">Lisa Hagen:</a>&nbsp;Federal Policy Reporter, CT Public and the Connecticut Mirror</li>
<li>Maureen Abell:&nbsp;Staff Attorney at&nbsp;<a href="https://nhlegal.org/">New Haven Legal Assistance Association</a>&nbsp;and Visiting Clinical Professor at Yale Law School with the&nbsp;<a href="https://law.yale.edu/studying-law-yale/clinical-and-experiential-learning/our-clinics/legal-assistance-immigrant-rights-clinic">Immigrant Rights Clinic</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.thirdway.org/about/staff/sarah-pierce">Sarah Pierce:</a>&nbsp;Director of Social Policy at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thirdway.org/">Third Way, a national think tank and advocacy organization</a></li>
</ul>

Connecticut authors reflect on food’s power to connect us

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