Brave Little StateWhat if you could decide what stories Vermont Public should be covering, before they're even assigned? That's the idea behind Brave Little State, a monthly podcast where you ask the questions, you decide what Vermont Public investigates and then you work with us to find the answers. Be brave. Ask questions.
What if you could decide what stories Vermont Public should be covering, before they're even assigned? That's the idea behind Brave Little State, a monthly podcast where you ask the questions, you decide what Vermont Public investigates and then you work with us to find the answers. Be brave. Ask questions.
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 this episode, was also in another episode of ours recently, talking about the history of intentional living communities in Vermont. Special thanks to Ashleigh Ricciarelli, John Ricciarelli, Marianne Kotch, Jim and Larissa Haas, Fran Spaulding, Bob Purvis, Hilary Denton, Ellen Kaye, Scott McLaughlin, Jeannie McLeod, Lila Rees, Tracie Lewis, Braedon Vail, Bern Rose, Peter Hirschfeld, Liam Elder-Connors and the Aldridge Library. Our show gets lots of help from colleagues behind the scenes, so we also want to shout-out Anna Ste. Marie for helping BLS shine on social media. This episode was reported by Mary Engisch and Angela Evancie. Production, mix and sound design by Angela Evancie. Editing and additional production from the rest of the Brave Little State team: Josh Crane, Myra Flynn and Mae Nagusky. Music by Blue Dot Sessions. As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it: Ask a question about Vermont Vote on the question you want us to tackle next Sign up for the BLS newsletter Say hi on Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevt Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org Call our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880 Make a gift to support people-powered journalism Leave us a rating/review in your favorite podcast app Tell your friends about the show! Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.
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 someone at the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you're experiencing abuse or violence against you of any kind, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is also available to you for help or conversation. You can reach them at 800-799-7233. Access a transcript of this episode here. This episode was reported and mixed by Erica Heilman. It was produced by Myra Flynn and Mae Nagusky, with editing and additional production from the rest of the Brave Little State team: Angela Evancie and Josh Crane. If you want to hear more of Erica's interviews, check out her podcast Rumble Strip. She's also the creator of a Vermont Public series called What Class Are You? John Rodgers, one of the folks in this episode, is also featured there. Special thanks to Susan Clark, Louis Porter, Amelia Meath, Renee Falconer, Aimee Farr, Kirk Postalwaite, Marilyn Skoglund, Ingrid Jonas, Karen Tronsgard-Scott, Conor Casey, Will Staats, Tena Starr, Kelly Green, Tobin Anderson, Wynona Ward and Russ Shopland. As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it: Ask a question about Vermont Vote on the question you want us to tackle next Sign up for the BLS newsletter Say hi on Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevt Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org Call our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880 Make a gift to support people-powered journalism Leave us a rating/review in your favorite podcast app Tell your friends about the show! Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public, and a proud member of the NPR Network.
What's the deal with intentional living communities in Vermont?
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're not alone. And that's a part of the story. But intentional communities take many shapes in our state — and not all of them fit that stereotype. To see photos from Mae's reporting check out our web feature. Mae Nagusky reported this episode, and did the mix and sound design. Josh Crane produced it, with editing and additional production from the rest of the Brave Little State team: Myra Flynn and Angela Evancie. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions. Special thanks to Lexi Krupp, Eric George, Marlie and Julia Hunt, Hannah Braun, Colin Bradley, Sara Peterson, Colton Francis, Luigi Morelli and the Hungerfort Community House. As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it! Ask a question about Vermont Vote on the question you want us to tackle next Sign up for the BLS newsletter Say hi on Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevt Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org Call our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880 Make a gift to support people-powered journalism Leave us a rating/review in your favorite podcast app Tell your friends about the show! Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public, and a proud member of the NPR Network.
What's the deal with intentional living communities in Vermont?
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 of sheep." But is it really? Or is there more to the story? Reporter Anna Van Dine digs through the layers of Vermont's history, and finds not just an answer about stone walls, but a story about them — and the stories they hold. For deeper reading on this topic, and to see lots of photos of stone walls, check out our web feature. For more on Vermont's geologic history, check out our episode: "How has the geology of Vermont affected its character?" This episode was reported and mixed by Anna Van Dine. Angela Evancie produced it, with scoring and sound design by Josh Crane. Editing and additional production from all of us, and Myra Flynn. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions. Special thanks to Tom Wessels, and to Rebekah Irwin at the Middlebury College archives. As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it! Ask a question about Vermont Vote on the question you want us to tackle next Sign up for the BLS newsletter Say hi on Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevt Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org Call our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880 Make a gift to support people-powered journalism Tell your friends about the show! Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public, and a proud member of the NPR Network.
