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PODCAST

Connections Podcast

Evan Dawson talks about what matters to you on Connections. Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections. For transcripts, please email our Move to Include team with a link to the episode.

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All Episodes

51:00

Why is democracy backsliding around the world?

Connections Podcast ·

2025/09/03

One in three elections around the world is being contested. Turnout is dropping. By many indicators, democracy is backsliding. So what can reverse this trend? Valery Perry, Ph.D., is a senior associate for the Democratization Policy Council. She's concerned with trends abroad ... and with trends in the United States, including, as she puts it, the "hacking of the federal civil service." Perry, a western New York native, joins us in studio before she returns to Europe. Our guest:Valery

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51:00

Understanding the cuts to SNAP and food assistance

Connections Podcast ·

2025/09/03

Nearly 2.5 million Americans could lose their SNAP benefits as part of the recently passed federal budget. Republicans in Congress have argued that these are not actual cuts to food benefits; rather, they represent an adjustment in benefits. At Foodlink, the message is clear: These are cuts, and the people who will bear the brunt tend to be older, including many veterans. We'll discuss what's actually happening with the Foodlink team:Mitch Gruber, Foodlink Chief Impact Officer Julia

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51:27

The Russia/Ukraine negotiations have stalled again;...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/09/02

The Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft was formed six years ago as a kind of gathering place for anyone who wants more diplomacy, less war. In 2025, that means advocating for peace in Ukraine through a kind of land concession — and a concession that Ukraine will never join NATO. Critics call that capitulation to Putin, and a guarantee that Ukraine will be vulnerable to future attacks. But the Quincy Institute is calling for radical realism, and a plan to stop the destruction

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50:59

The Abundance debate: can Democrats get back to...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/09/02

The political left has been engaged in a heated debate about who's to blame for the high cost of living in blue states and cities. In the new book Abundance, Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson take their fellow progressives to task for making it too difficult to build... well, almost anything. New housing. High speed rail. Clean energy projects. If thousands of Californians are moving to Texas, what does it mean for the effectiveness of Democratic governance? Our guests have strong views on how

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03:16

*BONUS* Welcome back Evan Dawson

Connections Podcast ·

2025/09/01

Evan Dawson is back, and he has big plans for Connections in the coming weeks.He's diving into public policy, the free range kid movement, and... aliens?He sat down with Senior Producer Veronica Volk to talk about what audiences can expect.

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51:04

Ithaca is more than gorges

Connections Podcast ·

2025/08/28

We’re continuing our summer tour of the Finger Lakes with a stop in Ithaca, a city where natural wonder meets vibrant culture. Nestled at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake, Ithaca is home to more than 100 waterfalls, two major universities, and a rich history that has shaped its creative spirit. We’ll explore its gorges and wineries, its stories and legends, and why this small city makes such a big impression. Our guests:Jose Molina, travel show host and filmmaker Peggy Coleman, president,

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50:44

Rochester Fringe and the Future of Experimental Art

Connections Podcast ·

2025/08/27

The ESL Rochester Fringe Festival is back with hundreds of performances across theater, music, dance, and more. But beyond the spectacle, why are audiences drawn to experimental art, and what drives artists to take creative risks? We explore Rochester Fringe as part of a global movement that gives performers a platform to experiment, connect, and rebel against the algorithm.Our guests:Erica Fee, CEO of the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival Martin Dockery, writer/performer of "1 SMALL LIE" Cat

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50:48

Inside RIT Shorts: Creativity, Experimentation, and Film

Connections Podcast ·

2025/08/26

Short films are having a moment. For student filmmakers, the short film is a space to experiment, take risks, and share stories that might not otherwise be told. They can capture a single emotion, a fleeting moment, or a bold new idea — and offer a glimpse into the next generation of storytellers. We talk with students from RIT’s School of Film and Animation about their work, the changing role of short films, and what audiences can expect from the latest installment of RIT Shorts, airing

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50:55

The judicial Observation Project explained

Connections Podcast ·

2025/08/25

Trust in the American justice system is at a historic low, and even many judges acknowledge systemic racism exists within the courts. In Rochester, the Judicial Observation Project is working to change that by training community members to observe court proceedings and provide feedback directly to volunteer judges. Our guests tell us about how the program was built, what it’s accomplished so far, and how it could be a model.In studio:Hon. Melissa Barrett, Rochester City Court judge and the

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51:25

The enduring legacy of Jane Austen

Connections Podcast ·

2025/08/22

Jane Austen was born 250 years ago, but her work continues to entertain, delight, and inspire generations of readers. WXXI News' Beth Adams and WXXI's Classical Brenda Tremblay guest host this hour. Our hosts and their guests will celebrate her timeless works, remarkable life, and enduring legacy.Our guests:Dawn Kellogg, superfan Cherie Messore, superfan Mary Mintz, president of the Jane Austen Society of North America Lindsay Warren Baker, co-writer of "Austen's Pride: A New Musical of

