Connecticut East This Week Podcast

In this podcast episode ... She's the first Cannabis Ombudsman in Connecticut and the nation. We talk with Erin Gorman Kirk about her first full year in office and her thoughts on Connecticut's cannabis industry. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... The world around us can be a confusing and complicated place, especially if you're a child. We talk to Bree Shirvell, journalist and author about her new book Parenting in a climate crisis. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... She's been named Connecticut's Outstanding Young Farmer of 2025 We talk with Allyson Angelini and visit her to see what's she's doing at Full Heart Farm in Ledyard, CT Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... This Memorial Day Weekend edition - They are the men and women of the US military and they're telling their stories. We talk with Walter Schuppe about his website - Faces of Freedom and his efforts to keep these stories alive for the history books. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... They've been setting parts of Connecticut on fire on purpose for years. We join CT DEEPS Forestry Division as they conduct prescribed burns across the state and our region to reduce the risk of brush fires. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... It's happening on our roads more and more, wrong way driving. So when and how do you tell your family member it's time to stop driving and turn in their license? Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... It's become a staple of New London and beyond for the last 10 years, The Pink Eggs and Glam Drag Brunch. We talk to Sky Casper and the team behind this phenomenon that's entertaining everyone straight and gay. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... They've been helping people out of poverty in southeastern Connecticut for 60 years. But what does the future look like for TVCCA as federal and state funding cuts start to take affect? We talk to CEO Joshua Kelly. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... It's 35 years since The American's with Disabilities Act was signed into law. So why are people with disabilities still disadvantaged, we talk with a disability advocate. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... It's Spring Brush Fire season in Connecticut. We talk with CT Deep's Division of Forestry about their forest management program and why they're planning on burning over 100 acres of forest. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... It's National Public Health Week April 7th to 13th so what better time to talk about the healthcare industry here in the US And Sarah Worthy CEO of Door Space gives us her frank opinions about where it's going and why we need to stop it. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... History is created one micro story at a time, that's the mantra of Connecticut based History Chip. We talk to its founder as they embark on a mission to collect everyday people's stories for the history books. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... They've been an educational partner serving eastern Connecticut since 1980 We talk to EASTCONN as they take a strategic look at what they do and how they can continue to serve their communities. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... It's our 250th episode of Connecticut East This Week and we're talking murder. As we find out about a series of true crime books coming later year letting you follow crimes across Connecticut and beyond. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... As Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are struck off from federal websites by the new administration. It's down to state organizations to be there for everyone in the community regardless of age, gender or race. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... It's a broken system in the state that's just getting worse. We talk about the state's tax system and how it's impacting the towns and cities where you live, forcing them to make almost impossible decisions that impact you. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... It might be winter but it's the ideal time for some bird spotting We take a cruise down the Connecticut River to see some of the state's Bald eagles and more. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... They help hundreds of people in the Windham area facing homelessness. And with a  new name comes even more services, we talk with Project Hope, formerly The Windham No Freeze Project. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... Their State Pier project has kept this quasi-public agency in the spotlight for the last few years. We talk with the Connecticut Port Authority's new Executive Director about how he intends to turn the agency around and focus on its wider mission. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... He's the quintessential American Chef with a French accent. We talk to Connecticut resident and Iconic and legendary TV chef Jacques Pepin about cooking and turning 90. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... It's the only satellite police academy in eastern Connecticut. We visit the Eastern Regional Police Academy in Norwich as they celebrate 2 years of training the regions police officers. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... Making presidential history for only the second time. We talk to a presidential historian about Donald Trumps return to power as the nations 47th President Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... She's Connecticut's first female state fire marshal. We talk with Lauri Volkert about her new role, her firefighting history as well as the challenges and opportunities she sees for her office in 2025 Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... It's the first podcast of the new year and we're kicking it off with an inspirational story As we talk to the first person to ever swim the entire length of the Connecticut River and it's longer than you think. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode... It's the final show for 2024 and we take a look back at some of the stories that hit the headlines this year. And this year we're doing it a little bit differently. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... He's a Vietnam Veteran and author of three books about the men and women of the US military. Ron Farina launches the last book in his trilogy and we were there at the book launch earlier this year. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... It's called the launchpad for American Theater and is based in the Town of Waterford Connecticut and named after one of the country's famous writers. We visit the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center as it celebrates 60 years of the performing arts Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... Connecticut has 119,000 at risk youth in the state and something needs to be done. The 119K Commission was set up, has released their report but what happens now? We find out Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... It's Thanksgiving a time to celebrate with family and food, but more often that food is making us sick. We talk to Connecticut author and filmmaker Jeff Benedict about his book and documentary Poisoned, The dirty truth about your food.   Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... She's the first Cannabis Ombudsman in the nation and has been in office now for 6 months We catch up with Erin Gorman-Kirk to find out what she's been up to since she took office and her outlook for 2025 Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... She's an Eastern Connecticut start-up business success. And they're a nationwide law firm handing out millions of dollars of free legal services. We find out about the Wiggin and Dana Opportunity Initiative. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... They served their country and they're still serving now We talk with two Veteran farmers about their farms and about the state's Homegrown by Heroes, part of the state's CT Veteran Grown campaign. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... It's the only public liberal arts University in the state and its right here in Eastern Connecticut We sit down with Eastern Connecticut State University's new President, Karim Ismaili as he celebrates 3 months in office Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... It's the equivalent of the Oscars for the restaurant and hospitality industry, the James Beard Awards. We sit down with David Standridge of the Shipwrights Daughter who won a James Beard best chef award earlier this year. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.  

