Earlier this month, a glowing spiral appeared in Connecticut’s sky, briefly sparking wonder and speculation.

While it turned out to be crystallized rocket fuel, the moment reminded us how easily our imaginations leap to the possibility of aliens.

This hour we ask: Why are we so drawn to the idea of life beyond Earth? We’ll explore what these sparks of curiosity reveal about human imagination and our endless fascination with the universe.

GUESTS:
Jaime Greenring: Freelance writer, editor, teacher, and author of “The Possibility of Life” 
Kathryn Hulick: Science journalist, author of “The UFO Files”

<a href="https://www.wfsb.com/2025/08/13/mystery-object-appears-sky-over-connecticut/">Earlier this month</a>, a glowing spiral appeared in Connecticut&rsquo;s sky, briefly sparking wonder and speculation.
While it turned out to be crystallized rocket fuel, the moment reminded us how easily our imaginations leap to the possibility of aliens.
This hour we ask: Why are we so drawn to the idea of life beyond Earth? We&rsquo;ll explore what these sparks of curiosity reveal about human imagination and our endless fascination with the universe.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Jaime Greenring: Freelance writer, editor, teacher, and author of &ldquo;<a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-possibility-of-life-science-imagination-and-our-quest-for-kinship-in-the-cosmos-first-time-trade-jaime-green/20564611?ean=9781335008008&amp;next=t">The Possibility of Life</a>&rdquo;&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.snexplores.org/author/kathryn-hulick">Kathryn Hulick</a>:&nbsp;Science journalist, author of &ldquo;<a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-ufo-files-visitors-from-a-distant-star-kathryn-hulick/22083467?ean=9780711288454&amp;next=t">The UFO Files</a>&rdquo;</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.

Looking up: Why we wonder about life beyond Earth

Seeing yourself in a book can open a world of possibilities.

But diverse books need more than diverse characters, they need diverse stories.

Although many efforts have been made to expand the books and curriculum used to teach Black history, African American children’s literature can still be quite limited.

Today, Black authors join us to talk about expanding Black literature and Black stories.

GUESTS:
Nichole Hawkins: Youth and Family Services Early Literacy Coordinator, Hartford Public Library
Gwendolyn Wallace: children’s literature author, Ph.D. student and public historian
Dhonielle Clayton: Board Chair of We Need Diverse Books, a nonprofit working to improve literacy and turning diverse manuscripts into published books. She is also New York Times bestselling author
Valerie Bolling: long-time educator and author of books for children and educators

Seeing yourself in a book can open a world of possibilities.
But diverse books need more than diverse characters, they need diverse stories.
Although many efforts have been made to expand the books and curriculum used to teach Black history, African American children&rsquo;s literature can still be quite limited.
Today, Black authors join us to talk about expanding Black literature and Black stories.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/legacy.lineage/?hl=en">Nichole Hawkins:</a>&nbsp;Youth and Family Services Early Literacy Coordinator, Hartford Public Library</li>
<li><a href="https://www.gwendolynwallace.com/">Gwendolyn Wallace:</a>&nbsp;children&rsquo;s literature author, Ph.D. student and public historian</li>
<li><a href="https://www.dhonielleclayton.com/">Dhonielle Clayton:</a>&nbsp;Board Chair of We Need Diverse Books, a nonprofit working to improve literacy and turning diverse manuscripts into published books. She is also New York Times bestselling author</li>
<li><a href="https://www.valeriebolling.com/">Valerie Bolling:</a>&nbsp;long-time educator and author of books for children and educators</li>
</ul>

Black authors on the spectrum of diversity in children's literature

“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

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>

Looking up: Why we wonder about life beyond Earth

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