Connections Podcast
1,339 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 days ago - ★★★★★ - 95 ratingsEvan Dawson talks about what matters to you on Connections. Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections. For transcripts, please email our Move to Include team with a link to the episode.
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Episodes
Connections: Scholar Robert May on his book, "Yuletide in Dixie"
November 12, 2019 20:08 - 50 minutes - 2.99 KBCivil War-era scholar Robert May is back in Western New York – this time, to discuss reality versus fables about how enslaved people were treated during the Christmas season. The last time May was here, he led a discussion about the removal of Confederate monuments and memorials. This time around, he discusses the theme of tearing down fairy tales of the Confederacy, and instead dealing with the true nature of American history. He'll give a presentation at the Seward House Museum. May's new b...
Connections: Discussing challenges faced by veterans in the workforce after active duty
November 11, 2019 21:02 - 51 minutes - 3 KBAccording to the U.S. Department of Labor, the veteran unemployment rate has been on the decline, but veterans report hurdles in reentering the work force. We talk with local veterans who discuss their experiences with the job market. Our guests: Laura Stradley , veteran, and executive director of the Veterans Outreach Center in Rochester Terry Winslow, veteran, and security manager for del Lago Resort and Casino Blair Morgan, veteran, and vice president of human resources at del Lago Resort ...
Connections: Afghani interpreters who served the U.S. military share their stories
November 11, 2019 21:01 - 51 minutes - 3.01 KBOn this Veterans Day, we talk with refugees who served the U.S. military as interpreters in Afghanistan and Iraq, and who have come to America on Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs). By law, the SIV process should take no more than nine months, but bureaucracy and backlogs have forced candidates to wait for years. For many interpreters, an SIV is a matter of life and death: interpreters who served with U.S. forces are considered traitors by the Taliban. This hour, our guests share the challenges t...
Weekend Connections: Week of November 4
November 08, 2019 21:10 - 18 minutes - 1.1 KBWeekend Connections is a collection of some of the most noteworthy moments from the week on Connections with Evan Dawson. This episode includes conversations about: Lessons from Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel; Divisions within the Democratic Party; The delicate nature of offering social commentary during awards ceremonies.
Connections: Local female veterans discuss the challenges they face
November 08, 2019 19:26 - 51 minutes - 3 KBWhen service members leave active duty for civilian life, they may face challenges. Female veterans report that they have specific hurdles that are hard to overcome — including a lack of social support. We sit down with several female veterans who share their stories, and a new project they worked on called Eyes Front . It’s a photography and writing collaboration where they’ve documented their experiences. We talk to them about what they want the community to know. In studio: Jennifer Wiese,...
Connections: How to have productive conversations about the climate crisis
November 08, 2019 19:24 - 50 minutes - 2.98 KBThe CEO of a local green energy company says he’s discouraged that the discussion surrounding climate change and climate action have become about politics and morality. Kevin Schulte is the CEO of GreenSpark Solar, a residential and commercial solar energy company based in Rochester. In a recent op-ed , Schulte argues that the divisive discourse “is a bigger threat to our society than the climate crisis. To truly slow the earth from baking, we need every person to engage.” Schulte joins us to...
Connections: Princeton University professor Julian Zelizer on the roots of Trump's presidency
November 07, 2019 19:18 - 51 minutes - 3.02 KBWe sit down with Princeton University history professor, Julian Zelizer. Zelizer is a scholar of American political history, with a focus on the second half of the 20th century and the 21st century. He joins us to discuss the roots of President Trump in American politics, the current impeachment inquiry, and his thoughts on the impact of this most recent election in states like Virginia and Kentucky, where Democrats won big. He's in Rochester for a presentation at the University of Rochester....
Connections: Discussing the JCC play, "Division Street"
November 07, 2019 19:18 - 50 minutes - 2.95 KBA new play on stage at the JCC CenterStage is generating conversations about race in America. “Division Street” is the latest project by playwright Jason Odell Williams. It tells the story of an interracial couple in Hollywood after the white husband is nominated for a Golden Globe for playing a racist police officer. The play explores a range of issues, including race relations, cultural appropriation, and which voices are elevated in Hollywood and how. We discuss those issues with our guest...
