Connections Podcast

On the heels of primary night, we continue our conversations about New York State politics. Larry Sharpe, the libertarian candidate for governor, is in Rochester for a series of events. Sharpe has been outspoken on a number of issues, including his pledge to repeal the SAFE Act and to push major reforms in the state education system. He joins us in studio for the hour to answer our questions and yours.

The College at Brockport is rolling out a new program alongside the Brockport Central School District, and it comes with a message: understanding how to teach and live in diverse communities is not limited to urban areas. In the past several years, Brockport has seen incidents involving students or families that featured racist, sexist, or homophobic comments. At both the high school and college level, Brockport leaders want to ensure everyone has equal access to opportunities. The college is

We discuss workforce development in Rochester and the Finger Lakes. A local program has been highlighted by a statewide non-profit for its efforts to help young people gain valuable skills. We discuss the Green Visions program at Greentopia and the state of workforce development in our area. In studio: Morgan Barry, director of the Green Visions program at Greentopia Tiani Jennings, site manager for the Green Visions program at Greentopia David Miller, graduate of the Green Visions program at

With the start of the school year, we have a conversation standardized testing. Daniel Koretz is the author of "The Testing Charade: Pretending to Make Schools Better." He joins us to discuss why he thinks standardized testing has negative impacts on student learning. Our guests: Daniel Koretz , professor of education at Harvard University who teaches educational measurement, and author of "The Testing Charade: Pretending to Make Schools Better" Dan Drmacich, coordinator for the Rochester

Local activist Miriam Zinter recently posted a Twitter thread about her family's personal struggle with institutional racism. The thread went viral. Zinter joins us to share the challenges her father faced in the fields of education, the military, employment, housing, and more. We also discuss how and why recognizing and understanding institutional racism can lead to policy change.

When tennis superstar Serena Williams was penalized multiple times during the U.S. Open final on Saturday, her reaction led to controversy. Williams told the chair umpire at the match that a man would not be criticized for the comments and behavior that she displayed. Many people agreed; others said even if that is the case, it doesn’t excuse her behavior. In the midst of this conversation, an Australian political cartoonist created an image of Williams stomping on her racket; her features were

The Irondequoit Police Department will be hosting its Police Community Relations Forum next week. The goal is to build community engagement and identify a two-year strategic plan for the police department using resident input. The forum is one of several hosted by the Greater Rochester Police Community Relations working group over the last two years. This hour, we preview the Irondequoit forum and discuss 21st century policing. Our guests: Chief Richard Tantalo , Irondequoit Police Department

The Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence is bringing experts in gender reconciliation to Rochester. Cynthia Brix and Will Keepin will give a presentation at Nazareth College and a retreat at the Clover Center next month. Their work focuses on healing the differences and divisions between men and women. They say addressing gender injustice is more important now than ever. They join us to share their research and recommendations for creating a culture with gender equality. Our guests: Kit Miller ,

Isn't it adorbs when we use words so frequently they officially get added to the dictionary? Maybe you read some of them this weekend when you gorged on guac with a rando because you were both hangry. This hour, we discuss some of Merriam-Webster's 840 new words , and we talk about how and why language changes. Have a pen and paper handy because we test your knowledge and that of our guests: Dan Mulcahy , creative director for Bush Communications Amanda Chestnut , artist and communications

The New York Times made serious news last week with the publication of an op-ed by an anonymous writer – a senior official in the White House. Should the Times have published a piece by an anonymous source? This hour, we’re joined by local journalists who discuss the standards and policies for using anonymous sources. In studio: Randy Gorbman , news director for WXXI Vanessa Cheeks , reporter for Open Mic Rochester Meaghan McDermott , taxes/property watchdog reporter for the Democrat and