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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

50:50

Meet Racquel Stephen

Connections Podcast ·

2025/07/11

Connections host Evan Dawson is taking some time off until September, and our very own health, equity and community reporter Racquel Stephen will be filling in all summer – but before she does that, senior editor Veronica Volk sits down to talk about her life and career, and reflect on journalism and media, and how it feels to be caught between two worlds. In studio:Racquel Stephen, health, equity and community reporter at WXXI NewsTake our audience survey to help us learn more about you,

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51:04

Assemblymember Stephen Hawley on the 2025-2026 NYS...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/07/10

Assemblymember Stephen Hawley joins guest host Gino Fanelli to discuss the 2025-2026 New York State budget. Their conversation covers a range of issues, from the expected impact of Medicaid cuts in rural counties to state spending on areas like child care, school lunches, inflation relief checks, and more. Our guest:Assemblymember Stephen Hawley (R), District 139Take our audience survey to help us learn more about you, and make a better show for you.

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51:05

Rochester Mayor Malik Evans and City Council leaders...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/07/10

Rochester Mayor Malik Evans is joined by the president of City Council and the council finance chair to discuss the recent city budget. Guest host Gino Fanelli leads the conversation about the city’s focus on housing and economic development, recent debates about GBI (guaranteed basic income), downtown projects, and more. Our guests:Malik Evans, Rochester mayor Miguel A. Meléndez, Jr., president of Rochester City Council Mitch Gruber, finance chair for Rochester City Council Take our

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51:28

Author Steve Jordan and his book, "The Historic House...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/07/09

Maintaining and repairing old homes requires sensitivity, a commitment to preserving historic characteristics, and an understanding of modern functionality. Author and restoration expert Steve Jordan provides guidance for homeowners in his new book, "The Historic House Handbook: A Sensitive Guide for Old-House Living." This hour, we talk with him about what homeowners need to know: design concepts; material availability; and how to navigate difficult decisions, especially in 2025. We also

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50:30

Assemblymember Harry Bronson on the 2025-2026 NYS budget

Connections Podcast ·

2025/07/09

Assemblymember Harry Bronson is our guest this hour as we continue to explore what local state representatives see as wins and missteps with the 2025-2026 New York State budget. Bronson discusses his take on a range of issues — from health care affordability, to mental health crisis response, to labor issues, and more. Our guest:Assemblymember Harry Bronson (D, WF), District 138Take our audience survey to help us learn more about you, and make a better show for you.

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51:25

The future of human/AI relationships

Connections Podcast ·

2025/07/08

Will kids grow up with a mix of human and AI friends? Should we get comfortable with that? Should we set boundaries, and if so, how? Artificial intelligence is already part of human life and relationships – from virtual friends, to AI pornography, to work assistants, and AI counselors. How much do we trust AI — with our emotions and decisions? We discuss it. In studio:Kevin Spencer Beckford, operations executive, speaker and business turnaround strategist, and AI humanist Mark Weber,

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51:27

What can images from the Rubin Observatory reveal...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/07/08

Rochester's Strasenburgh Planetarium was one of hundreds of locations around the world to host a watch party for the first images from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory. As reported by WXXI's Veronica Volk, the advanced telescope is expected to answer some of the universe's greatest mysteries. This hour, we talk with experts about the galaxies, nebulas, and asteroids they saw and what it all means for the future of science research and our understanding of the universe. In studio: Jim Bader,

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51:24

CITY Magazine's July issue: "The Finger Lakes"

Connections Podcast ·

2025/07/07

"What if we didn't have to leave home to have a world class experience?" Those are the words of CITY Magazine editor Leah Stacy, writing about the Finger Lakes. The July issue of the magazine is all about the vacation destination right in our own backyard. This hour, we explore some of those world class experiences with the CITY team and with the people creating them. Our guests: Leah Stacy, editor of CITY Magazine Jacob Walsh, art director for CITY Magazine Roberto Lagares, multimedia

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51:10

Steven Holden announces another Congressional run as...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/07/07

Steven Holden is a Democrat who lost to Republican Claudia Tenney by more than 30 points in 2022. So why does he think he can close that massive gap in 2026? Holden says Republican policies, including the new spending plan, are hugely unpopular. We discuss Democrats’ ideas on retaking the House, and why he’s starting this race so early. In studio:Steven Holden, candidate for New York's 24th Congressional district *Note: We will offer equal time on the program to any candidates running

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51:25

Rochester City Councilmember Mary Lupien on the city...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/07/03

Fresh off her run for mayor, Rochester City Councilmember Mary Lupien joins us to discuss the city budget and city business. We talk about how the city is addressing housing and new development, about the future of downtown, and the path to revitalizing neighborhoods. In studio:Mary Lupien, member of Rochester City CouncilTake our audience survey to help us learn more about you, and make a better show for you.

