What meal brings you back to childhood? This hour, two local children’s authors share how their young protagonists find meaning in the kitchen, using food as a tool to explore culture, loss, and belonging.

What meal brings you back to childhood? This hour, two local children&rsquo;s authors share how their young protagonists find meaning in the kitchen, using food as a tool to explore culture, loss, and belonging.

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.

Connecticut authors reflect on food’s power to connect us

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Here at Where We Live, this was a big year for books. Not only did we get the chance to speak with some terrific authors, we also launched our Where We Read newsletter, a destination for die-hard book lovers and the literary curious alike.

Today, we are going to listen back to a few of our favorite author conversations. We hear from Connecticut natives Ocean Vuong and Wally Lamb.

Listen back to their full interviews below:


Wally Lamb's new book, 'The River Is Waiting,' explores prison injustice and forgiveness


Connecticut native Ocean Vuong has a deep love for Hartford

GUESTS:


Ocean Vuong: writer, professor and author of "The Emperor of Gladness"


Wally Lamb: author of "The River Is Waiting." He is also the author of "She’s Come Undone" and "I Know This Much Is True."

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.

Here at Where We Live, this was a big year for books. Not only did we get the chance to speak with some terrific authors, we also launched our <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/where-we-read">Where We Read newsletter, a destination for die-hard book lovers and the literary curious alike.</a>
Today, we are going to listen back to a few of our favorite author conversations. We hear from Connecticut natives Ocean Vuong and Wally Lamb.
Listen back to their full interviews below:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/2025-09-16/wally-lamb-interview-the-river-is-waiting">Wally Lamb's new book, 'The River Is Waiting,' explores prison injustice and forgiveness</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/2025-08-11/connecticut-native-ocean-vuong-has-a-deep-love-for-hartford">Connecticut native Ocean Vuong has a deep love for Hartford</a>
</li>
</ul>
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.oceanvuong.com/">Ocean Vuong:</a> writer, professor and author of <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-emperor-of-gladness-oprah-s-book-club-a-novel-ocean-vuong/757cbcdb9ce8e82d?ean=9780593831878&amp;next=t&amp;&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=dsa_nonbrand&amp;utm_content={adgroupname}&amp;utm_term=aud-1885352274184:dsa-19959388920&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=12440232635&amp;gbraid=0AAAAACfld41j-vMRHRkBOtw1DpajPyZe_&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiAi9rJBhCYARIsALyPDtsoJNX8Dj9BLI1TGJnN31hcrHkIFow1cOHYOOGE764wf99tJVby9SUaAiSCEALw_wcB">"The Emperor of Gladness"</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Wally-Lamb/1064002">Wally Lamb:</a> author of "<a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-river-is-waiting-wally-lamb/22039422?ean=9781668006399&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=dsa_nonbrand&amp;utm_content={adgroupname}&amp;utm_term=aud-1721779758375:dsa-19959388920&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=12440232635&amp;gbraid=0AAAAACfld40U0sBvRojxaQZnQNGtr6NWK&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwnovFBhDnARIsAO4V7mDXDTBZS240zqvb0ZNNtTyx9MvPOxrCaBaYjAv6VbdERnl8yx17ZAgaAlK-EALw_wcB">The River Is Waiting.</a>" He is also the author of "<a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/she-s-come-undone-wally-lamb/12815677?ean=9780671003753&amp;next=t">She&rsquo;s Come Undone</a>" and "<a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/i-know-this-much-is-true-wally-lamb/8960307?ean=9780061469084&amp;next=t">I Know This Much Is True</a>."
</li>
</ul>
Where We Live&nbsp;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.

Where We Read listens back to conversations with CT authors

Cat Shen has been hosting Where We Live long enough for the show to use a fork, and yet very little is known about her. In this hour, technical producer and partner-in-mischief Dylan Reyes sits down with Cat to get the inside scoop on the reporter turned host.

The pair discuss some of their favorite songs, defining life moments and what it means to be the face of a show that's celebrating 20 years on Connecticut Public Radio in 2026.

MUSIC FEATURED (in order):


Milk Tea — Yuji Ohno (ft. Akari Dritschler


Happy Happy Christmas — Drax (commonly known as it is a mystery)


Complicated — Avril Lavigne


Magpie — Peach Pit


The Moon Represents My Heart — Teresa Teng (鄧麗君 — Deng Lee Jun)


Uprising — Muse


Mr. Resetti — insaneintherainmusic


Ganja Smugglin — The Expendables


Goofy Goober Rock — Tom Rothrock


I'm Yours — Jason Mraz


Sparkle (movie version) — RADWIMPS

Or, find it all in this playlist!

