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: Dress codes and implicit bias; The sex abuse scandals in the Catholic church; The future of classical music; Trends in the beer industry, and the craft beer scene in Rochester.

Award-winning author Dubravka Ugresic is in Rochester to discuss her book of essays, American Fictionary . Ugresic fled war-torn Yugoslavia in the early 1990s for Amsterdam, and later, Middletown, Connecticut. It was in America that she says she was assaulted by Western consumerism; “strong personalities;” and an obsession with exercise, bagels, and public confession. In her book, she describes how she sees America – especially as a woman whose country was destroyed by war. She’s a guest of Open

What is the future of classical music in America? The Eastman School of Music is hosting three guest scholars this weekend who will help answer that question. They join us in studio for a preview of their presentations about teaching classical music in the digital age and the challenges future music leaders will face. Our guests: Robert Winter , distinguished professor of music at UCLA Robert Freeman , pianist, author, former director of the Eastman School of Music and the New England

A photo of the dress code posted at the bar Murphy’s Law on East Avenue has gone viral. While the owners say the policy was put in place nine years ago and reflects other dress codes in the area, many community members say it’s discriminatory. The policy states that after 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays anyone wearing a number of items – including bandannas or do-rags, camo, or Timberland work boot – is not allowed in the bar. When someone posted a photo of the policy on Facebook, it led to a

We have a conversation about judge Brett Kavanaugh and the Raise the Age campaign. Advocates for raising the age of criminal responsibility have wanted 18 to be the age for adult criminal responsibility. Now, some defenders of Kavanaugh say you cannot support raising the age and also want to hold him accountable for what he may have done when he was 17. Our panel discusses it. In studio: Elaine Spaull , member of Rochester City Council, and executive director of the Center for Youth Michael Tomb

The World Affairs Council of Rochester kicks off its new season of speakers with a conversation about Mexico's evolving criminal landscape. There has been a great deal of news coverage of Mexican gangs, spurred by the White House. Dr. Eric Olson is Deputy Director of the Latin American Program and Senior Advisor to the Mexico Institute at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. His work focuses on the impacts of violence and organized crime on democratic governance. Dr. Olson is

A new list of "25 dying professions you should avoid" has gone viral, and it's generating conversations about the occupations listed. While it may not seem surprising that door-to-door salesperson is on the list, do you think lawyer should have been included? What about mortgage broker, travel agent, or IT expert? This hour, we talk to professionals whose careers (or former careers) are on the list. Our guests: Caitlin Madison , communications manager at CDS Life Transitions Scott Malouf ,

Research shows that when they go out for a drink, Americans – especially millennials – are more likely to order wine or cocktails over beer. Why? Many consumers say wine and spirits taste better, cost less, and are healthier. The news has the beer industry taking on new strategies to grow and maintain its customer base. Will those strategies work? This hour, we discuss if the decline in beer consumption is a trend, if beer has a marketing problem, and what the future of the alcoholic beverage

The Catholic Church is struggling with more allegations of sexual abuse and a widening scandal. Some Catholic writers have called it a civil war within the church. So how can the church heal? Will members stay throughout the storm? Our guests weigh in: Timothy Thibodeau , Ph.D., professor of history at Nazareth College Nora Bradbury-Haehl , author, interfaith youth worker, and Catholic writer Nancy Rourke , Ph.D., professor of religious studies and theology at Canisius College, and former

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: One family's experience with institutional racism; How police-community relations can change; How new words are added to the dictionary.