This week on Disrupted, we hear from two Black Americans who helped pave the way for the next generation of NASA astronauts and administrators. We’ll speak to NASA director Greg Robinson about the revolutionary James Webb space telescope. And a conversation with Astronaut Leland Melvin, which recently won an award from the Public Media Journalists Association . GUESTS: Leland Melvin - Engineer, former NFL Wide Receiver, and retired NASA Astronaut. He’s also the author of Chasing Space: An Astron...
Aug 03, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 95
The First Lady of the United States is not an elected position. But even so, the office plays an important role in our government. This week on Disrupted, an Art Historian talks about the powerful First Ladies of American history who don't get the recognition they deserve. Also, how gender quotas are changing politics in Latin America. GUESTS: Gwendolyn Dubois Shaw: Class of 1940 Bicentennial Term Associate Professor of Art History at the University of Pennsylvania. Previously, she was the Senio...
Jul 27, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 94
Vanessa Roberts Avery became the U.S. Attorney for the district of Connecticut just two months ago. But she’s already changing the way her office connects with the public. This week, we talk with Avery about what it's like being the first African American woman in the role and her goals for her tenure. And we hear from the executive director of a new Yale program that is making law school more accessible to historically marginalized students. GUESTS: Vanessa Roberts Avery: U.S. Attorney for the ...
Jul 20, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 92
For decades, the American sports betting industry was only accessible via seedy back rooms and offshore banking accounts. But after a 2018 supreme court ruling , betting on your favorite team is as easy as pressing a button on your phone. This hour, an exploration of the bustling legal world of sports betting. We’ll speak to a gambling researcher on the impact of sport betting on problem gaming. And later, Indian casinos are major players in the gambling market. How are tribes responding to the ...
Jul 13, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 92
As summer heats up, people across New England are flocking to the beach. But there’s been a long battle in CT, for access to the shoreline. This week on Disrupted, we look back at an episode about the history of exclusion on the Long Island sound. And we hear from descendants of the historically Black communities of Oak Bluffs and Sag Harbor. GUESTS: Andrew Kahrl: Professor of African-American Studies and History at The Carter G. Woodson Institute at the University of Virginia and author of Free...
Jul 06, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 91
In a year dominated by gun control debates and the midterm elections, the climate crisis has taken a back seat. But we’re seeing its impact across the country and here in Connecticut. This week, we look at the ways climate change has impacted our state, from an explosion of ticks to flooding on our shorelines. GUESTS: Kirby C. Stafford : Chief Entomologist for the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) Jim O’Donnell: Professor of Marine Sciences at the University of Connecticut and E...
Jun 29, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 90
This week, we talk about how teachers, parents, and students are holding up after a year of violence, COVID-19 and mental health struggles. And later, we'll hear from a political scientist who’s leading a new research center at UCONN, looking at solutions to gun violence. GUESTS: Fran Rabinowitz: Executive Director of Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents Edward Singleton: Interim Principal of the Roton Middle School in Norwalk, Connecticut Jennifer Dineen: Assistant Professor...
Jun 22, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 89
Podcasting used to be a niche hobby for internet bloggers. Now, companies like Spotify, Amazon and Sirius XM dominate the industry. This week, we look at the rapid growth and commercialization of podcasting and how it’s shaping our culture. We’ll hear about a podcast studio that centers its work on diverse and undeserved communities. And a look at the role podcasters played in spreading fake news ahead of the January 6th insurrection. GUESTS: Nick Quah: Podcast Critic for Vulture and New York Ma...
Jun 15, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 88
Reality TV shows rank among some of the most popular in America. And often people don’t even realize they’re favorite program is reality TV. This week, the hidden ways we shape reality TV and it shapes us. GUESTS: Danielle J. Lindemann : Associate Professor of Sociology at Lehigh University. She is the author of the new book True Story: What Reality TV Says About Us Disrupted is produced by James Szkobel-Wolff and Catie Talarski. Our programming is made possible thanks to listeners like you. Ple...
Jun 08, 2022•40 min•Season 2Ep. 87
Organized religion plays an important in many Americans lives. But the Christian church isn't always a welcoming place. This week, one woman’s journey of connecting with God in and outside the confines of organized religion. And how she's on a mission to make faith more accessible to everyone. GUESTS: Candice Marie Benbow: Theologian , Essayist, Columnist, and Educator. She is the author of the new book Red Lip Theology: For Church Girls Who've Considered Tithing to the Beauty Supply Store When ...
