Explore every episode of the podcast Brave Little State
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
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| Is Vermont’s motel program a ‘magnet’ for out-of-staters experiencing homelessness? | 06 Sep 2024 | 00:37:29 | |
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:
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. | |||
| When the Space Race and arms dealing came to the NEK (encore) | 22 Aug 2024 | 00:52:13 | |
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:
Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public. | |||
| Mud Season Madness (encore) | 18 Apr 2024 | 00:23:08 | |
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:
Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network. | |||
| Where Do The Terms 'Woodchuck' And 'Flatlander' Come From? | 17 Dec 2020 | 00:17:47 | |
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!
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| Who Are Vermont's Electors? | 11 Dec 2020 | 00:04:24 | |
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:
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| How Are The U.S.-Canada Border Restrictions Affecting Vt. Families And Businesses? | 03 Dec 2020 | 00:27:20 | |
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!
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| What's Vermont Doing To Improve Broadband Access? | 19 Nov 2020 | 00:24:07 | |
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!
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| The Pros And Cons Of Wood Heat, Rekindled | 06 Nov 2020 | 00:33:25 | |
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!
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| Is Vermont Really Having A COVID Boom? | 23 Oct 2020 | 00:18:39 | |
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:
Love our show? Ask a question, sign up for our newsletter or make a gift at bravelittlestate.org. | |||
| Bob Answers Questions About Vermont Voting | 12 Oct 2020 | 00:07:21 | |
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. | |||
| Are Trump's 2016 Voters Still Behind Him? | 06 Oct 2020 | 00:32:59 | |
With mail-in voting already underway and a president who has COVID-19 — and who has not pledged to accept the results if he loses — we talk to some of his supporters. This episode is a follow-up to our 2016 episode: Almost 100,000 Vermonters Voted For Donald Trump. Why? Love our show? Ask a question about Vermont, make a donation and sign up for our free newsletter at bravelittlestate.org. | |||
| What's The State Of Religion In Vermont? | 18 Sep 2020 | 00:17:43 | |
And how do Vermonters characterize their beliefs? That's what Sue Leroux wants to know. Check out our web feature to see photos of BLS reporter Liam Elder-Connors as a 9-year-old church-goer. Love our show? Sign up for our newsletter, ask a question and donate to Vermont Public Radio at bravelittlestate.org. | |||
| Our 3rd Annual Brief History Of Vermont Road Names | 04 Sep 2020 | 00:34:24 | |
Every summer, we drive across Green Mountain creation to find the origins of the strange road names you're wondering about. Fan of the show? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism. | |||
| What’s up with the Vermont wave? | 04 Apr 2024 | 00:21:21 | |
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 Keck and produced by Burgess Brown. Editing and additional production from the rest of the Brave Little State team: Sabine Poux and Josh Crane. Angela Evancie is Brave Little State’s executive producer. Our theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions. Special thanks to Brittany Patterson, John Delgadillo and Sophie Stephens. As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:
Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network. | |||
| Who Will Get The COVID Vaccine First? | 21 Aug 2020 | 00:16:18 | |
When a vaccine becomes available for COVID-19, who gets it first? | |||
| How To Support Vermonters Of Color: 'Listen To Us' | 07 Aug 2020 | 00:39:57 | |
How can a state that is 94% white do better? BIPOC Vermonters weigh in to answer this listener question. Check out our web feature for bonus audio, written submissions and visuals from Vermont artists of color. Fan of the show? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism. | |||
| Why Do Some Vermonters Display The Confederate Flag? | 17 Jul 2020 | 00:14:28 | |
