Connections Podcast

How can brick and mortar movie theaters maintain and grow audiences in the digital age? We sit down with teams at the Cinema Theater and the Little Theatre to discuss how they handle competition from Netflix and other platforms, and what they see for the future of their industry. In studio: Scott Pukos , public relations coordinator for the Little Theatre Bri Merkel, artistic director for the Little Theatre Alex Chernavsky, co-owner of the Cinema Theater Audrey Chernavsky, co-owner of the Cinema

Journalist Anna Clark explores how the Flint water crisis happened in her new book, "The Poisoned City." It's a historical look at what led to the crisis, how the community responded, and it provides a warning for cities across America whose infrastructure is aging. Clark is in town for a presentation at the University of Rochester, but first, she joins us on Connections to discuss her work. In studio: Anna Clark , author of "The Poisoned City: Flint's Water and the American Urban Tragedy" Molly

A panel on Tuesday at the University of Rochester will explore Brexit and the rise of populism in Europe. We preview that event with a discussion about what led to the UK’s exit from the EU, the role of populism, and if there will be more such exits in the future. In studio: Randy Stone , director of the Skalny Center for Polish and Central European Studies at the University of Rochester Philippe Maass, political science and economics major at the University of Rochester, Class of 2020

How would a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border impact security, commerce, the environment, and property rights? That's a question explored in a documentary called "The Wall," created by the Arizona Republic. It's part of a 2018 Pulitzer Prize-winning reporting project. The film is coming to The Little Theatre on Thursday (but it is sold out). We get a preview with a journalist who helped produce it, and we discuss a number of issues related to a border wall. Our guests: Daniel González ,

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 morality of wealth; How communities of color are portrayed in the media; Parenting and climate change.

Congressman Joe Morelle joins us in studio to discuss a wide range of issues. We explore climate policy, health care, the lessons from the Mueller report, and more.

Lutheran pastor Nadia Bolz Weber has kicked off a debate about sex and Christianity. Bolz Weber argues that for too long, Christian leadership has pushed a culture of shame and self-loathing onto Christians who are ordered to deny their natural urges. Our guests discuss these ideas, focusing on sex, shame, grace, and whether anyone can understand what God wants and expects. In studio: Matthew Martin Nickoloff , pastor of the South Wedge Mission Robin Lindley , pastor of Monroe Park Vineyard

A language can say much about a culture, and when a language is in danger of being lost, what does that mean for the culture and those who celebrate it? WXXI reporter Caitlin Whyte spoke with local Native Americans about this question; they are working to preserve the Mohawk and Seneca languages. This hour, we discuss the process of language shift, how languages become endangered, and what can be done to protect them. Our guests: Ronnie Pollack, member of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First

Rochester native Mary DeMocker fell in love with nature as a young child, and now, she’s an author and climate activist. In her new book, “The Parents’ Guide to Climate Revolution,” she offers guidance and tips for families as they attempt to curb climate change. DeMocker is in Rochester for a series of events. She joins us in studio for the hour to discuss her work.

The Rochester Association of Black Journalists (RABJ) is celebrating 15 years as an organization. Since its inception, it has worked to bring diversity into newsrooms and to ensure balanced coverage of communities of color. This hour, we discuss RABJ’s achievements to date and the state of diversity in media. In studio: Richard McCollough , chief meteorologist at WDKX, founder of Mirusmedia, and president of the Rochester Association of Black Journalists Erica Bryant , columnist and reporter at