Christiana Martin wants to know how much short-term rentals, such as Airbnbs, are exacerbating Vermont’s housing crisis. We survey the data, and visit two Vermont neighborhoods — Decatur Street in Burlington and Gorham Drive in Kirby — to find out how communities across the state are responding to a growing industry. Thanks to Christiana for the great question. To explore the data from this episode, and see photos from Josh’s reporting, check out our web feature . Josh Crane reported and produce...
Mar 09, 2023•44 min
So, your electricity rates are rising. Oil and gas costs … also rising. This led Remington Nevin of Quechee to wonder if Vermont’s electricity is truly as environmentally friendly as some claim it is. Turns out, the answer is complicated. Climate and environment reporter Abagael Giles provides an education in our power grid and explores how Vermont could generate more renewable energy in the future. Additional resources: Find out how you can participate in the Vermont Department of Public Servic...
Feb 16, 2023•46 min
Matt “Beagle” Bourgault wants to know how Vermont’s bedrock and soil shaped our identity — and made us different from our neighbors. We originally released this episode in 2017. A lot has changed since then, but our geologic history has not. To see maps showing the “folds” and “blobs” in our local bedrock, check out our web feature . Related listening: Vermont vs. New Hampshire: What’s the beef? (Brave Little State, 2021) Geology is destiny (NEXT New England, 2017) Lynne McCrea edited this episo...
Feb 02, 2023•30 min
If you live in Vermont, and you have a terminal illness, where and when you die could be up to you. Charlie Bestard of Hartland asked us about the state’s medical aid in dying law: How many Vermonters have used it, and how does the medical establishment view it? To see photos of the Fitch sisters, and their parents, Stanley and Elaine, check out our web feature . Additional listening, from our Vermont Edition colleagues: Connecticut patient sues Vermont over residency mandate in aid-in-dying law...
Jan 19, 2023•34 min
Paintbrushes and blank canvases helped Burlington artist Liza Phillip love their biracial identity. Now, they paint colorful genderless monsters and sing songs on the ukulele to celebrate life beyond traditional binaries. Find original artwork related to this episode at bravelittlestate.org . This is the latest installment of Homegoings , a series from Brave Little State that features conversations with Vermont artists of color. Find the full series here . Also, we have exciting news! On Februar...
Jan 06, 2023•26 min
Vermont is the only state in the Northeast without a freestanding birth center. We dig into the reasons why, and talk to folks who are pushing for change. To see the inside of a freestanding birth center, and some super cute baby photos, check out the web feature for this episode . Special thanks to Scott Fleishman, Gail Zatz, Peter Hirschfeld and all the midwives and birthing peoples who trusted us with their stories. This episode was reported by Joia Putnoi, with mix and sound design by Myra F...
Dec 22, 2022•31 min
Many Vermont restaurants are understaffed and struggling to stay open. Khrista Trerotola of Waitsfield wants to know, “What happened to all the restaurant workers? Where have they gone? And what are they doing now?” To answer Khrista’s question, Josh Crane tells the story of one restaurant, from the very beginning to the end of an era. Also, he finds out what the people who used to work there are up to now. To see photos from Josh’s reporting, check out our digital story . Josh Crane reported an...
Dec 01, 2022•34 min
Vermont has the most breweries per capita. But the more beer they brew, the more they have to deal with their wastewater. Caleb Henderson of Winooski asked us this: “Breweries and cideries were in the news a few years ago for the wastewater. How are they mitigating their waste now? Has it improved?” Reporter Howard Weiss-Tisman learns how breweries — and communities — are grappling with this issue in different ways. And in many respects, Vermont is ahead of the curve. To see photos from Howard’s...
Nov 17, 2022•40 min
On Anna Costello’s first visit to Vermont, she was surprised by the large number of Chinese restaurants compared to the seemingly small number of Asian Americans. So, she asked us: "What’s the Asian American experience like in Vermont?" To find the answer, Myra Flynn learns to make bao, tours an Asian market, and talks to some of the leaders within this quiet but booming community here in Vermont. Check out lots of photos from Myra’s reporting in our web feature . Myra Flynn reported this episod...
Nov 04, 2022•47 min
When the federal government banned alcohol in 1920, Vermonters took matters into their own hands. We head to the Northeast Kingdom to collect stories of cross-border bars, liquor hidden in baby bottles and potato cellar robbery. Thanks to Nathan Bangs for the great question. Check out old photos from Prohibition-era Vermont in our web feature . Want to have a say in which question we tackle in an upcoming episode? Vote here! Kevin Trevellyan reported this episode. Josh Crane produced it, and did...
