Connections With Evan Dawson

Snow now covers the ground, and the holidays are approaching. What's on your radar as you settle in for winter in Rochester and the Finger Lakes? This month's edition of CITY Magazine is its Winter Guide. The annual exploration of things to do includes books to read, classes to take, sports to try, art to experience, and more. We're joined by the CITY team for the hour. Our guests: Leah Stacy, editor of CITY Magazine Roberto Lagares, multimedia reporter for CITY Magazine Jacob Walsh, art director for CITY Magazine Florence Cardella, contributor to CITY Magazine Kellen Beck, contributor to CITY Magazine Mike Krupnicki, owner of Arc + Flame and Rochester Brainery Jon Heath, contributor to CITY Magazine ---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844

A local organization is sounding the alarm over an issue that is affecting an increasing number of young people. As reported by WXXI's Noelle Evans, a new report from Common Ground Health shows that in 2023, self-harm was the leading behavioral reason that young people ages 6 to 21 in Monroe County visited the emergency room. How can families, caregivers, and schools help support students' mental and emotional well-being? Our guests share their expertise. In studio: Noelle E.C. Evans, education reporter/producer for WXXI News Elizabeth Devaney, director of the Whole Child Connection at the Children’s Institute Joseph D. Fantigrossi, Ed.D., director of the Community Schools Coalition of Monroe County, and coordinator of regional community schools at Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES Holly Sienkiewicz, DrPH, director of research at Common Ground Health Calvin Holloway, assistant coordinator for Youth Voice One Vision: The Mayor's Advisory Council and youth mental health advocate ---Connections is supported by listeners li

We sit down with Karin Deutsch Karlekar of PEN America. The organization's Writers at Risk programs advocate for journalists, advocates, and academics who face threats around the world. A recent crackdown on free speech has affected American writers and their work. We discuss the state of free speech and what organizations like PEN America are doing to help protect it. In studio:Karin Deutsch Karlekar, Ph.D., director of Writers at Risk at PEN America---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.---Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story

Predictive AI is becoming more advanced, and big companies are already using it daily. For instance, UPS uses predictive AI to map out the most efficient routes for drivers. What does it all mean for you and your life? We talk about it with our guest:John C.S. Loury, co-founder and president of Cause + Effect Strategy---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.---Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

How can we make downtown Rochester more walkable — and how could that transform the area? We explore those questions with guests from Reconnect Rochester in advance of the group's Rochester Street Films event. This year's film, "Walkable USA," tells the story of Hammond, Indiana, which is working to transition from a city that most people drive through to one that becomes a destination. The team at Reconnect Rochester says Hammond can teach us lessons about how to develop an adaptable downtown that's safe, thriving, and inviting. Our guests help us examine the challenges Rochester faces, solutions that could help drive change, and how realistic those changes are in the current environment. In studio: Galin Brooks, AICP, president and CEO of Rochester Downtown Development Corporation Erick Frisch, deputy commissioner of the Department of Neighborhood and Business Development for the City of Rochester Mike Gilbert, founder and executive director of Downtown ROCs Lourdes Sharp, project manager for Reconnect Roch

Lung cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the Rochester and Finger Lakes region. That's according to experts at the University of Rochester Medical Center. They say screening has been underutilized due to the stigma of the disease. This hour, we discuss their efforts to change that. They also explain what they call a "soup to nuts" approach to addressing the disease, which includes prevention and screening, early diagnosis, and advanced treatment options. Our guests: Racquel Stephen, health, equity and community reporter and producer for WXXI News Charles Kamen, Ph.D., M.P.H., associate director of community outreach and engagement at Wilmot Cancer Institute at the University of Rochester Medical Center M. Patricia Rivera, M.D., C. Jane Davis & C. Robert Davis Distinguished Professor in Pulmonary Medicine and chief of the Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Division at University of Rochester Medical Center Joyce Lucas, patient ---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation pag

Broadway seems to be everywhere you look these days. A touring production of "Hamilton" was recently on stage in Rochester. Despite the show being ten years old, it still drew a packed house. Meanwhile, the "Wicked" sequel, "Wicked: For Good," hit theaters last week. Two local critics — David Andreatta and Johanna Lester — reviewed those performances for CITY Magazine. This hour, we explore why audiences keep flocking to these popular stories, how they are holding up, and the idea of self-reflection versus escapism in the current moment. Our guests: David Andreatta, freelance contributor to CITY Magazine Johanna Lester, freelance contributor to CITY Magazine ---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Fa

