If you live in a rural part of Vermont, you know it — the one-finger lift or full-hand gesture from the steering wheel. Everyone has their own take on the so-called “Vermont wave.” Who gets a whole-hand wave and who doesn’t? When exactly do you do it and what does it mean? Reporter Nina Keck set out with question-asker Mica Tucker to learn the unwritten rules of the road and find out: “What’s up with the Vermont wave?” Find the web version of this episode here . This episode was reported by Nina...
Apr 04, 2024•21 min
Two Abenaki First Nations headquartered in Canada contest the legitimacy of Vermont’s state-recognized tribes. How are Vermont lawmakers responding? Last October, Brave Little State published “Recognized”: a three-part investigation into contested claims that Vermont’s four state-recognized tribes are not legitimate. The Abenaki First Nations making those claims have called on Vermont lawmakers to reconsider the state recognition process. Reporter Elodie Reed followed up on her original reportin...
Mar 28, 2024•19 min
This week, a story from our neighbors at North Country Public Radio. If All Else Fails is a recent podcast about the growing presence — and threat — of far-right extremism in northern New York, and the voters and local law enforcement that are engaging with the movement there. You can learn more about the series here . That’s also where you can find photos from NCPR’s reporting, and listen to the rest of the series. Heads up: The show contains some harsh language and some listeners might find ce...
Mar 21, 2024•27 min
The Vermont Association of Snow Travelers, better known as VAST, maintains more than 6,000 miles of snowmobile trails across the state. Today, snowmobiling is one of the top contributors to Vermont’s winter economy. But for a sport so dependent on reliable snow, the future is uncertain. The majority of VAST trails are on private land. One of those landowners is winning question-asker Barb Huibregtse of Danville, who asks: “What is the impact of the VAST trail on Vermont’s economy?” Find the web ...
Mar 07, 2024•22 min
A smattering of Vermont and New Hampshire towns on either side of the Connecticut River are known collectively as the “Upper Valley.” We set out to learn more about the origin of that phrase, and what makes the Upper Valley a geographic and cultural outlier. Our mission comes from question-asker David Watts, of Norwich: “What is the Upper Valley? And how did it get its name?” Find the web version of this episode here . This episode was reported and produced by Josh Crane. Editing and additional ...
Feb 23, 2024•34 min
Vermont is home to almost 200 independent and locally funded libraries. This means they each must evolve to meet the unique needs of their communities with sometimes limited resources. That got listener Diane Church of Fairlee wondering: “How do our public libraries manage to stay alive and vibrant in this age of technology?” Vermont Public’s Sabine Poux and Andrea Laurion visit two of Vermont’s libraries to see how things are going. Find the web version of this episode here . This episode was r...
Feb 08, 2024•25 min
Burlington has sister cities all over the world — including in Nicaragua, Mississippi and Japan. Winning question-asker Peg Clement is curious about the city's relationship with two, in particular: Bethlehem, in the West Bank, and Arad, in Israel. Find the web version of this episode here . The Burlington-Bethlehem-Arad sister city committee holds public meetings on the first Monday of every month in Burlington’s Miller Center. You can find more information here . Additional resources: NPR: Spec...
Jan 25, 2024•48 min
We journey into the weird world of Vermont's favorite jam band to explore the culture of "phandom” and Phish’s early roots in our brave little state. We originally released this episode in 2021. In it, Ethan Weinstein of South Woodstock asks: “Why do people like Phish? And how did they become such a big part of Vermont music culture?” (Heads up: There’s a bit of profanity in this episode, and some discussion of drugs and drug culture.) To see photos of Phish from their early Vermont days, check ...
Jan 04, 2024•56 min
Volunteers were still pumping water out of basements from the July floods when another round of flooding hit this week. Vermonters on the front lines say the frequency of these events point to the need for more durable solutions. On this episode of Brave Little State, a question from Sophi Veltrop, of Woodbury: "How are towns hit by 2023 flooding doing? What locally-driven solutions are helping those most harmed and setting the stage to rebuild better?" Reporter Pete Hirschfeld talks to some of ...
Dec 21, 2023•40 min
Vermont’s pastoral, small town charm didn’t just happen out of thin air. It’s been legislated. And it’s especially baked into one really important Vermont law — Act 250. But as Vermont changes, there’s an increasing push for Act 250 to change with it. That’s why Danielle Laberge of Wells submitted this winning question to Brave Little State : “What's the deal with Act 250, Vermont's signature land-use law? Why is it important and what's changing?” Reporter Sabine Poux digs into the story of Act ...