Oct 20, 2022•34 min
A listener asked us how White River Junction became such a thriving place, “when it used to be so bleak.” We talk to some of the people behind the transformation. To see photos of White River Junction, check out our web feature . This year’s Gory Daze Halloween Parade is on Saturday, October 29. Find more info here . Angela Evancie reported and produced this episode, with help and editing from the rest of the Brave Little State team: Myra Flynn, Josh Crane and Mae Nagusky. Music in this episode ...
Oct 06, 2022•35 min
“Vermont was the first state to abolish slavery.” That’s the common refrain around here. Except, the history is more complicated. Reporter Lexi Krupp answers a question from Peter Langella about this oft-misunderstood history, and explores how the legacy of slavery is still reverberating in Vermont today. Check out the web version of this story for photos and additional resources from Lexi’s reporting. And thanks to Peter Langella for the great question. Recommended episodes from the BLS archive...
Sep 22, 2022•26 min
Question-asker David Hess was curious about Native stories that speak to the Vermont landscape. Enter Mali Obomsawin’s new album, Sweet Tooth . Across three movements, she blends Wabanaki music with free jazz, and ancient stories with new ones, all of which offers a unique look at the land called Vermont. Check out the web version of this episode to see photos and music from Mali Obomsawin. And thanks to David Hess for the great question. Josh Crane reported this episode. Mix and sound design by...
Sep 08, 2022•30 min
The sale of the Vermont Lake Monsters in 2021 would bring lots of changes. In some ways, it’s a story of renewal. But the more things change, the more they stay the same. Reporter Liam Elder-Connors walks us through the changes since the sale, and the traditions that have remained. Check out the web version of this story for photos from our reporting. And thanks to Emma Ramirez-Richer for the great question. Liam Elder-Connors reported this episode. Mix and sound design by Angela Evancie. Engine...
Aug 17, 2022•27 min
We hear from former Vermonters about their love/hate relationship with our state, why they left and what it would take for them to come back. Check out the web version of this story for photos from our reporting. And thanks to My Le Goel for the great question. Myra Flynn reported this episode and did the mix and sound design. Editing and additional production from the Brave Little State team: Angela Evancie, Josh Crane and Myra Flynn. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot...
Aug 04, 2022•35 min
A question about finding companionship in the Green Mountain State – from wide-eyed hopefuls to frustrated giver-uppers. Plus, a love story. Thanks to Silas Olsen for the great question. To see photos from this episode, check out our web feature . This episode was reported by Anna Van Dine and produced by Josh Crane. Mix and sound design by Josh Crane. Editing and additional production by the Brave Little State team: Angela Evancie, Myra Flynn and Josh Crane. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music;...
Jul 21, 2022•22 min
Every summer, we trek across Vermont to uncover the origins of bizarre road names of your choosing. This year’s installment includes Iranistan Road in Burlington, Snipe Island Road in Jericho and … a bit of a wildcard. Thanks to this year’s question-askers: Ali Jalili, David Boyle, Sam Graulty and Katie Ruffe. And special thanks to Ken Picard, Carol McGranahan, Gary Irish, Wright Preston, Harriet Riggs, and Amy Tatko. Check out our previous road name histories: 2018: States Prison Hollow Road, P...
Jul 07, 2022•29 min
Vermont’s first recreational cannabis dispensaries are set to open to the public on October 1, 2022. Reporter Bob Kinzel walks us through how we got here and how the new cannabis marketplace will work. Check out photos from Bob’s reporting on our web feature . Bob Kinzel reported this episode. Myra Flynn produced it, and she also did the mix and sound design. Editing and additional production from Josh Crane and Angela Evancie. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Session...
Jun 24, 2022•34 min
The trail follows Green Mountain ridgelines from one end of Vermont to the other. To answer this question from Eliza Keller, we go deep into the woods — and deep into a hiker hostel in downtown Rutland. We originally released this episode in 2018. For photos from our reporting, click here . Angela Evancie and Lynne McCrea reported this episode. Mix and sound design by Angela Evancie; engineering support from Chris Albertine. Additional production by Josh Crane and Myra Flynn. Ty Gibbons composed...
Jun 09, 2022•32 min
A chapter of Northeast Kingdom history that is most mysterious. A man whose talent and ambition led him down a perilous path. To answer a question from Eric Lucier of Jay, Henry Epp tells the story of the Space Research Corporation and its founder, Gerald Bull. Check out photos of the Space Research Corporation site, then and now, in our web feature . Henry Epp reported this episode. Angela Evancie produced and mixed it, with scoring by Josh Crane, and additional editing and production from the ...
