Connections Podcast
Evan Dawson hosts Connections, a talk show that explores topics relevant to the Rochester community. Listeners are encouraged to share their stories and pitch ideas for future episodes. The podcast also offers transcripts upon request via email.
Episodes
NY gubernatorial debate; Peace Village moves forward; 'Bea Arthur: The Documentary'
It's our weekly news roundup.We begin this week's episode with a look at New York's gubernatorial race. In a televised debate Tuesday night, Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul and Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman sparred over affordability issues and immigration. NYPNN correspondent Jon Campbell shares his takeaways.Then, plans to revive Rochester’s only sanctioned homeless encampment
A tale of two (climate) migrations
The phrase "climate migration" most often refers to people relocating due to concerns about their homes becoming unlivable as a result of climate change. But according to American University professor Claire Brunel, Ph.D., it can also refer to firms and factories making cross-border moves due to climate regulation.According to Brunel's research, fears of companies fleeing are largely unfo
Joe Morelle, candidate for New York's 25th Congressional District
Rep. Joe Morelle is our guest.The Democratic incumbent is running for re-election in New York's 25th Congressional District. He joins us to discuss a range of issues, including election protection, inflation, jobs, AI, and more. We ask him your questions throughout the hour as we continue our coverage of the 2026 general election.In studio:
Joe Morelle (D, WF), candidate for New York's 25
How new tech and treatments are helping breast cancer patients survive and thrive
"It's not a death sentence like in years past." That's according to a local woman living with metastatic breast cancer. She's sharing her story with the hope of helping others thrive as they navigate a diagnosis. Advancements in screening and treatment for breast cancer have improved outcomes for patients, and as the technology continues to evolve, one question has become of particular fo
Measles spreads across the state; ICE detention facility set to expand; ImageOut returns
What do you need to know about the spread of measles in New York? On Monday, Governor Kathy Hochul declared a State Disaster Emergency due to the increase in cases.In the first segment of the return of our weekly news roundup, we're joined by Monroe County Public Health Commissioner Dr. Marielena Vélez de Brown. She explains the latest with the outbreak, how the disease spreads, and what
Data center debate comes to Western New York
Rural communities in Western New York are debating proposed data centers. One site is located on Seneca Lake, in a facility currently being used for cryptomining. Opponents are concerned about noise, pollution, and the rapid move toward artificial intelligence. Local governments want to keep debates grounded in facts. Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order putting a moratorium on
Jeremy Cooney and Orlando Rivera, candidates for NYS Senate District 56
We welcome the candidates for New York State Senate District 56.Democratic incumbent Jeremy Cooney and Republican challenger Orlando Rivera join us in the studio to discuss their platforms, priorities for office, and how they plan to address a range of issues affecting the district.
Jeremy Cooney (D, WF), candidate for New York State Senate District 56
Orlando Rivera (R, C), candidate for
An astrobiologist doubts AI’s capacity to think
Adam Frank has spent his career examining the possibility of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe. Now he turns his gaze to the question of just how intelligent AI can be.Frank thinks most of the conversation about AI is misguided, and that it should be thought of as a software product before anything else. This hour, we examine his fresh insight into what has become a heated public
DSA gains influence: What you need to know about the Democratic Socialists of America
According to an NBC News poll, 47 percent of voters aged 18 to 29 hold a negative view of capitalism. Meanwhile, a growing number of political candidates aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) have had success. They’re led by New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani. So what does DSA stand for, exactly? Our guests explain. In studio:
Gregory Lebens-Higgins, co-chair of ROC DSA
National debt, bond market chaos, and the stickiness of food prices
The U.S. national debt recently crossed the $40 trillion mark. The bond market is experiencing turbulence. Meanwhile, many of the prices that consumers pay have remained high, including at the grocery store. What can we learn from all this? We compare some grocery bills and dig into the debt, the bond market, and interest rates with economist Eric Morris. Our guests:
Eric Morris, Ed.D., p
Tim Wu on the growing power of big tech
Our guest is the man who coined the phrase “net neutrality,” and was invited to work in the Biden White House because of his scholarship on the tech sector. Tim Wu's new book is about how our lives are dominated by tech — but, really, just a handful of tech platforms that have most of the power. They dominate our attention. Wu says they work as wealth extractors, seizing not just money, b
Making Rochester more pedestrian friendly, one street at a time
How can we make Rochester's streets safer? The team at Reconnect Rochester has spent the summer working on street safety projects, and this hour, we hear about the updates. We discuss why street murals and other features help slow down traffic and create more pedestrian-friendly environments. We also explore a question: If you drive, how would your week change if you gave it up? We previe
