Connections Podcast

How can mindfulness techniques help improve mental and physical health, especially as we head into the pandemic winter? Writing for "Scientific American" last week, Melinda Wenner Moyer presented tips from disaster psychology that she says can help people cope during times of crisis. Among them are mindfulness and finding new ways to connect with family and friends. This hour, our guests explore different ways to find happiness and incorporate mindfulness during the pandemic winter. They also

A new stimulus is coming from the federal government. Right now, Congress continues to bicker over whether individuals should receive $600 or $2,000. We talk about where the money will go and how it will impact families, individuals, and businesses. Our guests: Pete Nabozny , policy director at The Children's Agenda Jonathan Swan, owner of the Swan family of restaurants, including Ox and Stone , Swan Dive , Daily Refresher , Dorado , Roux , and Vern's

Assemblyman Demond Meeks was arrested during a protest against evictions in Rochester. The assemblyman says that in the middle of a pandemic, it is inhumane to evict people from their household. He was one of more than a dozen people arrested during a protest against the eviction of a tenant in Rochester's Corn Hill neighborhood. Governor Andrew Cuomo has said that there is a moratorium on evictions, but that is not entirely accurate. Landlords have said that they're also struggling to pay their

Two companies are preparing to file what could become one of the most influential defamation lawsuits ever seen in this country. The companies are Dominion and Smartmatic, which have endured weeks of allegations that they helped Democrats rig the election for Joe Biden. There is no evidence that the companies worked to steal votes from Donald Trump, but that has not stopped Fox News, Newsmax, and OAN from continually airing claims that the companies are corrupt. Now the companies want damages,

In October, the Rochester Police Accountability Board joined a city working group on police reform and reinvention. The PAB members were given some homework: to answer questions about the city’s policing practices and if public safety reforms are needed. The Board has drafted its recommendations, and now, it’s asking for community input . We talk to PAB members about those recommendations and about the state of policing in Rochester. Our guests: Conor Dwyer Reynolds, executive director of the

A Finger Lakes winery has landed on the coveted Top 100 Wines of the Year list from "Wine Spectator" magazine. It’s an honor for Forge Cellars, and it’s a nice ending to what has been a difficult year. Wine store sales are up, but not everyone benefits equally. We talk about the business of wine and the effects of the pandemic on the Finger Lakes industry with Rick Rainey, co-owner of Forge cellars. Our guest: Rick Rainey, co-owner of Forge Cellars

What can we do to socialize safely during the pandemic winter? We explore local outdoor adventures and excursions for people of all ages. Our guests provide a tour guide, of sorts. We talk about a range of activities in the Rochester/Finger Lakes Region -- from public art, to parks, winter sports, outdoor dining and markets, and more. Our guests: Chris Clemens , creator of the Exploring Upstate blog Nina Piccini, digital engagement manager for Letchworth Gateway Villages Rachel Laber Pulvino ,

New York is in its second week of administering COVID-19 vaccines to people in Phase 1 of the process. Do you have questions about the vaccines or what you need to know when it’s your turn? This hour, we're joined by two local experts who have been at the forefront of the national and local coronavirus response. They answer your questions about vaccine science, distribution, timelines, and more. Our guests: Dr. Nancy Bennett , director of the Center for Community Health and Prevention, and co

We discuss the year in TV and film. As noted by the Atlantic Monthly, 2020 was an ambitious year for TV watching, where "tackling 121 episodes of a single show was no longer as daunting as it once seemed." From familiar "comfort" shows from our past, to new comedies and dramas, TV viewing was up during the pandemic, especially on streaming services. Our guests this hour say they've watched more television shows and films than anyone they know. So what do they think were the best shows? The worst

A group of residents in Brighton has successfully revoked racist property deeds in their neighborhood. The racist covenants in the Meadowbrook neighborhood dated back to 1929, when Kodak built the tract. As noted by an August report co-authored by researchers from Yale and City Roots Community Land Trust, these restrictions were common in the first half of the 20th century. While they are now illegal and unenforceable, thousands of homes in Monroe County still contain them. The covenants have