Jun 01, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 86
American theater companies were devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. And as we’ve all been getting back to a “new normal”, so are theater companies. For some, that means finding ways to be more representative and more responsive to their communities. This week, we explore the changing landscape of American theater. GUESTS: Diep Tran: Theater Journalist and Critic. Her reporting has appeared in Playbill, American Theatre and The New York Times Snehal Desai: Producing Artistic Director at East Wes...
May 25, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 85
Video Game revenue reached nearly 180 billion dollars in 2020. The industry’s continued growth and impact is being seen across our society. This week, we take a second look at the future of pro gaming. And how gaming’s growth is affecting our climate. GUESTS: Jason Chung: Assistant Professor and Executive Director of Esport Business Programs at the University of New Haven Corey Parks: Director of E-sports and Head Coach of the University of New Haven Esports team and a former pro E-sports player...
May 18, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 84
History is littered with promising innovations that failed to live up to their hype. This week on Disrupted, a look at three revolutionary but doomed disruptions and their legacy on our world today. What became of the made-up language Esperanto, the music streaming platform Napster, and the once-popular treatment for mental illness, the lobotomy? GUESTS: Andrew Scull: Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Science Studies at the University of California, San Diego. He is the author of the upco...
May 11, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 83
This week marks the end of the state legislative session in Connecticut. After 10 weeks of debate, lawmakers have made progress on everything from climate change to solitary confinement. This hour, we bring back an esteemed panel of state house experts to help us digest what happened this session and what to expect in the November midterms. GUESTS: Christine Stuart: Editor/Owner of CT News Junkie , and the Editorial Director of American Business Media Ebong Udoma: Senior Reporter covering state ...
May 04, 2022•48 min•Season 2Ep. 82
From Jesse Owens to Colin Kaepernick, some of the most iconic moments in sports history have been political. But some fans says there’s no place for political activism in athletics.This hour on Disrupted, we revisit a conversation about sports activism and how it can be a platform for change. Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson talks about why she uses her platform to demand justice. Plus, the latest on the WNBA’s Brittney Griner and her detention in Russia. GUESTS: Tamryn Spruill : Sports Journa...
Apr 27, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 81
Civil rights icons like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Justice Thurgood Marshall have become household names. But the historic work of New Haven native Constance Baker Motley is still unknown to many Americans. This week, a look into the life and legacy of the first Black woman appointed to a federal court in American history. Guests: Connie Royster: retired New Haven attorney, former director of development at the Yale Divinity School, and niece of Constance Baker Motley Tomiko Brown-Nagin: Dea...
Apr 20, 2022•39 min•Season 2Ep. 80
For over a century, the NAACP has fought to protect civil rights for all Americans. Their work helped overturn Jim Crow Laws in the south, was the catalyst for the desegregation of public schools, and instrumental in securing voting rights. But now, after the rise of the BlackLivesMatter movement, what role does the NAACP play in our modern society? Plus, a look at how some are fighting the student loan debt crisis. Guests: Scot X Esdaile: President of the Connecticut State Conference of the NAA...
Apr 13, 2022•39 min•Season 2Ep. 79
For more than 50 years, PBS’s Sesame Street has brought quality educational programming to children around the globe. And while we may take it for granted now, Sesame Street upended the conventional ideas of kids television. This week, a look inside the creation of children educational TV. Guests: Sonia Manzano: Actress, best known for work as Maria on Sesame Street. She’s also the creator of the animated kids show Alma’s Way and author of the forthcoming book, Coming Up Cuban: Rising Past Castr...
Apr 06, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 78
The American working world has been flipped upside down. Since 2020, many employees have adapted to working from home, managing hybrid schedules and countless remote meetings. But as we look to a future with, hopefully, fewer pandemic disruptions, what temporary work practices will become permanent? And what can we expect for the future of work? GUESTS: Emma Goldberg: Future of Work Reporter for the New York Times Sarita Gupta: Vice President of US Programs at the Ford Foundation, and Co-Author ...
Mar 30, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 77
The way countries fight wars has changed significantly in the 21st century. And those changes can make visualizing the impact of war difficult. This week on Disrupted, what can we expect from the future of war and international diplomacy? We’ll hear what Russia's Invasion could mean for their relationship with China. And, why K-Pop bands like BTS are important for the South Korean government. GUESTS: Michael Horowitz: Director of Perry World House and Richard Perry Professor of Political Science...
