When you look around your room, what do you see? More specifically, what do you see that you love? Is it a cool souvenir? Maybe a seashell? Or a family photo that always brings back good memories?

Connecticut-based interior designer and textile artist Sophie von Oertzen Williamson uses tension, textiles and lots of color to make living spaces warm and inviting.

She is the author of the new book “The Art of the Clash: A Manifesto Against Mundane Design.” We’ll talk about ways to blow away the beige and highlight the objects you love with a few simple tips.

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.

When you look around your room, what do you see? More specifically, what do you see that you love? Is it a cool souvenir? Maybe a seashell? Or a family photo that always brings back good memories?
Connecticut-based interior designer and textile artist Sophie von Oertzen Williamson uses tension, textiles and lots of color to make living spaces warm and inviting.
She is the author of the new book <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Art-of-the-Clash/Sophie-von-Oertzen-Williamson/9781423668565">&ldquo;The Art of the Clash: A Manifesto Against Mundane Design.&rdquo;</a> We&rsquo;ll talk about ways to blow away the beige and highlight the objects you love with a few simple tips.
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.

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.

CT interior designer Sophie von Oertzen Williamson is team 'never beige'

Marker 01

Marker 03

Marker 02

If you’re looking for a new read that’s a blend of fiction and non-fiction storytelling, Abigail Savitch-Lew’s debut novel, “Livonia Chow-Mein” should be next on your reading list.

The story is centered around a Chinese family-owned restaurant in Brownsville, Brooklyn, and its impact on the neighborhood’s Jewish and Black residents over the course of a century. We follow a young journalist looking for answers about her family, questioning journalistic ethics, and exploring what it means to be a mixed-race American.

Where We Live Host Catherine Shen spoke with Abigail in August during an author event at River Bend Book Shop in West Hartford.

We talked about the importance of advocacy and journalism, and also how to find community during challenging times.

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.

If you&rsquo;re looking for a new read that&rsquo;s a blend of fiction and non-fiction storytelling, Abigail Savitch-Lew&rsquo;s debut novel, <a href="https://riverbendbookshop.com/book/9781668075234?ic_referral=-IuWHzorxg47TYBJK6FGlfLw8q4AfUVDwLMXiwswNNMwM4pWosUVXyTkbPTR5A8QiIeHthulPGR_tIMUtUomwaR4ahbgnAzwHJQTPvckv6VpKM9dwwfecvSZN3tfPfPjjvfj">&ldquo;Livonia Chow-Mein&rdquo;</a> should be next on your reading list.
The story is centered around a Chinese family-owned restaurant in Brownsville, Brooklyn, and its impact on the neighborhood&rsquo;s Jewish and Black residents over the course of a century. We follow a young journalist looking for answers about her family, questioning journalistic ethics, and exploring what it means to be a mixed-race American.
Where We Live Host Catherine Shen spoke with Abigail in August during an author event at <a href="https://riverbendbookshop.com/event/2026-08-13/evening-abigail-savitch-lew-livonia-chow-mein">River Bend Book Shop in West Hartford.</a>
We talked about the importance of advocacy and journalism, and also how to find community during challenging times.
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.

A conversation with Abigail Savitch-Lew's at River Bend Book Shop

There’s something about fall in Connecticut that makes even the most ordinary Saturday feel a little more special.

Maybe it’s a walk through the changing leaves, a warm cider donut after apple picking, or the annual debate over which apple variety reigns supreme.

This hour, we’re rounding up some of the things that make autumn here so much fun, including a few ideas you may not have tried before. So grab your sweater and your calendar, because there’s a lot to squeeze in before winter arrives!

Guests:
Francesca Fontanez: Lead Social Media Editor at Connecticut Public
Jared Benoff: Owner ofVisit New England andVisit Connecticut
Rachel Lenda: director of tourism, Connecticut’s Department of Economic and Community Development

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.

There&rsquo;s something about fall in Connecticut that makes even the most ordinary Saturday feel a little more special.
Maybe it&rsquo;s a walk through the changing leaves, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ctinsider.com/living/food/article/ct-cider-donuts-apple-orchards-cider-mill-18360263.php">warm cider donut</a>&nbsp;after&nbsp;<a href="https://ctapples.org/apple-varieties/">apple picking</a>, or the annual debate over which apple variety reigns supreme.
This hour, we&rsquo;re rounding up some of the things that make autumn here so much fun, including a few ideas you may not have tried before. So grab your sweater and your calendar, because there&rsquo;s a lot to squeeze in before winter arrives!
Guests:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/francesca-fontanez">Francesca Fontanez:</a>&nbsp;Lead Social Media Editor at Connecticut Public</li>
<li>Jared Benoff:&nbsp;Owner of<a href="https://www.visitnewengland.com/all/">Visit New England</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.visitconnecticut.com/state/">Visit Connecticut</a></li>
<li><a href="https://portal.ct.gov/decd/content/statewide-marketing-tourism/06_about_office_statewide_marketing_tourism/about-office-statewide-marketing-tourism/contact">Rachel Lenda</a>: director of tourism, Connecticut&rsquo;s Department of Economic and Community Development</li>
</ul>
Where We Live is available on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/where-we-live/id706066099">Apple Podcasts,</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0j08SgnZIU5BmjDyHbgjgP">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/43f3a507-ebfa-4876-b34a-030759a8924c/where-we-live">Amazon Music</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/Government/Where-We-Live-p1207905/">TuneIn</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/where-we-live-connecticut-public-radio-lz9NAwSEexh/">Listen Notes,</a>&nbsp;or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

How to make the most of fall in Connecticut

Billboard

This week, leaders from around the world are gathering to discuss global crises, climate change, pandemic preparedness and artificial intelligence at the UN General Assembly.

Today, we get an update from humanitarian aid organizations based right here in Connecticut. Members of these organizations will take part in the assembly.

Plus, we learn how artists are influencing the dialogue on war, global conflict and humanitarian crises.

Guests:
Elinor Raikes: Head of Program Delivery at the International Rescue Committee
Caitlin Howarth: Humanitarian Research Lab, Yale School of Public Health
Betsy Zorio: Chief Impact Officer of Save the Children, an international NGO and humanitarian aid organization based in Connecticut

This week, leaders from around the world are gathering to discuss global crises, climate change, pandemic preparedness and artificial intelligence at the&nbsp;<a href="https://cic.nyu.edu/events/un-general-assembly-2026/">UN General Assembly.</a>
Today, we get an update from humanitarian aid organizations based right here in Connecticut. Members of these organizations will take part in the assembly.
Plus, we learn how artists are influencing the dialogue on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/09/16/g-s1-143549/ed-sheeran-tour-trouble">war, global conflict and humanitarian crises.</a>
Guests:
<ul>
<li>Elinor Raikes:&nbsp;Head of Program Delivery at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rescue.org/who-we-are">International Rescue Committee</a></li>
<li>Caitlin Howarth:&nbsp;<a href="https://ysph.yale.edu/hrl/">Humanitarian Research Lab,</a>&nbsp;Yale School of Public Health</li>
<li>Betsy Zorio:&nbsp;Chief Impact Officer of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.savethechildren.org/">Save the Children,</a>&nbsp;an international NGO and humanitarian aid organization based in Connecticut</li>
</ul>

CT interior designer Sophie von Oertzen Williamson is team 'never beige'

In 1 playlist(s)

Where We Live

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips