As kids get back to school, the political debate around who should get shots for COVID other illnesses is once again bubbling up.

But another debate has risen as well. Last week, President Trump urged pregnant women to “tough it out” and use Tylenol sparingly during pregnancy. The administration claimed an unproven link between the painkiller acetaminophen and autism. It’s a statement that has been widely discredited by medical experts.

Today, Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani joins us to answer your questions on vaccines, Tylenol use and more. We also hear from the Autism Self Advocacy Network.

GUESTS:


Dr. Manisha Juthani: Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health


Colin Killick: executive director of the Washington-based Autistic Self Advocacy Network

As kids get back to school, the political debate around who should get shots for COVID other illnesses is once again bubbling up.
But another debate has risen as well. Last week, <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/09/22/nx-s1-5550153/trump-rfk-autism-tylenol-leucovorin-pregnancy">President Trump urged pregnant women to &ldquo;tough it out&rdquo; and use Tylenol sparingly during pregnancy.</a> The administration claimed an unproven link between the painkiller acetaminophen and autism. It&rsquo;s a statement that has been widely discredited by medical experts.
Today, Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani joins us to answer your questions on vaccines, Tylenol use and more. We also hear from the Autism Self Advocacy Network.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
Dr. Manisha Juthani: Commissioner of the <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/dph">Connecticut Department of Public Health</a>
</li>
<li>
Colin Killick: executive director of the Washington-based <a href="https://autisticadvocacy.org/about-asan/about-autism/">Autistic Self Advocacy Network</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 vaccine debate continues, plus a look at Tylenol use in pregnancy

It’s been nearly five years since recreational cannabis was legalized in Connecticut. Since then dozens of dispensaries have opened across the state, making purchasing products easier than ever.

But new research says cannabis use among teens is rising, and that evidence doesn't support using cannabis as a medical cure-all.

Today, an update on cannabis use and regulation in our state.

GUESTS:
Lila McKinkley: Cannabis Control Division Director at Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection
Dr. Sarah Feldstein Ewing: Professor at UConn Health and Vice Chair of Research
Dr. Deepak Cyril Dsouza: Professor of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine
Ryan Vandrey: Professor in the Department of Behavioral Psychiatry at John Hopkins University School of Medicine

It&rsquo;s been nearly five years since recreational cannabis was legalized in Connecticut. Since then dozens of dispensaries have opened across the state, making purchasing products easier than ever.
But new research says&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/12/health/medical-cannabis-benefits.html">cannabis use among teens is rising, and that evidence doesn't support using cannabis as a medical cure-all.</a>
Today, an update on cannabis use and&nbsp;<a href="https://ctmirror.org/2025/04/09/ct-cannabis-inspection-consumer-protection/">regulation in our state.</a>
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Lila McKinkley:&nbsp;Cannabis Control Division Director at&nbsp;<a href="https://portal.ct.gov/dcp/contact-us">Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection</a></li>
<li><a href="https://facultydirectory.uchc.edu/profile?profileId=Feldstein%20Ewing-Sarah">Dr. Sarah Feldstein Ewing:&nbsp;</a>Professor at UConn Health and Vice Chair of Research</li>
<li><a href="https://medicine.yale.edu/profile/deepak-dsouza/">Dr. Deepak Cyril Dsouza:</a>&nbsp;Professor of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine</li>
<li><a href="https://profiles.hopkinsmedicine.org/provider/ryan-g-vandrey/2777317">Ryan Vandrey:</a>&nbsp;Professor in the Department of Behavioral Psychiatry at John Hopkins University School of Medicine</li>
</ul>

Clarifying cannabis: CT doctors break down misunderstandings

The U.S. produces over a billion pounds of cheese monthly, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Connecticut is a small, but mighty, part of that. Today, we’ll hear about all steps of the cheesemaking process from nationally-recognized experts producing Connecticut cheese.

They’ll share the stories behind their products and what keeps customers coming back to that special Connecticut cheese.

GUESTS:
Jason Sobocinski: founder of Caseus
Mark Gillman: co-owner and Head Cheesemaker of Cato Corner Farm in Colchester
Chris Casiello: plant Manager of Arethusa Farm Dairy in Litchfield

The U.S. produces over a billion pounds of cheese monthly, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Connecticut is a small, but mighty, part of that. Today, we&rsquo;ll hear about all steps of the cheesemaking process from nationally-recognized experts producing Connecticut cheese.
They&rsquo;ll share the stories behind their products and what keeps customers coming back to that special Connecticut cheese.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Jason Sobocinski:&nbsp;founder of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.caseusnewhaven.com/">Caseus</a></li>
<li>Mark Gillman:&nbsp;co-owner and Head Cheesemaker of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.catocornerfarm.com/">Cato Corner Farm in Colchester</a></li>
<li>Chris Casiello:&nbsp;plant Manager of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.arethusafarm.com/">Arethusa Farm Dairy in Litchfield</a></li>
</ul>

The cheese stands alone: Exploring the world of CT cheese

Fever, chills, fatigue, cough, headache and a sore throat. A new variant of the flu means more people are suffering from the virus this season. But the flu can be more than just a nuisance illness — it can be deadly.

Today, Connecticut physicians join us to answer questions about what to do to protect yourself and your family from the virus.

Flu-related hospitalizations are rising in Connecticut. We hear from one local emergency medicine doctor.

Up first, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently scaled back childhood vaccine schedules, changing recommendations for the flu vaccine and others. We learn more.

GUESTS:
Apoorva Mandavilli: Science and Global Health Reporter for the New York Times
Dr. Anumaha Singh: Chief of Department of Emergency Medicine for Hartford Hospital 
Dr. Scott Roberts: Associate Medical Director for Infection Prevention at Yale New Haven Hospitals and Infectious Disease Doctor and Assistant professor at the Yale School of Medicine

Fever, chills, fatigue, cough, headache and a sore throat.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/12/30/nx-s1-5661508/flu-cdc-health">A new variant of the flu means more people are suffering from the virus this season.</a>&nbsp;But the flu can be more than just a nuisance illness &mdash; it can be deadly.
Today, Connecticut physicians join us to answer questions about what to do to protect yourself and your family from the virus.
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/news/2026-01-07/flu-cases-hospitalizations-rising-ct">Flu-related hospitalizations are rising in Connecticut.</a>&nbsp;We hear from one local emergency medicine doctor.
Up first, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2026/01/05/nx-s1-5667199/cdc-vaccine-schedule-children">U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently scaled back childhood vaccine schedules,</a>&nbsp;changing recommendations for the flu vaccine and others. We learn more.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/apoorva-mandavilli">Apoorva Mandavilli:</a>&nbsp;Science and Global Health Reporter for the New York Times</li>
<li><a href="https://hartfordhospital.org/find-a-doctor/physician-detail?id=003j000000GCwVcAAL">Dr. Anumaha Singh:</a>&nbsp;Chief of Department of Emergency Medicine for Hartford Hospital&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://medicine.yale.edu/profile/scott-c-roberts/">Dr. Scott Roberts:</a>&nbsp;Associate Medical Director for Infection Prevention at Yale New Haven Hospitals and Infectious Disease Doctor and Assistant professor at the Yale School of Medicine</li>
</ul>

The vaccine debate continues, plus a look at Tylenol use in pregnancy

In 1 playlist(s)

Where We Live

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips