Connections Podcast

We discuss the growth and impact of International Baccalaureate (IB) programs in schools. The programs aim to develop students’ intellectual, emotional, personal, and social skills for a globalizing world. We talk with local program coordinators and students about their experiences and what an IB education looks like. In studio: Barbara M. Surash, assistant superintendent for instruction at Hilton Central School District Robert Chaffee, junior in the IB program at Hilton Central School District

Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter recently wrote an op-ed for the Democrat and Chronicle in which he called for the state to reverse its bail reform measure. Baxter says the legislation could lead to unintended consequences when it comes to issues related to safety, addiction, and more. But public defenders and activists disagree, and say bail reform is a necessary part of criminal justice reform. Our guests debate the issue. In studio: Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter Don Thompson , managing

LGBTQ activist Edie Windsor was in the process of writing her memoir, "A Wild and Precious Life," when she died at the age of 88. Windsor's landmark 2013 Supreme Court case -- which took on the Defense of Marriage Act of 1996 -- expanded the definition of "spouse" to include some-sex partners, and made them eligible for federal benefits previously limited to heterosexuals. In her book, Windsor shares her journey from hiding her sexual identity to becoming an outspoken LGBTQ activist. Her widow,

On Friday, students around the world will once against walk out of class to go on strike for climate action. Locally, a growing group of students is organizing in a new way. The group is launching a coalition of youth climate activist groups based in New York State; it will be called the New York Youth Climate Leaders or NY2CL for short. We discuss the goals and agenda of this new coalition. Our guests: Hridesh Singh, Liam Smith, and Celia Darling from NY2CL

According to the American Cancer Society, as many as 20 percent of people who die from lung cancer have never smoked or used any other form of tobacco. The rates of non-smoking-related lung cancer are on the rise. We're joined by medical professionals who discuss symptoms, the latest research, cancer prevention, and more. We also hear from a non-smoking-related lung cancer survivor who shares her story. In studio: Dr. Deborah Mulford , M.D., oncologist at UR Medicine's Wilmot Cancer Institute

Pittsford Town Supervisor Bill Smith easily won re-election last month. His Democratic opponent called the campaign a referendum on the future of Rochester's wealthiest suburb. Smith talks about the issues raised during the campaign, and the ways he would like to see Pittsford grow. In studio: Bill Smith , Pittsford Town Supervisor

Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas? Our panel takes an interfaith look at the holiday season, and the ways we communicate with each other. Panelists representing Christian, Muslim, and Jewish faiths will present their own religious traditions during an upcoming event , but first they discuss those traditions on Connections. We explore how faiths differ and what they have in common. We also discuss the often-invoked "War on Christmas" and the like. Our guests: Muhammad Shafiq , director of the

The resignation of Congresswoman Katie Hill has sparked debate over intimate photos -- who takes them, who shares them, and whether it's good advice to warn people against having them. Speaker Nancy Pelosi reportedly warned younger staff against having nude photos, considering the possible damage. But some activists contend that this is a form of victim blaming; they also see a generational divide. One writer on Twitter said, "I don't know any woman under the age of 40 who hasn't taken nude pics

What are local students learning about Thanksgiving? What’s often published in textbooks and taught in schools is a Euro-centric narrative that oversimplifies or omits the historical record, especially when it comes to atrocities endured by Native American people. WXXI reporter Noelle Evans talked with local Native Americans and school staff members about Thanksgiving education. This hour, we talk about what she learned, and our guests discuss how to decolonize the Thanksgiving narrative. In

Fresh polling from Iowa and New Hampshire shows South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg surging to the top of contenders. Can he win the nomination? We haven’t discussed his candidacy much on the show, so this is a chance to examine Buttigieg’s positions on the issues. We also discuss why some progressives to the left of Buttigieg are suspicious of his candidacy. Our guests: Alex Yudelson , volunteer organizer for the Buttigieg campaign in Western New York Alfred Vitale, co-founder of the