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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

50:30

Conservative and Green Party candidates for Rochester...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/10/20

Voters in the city of Rochester will see nine candidates on the ballot for Rochester City Council in the general election. We spoke with seven of the candidates in advance of the Democratic primary. This hour, we hear from the Conservative Party candidate, Marcus C. Williams, and the Green Party candidate, Dave Sutliff-Atias. We talk with them about their platforms, experience, and priorities for Rochester. In studio*: Marcus C. Williams, candidate for Rochester City Council Dave

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51:25

Veterans on local war memorials

Connections Podcast ·

2025/10/17

During the second hour of "Connections with Evan Dawson" on 10/17/25, our guests discuss the state of local war memorials and why they want the community to be more involved in honoring veterans.

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50:34

Candidates for local judicial races

Connections Podcast ·

2025/10/17

During the first hour of "Connections with Evan Dawson" on 10/17/25, the candidates for State Supreme Court justice and Monroe County Family Court discuss their experience and the state of the justice system.

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51:20

When should we lower the flag?

Connections Podcast ·

2025/10/16

When is the last time you saw American flags at half-staff? In the last 15 years, flags in New York State have been lowered on what equates to about one day a week. That's according to research conducted by Rochester-based journalist and author Justin Murphy. In his debut piece for the Atlantic, "Stop Lowering the Flag," he writes that the frequency at which the flag is lowered has detracted from what was once a "relatively rare symbol of public mourning and respect." When do you think the

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51:01

Concerns over weaponizing the Justice Department

Connections Podcast ·

2025/10/16

The indictments of former FBI Director James Comey and New York State Attorney General Letitia James appear to be a clear case of political retribution. President Trump himself has made public statements to that effect. But the president's supporters say it is a logical response to what they perceive to be an unfair legal campaign against him. So what happens if the Justice Department becomes weaponized? Our guests discuss it. In studio:Hon. John Ark, retired New York State Supreme Court

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51:20

Publication of private messages convulses American...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/10/15

A bombshell report in Politico revealed that a group of Republicans — some in New York State politics — repeatedly used racial slurs and other bigoted language. The fallout has cost a number of Republicans their jobs. And while many Republicans are condemning the hateful messages, some are pointing to the violent messages sent in 2022 by Democrat Jay Jones, the candidate for Virginia Attorney General, who has not dropped out of his race. We discuss where to draw lines and how to assess

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50:55

Language, race, and accountability

Connections Podcast ·

2025/10/15

What is the relationship between language, power, and race? Rochester native Jonathan Rosa is an author and linguistic anthropologist at Stanford University’s Center for Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity. He's in town as a guest of the University of Rochester for a talk on the role of language when it comes to the upheaval of DEI. He joins us to discuss how language is used by people in power and how that translates to our daily lives.In studio:Jonathan Rosa, Ph.D., author and

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51:18

"The Life of a Showgirl:" feat or flop?

Connections Podcast ·

2025/10/14

Taylor Swift's new album, "The Life of a Showgirl," is generating a lot of buzz...and debate. From the themes of love, vulnerability, and empowerment to thinly veiled metaphors that reference her fiancé Travis Kelce's genitals, fans are either celebrating or slamming the songs. The critics' reviews are also mixed. Rolling Stone's Maya Georgi gave it five out of five stars, writing, "the musician shoots into a fresh echelon of superstardom — and hits all her marks." Meanwhile, writing for

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50:47

What can save moviegoing?

Connections Podcast ·

2025/10/14

Is the cinema as we know it gearing up for its end credits? More than half of U.S. film executives polled in a recent survey said they believe the "traditional cinema experience" has fewer than 20 years remaining as a viable business model. Data shows the impact of COVID shutdowns, the popularity of streaming services, and other industry changes have led to theaters struggling to fill seats. Our guests this hour discuss what it would take to turn things around. We also discuss spooky season

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51:25

Understanding breast cancer: risk, screening, and...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/10/13

Every October, the color pink can be seen on products and websites with the stated goal of raising awareness for breast cancer.Some advocates argue that this "pinkwashing," as it's called, has commercialized the disease and put screening on the backburner.This hour, a local radiologist shares everything you need to know about screening guidelines: who should get mammograms, when, and what insurance will cover.We also explore two different pieces of proposed legislation — one that could

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50:53

Rochesterian talks space travel, a future beyond...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/10/13

