Connections Podcast

Halloween is, sadly, an excuse for racists to put some awful imagery out in the public sphere. Two fans at a Wisconsin Badgers football game dressed up as Trump holding a noose, with the noose around Obama. In Florida, a homeowner staged a mock lynching in the front yard, to the horror of neighbors. And a southern college is considering sanctions against a student who dressed up, in blackface, as Bill Cosby. These actions are widely considered offensive, but are they protected speech by law? Or

Halloween is the perfect day to focus on one of the most controversial book series of all time -- and perhaps the most banned. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark turns 35 years old. The books remain heavily debated, targeted by parents and religious groups, and beloved by many young readers. Why are we drawn to gore and the macabre? Are the stories harmless fun, or do the protesters have a point? Our panel dives in: Chris Fanning, public relations associate for Writers & BooksXandi DiMatteo,

Despite recent progress, it's still very challenging for some gay Americans to come out of the closet. That's particularly true for African Americans of faith. We sit down with Pastor Malik McFarley-Sample, who came out recently. He's finding his place in the local faith community, but he admits that Rochester's black churches have a lot of work to do on LGBTQ issues. Our guests: Pastor Malik McFarley-SampleScott Fearing, executive director of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley

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: Why more young people do not seek careers in the traditional trades;If Christians have a duty to God to vote for Donald Trump;Wage growth in America;Why people believe irrational things;The greatest American TV shows of all time.

We're living in an evolving technology landscape where it may sometimes seem like you can’t escape the glow of a screen. What does this mean for children? More than 92 percent of kids have used a mobile device as early as four months old. While educational media has its benefits, too much screen time – especially of non-educational media – can have negative effects on kids' health and development. So how much media exposure is safe for babies, toddlers, tweens, and teens? The American Academy of

Election Day is less than two weeks away, and while much is in question, one thing is indisputable: millennials could be a deciding factor in this year’s presidential race…if they vote. A Gallup poll found that only 47 percent of Americans age 18 to 34 say they will definitely cast their ballot on November 8. Why aren’t more millennials expected at the polls? Is it about the candidates, or the issues, or the outreach? And how have (or how will) so-called “millennial movements” impact the youth

The death of Assemblyman Bill Nojay has opened up his seat for the November election. We sit down with both candidates: Republican Joe Errigo and Democrat Barbara Baer.

Why do people believe irrational things? Why do people believe things that are demonstrably untrue? For example, This American Life's Ira Glass recently interviewed his uncle, who didn't believe that Barack Obama went to Harvard. How can we convince ourselves that basic facts are somehow untrue, connected to a conspiracy? One clue comes in a recent survey showing that Americans on social media spend almost no time reading or following posts from people who disagree with them. We explore the

We talk to Robin Laverne Wilson, New York's Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate. She discusses her platform and proposals, and she answers your questions.

The Landmark Society of Western New York has released its 2016 "Five to Revive," a list of local historic buildings, landscapes, and structures in need of investment. By rehabilitating the five on the list, the Landmark Society hopes they become catalytic projects for their communities. We break down this year's list and talk about the progress made with last year's selections. Our guests: Wayne Goodman, executive director of the Landmark Society of Western New YorkCaitlin Meives, preservation