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 of the cultural highlights discussed in this episode. Myra Flynn reported and produced this episode, and did the mix and sound design. Editing and additional production from the rest of the team: Angela Evancie, Josh Crane and Mae Nagusky. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions, Noah Kahan, Ari Joshua, Russ Lawton and Ray Paczkowski. Special thanks to James Stewart, Mikaela Lefrak, Peter Engisch, Mary Engisch, Mike McCallum, Clay Thomas, Alice Thomas, Oscar Deal and Skylar Clauder. As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it: Ask a question about Vermont Vote on the question you want us to tackle next Sign up for the BLS newsletter Say hi on Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevt Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org Call our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880 Make a gift to support people-powered journalism Tell your friends about the show! Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.
How many Airbnbs are 'taking away' from Vermonters? It's complicated
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 produced this episode, and did the mix and sound design. Editing and additional production from the rest of the Brave Little State team: Angela Evancie, Myra Flynn and Mae Nagusky. Data guidance from April McCullum. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions. Special thanks to Howard Weiss-Tisman, Jacob Mushlin, Amy Ash Nixon, Madeleine Parkin and Jade Tinsley. As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it: Ask a question about Vermont Vote on the question you want us to tackle next Sign up for the BLS newsletter Say hi on Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevt Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org Call our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880 Make a gift to support people-powered journalism Tell your friends about the show! Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public, and a proud member of the NPR Network.
How many Airbnbs are 'taking away' from Vermonters? It's complicated
How much does Vermont's power grid depend on fossil fuels?
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 Service's public engagement campaign on renewable electricity here Check out a tool from ISO New England that shows you what energy source is powering your electricity right now Check out photos from Abagael's reporting in our web feature Abagael Giles reported this episode. Angela Evancie produced it, with lots of help from Mae Nagusky. Mix and sound design by Angela Evancie and Mae Nagusky, with additional help from the rest of the Brave Little State team: Myra Flynn and Josh Crane. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions. Special thanks to Ben Storrow, John Dillon, Anne Margolis, Matt Kakley, Mara Hoplamazian, Miriam Wasser, Oliver Tully, Jared Duval, Peter Hirschfeld and Brittany Patterson. As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it: Ask a question about Vermont Vote on the question you want us to tackle next Sign up for the BLS newsletter Say hi on Twitter, Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevt Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org Make a gift to support people-powered journalism Tell your friends about the show! Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public.
How much does Vermont's power grid depend on fossil fuels?
How has the geology of Vermont affected its character? (Encore)
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 episode. Angela Evancie reported and produced it, along with Henry Epp, and did the mix and sound design. The re-release was supported by Brave Little State's Josh Crane, Myra Flynn and Mae Nagusky. This episode featured original scoring by Liam Elder-Connors, with other music by Podington Bear and the Sturbridge Colonial Militia. Our theme music was composed by Ty Gibbons. Special thanks to Andy Friedland, Mary Searles, Paul Rumley, John Dillon and Oliver Riskin-Kutz. As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it: Ask a question about Vermont Vote on the question you want us to tackle next Sign up for the BLS newsletter Say hi on Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevt Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org Make a gift to support people-powered journalism Tell your friends about the show! Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public.
How has the geology of Vermont affected its character? (Encore)
The complexities of medical aid in dying in Vermont
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 Mikaela Lefrak reported this episode. Josh Crane produced it and did the mix and sound design. Editing and additional help from the rest of the BLS team: Angela Evancie, Myra Flynn and Mae Nagusky. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions. Special thanks to Jaina Clough, Erica Heilman, Tim Lahey, Lynda Bluestein and Chelsea Chalfant. As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it: Ask a question about Vermont Vote on the question you want us to tackle next Sign up for the BLS newsletter Say hi on Twitter, Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevt Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org Make a gift to support people-powered journalism Tell your friends about the show! Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public.
The complexities of medical aid in dying in Vermont
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 February 11, some of the artists featured in the series will join forces for a soulful evening of performance, art and conversation. Learn more and get your tickets to Homegoings: A Live Performance here. Have a recommendation for a future Homegoings interview? Get in touch with our team by emailing hello@bravelittlestate.org. As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it: Ask a question about Vermont Vote on the question you want us to tackle next Sign up for the BLS newsletter Say hi on Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevt Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org Make a gift to support people-powered journalism Tell your friends about the show! Homegoings is a production of Vermont Public, created by the Brave Little State team: Myra Flynn, Josh Crane, Angela Evancie and Mae Nagusky. Mae Nagusky reported, produced and mixed this episode. Myra Flynn composed the theme music. Other music by Liza Phillip, including the song "Do It Cause It Feels Good." Special thanks to Hannah Braun, Dan Cahill and Remi Lemal-Brown. Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public.
