Connections Podcast

Rochester has a bike lane problem. That’s according to research and reporting done by WXXI’s health reporter, Brett Dahlberg. He spent eight weeks recording video and studying issues related to Rochester’s more than 60 miles of bike lanes. He found the lanes are often filled with parked cars and there’s little cyclists can do about it. What does this mean for a city working to expand travel to and from work by bike? Dahlberg joins us to discuss his reporting, along with the health benefits of

Hamilton just wrapped up a sold-out run in Rochester. This hour, we dig into the history on which the show is built. Essentially, we're asking whether Hamilton is accurate. Or perhaps better put, is it accurate enough? There's always creative license taken with these kinds of shows or films, but historians point out that many Americans are getting their understanding of historical figures through the stage or screen. Our guests discuss it: Michael Oberg , distinguished professor of history at

When Uber debuted as a publicly traded company last week, hundreds of drivers went on a one-day strike in protest. It wasn't a mass movement, but it was designed to send a message to the company regarding wages and work conditions. Drivers are paid a small fraction of the overall cost per ride, and while some drivers say it's a nice supplement to their income, others point out that it's almost impossible to make a living this way. Our panel debates the merits of rideshare and the future of Uber

We have a conversation about the New Urbanism design movement. Its goal? To create complete, compact, and connected communities. We discuss the principles of the movement, what makes for a great place, and the barriers that communities face in achieving their visions. It’s a preview of an upcoming Reshaping Rochester presentation with Lynn Richards, the president and CEO for the Congress for the New Urbanism. Richards is a Rochester native who shares how she sees Rochester fitting into the

Is it time to break up big tech companies like Amazon and Facebook? Senator Elizabeth Warren says yes, and she’s offered a detailed plan for how to do it. Other Democratic contenders like Senator Cory Booker say no. Our guests debate the merits of breaking up big companies, and whether Facebook has become too powerful. In studio: Karen Vitale, co-founder of the Rochester Democratic Socialists of America Kevin Wilson , chair of the Monroe County Libertarian Party Nicholas Wilt , former principal

There’s a shortage of workers in the construction trades. According to the Commercial Construction Index Survey, since 2017, more than half of the trade contractors surveyed stated that they had a high level of difficulty finding skilled workers, and due to that issue, about 70 percent of contractors reported they are challenged to meet schedule requirements. Local professionals in the trades want to reverse that trend. The Builders Exchange of Rochester is hosting a Construction Career Day ,

How can managers and employees create a culture of joy in their workplaces? Richard Sheridan is the CEO and co-founder of Menlo Innovations, a software company in Michigan. He’s also the author of “Chief Joy Officer: How Great Leaders Elevate Human Energy and Eliminate Fear.” In the book, he argues that dissatisfaction at work can derive from a culture of fear. He and his Menlo co-founder researched how to create a culture of joy at work, and how to develop leaders who live by it. Sheridan will

The Rochester Beacon is hosting an event focused on exploring possible answers for the Rochester City School District. On Monday afternoon, they host panel discussions led by Mayor Lovely Warren, the RTA’s Adam Urbanski, ROC the Future’s Jackie Campbell, and more. And they welcome Chris Cerf, who has led schools in both New Jersey and New York City. Our guests for the hour share their suggestions for the Rochester City School District: Chris Cerf , former commissioner of education for the state

Leaders with New York State’s Upstate Revitalization Project say nearly all of the $500 million in funding has been committed. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the funding in 2015, and to date, the money has been allocated to 100 projects in the Finger Lakes Region. Those projects are grouped under the “United for Success: Finger Lakes Forward” initiative. Critics have asked why there hasn’t been more progress, but project leaders say a foundation is being built and the initiative represents the

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: How Governor Andrew Cuomo views the Democratic Party; Challenges faced by people of color living in poverty in Rochester; The performance, "Listen to Your Mother"; Jeff Spevak's book, "22 Minutes," about a local World War II veteran and the trauma of war.