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51:03

Navigating back to school with a child who has a...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/08/20

For parents of children with disabilities, back to school time can be a mix of excitement and anxiety. They may be navigating complex education plans, arranging for specialized transportation, or making sure the right support staff are in place. For some families, it’s a matter of making sure their child has access to therapies; for others, it’s about fighting for accommodations they’re legally entitled to but don’t always get. And behind those hurdles is concern for whether their child

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51:21

The ongoing story of Clarissa Street

Connections Podcast ·

2025/08/19

Clarissa Street was once the cultural heartbeat of Rochester’s Third Ward. It was home to legendary jazz clubs, thriving businesses, and a tight-knit community. Urban renewal and highway construction dismantled that neighborhood, but its legacy lives on through the annual Clarissa Street Reunion. In this hour, we hear from community leaders and elders about the history of Clarissa Street, why it matters in 2025, and how remembering the past can shape our future.Our guests:George

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51:23

One Cubic Foot

Connections Podcast ·

2025/08/18

Photographer David Liittschwager and a team from the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History are back in the Genesee documenting one cubic foot of the river’s environment.In studio: David Liittschwager, freelance photographer and contributor to National Geographic and other publications Chris Meyer, curator and chair of Invertebrate Zoology at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Pamela Reed Sanchez, president and CEO of the Seneca Park Zoo Society Tom Snyder, director of programming and

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50:58

The unconventional date movie

Connections Podcast ·

2025/08/15

The new horror film, "Together," starring real-life couple Alison Brie and Dave Franco, focuses on a struggling relationship and features Cronenberg-levels of body horror ...but it has also been marketed as a date movie. This year has featured lots of films that eschew the typical formula of a date movie. Guest host Scott Pukos and his panel of movie lovers will explore this trend — is it just marketing or are audiences craving something beyond the standard rom-com?Our guests: Sarah Antao,

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51:25

Finger Lakes Thursday: Auburn

Connections Podcast ·

2025/08/14

Host Racquel Stephen takes us to this multi-faceted city on Owasco Lake to learn what makes Auburn unique. Once called “Prison City,” Auburn has embraced its history and developed a rich cultural and artistic scene.Our guests:Maria Coleman, director of development at The Seward House Geoffrey Starks, director of development and outreach at Cayuga Museum of History and Art David Wilcox, executive editor of The Auburn Citizen Ahna Wilson, superintendent at Harriet Tubman National Historical

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50:56

Travel nurses

Connections Podcast ·

2025/08/13

Host Racquel Stephen examines the trend of using travel nurses to fill gaps in health care systems and talks to travel nurses about their experiences.In studio:Brandy Brumfeld, RN, BSN, director of nursing for Wesley Gardens Jeri Hayes, LPN, travel nurse Shante Hill, RN, BSN, travel nurse Daniel Ireland, executive vice president, chief nursing executive and patient care officer at Rochester Regional Health

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51:02

Type 1 diabetes

Connections Podcast ·

2025/08/12

The diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes has a huge impact on families. We’ll discuss the condition with the family of a 10-year-old who will tell us how they’re managing. We’ll also learn about community resources offering support and advocacy.Our guests:Cai Eloi-Evans, child with Type 1 diabetes Sasha Eloi-Evans, Ed.D., parent of child with Type 1 diabetes LaShara Evans, parent of child with Type 1 diabetes Marianna Seefeldt, community engagement manager with Breakthrough T1D’s Upstate New York

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50:57

Summer camps and science education

Connections Podcast ·

2025/08/11

Today we’re headed to the classroom. But the lessons are outdoors for some kids who attend environmental and sustainability camps in the area. We’ll see how kids in Sodus are making their own version of Baywatch, and how young people in Rochester are learning about everything from growing food to bee pollination.In studio: Frank Keophetlasy, community farm manager at Foodlink Donald Riling, president of Save Our Sodus Kyra Stephenson, nature-based learning coach and consultant Chris

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51:08

The legacy of Chuck Mangione

Connections Podcast ·

2025/08/08

The death of Rochester musical icon Chuck Mangione was a huge loss for countless fans around the world — felt especially keenly here in his hometown. Let's celebrate the man and his music, with favorite musical and personal memories. Guest host Mona Seghatoleslami is joined in the studio by his niece Ardis Mangione-Lindley and an "alum" of his band. And we want to hear from you — the community of musicians, fans, and friends who experienced iconic concerts like "Friends and Love," played

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51:05

Seneca Falls: a small town with a big legacy

Connections Podcast ·

2025/08/07

We continue our tour of the Finger Lakes with a visit to Seneca Falls – a small town with a big legacy. Seneca Falls is home to just under 9,000 people, but it holds a major place in American history. It was here, in the summer of 1848, that a group of women gathered for tea and changed the world. More than 175 years later, the legacy of the Seneca Falls Convention and the women’s rights movement is foundational to the town’s identity. But this town isn’t something out of a history book

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