Breast cancer can happen at any age. But young adults that are diagnosed with breast cancer often have a different journey than their older counterparts.

Treatment for breast cancer can bring on temporary or permanent menopause for women in early adulthood. This means navigating a slew of additional symptoms, on top of a life-changing diagnosis.

It also means making difficult decisions about family planning.

Today, we hear from a breast cancer survivor who was diagnosed at age 40, and learn how she’s using her story to educate others.

GUESTS:

• Kate Hayden Ames: breast cancer survivor living in Connecticut
• Dr. Niamey Wilson: Medical Director of the Breast Program at Hartford Healthcare
• Dr. Nancy Borstelmann: Co-Director of the Early Onset Cancer Program at Yale Cancer Center
• Anne Michaud: Yoga teacher for cancer survivors and oncology nurse

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Raising kids is never an easy task. But today’s parents are really struggling. Nearly half of parents say that most days they are so stressed, they cannot function.

This stress goes beyond the costs and demands of raising a child. Many parents feel like they are preparing their children for a future that is difficult to understand and predict.

Even therapists admit, there’s no playbook for parents. But there are some things you can to do (maybe) worry a little bit less and still raise a great kid. Today, we talk about managing parental anxiety, burnout and stress.

GUESTS:

• Melissa Whitson: Professor of Psychology at the University of New Haven
• Rebecca Harvey: Professor at Southern Connecticut State University in the MFT Program
• Alexis AP Munson: LCSW based in North Haven, Connecticut
• George Gogas: LCSW at Charter Oak Therapeutic Services, LLC

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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

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When you think of farm animals, the term “endangered species” probably doesn’t come to mind.

In Scotland, Connecticut, Iris Creek Farm is working to raise and preserve a rare, endangered breed of sheep.

Today, we hear what local farmers are doing to raise more rare livestock and how this is impacting agriculture everywhere.

GUESTS:

• Tess Terrible: Senior Producer for Where We Live
• Jeanette Beranger: Senior Program Manager at the Livestock Conservancy
• Mackenzie White: Diversified Livestock Extension Field Based Specialist at the UConn Extension College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources

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Samin Nosrat's 2017 debut “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat” was a breakout hit in the cooking world — teaching people of all skill levels the building blocks of flavor.

Nosrat won a James Beard award and the book was adapted into a Netflix documentary.

After her massive success, Nosrat found herself in a low. She was diagnosed with clinical depression, and said the joy she once found with cooking, stopped being attainable.

But it was cooking for community, and for her found family, that brought her back. Nosrat's new book focuses on bringing families of all types to the table, and building community through great food.

Nosrat recently joined us to talk about her book, and what's inspiring her today.

GUEST:

• Samin Nosrat: cook, teacher and author of “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat” and “Good Things: Recipes and Rituals to Share with People You Love"

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.

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Spotted lanternflies are showing up across Connecticut, but they might not be as catastrophic as you think.

This hour, we talk with an expert about the real threat these insects pose and what you can do if you spot one.

Meanwhile, Connecticut’s push toward clean energy is being put to the test, and mental health professionals are seeing an uptick in climate-related anxiety.

We hear how therapists are helping people stay grounded and how students are leading the way on environmental action.

GUESTS:

• Gale Ridge: associate scientist, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
• Ricky Jordan: manager of energy efficiency, Eversource
• Doug Geoffrey: participant in the first Summer Green STEP cohort
• Áine Pennello: Report for America environmental and climate change reporter, CT Public

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When Crystal Emery started to fall down, without tripping, everyone said she was just clumsy. But in 1981, Crystal Emery was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

For some people living with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, the symptoms can be limited to body weakness and muscle atrophy. But for the Emery, the disease progressed. She lost the use of her legs and hands. Today, she uses a wheelchair and sometimes needs a breathing machine.

But despite her circumstances, she is anything but limited. Emery remained committed to her artistic craft, working as an artist, author, filmmaker, activist and comedian. Today, she joins us to talk about her work.

Later, we get an update on the future of disability services in Connecticut, and beyond. Advocates fear that decades of advocacy for better disability services, and more inclusivity, could be walked back among federal funding cuts.

Learn more about Emery's performance in New Haven here.

GUESTS:

• Crystal Emery: filmmaker, author and comedian
• Joy Houlder: Art Director at the Art Connection Studio in Hartford
• Tobey Partch-Davies: Executive Director of Disability Rights Connecticut

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Best-selling author Wally Lamb spent nine years working on his newest book, "The River Is Waiting."

In this time, he wrestled with self-doubt, navigated his own sobriety journey and worked as a teacher at York Correctional Institution, Connecticut’s only women’s prison.

His new book explores addiction, reckoning and forgiveness, and the injustice that exists in prison today. It follows one man’s experience in prison after being convicted of involuntary manslaughter for the death of his son.

GUEST:

Wally Lamb: author of "The River Is Waiting." He is also the author of "She’s Come Undone" and "I Know This Much Is True."

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.

This episode originally aired August 19, 2025.

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