Connections Podcast

Two local leaders in the faith community are coming together to offer anti-racism workshops. During their trainings, Reverend William Wilkinson and Reverend Alan Dailey discuss white privilege, white supremacy, and the impact of systemic racism. Their work is part of the Greater Rochester Community of Churches Faith in Action Network . We sit down with Reverend Wilkinson and Reverend Dailey to talk about their methods and how they approach difficult conversations. This discussion comes in

What if a number of musicians throughout the Rochester area all wrote their own versions of a song with the same title? An annual event is back to help answer that question. This year’s If All Rochester Wrote the Same Song will feature local artists’ takes on the title, “No One Will Ever Know.” This hour, we preview the event with performers who discuss their music, the art of song writing, and more. In studio: Sarah Long Hendershot , co-creator of If All Rochester Wrote the Same Song Steve

Author and social commentator Phoebe Maltz Bovy offered a stinging critique of dating culture in 2020, and it has sparked debate about the new norms of dating. Maltz Bovy is particularly troubled by the shaming that can go viral on social media. But her concerns opened up conversation about other changing norms, including questions about when it's appropriate to ask someone out in person; taking no for an answer; and more. Our guests discuss it. In studio: Allison O’Malley, domestic violence

New research shows that in 2019, the number of podcasts grew by more than 50 percent. That means that listeners can choose from nearly one million different podcasts in 2020. How to find the best podcasts, the most interesting, the most useful? Our guests bring their knowledge of the podcast scene to offer recommendations, and we sample clips from some of their favorites. In studio: Veronica Volk , producer and editor for news, arts, and life at WXXI News Calvin Eaton, founding director and

The New York Times asks a provocative question: why are people so unhappy in some of the most ostensibly booming American places? For example, California has a strong economy and low relative unemployment. But the high cost of housing has increased commute times, and traffic is a nightmare. The state is vulnerable to the effects of climate change. What can be done? These are complicated questions, but we focus on one particular aspect: housing and commutes. Why is housing so expensive in some

We continue an annual Connections tradition by talking to community leaders about their favorite books of the year. We also get insight into how they think, what they read, and why. Our guests: Natalie Sheppard , commissioner for the Rochester City School Board (“Free To Be Me: I Am Not My Issues” by Dante Worth) Andrew Brady , CEO of the Xcelerate Team and co-founder and chair of Conscious Capitalism Rochester (“The Healing Organization: Awakening the Conscience of Business to Help Save the

We continue an annual Connections tradition by talking to community leaders about their favorite books of the year. We also get insight into how they think, what they read, and why. Our guests: Jeff Spevak , arts and living editor at WXXI News (“Benjamin Franklin: An American Life” by Walter Isaacson) Krystle Ellis , director of communications at the Ronald McDonald House, influencer, and culture shifter (“The Power of One Thing: How to Intentionally Change Your Life” by Dr. Randy Carlson) Pablo

The superintendent of the Brockport Central School District is taking on a new role. Lesli Myers-Small will join the State Education Department in early January as an assistant commissioner of school reform and innovation. Her responsibilities will include overseeing turnaround efforts at low-performing schools, including those in the Rochester City School District. Myers-Small joins us in studio this hour to discuss her achievements in Brockport and her goals for her new role. Our guest: Lesli

A growing number of American college professors are changing the way they grade students. In particular, some are engaging an evaluation method referred to as "ungrading." We sit down with a local professor who decided to stop scoring papers this year and instead, write lengthy comments and meet individually with students. He's trying to change the power dynamics and the grading methods that he has come to believe are ineffective. We discuss this new approach with our guests: Michael Leroy Oberg

A team of journalists, chefs, and food lovers have united to launch a new online publication called RochesterFoodNet . It's intended to be a source for all things food: reviews, photos, blogs, videos, and podcasts. We welcome guests from the new project to discuss their work, their goals, and the food scene in Rochester. In studio: Adam Wilcox Karin Cross-Smith Chris Clemens Vince Press