Connections Podcast

The Reel Mind Theatre and Film Series is underway. It features films and performances that address the stigma attached to mental illness and behavior disorders, while providing messages of hope. One of the films in this year's lineup is the documentary, Deej ; it tells the story of David James Savarese, a non-speaking young man with autism. Savarese joins us in studio to share his remarkable journey and the challenges he has overcome. Plus, we get a look at what's next in the series. Our guests:

Would cities look different if they were designed primarily by women? Katrina Johnston-Zimmerman thinks so. She’s an urban anthropologist advocating for gender equality in urban design. Johnston-Zimmerman will be in Rochester next week to speak at the Community Design Center's Reshaping Rochester Series , but first, she joins us on Connections to share her research and ideas. Our guests: Katrina Johnston-Zimmerman , urban anthropologist and founder of THINK.urban Maria Furgiuele , executive

Amidst the fervor for the latest royal wedding, we explore the question: is it time to abolish the monarchy? Harry and Meghan enjoyed a worldwide audience that was intermittently fixated with things like the guests' dresses and the presence (or not) of certain family members. Our panel discusses the value of a monarchy in 2018. In studio are three Britons: Colin Coffey Jeff Ward Anthony Davies

President Trump referred to members of an international criminal gang as "animals." That sparked a debate about whether it's appropriate to use language that dehumanizes; the president has previously referred to Mexican immigrants as "rapists," while conceding that some might begoodpeople. Our guests discuss whether it's okay to draw lines, or if such language is a slippery slope to further dehumanization and stigmatization. In studio: Kit Miller , director of the Gandhi Institute for

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: Coming out as a gay athlete, with Olympic gold medalist Greg Louganis; The possible implications of legalizing sports gambling; The documentary Lake of Betrayal , and how the Kinzua Dam impacted the Seneca Nation; How children describe phone booths (trust us, it's a fun conversation).

When's the last time you gave someone a standing ovation? We have a little debate over when to stand, and when to stay seated. The critics say that we stand too often, and that has removed the meaning of standing ovations. It's the adult version of "everyone gets a trophy." Or is it? Our guests: Michelle Brown, actor Ralph Meranto , artistic director of the JCC CenterStage Eric Grode , director of the Goldring Arts Journalism Program at the Newhouse School at Syracuse University Brenda Tremblay

Greg Louganis, Olympic gold medalist and LGBTQ activist, joins us in studio. He discusses a range of issues, including the inclusion (or exclusion) of gay athletes in locker rooms, and the landscape for people with HIV. Our guests: Greg Louganis , Olympic gold medalist, LGBTQ activist, and author Dr. Bill Valenti , M.D., co-founder, senior vice president for strategic advancement, chief of innovation, and staff physician at Trillium Health

Students from Genesee Community Charter School have teamed up with a local artist on a mural project to better understand Rochester’s neighborhoods. The ROC Believers join us to share what they learned about poverty, gentrification, and urban revitalization in our city. In studio: Natalia Barone, sixth grader at Genesee Community Charter School Zack Nur, sixth grader at Genesee Community Charter School Alexi Stubbe, sixth grade teacher at Genesee Community Charter School Shawn Dunwoody ,

A documentary called Lake of Betrayal tells the story of the Kinzua Dam on the Allegheny River in Pennsylvania, and how its construction forced the Seneca Indian people from their ancestral land. It’s a story of politics, commercialization, broken treaties, and the Seneca Nation’s fight to protect its sovereignty and culture. The film will be shown at Ganondagan this weekend, and we’ll get a preview with the filmmaker. Our guests: Scott Sackett, writer and producer of Lake of Betrayal Peter

Fans and critics of Kanye West are reacting to the rapper's recent comments about political figures and slavery. West has tweeted about his support for President Trump and right-wing figures, and has said slavery was a "choice." In a piece in the Atlantic Monthly , writer Ta-Nehisi Coates argues that West wants a "white freedom," and is distancing himself from blackness. West argues that he's a "free thinker." We talk to local musicians, music writers, and music lovers about West's comments, the