Connections: Examining the impact of Tuesday's election results
November 06, 2019 19:50 - 51 minutes - 3.04 KBWe examine the impact of a historic night in Monroe County politics. Democrats have won the top seat in the county for the first time in three decades, but they fell one seat short of taking control of the County Legislature. We sit down with the two Democrats who flipped seats to discuss how they plan to work with Republicans on priorities like taxes, child care, and more. In studio: John Baynes , County Legislator-elect Sheila Baynes, member of John Baynes' campaign team Mike Yudelson , Cou...
Connections: Discussing the presidential crisis in Venezuela
November 06, 2019 19:39 - 50 minutes - 2.94 KBThis week, another Latin American country announced it would stop recognizing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and start recognizing the leader of the opposition, Juan Guaido. The presidential crisis has consumed the country for most of this year. The Rochester Committee on Latin America has invited Steve Ellner, an author and scholar on the region, to Rochester to discuss one of the most controversial political hot spots in the world. He'll give a presentation for ROCLA Wednesday evening....
Connections: Local Democrats discuss the party's generational divide
November 05, 2019 19:26 - 50 minutes - 2.98 KBNew polling from six battleground states finds good news for President Trump, and challenging news for Democrats hoping to win the White House. The New York Times finds that among Democratic voters, there is a generational divide: older Democrats want a safe candidate like Joe Biden, and they want to return to how Washington used to be. Younger Democrats want a change candidate who can help remake what Washington is all about. We discuss the 2020 election with our guests: Paul Hypolite , poli...
Connections: Discussing the "school-to-prison pipeline"
November 05, 2019 19:25 - 50 minutes - 2.97 KBWhat is the so-called “school-to-prison pipeline”? Local organizations are planning a town hall event to educate the community about their concerns. It starts with school discipline, suspension levels, and expulsion. Our guests make their case for changing how students are disciplined: Thena Robinson Mock, program officer for the Communities for Just Schools Fund Eamonn Scanlon , education policy analyst for The Children’s Agenda Mercedes Phelan , lead organizer for Citizen Action of New York...
Connections: Is short fiction gaining popularity?
November 04, 2019 19:22 - 51 minutes - 3 KBWhen is the last time you read a short story? Novelist Zadie Smith recently turned to short fiction, publishing her first collection of short stories last month. Is the popularity of the medium on the rise? Why are Smith and other authors turning to short stories? We discuss those questions with local short story writers and publishers, who share trends in the industry. In studio: Brian Wood , author of “Joytime Killbox” Peter Connors , publisher for BOA Editions Kristen Gentry , writer and a...
Connections: Rabbi Ariel Burger on his book, "Witness: Lessons from Elie Wiesel's Classroom"
November 04, 2019 19:21 - 50 minutes - 2.95 KBThe Rochester Jewish Book Festival kicked off this weekend, and we preview an upcoming talk with author and educator Rabbi Ariel Burger. Rabbi Burger was a student of writer, professor, and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel. Rabbi Burger joins us to discuss his book, “Witness,” in which he shares the lessons he learned from Wiesel. We also discuss how those lessons can be applied in 2019. Our guests: Rabbi Ariel Burger , educator and author of “Witness: Lessons from Elie Wiesel’s Classroom” Stac...
Weekend Connections: Week of October 28
November 01, 2019 19:14 - 20 minutes - 1.21 KBWeekend 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 debate surrounding a proposed Police Accountability Board in Rochester, and the Christopher Pate case; Solitary confinement; Climate change narratives, artificial intelligence, and more, with astrophysicist Adam Frank.
Connections: Debating Facebook's role in vetting news stories and political ads
November 01, 2019 18:20 - 51 minutes - 3.01 KBWhat is Facebook's role when it comes to vetting news stories and political ads? Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and Mark Zuckerberg recently debated the issue. Facebook’s current policy for political ads allows politicians to lie, and it doesn’t fact-check, but recent cases have tested the limits of that policy, and Facebook has made exceptions. Meanwhile, Twitter has decided to ban all political ads in advance of the 2020 election. This hour, our guests discuss the issues, free speech, and the imp...
Connections: Will artificial intelligence enhance or replace human activity?
November 01, 2019 18:18 - 50 minutes - 2.96 KBWill artificial intelligence enhance human activity or replace it? It's a question scientists and researchers are debating as AI continues to advance. Our guests discuss the current capabilities of AI, the benefits, and possible drawbacks. In studio: Matt Kelly , independent journalist Ehsan Hoque , Asaro-Biggar Family Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of Rochester Hadi Hosseini , assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science at RIT
Connections: Writer and diversity trainer Nanette Massey on how to have conversations about race
October 31, 2019 18:19 - 50 minutes - 2.98 KBWe’re joined by Nanette Massey , a writer and diversity and inclusion trainer. Massey lives in Buffalo, but will be in Rochester for several upcoming events during which she’ll educate audiences about racism, white fragility, and more. She recently wrote an op-ed for the Democrat and Chronicle and USA Today, responding to a local business coach who expressed his frustration as an “old white guy” who is “increasingly blamed for all the ills of society, both real and imagined.” Massey joins us ...
Connections: Writer and diversity trainer Nanette D. Massey on how to have conversations about race
October 31, 2019 18:19 - 50 minutes - 2.98 KBWe’re joined by Nanette D. Massey , a writer and diversity and inclusion trainer. Massey lives in Buffalo, but will be in Rochester for several upcoming events during which she’ll educate audiences about racism, white fragility, and more. She recently wrote an op-ed for the Democrat and Chronicle and USA Today, responding to a local business coach who expressed his frustration as an “old white guy” who is “increasingly blamed for all the ills of society, both real and imagined.” Massey joins ...
Connections: Candidates for Monroe County District Attorney
October 31, 2019 18:19 - 51 minutes - 3.01 KBWe’re joined by the two candidates running for Monroe County District Attorney. Republican DA Sandra Doorley is seeking reelection. Her opponent is Democrat Shani Curry Mitchell, who most recently worked in the Monroe County DA’s Office. It’s an opportunity to hear from both candidates at length, as they discuss a range of issues and answer our questions and yours. You can also watch this conversation on Facebook Live . In studio: Sandra Doorley , Monroe County District Attorney who is seekin...
Connections: Debating the proposed Rochester Police Accountability Board
October 30, 2019 18:21 - 51 minutes - 3.04 KBWith a referendum on the ballot, early voters in Rochester are already weighing in on a proposed police accountability board. The proposed board has caused intense debate within the community. If approved, the civilian-led oversight board would act independently from city government and the Rochester Police Department to investigate complaints of police misconduct. The Rochester Police Locust Club says the legislation is not legal, despite a recent decision by a panel of state Appellate Divis...
Connections: Astrophysicist Adam Frank on climate change narratives
October 30, 2019 18:19 - 50 minutes - 2.94 KBAstrophysicist Adam Frank recently wrote a piece for the Washington Post that addressed narratives about climate change. In the piece, titled, “Reframing climate change as a story of human evolutionary success,” Frank writes that this new narrative does not let humans off the hook when it comes to their role in causing climate change. In that spirit, we sit down with Frank to discuss recent climate change narratives from Hollywood – films like “Ad Astra” and television shows like “The Expanse...
Connections: Former inmates discuss the impact of solitary confinement
October 29, 2019 19:14 - 51 minutes - 3.02 KBWe hear from two men who spent years in solitary confinement. Jerome Wright and Curtis Griffin are now activists pushing for reform in the criminal justice system – specifically, for the passage of the HALT Act, which would limit solitary confinement to 15 consecutive days. A new report from the NYCLU shows that while the number of special housing unit solitary sanctions dropped by nearly 20 percent from 2015 to 2018, the number of so-called Keeplock sanctions increased. Those types of sancti...
