What does it mean to take a break?

Going on a walk or doodling during a meeting? Maybe turning off your phone and reading a book?

For author Melissa Febos, years of destructive relationships left her in need of a different kind of break — giving up sex.

She embarked on a year-long journey of abstinence from romantic and sexual relationships, documenting what she discovered about herself in “The Dry Season: A Memoir of Pleasure in a Year Without Sex.”

Guests:
Melissa Febos: author of five books, including "The Dry Season: A Memoir of Pleasure in a Year Without Sex"

What does it mean to take a break?
Going on a walk or doodling during a meeting? Maybe turning off your phone and reading a book?
For author Melissa Febos, years of destructive relationships left her in need of a different kind of break &mdash; giving up sex.
She embarked on a year-long journey of abstinence from romantic and sexual relationships, documenting what she discovered about herself in &ldquo;The Dry Season: A Memoir of Pleasure in a Year Without Sex.&rdquo;
Guests:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.melissafebos.com/">Melissa Febos:</a>&nbsp;author of five books, including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/725681/the-dry-season-by-melissa-febos/">"The Dry Season: A Memoir of Pleasure in a Year Without Sex"</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.

Author Melissa Febos explores sex, celibacy and healing in 'The Dry Season'

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Charlie Widmer describes himself as a multi-genre musician, but his range goes far beyond most artists. From opera to bluegrass, he's pretty much done it all.

Widmer is now the Connecticut State Troubadour, an official position devoted to music education and community.

One of his major goals is to make more people comfortable pursuing music, he said.

"My whole goal with being an educator is to try and just help people be less hard on themselves," he said. "It's not about being perfect. It turns out no one has it figured out. It turns out everyone's pretending. And I think it's time we take the masks off."

Today, we’ll hear about Widmer's musical journey across the globe, and his ongoing work to nurture the local music scene in Connecticut.

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.

<a href="https://www.charliewidmermusic.com/">Charlie Widmer</a> describes himself as a multi-genre musician, but his range goes far beyond most artists. From opera to bluegrass, he's pretty much done it all.
Widmer is now the <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/About/State-Symbols/Connecticut-State-Troubadour">Connecticut State Troubadour,</a> an official position devoted to music education and community.
One of his major goals is to make more people comfortable pursuing music, he said.
"My whole goal with being an educator is to try and just help people be less hard on themselves," he said. "It's not about being perfect. It turns out no one has it figured out. It turns out everyone's pretending. And I think it's time we take the masks off."
Today, we&rsquo;ll hear about Widmer's musical journey <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=biYR6ObVjosJSYQf&amp;v=Jlb9gsb8fR8&amp;feature=youtu.be">across the globe</a>, and his ongoing work to nurture the local music scene in Connecticut.
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.

From opera to bluegrass, CT State Trouabdour Charlie Widmer has done it all

“An Arcane Inheritance," the latest novel of author Kamilah Cole, weaves dark academia with occult secrets at a fictional Ivy League school based in Hartford.

The story follows the ambitious, determined Ellory Morgan, a Jamaican immigrant and first-generation college student pursuing a degree in political science. A lavish scholarship allows her to begin her college education at Warren University, but soon after arriving on campus, things start to unravel into the paranormal.

We'll explore Cole's latest book, ask what drew her to Hartford and explain "dark academia" — a popular genre where brooding and blazers meet ivory towers and sinister secrets.

GUEST:
Kamilah Cole: author of several books including “An Arcane Inheritance"

&ldquo;<a href="https://www.kamilah-cole.com/anarcaneinheritance">An Arcane Inheritance</a>," the latest novel of author Kamilah Cole, weaves dark academia with occult secrets at a fictional Ivy League school based in Hartford.
The story follows the ambitious, determined Ellory Morgan, a Jamaican immigrant and first-generation college student pursuing a degree in political science. A lavish scholarship allows her to begin her college education at Warren University, but soon after arriving on campus, things start to unravel into the paranormal.
We'll explore Cole's latest book, ask what drew her to Hartford and explain "dark academia" &mdash; a popular genre where brooding and blazers meet ivory towers and sinister secrets.
GUEST:
<ul>
<li>Kamilah Cole:&nbsp;author of several books including &ldquo;An Arcane Inheritance"</li>
</ul>

Author Kamilah Cole explores Hartford and Jamaican-American experience in latest novel

The postpartum period can be one of the most vulnerable and challenging times in a parent’s life.

It's also one of the least talked about. That's despite mental health disorders being the leading complication of childbirth in the United States of America, affecting 1 in 5 women.

The postpartum period can bring depression, anxiety and a host of other mental health challenges. And too often, parents are left wondering what’s normal and where to turn for help.

This hour, we explore postpartum mental health and what support is available in Connecticut.

We’re joined by a doctor from St. Mary's Hospital, where a new unit, designed specifically for pregnant and postpartum patients, recently opened. We also hear from Postpartum Support International’s Connecticut chapter about why this period is so high-risk and how they’re working to connect families with care.

And later, we’ll hear one mother’s story of navigating postpartum depression, and how she’s processed that experience through a new collection of poetry.

Guests:
Kassondra Mangione, author of "Coffee Mug Rings"
Dr. Irina Magidina, chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Saint Mary’s Hospital
Jennifer Vendetti, co-chair, Board of Directors, Postpartum Support International Connecticut Chapter
Samantha Smalls, Board of Directors, Postpartum Support International Connecticut Chapter

The postpartum period can be one of the most vulnerable and challenging times in a parent&rsquo;s life.
It's also one of the least talked about. That's despite mental health disorders being the leading complication of childbirth in the United States of America,&nbsp;<a href="https://policycentermmh.org/maternal-mental-health-fact-sheet/#:~:text=Prevalence%20&amp;%20Range%20of%20Disorders,26.5%25%20onset%20before%20pregnancy">affecting 1 in 5 women</a>.<a href="https://policycentermmh.org/maternal-mental-health-fact-sheet/#:~:text=Prevalence%20&amp;%20Range%20of%20Disorders,26.5%25%20onset%20before%20pregnancy"></a>
The postpartum period can bring depression, anxiety and a host of other mental health challenges. And too often, parents are left wondering what&rsquo;s normal and where to turn for help.
This hour, we explore postpartum mental health and what support is available in Connecticut.
We&rsquo;re joined by a doctor from St. Mary's Hospital, where&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trinityhealthofne.org/newsroom/press-releases/trinity-health-new-england-launches-obstetric-emergency-department-pregnant">a new unit, designed specifically for pregnant and postpartum patients</a>, recently opened. We also hear from Postpartum Support International&rsquo;s Connecticut chapter about why this period is so high-risk and how they&rsquo;re working to connect families with care.
And later, we&rsquo;ll hear one mother&rsquo;s story of navigating postpartum depression, and how she&rsquo;s processed that experience through a new collection of poetry.
Guests:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/poemspartum-pregnancy-postpartum-motherhood-seasons/dp/B0D56WDTP8">Kassondra Mangione</a>, author of "<a href="https://keepitkassual.com/coffee-mug-rings/">Coffee Mug Rings</a>"</li>
<li>Dr. Irina Magidina, chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trinityhealthofne.org/location/saint-marys-hospital">Saint Mary&rsquo;s Hospital</a></li>
<li>Jennifer Vendetti, co-chair, Board of Directors,&nbsp;<a href="https://psichapters.com/ct/">Postpartum Support International Connecticut Chapter</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.newchapterservices.com/team-4">Samantha Smalls</a>, Board of Directors, Postpartum Support International Connecticut Chapter</li>
</ul>

Author Melissa Febos explores sex, celibacy and healing in 'The Dry Season'

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