Connections Podcast

Rochester and Buffalo have teamed up to offer a joint regional proposal to Amazon to be the site of the company's second headquarters, but is it the right move? A man who understand's Amazon's culture is skeptical. Nicholas Wilt worked as a principal engineer for Amazon for six years in Seattle. Now, he's back in Rochester, and he says the Flower City would have done better offering a proposal on its own. Wilt says he can see Amazon doing well in Rochester because Amazon embraces frugality and

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: The value of socioeconomic and racial diversity in schools; The claim that there's a "war on Christmas;" Accessibility in music, with NPR Tiny Desk Contest winner Gaelynn Lea; The Rochester Gay Men's Chorus.

It's Christmas...in October! It may seem early to be listening to Christmas music, but perhaps it would be something George Eastman would do. The philanthropist is known for his love of music and often listened to his pipe organ while eating breakfast, reading newspapers, or meeting with business associates. A new album called "An Eastman Christmas" includes 24 holiday tunes played on Eastman's Aeolian pipe organ. It's part of the upcoming holiday celebrations at the Eastman Museum. We listen to

An emerging model called self-direction is enabling people with disabilities to live more independent lives. Self-directed individuals choose where they live, they design their own days and activities, and they have more control over the funding they receive for daily support services. While the model has produced positive results for people in our community, advocates say not everyone knows about it or understands the process well. We discuss what self-direction means, and we hear from people

What can we do on a daily basis to help mitigate the effects of climate change? That's the focus of the upcoming New York Climate Solutions Summit . We discuss a number of solutions and how to implement them, including using electric vehicles, clean energy, and more. Our guests: Neely Kelley, New York State senior organizer for Mothers Out Front Abby McHugh-Grifa, leadership team co-coordinator for the Rochester People’s Climate Coalition Sandra Steingraber , distinguished scholar in residence,

In less than two weeks, New York voters will decide if the state will hold its first constitutional convention since 1967. It's an opportunity New Yorkers have every 20 years, and it gives delegates a chance to re-examine how the state works and make improvements to the constitution. The issue has been the center of a heated debate. Would a convention lead to rollback in worker protections? Is it necessary for ethics reform in state government? This hour, we hear from both sides, and answer your

The Rochester Gay Men's Chorus is celebrating 35 years of performances and community activism. The group promotes social change and LGBTQ pride through the choral arts. We listen to some music and talk to members about how the group has fostered change through its grassroots efforts. Ted Smith, board chair for the Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus Thomas Warfield, Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus alumnus Robert Strauss, artistic director of the Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus John Williams, longtime supporter of

President Trump says that Americans should consider Obamacare dead and buried, but it's not. So what options do Americans have when it comes to the open enrollment period? We discuss options and the current state of healthcare legislation. Our guests: Jane Dodds, practice administrator for Women Gynecology and Childbirth Associates, and 30 year member of Medical Group Management Association Leslie Moran, senior vice president for the New York Health Plan Association

One of the most prominent opponents of the political marriage between Republicans and Evangelical Christians is an ordained Christian minister. Barry Lynn is also the executive director of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. He says he sees an ongoing threat in which houses are worship are treated like political bases. This is timely, as President Trump presses his case that Christianity is under attack, mobilizing a base of voters that helped elect him. Lynn is in Rochester

Journalist Nikole Hannah Jones has become a leading voice in the conversation about schools and equality. She's coming to Rochester as a guest of Great Schools for All, an organization dedicated to improving schools and increasing diversity in the classroom. In fact, Great Schools for All is leading an effort to create a cross-district diverse magnet school. Our guests preview Nikole Hannah Jones' event, and discuss the related issues. In studio: Regent T. Andrew Brown, managing partner of Brown