Valery Perry went on the road in search of democracy
Where is democracy backsliding? It’s a question we discuss with democratization policy expert Valery Perry. Perry recently took a road trip on Route 66. She shares what she observed about democracy in America along the way. She also helps us understand the significance of the recent German state elections, as well as concerns about the Trump administration intervening in or suspending upc
Michael Mills, candidate for NYS Senate District 54
This election season, “Connections” brings you long form conversations with candidates. It’s your chance to hear directly from them about their priorities for office while asking your questions. We begin the hour with Michael Mills, the Democrat running for New York’s 54th Senate District seat. He discusses his platform and his take on issues affecting the district. His opponent, Republic
Bruce Blakeman, candidate for NYS governor
This election season, “Connections” brings you long form conversations with candidates. It’s your chance to hear directly from them about their priorities for office while asking your questions. In this segment, we turn our attention to New York's gubernatorial race. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is our guest. The Republican discusses his background, his priorities for office, an
WXXI at 60: Celebrating the past while looking to the future
WXXI is celebrating its 60th anniversary. We've been asking the community, "What do you want from your public media in the future?" We share some of the answers, along with stories from the history of public media in the Rochester/Finger Lakes region. In studio:
John Andres, Sunday morning host of WXXI Classical
Marianne Carberry, Saturday afternoon host of WXXI Classical, who has worked
Preparing Ukrainians for life after war
How can Ukrainians best prepare for a post-war future? It's a question we address in the first half of the hour with guests from the Open World Program. The professional exchange initiative is meant to bolster understanding and cooperation between Ukraine and the U.S. Our guests this hour discuss how they envision education and technology will play a role in Ukraine's future. We also addr
New report addresses chronic absenteeism in Monroe County schools
A deeply honest personal story from Nikole Hannah-Jones of the New York Times has a lot of people talking about what children need in their K-12 education. Now comes a new report from The Children’s Agenda in Rochester about chronic absenteeism. The report explores why students themselves say they are not attending school. TCA concludes: “We should not accept that one out of three high sc
The dangers of AI partisanship
A significant majority of Americans have negative views about artificial intelligence. And yet in elite circles, the conversation about AI is quickly separating along partisan lines. President Trump says that the United States will not slow down. Economist James Miller is a conservative Republican, and he’s been urging his fellow conservatives not to outsource their opinions on AI to belt
Changes to the Rochester music scene
Abilene Bar and Lounge will close after nearly two decades of hosting live music in Rochester. And the Hi Fi Lounge in Brighton is up for sale after 40 years. It opened in 1986 as The CD Exchange. Speaking of CDs, they’re making a comeback. The Washington Post reports that CD sales grew faster than vinyl in the past year, with many fans preferring the audio quality of compact discs. We di
State scraps Regents exam requirement. What does it mean for students?
The New York State Board of Regents voted this week to eliminate Regents exams as a graduation requirement. The move has stirred debate, with some leaders in higher education saying that the exams were never a good use of students’ time. Meanwhile, critics say they worry that the state is lowering its standards. What went into the decision? And what do the changes mean for students and ed
SUNY Brockport's new president on preparing students for the future
How can educators best prepare this current generation of college students for the working world of the future? We welcome the new president of SUNY Brockport, Dawn Meza Soufleris, Ph.D. A three-time SUNY graduate, Meza Soufleris has worked in higher education for more than three decades. She began her new position in July. We talk with her about a range of issues, including what colleges
Bills fans shell out for new stadium. Is it worth it?
The Buffalo Bills officially open their new stadium Thursday night. By some measures, it is the most expensive fan experience in the entire league. Is it worth it? Governor Kathy Hochul told WHEC that while some fans might not be able to afford to go to the stadium, they're just happy the state stepped in with taxpayer money to keep the Bills in Western New York. We discuss the fan experi
AI models go rogue: Should we be worried?
Concerns about AI safety have exploded in recent weeks. The hacking of Hugging Face by AI agents from OpenAI has caught the attention of Congress. Several resignations at AI companies have raised the alarm about whether AI can be controlled in the future. What should humans be on guard for as the technology continues to advance? We discuss the implications with guests who have experience
Inspired to serve by 9/11
25 years after the Sept. 11 attacks, how do veterans who enlisted as a result of 9/11 feel about their decision to serve? We discuss the question with local veterans. They share why they decided to enlist, what they learned, what their service meant then, and what it means now. In studio:
Stephen Cady, U.S. Amy veteran who served in Afghanistan
Mike Capozzi, U.S. Army Special Forces veter
Multinational corporations: for good or for ill?
