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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

51:01

"Enough: Plays to End Gun Violence" comes to Rochester

Connections Podcast ·

2025/09/29

In 2020, guns became the leading cause of death for children in the United States, surpassing car accidents. Across the country, teenagers who have suffered loss to gun violence have been sharing their pain through their writing. Enough: Plays to End Gun Violence is an outlet for teens to amplify their voices. The newest editions are coming to a list of American cities, including Rochester. The plays have depicted some of the most raw moments in the lives of the creators, who hope they can

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51:39

Addressing severe maternal morbidity

Connections Podcast ·

2025/09/26

Maternal morbidity refers to any complications or health problems that occur during pregnancy or childbirth. And despite incredible advancements in health sciences, severe maternal morbidity is on the rise locally, especially among Black women.According to Common Ground Health, the rate of severe maternal morbidity for mothers who are Black, non-Latina in Monroe County increased over 50 percent in the last decade. Out of 10,000 deliveries, 151 mothers experienced life-threatening

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51:01

Can advanced practice providers fill gaps and improve...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/09/26

As the shortage of primary care doctors continues, the job market is on the upswing for advanced practice providers.According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for nurse practitioners is projected to grow by 40% between 2024 and 2034, making it one of the fastest-growing professions in the country.Physician assistants aren't far behind -- projected to grow 20% over the next ten years.WXXI's health, equity, and community reporter, Racquel Stephen, hosts the show, where she and

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51:22

EV credits on the way out; what’s next for car buyers?

Connections Podcast ·

2025/09/25

Republicans and Congress are ending the federal credit for electric vehicle purchases.It will be gone in just days.Meanwhile, some auto dealers had predicted rising prices based on tariffs.So what is the state of the car buying market? How do prices look now, and what can we expect over the next year?Our guests answer those questions and more:Brad McAreavy, president of the Rochester Automobile Dealers Association John Love, president and owner of the Bob Johnson Auto

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50:49

Is free speech under threat?

Connections Podcast ·

2025/09/25

President Trump recently said about talk show hosts who criticize him: “They’re not allowed to do that.”After ABC brought back Jimmy Kimmel, Trump said that he might sue the network.We’ll discuss the law, coercion, consequence culture, and more.Our guests: Kevin Ryan, attorney and past president of the Monroe County Bar Association Langston McFadden, attorney with Pullano & Farrow ---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member

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51:20

Experts and advocates react to misinformation from...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/09/24

It has not been an easy time for the autism community, with President Trump and his administration spreading misinformation about what causes autism -- while talking about autism in ways that make many families uncomfortable. Our guests will discuss the implications of President Trump's comments on Tylenol, his comments about autism, and what it means for pregnant women.Joining us for this conversation:Dylan Dailor, self-advocate Tamika Robinson, parent Corey Moran, parent and

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50:28

Jeff VanderMeer on fiction, imagination and our...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/09/24

Jeff VanderMeer has one of the most inventive minds in American fiction. His books have taken us into dystopian futures, into dark places with strange forces and blurred lines between reality and fantasy. One of his novels was the basis for a film starring Natalie Portman and Oscar Isaac. VanderMeer joins us to talk about the value of fiction as a mental exercise -- at a time when many of us are thinking about how foreboding the future might be.Our guest:Jeff VanderMeer, author, editor, and

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51:20

Congressman Joe Morelle

Connections Podcast ·

2025/09/23

We sit down with Congressman Joe Morelle to discuss the latest on the Trump administration's actions. From Medicaid cuts to vaccine policy and more, we'll cover a wide range, while taking listener questions.In studio:Congressman Joe Morelle, District 25 Brian Lewis, executive director of ROC the Future Alliance Willie Williams III, parent and family partner for ROC the Future Alliance ---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member

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50:37

The future of the United States' role in NATO

Connections Podcast ·

2025/09/23

Russia appears to be testing the resolve of the West by breaching airspace of NATO members. Its recent drone action in Poland triggered Article 4. But the Trump administration has fostered the weakest relationship with NATO than an American government has ever had. What is the future of NATO, and of the American role in NATO?Our guest:Randy Stone, director of the Skalny Center for Polish and Central European Studies at the University of Rochester---Connections is supported by listeners like

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51:22

Making doulas available to more mothers

Connections Podcast ·

2025/09/22

A growing number of American births involve doulas in the delivery room. And yet for some, the notion of a doula is expensive, maybe unaffordable -- the kind of thing that wealthier moms have. A coalition is trying to change that, and they have the support of State Senator Samra Brouk. We'll discuss the movement to make doula care more sustainable and available.Our guests: Samra Brouk, state senator Dr. Twylla Dillion, president and CEO of Health Connect One Jacqui Lindsay, Healthy Baby

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51:18

Tariffs, rate cuts, and grocery prices: Oh my!

