Connections Podcast

We preview the documentary, Real Boy . It's the coming-of-age story of Bennett Wallace, a trans teenager undergoing a gender transition. While navigating the transition and a strained relationship with his family, Wallace connects with trans folk singer Joe Stevens, who takes Wallace under his wing. Wallace and Stevens are in Rochester for the film's screening at The Little Theatre and a musical performance at Geva Theatre Center, but first, they're our guests on Connections. In studio: Bennett

How much do you know about Bitcoin and cryptocurrency? The value of Bitcoin has gone through the roof recently. Is it a bubble or could it eventually replace the dollar? We discuss it with our guests: George Conboy , chairman of Brighton Securities Mike Komaransky , partner at DRW and head of Cumberland Mining, one of the world's largest bitcoin trading companies by volume Collin Paran , organizer for the Rochester Bitcoin Group

We continue our series of conversations with candidates for Rochester City Council. We’ve invited all 15 candidates on the program in groups of three to discuss their platforms, priorities, and visions for Rochester’s future. During this round, we sit down with: Chris Edes Andrew Hollister Ericka Jones

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 relationship between journalists and politicians, with WXXI's Capitol Bureau chief, Karen DeWitt; A local veteran's experiences in Vietnam; Schools that handle public education well, despite persistent poverty; Combating negative stereotypes surrounding BOCES.

Assemblymember Harry Bronson is back in studio with us for the first time since his reelection last September. We talk to him about his legislative priorities, including the Empire State Apprenticeship Program, which was included in the state budget. The job-training program will help young people gain skills in fields like nursing, agriculture, and advanced manufacturing. The goal is to reduce youth unemployment, poverty, and a skills gap in the workforce. We also talk state business:

Low-income students of color make up the majority of classrooms in American public schools, and research shows that the challenges they face -- poverty, homelessness, or hunger -- have directly influenced their level of academic success. While many of these children are failing to make the grade, education experts say state and federal policies are failing the students. They say there’s too much of a focus on raising test scores, and that policies should be designed to close opportunity gaps and

It's being called one of the most promising breakthroughs in medicine, and researchers say understanding it better could transform how we treat a number of diseases. We’re talking about the microbiome. Maybe you’ve heard the term used in various health-related discussions, but what does it really mean? We discuss how the bacteria in our bodies help us digest food, fight off infection, and affect our mood. Our guests: Dr. Kirsi Jarvinen-Seppo , M.D., Ph.D., chief of pediatric allergy and

We're at The Little Theatre, talking state business with WXXI's Capitol Bureau chief, Karen DeWitt , New York State Assembly Majority Leader Joe Morelle , and Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb . Our guests discuss ethics reform, state budget issues, free tuition at public colleges, working with Governor Cuomo, and more.

We're at The Little Theatre, talking state business with WXXI's Capitol Bureau chief, Karen DeWitt . We hear from Karen about her reporting career, and we discuss how the relationship between journalists and politicians has changed.

For years, political leaders have stressed STEM education and the importance of a college degree. What about the BOCES model, focusing on learning skilled trades, like welding? There is momentum shifting toward skilled trades in the modern economy, particularly as college graduates enter an uncertain marketplace. Our guests: Olie Olson, metal trades instructor at the Mt. Morris Career and Technical Education Center Matt Cicero, senior at Livonia Central Schools and a student in the Metal Trades