We'll engage the new Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer at the University of New Haven - Lorenzo Boyd - who also heads up the UNH Center for Advanced Policing, for the first of a couple of conversations we're planning around police practices, movements to de-fund police agencies, and the crossover points where racial diversity intersects with community policing.

Then we'll talk arts and humanities with the director of CT Humanities - and find out how this decades old agency is reinventing itself as a digital and community resource, while supporting and funding intriguing programs and projects across the state.

And we'll close with our partners at the CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence. If anything, the COVID pandemic has made things harder for the thousands of intimate partner and domestic abuse victims across Connecticut, so we'll touch base and get a snapshot of what's been happening in terms of prevention and response over the past few months.

As we approach the launch of CT Paid Leave program, which will offer Connecticut workers the opportunity to take time to attend to personal and family health needs without worrying about lost income, we'll check in with the CEO of the CT Paid Leave Authority to help employers and employees better understand the program. 

Next, have you heard about U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal's new legislation to promote advance care planning and end-of-life care? To help frame that new national effort, we'll bring in the CEO of Compassion & Choices, the nation’s largest and oldest end-of-life care advocacy organization to discuss how the proposed bill will help empower everyone to chart their end-of-life journey.

And we'll touch base with a CEO overseeing 32 Planet Fitness locations across Connecticut.  As the state continues to navigate the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, his industry is facing ongoing threats of shutdowns or stronger restrictions So we'll hear about why this may be such an ultimately unhealthy move.

We're going to help gently bend you into better shape with Connecticut's Yoga In Our City movement, and let you know how you can tap into free virtual yoga classes to stay in shape and achieve peace of mind from the comfort of your home while gearing up for the 2021 season of outdoor community yoga classes designed by Civic Mind - and sponsored by ConnectiCare.

Then it's time for some really big news as we introduce the new executive director and get a sneak peek at what's in store for the 2021 International Festival of Arts & Ideas, which is ramping up its predominantly virtual festival May 14 - June 27, offering over 200 events — with 8 out of 10 available for free!

And we're circling back to Operation Hope - zeroing in on this nonprofit's efforts to help educate state residents who may be at risk of losing their home due to foreclosure - and we'll chat with Senator Tony Hwang about how he is supporting that effort at home, and in the statehouse.