Dec 07, 2023•40 min
In recent years, Winooski, Montpelier and Burlington made it possible for all legal residents to vote — including asylum seekers, refugees and green card holders like our winning question-asker, Charlotte Blend. Charlotte has been excited to vote on local issues and she’s curious about the impact of the rule changes in the towns where it’s now legal. Reporter Mikaela Lefrak talks to new Vermont voters — and a lot of city clerks — about how the at-times controversial changes in local election pol...
Nov 16, 2023•30 min
We met Sweeney Grabin at a Brave Little State mixer last year, right after she moved to South Burlington with her husband and her baby, Maya. She wants to know how other parents with biracial kids are maintaining their heritage in one of the country’s whitest states. Myra Flynn turns to old friends and her own experiences to answer Sweeney’s question. You can find a full transcript of this episode here . Also, check out Myra’s show, Homegoings , for more deep dives into race and identity. Myra F...
Nov 03, 2023•31 min
Who gets to decide who is Abenaki? Vermont’s four state-recognized tribes — and the state recognition law — have different definitions and criteria for what it means to be Indigenous than many Indigenous Nations. In this episode, we look at this disconnect, and lay out what’s at stake, including power, money and authority. This is Chapter Three of “Recognized,” a special series from Brave Little State . Chapters One and Two are available right now in this podcast feed. Find a transcript of the s...
Oct 19, 2023•38 min
After the original group of self-proclaimed Vermont Abenaki failed to gain federal recognition, Vermont lawmakers created a state recognition process of their own. One theory in particular informed the state’s consideration: that Abenaki peoples hid in Vermont to avoid persecution, including statewide eugenics policies. In this episode, we look at recent evidence, as well as older reports, that cast doubt on this narrative. This is Chapter Two of “Recognized,” a special series from Brave Little ...
Oct 19, 2023•42 min
Two Abenaki First Nations in Canada contest the legitimacy of the four groups recognized by the state of Vermont as Abenaki tribes. This is a dispute that goes back at least two decades, and has gained more prominence in recent years. In this episode, we trace Abenaki history up to 2003, when Odanak First Nation first denounced Vermont groups claiming to be Abenaki. This is Chapter One of “Recognized,” a special series from Brave Little State. Chapters Two and Three are available right now in th...
Oct 19, 2023•37 min
The smash hit Netflix series Wednesday takes place in Jericho … and was filmed in Romania. Megan Matthers of Sutton wants to know — why? Mae Nagusky learns about the barriers keeping Hollywood from setting up shop here, and why things used to be different. Check out the web version of this story here . This episode was reported and produced by Mae Nagusky. Editing and additional production from Josh Crane, Sabine Poux, Angela Evancie and Myra Flynn. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music. Other mus...
Oct 05, 2023•9 min
Wesley Davis grew up in the woods of Mount Holly. But there was always one place where he could get high above the trees: the fire tower on top of nearby Ludlow Mountain, at Okemo. He’s been curious to learn more about the history of these remote towers scattered across Vermont peaks ever since. Reporter Sabine Poux searches for answers in the early 1900s, when timberland owners and railroads ruled the Vermont landscape. And, she arrives at the doorstep of a couple that found a lifetime of artis...
Sep 21, 2023•30 min
During the pandemic, Daniel Luttrel heard a lot about how Vermont was renting rooms at hotels and motels to shelter people. And he heard that the state was using a lot of money to do it. So, he asked: “Can’t we just buy them?” Reporter Liam Elder-Connors digs into Vermont’s motel housing program, and learns that Daniel’s question has been asked by everyone from housing advocates to those in charge of the motel program itself. He also meets current and former motel residents to get a better sense...
Sep 07, 2023•29 min
Every summer, we delve into the history behind unusual road names around the state — as voted on by you. This year’s show took us to Tigertown Road in Norwich, Hateful Hill Road in Wallingford and Gerts Knob Road in Underhill. Thanks to this year’s question-askers: Claudia Marieb, Sarah Aubry and Judy Raineault. You can find photos from our reporting at the web version of this episode . Check out our previous brief histories of Vermont road names: 2018: States Prison Hollow Road, Poor Farm Road,...
Aug 24, 2023•36 min
Instead of taking on one of your questions about Vermont, we’re taking on three — in a kind of local history lightning round. We explore those crooked windows you see on Vermont farmhouses, Vermont’s defunct gold mines and the history of Burlington’s Church Street. This episode was originally released in 2017. To see photos from our reporting, check out the web version of the episode here . This episode was originally produced, mixed and edited by Angela Evancie, who’s now our executive producer...
