From special outdoor performances, to educating the next generation of thespians, summer is a busy time for theaters around the state.

But this month, several Connecticut performing arts spaces received notice that federal grants were being rescinded.

Today, we speak to some of those institutions about what will happen next.

Plus, Connecticut tourism is a $4 billion-a-year business. That’s according to the Connecticut Tourism Office. We hear how this industry has been impacted by federal cuts as well.

GUESTS:
Michael Paulson: theater reporter for New York Times
Chris Freeman: Vice President of Advancement at the Mystic Seaport Museum
Eric Gershman: Interim Managing Director at Long Wharf Theater
Frank Mitchel: President of the Board of Directors for CT Humanities

From special outdoor performances, to educating the next generation of thespians, summer is a busy time for theaters around the state.
But this month, several Connecticut performing arts spaces received notice that federal grants were being rescinded.
Today, we speak to some of those institutions about what will happen next.
Plus, Connecticut tourism is a $4 billion-a-year business.&nbsp;<a href="https://portal.ct.gov/About/Tourism">That&rsquo;s according to the Connecticut Tourism Office.</a>&nbsp;We hear how this industry has been impacted by federal cuts as well.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/michael-paulson">Michael Paulson:</a>&nbsp;theater reporter for New York Times</li>
<li>Chris Freeman:&nbsp;Vice President of Advancement at the&nbsp;<a href="https://mysticseaport.org/">Mystic Seaport Museum</a></li>
<li>Eric Gershman:&nbsp;Interim Managing Director at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.longwharf.org/">Long Wharf Theater</a></li>
<li>Frank Mitchel:&nbsp;President of the Board of Directors for&nbsp;<a href="https://cthumanities.org/">CT Humanities</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.

The show must go on: Connecticut arts and cultural institutions contend with federal cuts

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Shawna Lander is the actress behind “Shawna the Mom,” a series of one-woman skits on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.

She's amassed millions of followers online, through clips are that are fictional, but touch on real world themes of motherhood and the ups-and-downs of family life.

"I was really hungry for any sort of media that would reflect back to me what it was I was going through, and I couldn't find it," Lander said.

The one-woman show has catapulted Lander to online celebrity, but Lander emphasizes she's not Shawna the Mom. Instead, she said, she's “every mom.”

She joins us to talk about her series. We’ll ask how she built a cast of characters, how she explores the ups and downs of motherhood and how she navigates complicated family relationships.

"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.

Shawna Lander is the actress behind <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ShawnatheMom">&ldquo;Shawna the Mom,&rdquo;</a> a series of one-woman skits on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.
She's amassed millions of followers online, through clips are that are fictional, but touch on real world themes of motherhood and the ups-and-downs of family life.
"I was really hungry for any sort of media that would reflect back to me what it was I was going through, and I couldn't find it," Lander said.
The one-woman show has catapulted Lander to online celebrity, but Lander emphasizes she's not <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shawnathemom/">Shawna the Mom.</a> Instead, she said, she's &ldquo;every mom.&rdquo;
She joins us to talk about her series. We&rsquo;ll ask how she built a cast of characters, how she explores the ups and downs of motherhood and how she navigates complicated family relationships.
"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.

Shawna the Mom on TikTok, motherhood and the appeal of authenticity

Seven-in-ten high school teachers say that cell phone distraction in school is a major problem, and one third of teens say that they use at least one social media site “almost constantly,” according to the Pew Research Center.

But how are teens actually consuming social media? And what kind of citizens of the internet are they becoming?

We’ll hear about a new study exploring how teens are interacting with their personal algorithms and speak with a Connecticut lawmaker about what policymakers can do to help.

Guests:
Rachel Besharat Mann: Associate Professor of the Practice in Education Studies at Wesleyan University
Gary Turco: State Representative for Connecticut's 27th District

Seven-in-ten high school teachers say that cell phone distraction in school is a major problem, and one third of teens say that they use at least one social media site &ldquo;almost constantly,&rdquo; according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2024/12/12/teens-social-media-and-technology-2024/">Pew Research Center</a>.
But how are teens actually consuming social media? And what kind of citizens of the internet are they becoming?
We&rsquo;ll hear about a new study exploring how teens are interacting with their personal algorithms and speak with a Connecticut lawmaker about what policymakers can do to help.
Guests:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.rachelbesharatmann.com/">Rachel Besharat Mann</a>:&nbsp;Associate Professor of the Practice in Education Studies at Wesleyan University</li>
<li>Gary Turco:&nbsp;State Representative for Connecticut's 27th District</li>
</ul>

How are social media algorithms impacting CT teens in 2026?

Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have displaced 800,000 people, and killed nearly 700 people.

Connecticut is home to nearly 10,000 Lebanese Americans. Today we hear from members of the state's Lebanese diaspora.

We’ll also hear from one global humanitarian aid organization working on the ground in Lebanon to provide support.

GUESTS:
Arson Fahim: musician, pianist, composer and conductor
Kelly Razzouk: Vice President of Policy & Advocacy at the International Rescue Committee, a global humanitarian aid organization
Bilal Tajildeen: Former member of the Waterbury board of Alderman

<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/03/12/israel-hezbollah-lebanon-war/">Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have displaced 800,000 people, and killed nearly 700 people.</a>
Connecticut is home to nearly&nbsp;<a href="https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/lebanese-population-by-state#google_vignette">10,000</a>&nbsp;Lebanese Americans. Today we hear from members of the state's Lebanese diaspora.
We&rsquo;ll also hear from one global humanitarian aid organization working on the ground in Lebanon to provide support.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/2024-10-24/despite-a-ban-on-music-in-afghanistan-performers-refuse-to-be-silenced">Arson Fahim:</a>&nbsp;musician, pianist, composer and conductor</li>
<li>Kelly Razzouk:&nbsp;Vice President of Policy &amp; Advocacy at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rescue.org/country/lebanon">International Rescue Committee,</a>&nbsp;a global humanitarian aid organization</li>
<li>Bilal Tajildeen:&nbsp;Former member of the Waterbury board of Alderman</li>
</ul>

The show must go on: Connecticut arts and cultural institutions contend with federal cuts

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