What's a symbol from the South doing in the Green Mountain State? Jason Broughton and Megan Bellavance (both, as it turns out, librarians) asked us to investigate. Plus: Our next winning question takes our exploration of Vermont race relations in a very different direction: "How can the state, both its government and its people, support Vermonters of color?" If you're a BIPOC Vermonter, we'd love to hear from you. Please consider adding your voice to our next episode at bravelittlestate.org. Thanks so much. Fan of the show? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism. | |||
| A Master Class In Finding The Bright Side | 02 Jul 2020 | 00:14:52 | |
Michael and Stacy Lee have had a really tough year. So why do they feel so positive? Love our show? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism. | |||
| Remembering Vermont's 19th Century Black Communities | 19 Jun 2020 | 00:14:59 | |
How did these communities form, and how are they being remembered? That's what Gale Harris wanted to know. Fan of the show? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism. | |||
| Is Vermont Really 'So Expensive'? | 05 Jun 2020 | 00:26:08 | |
Everyone loves to grouse about our cost of living. Bruce Post wonders: How bad is it really? And some recommended listening this week. On current events:
Re: today's listener question, here are two deep dives:
Fan of the show? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism. | |||
| End-Of-Life Wishes In A Pandemic | 22 May 2020 | 00:12:08 | |
If people — particularly elderly people — don't want doctors to take extreme measures to potentially save their lives, does that increase Vermont's COVID-19 death rate? | |||
| In A Food Shortage, Could Vermont Farms Feed The Whole State? | 08 May 2020 | 00:19:16 | |
This hypothetical listener question has gotten a little more real. Fan of the show? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism. | |||
| What Happens If A Presidential Candidate Dies? | 01 May 2020 | 00:07:31 | |
Bonus episode: Our current president, and his presumptive opponent, are in an age group vulnerable to the coronavirus. What happens if...? Fan of the show? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism. | |||
| How Are Vermont Prisons Handling COVID-19? | 17 Apr 2020 | 00:14:49 | |
Parole officers doling out hand sanitizer. Inmates cooking for those in quarantine. At the Department of Corrections, it's all hands on deck. Want more of the Brave Little State experience? Ask a question about Vermont, vote on our next episode, and sign up for our newsletter — all at bravelittlestate.org. Special thanks to Vermont Public Radio's sustaining members. If you like our show, consider becoming one. | |||
| ‘Recognized’: An update | 28 Mar 2024 | 00:18:43 | |
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 reporting and shared her findings with The Frequency podcast host Mitch Wertlieb. We’re resharing their conversation here. You can find a transcript of that conversation here. You can listen to the entire “Recognized” series here. This story was reported and produced by Elodie Reed, with help from Mitch Wertlieb. The Brave Little State team is Josh Crane, Burgess Brown and Sabine Poux. Angela Evancie is Brave Little State’s Executive Producer. We’ll be back soon with more people-powered Vermont journalism. As always, our show is better when you’re a part of it:
Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network. P.S. This story has been updated to more accurately reflect the response of Vermont's state-recognized tribes to scrutiny of the state recognition process. Additional context has also been added about genealogical documentation cited — but not made public — in state recognition applications. | |||
| How's Everybody Doing? | 03 Apr 2020 | 00:30:43 | |
Dispatches from our fellow Vermonters, including a nurse on the front lines and an expectant dad. Plus, some essay and poetry for our times. Fan of the show? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism. | |||
| Tips From A Home-Schooling, Remote-Working Mom | 20 Mar 2020 | 00:17:32 | |
With Vermont schools now closed, many parents are facing a daunting reality. Today, a conversation between two moms — one is a veteran home-schooler and remote worker. The other is new to all of this. Plus: How's everybody doing? Whether you’re out doing essential work, or staying home to slow the spread of coronavirus, we want to hear how it’s going for you. Share your voice/art/music for our next episode. Sign up for the BLS newsletter, submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism. | |||
| Goodbye, Ollie: Remembering Vermont's Favorite Camel | 13 Mar 2020 | 00:03:34 | |
A question about a popular camel won in one of our recent public voting rounds. Sadly, our reporting did not go as planned. Fan of the show? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism. | |||
