Connections Podcast

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear about cities like Attica, Auburn, or Albion? For some people, it's the prisons located in those towns. Researchers at the University of Rochester are studying perspectives of prison towns, and how the presence of correctional facilities shapes socio-cultural, political, and economic life in the area. We hear about their work and what they've learned. In studio: Joshua Dubler , assistant professor of religion at the University of Rochester

We discuss the future of grocery stores with writer Jon Steinman. His book – "Grocery Story: The Promise of Food Co-Ops in the Age of Grocery Giants" – focuses on how consumer-owned food cooperatives can impact food systems and economies. Steinman is in Rochester as a guest of Abundance Food Co-op, but first, he joins us on Connections. Jon Steinman, author of "Grocery Story: The Promise of Food Co-Ops in the Age of Grocery Giants" Melinda McAuliff, marketing manager for Abundance Food Co-op

Can American free enterprise solve climate change? It's a question that will be addressed in an upcoming forum with former Republican Congressman Bob Inglis. He’ll be in Rochester on Wednesday as a guest of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce and the Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club. Inglis joins our panel to discuss possible climate policies, a carbon tax, and more. Our guests: Bob Inglis , former Congressman and executive director of republicEn Linda Isaacson-Fedele, member of

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 economic impact of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border; What caused the water crisis in Flint, Michigan; The first ever Deaf, black production of the August Wilson play, "Fences."

How do educators determine which students are gifted? Are there biases that come into play? We examine those questions with Dr. Donna For d of Vanderbilt University. She’s in town as a guest of Nazareth College, where she’ll give a presentation about culturally responsive gifted education. But first, she’s our guest on Connections.

If New York State legalizes marijuana, Governor Cuomo says the profits should go largely to communities that have been disproportionately impacted by arrests and incarceration. So how can that be assured? We explore that question with our guests: Mohini Sharma, lead organizer at Metro Justice Robert Hoggard, board member for Metro Justice Mary Kruger, executive director of Roc NORML Steve VanDeWalle, deputy chief of Roc NORML

We preview a historic production of the August Wilson play, “Fences,” in Rochester. Members of the cast and crew of NTID’s production join us to discuss the first ever Deaf, black performance of “Fences,” which will be accessible to both Deaf and hearing audiences. WXXI News streamed this conversation on Facebook Live with captions. To view the video, click here . In studio: Aceyon Owens, speaker for the role of Troy Marqwan Holmes, signer for the role of Troy Malik Paris, signer for the role of

Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang is making noise with a call for a UBI, a Universal Basic Income. He’s proposing $1,000 per month, for life, once a person turns 18 years old. Yang says the age of automation is going to threaten many more jobs than is currently understood. Our panel debates whether a UBI can be a viable way to transition the human era into the age of automation. In studio: Pete Nabozny , policy director at The Children’s Agenda Patrick Coyle , graduate assistant at

We have the first in our series of interviews with the candidates for Monroe County District Attorney. In two weeks, we'll sit down with incumbent Sandra Doorley. Today, we welcome Shani Curry Mitchell .

White supremacist groups often point to medievalism and the Middle Ages in an attempt to justify their prejudices. They say during that time in history, Europe was quintessentially white. University of Pennsylvania medievalist David Wallace studies how contemporary hate groups misappropriate the Middle Ages. He's in town for presentations at the University of Rochester , but first, he joins us on Connections to talk about the history of race. In studio: David Wallace , Judith Rodin Professor of