Veteran activist and Quaker author Eileen Flanagan believes that hope and unity are essential ingredients in any real climate solution. In her forthcoming book, "Common Ground: How the Crisis of the Earth is Saving Us from Our Illusion of Separation," Flanagan shares stories of unlikely coalitions — from faith leaders and frontline organizers to Indigenous activists and investors — that are making a difference. She joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about fear, burnout, protest, and what it means to build power without losing compassion. Our guest:

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A Senate bill that would have banned the use of sewage sludge as fertilizer on New York farmland passed in the State Senate — but then quietly died in the Assembly. Supporters say the bill was a necessary response to research showing harmful levels of PFAS and other toxic compounds in treated human and industrial waste, which can contaminate crops, waterways and drinking water. Opponents, including the waste processing industry, say the science isn’t settled and that banning sludge could devastate rural economies. We look at how the bill unraveled — and what happens next. Our guests:

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New studies show cannabis use is rising among older adults. Clinicians have been able to provide medical marijuana to eligible patients since 2016. But the legalization of cannabis in 2021 means increasing numbers of people are using it for a variety of symptoms and conditions including pain, anxiety, cancer symptoms and seizures. Guest host Racquel Stephen talks with local clinicians and a patient about this trend and about what patients should consider when requesting and using cannabis. Our guests:

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June is Men's Mental Health Awareness Month. Our first hour focuses on the prevalence of mental health issues among men. Men die by suicide at a rate higher than women. But the American Association of Medical Colleges points out that men are diagnosed with depression at far lower rates than women. Guest host Racquel Stephen and our panel discuss why men are underdiagnosed and under supported. Our guests also talk about the stigma surrounding mental health for men and discuss unique ways that local practitioners are meeting men’s mental health needs. Our guests:

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We continue our conversations with winners of Tuesday night’s Democratic primary. This hour, guest host Gino Fanelli sits down with winners of the race for Rochester City School Board: current school board president Camille Simmons; Kareem McCullough; and Heather Fienman. 

The district is set to welcome a new superintendent — Eric Jay Rosser — in less than a week. It’s one of the reasons the RCSD has made headlines in recent months. 

We talk with the primary winners about their goals for the district, the culture of the board, and what they hope to help students, families, and the district achieve if they are successful in November’s election. 

In studio:

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The results are in from Tuesday night's Democratic primary. Incumbent Rochester Mayor Malik Evans advances to the November general election, as will five candidates for Rochester City Council: LaShunda Leslie-Smith; Chiara “Kee Kee” Smith; and incumbents Stanley Martin; current council president Miguel Melendez; and Mitch Gruber. 

This hour, we focus on the city council race. Guest host Gino Fanelli talks with the winners about their vision for the future of the city and the work they aim to do if they win in November. Our guests: 

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The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson died on June 11. He was 82, but as writer Sam Sodomsky wrote in a remembrance for Pitchfork, “‘immortal’ is still the word that comes to mind.” Wilson’s forward-thinking musical compositions helped redefine pop music in the 1960s — as well as what anyone thought was possible at the time. Tributes have poured in, including from local musicians. Submarine School of Music co-founder Ben Morey labeled Wilson “a guiding light to me for most of my life,” while psych-pop tinkerer Alex Northrup called for more Wilson-influenced sunshine “in a world that seems to be growing increasingly darker.” Both join musician and CITY magazine art director Jacob Walsh and guest host and CITY Magazine arts reporter Patrick Hosken to talk about Wilson’s influence on their lives as music makers. Our guests:

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Since its inception in 2002, the Rochester International Jazz Festival has always been, as its name states, international. Performers from Canada, Europe and elsewhere regularly make the trek to play at 18 different venues around town for audiences that can total 200,000. But 2025 feels different, backdropped by the Trump administration’s trade war with Canada and rising fears about border crossings and detainments. Musicians also say the cost of securing work permits in the United States has increased dramatically in recent years. Is it still worth it? And what’s it like for local jazz players, whose gigs don’t require the same logistical red tape? This year's festival is already in full swing and runs through June 28. Guest host Patrick Hosken talks with performers about their experiences. Our guests:

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Hollywood loves sequels and remakes. And here they come: "Jurassic World Rebirth;" "M3GAN 2.0;" "28 Years Later;" "Superman;" "Happy Gilmore;" "I Know What You Did Last Summer." Will our panel of cinephiles go for nostalgia, or do they want something new? What’s The Little bringing to screens? Guest host Scott Pukos and fellow film fanatics tell us what's hot and what's not this summer:

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Why do we crave screams in the summer? Horror is a genre that is, by some measures, the hottest in theaters and streaming. Why do scary movies make such great summer flicks, and, in a world full of real-life stress, why do we still choose to be scared for fun? Guest host Scott Pukos and his panel explore all things spooky, slashy, and stabby. In studio:

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