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: Access to birth certificates and family information for people who have been adopted in New York State*; The therapeutic benefits of friendship for people with mental illness; The value of print reporting, and a small-town newspaper that won a Pulitzer Prize. *Correction: In the podcast, the host and producer say the legislation has

We hear the adoption story of a local man. Caleb Shulman learned at age seven that he was adopted. As an adult, he set out to find his birth family and access his birth certificate. While he was able to connect with his biological mother, he has not been able to obtain his original birth certificate. The New York State Legislature passed a bill that it says would help adoptees over the age of 18 access their birth certificates and information about their biological parents. The bill is pending

Tens of thousands of Americans die from opioid overdoses each year. In March of 2016, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced independent pharmacies in New York State would be able to provide Narcan -- a medication that reverses the effects of opioid overdose -- without a prescription. Despite this accessibility, Monroe County Commissioner of Public Health Dr. Mike Mendoza says few people are taking advantage of the availability of the kits. He says lack of awareness and stigma contribute to the issue.

We kick off our annual Summer of Food series with a conversation about women in the wine industry. We’re joined by organizers of an upcoming symposium hosted by the Finger Lakes chapter of Women for WineSense . The organization’s Grand Event later this month will cover a number of subjects, including the science of food and wine, how wine factors into a healthy lifestyle, how dessert wines fit into the craft cocktail scene, and more. Our guests discuss current issues in the wine industry, and

Saturday marks one year since the Black Lives Matter protest in Rochester. The demonstrations near East and Alexander Streets lasted hours, with more than 70 people being arrested by police in riot gear, who said they were trying to keep the peace. A year later, activists who were part of that protest are sharing their thoughts about the movement’s progress and goals. We talk to them about the successes and their frustrations. In studio: Frederick Douglass (pseudonym), Black Lives Matter

This year's Pulitzer Prize committee recognized some of the smallest newspapers in the country with awards. The Storm Lake Times in Iowa and the Charleston Gazette-Mail in West Virginia won Pulitzers for their investigative reporting and editorial work. We talk to the awardees about small town journalism and the value of print reporting. Our guests: Art Cullen , co-owner and editor of the Storm Lake Times Eric Eyre , statehouse reporter for the Charleston Gazette-Mail Justin Murphy , education

Nearly 44 million American adults experience mental illness in a given year, yet only about 60 percent receive treatment. The stigma surrounding mental illness keeps many adults — and youth — from asking for help. Compeer Rochester is working to change that; the organization says there’s strong evidence behind the therapeutic value of friendship. Compeer offers mentoring programs where adults and youth struggling with mental illness are matched with community members. We talk to members of the

If you’re like most social media users, you want the freedom to post whatever you’d like and the opportunity to access materials that interest you. Yet, when the technology you use to enjoy those freedoms becomes a way to restrict them, it raises a number of issues. This is the theme behind a number of recent news stories involving social media. Germany just passed one of the world’s toughest laws cracking down on hate speech on social media. Critics say that the law may lead to censorship

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: A disability rights activist's experience in Washington, D.C., while protesting potential cuts to Medicaid; How journalists decide what to cover and what not to cover; The differences between cultural appropriation and cultural exchange; The benefits of integrating geothermal and solar energy systems in homes.

Have you heard of geothermal energy systems? It's a growing trend in renewable energy, and it's becoming more popular in homes in our area. We toured a home in Fairport that uses solar and geothermal systems. We talk to the owner about the technology, and the financial and environmental impacts. Our guests: Martin Smith, Fairport resident who installed solar and geothermal systems in his home Jesse Cook, president of Geotherm Inc .