| Is Town Meeting Outdated? (And More) | 28 Feb 2020 | 00:35:18 | |
It's "Ask Bob" on Brave Little State! VPR's senior political reporter Bob Kinzel takes on your questions about Town Meeting, the location of Vermont's capital, the limited functions of our county governments and more. Fan of the show? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism. | |||
| Why Has Vermont Never Sent A Woman To Congress? | 21 Feb 2020 | 00:18:21 | |
Vermont is the only state in the country that's never sent a woman to D.C. We dig into the disparity, and poll Vermonters on whether they think it's a problem. Fan of the show? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism. | |||
| As Colleges Close, How Will Vermont Schools Survive? | 07 Feb 2020 | 00:32:37 | |
Low enrollment and financial troubles have caused a slew of Vermont’s small, independent colleges to shut their doors. What’s causing the problem — and is there a solution? Love Brave Little State? Support Vermont Public Radio with a $5/month sustaining membership. We can't do this work without you! And remember: Be brave. Ask questions. Submit your question about Vermont at bravelittlestate.org, and vote on the question you want us to tackle next. | |||
| Vermont's 'Brand' Helps These Businesses. Do They Help Vermont? | 17 Jan 2020 | 00:13:51 | |
Tanya Ocker of Burlington wonders about businesses that emphasize Vermont's "brand." Do they help our economy? Check out our web feature to see photos from our reporting. And if you liked this episode, may we recommend:
Love Brave Little State? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism. And remember: Be brave. Ask questions. | |||
| Why Does Vermont Have So Many Dollar Generals? | 03 Jan 2020 | 00:29:28 | |
There are 37 Dollar General stores in Vermont. And what Danielle Drogalis of Swanton wants to know is: How did that happen? Love Brave Little State? Support Vermont Public Radio. And check out our web feature to see photos from our reporting and a map of all of D.G.'s Vermont locations. And remember: Be brave. Ask questions. Submit your question about Vermont at bravelittlestate.org, and vote on the question you want us to tackle next. If you liked this episode, may we recommend another one from our archives: What Does It Take To Start And Run A Successful Small Business In Vermont? | |||
| What Do Vermont Constables Do, Anyway? | 20 Dec 2019 | 00:12:03 | |
What's the history and function of town constables in Vermont? That's what Richard Dumughn wants to know. Check out our web feature to see photos of Constable Silas Loomis and his cruiser full of constable essentials. Related episode: Who Oversees Vermont's Elected Sheriffs? Love Brave Little State? Support Vermont Public Radio. And remember: Be brave. Ask questions. Submit your question about Vermont at bravelittlestate.org, and vote on the question you want us to tackle next. | |||
| How Can Vermonters Drive Less? | 06 Dec 2019 | 00:34:10 | |
For a state that calls itself green, Vermont sure has a lot of drivers. So what can be done? That's what Eve Jacobs-Carnahan of Montpelier wants to know. Eve's question about public transportation forces us to confront some difficult truths about life — and travel — in Vermont. Check out our web feature to see photos from our reporting and much more. And here's our related episode on Vermont's housing crunch. Love Brave Little State? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism. And remember: Be brave. Ask questions. | |||
| Investigating far-right extremism in northern New York | 21 Mar 2024 | 00:27:23 | |
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 certain parts of this episode disturbing. This episode was reported by Emily Russell and Zach Hirsch for North Country Public Radio, with grant support from Grist and the Center for Rural Strategies. A big thanks to NCPR for letting us share their show here. The Brave Little State team is Josh Crane, Burgess Brown and Sabine Poux. Angela Evancie is Brave Little State’s Executive Producer. We’ll be back soon with more people-powered Vermont journalism. As always, our show is better when you’re a part of it:
Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network. | |||
| Will Burlington's Champlain Parkway Ever Get Built? | 15 Nov 2019 | 00:12:38 | |