May 19, 2022•52 min
Vermont has been a popular destination for those who’ve relocated during the pandemic. But, how are they doing? We check in with some who made the move to see how they’re adjusting to their new lives. Check out our website for photos of the newcomers featured in this story. This episode was reported by Myra Flynn, who also did the mix and sound design. Additional production and editing from the rest of the BLS team: Angela Evancie and Josh Crane. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music ...
May 05, 2022•32 min
We’ve been hearing a lot about the housing shortage in Vermont, and how hard it is for people to buy homes right now. For this episode, we’re flipping the script. Imagine that you’ve not only found your dream house, but you’ve lived in it for years and made it just so. Maybe it’s even paid off. Now, as you get older and more comfortable in your house, the looming question becomes … How long can you stay there? To access the many resources we mention in this episode, check out our web feature . S...
Apr 21, 2022•37 min
A question from Sam Leveston about a religion, and a people, who have often been overlooked. An answer in five chapters. To see photos from Josh Crane’s reporting and lots of additional resources about past and present Jewish life in Vermont, check out our web feature here . Special thanks to Bruce Post, Paul Carnahan, Kate Phillips, Sue Halpern, Rabbi Linda Motzkin, Rabbi Jonathan Rubenstein, Stacie Gabert, Mikaela Lefrak, Mary Engisch, and Robert Resnik. Thanks also to everyone who reached out...
Apr 07, 2022•51 min
It’s a scary thought, to be sure. We discuss a few different apocalyptic scenarios, including some that have already begun. And, we test our social fitness: Just how neighborly would we be, really, if the world were ending? Check out the web version of this story here . Also recommended: In a food shortage, could Vermont farms feed the whole state? This episode was reported by VPR’s news fellow Marlon Hyde, and produced and mixed by Myra Flynn, with additional editing and support from the rest o...
Mar 30, 2022•23 min
This year’s mud season is full-on. So, we compiled your questions about dirt roads and put them to Keith Gadapee, road foreman in Danville — the town with the most “dirt mileage” in Vermont. Also: How bad is it out there? You sent us photos from your own impassable roads. Check them out here . Thanks to everyone who recorded a question for this episode: Geoffrey Bok, Michele Morris, Coco Moseley, Jackie Spain, Rich Grogan, Amanda Scull, Nancy Wilson, Steve Gladstone and Ed Green. As always, our ...
Mar 24, 2022•21 min
A conversation with three teenagers about history and hope, featuring your questions about being young, Black and new American in Vermont in 2022. These teens performed in “The Listen Up Project,” an original musical based on interviews with hundreds of teenagers across Vermont. The show toured across the state in summer 2021. Find music, original artwork and video related to this episode here . This is the sixth installment of Homegoings , a series from Brave Little State that features conversa...
Mar 03, 2022•32 min
Amanda Calder of Winooski asked us what it would look like if we raised money for our schools in a totally different way. It’s a hypothetical some lawmakers want to turn into a reality. Amanda asked: “What would it look like if the taxes we had to pay for education were based on income rather than property value, with an equal tax on capital gains income?” Check out the web version of this story here , featuring photos and further reading. ICYMI: Check out VPR’s feature from 2018: The Shift: Col...
Feb 17, 2022•31 min
A question from Dani Gagnon of Montpelier leads VPR’s Mikaela Lefrak to find out why Vermont’s housing crunch has become a crisis — and what people are doing about it. Check out the web version of this story here, featuring photos and further reading. ICYMI: Our 2019 episode about Vermont’s housing crunch. As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it: Ask a question about Vermont Sign up for the BLS newsletter Say hi on Twitter , Instagram and reddit @bravestatevt Drop us an emai...
Feb 03, 2022•31 min
When question-asker Kate Phillips moved to Vermont, she was surprised to find three different food co-ops within driving range of her place. She then received a notice from her new electric company – yet another co-op. So, she started to wonder: What is the history of co-ops in Vermont? Why are they so successful here? VPR reporter (and former co-op manager) Howard Weiss-Tisman visits the oldest food co-op in the country and digs into the Vermont Historical Society archives to get to the bottom ...
Jan 20, 2022•28 min
Food scraps have been banned from Vermonters’ trash since July of 2020. Question-asker Bella Fearn wants to know: How’s that going? To answer Bella’s question we check out one of the biggest composting operations in the state, and one of the smallest. And for those of you who need a confidence boost to try backyard composting, we get a pep talk from an urban homestead in the heart of Winooski. Check out a video and photos from our reporting here . Mentioned in the episode: Learn about Vermont’s ...
Jan 06, 2022•41 min