Multinational corporations have had tremendous power for decades, helping shape American foreign and domestic policy. The University of Rochester’s Randy Stone, Ph.D., argues that they’ve pulled many people out of poverty, while also, on occasion, seeking to rig the rules in their own favor. Stone's new book, "Multinational Order," offers a way of understanding their power and influence.
How advancements in blood cancer research are saving lives
Local clinicians say new research and treatments for blood cancers are helping people live longer, better lives. They say progress made in Rochester has helped people survive years — and even decades — after diagnosis. We talk with the experts about that research, and we hear from survivors who share their experiences. Our panel also addresses how doctors and patients can best work togeth
Julio Sáenz, the 2026 Rochester Hispanic Business Person of the Year
The Rochester Hispanic Business Association has named WXXI Chief Content Officer Julio Sáenz its 2026 Hispanic Business Person of the Year. The award celebrates Sáenz’s impact at WXXI and other local organizations, as well as his work elevating local Hispanic history and culture. This hour, Sáenz and representatives from the association join us to discuss how Hispanic businesses and busin
A 'life-changing' trip: Local teens discuss their experiences in Ghana
A group of local teenagers recently returned from a birthright trip to Ghana. The young men are part of a program called the Talented Tenth. Leaders say the program's mission is to empower exceptional young men of color by helping them overcome barriers and strengthen their sense of purpose. During their trip, the students learned about Ghana's history and culture, while connecting with t
Training future leaders to navigate Rochester's challenges
Who are Rochester's future leaders? And how can we train future leaders to guide the community through recent challenges? The question comes at a time when Rochester remains under a gun violence state of emergency. Our guests are from Leadership Rochester. The nonprofit provides leadership training for Rochesterians interested in working cooperatively to strengthen the city. We discuss wh
How teachers are preparing to test and assess students in the age of AI
Across the country, high school teachers are rethinking how to assess students – and make sure those students aren’t cheating. Artificial intelligence programs have forced teachers to reconsider grading and testing. Some are asking students to do all of their scored work in person, by hand. Others are leaning on participation grades. We talk to local teachers about how they’re handling th
The Rochester Fringe Festival returns
The Rochester Fringe Festival kicks off in just over two weeks. This year's event includes more than 700 performances, including everything from theater and comedy to music and dance. In our annual Fringe preview, we talk to the festival's executive producer and some of the artists involved about what's coming up and what they think you won't want to miss. Our guests:
Erica Fee, CEO and p
Perspective on the new assisted suicide law
Medically assisted suicide is now legally available in New York state. New York's Medical Aid in Dying Act — which allows terminally ill patients with fewer than six months to live to end their lives — took effect Aug. 5. An upcoming forum explores the nuances, complexities, and "deeply human experiences" involved in the choice. We discuss those subjects with our guests:
Alida Merrill, BS
What can we learn from Dolly Parton?
This hour, we remember Dolly Parton. The music superstar, actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist died Tuesday. Parton was beloved by many — perhaps almost universally so. How was she able to transcend the division and polarization of today's society? We discuss her life and legacy, and the lessons we can learn. Our guests:
Hannah Davis, Dolly Parton fan and founding director of Flower
What's working ... and what isn't? Examining models for treating substance abuse
Last year, nearly 45 million Americans were diagnosed with a substance abuse disorder. That’s according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. When it comes to treating addiction, what's working? And what isn't? We talk to the team at ROCovery about local peer support, and we hear from a former Biden administration official about the recovery landscape in New Yo
Pacing our lives to avoid burnout
Many people feel like they can never complete their to-do lists, and yet they spend hours each week scrolling social media. We are struggling with how to balance all the work we need to do without burning out. In general, we are not pacing ourselves well. A new book takes a look at the scientific evidence behind the way we structure our days, while offering ideas for how to find better ba
New York levels up funding for mental health 'clubhouses'
New York State recently announced a multimillion-dollar investment in the expansion of clubhouses, which are community hubs for mental health support. As reported by WXXI's Noelle Evans, clubhouses serve people with mental illnesses like major depression, schizophrenia, PTSD, bipolar and mood disorders. Some of its concepts challenge typical ideas about mental illness. We discuss how it w
Assemblymember Demond Meeks on the 2026-2027 NYS budget
We continue our series of conversations with local state representatives about New York's 2026-2027 budget. This hour, we're joined by Assemblymember Demond Meeks. He shares his takeaways on legislation related to public safety -- including bills concerning 3D-printed ghost guns and domestic violence reduction -- housings, childcare, education, and more. He also answers your questions abo