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

Cat Shen has been hosting Where We Live long enough for the show to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones/3-years.html">use a fork</a>, and yet very little is known about her. In this hour, technical producer and partner-in-mischief Dylan Reyes sits down with Cat to get the inside scoop on the reporter turned host.
The pair discuss some of their favorite songs, defining life moments and what it means to be the face of a show that's celebrating 20 years on Connecticut Public Radio in 2026.
MUSIC FEATURED (in order):
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://youtu.be/5B3DgK88YJw">Milk Tea</a> &mdash; Yuji Ohno (ft. Akari Dritschler
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://youtu.be/HR41nFMREBE">Happy Happy Christmas</a> &mdash; Drax (commonly known as <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fq3abPnEEGE">it is a mystery</a>)
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NPBIwQyPWE">Complicated</a> &mdash; Avril Lavigne
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKyWzW9WXic">Magpie</a> &mdash; Peach Pit
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv_cEeDlop0">The Moon Represents My Heart</a> &mdash; Teresa Teng (鄧麗君 &mdash; Deng Lee Jun)
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8KQmps-Sog">Uprising</a> &mdash; Muse
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-J3yjvZ60U">Mr. Resetti</a> &mdash; insaneintherainmusic
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZCGD_tXAX4">Ganja Smugglin</a> &mdash; The Expendables
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCPDVVLUw-4">Goofy Goober Rock</a> &mdash; Tom Rothrock
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkHTsc9PU2A">I'm Yours</a> &mdash; Jason Mraz
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pHfPJGatgE">Sparkle (movie version)</a> &mdash; RADWIMPS
</li>
</ul>
Or, find it all in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc3X27YI7uvCBfICRmOzmVwzyT1uqx0BC">this playlist</a>!
Where We Live is available on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-wheelhouse/id1123069986">Apple Podcasts,</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0rdTqFfVu8e6TKMa5lWXsI">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cub21ueWNvbnRlbnQuY29tL2QvcGxheWxpc3QvYWMwYmU5NjktZDdkZi00NjBjLWE2NmMtYTZmOTAwZTFlYmQxLzI1M2YwNjY4LTA0NjMtNGFiNC04ZWIzLWE5ZmIwMDRjOTdlNy8wOTUwNDBkZS1hZjMyLTQ1Y2UtOTkwZi1hOWZiMDA0Yzk3ZjUvcG9kY2FzdC5yc3M">Google Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/dd73c297-450d-4ea5-bb0b-64131d617ee0/the-wheelhouse">Amazon Music</a>, <a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/Government/The-Wheelhouse-p1207903/?topicId=264709829">TuneIn</a>, <a href="https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-wheelhouse-connecticut-public-radio-mxksbjc_iJI/">Listen Notes</a>, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

Music and memories: A game of musical chairs with host Catherine Shen

Connecticut native and bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert’s new memoir, "All the Way to the River," tells the story of her late partner, Rayya Elias.

The two began as fast friends, then fell in love. But as they faced tragedy together, their shared struggles with addiction put them on a collision course with catastrophe.

This hour, Gilbert joins us to talk about Rayya — “the love of her life” — and what she discovered about herself, about love, and about the sanctity of truth in writing this deeply personal memoir.

Guest:


Elizabeth Gilbert: author of the new memoir, "All the Way to the River." She is also the author of several other bestselling novels including "Eat, Pray, Love" and "City of Girls."

This episode originally aired on Sep. 11, 2025.

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

Connecticut native and bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert&rsquo;s new memoir, "All the Way to the River," tells the story of her late partner, Rayya Elias.
The two began as fast friends, then fell in love. But as they faced tragedy together, their shared struggles with addiction put them on a collision course with catastrophe.
This hour, Gilbert joins us to talk about Rayya &mdash; &ldquo;the love of her life&rdquo; &mdash; and what she discovered about herself, about love, and about the sanctity of truth in writing this deeply personal memoir.
Guest:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.elizabethgilbert.com/">Elizabeth Gilbert</a>: author of the new memoir, "<a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/all-the-way-to-the-river-love-loss-and-liberation-elizabeth-gilbert/22214319?ean=9780593540985&amp;next=t">All the Way to the River</a>."&nbsp;She is also the author of several other bestselling novels including "Eat, Pray, Love" and "City of Girls."
</li>
</ul>
This episode originally aired on Sep. 11, 2025.
Where We Live is available on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-wheelhouse/id1123069986">Apple Podcasts,</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0rdTqFfVu8e6TKMa5lWXsI">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cub21ueWNvbnRlbnQuY29tL2QvcGxheWxpc3QvYWMwYmU5NjktZDdkZi00NjBjLWE2NmMtYTZmOTAwZTFlYmQxLzI1M2YwNjY4LTA0NjMtNGFiNC04ZWIzLWE5ZmIwMDRjOTdlNy8wOTUwNDBkZS1hZjMyLTQ1Y2UtOTkwZi1hOWZiMDA0Yzk3ZjUvcG9kY2FzdC5yc3M">Google Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/dd73c297-450d-4ea5-bb0b-64131d617ee0/the-wheelhouse">Amazon Music</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/Government/The-Wheelhouse-p1207903/?topicId=264709829">TuneIn</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-wheelhouse-connecticut-public-radio-mxksbjc_iJI/">Listen Notes</a>, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

Connecticut authors reflect on food’s power to connect us

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