Brave Little State – Details, episodes & analysis

For as long as Carly Berlin has been reporting on housing issues for Vermont Public and VTDigger, she’s been hearing some version of this question: Is Vermont’s rise in homelessness due to unhoused people moving here from out-of-state?

She hasn’t been able to track down an easy answer to this question. And in the absence of information, the idea that Vermont’s benefits are a “magnet” for those experiencing homelessness has taken root, from the aisles of grocery stores to the Statehouse floor. It’s a narrative that’s shaping the conversation about homelessness in Vermont, and what the state should do to address it.

But is it even true? In this episode, Carly goes digging for data.

Find the web version of this story here.

Thanks to Joseph Valaske and Mark Tarmy of Putney for sharing their curiosity with us.

This episode was reported by Carly Berlin and produced by Burgess Brown. Editing and additional production from Sabine Poux and Josh Crane, with support from April McCullum and Alicia Freese. Angela Evancie is our executive producer. Theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Lola Duffort, Laura Nakasaka, Sophie Stephens, Jess Graff, Sarah Russell, Rick DeAngelis, Frank Knaack, Stephen Waclawik and Mary Mojica.

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 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 and a proud member of the NPR Network.

Updated: September 7, 2024 — We removed a caveat about data presented in this story to avoid repetition and the potential for misinterpretation.

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.

We originally released this episode in 2022. Check out photos of the Space Research Corporation site, then and now, in our web feature.

Henry Epp reported this episode. It was produced by Angela Evancie, with additional editing and production by Myra Flynn and Josh Crane. This encore presentation was produced by Burgess Brown. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to Anna Ste Marie, Kevin Trevellyan, Mark Davis, Michael Rogers, Kate Phillips and Paul Carnahan.

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.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Vermont’s messy transition from winter to spring always brings its fair share of surprises and obstacles. And this year has been no exception: The mud came early, and it came often.

Keith Gadapee is on the front lines of battling mud season as road foreman for the town of Danville — which has more dirt roads than anywhere else in Vermont. We spoke to Keith back in 2022 for an episode we called “Mud Season Madness” and put your pressing mud questions to the expert. We dug out that episode for an encore and checked back in with Keith as this year’s roller coaster of a season comes to a close.

Find the web version of this episode here.

This episode was reported and produced by Sabine Poux and Angela Evancie, with editing and additional production from Burgess Brown. Angela Evancie is our executive producer, and our managing editor and senior producer is Josh Crane. Our theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks to April McCullum and Sophie Stephens.

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 about blatant stereotypes, and the Green Mountain lingo we use for them.

Today's question comes from Ryan McLiverty, of Woodstock. Our journalism is better when you're a part of it!

• Ask a question about Vermont
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bravelittlestate.org

Bonus episode! Who are Vermont's three Electoral College members, and how were they chosen?

Let us know what you think of this super-short format. Drop us a line at hello@bravelittlestate.org.

Our journalism is better when you're a part of it:

• Ask a question about Vermont
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Gabrielle Coburn of Kingston, Ontario, asked us to examine this cross-border quandary.

See the photos accompanying this episode, and view a transcript, here.

Our journalism is better when you're a part of it!

• Ask a question about Vermont
• Sign up for our free BLS newsletter
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bravelittlestate.org

The pandemic has shifted even more of our lives online. So what's being done to address Vermont's internet inequities?

That's what Maggie Eppstein of Hinesburg wants to know. See a photo of Maggie, and access a transcript of this episode, here.

Our journalism is better when you're a part of it!

• Ask a question about Vermont
• Sign up for our free BLS newsletter
• Make a gift to support people-powered journalism

bravelittlestate.org

Burned out on election news? We've got you. Revisit our 2019 episode about the fuel that warms you twice.

Explore our web feature here: What Are The Pros And Cons Of Heating With Wood?

Find the current wood heat rebates and incentives for Vermonters here.

Our journalism is better when you're a part of it!

• Ask a question about Vermont
• Sign up for our free BLS newsletter
• Make a gift to support people-powered journalism

bravelittlestate.org

Is our population growing because of the pandemic? And what impact are COVID transplants having on their new communities?

Today’s question comes from Mike Leonard, of Montpelier. Find the web version here, and explore related coverage from VPR:

• City Buyers Eye Vermont Property As COVID Sanctuary
• Chester Changes Marketing Message To Reach COVID Refugees
• How Do We Build A Welcoming Vermont?

Love our show? Ask a question, sign up for our newsletter or make a gift at bravelittlestate.org.

What are your options for returning your mail-in ballot? What should you do if you lose it? And how can you track your ballot to make sure it’s received?

Check out VPR's Guide To Voting In Vermont For The 2020 Election to learn more. Still have questions? Let us know at bravelittlestate.org.

Our journalism is better when you're a part of it — and stronger when you support it. Make a donation at bravelittlestate.org/donate.