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:
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<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.
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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.

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