Connections Podcast

How can music be used to make social commentary? Wall Street Journal jazz critic Larry Blumenfeld is in Upstate New York to share his work with college students. His writing and research center on the intersection of jazz and social justice. He joins us for the hour to discuss a range of issues, including “jazz in troubled times.” Our guests: Larry Blumenfeld , cultural journalist and jazz critic for the Wall Street Journal Bob Sneider , associate professor of jazz studies and contemporary media

2019 marks 50 years since the Stonewall Riots, which sparked the gay liberation movement. Next week, the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County will debut a new exhibit commemorating the anniversary of the uprising. It’s called "Stonewall: 50 Years Out," and it's part of a series of local events honoring the history of the LGBTQ+ community. This hour, we preview the exhibit and those events, while discussing the impact of Stonewall and the current state of LGBTQ+ rights in America. Our

Investigative journalist Omar El Akkad has written a remarkable novel, "American War." It's a look that this country in the near future, as it fights a second civil war – one waged over the use of fossil fuels. The book has been selected by Writers & Books for this year's Rochester Reads program. El Akkad joins us in studio for the hour. Our guests: Omar El Akkad , author of “American War” Karen van Meenen, coordinator of the Rochester Reads and Debut Novel Series programs at Writers &

The former manager of the Cayuga Regional Digester says he quit after he was strong armed to accept illicit waste. We talk to journalists who have been covering this story, and we discuss the state bill that would ban waste incinerators in the Finger Lakes region. Our guests: Josh Durso , news director for FingerLakes1.com Peter Mantius, creator of Water Front Online Jessica Marks, Finger Lakes resident who has organized public opposition

How can comedy and art be used to address serious issues like race and climate change? Actor and activist Peterson Toscano incorporates storytelling and performance art to explore the intersections of gender, religion, and climate. He is in Rochester this week to work with local students and community members , but first, he joins us on Connections. In studio: Peterson Toscano , theatrical performance activist Harshita Sood, sustainability initiatives manager at the Rochester Institute 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: How a refugee from Afghanistan is finding peace in the U.S.; How to show solidarity with people of the Islamic faith; Photojournalism in the current media landscape.

An upcoming summit on organics will explore ways to reduce food waste, overcome challenges in recycling organic materials, and how to educate youth about sustainability. We preview the 2019 NYS Organics Summit with our guests: Jesse Kerns, program coordinator for the Syracuse University Center for Sustainable Community Solutions , and chair of the Organics Council for NYSAR3 Kristine Ellsworth, environmental engineer for the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Missy Hall, P2 engineer

Hispanic women are paid 54 cents on the dollar earned by white men. That's according to the Economic Policy Institute. In advance of Equal Pay Day, we discuss the gender pay gap, and what’s known as the double gap for Latinas . In studio: Gaynelle Wethers , president of AAUW Jackie Ortiz , member of Rochester City Council Julie Damerell , associate professor emeritus at MCC; and volunteer for League of Women Voters, Action Together Rochester, and the Worker Justice Center Green Light campaign;

What exactly is "development without displacement?" Our guests discuss the history of gentrification, and whether there is, as one developer recently said on Connections, a "good kind of gentrification." We discuss ideas for making sure neighbors can stay in their homes while communities are revitalized. And we preview an upcoming event on the subject. In studio: Calvin Eaton, founder and executive director of 540WMain Communiversity Joe Di Fiore, president of City Roots Community Land Trust and

A number of RIT alumni have been selected as winners or finalists for Pulitzer Prizes in photojournalism. We welcome Pulitzer Prize winners and finalists this week to discuss their work, including a series that examined the possible impact of a border wall in Arizona. They are in town for a series of events at RIT. Our guests also discuss the future of journalism and future prospects for young photojournalists. In studio: David Wallace , 2018 Pulitzer Prize winner for Explanatory Reporting