Connections: Candidates for State Supreme Court Justice
October 29, 2019 18:51 - 51 minutes - 3 KBWe continue our series of conversations with candidates for elected office prior to Election Day. This hour, we sit down with candidates for State Supreme Court Justice. Three candidates are vying for two seats. We talk with the candidates about their platforms, priorities, and work on the bench. In studio: Meredith Vacca Kevin Nasca *Note: The third candidate, Matthew Rosenbaum, was invited to join this conversation, but declined.
Connections: Can climate action be nonpartisan?
October 28, 2019 18:23 - 51 minutes - 3.01 KBC-Change Conversations is a group that formed with a straightforward goal: make talking about climate change non-partisan, non-political. The team has created a traveling presentation that they take to people who are predisposed to doubt climate change. Does it work? Can climate action become nonpartisan, given recent polling showing stark political divides on the issues? Our guests talk about what they do. They're in Rochester for a presentation at Nazareth College . In studio: Sophie Glovie...
Weekend Connections: Week of October 21
October 25, 2019 21:34 - 26 minutes - 1.57 KBWeekend Connections is a collection of some of the most noteworthy moments from the week on Connections with Evan Dawson. This episode includes conversations about: Compassion and forgiveness in the criminal justice system; Police violence against people of color; How the domestic violence landscape has changed over 40 years; Disability pride, with local activist and attorney, Stephanie Woodward.
Connections: Disability rights activist Stephanie Woodward on disability pride
October 25, 2019 19:19 - 51 minutes - 3 KBLocal disability rights activist Stephanie Woodward recently wrote an opinion piece for the Spina Bifida Association about why she loves her disability. Woodward was born with spina bifida and has been an outspoken advocate for disability rights and disability pride. In her piece, she writes, "Because I love my disability identity, I have never seen my disability as a problem. And because I have never seen my disability as a problem, I have never supported curing spina bifida or even preventi...
Connections: Previewing the Seneca Park Zoo Society's 2019 Environmental Innovation Awards
October 25, 2019 19:11 - 50 minutes - 2.95 KBThe Seneca Park Zoo Society is gearing up for its second annual Environmental Innovation Awards and Symposium . The event celebrates leadership in environmental stewardship, and honors companies that are creating innovative solutions to complex environmental problems. This year's keynote speaker, Brett Howell, is an environmental entrepreneur whose work focuses on plastic pollution prevention. He joins us to discuss his recent projects, and our guests from the Zoo Society share updates relate...
Connections: Governor Andrew Cuomo on updates from the REDI Commission and state funding
October 24, 2019 18:24 - 51 minutes - 3.04 KBWe’re joined by Governor Andrew Cuomo, who discusses updates with the REDI Commission. He was in Rochester on Wednesday to announce that the state has awarded $133 million to 63 projects along the Lake Ontario shoreline. That funding will be used to rebuild and revitalize areas that sustained severe damage due to high lake levels. We discuss the impact the Governor hopes that funding will have, and how lake flooding has affected the state’s economy. Our guests: Governor Andrew Cuomo Randy Gor...
Connections: Exploring the themes in the play, "The Niceties," at Geva Theatre Center
October 24, 2019 18:19 - 50 minutes - 2.98 KBA new play on stage at Geva Theatre Center explores the history and current state of race relations in America through the perspectives of two very different women. “The Niceties” is an explosive and provocative look at the relationship between a white history professor and a driven black student as they discuss who controls the narrative in American history, and how that narrative has shaped their experiences. We sit down with the cast and members of the production team to talk about the pla...
Connections: Monroe County Executive candidate Adam Bello
October 23, 2019 19:01 - 51 minutes - 3.04 KBWe’re joined by Monroe County Clerk Adam Bello , who is running for Monroe County Executive. The Democrat is challenging current County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo. This hour, we sit down with Bello to discuss his platform and priorities. It’s a chance to hear from him at length prior to Election Day. In studio: Adam Bello, Monroe County Clerk and candidate for Monroe County Executive *Note: We invited Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo to join this discussion, but her campaign declined the ...