“We all know we need to take care of this earth, but we also need to be prepared to reach beyond it.”That’s what Rochester-based entrepreneur Aaron Newman said to reporters after returning to solid ground, following his Blue Origin flight last week.Newman became the 717th human to pass the Karman Line.He says his trip was about more than exclusive space tourism, and he wants this experience open to everyone.We discuss how to do it with our guest:Aaron Newman, Blue Origin astronaut and

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51:07

CITY Magazine’s October issue: “Home”

Connections Podcast ·

2025/10/10

What does "home" mean to you?In her October editor's letter, CITY Magazine's Leah Stacy writes:"Editing this issue has solidified my belief that home is a state of mind; a state of being. A person's arms around us. A voice on the phone, even if it's miles away. A good meal around a table full of people we love. A city where we find ourselves. And perhaps, a longing for an even greater destination beyond this life.""Home" is the theme of this month's issue of the magazine, and each story

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50:35

Dr. Bill Valenti on 40 years of championing HIV care

Connections Podcast ·

2025/10/10

"The heart and soul of HIV care in Rochester."That's how Trillium Health President Jason Barnecut-Kearns describes Dr. Bill Valenti.After dedicating more than 40 years to treating and providing services for people living with HIV/AIDS, Valenti is stepping down from his post as chief of innovation and staff physician at Trillium.But — as he emphasized to WXXI's Racquel Stephen earlier this week — he's not retiring. Valenti says there's more work to be done.This hour, we sit down with Dr

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51:08

Going behind the scenes of film music

Connections Podcast ·

2025/10/09

We're joined by Grammy-winning and Oscar-nominated jazz trumpeter and film composer Terence Blanchard. Blanchard has written dozens of scores for film and television and frequently collaborates with Spike Lee. He'll be in Rochester next week as part of the inaugural Soundtrax Film Music Festival, hosted by the University of Rochester. According to organizers, Soundtrax is the first film music festival in North America. They say its roots trace back to George Eastman, who founded the Eastman

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51:16

Understanding the changes to Medicare Advantage plans

Connections Podcast ·

2025/10/09

Medicare open enrollment starts next week. In September, letters went out to recipients explaining that there would be changes. Some plans are being dropped completely. This has caused a great deal of confusion and concern. We address the changes and answer your questions.In studio:Andy Napierala, vice president of Medicare and individual market sales for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Rene Pettenski, manager of the Health Insurance Information Counseling Assistance Program at

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52:00

With tick bites on the rise, how to prevent Lyme...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/10/08

A member of Canandaigua City Council says the area is facing a "public health emergency."Councilmember Doug Merrill is referring to a high prevalence of Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, another tick-borne illness.As reported by Mike Murphy for the Democrat and Chronicle, there were nearly 300 cases of Lyme disease in Ontario County as of last month.An analysis by the USA TODAY Network shows tick bites across the northeast have been on the rise. What can you do — and what can communities do —

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50:10

RCSD Superintendent Eric Jay Rosser

Connections Podcast ·

2025/10/08

Eric Jay Rosser began his tenure as the new leader of the Rochester City School District on July 1.As the superintendent, Rosser oversees a district with declining enrollment, and a student population which is predominantly economically disadvantaged, according to state education department data.This hour, we sit down with him for the first time on "Connections."We discuss his vision for the district, his priorities in the short and long term, and how the work has been going.Our guest for

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51:06

New AI literacy course aims to prepare high school...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/10/07

Geneva High School is offering what its teachers think is the first AI literacy course in New York State. The goal is to help students become literate in the many forms of artificial intelligence already available. We meet the teacher, who thinks that while students can't be allowed to simply cheat using AI, they also shouldn't be asked to become luddites. So, what is the right balance?In studio:George Goga, adjunct professor of English and education at SUNY Geneseo and teacher at Geneva

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50:25

National Comedy Center director talks about the state...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/10/07

Journey Gunderson, the executive director of the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, joins us in studio. We discuss what's new in comedy — including the assertion from the President that comedians are not allowed to make jokes at his expense. The national center is a trove of historical information, and this is not the first time that comedy has been targeted by people in power.Our guest:Journey Gunderson, executive director of the National Comedy Center---Connections is supported by

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51:20

New AI “actor” causes an uproar

Connections Podcast ·

2025/10/06

NPR asks, "could the next Scarlett Johansson or Natalie Portman" be Tilly Norwood? Here's the catch: Norwood isn’t human; she is an artificial intelligence creation generated by a Dutch AI lab. Last week, the lab announced that their AI “actor” had received attention from multiple talent agents. They want their creation to become a household name, a mega-star. But some human performers are outraged, calling this story a threat to their livelihoods while asking who would want to watch AI

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