The highway project has been tangled in red tape for so long that there's a monument to bureaucracy in Burlington’s South End. What's the status? In other news: We're excited to announce that we're going twice-monthly, so we can answer even more of your questions about Vermont! Our mid-month episodes will be a little different, so let us know what you think of the format. Love the show? Sign up for the BLS newsletter, submit a question about Vermont and/or make a gift to support people-powered journalism. And remember: Be brave. Ask questions. | |||
| Why Are Child Care Professionals Paid So Poorly In Vermont? | 08 Nov 2019 | 00:27:58 | |
The typical angle for stories about child care is about how expensive it is for parents. But the professionals who educate and care for Vermont's youngest kids are struggling too. Bonus content: See photos of a day in the life of preschool teacher Nicole L'Esperance, featured in our episode. Love Brave Little State? Support Vermont Public Radio! And remember: Be brave. Ask questions. Submit your question about Vermont at bravelittlestate.org, and vote on the question you want us to tackle next. | |||
| Another Taste Of Star Pudding | 18 Oct 2019 | 00:09:43 | |
Podcast extra! After we aired our story about Marshfield's Star Pudding Farm Road, former longtime resident Laura Johnson got in touch to tell us more about the special property. Looking for more? See paintings of Star Pudding Farm by Susan Abbott, and return to our original piece about the road, which includes Robert Coffin's poem "Star Pudding." Love Brave Little State? Support Vermont Public Radio! And remember: Be brave. Ask questions. Submit your question about Vermont at bravelittlestate.org, and vote on the question you want us to tackle next. | |||
| What Happens To Vermont's Recycling? | 04 Oct 2019 | 00:34:37 | |
Are people following Vermont's new recycling laws, and where does our recycling end up? That’s what Julie Ste. Marie of Troy wants to know. | |||
| A(nother) Brief History Of Vermont Road Names | 06 Sep 2019 | 00:38:18 | |
We take on more of your questions about mysterious Green Mountain byways in our Second Annual Brief History of Vermont Road Names. | |||
| Happy Third Birthday To Us! | 02 Aug 2019 | 00:42:32 | |
We celebrate three years of people-powered journalism with a listen back to some memorable moments from our archive. | |||
| What's The Plan For The 'Pit' In The Middle Of Newport? | 05 Jul 2019 | 00:28:22 | |
A development project gone wrong. A community living with the fallout. And an uncertain path forward. | |||
| Does Vermont Have Any Patches Of Old Growth Forest? | 07 Jun 2019 | 00:25:25 | |
A question about Vermont's most elderly woods, from Andrew Wild of Burlington. | |||
| What Draws So Many Writers And Poets To Vermont? | 03 May 2019 | 00:25:08 | |
This month on the podcast: Exploring the literary luminaries of Vermont, and why so many writers seem to thrive in the Green Mountain State. | |||
| How Is Climate Change Affecting Vermont Right Now? | 05 Apr 2019 | 00:34:36 | |
We know the predictions are dire; we know there are urgent conversations to be had about policy. But to answer this listener question, we stay focused on the present. | |||
| What impact does the VAST trail have on Vermont's economy? | 07 Mar 2024 | 00:21:38 | |
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 version of this episode here. This episode was reported by Howard Weiss-Tisman and produced by Sabine Poux. Editing and additional production from Burgess Brown and Josh Crane. Angela Evancie is Brave Little State’s Executive Producer. Our theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions. Special thanks to Augie Melendez, Brian Henderson, Joan Cwirka, Kevin McDonnell and Zachary Amerling. As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:
Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network. Correction: We removed a statistic that said that the number of days with an inch or more of snow in Vermont had dropped 40% since 1960, because we could not verify where it originated. According to data from NOAA, the total days of snow cover greater than one inch in Vermont was actually the same in 1960 and 2016, with variability from year to year. The story has been updated with additional reporting. | |||
| Why Does Vermont Have Such A Housing Crunch? | 08 Mar 2019 | 00:32:34 | |
What are the causes of Vermont’s tight housing market — and why aren’t things getting better? | |||
| Legislation vs. Investigation: How Is Rep. Peter Welch Balancing His Work? | 01 Feb 2019 | 00:28:31 | |
Now that Democrats control the U.S. House, we head to Capitol Hill to get a sense of how Vermont's Congressman is approaching things. | |||
| What Are The Pros And Cons Of Heating With Wood? | 11 Jan 2019 | 00:32:17 | |
Who doesn't love a cozy fire? There are benefits to heating with wood — but some drawbacks, too. | |||