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Two Abenaki First Nations in Canada contest the legitimacy of the four groups recognized by the state of Vermont as Abenaki tribes. This is a dispute that goes back at least two decades, and has gained more prominence in recent years. In Chapter One of this special series, we trace Abenaki history up to 2003, when Odanak First Nation first denounced Vermont groups claiming to be Abenaki.

After the original group of self-proclaimed Vermont Abenaki failed to gain federal recognition, Vermont lawmakers created a state recognition process of their own. One theory in particular informed the state’s consideration: that Abenaki peoples hid in Vermont to avoid persecution, including statewide eugenics policies. In Chapter Two of this special series, we look at recent evidence, as well as older reports, that cast doubt on this narrative.

Who gets to decide who is Abenaki? Vermont’s four state-recognized tribes — and the state recognition law — have different definitions and criteria for what it means to be Indigenous than many Indigenous Nations. In Chapter Three of this special series, we look at this disconnect, and lay out what’s at stake, including power, money and authority.

The smash hit Netflix series Wednesday takes place in Jericho … and was filmed in Romania. Megan Matthers of Sutton wants to know — why?  Mae Nagusky learns about the barriers keeping Hollywood from setting up shop here, and why things used to be different. Check out the web version of this story here. This episode was reported and produced by Mae Nagusky. Editing and additional production from Josh Crane, Sabine Poux, Angela Evancie and Myra Flynn. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. Our executive producer is Angela Evancie. Special thanks to Eric Ford, Tim Kavanaugh, Cemi Guzman, Sarah Witters, Myles Jewell and Hyon Joo Yoo. 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: [email protected] Call our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880 Make a gift to 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.

Wesley Davis grew up in the woods of Mount Holly. But there was always one place where he could get high above the trees: the fire tower on top of nearby Ludlow Mountain, at Okemo. He’s been curious to learn more about the history of these remote towers scattered across Vermont peaks ever since. Reporter Sabine Poux searches for answers in the early 1900s, when timberland owners and railroads ruled the Vermont landscape. And, she arrives at the doorstep of a couple that found a lifetime of artistic inspiration as fire tower lookouts in southern Vermont. We compiled a map of Vermont fire towers past and present. Find it here. Sabine Poux reported this episode, and did the mix and sound design. Josh Crane produced and edited it. Additional from Sophie Stephens, Corey Dockser and Joey Palumbo. 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 Mark Haughwout, Ron Kemnow, Peter Hayes, Alan Thompson, Keegan Tierney, Prudence Doherty, Juls Sundberg and Liam Elder-Connors. And thanks to Danielle Kovacs and the Robert S. Cox Special Collections and University Archives Research Center at the University of Massachusetts for UMass Amherst Libraries for finding the copy of Visitors, Hugh Joudry’s radio play. 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: [email protected] Call our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880 Make a gift to 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.

During the pandemic, Daniel Luttrel heard a lot about how Vermont was renting rooms at hotels and motels to shelter people. And he heard that the state was using a lot of money to do it. So, he asked: “Can’t we just buy them?” Reporter Liam Elder-Connors digs into Vermont’s motel housing program, and learns that Daniel’s question has been asked by everyone from housing advocates to those in charge of the motel program itself. He also meets current and former motel residents to get a better sense of the impact this program has had on one of Vermont’s most vulnerable populations. Find the web version of this story here. Liam Elder-Connors reported this episode, and it was produced by Josh Crane and Sabine Poux. Additional from Sophie Stephens. Angela Evancie is Brave Little State’s executive producer. Our theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other 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: [email protected] Call our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880 Make a gift to 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.

Every summer, we delve into the history behind unusual road names around the state — as voted on by you. This year’s show took us to Tigertown Road in Norwich, Hateful Hill Road in Wallingford and Gerts Knob Road in Underhill. Thanks to this year’s question-askers: Claudia Marieb, Sarah Aubry and Judy Raineault. Check out our previous brief histories of Vermont road names: 2018: States Prison Hollow Road, Poor Farm Road, Lime Kiln Road, Kelley Stand Road 2019: Mad Tom River Road, Hi-Lo Biddy Road, Star Pudding Farm Road, Sawnee Bean Road 2020: Devil’s Washbowl, Popple Dungeon Road, Lost Nation Road, Smuggler’s Notch 2021: Cow Path 40, Agony Hill Road, Texas Falls 2022: Iranistan Road, a Jericho grab bag and punny highway signs This episode was reported, produced, edited and mixed by Josh Crane, Andrea Laurion, Mae Nagusky, Joia Putnoi and Sabine Poux. Angela Evancie is our executive producer. Ty Gibbons composed our theme music. Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. 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: [email protected] Make a gift to 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.

Instead of taking on one of your questions about Vermont, we’re taking on three — in a kind of local history lightning round. We explore those crooked windows you see on Vermont farmhouses, Vermont’s defunct gold mines and the history of Burlington’s Church Street. (This episode was originally released in 2017.)

