Connections Podcast

According to Rolling Stone, 2020 was a strong year for documentaries, and the release of various high-profile docs this year indicates the trend is continuing. Some films are transparent in their aims -- journalistic, social justice-oriented, etc. -- while others are less obvious. With that in mind, through what lens should viewers watch or judge these films? Our guests this hour offer their expertise, and we discuss a number of recent documentaries. Our guests: Linda Moroney , filmmaker, and

Two University of Rochester professors are leading a series of online seminars about the decline of democracy across the globe. Professors Gretchen Helmke and Randall Stone argue that "for the first time since 2001, the majority of countries are again authoritarian, and democratic institutions and political freedoms are under assault all around the globe." Their series, "Fading Democracy," explains what has led to this change and how to measure it. They join us to preview their discussions. Our

We're joined by New York State Senator Edward Rath III. Rath is a Republican representing the 61st District; this is his first term in Albany. We sit down with the senator to discuss a number of issues, including the state's response to the coronavirus pandemic, allegations against Governor Cuomo, reopening the state, economic development, and more. Our guest: Edward Rath III , New York State Senator (R), 61st District

We sit down with members of the Rochester Police Accountability Board to discuss a number of recent events that have placed Rochester back in the national spotlight: the grand jury decision in the Daniel Prude case; RPD officers pepper spraying a nine-year-old girl; and, most recently, officers pepper spraying a mother while her three-year-old child was nearby. Our guests discuss their ideas for reform, and the possible impact of the PAB having disciplinary powers. Our guests: Conor Dwyer

Research shows fewer high school seniors have applied to college during the pandemic, and the students who have been impacted the most are those from lower-income backgrounds. The data indicates that these students were more likely to be affected by financial challenges related to the pandemic, and also by direct health risks from the virus. Experts say the current disparity will contribute to education and wealth gaps in the long term. What can be done? Our guests explain the challenges and

The Wall Street Journal reports that the Cuomo administration intentionally covered up data on nursing home deaths during the first several months of the pandemic last year. The administration has adjusted its figures to show many more nursing home deaths than originally reported; the cover-up happened at a time when Governor Cuomo was writing his book on pandemic leadership. Our guests discuss what we've learned, and what real reform might look like in the nursing home industry. Our guests:

How has the pandemic affected the book publishing industry? NPR reports that like many other fields, book publishing has been upended. Publishers pushed back release dates, book events were put on hold, and many bookstores closed their doors for good. This hour, we talk about the state of the industry with the experts. Our guests: Carlo DeVito , author and longtime publishing industry executive Alison Meyers , executive director of Writers & Books Kristi Gibson, owner of Magpie Bookshop

More than 28 million Americans will have an eating disorder in their lifetime. Local professor of clinical nursing, Mary Tantillo, has written a new book that explores how to help young adults recover from eating disorders. She calls them diseases of disconnection. We talk to her about that disconnection, as well as how family members can be part of the recovery process. Our guests: Mary Tantillo , professor of clinical nursing at the University of Rochester School of Nursing, clinical professor

Zero-waste initiatives in the U.S. gained momentum in 2019 and in early 2020, but the coronavirus pandemic abruptly halted that progress. Now, a year into the pandemic, some of those programs are getting back on track. We talk about the state of food recycling initiatives, and about composting at the local level. If you've considered composting at home, our guests walk you through different ways to do it. Our guests: Robert Putney , CEO of Impact Earth Emily Pacifico , operations manager for

We're joined by local vaccine researchers to discuss the state of COVID-19 vaccine development and distribution in the U.S. Dr. Edward Walsh and Dr. Angela Branche have been involved in vaccine development and trials since the beginning of the pandemic. They join us to discuss vaccine effectiveness, Johnson and Johnson coming online, a Pfizer booster being tested locally, and they answer your questions about vaccines. Our guests: Angela Branche , M.D., assistant professor in the Department of