Connections Podcast

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 to create safe cities for all people, and why context in media stories matters; How we, as individuals, can do a better job of living sustainably; Where the line is when it comes to comedy, related to changes made by the show "Family Guy"; Politics and music with Ryan Miller of Guster.

The annual Susan B. Anthony Luncheon set for later this month will welcome Dr. Irma McClaurin as its keynote speaker. McClaurin is a feminist anthropologist and author who writes about race, diversity, and social justice. We preview her presentation with a conversation about the value of diversity, how to find bonds of commonality, and how to better understand – and eliminate – social disparities. Our guests: Irma McClaurin , Ph.D., CEO of Irma McClaurin Solutions, anthropologist, author, and co

Jerome Underwood was named the new president and CEO of Action for a Better Community in January 2018. Prior to leading the organization, he served on its board for nearly a decade. Underwood has been an outspoken advocate for underrepresented groups in the Rochester community. He joins us in studio for the hour to discuss the future of ABC, how the current discourse regarding race may impact his work, and how he hopes his organization can counteract poverty in our area.

PBS host and musician Ryan Miller was in Rochester last week for a performance with his band, Guster . We had a chance to sit down with him to discuss music, politics, how the two intersect, and more.

Monday marked 33 years since the space shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds into its flight. All seven crew members, including a teacher, were killed. It's a tragedy that shook many Americans and, according to some writers, ended the space age of innocence. We talk with representatives from the Challenger Learning Center about how space exploration -- and spaceflight tragedies -- have been taught and viewed over decades. In studio: Peter Robson , mission commander for the Challenger Learning

When it comes to fighting climate change, there tends to be two schools of thought. One says that it’s all about personal responsibility, and acting every day in a way that is sustainable. The other says it’s mostly about policy, especially on the federal level. Our guests believe the two camps are related, and they try to live every hour in a way that is sensitive to our changing climate. So what does that look like? What changes might they inspire in others? Our guests: Enid Cardinal , senior

Police accountability has been a subject of conversation in the Rochester community for several decades, with one of the main questions being, ‘should law enforcement have a role in deciding how police officers are disciplined?’ In recent weeks, City Hall and City Council have released proposals for police accountability boards. In our first of several upcoming conversations on this subject, we sit down with members of City Council, who discuss their draft legislation and their priorities. We

The producers of the TV show "Family Guy" recently announced that they will be phasing out jokes about gay people. They say some of the things they felt comfortable joking about years ago are no longer acceptable. Reaction from viewers has been across the board, with some fans supporting the decision and others saying "Family Guy" should be an equal opportunity offender. We talk to local comedians about what they think, and about how joke philosophy can change over time. Our guests: Mrs. Kasha

Sayak Valencia is a transfeminist scholar and activist who is in Rochester this week to talk to local students about the realities of immigration. She recently returned from interviewing migrants at the southern border. Valencia shares what she learned at the border and discusses how immigration, capitalism, and violence intersect. In studio: Sayak Valencia , professor and researcher in the Department of Cultural Studies at El Colegio de la Frontera Norte, and author of "Gore Capitalism" Rev.

What does it take to go vegan? A common misconception is that switching to a whole-food, plant-based diet could break the bank. Local healthcare workers and vegans say that isn't true, and a vegan lifestyle is available to people at all levels of income. This hour, we discuss the accessibility of healthy foods, the impact of food deserts, and what our guests would see like to change at the policy and education levels. In studio: Dr. Ted Barnett , M.D., founder and CEO of Rochester Lifestyle