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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

50:57

Rochester Queer Arts Festival regroups after larger...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/10/02

Earlier this year, the organizers of the Rochester Queer Arts Festival realized that larger companies were withdrawing their sponsorship of LGBTQ-themed events. But the Rochester event was able attract enough small local business support to continue, and to grow. We'll discuss why the larger companies have pulled back, and what the festival is aiming to become.In studio:Tim Evanicki, partner in Drag Me to the Stage LLC and producer of the Rochester Queer Arts Festival Ed Popil(aka Mrs

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51:20

Bringing down the temperature in our over-heated...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/10/01

More Americans than ever say that they don't want friendships with people who vote differently than they do. They don't want family ties with people from a different political party. They don't want to know their neighbors. So how can we turn down the temperature and get back to seeing one another as human beings first, not just political creatures? Our guest is a thoughtful thinker and speaker who helps his community navigate difficult themes.In studio:Reverend Colin Pritchard, pastor of

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51:01

What if all of Rochester read the same book?

Connections Podcast ·

2025/10/01

Back in 2001, Writers & Books asked a question: what if we all read the same book? What if we got together to discuss it, and meet the author, and consider its themes? Since then, one book each year earns that distinction. The program is now called "Rochester Reads," and it's back next week with the 2025 selection, "Soil: The Story of a Black Mother's Garden" by Camille Dungy. We'll welcome Dungy to discuss her work in advance of her visit to Rochester.Our guests:Camille Dungy, poet,

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51:28

Play therapy is having a moment

Connections Podcast ·

2025/09/30

The pandemic left many parents desperate for some kind of help for their children: kids were isolated, struggling socially, and drifting academically. Play therapy -- sometimes viewed as a fringe idea in the past -- is having a moment. That's because new research around play therapy brought it to the mainstream, and insurance companies are now more willing to cover it. We'll discuss how it works with our experts.Our guests:Lindsey Macaluso, LCSW-R, registered play therapist Marcie Redding,

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51:04

Making sense of the end of a high-profile vegan...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/09/30

"The vegan experiment is over at Eleven Madison Park," says Eater New York. The high-end restaurant became the world's first three-Michelin-star vegan restaurant in 2021. In two weeks that will change, with meat and fish options returning to the menu. Predictably, meat lovers declared this to be a sign of a backlash to veganism. Is that over-stating it, or has the vegan movement stalled? Our guests have a range of experience in the industry.In studio: Chris Grocki, restaurant operations and

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49:39

David Grann, one of the great modern journalists and...

Connections Podcast ·

2025/09/29

It is not an exaggeration to say that there might not be any journalists left quite like David Grann. His research for articles and books is legendary; it might require several years, accompanied by trips to remote islands or far-off locales. Several of his books have become movies, including "Killers of the Flower Moon." Grann kicks off the inaugural season of the Rochester Speakers Series, and he joins us to discuss why thorough, careful journalism must not vanish.Our guests: David Grann,

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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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