Brave Little State

Nov 07 2024 178 ep. 28 mins 2k

Brave Little State Podcast artwork

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.

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Why is there such a problem with the U.S. Postal Service in Vermont?

Nov 07 2024 29 mins

Government for the people! A beacon of democracy! The Postal Service has been essential for free speech and the circulation of ideas since before the founding of the United States. These days, it's becoming increasingly important during elections, as more people vote by mail. And it’s still a vital part of many communities, from beloved local mail carriers to shiny, gold P.O. Box

Emelia's Thing

Nov 01 2024 51 mins

We’re sharing a story from New Hampshire Public Radio’s Document team.A young police officer unexpectedly finds herself back in New Hampshire, and she’s not the same person she was when she left. Something happened to her – to all of us. But for Officer Emelia Campbell, this thing still lives in her brain and her body.NHPR’s Lauren Chooljian brings you Emelia’s story of

What does the state’s energy transition mean for Vermonters?

Oct 24 2024 28 mins

Climate change is here. So is Vermont’s energy transition. Ahead of the 2024 election, voters want to know: How do they fit in?Environment and climate reporter Abagael Giles looks into efforts to both mitigate and adapt to climate change in this pivotal moment. And she explores how Vermont can make sure its most remote communities aren’t left behind. Thanks to Laura Zettle

What invasive species in Vermont has done the most damage?

Oct 11 2024 30 mins

For centuries, humans have transported plants and animals and fungi all around the globe. Whether exotic plants for a home garden or spores hitching a ride on a boot, flora and fauna have found their way into ecosystems that were unprepared for their arrival. These “invasive species” have no natural predators to keep them in check and in that absence, they wreak havoc. But whic

Why are there no strip clubs in Vermont?

Sep 27 2024 28 mins

The “girlie shows” are long gone from the county fairs. Former clubs like Planet Rock in Barre and Club Fantasy in South Burlington have all shut down. Vermont is now the only New England state without strip clubs. One stripper who grew up in Vermont reached out with a simple question: Why?For photos from our reporting, check out the web version of this story.Thanks to Susan Me

Is Vermont’s motel program a ‘magnet’ for out-of-staters experiencing homelessness?

Sep 06 2024 37 mins

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

When the Space Race and arms dealing came to the NEK (encore)

Aug 22 2024 52 mins

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

Our 7th Annual Brief History of Vermont Road Names

Aug 08 2024 40 mins

What’s summer without a road trip? Every year, Brave Little State travels around Vermont to find the stories behind the road signs. But even with several years of investigations under our seatbelts, we’re still finding plenty of surprises. This year, we looked into the stories behind Lake Willoughby, Hells Peak Road and Pumpkin Harbor Road. You can find the web versio

Are Vermonters happy?

Jul 25 2024 27 mins

Whew… a big question. And certainly not one with a yes or no answer. Happiness looks different depending on who you ask. So we visited five Vermonters to learn what happiness looks like to them. Question-asker Courtney Rabuffo is a recent transplant to Vermont. She’s found a lot of happiness in her new home in North Hero. But she wants to know how other Vermonters are fari

Jeezum crow!

Jul 18 2024 10 mins

Jeezum crow, is it tough to find the origin of the phrase ‘jeezum crow’! Join us for our exploration into this quintessential Vermont saying, as we journey from folklore to linguistics to… crows. Thanks to Sandra Bettis of Middlesex for the great question:“Where did ‘jeezum crow’ come from and is it just a Vermont saying?”Find the web version of this episod