Connections Podcast

Rochester is a budding hotbed for lifestyle medicine. The founder of Rochester Lifestyle Medicine says the concentration of lifestyle medicine board-certified physicians in the Greater Rochester area is far higher than anywhere else in the world. And now, doctors and patients from across the country are invited to the Rochester Lifestyle Medicine Institute to participate in a plant-based nutrition course. This hour, our guests discuss how chronic diseases can be treated and prevented through

When Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez proposed a 70% tax rate for the very highest earners, it brought swift predictions that she would be hurting her own popularity with the idea. But a new poll finds that most Americans are in favor of just such a tax rate. 59% of Americans would like to see it happen, including 45% of Republicans. What does this tell us about what Americans want, and what Congress wants? And what would the revenue pay for? Our guests discuss it: Amanda Goetze, co-chair

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 discuss race; Employment discrimination for people with disabilities; How evolving technologies are leading to concerns about safety and privacy.

The Rochester Historical Society has more than 200,000 objects related to Rochester's history, but the future of those objects and the society is in jeopardy due to a lack of funding. We discuss what could be next for the organization. In studio: Carolyn Vacca , president of the board for the Rochester Historical Society, Monroe County historian, and chair of the Department of History at St. John Fisher College Tom Latta, board member for the Rochester Historical Society, and vice president of

You may have heard Governor Cuomo’s State of the State on Tuesday. Representatives from our area were in Albany for the address and the passing of the GENDA bill. We hear from Assemblymembers Harry Bronson, Mark Johns, and Marjorie Byrnes about that news and about their priorities for this legislative session. We also discuss upstate economic development, the ban on conversion therapy, and the governor’s plan to legalize marijuana. Our guests: Assemblymember Harry Bronson (D), District 138

Our Dialogue on Disability Week continues with a conversation about employment discrimination for people with disabilities. “The Good Place” star Jameela Jamil recently turned down a role to play a deaf woman, saying the role should go to a deaf actress instead. Jamil is one of several Hollywood stars speaking out about the need for more inclusion and representation of people with disabilities in the media and in the workplace. In Rochester, a report released last year revealed that poverty and

Talking about race is difficult for many people. Jackie Campbell of the Children’s Agenda specializes in helping people sit down together and open their hearts and minds. Her approach has led to some emotional and powerful breakthroughs. We asked her to share how she does it. Campbell joins us in studio for the hour with her colleagues from Table 23, a small group of community members who meet to discuss issues surrounding race. Our guests: Jackie Campbell , director of ROC the Future at The

We continue our Dialogue on Disability Week with an update on the state of early intervention (EI) services in Monroe County. In early December, county officials announced a temporary solution to what some local providers called a brewing crisis in EI services. A shortage in providers and funding would have led to about 1,200 children being waitlisted for programs, but the county has since allocated six Department of Health employees to coordinate intake services. Parents and providers say more

A new federal rule requiring hospitals to share rates for procedures and services is leading to debate. The rule requires hospital systems to post charges online in an effort to increase billing transparency, but some critics say the move will confuse consumers because those charges do not factor in insurance, other aid, and complicating factors. Those who support the rules say this is a step in the right direction in helping consumers make better-informed decisions about healthcare. What do you

It's Dialogue on Disability Week and we kick off our series of conversations on Connections with a discussion about inclusive recreation activities. The film “Perfectly Normal for Me” tells the story of three children with disabilities as they prepare for a spring recital as part of their after school dance program. We preview the film and talk with local parents, teachers, and education coordinators about finding a balance between independence and structure for children with special needs, and