Connections Podcast

We preview "Current Seen," a new visual art exhibition happening at a number of venues across Rochester. We’re joined by participating artists and curators who discuss their work and the contemporary art scene. Our guests: Bleu Cease, director of RoCo , lead organizer and curator for "Current Seen" W. Michelle Harris , artist Stephon Senegal , artist Elizabeth Cameron, curator Sean Capone , curator

A federal court recently ruled that politicians can't block followers on Twitter. The decision came after critics of President Trump sued him because he blocked them on the platform. The court ruled that followers would miss out on access to politicians and public information provided by them, and that violates their First Amendment rights. We discuss the intersection of free speech, politics, and social media with our guests: Roy Gutterman , director of the Tully Center for Free Speech, and

What are the most popular and effective ads this year? And why did they stand out? We discuss those questions with RIT advertising students who recently attended Ad Week in New York City. We break down this year's best ads and discuss the current and future state of advertising. In studio: Caleb Kulathum, senior at RIT Kiana Simons, senior at RIT Kevin Booker, junior at RIT Barry Strauber , professor of advertising in the School of Communication at RIT

Congressman Chris Collins resigned this week, joining the list of representatives that have gone down in scandal in Western New York. Our panel debates what is needed to regain the trust of voters across the region and what's next for the seat. Our guests: Mark Assini , CAO at American Rock Salt, former Gates Town Supervisor, and former Congressional candidate Jen Lunsford , attorney with Segar & Sciortino, and former candidate for the 55th Senate District Tim Kneeland , chairperson and

Governor Andrew Cuomo joins us to share updates from the Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI) Commission.

Naomi Shihab Nye is the current poetry editor for New York Times Magazine, and was named the Young People’s Poet Laureate for 2019-2021. Her most recent collection of poems, “The Tiny Journalist,” puts a human face on war and violence. It was inspired by a young Palestinian activist. Nye will be in Rochester this Friday as a guest of BOA Editions , but first, she joins us on Connections to discuss her work, the role of poetry, and the impact young people can have on social movements. Our guests:

We sit down with the new president of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, Rev. Angela Sims . Sims is the institution’s first female president, and the first African American woman to lead a Rochester-area college. Her term began July 1, after the retirement of Rev. Marvin McMickle. Sims is a Baptist minister and author, who says one of her goals is to build on Colgate’s social justice efforts. She joins us in studio to share her vision, her goals, and to address the role of faith and

A local sixth grader is going viral in our community. At the age of 14 months, Oscar Merulla-Bonn was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy. He's been driving a power wheelchair for years. Oscar recently gave a presentation to his school faculty about disability rights. He joins us this hour to share his research and experience, and to discuss how to create more inclusive spaces. In studio: Oscar Merulla-Bonn , sixth grader at Twelve Corners Middle School Sally Bittner Bonn , Oscar's mother

Would banning firearms of any kind lead to a violent backlash? Across the country, gun enthusiasts wear shirts and hats depicting an AR-15 with the slogan, "Try and take it." It implies that a ban would spark some kind of insurrection. We discuss threats of violence and the possible impact on the legislative process regarding firearms. In studio: Luke Skibba , experienced firearms user Jeremy Cooney , former chief of staff for the City of Rochester

We discuss a new dance video called “Body Love,” which celebrates female empowerment. It’s a collaboration between local dancers from The Floor Dance Company and filmmaker Matthew Spaull. We sit down with the team behind the project to discuss their inspiration, their goals, and more. In studio: Kristie Schillaci, owner and director of The Floor Dance Company Paige Arieno, member of The Floor Dance Company Matthew Spaull, filmmaker Elaine Spaull, executive director of the Center for Youth , and