Social Security is one of the most widely-used government programs in the country, but how much does the average American know about how it works?

From eligibility and benefit amounts to how the trust fund is structured, this hour we’re offering a crash course on Social Security and how the federal program's uncertain future is impacting the retirement plans of people here in Connecticut.

We’ll ask what’s driving concerns about the fund's long-term solvency, and what Congress might do about it.

GUESTS:
Robert Rodriguez: Public Affairs Specialist, Social Security Administration
Kenneth Couch: Professor, University of Connecticut’s Department of Economics

Social Security is one of the most widely-used government programs in the country, but how much does the average American know about how it works?
From eligibility and benefit amounts to how the trust fund is structured, this hour we&rsquo;re offering a crash course on Social Security and how the federal program's uncertain future is impacting the retirement plans of people here in Connecticut.
We&rsquo;ll ask what&rsquo;s driving concerns about the fund's long-term solvency, and what Congress might do about it.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Robert Rodriguez: Public Affairs Specialist,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ssa.gov/">Social Security Administration</a></li>
<li><a href="https://econ.uconn.edu/person/kenneth-couch/">Kenneth Couch</a>: Professor, University of Connecticut&rsquo;s Department of Economics</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.

What you need to know about Social Security and its uncertain future

From a mass shooting in Australia that left 15 people dead, to a shooting at Brown University that killed two students, the world has been rocked by gun violence at the end of 2025.

In the U.S., 125 people die from a gun injury, and more than 200 people are shot and wounded each day, according to the nonprofit Everytown for Gun Safety. In Connecticut, there were at least 339 incidents of gun violence this year.

The outpouring of shock and grief following the shootings was expected and understandable.

But what is it like for young people to live with the constant fear of guns in their environments or the threat of mass shootings?

Guests:
Nelba Márquez-Greene: Mother of Ana Grace, killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012. Community Scholar, Yale School of Public Health. 
Renee Beavers: Hospital violence intervention specialist (HVIP), Connecticut Children’s.
Stacey Mayer: Director of Advocacy, Policy & Outreach at CT Against Gun Violence.
Malini Parikh: Student, Hopkins School, New Haven. President of the CT Against Gun Violence Youth Council.

From a mass shooting in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/12/17/nx-s1-5646519/funerals-begin-for-victims-of-bondi-beach-mass-shooting">Australia</a>&nbsp;that left 15 people dead, to a shooting at Brown University that killed two students, the world has been rocked by gun violence at the end of 2025.
In the U.S., 125 people die from a gun injury, and more than 200 people are shot and wounded each day, according to the nonprofit Everytown for Gun Safety. In Connecticut, there were at least 339 incidents of gun violence this year.
The outpouring of shock and grief following the shootings was expected and understandable.
But what is it like for young people to live with the constant fear of guns in their environments or the threat of mass shootings?
Guests:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://ysph.yale.edu/profile/nelba-marquez-greene/">Nelba M&aacute;rquez-Greene</a>: Mother of Ana Grace, killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012. Community Scholar, Yale School of Public Health.&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.connecticutchildrens.org/advancing-kids/breaking-cycle-violence">Renee Beavers</a>: Hospital violence intervention specialist (HVIP), Connecticut Children&rsquo;s.</li>
<li>Stacey Mayer: Director of Advocacy, Policy &amp; Outreach at&nbsp;<a href="https://cagv.org/about-us/">CT Against Gun Violence.</a></li>
<li><a href="https://cga.ct.gov/2025/eddata/TMY/2025HB-07077-R000303-Parikh,%20Malini,%20President%20of%20CAGV%20Youth%20Council-Connecticut%20Against%20Gun%20Violence-Supports-TMY.PDF">Malini Parikh</a>: Student, Hopkins School, New Haven. President of the CT Against Gun Violence Youth Council.</li>
</ul>

Amid ongoing gun violence, how are young people handling anxiety?

Tuesday is the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth. This hour, we celebrate the beloved author's work, and look at why her six novels have endured for centuries. Plus, we hear from a horticulturalist about her love of gardens, and talk with a local historical clothing expert about fashion in Austen's time.

GUESTS:
Barbara Benedict: Charles A. Dana Professor of English at Trinity College
Tara Key: Manager of Reference and Instruction at the New Canaan Library
Jana Milbocker: Garden designer, lecturer, and writer
Kandie Carle: Known as “The Victorian Lady,” is an actress and historian

Tuesday is the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth. This hour, we celebrate the beloved author's work, and look at why her six novels have endured for centuries. Plus, we hear from a horticulturalist about her love of gardens, and talk with a local historical clothing expert about fashion in Austen's time.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Barbara Benedict:&nbsp;Charles A. Dana Professor of English at Trinity College</li>
<li>Tara Key:&nbsp;Manager of Reference and Instruction at the New Canaan Library</li>
<li>Jana Milbocker:&nbsp;Garden designer, lecturer, and writer</li>
<li>Kandie Carle:&nbsp;Known as &ldquo;The Victorian Lady,&rdquo; is an actress and historian</li>
</ul>

A celebration of Jane Austen, on her 250th birthday

Why does Christmas bring out the ghosts?

This hour, we dig into the world of Charles Dickens and Mark Twain, and the Victorian obsession with spiritualism that shaped so many holiday tales.

We also explore two Connecticut productions of A Christmas Carol to see how performers keep this annual tradition fresh.

GUESTS:
Wesley Broulik: producing artistic director, Times Fool Company
Cynthia Rider: managing director, Hartford Stage 
Emma Gerstein: assistant manager of interpretation & living history coordinator, The Mark Twain House & Museum

Why does Christmas bring out the ghosts?
This hour, we dig into the world of Charles Dickens and Mark Twain, and the Victorian obsession with spiritualism that shaped so many holiday tales.
We also explore two Connecticut productions of&nbsp;A Christmas Carol&nbsp;to see how performers keep this annual tradition fresh.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://wesleybroulik.net/">Wesley Broulik</a>:&nbsp;producing artistic director,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.timesfool.org/">Times Fool Company</a></li>
<li>Cynthia Rider:&nbsp;managing director,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hartfordstage.org/">Hartford Stage</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li>Emma Gerstein:&nbsp;assistant manager of interpretation &amp; living history coordinator,&nbsp;<a href="https://marktwainhouse.org/">The Mark Twain House &amp; Museum</a></li>
</ul>

What you need to know about Social Security and its uncertain future

In 1 playlist(s)

Where We Live

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips