Marker 02

Marker 03

Marker 01

Historian and scholar Deb Harkness was studying the intersection of science and magic in history and the humanities, when she was struck by the trend of "vampire boyfriend" stories in books and popular culture. She asked herself, "What if there really are these creatures living around us? What do they do for a living? Why have I never met any of them? And would it really be a great thing to have a supernatural significant other? I don't think so... I thought, right now people can't handle the idea of two women or two men getting married, and yet we think we want a vampire boyfriend. What is going on?"

These questions yielded the acclaimed historical fantasy series, "All Souls." The latest installment, titled "The Black Bird Oracle," is due out July 16. With ancestral ties to accused witches in New England, Harkness says she considers the book a "love letter to my Connecticut and New England ancestors."

This hour, Harkness joins us to discuss.

GUESTS:


Dr. Deborah Harkness: Historian; Author, "All Souls"series and "The Black Bird Oracle"; Professor, University of Southern California

Historian and scholar Deb Harkness was studying the intersection of science and magic in history and the humanities, when she was struck by the trend of "vampire boyfriend" stories in books and popular culture. She asked herself, "What if there really are these creatures living around us? What do they do for a living? Why have I never met any of them? And would it really be a great thing to have a supernatural significant other? I don't think so... I thought, right now people can't handle the idea of two women or two men getting married, and yet we think we want a vampire boyfriend. What is going on?"
These questions yielded the acclaimed historical fantasy series, "All Souls." The latest installment, titled "The Black Bird Oracle," is due out July 16. With ancestral ties to accused witches in New England, Harkness says she considers the book a "love letter to my Connecticut and New England ancestors."
This hour, Harkness joins us to discuss.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
Dr. Deborah Harkness: Historian; Author, "All Souls" series and "The Black Bird Oracle"; Professor, University of Southern California
</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.

Deb Harkness on the art of historical fantasy and 'The Black Bird Oracle'

Sy Montgomery is the author of several books on animals, ordinary and extraordinary. Her new book What the Chicken Knows tackles one of the most common birds on the planet, but she argues that chickens are truly exceptional creatures.

Today, Sy joins us for the hour to talk about her new book and her experience owning and raising chickens.

Although chickens have a reputation of being rather unintelligent creatures, they actually have distinct personalities and communities.

Later, we touch on a recent avian flu outbreak that occurred in Texas, and what poultry farmers and chicken owners in our state need to know about it. 

If you have chickens, we want to hear from you this hour.

GUEST:
Sy Montgomery: author of What the Chicken Knows: A New Appreciation of the World's Most Familiar Bird
Indu Upadhyaya: Food Safety Extension Specialist, at UConn Extension College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources.

Sy Montgomery is the author of several books on animals, ordinary and extraordinary. Her new book What the Chicken Knows tackles one of the most common birds on the planet, but she argues that chickens are truly exceptional creatures.
Today, Sy joins us for the hour to talk about her new book and her experience owning and raising chickens.
Although chickens have a reputation of being rather unintelligent creatures, they actually have distinct personalities and communities.
Later, we touch on a recent <a href="https://www.newstimes.com/news/article/ct-farms-rebound-season-weather-flood-frost-smoke-19569394.php">avian flu outbreak that occurred in Texas, and what poultry farmers and chicken owners in our state need to know about it. </a>
If you have chickens, we want to hear from you this hour.
GUEST:
<ul>
<li>Sy Montgomery: author of <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/What-the-Chicken-Knows/Sy-Montgomery/9781668047361">What the Chicken Knows: A New Appreciation of the World's Most Familiar Bird</a></li>
<li><a href="https://cahnr.uconn.edu/person/indu-upadhyaya/">Indu Upadhyaya:</a> Food Safety Extension Specialist, at UConn Extension College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources.</li>
</ul>

Author Sy Montgomery takes on a common, yet extraordinary creature: Chickens

This hour, we explore the beverage that helps us start our days, energize our bodies, and connect with friends: coffee.