Connections: Princeton professor Laurence Ralph on police violence in America
October 23, 2019 19:01 - 50 minutes - 2.95 KB“Torture is an open secret in Chicago. Nobody in power wants to acknowledge this grim reality, but everyone knows it happens—and that the torturers are the police.” That’s the opening of the summary of a new book called “The Torture Letters” written by Princeton University anthropology professor Laurence Ralph. Ralph is a social scientist who studies police violence and race in the United States. He’s in Rochester as a guest of the University of Rochester, where he’ll give a lecture Wednesday...
Connections: How are mental health and homelessness connected?
October 22, 2019 18:35 - 51 minutes - 3.01 KBHow are mental health and homelessness connected? The Spiritus Christi Mental Health Center is preparing for its annual Riverwalk , a fundraiser which will help provide mental health care to people in need, regardless of their insurance or income status. Our guests talk about the impact of homelessness on mental health. In studio: Rev. Myra Brown , pastor at Spiritus Christi Church Fana Tereke, advocate for mental health awareness who experienced homelessness
Connections: Willow Domestic Violence Center on 40 years of service
October 22, 2019 18:32 - 51 minutes - 3.02 KBWillow Domestic Violence Center is marking 40 years of serving local families. We're joined by representatives from the Center who discuss Willow's and Monroe County's role in protecting survivors and helping them heal. We also talk about why rates of domestic violence are high -- is it due to greater awareness, better reporting, or a higher prevalence? Our guests share their data. In studio: Meaghan de Chateauvieux, president and CEO of Willow Domestic Violence Center Phyllis Korn, founder o...
Connections: What is passion-based learning?
October 21, 2019 18:39 - 51 minutes - 3.02 KBWe discuss “passion-based learning” with the co-founder of the MUSE School in Calabasas, California. Rebecca Amis says MUSE encourages children to pursue learning what they love – from wilderness survival training, the fashion design, to wolves – while incorporating concepts like math, science, and writing. The school also emphasizes sustainability and global stewardship; its goal is to be zero net energy, zero net water, and create zero waste. Amis is in Rochester with Jeff King, the head of...
Connections: The role of forgiveness and restorative practices in the justice system
October 21, 2019 18:38 - 50 minutes - 2.98 KBEarlier this month, jurors found a Texas police officer guilty of murder for fatally shooting a St. Lucia native in his Dallas home. Officer Amber Guyger was off duty when she killed Botham Jean in 2018. During the conclusion of the murder trial, Jean’s younger brother told Guyger that he forgave her and gave her a hug. That move shocked many people, and has led to conversations about the role of forgiveness. It’s a central theme of the upcoming Western New York Restorative Practices Conferen...
Weekend Connections: Week of October 14
October 18, 2019 21:09 - 23 minutes - 1.38 KBWeekend 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 legacy of the late Maryland Congressman and civil rights leader, Elijah Cummings; The potential impact of state funding cuts to local organizations that help homeless families; Pregnancy discrimination; The impact of stillbirth on families.
Connections: The Landmark Society of Western New York's 2019 Five to Revive
October 18, 2019 20:25 - 51 minutes - 3 KBSomewhere in your hometown, there is probably a historic building that you hope will be protected – a home, and old church, a beautiful barn. Each year, the Landmark Society of Western New York publishes a list called the Five to Revive . The goal is to raise awareness – and perhaps funding – for revitalizing these historic sites. Our panel helps us explore the 2019 selections, and we discuss how adapting and revitalizing historic spaces can impact neighborhoods. Our guests: Caitlin Meives , ...
Connections: Discussing the legacy of Elijah Cummings
October 18, 2019 20:17 - 51 minutes - 3.01 KBThe United States lost a civil rights leader this week, with the passing of longtime Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings. We discuss does his legacy, as well as the importance of African American representation in government. Our guests: Larry Knox, political and community engagement coordinator for 1199 SEIU Michelle Daniels, super Democratic volunteer Paul Hypolite , political strategist Tianna Mañón , publicist, journalist, and political analyst Robert Hoggard , doctoral student at the Wa...