Aug 10, 2023•23 min
“Something was always telling me poetry is your purpose. Being an artist, you know, with the power of words, is your purpose. I was just scared of it.” Omega Jade grew up in church choir in San Diego — far from destined to become one of the most unique voices in Vermont’s rap scene. This episode focuses on her journey, and the rise of rap in the Green Mountain State. Thanks to Jeremy Buente for the great question: “Who are some current Vermont rappers? And what's it like to be a rapper in Vermon...
Jul 27, 2023•30 min
Just as we were putting the finishing touches on an episode about Vermont rivers and streams, historic flooding ravaged the state. Our rivers weren’t always this fast, deep or powerful — we made them this way. And efforts to bring them closer to a more natural state are vital to build future resiliency. Visit vermontpublic.org/flood for ongoing reporting about the flooding and recovery efforts. And check out the web version of this episode here . Thanks to Gus Goodwin of East Montpelier for the ...
Jul 14, 2023•25 min
Julie Cadwallader Staub is curious about the families who are on waiting lists for child care. “What decisions are they forced to make? How are they managing?” To answer Julie’s question, we visit with four families in wait list limbo, and learn about the tradeoffs they’re making. To see photos of the families we featured today, head to our website . This episode was a true team effort, with reporting, producing and mixing by all of us – Mae Nagusky, Josh Crane, Myra Flynn, and Angela Evancie. O...
Jun 22, 2023•44 min
One of the most common genres of questions we get has to do with local dialect and pronunciation. Today, thanks to question-asker Noah Waxman of Starksboro, we help settle a regional debate involving a beloved market in Central Vermont. Check out the web version of this episode to see photos from our reporting. Thanks to all the people who spoke to us outside the market: Brooke Haynes, Jo Palmer, Niclas Thein, Gail Helmer, Brian Albrecht, Karen Rookwood, Toby Bellows, Scout Vitko and Dick Atkins...
Jun 16, 2023•8 min
In honor of graduation season, we’re featuring local stories from high school and college students — all on the theme of “change.” (Heads up, this episode contains a few un-bleeped swears.) You can find the web version of this episode here . A big thanks and good luck to the students whose work we shared today: Emma Ginsberg, Samantha Watson, Bre Glover and Addey Lilley. Thanks to the University of Vermont, Dartmouth College and Harwood Union High School for supporting audio journalism, and to B...
Jun 08, 2023•32 min
When Tim Rapczynski moved to Barre City, he was caught off guard by a nickname he heard some people use to describe the place: “Scary Barre.” So he asked us about its origin. To find the answer, we confront classism, social stigma — and the role of the media. Thanks to Tim Rapczynski for the great question. You can find photos from our reporting, as well as a full episode transcript, in the web version of this episode . Amanda Gustin, the Barre City resident who left the voicemail at the top of ...
May 25, 2023•38 min
A question from a listener prompts a different kind of conversation about guns. Reporter Erica Heilman talks with five Vermonters about how their lives have been impacted by them, and why they have them. Content warning: This episode contains conversation about suicide, domestic and sexual violence; profanity; substance abuse and gun violence, which might be difficult for some to hear. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, help is available. Just dial 988 to talk to ...
May 11, 2023•48 min
Ella Wegman-Lawless has done her fair share of communal and intentional living in Vermont. She wondered: “How much of Vermont as a place cultivates that?” So she asked us: “Does Vermont have a high number of communes, and if so, what’s the deal?” To answer Ella’s question, reporter Mae Nagusky surveys intentional living communities in Vermont, past and present: communes, co-ops, eco-villages and the like. If your mind immediately goes to the peace and free love hippies of the ‘60s and ‘70s, you’...
Apr 27, 2023•36 min
A few years ago, Jack Widness of Wilmington and Malcolm Moore of Marlboro were part of a crew clearing trails on Hogback Mountain. They noticed stone walls “all over the place, going up at steep angles, very close to the tops of the mountain.” So Jack and Malcolm asked us: “For what purpose did our Vermont forbears do all the hard work of building stone walls in such different and unusual locations?” When we announced this winning question, a lot of you were like, “Come on, it’s totally because ...
Apr 13, 2023•30 min
Musician Noah Kahan wrote “Stick Season” after moving back home to Vermont during the pandemic. Now, it’s a worldwide sensation, and listener Sara Morin is wondering what else has made Vermont culturally relevant. So, grab a pint of Phish Food and crack open your favorite local beverage, or go for a wander through the woods wearing homemade mittens — whatever you have to do to get ready for a pop culture edition of Brave Little State. Check out our web feature for photos and a breakdown of some ...
Mar 23, 2023•53 min