Mar 23, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 76
The feminist movement has led to groundbreaking legislation like the 19th Amendment, Title IX and the Violence Against Women Act. But when did the movement start? And whose voices are still missing from the conversation? This hour, we revisit conversations on the history and present of feminism. And we hear from an activist creating public art to spread information about women’s issues. GUESTS: Brittney Cooper: Professor of Women's and Gender Studies and Africana Studies at Rutgers University an...
Mar 16, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 75
Social media has played an important role in activism in the 21st century. From the Arab spring protests in the Middle East, to calls against police violence in the U.S., sites like Facebook and Twitter have helped activists communicate with one another and spread awareness to an international audience. On today’s show, we examine what organizing and activism looks like in America today. And the future of solitary confinement in Connecticut. GUESTS: Alicia Garza: Principal of Black Futures Lab a...
Mar 09, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 74
Author Tanisha Ford grew up obsessed with fashion. But it wasn't until she left home for school, when she realized the power of creating community through style. This week on Disrupted, we talk to Ford about her new book and what fashion means to her. Plus, as fast fashion businesses make clothing cheaper than ever, how are our consumption habits changing? GUESTS: Tanisha C. Ford - Professor of History at The Graduate Center, CUNY and author of Dressed in Dreams: A Black Girls Love Letter to Fas...
Mar 02, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 73
The cost of living has risen for many Americans over the last two years. According to a report from Realtor.com , in the 50 largest U.S. metro areas, median rentals grew by over 19% in the last year. This week on Disrupted, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro talks about how he thinks we can better address America's housing crisis and what this year's midterms mean for Democrats in Texas. Plus, a look at free public transit and how it can make cities safer for people ...
Feb 23, 2022•48 min•Season 2Ep. 72
The US Women's Hockey team are perennial favorites to win a gold medal every 4 years. Since 1998, the US squad has finished among the top 3 in every Winter Olympics. That’s in part thanks to retired American forward Julie Chu.This week on Disrupted, a conversation with the Connecticut native on breaking barriers and competing for gold at the Winter Games. Plus, a look at the biggest story lines coming out of Beijing. GUESTS: Julie Chu - 4-time Olympian and former captain for the US Women’s Ice H...
Feb 16, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 71
2022 is a big year for politics across the United States. And this week marks the start of a new legislative session for Connecticut’s General Assembly. Today, we preview the upcoming session with a roundtable of experts. Plus a look at the upcoming midterm elections. GUESTS: Christine Stuart - Editor-Owner of CT News Junkie , and reporter for NBC Connecticut Ebong Udoma - Senior Reporter covering state politics for WSHU Jonathan Wharton - Associate professor of political science and urban affai...
Feb 09, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 70
This Episode Originally Aired on June 9th, 2021 February is Black History Month in America. To celebrate, we revisit an episode on Black history from last year. It may not be well known that by the American Revolution, Connecticut had the largest number of slaves of all the New England states. In fact, slavery in Connecticut did not officially end until 1848 – the last state in New England to do so. This week on Disrupted, the forgotten story of the free city of "Little Liberia". And how Connect...
Feb 02, 2022•41 min•Season 2Ep. 69
(Update 1/29/22: This show has been updated from it's original broadcast to reflect the recent events surrounding the r/antiwork subreddit and Doreen Ford's removal as a moderator. We've added new context to our conversation with Doreen and linked to coverage below on the subreddit's changes.) In recent years, self-care has become a multi-billion dollar industry and a focal point of the pandemic. This week on Disrupted, we dive into the meaning of self-care and its radical origins. And we talk t...
Jan 26, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 68
Over the past decade, Connecticut has averaged nearly 200 gun deaths each year. How are community members responding? This week, two New Haven initiatives that are trying to prevent gun violence before it even happens. Plus, a new report on the staggering number of evictions in our state. GUESTS: Marlene Pratt - Co-founder of The New Haven Botanical Garden of Healing Dedicated to Victims of Gun Violence. Lorenzo Boyd - Stewart Professor in Criminal Justice and Community Policing at the Universit...
Jan 19, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 67
2021 was a year of unprecedented moments. From an insurrection at our nation’s capital, to the end of the longest war in American history. We’ve struggled to make sense of all that has happened. This week, we’re joined by three political experts to help sift through the events of the last year, and look ahead to 2022. GUESTS: Brian O’ Donovan - Washington Correspondent for Ireland’s Public Radio Service RTE Duchess Harris - Professor of American Studies at Macalester College Kaleigh Rogers - Tec...
Jan 12, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 66
