Connections Podcast

We talk about screen time and raising kids in the digital age. How much screen time is too much? How can we create and model good habits for kids? Devorah Heitner is the author of "Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive and Survive in Their Digital World." She’s in town as a guest of the Harley School , but first, she joins us on Connections to talk about tech-positive parenting.

New York State’s new tenant protection laws affect evictions, security deposits, and a lot more. Advocates say the law, which went into effect this summer, will protect vulnerable tenants. But a growing group of landlords say the law has an unintended consequence: it’s making it harder for people in poverty to find any housing at all. Our guests debate the impact of the new laws: In studio: Blake Gianniny, principal at FGB Property Max Gianniny, principal at FGB Property Ryan Acuff, member of

The City of Rochester is expanding a program designed to increase the number of owner-occupants living in the city. The CHOICE program was originally designed for downtown living opportunities, but not the city wants to take the program to all parts of Rochester. Supporters say it's effective; critics say it amounts to a tax giveaway to wealthy people. Our guests debate it. In studio: Rachel Barnhart , member of the Monroe County Legislature Matthew Denker, developer with LBLD Living Blake

The Racial Equity and Justice Initiative (REJI) is making strides in addressing systemic racism in the community. The program – run through the St. Joseph's Neighborhood Center – is working with the Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative. Its teams work with local companies and organizations to begin or deeper conversations about race, review policies and procedures related to diversity and inclusion, and identify systemic barriers that need to be addressed. This hour, we sit down with leaders

According to an American Psychiatric Association poll, 39 percent of Americans said they were more anxious in 2018 than they were the previous year. Mindfulness training has emerged as a popular method to address anxiety and stress – both at work and at home. This hour, we discuss one approach to mindfulness – Buddhist meditation – with two teachers. They share meditation techniques and talk about why they think this approach to mindfulness can be effective in responding to life’s challenges. In

How are race, culture, and architecture connected? The question is the focus of an upcoming presentation at the University of Rochester led by Bryan C. Lee, Jr. Lee is a design justice advocate whose work focuses on creating spaces that are equitable and accessible to people of all backgrounds. He’s in Rochester to speak about the policies and practices he thinks will be most effective in creating those spaces. He joins us to explore his ideas, and we discuss how they can be applied to our

Why do we need diverse books – books written by diverse authors that feature diverse characters? The question is the focus of an upcoming panel hosted by the Henrietta Public Library. We preview that panel with local authors and a representative from the organization We Need Diverse Books. They help us understand the value and impact of reading diverse books (especially for children), and we explore the current literary landscape. Our guests: Andrea Page , author of “Sioux Code Talkers of World

More than 800 United Auto Workers are on strike in Rochester. It marks the first time since 1970 that local UAW workers have gone on strike, outside of company layoffs. General Motors has been invited to join the conversation, which includes three striking workers: Dan Maloney, machine repair specialist and president of UAW local 1097 Chris Brancato, electrician and recording secretary for UAW local 1097 Jocelyn James, production worker and trustee for UAW local 1097

We talk all things cider! We preview Finger Lakes Cider Week , which kicks off on the 27th. Our panelists share trends and discuss new developments within the cider industry. Our guests: Jason Wilson , author of “The Cider Revival: Dispatches from the Orchard” Autumn Stoscheck, apple grower, cidermaker, and co-owner of Eve’s Cidery Eric Shatt, co-owner of Redbyrd Orchard Cider , and orchard manager for Cornell University's Ithaca-based orchard

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness. Those individuals are family members, friends, neighbors and community members; perhaps everyone knows someone who is struggling with a mental health issue. Actor Sean Astin lived with a parent struggling with bipolar disorder. His mother was acclaimed actress Patty Duke, who devoted much of her life to reducing the stigma of mental illness. Now, Astin is doing the same. He’s coming