“Something was always telling me poetry is your purpose. Being an artist, you know, with the power of words, is your purpose. I was just scared of it.” Omega Jade grew up in church choir in San Diego — far from destined to become one of the most unique voices in Vermont’s rap scene. This episode focuses on her journey, and the rise of rap in the Green Mountain State. Thanks to Jeremy Buente for the great question: “Who are some current Vermont rappers? And what's it like to be a rapper in Vermont?” ***This episode is explicit. There is swearing and mentions of drug abuse and domestic violence. If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Domestic Violence hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or visit their website. Or, find substance abuse and mental health here.*** To see photos from our reporting, and find more info about the music in this episode, check out the web version of this story here. And you can find all of Omega Jade's music here. Special thanks to Mary Engisch, Joia Putnoi, Hannah Braun, Amelia Catanzaro, Matthew Fisher, Nadia Frazier, Amina Rhoads, Janvier Nsengiyumva and Luke Gauthier of Equal Eyes Records. This episode was reported by Mae Nagusky, who also did the mix and sound design. Editing and production by Josh Crane, with additional from Myra Flynn and Sophie Stephens. Angela Evancie is our executive producer. Music from Rico James and Omega Jade. 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: [email protected] Call our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880 Make a gift to 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.

Just as we were putting the finishing touches on an episode about Vermont rivers and streams, historic flooding ravaged the state. Our rivers weren’t always this fast, deep or powerful — we made them this way. And efforts to bring them closer to a more natural state are vital to build future resiliency.   Visit vermontpublic.org/flood for ongoing reporting about the flooding and recovery efforts. And check out the web version of this episode here. Thanks to Gus Goodwin of East Montpelier for the great and timely question. Special thanks to Sophie Stephens, Mark Davis, Bill Keeton, Mary and Greg Russ, Ellen Wohl, Will Elridge, Skip Lisle, and Elizabeth Trail. This episode was reported by Lexi Krupp. Josh Crane edited and produced it, with help from Mae Nagusky. Our executive producer is Angela Evancie. 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: [email protected] Call our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880 Make a gift to 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.

Julie Cadwallader Staub is curious about the families who are on waiting lists for child care. “What decisions are they forced to make? How are they managing?” To answer Julie’s question, we visit with four families in wait list limbo, and learn about the tradeoffs they’re making. To see photos of the families we featured today, head to our website. This episode was a true team effort, with reporting, producing and mixing by all of us – Mae Nagusky, Josh Crane, Myra Flynn, and Angela Evancie. Our theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions. Special thanks to Jan Buonanno, Rob Gurwitt, Peter Engisch, Maria Aguirre, and all the folks who replied to our callout for this episode, to share your own stories about child care waitlists. We are rooting for you! And our show gets lots of help behind the scenes, so a special shoutout to Bryan Holland for starting to get our episodes up on YouTube. 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: [email protected] Call our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880 Make a gift to 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.

One of the most common genres of questions we get has to do with local dialect and pronunciation. Today, thanks to question-asker Noah Waxman of Starksboro, we help settle a regional debate involving a beloved market in Central Vermont. Check out the web version of this episode to see photos from our reporting. Thanks to all the people who spoke to us outside the market: Brooke Haynes, Jo Palmer, Niclas Thein, Gail Helmer, Brian Albrecht, Karen Rookwood, Toby Bellows, Scout Vitko and Dick Atkinson. Special thanks to Anna Van Dine, Anna Ste. Marie, Celia Cadwell and, of course, the Mehuron family. This episode was reported and produced by Josh Crane, with 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. As always, our show 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: [email protected] Call our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880 Make a gift to 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.

In honor of graduation season, we’re featuring local stories from high school and college students — all on the theme of “change.” (Heads up, this episode contains a few un-bleeped swears.) A big thanks and good luck to the students whose work we shared today: Emma Ginsberg, Samantha Watson, Bre Glover and Addey Lilley. Thanks to the University of Vermont, Dartmouth College and Harwood Union High School for ing audio journalism, and to Brittany Patterson, Kevin Trevellyan, Anna Van Dine and Sophie Crane for being excellent teachers. (Full disclosure: Sophie is married to Brave Little State’s own Josh Crane.) Special thanks to Kate Youngdahl-Stauss. This episode was produced by Josh Crane, with editing and additional production from the rest of the Brave Little State team: Angela Evancie, Myra Flynn and our intern, Mae Nagusky, who also happens to be a student — she’s a rising senior at UVM. Music by Blue Dot Sessions, Podington Bear and the band Tallahassee. Our show gets lots of help from colleagues behind the scenes, so we also want to shout out sca Orsini for teaching us how to make the BLS newsletter look extra fancy. As always, our show 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: [email protected] Call our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880 Make a gift to 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.

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: [email protected] Call our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880 Make a gift to 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. 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: [email protected] Call our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880 Make a gift to 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.

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: [email protected] Call our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880 Make a gift to 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 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: [email protected] Call our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880 Make a gift to 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: [email protected] Call our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880 Make a gift to 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.

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: [email protected] Call our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880 Make a gift to 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.

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: [email protected] Make a gift to people-powered journalism Tell your friends about the show! Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public.