Connections Podcast

Fans in Kansas City booed when both football teams on the field linked arms in a show of unity. This happened not during the national anthem, but before the game -- it was intended as a show of strength. The vocal response of the limited crowd has convinced some observers that fans shouldn't be in stadiums at all this year. Sports Illustrated regional writer Pete Smith argues, "The biggest takeaway from the first game of the season between the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans was the NFL

With physical distancing guidelines leading to more separation and in some cases, isolation, in communities, the pandemic is disrupting some support networks for people struggling with addiction. NPR reported last month that drug overdoses are spiking during the pandemic -- increasing about 18 percent. Fatal overdoses have also increased. Meanwhile, the ways in which addiction medicine is provided is changing, specifically, via telemedicine. September is National Recovery Month, and ROCovery

The second Black Kids Matter Rally is set to take place Saturday at Harris Whalen Park. It was organized by local moms who wanted to create a family-friendly BLM event. From drum circles to story time to a short march, the organizers hope to raise awareness of the movement among Rochester's youngest citizens. We talk to the mothers about the event and broader issues related to diversity, inclusion, and equitable education in our community. Our guests: Nicolette Ferguson, Black Kids Matter Rally

We discuss the life and legacy of award-winning poet Lucille Clifton. Clifton was a Buffalo native whose work celebrated Black womanhood, identity, and resilience. She won the National Book Award for Poetry and was a two-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. BOA Editions is publishing a new collection of her work. Our guests discuss that collection – “How to Carry Water” – and how it intersects with current events. We also discuss BOA's upcoming Dine & Rhyme event honoring Clifton. Our

Former Rochester Mayor Bill Johnson says the newly formed commission on Racial and Structural Equity (RASE) was not informed of Daniel Prude’s death. Johnson says the commission has important work to do and can help lead the city forward. He joins us to talk about the Prude case and what we should expect of city leaders. Our guest: Bill Johnson, former Rochester mayor and co-chair of the RASE Commission

When Rochester Police Chief La'Ron Singletary announced his retirement Tuesday afternoon, it came as a surprise to Mayor Lovely Warren and members of Rochester City Council. Members of Council learned of the resignation during the first of what will be regular public briefings with the mayor -- meetings that Council requested to discuss interactions between protesters and police officers. In a letter to the mayor last week, Council members called for officers involved in the Prude case to be

Nationally renowned civil rights expert Eric Ward has spent years studying hate violence and its relationship to preserving democratic institutions. His work examines white nationalism, anti-Semitism, and police-community relations. Ward will be the keynote speaker for Jewish Federation's upcoming Summit to End Hate . This hour, we preview that event and talk with Ward and his fellow panelists about the recent events in Rochester and how communities can work to eliminate structural inequality.

The notion of an "Elder Shield" got a lot of publicity Sunday night in Rochester, but it first came into effect during previous nights of demonstrations. However, police still fired pepper balls into the crowd. We talk to two of the community leaders who were on the front lines. They also discuss what nonviolence means during such tense times. Our guests: Rev. Marlowe Washington , pastor at Seneca United Methodist Church Kit Miller , director of the Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence Melanie

Protesters engaged in a tense standoff with Rochester police Monday night -- the sixth straight night of demonstrations. Organizers say they will be there every night until their demands are met. We discuss those demands, and we talk about what happens next. Our guests: Rev. Myra Brown , pastor at Spiritus Christi Church Stanley Martin , civil rights organizer with Free the People Roc Danielle Ponder , diversity and inclusion officer for the Monroe County Public Defender's Office

The Rochester Fringe Festival is going virtual this year. We talk with festival producer Erica Fee about what it means to put together a festival during a pandemic, and we preview this year’s lineup. Our guests discuss their performances: Erica Fee, producer of the Keybank Rochester Fringe Festival Marlon Burnley, “Black in the Box” Kerri Lynn Slominski, “Total Request LIVE: Opera Edition” Wallace Wallace, “Mental Graffiti” Matthew Schwartz, “DEAFersity” Evelyn Dagostino, #Folklore Latino Kerry