Connections Podcast ·

2025/09/22

Economist Eric Morris joins us to discuss the state of the economy. We'll talk about the impact -- so far -- of tariffs. We'll examine the stickiness of food prices, and the possible effects of another rate cut. And we'll answer audience questions, such as: what exactly is stagflation? Are we in it?In studio:Eric Morris, portfolio manager and staff economist for Alesco Advisors, LLC---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today,

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49:38

Kafka Prize winner

Connections Podcast ·

2025/09/19

How do we engage with our guilt and grief? Author Claire Oshetsky explores these themes in Poor Deer, a novel that tells the story of a young girl whose best friend died mysteriously. The girl is growing up through the struggle of denial, sadness, confusion -- and eventually, a kind of confrontation with truth. It's a wildly inventive story that is both unique and relatable, and it earned Oshetsky the 2025 Janet Heidinger Kafka Prize from the University of Rochester. Oshetsky is visiting

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50:58

In a small town, an unlikely trio attempts to bridge...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/09/19

In the town of West Bloomfield, a longtime Republican Trump supporter is working alongside two unlikely allies: a pair of Democrats who disagree with him on many issues. Tim Schiefen is an auto mechanic who argues that, yes, Trump supporters and Democrats can co-exist -- even get to like one another. When Schiefen felt shut out by the Republican Party in his desire to run for town supervisor, he called the Democrats. To his surprise, they took his call, and now he's campaigning for

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51:01

Latin film series

Connections Podcast ·

2025/09/18

We go to the movies with a discussion about the Presente Latin Film Series. The Dryden Theatre at the George Eastman Museum will host the series for the next month. It's meant to be a celebration of Latin culture, history, and contributions to film. We'll talk about what films will be featured in the series; concerns about whitewashing Latinas in American film; allegations of whitewashing Latin horror films; and more.In studio:Jason Barber, Presente Latin Film Series Jared Case, curator of

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50:57

Where have all the nuclear protesters gone?

Connections Podcast ·

2025/09/18

In the 1980s, students practiced getting underneath their desks in the case of a nuclear attack. Protests routinely focused on the threat of nuclear war and the need for non-proliferation. Today, the concern about nuclear war is barely mentioned — even though a growing list of countries wants to join the nuclear club. Why is that? Our guests will discuss the change in public concern, and how they view the nuclear threat today.Our guests: Holly Adams, member of Genesee Valley Citizens for

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50:54

"Big Beautiful Bill" could reshape your tax bill

Connections Podcast ·

2025/09/17

The federal bill that the GOP calls the "Big Beautiful Bill" could significantly affect the way many Americans are taxed. Families and retirees will see some changes; some new deductions; an increased child tax credit. There are new deductions for tips and overtime. Our guests will walk us through what is changing and how it could affect us.In studio:Anthony Scinto, CPA, partner and tax department chair with MMB+CO Kristina Stamatis, CPA, partner with MMB+CO ---Connections is supported by

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50:57

Sitting down with Ukrainians visiting Rochester

Connections Podcast ·

2025/09/17

A group of Ukrainians are visiting Rochester this week, guests of the Skalny Center for Polish and Central European Studies at the University of Rochester. The group works in veteran reintegration across Ukraine. We'll discuss the state of the war in Ukraine: what Ukrainians think and want; the state of negotiations; and what could lead to a lasting peace.In studio: Lillia Matvilchuk, public relations and media specialist at Veterans Center Poltava Oksana Redkva, deputy director of

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50:52

The Bills are going to win the Super Bowl right...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/09/16

The stars are aligning for the Pegula family, when it comes to their Buffalo Bills: the new Bills stadium will open in 2026, and the team could be coming off their first Super Bowl win. Just imagine: the hottest team in professional sports, sky-high demand for tickets and seat licenses... and prices are already soaring! We predict that most fans will pay any increase happily if it follows a Super Bowl win. And we don't believe in jinxes -- the Bills are winning the Super Bowl this year

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50:07

How colleges are preparing for a possible enrollment...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/09/16

American birth rates fell after the great financial recession of 2007. Eighteen years later, there are fewer young adults who might go to college. For some schools, it's a crisis: the pandemic has combined with this smaller population of students to significantly cut the incoming freshman classes. In Western New York, some schools have already shut down. So what's next? How can higher ed deal with this challenge? How can they appeal to more students? Our guests discuss it.In studio:Brian

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50:59

Understanding the Trump administration's mixed...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/09/15

Tax credits: on or off? Solar projects: full speed ahead, paused, or scrapped entirely? Depending on the day, the headlines have been wildly different. We sit down with one of the local leaders in the solar sector to discuss what's going in with the second Trump administration -- what that means for workers in the solar industry, what that means for homeowners, for businesses, and more.Our guest:Kevin Schulte, CEO of Greenspark Solar---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to

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