Coffee has played an unexpected role in Connecticut’s history. It has fueled fights for workers’ rights and social reforms, and even shaped cultures. With the help of a local historian, we move through time; from the birth of the 'coffee house' to the rise in popularity of the coffee date.

And later, we talk to local roasters and business owners about how they bring fresh and unique perspectives to the centuries-old coffee industry.

GUESTS:
Karen Li Miller: Research Historian, Connecticut Museum of Culture and History
J. René Martinez: Owner of J. René Coffee Roasters in West Hartford
Tiera Aighewi: Owner of Black By Demand Specialty Coffee in Norwalk

This hour, we explore the beverage that helps us start our days, energize our bodies, and connect with friends: coffee.
Coffee has played an unexpected role in Connecticut’s history. It has fueled fights for workers’ rights and social reforms, and even shaped cultures. With the help of a local historian, we move through time; from the birth of the 'coffee house' to the rise in popularity of the coffee date.
And later, we talk to local roasters and business owners about how they bring fresh and unique perspectives to the centuries-old coffee industry.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Karen Li Miller: Research Historian, <a href="https://www.connecticutmuseum.org/">Connecticut Museum of Culture and History</a></li>
<li>J. René Martinez: Owner of <a href="https://www.jrenecoffee.com/">J. René Coffee Roasters</a> in West Hartford</li>
<li>Tiera Aighewi: Owner of <a href="https://www.blackbydemand.biz/">Black By Demand Specialty Coffee</a> in Norwalk</li>
</ul>

Connecticut, historically, runs on coffee

77% of adults said the future of the nation is a significant source of stress in their lives. When anxiety is high, it can be more important than ever to lean into self-care routines to manage stress. 

And today's guests say that strategies managing election stress aren't that different than managing everyday stress.

Today, interfaith chaplain Reverend Tracy Mehr-Muska joins us to talk about managing election stress, and staying resilient in the midst of uncertainty.

We also hear from Kate Dias, a math teacher at the Manchester School district and president of the Connecticut Education Association. We hear about the conversations she’s having with her students.

GUESTS:
Patricia Crouse: Professor of Political Science at the University of New Haven
Susan Raff: Chief Capitol Reporter, WFSB TV
Jonathan Wharton: associate professor of political science and urban affairs, Southern Connecticut State University
Reverend Tracy Mehr-Muska: assistant director in the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, at Wesleyan University and author of the bookWeathering the Storm: Simple Strategies for Being Peaceful and Prepared
Kate Dias: math teacher at the Manchester School district and is president of the Connecticut Education Association

<a href="https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2024/10/top-us-stressors">77% of adults said the future of the nation</a> is a significant source of stress in their lives. When anxiety is high, it can be more important than ever to lean into <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/election-2024-stress-anxiety-tips-experts/">self-care routines to manage stress. </a>
And today's guests say that <a href="https://gwtoday.gwu.edu/panic-polls-how-cope-election-stress">strategies managing election stress aren't that different than managing everyday stress.</a>
Today, interfaith chaplain Reverend Tracy Mehr-Muska joins us to talk about managing election stress, and staying resilient in the midst of uncertainty.
We also hear from Kate Dias, a math teacher at the Manchester School district and president of the Connecticut Education Association. We hear about the conversations she’s having with her students.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Patricia Crouse: Professor of Political Science at the University of New Haven</li>
<li>Susan Raff: Chief Capitol Reporter, WFSB TV</li>
<li>Jonathan Wharton: associate professor of political science and urban affairs, Southern Connecticut State University</li>
<li>Reverend Tracy Mehr-Muska: assistant director in the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, at Wesleyan University and author of the book <a href="https://wipfandstock.com/9781532652370/weathering-the-storm/">Weathering the Storm: Simple Strategies for Being Peaceful and Prepared</a></li>
<li>Kate Dias: math teacher at the Manchester School district and is president of the <a href="https://cea.org/">Connecticut Education Association</a></li>
</ul>

Deb Harkness on the art of historical fantasy and 'The Black Bird Oracle'

In 1 playlist(s)

Where We Live

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips