Connections Podcast

Black Panther is not just a box office smash; it has already become a cultural touchstone. Our panel will discuss the movie, its themes, and its impact on our society. Melanie Funchess , director of community engagement for the Mental Health Association of Rochester Willis Brooks , PR rep at Entercom, and actor Leslie Youngblood , author of Love Like Sky Mona Isler , executive assistant and staff liaison to the board at WXXI, and comedy improviser

It's a name you haven't heard, but Dave Stevenson is a "legend" in the world of interplanetary science. That's according to the U of R's own Adam Frank. Stevenson is visiting Rochester for a series of lectures this week, and our discussion covers the very nature of how planets are formed, and where life can exist. It's particularly poignant, as human beings continue to struggle with the climate on our own planet. Is there anywhere else we could go hang out for a while? In studio: David Stevenson

CNN reported on voters who unknowingly hosted campaign events sponsored by Russians. One woman in Florida did not believe the FBI's evidence, and told off CNN on camera. That encounter has gone viral, prompting several questions. Among them: did the reporter harass the woman? Could the reporter have approached that encounter differently? How can we break through when so many of us are determined never to change our minds? Our guests: Dave Andreatta , columnist for the Democrat & Chronicle

Critics of modern feminism have alleged that feminists want to blur inherent differences between men and women. Andrew Sullivan writes, "All differences between the sexes, we are now informed, are a function of the age-old oppression of women by men." That's just one example of the roiling debate about what is inherent, versus what is taught. Our panelists discuss it. In studio: Lauren Hall , assistant professor of political science at RIT Barbara LeSavoy , director of the women and gender

Research shows that LGBTQ youth make up a disproportionally high percentage of the homeless population across the nation, putting them at risk for discrimination, sex trafficking, and more. It's an issue affecting our community. Local organizations are pushing for more beds for this vulnerable population. We talk to them about their efforts, and we hear from people in our community who faced these challenges when they were homeless. Dr. Bill Valenti , M.D., senior vice president for

The pro-business organization Unshackle Upstate has called for lower taxes and lighter regulations. We look at their priorities in light of federal and state bills. Greg Biryla, executive director, Unshackle Upstate Seth Olney, owner of The Olney Place

Should the voting age be lowered to 16? It’s a question that has resurfaced over the last few days, as students across the country have spoken out about gun legislation following the mass school shooting in Florida. Advocates of lowering the voting age say that if students are already participating in politics and can work and drive, they shouldn’t be denied the civic responsibility of voting. Those against the idea say that 16 and 17 year olds are not mature enough to make informed decisions at

USA Today recently reported on the continuing support for President Trump among evangelical Christians. This comes a little more than a year after 81 percent of white evangelicals voted for Trump. Many leaders in the Christian conservative community sat that the administration’s list of wins – from judicial and personnel appointments to policy changes to pro-life agenda actions – has been lengthy. That has sparked conversations in the local Christian community, particularly among left-leaning

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 local schools are protecting and caring for students, after news of mass shootings in American schools; Racism, and what we tell our kids about race; Reactions to the proposed changes to the SNAP program; What's happening with photonics in Rochester.

Will & Grace is back with new episodes, and a Roseanne revival is set to premiere next month. Plus, there are rumors of a Seinfeld reboot. Fans of these shows are excited about them returning to their screens. So why do we love seeing specific characters and shows back on TV after years off the air? Our guests talk about nostalgia, and what the teams behind the revival shows need to do to keep their audiences watching. In studio: Bob Thompson , director of the Bleier Center for Television