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51:22

Controversial STAMP site hit with another lawsuit

Connections Podcast ·

2025/07/03

In 2004, the Science Technology & Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) was developed to attract semiconductor manufacturing and other industries to Western New York. The site remains largely empty more than two decades later. This week, the Tonawanda Seneca Nation and the Sierra Club filed suit, seeking to halt the development of massive data centers at the tech park. We explore the complaint, the hold-up, and the history of the site. Our guests:Gino Fanelli, investigations and City

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51:32

Assemblymember Josh Jensen on the 2025-2026 NYS budget

Connections Podcast ·

2025/07/02

We continue our series of conversations with local state lawmakers about the 2025-2026 state budget. This hour, we're joined by Assemblymember Josh Jensen. He shares his perspectives on the budget, from taxes to child care to economic development and more. In studio:Assemblymember Josh Jensen (R, C), District 134

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50:41

Labor reacts to a political earthquake

Connections Podcast ·

2025/07/02

Andrew Cuomo has had a long and sometimes tumultuous relationship with organized labor. Cuomo might have thought his political name could carry him to victory in the New York City mayoral race, but he was soundly defeated by Zohran Mamdani, a young upstart with more union support. So what's the lesson that labor sees in this election? What will other candidates learn from it? Our guests discuss it: Dan Maloney, president of UAW Local 1097 and the Rochester-Genesee Valley Area Labor

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51:30

How can patients and doctors work together to improve...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/07/01

How can patients and providers work together to improve the health care system? It's a question the Patient Clinician Alliance has been exploring for about five years. Most recently, the coalition of patients, physicians, and other health care professionals has created a survey designed to better understand the challenges patients face. This hour, we sit down with members of the Alliance to discuss their work, what they've learned so far, and what the future of the health care system could

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50:45

An Iranian-American perspective

Connections Podcast ·

2025/07/01

A growing number of Iranian students studying in the United States are afraid to voice their opinions publicly. Some want regime change; others are concerned about the possible escalation of war. We discuss the future of Iranian society and the complex dynamics driving public opinion. Our guest:Shahin Monshipour, Iranian AmericanTake our audience survey to help us learn more about you, and make a better show for you.

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51:25

Tiki culture expands in Rochester with a festival and...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/06/30

Tiki-themed Easy Sailor recently opened in Rochester, with tropical vibes and tiki cocktails. Later this summer, Rochester Tiki Week puts tiki culture in the spotlight. As reported by CITY Magazine's Patrick Hosken, it's a culture that has inspired a lot of fans and plenty of debate over the years. We explore what it's about and what tiki means to our panel. Our guests: Patrick Hosken, arts reporter for CITY Magazine Ken Albala, Tully Knoles Endowed Professor of History at University of the

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51:01

Assemblymember Jen Lunsford on the 2025-2026 NYS budget

Connections Podcast ·

2025/06/30

New York State has a budget, and it addresses a range of issues: child care; taxes; economic development; nursing homes; the list is long. Assemblymember Jen Lunsford has said that New York State needs to guard against the Trump administration's policies in some ways. We discuss how, and we talk about what's in the budget and why. Our guest:Assemblymember Jen Lunsford, District 135Take our audience survey to help us learn more about you, and make a better show for you.

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50:59

Author Eileen Flanagan on finding common ground in...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/06/27

Veteran activist and Quaker author Eileen Flanagan believes that hope and unity are essential ingredients in any real climate solution. In her forthcoming book, "Common Ground: How the Crisis of the Earth is Saving Us from Our Illusion of Separation," Flanagan shares stories of unlikely coalitions — from faith leaders and frontline organizers to Indigenous activists and investors — that are making a difference. She joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about fear, burnout, protest, and

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38:46

Can New York keep sewage sludge out of our food system?

Connections Podcast ·

2025/06/27

A Senate bill that would have banned the use of sewage sludge as fertilizer on New York farmland passed in the State Senate — but then quietly died in the Assembly. Supporters say the bill was a necessary response to research showing harmful levels of PFAS and other toxic compounds in treated human and industrial waste, which can contaminate crops, waterways and drinking water. Opponents, including the waste processing industry, say the science isn’t settled and that banning sludge could

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51:21

Cannabis use for chronic conditions

Connections Podcast ·

2025/06/26

New studies show cannabis use is rising among older adults. Clinicians have been able to provide medical marijuana to eligible patients since 2016. But the legalization of cannabis in 2021 means increasing numbers of people are using it for a variety of symptoms and conditions including pain, anxiety, cancer symptoms and seizures. Guest host Racquel Stephen talks with local clinicians and a patient about this trend and about what patients should consider when requesting and using cannabis

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