Connections Podcast

There is a discouraging new study about how humans are dealing with climate change. In short, we're getting used to it. And that's dangerous. The study finds that extreme weather can feel "normal" after only a few years, and that normalization could spark apathy regarding climate action. If a past generation thought something was extreme, what happens when the current generation shrugs? Our panel discusses the implications of this study, and how climate activists plan to push back against

The Green New Deal is getting most of the attention when it comes to legislative ideas for combating climate change. But individual states are working on their own approaches. New York State is working on a number of policy plans and initiatives, and our guests offer their perspective on what is proposed, what might work, and why. In studio: Sue Hughes-Smith, member of the leadership team for the Rochester People's Climate Coalition Heather Dulisse, Greater Rochester parent leader, and team

We get an update on the “Spread the Word to End the Word” campaign, which seeks to eliminate the use of the "r" word and end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. The campaign has evolved to become "Spread the Word: Inclusion." Local organizers share their perspectives on the campaign's success, and discuss efforts to promote inclusion in our community. In studio: Lindsay Jewett, area director for Best Buddies Rochester Amy Cawley, sophomore at Webster Thomas High School

An organization called Combatants for Peace says the best and only way to achieve peace and justice is through nonviolence. The participants are Palestinians and Israelis, who -- once in conflict with each other -- now work together to spread their message. We hear their stories and discuss their efforts. Our guests: Osama Elewat, Palestinian member of Combatants for Peace Michal Hochberg, Israeli member of Combatants for Peace Beth Schuman, executive director of American Friends of Combatant

Sarah Bermeo is an associate professor of public policy and political science at Duke University. We sit down with her to discuss her research on migration in Central America, and the U.S. position on foreign aid toward developing vs. developed nations. She’s in Rochester as a guest of the local chapter of the World Affairs Council.

We’re joined by Harvard law professor and former presidential candidate Lawrence Lessig for a conversation about the power of money in politics, specifically, the money primary. He’ll be in Rochester as a guest of SUNY Geneseo , but first, he’s our guest on Connections.

A new report finds that the wine industry is in real danger – and that’s because it’s largely failed to attract new, young adult consumers. The report describes a “tipping point,” and concludes that the industry had long expected millennials to take the place of baby boomer wine buyers. And that hasn’t happened. Our guests discuss what this means for the Finger Lakes wine industry, and how wine can push its way back into demand. Our guests: Joe Roberts , journalist and author of the 1WineDude

We sit down with Tabassam Javed , the president of the Islamic Center of Rochester. Javed is a psychologist by profession and has been involved with a number of local organizations committed to improving interfaith dialogue and inclusion. He joins us for a conversation about religious tolerance, ethnic diversity, and his vision for the Islamic Center of Rochester.

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: Whether a local church will split from the Methodist denomination due to the denomination's ban on same-sex marriage and ordination; How to help former inmates transition back into the community; The benefits of restorative justice in local schools.

We have a discussion about how eating disorders affect diverse groups of people. As stated by a team at the University of Rochester Medical Center, "eating disorders pay no attention to class, color, age, or sexual orientation." A new national campaign called "Come as You Are" promotes body acceptance and validates the stories of patients, no matter where they are in their recovery journeys. We learn about the campaign, the research behind eating disorders, and we'll hear from local individuals