In this podcast episode ... Looking after more than just our state birds. We talk to Audubon Connecticut about their work and two youth employment programs, junior forest techs and wildlife guards that are inspiring tomorrow's conservationists. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... It's National Hispanic Heritage Month And we talk to two Connecticut College students about their award-winning short film about an Hispanic student seeking acceptance and navigating life in a predominantly white educational institution. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

On this podcast episode ... They're two doctors on a mission to help us clean our hands without water. We talk to two Connecticut entrepreneurs as they launch the first truly waterless soap. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... They're 143 years old and only open for 3 to 4 months a year We take a visit to the iconic BF Clyde's Cider Mill in Mystic and find out more about the last steam powered cider mill in the nation. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... They're one of 34 organizations across the nation helping to educate and empower people about the living environment around them. We talk to Connecticut Sea Grant about their work, their mission and how well we're doing on the environment. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... He's on a mission to eliminate residential energy bills for all of us. But how realistic is that? We talk to Benjamin Lee founder of the nonprofit Solar Security Net about his ambitious plans and vision. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... She's an award-winning journalist and comes from a family of writers. We talk to Elissa Bass about her debut romance novel, Happy Hour and why she decided to get into the novel writing business. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... Women in the maritime industry are increasing both in numbers and their roles in this important sector. We talk with Lourdes Evans, President of the Connecticut chapter of WISTA to find out more. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... He's a military veteran on a new mission, to reconnect his fellow veterans, their families and young people using the great outdoors. We talk to Davey Edwards founder of Open Doors Outdoors based here in Connecticut. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... They started as a side business making high-tech wheels for the professional cycling sector Now their wheels have helped athletes win medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, we talk to Princeton CarbonWorks of Mystic.   Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... She was one of the original Coast Guard whistleblowers back in 2014 10 years on and Dr Kim McLear is still fighting for justice for her and every other Coast Guard victim. Plus we take a look at other stories from around the region.

In this podcast episode ... It's southeastern Connecticut's most visited tourist spot, the Town of Mystic. So what's it like policing Mystic during the summer when visitors and multiple events add to an already busy workload. We find out. Plus we take a look at other stories from across the region

In this podcast episode ... Where do you go if you want to have a good night out but don't want to or can't drink alcohol? Maybe a sober bar. And they're popping up across the state and nation and we visit one in Willimantic. Plus we take a look at other stories from across the region

In this podcast episode ... He's an Emmy award winning singer songwriter born and raised in Waterford We talk to Steve Elci about his music career and his new album of songs for kids called All Together Now. Plus we take a look at other stories from across the region

In this podcast episode ... If you're a small business how do you go about making changes and raising your prices without upsetting your customers? We talk to local entrepreneur, Alex Foulkes, who straight talks the answers. Plus we take a look at other stories from across the region.

In this podcast episode ... They generate around half the electricity we use in Connecticut each year We're talking about the two nuclear reactors at Millstone Power Plant in Waterford and what the future for nuclear power in the state looks like. Plus we take a look at other stories from across the region

In this podcast episode ... Eastern Connecticut is facing a childcare and workforce crisis. So what can be done? We talk to United Way of Southeastern Connecticut about their plans and how it will take the entire community to solve the problem. Plus we take a look at other stories from across the region