Connections Podcast

The United States lost a civil rights leader this week, with the passing of longtime Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings. We discuss does his legacy, as well as the importance of African American representation in government. Our guests: Larry Knox, political and community engagement coordinator for 1199 SEIU Michelle Daniels, super Democratic volunteer Paul Hypolite , political strategist Tianna Mañón , publicist, journalist, and political analyst Robert Hoggard , doctoral student at the

The Rochester Coalition for Public Education is local organization aiming to educate the public, educators and policy makers about education research -- and how it can improve outcomes in the Rochester City School District. The coalition has developed a set of recommendations for the RCSD and the Board of Regents. We sit down with coalition members to discuss the debate over a state takeover or mayoral control, and the most effective path forward. In studio: Henry Padron, retired school #12

This past summer, a debate erupted over allowing journalists to tweet during trials. Some local doctors urged a judge to institute a ban on social media usage from the courtroom. The critics were concerned that possible victims were being identified, and that sloppy or inaccurate information was being published before reporters had a chance to edit. Modern technology gives reporters a chance to disseminate information instantly; is it the right way to do it? Our guests debate it: Dr. Elizabeth

Ed Nichols has been teaching about cultural competency for years. His work feels more urgent than ever in 2019, and he's coming to Rochester as a guest of the Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence . He joins us to discuss bridging cultural divides. Our guests: Ed Nichols , clinical psychologist with emphasis in the field of cultural competency Kristin Hocker , co-specialty director in the health care management program at the University of Rochester School of Nursing

New York State is cutting funding for several organizations that serve the homeless population. The cuts total more than half a million dollars. The winter cold is coming, and we explore the impact of the cuts, as well as the state of homelessness in Western New York. In studio: Angela Panzarella, president and CEO of the YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County Reverend Myra Brown, associate pastor and deacon at Spiritus Christi Church Sarah Lee, director of Jennifer House at Spiritus Christi Church

This hour, our guests help us understand stillbirth – who it affects, why it’s still prevalent, and what the medical community is doing to help reduce stillbirth rates. We also discuss the impact that stillbirth has on families. Our guests are mothers who have lost children to stillbirth, and they’re now sharing their stories to help to raise awareness of pregnancy loss: Dr. Heather Florescue , clinical instructor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Rochester

The Rochester Area Business Ethics Foundation has announced its 2019 ETHIES winners. The annual event seeks to honor companies that conduct business in a way that is ethical. What does it mean to be an ethical business in 2019? Capitalism itself is under fire on the campaign trail, with calls for reform of various kinds. We talk to the winners and some of the board members: David Pritchard, president of Gorbel Inc. Stephen Schwarz , managing partner of Faraci Lange Ray Shady, member of the board

Election Day is just over three weeks away. Voters have a wide range of issues that they prioritize. This hour, our guests are asking you to think about children. In particular, they're talking about children in need in our community. We discuss funding for early intervention services and preschool special education services. We also talk about challenges for child protective services. The conversation comes in advance of an upcoming candidate forum hosted by The Children's Agenda. Our guests

Can a woman be fired for getting pregnant? The law says no, but in the past week, thousands of women across the country have shared their own stories on social media, describing the pressure or discrimination they felt when they became pregnant. The conversation was sparked by Senator Elizabeth Warren, who has said that she lost her teaching job in the early 1970s when she started a family. This hour, we explore what the laws said then, how they’ve evolved, and what they say now. Who's protected

Weekend Connections is a collection of some of the most noteworthy moments from the week on Connections with Evan Dawson. This episode includes conversations about: The impact of white supremacy, with the new president of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, Rev. Angela Sims; The intersection of religion and homosexuality; Disability rights awareness, with 11-year-old activist Oscar Merulla-Bonn.