Connections Podcast

Companies like Instacart and DoorDash have seen their values jump by billions of dollars during the pandemic, but that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been controversy. This spring, workers demanded safer conditions, and now some restaurants and bars are saying these services undercut their revenue. We talk to local workers in what has been one of the fastest-growing industries in the country. Our guests: Sarah Polito, personal shopper Mike Kite, Grubhub driver Gavin Tremblay, Grubhub driver

The passing of Jack Garner rocked the Rochester community this past weekend. Jack died at the age of 75, having built a storied career in movie criticism and Hollywood profiles. He never fully retired, and he was a constant contributor to countless programs and organizations, including WXXI and Connections. Our guests were friends and colleagues, and they remember a man known first and foremost for his kindness: Tom Proietti , resident scholar in media at St. John Fisher College Gary Craig ,

What do pediatricians think about kids going back to school in the fall? The American Academy of Pediatrics made headlines last week with a call to put kids back in physical classrooms, if at all possible. Dr. Sean O'Leary helped write the guidelines, and he told the New York Times that we've learned enough since March to make adjustments to school environments: "Schools can do a lot of things to really make the environment as safe as possible." We talk to local doctors about how best to support

Last week during a Senate Committee hearing, Dr. Anthony Fauci told committee members that going to bars is “bad news.” With coronavirus cases rising in many parts of the nation, Fauci and other public health officials are warning against congregating inside spaces, especially in bars. This hour, we talk with local bar owners about the state of business during the pandemic, the measures they have been taking to keep business going, and if there’s another shut down, what kind of support they’d

Students and parents across the country are asking whether K-12 schools will reopen in the fall. Governor Andrew Cuomo hasn’t made a decision about New York State yet, but local districts are already planning what classrooms might look like if they get the green light. This hour, we’re joined by three local superintendents who discuss their possible plans and the conversations they are having. Our guests: Casey Kosiorek , superintendent of Hilton Central School District Gene Mancuso ,

We're joined by local writer Sejal Shah. Her debut book, "This Is One Way to Dance," is a collection of essays, stories, and poems that explore being Indian in America. Her book weaves together personal stories, cultural perspectives, and an exploration of identity over a 20 year period. We talk to Shah about the themes of her work. Our guests: Sejal Shah , author of "This Is One Way to Dance" Bill Ferguson, acting executive director of Garth Fagan Dance

Scientists across the globe are racing to develop an effective coronavirus vaccine, and local researchers are at the forefront of that effort. Rochester is one of four sites in the nation selected to test a coronavirus vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. The trial began last month, and the vaccine is one of few in the world to have advanced to clinical trials. A separate vaccine study is set to launch in Rochester in August. We talk with scientists leading these studies at the University

How has the role of farmers markets changed due to the coronavirus? The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has issued safety guidelines for vendors and customers during the pandemic. Many customers say they feel safer buying food at outdoor markets rather than inside grocery stores. This hour, we talk with market managers and vendors about how their operations have changed, and how customers are responding. Our guests: Sue Gardner Smith, manager of the Brighton Farmers Market

Sports Illustrated's Pete Smith is calling on prominent athletes - and their fans - to hold Barstool Sports and founder Dave Portnoy accountable for racist and misogynistic comments. Portnoy has a history of ugly statements, but argues that he's only trying to be funny. He blames critics for trying to "cancel" him. Smith writes that this isn't about so-called "cancel culture;" instead, he says it's about drawing a line against racism and sexism at a time when social movements are showing

We’re joined by members of the United Christian Leadership Ministry to discuss police reform in America. The ministry was founded in 2010; since then, members have advocated for police accountability and policies regarding body worn cameras. Our guests share their perspectives on Rochester City Council’s recent budget vote as it relates to defunding police, and their priorities and recommendations for police reform both locally and nationally. Our guests: Reverend Lewis Stewart , president of