Connections Podcast

Governor Andrew Cuomo joins us on the program to break news related to Lake Ontario. We discuss the latest with efforts to reduce lake levels. Our guests: Governor Andrew Cuomo Randy Gorbman , WXXI News Director Karen DeWitt , WXXI Capitol Bureau Chief Veronica Volk , reporter and producer for WXXI News

What does it mean to be "Acting Human?" The concept refers to a mindful way of living -- of living in the moment and writing one's own story. Musician, director, and author Richard Dubin has written an eBook on the subject, and is collaborating with other creative people on a series of projects designed around it. He encourages readers to live their lives using the skills employed by artists as they create their art. He says the practice can help people find identity and push against the

We're joined by members of the local chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense to discuss concealed carry and related gun laws in New York State, as well as their thoughts on their own personal ownership of guns. Cha Ron Sattler-LeBlanc and Toni Nelson each lost multiple family members to gun violence. While they both advocate for responsible gun ownership, they have different perspectives on if they themselves want to own guns. They share their stories and discuss how the tragedies in their

The Gateways Music Festival is back. The six-day festival that celebrates and supports classical musicians of African descent kicks off on Tuesday in Rochester. Nationwide, less than two percent of orchestra members are African American. Gateways organizers say they hope their programming will inspire underrepresented musicians and audience members to seek out classical music. They join us to preview the festival and its music. In studio: Lee Koonce , president and artistic director of the

Activists seeking bail reform in New York State are celebrating what they call a major victory. During this past legislative session, state lawmakers voted to end the use of cash bail for many lower-level offenses, and limit its use for more serious crimes. In the past, some people who were charged with misdemeanors could spend many days in jail because they couldn’t cover the bail. Reform groups say that system was discriminatory, and the overhaul of the cash bail system is both bold and

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: If members of Congress are too old to understand the concerns of young voters; Major issues faced by Puerto Rico; Compassion fatigue.

There will soon be a new Board of Elections Commissioner for Monroe County, and it’s a position that has a lot of sway in regards to voter access. We talk to the candidates for the position about how they view elections: how can they become more accessible? What do they think of automatic registration, early voting, current registration deadlines, and more? Our guests: Nicole Hushla Re Ashley Gantt *Colleen Anderson was invited to join this conversation and agreed to participate, but was then

Medicare is celebrating a birthday, and on the national stage, it’s being touted by Democrats as the model for a new healthcare system. Many Democratic presidential contenders call it Medicare for All; is that a fair description? We examine the proposals and discuss what Medicare for All would entail, if put into practice. Our guests: Rohith Palli , M.D./Ph.D. candidate and HIV researcher at the University of Rochester Medical Center Mike Sportiello , chair of the Campaign for New York Health

Our Summer of Food series continues with a conversation about fermentation. The inaugural FLX Fermentation Festival kicks off at the Cumming Nature Center on August 16. This hour, we preview the festival, discuss the growing interest in fermented foods and beverages, and demystify the fermentation process (which you can do at home!). Our guests: Sandor Katz , author and fermentation revivalist Petra Page-Mann , co-founder and farmer with Fruition Seeds Pilar McKay , co-founder Silver Lake

This hour, we have a conversation about political patronage. When is an appointment or hire legitimate, and when does it smack of political patronage? We explore the question, which comes on the heels of a debate in local political circles. Monroe County Clerk Adam Bello -- a Democrat who is running for Monroe County Executive -- made an allegation of patronage after the assistant county executive's wife was hired to become the director of finance for the Monroe County Water Authority.