Connections Podcast

Expectant mothers are expressing concerns about a number of issues surrounding pregnancy during the pandemic. Many are exploring the option of home births in an effort to avoid the hospital setting. Others who plan to deliver in hospitals have questions about safety and precautions for themselves and their babies. Our guests discuss those concerns and what families need to know: Dr. Daniel Grace , M.D., division chief of maternal and fetal medicine, and associate chair of obstetrics at Rochester

Dr. Ray Dorsey at the University of Rochester Medical Center has written a new book on Parkinson’s disease. The disease is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world. Dorsey’s book is a “prescription for action.” He outlines the causes for the disease – many of them environmental – and directives for how to prevent the condition. He joins us this hour to discuss his research. We also hear from a local woman living with Parkinson’s disease. Our guests: Dr. Ray Dorsey , M.D., David M.

Astrophysicist Adam Frank says this pandemic is a fire drill for climate change. Writing for NBC News, Frank says we're re-learning just how fragile life is. We have not conquered risk and uncertainty, much to our horror. But we are also learning how quickly we can mobilize to confront an emergency. We discuss the painful lessons that can shape how our civilization deals with threats going forward. Our guest: Adam Frank , astrophysicist at the University of Rochester

WXXI health reporter Brett Dahlberg joins Connections to share an update on the state of COVID-19 and personal protective equipment in Monroe County.

Rochester City School District Superintendent Terry Dade joins us to talk about his draft budget. He discusses the challenging decisions facing the district, including cuts to teaching positions, services, and more. Our guest: Terry Dade , superintendent of the Rochester City School District

According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 22 men and 1 in 24 women will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer during their lifetimes. There are multiple screening tools available for this type of cancer; doctors say those tools can help them find the cancer early, and in some cases, help prevent it. This hour, we discuss colon cancer screenings with local medical professionals who tell us what we need to know. We also hear from two GI patients about their experiences. Our guests: Dr.

*This broadcast includes an update on the state of COVD-19 in Monroe County with WXXI health reporter Brett Dahlberg . Social scientist and author Arthur Brooks says Americans need to “Love Your Enemies.” That’s the title of his most recent book. In it, he argues that agreement across the political spectrum isn’t necessary, but better disagreement is needed. Professor David Primo at the University of Rochester has been teaching a course on the role of disagreement in a democratic society. He and

A year ago, Marielle Jensen Battaglia gave up plastic for Lent. She decided that she wanted to live differently. She wanted to find ways to eliminate plastic use -- and it turns out, there's plastic just about everywhere. Her story received some of the most feedback from any show in 2019, so we've invited her back to discuss whether she's been able to sustain a mostly-plastic-free lifestyle. Our guest: Marielle Jensen Battaglia, local resident

WXXI health reporter Brett Dahlberg joins Connections to provide an update on the state of COVID-19 in Monroe County.

When's the last time you convinced someone to change their mind? Most of us are not very effective when it comes to debate. We dig in on our positions, and we expend a lot of emotional energy, and nothing changes. Our guest is a man who is helping build an entirely new way of talking to people with vastly different beliefs. He's published hundreds of videos of calm, careful exploration of beliefs. And he does most of it in a public park, when strangers are willing to stop and chat. We get a new