How our schools are dealing with special education staffing shortages
Special education teachers provide instruction tailored to the needs of students with disabilities to help them realize their full potential, keeping many of these children from falling through the cracks in our education system. But what happens when there are not enough teachers to go around? There is a nationwide shortage of special education staff, and some local school districts are
Writing, reading, and talking about grief: Two authors share their experiences
At some point or another, we all grieve over the loss of a loved one. Guest host Julie Philipp talks with two authors about how books can help us work through and live with grief, and how they can help us navigate conversations about grief with our children. This is in advance of A Conversation About Grief, scheduled for September 3 at Hipocampo Children’s Books on South Avenue. In studio
The state of public health and what it means for our community
Until the COVID -19 pandemic, public health was nearly invisible. Most of us did not think about the people who keep an eye on restaurants, public water supplies, air quality, vaccination rates, outbreaks of diseases like measles, and many other measures that contribute to a healthy community. That has changed. Public health is often in the headlines. It has become more political and less
Genesee River Watch: Keeping tabs on this natural resource
If you have been downtown lately, you’ve seen all the changes underway along Rochester’s riverfront. New and improved parks, public gathering spots, trails, and infrastructure. It’s all part of a multi-year, half-billion dollar investment to expand the use of the Genesee River, which has long been treated as our city’s backyard instead of its front. There’s a lot of excitement around this
Local brewers celebrate, despite challenging times
Brewers from around the state are gathering at the Rochester Public Market on Friday night for the Flour City Brewers Fest, an annual celebration of craft beers. But the festivities are taking place against a backdrop of increasingly tough times for the industry. Hundreds of craft breweries across the country closed over the past year, and many others are struggling. How are surviving bre
What will help families most when it comes to affording basic necessities?
Which expense is most difficult for your family to afford? That question was raised during a recent public hearing hosted by New York State's Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council. The goal was to hear from the public about the financial challenges they face, while also examining the council's anti-poverty efforts. What's working? What challenges still need to be addressed? And what ki
Understanding patterns of abusers
Ohio Congressman Max Miller has denied allegations that he abused his ex-wife and their young daughter. Evidence that he has tried to marshal in his own defense has sparked conversations about abuse: specifically, why victims might behave in a certain way and why abusers might behave in a certain way. Our guests explore it:
Lisa Nolan, director of prevention education at Willow Domestic V
'Our work...must be brave:' Fashion Week Rochester and supporting local youth in crisis
Fashion Week Rochester is back this fall, and it's being reimagined a bit this year. What hasn't changed is its mission: the event has always been about serving the Center for Youth. As the center's executive director, Elaine Spaull writes, "With threats from our federal government and the needs growing every day, our work with youth facing homelessness, despair, and abandonment must be b
'Connections on the Road:' How to create healthier neighborhoods for everyone
We welcome a live audience as we bring the show to Ibero-American Action League's Community Resource Center, located in the El Camino neighborhood of Rochester. Residents say they have concerns about poverty, drug use, and homelessness, and some neighborhood children don't like to play outside anymore. We talk to a neighbor and local leaders about what it will take to change that, and abo
TikTok star and best-selling author Jonathan Graziano and his dog, Milton
This hour, we welcome a human guest and his canine co-panelist. You may know TikTok star Jonathan Graziano for his "Bones or No Bones" videos with his late dog, Noodle. The Rochester native is a best-selling author, and his newest book is about his adopted senior pug, Milton. "Milton Makes a Move" follows Milton's story as he finds his forever home. Graziano and Milton are in town for a s
Understanding cuts to SNAP and more
Thousands of people in the Rochester region are losing SNAP benefits due to new federal guidelines. According to reporting by WXXI's Noelle Evans, the Monroe County Department of Human Services closed 3,900 cases at the end of May due to non-compliance or not verifying an exemption to new work requirements for some people without dependents. This hour, we're joined by Rochester City Counc
Community leaders address weekend violence in Rochester
What should local leaders do to prevent violence in the community? Zahnia Barr, 14, and Shakara Green, 35, were killed last weekend in two separate incidents. In both cases, authorities say shots were fired into large groups of people. We talk with community leaders about the tragedies and what it will take to stop future violence. In studio:
Beatriz LeBron, executive director of the Fath
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