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: Freedom of speech, and if speech can be violent; If urbanists have become too smug; Where the line is -- or should be -- in comedy.

We have a conversation about bees. Where have they gone? Why have colonies collapsed? How can you recognize which types of bees are in your backyard and what you should do about them? Matt Kelly is a farmer and a writer who specializes in bees. He joins us to discuss.

We sit down with Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb . He and members of the Assembly Minority conference are pressing Democratic colleagues to pass two bills* that they say would strengthen oversight in state economic development programs. This comes with less than two weeks left in the legislative session. We talk with Kolb about his priorities as the session ends, and he answers our questions and yours. *NYS Procurement Integrity Act: A.6355-A (Peoples-Stokes)/S.3984-A (DeFrancisco) Database

Comedians are often considered to be truth tellers. But in recent years, critics say they have largely become party props, while pushing the typical limits of civility. Michelle Wolf has been criticized for her performance at the White House Correspondents Dinner; Samantha Bee offered a limited apology for her remarks about Ivanka Trump; Robert De Niro rallied the audience at the Tony Awards by firing an epithet at President Trump. Our panel of comedians will discuss where the line is, and if

The Washington Post writes that Democrats typically campaign on raising taxes for millionaires, or the wealthiest Americans. But when they finally gain power, they don't follow through. That's the case in New Jersey, where state Democrats pushed a millionaire's tax for years, only to back down once they controlled the statehouse. Our panel discusses what this means for a party that has long claimed to care about income inequality and wage disparity, and has promised to fund health care and

Has urbanism become too mean? That's exactly what some local urbanists feel, and they're looking for ways to improve their tactics. Mocking someone for driving a car? Lampooning golfers? Is that effective? Our guests debate what works and what doesn’t: David Riley , urbanist and former newspaper reporter Marlana Zink, Rochester resident with a background in planning Jason Partyka , member of Reconnect Rochester Phil Kehres , urban planner in Vancouver, Canada

Can speech be violent? That's a common point of debate on college campuses and in social justice circles, where many activists argue that some speech is not just offensive; it's dangerous. Libertarians tend to argue that the answer to speech is more speech, and that speech is not violence. Our guests discuss how they view speech and its potential limits, including where the government should or should not step in. In studio: Kevin Wilson , co-chair of the Monroe County Libertarian Party

President Trump has picked a fight with Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau. And sure, it was easy to rib the president when he mistakenly said that Canada burned down the White House in the War of 1812. But surveys show that most Americans know very, very little about one of our strongest allies. So what do Canadians think we get wrong about Canada? What should we know? Are they concerned about the shaky state of the relationship? Our guests are Canadians: Jenn Beideman Janey Harper Sangeetha

The Hotel Cadillac has closed, but activists supporting former residents continue to protest how they say management company DHD Ventures handled the closure. Local shelters are working to find housing for the former residents, while saying the future of the Cadillac is a symbol of gentrification in Rochester. What's next for the property is unclear. We discuss it. In studio: Don Adams, member of the Rochester Homeless Union Nick Coulter, co-founder of Person Centered Housing Options (PCHO) Ryan

Author Peter Lovenheim joins us in studio to discuss his new book, “The Attachment Effect.” It's a look at how early childhood relationships impact our adult relationships. We discuss the different types of attachments (secure, anxious, and avoidant), how they form and can change, and how understanding your own attachment style can better your relationships.