This hour, we’re exploring the history of tap dance in America. Tap was first developed as a fusion of footwork styles with roots in Africa and Ireland. Over the decades, tap legends like Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Eleanor Powell, and Gregory Hines popularized the artform and brought it to the national stage. Local dancers, choreographers, and teachers join us to discuss how they are keeping the rich legacy of tap dance alive in their work today. GUESTS: Kevin Ramsey: Chair of the Theater Division, University of Hartford Ralph Perkins: Associate Professor of Dance and Music Theater, University of Hartford Katie Cavenagh: founder of the Connecticut Tap Collaborative Jillian McNamara: founder of the American Dance Collaborative Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Architect and attorney Sara Bronin chaired the Hartford Planning and Zoning Commission for seven years. Connecticut listeners might know her from her work with DesegregateCT, a statewide coalition pushing for zoning reform in our state. Her new book, Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World, goes beyond Hartford and examines how zoning molds cities and communities across the nation. Zoning isn’t just about housing; it touches every aspect of our lives, including our physical and emotional health. Better zoning starts with better data about zoning. There are thousands of different zoning codes, and Sara is working to log them all through the National Zoning Atlas. She currently serves as the 12th chair of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. GUEST: Sara Bronin: Founder of DeSegregateCT and author of Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Mohegan Tribe—a sovereign and federally recognized Indian tribe in Southeastern Connecticut—has a longstanding belief in the power of storytelling. This oral tradition is a form of spoken record-keeping. Stories can often capture a deeper and fuller understanding of culture and beliefs than historical texts. This hour, we talk to Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel, the tribe’s vice chair of the council of elders and tribal historian. Melissa is part of a long line of “culture bearers,” tasked with keeping the traditions of the Mohegan Tribe alive through stories. GUESTS: Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel, the Mohegan Tribe’s vice chair of the council of elders and tribal historian Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thanksgiving is a week away…you ready? Maybe you're brushing up on those cooking skills for a Friendsgiving this weekend. If the holiday is just one big excuse to gather friends and family around a table, we have a treat for you. Lidia Bastianich, the award-winning chef and host of “Lidia’s Kitchen” on PBS is our guest. Lidia talks about her journey to becoming an American, and her latest book - which is all about family recipes. She also shares tips for cooking a turkey and all the fixins’. We invite listeners to share their family food traditions with us on our social platforms and on air: 888-720-WNPR. GUEST: Lidia Bastianich: Host of Lidia’s Kitchen on PBS for more than 25 years, she’s the author of a memoir, My American Dream, and many cookbooks. Her latest is Lidia's From Our Family Table to Yours, which she wrote with her daughter, Tanya Bastianich Manuali. RECIPES BY LIDIA BASTIANICH: Apple Cranberry CrumbleBeer Braised Short RibsMezzi Rigatoni with Raw Tomato Sauce Plus, find even more recipes from Lidia's PBS shows on our dedicated food page. Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some studies show that working with your hands can have a lot of cognitive and emotional benefits. Creating something with your hands can be a deeply satisfying process, and for some students, it can set them on a path for a real career in engineering. That’s where Makerspaces come in. Across the state, makerspaces are providing places where students of all ages can go and learn a new trade or craft with the help of some exceptional makers, and really advanced equipment! Today, we hear from MakerspaceCT, a Hartford based skills development center. Later, we learn how libraries are becoming hubs for innovation as well. GUESTS: Samuel Ferri: coordinator with Studio 20 South, a digital maker studio at the West Hartford Library Paul Lavoie: Chief Manufacturing Officer of the state of Connecticut Cole Grosner: Education Director for MakerspaceCT Devra Sisitsky: Founder and Executive Director of MakerspaceCT Care Verikas: co-founder Bristol Bazaar, an indoor makers market that is open year round Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Connecticut lab is embarking on a groundbreaking initiative to study endometriosis, a painful condition that impacts people with a uterus. Endometriosis is just one of the many invisible illnesses that impact an estimated 10% of the American population, according to Disabled World, an independent Health and Disability news source. This hour, we talk about why invisible illnesses are difficult to diagnose and how scientists are trying to change that. GUESTS: Michayla Savitt, State Government Reporter, Connecticut Public Jennifer Crystal, Author of “One Tick Stopped the Clock” Kelsi Carolan, Assistant Professor and licensed clinical social worker, University of Connecticut Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Traditionally, college campuses are epicenters of activity, connection, and engagement. So why are students feeling so isolated? 39% of students have reported feeling lonely. Loneliness remains an ongoing health crisis throughout the nation. United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has raised concerns about loneliness, sharing that a lack of connection can increase the risk for premature death. Today, we take a look at loneliness and isolation in the university setting, and hear how some colleges are working to address it. We also hear from students and learn about how they have addressed loneliness in their lives. GUESTS: Nick Pinkerton: Associate Dean of Counseling Services and Wellbeing at Southern Connecticut State University Alex Kafka: Senior Editor, at The Chronicle of Higher Education and author of the report Overcoming Student Loneliness Krista Mitchell: Senior at University of Connecticut Bonnibel Lilith Rampertab: Sophomore at University of Connecticut Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 book Weathering 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 Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Election Day is finally here. Today, we’ll get updates on how Election Day is unfolding in our state and across the nation. Connecticut Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas will join us, and we hear from one Connecticut Public reporter in the field. Later, we take a look at one of the oldest political campaign tools: lawn signs. Are you voting today? What are polling stations looking like where you live? GUESTS: Stephanie Thomas: Connecticut Secretary of the State Sujata Srinivasan: Senior Health Reporter for Connecticut Public Jennifer Hopper: Associate Professor of Political Science at Southern Connecticut State University Alex Coppock: Assistant Professor of Political Science at Yale University and a resident fellow of the Institution for Social Policy Studies and Center for the Study of American Politics Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This hour, we hear a panel discussion called “Artistic Congress,” held at the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut on October 26. Panelists, including educators, journalists, and artists, gathered to discuss the connection between creativity and civic engagement. They asked: Is it political discourse that impacts art? Or is it art that fuels political discourse? GUESTS: Lucy Gellman: Editor of the arts paper and cofounder of the Youth Journalism Arts Initiative at the Arts Council of Greater New Haven Leslie Blatteau: President of the New Haven Federation of Teachers Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi: Performance artist, playwright and curator of the Black Trans Women at the Center New Play Festival at the Long Wharf Theatre Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.