With all of the recent confusion about SNAP and the concern for families who have lost benefits, community members and local organizations are stepping up. In advance of Thanksgiving, we talk about some of those efforts, how you can access food if you need it, and how you can help. Our guests: Noelle Evans, education reporter and producer for WXXI News Mitch Gruber, senior vice president and chief impact officer at Foodlink, and member of Rochester City Council Chris Lavin, nonprofit consultant with Upstate Giving and member of Geneva City Council   Deb MacLean, pantry manager for Geneseo/Groveland Emergency Food Pantry Carly Layton, chief impact officer for Jewish Family Services ---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or

Research shows that people of color are less likely to access health care services and resources in their homes when compared to white patients. While there are numerous causes for the issue, there is one overall effect: greater health disparities. HCR Home Care has launched an initiative to address the inequities. Its team is working with faith-based organizations to help reach African American families. We discuss that work and what culturally relevant care looks like. Our guests: Deanna Dudley, compliance nurse at HCR Home Care Phyllis Jackson, R.N., community health and wellbeing project manager for Common Ground Health Pastor Bernard McNeill, senior pastor at New Life Fellowship Church ---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK

What can world leaders embroiled in war and armed conflict today learn from history? 2025 marks 30 years since the Bosnian peace agreement was reached. Signed in December 1995, the Dayton Accords ended the three-year, ethnically fueled conflict and established peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Some experts call it an "ugly peace" since there were significant obstacles to rebuilding areas. Valery Perry is a democratization policy expert based in Sarajevo. She joins us to discuss how the lessons from Bosnia can be applied to ending current wars and conflicts, including Russia's war on Ukraine, the war in Gaza, and more. Our guest:Valery Perry, Ph.D., senior associate at Democratization Policy Council in Sarajevo---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone

Boscov’s recently opened at Greece Ridge Mall, prompting all kinds of fascination and even some confusion. How is a chain store opening in the year 2025, when so many other stores are closing? Black Friday used to include long lines of people waiting out in the cold, rushing in when the doors opened at 4 a.m. Things have changed. This hour, we run down the list of the many stores that have closed in our region, and we talk to the CEO of Boscov's to find out how his chain is bucking the trend. Our guests: Brian Sharp, investigations and enterprise editor for WXXI News Veronica Volk, executive producer and director of podcast strategy for WXXI Public Media  Jim Boscov, chairman and CEO of Boscov's  ---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295

In their new book, “The Parkinson’s Plan,” Dr. Ray Dorsey and his co-author, Dr. Michael Okun, present Parkinson's disease as utterly preventable. A diagnosis of the disease, they explain, is not an unlucky break, but rather the result of environmental and chemical factors. The doctors argue that we can prevent Parkinson’s by making changes in our lives, and we can build a world where no one in the future gets the disease. They’re calling on the federal government to support the kinds of changes that could lead to dramatic effects. We talk about their ambitious plan. Our guest:Ray Dorsey, M.D., author of "The Parkinson's Plan," and director of the Center for the Brain & the Environment at Atria Research and Global Health Institute---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with quest

"Nuremberg" hit the big screen earlier this month. The film follows a U.S. Army psychologist and his showdown with an accused Nazi war criminal as the Nuremberg trials are about to begin. Friday marks 80 years since Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson gave his opening statement at the trials. Experts say that statement still informs how we talk about justice. This hour, we're joined by experts from the Robert H. Jackson Center in Jamestown to discuss the enduring influence of Jackson's statement and if the film is true to history. Our guests: Kristan McMahon, president of the Robert H. Jackson Center Rolland Kidder, former executive director of the Robert H. Jackson Center ---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-

A song that recently topped a country music chart is sparking debate. "Walk My Walk" by Breaking Rust was the number one song on Billboard's Country Digital Song Sales chart last week. If you haven't heard of Breaking Rust, you're not alone. It's an AI act, and "Walk My Walk" is an AI-generated song. Billboard has acknowledged that Breaking Rust is one of seven AI-driven acts to chart over the past two months. What does this mean for human artists and human-created songs? Should AI music be considered in the rankings? For many listeners, it's becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between human and AI-generated content. This hour, we discuss what it all means for the future of the industry and our listening experience. Our guests: Sarah De Vallière, composer and singer-songwriter Jimmie Highsmith Jr., Grammy-nominated musician and CEO/managing partner of Xperience Live Music Group LLC ---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support th

As WXXI's Brian Sharp recently reported, the city’s ongoing mission of providing more housing at truly affordable prices is moving to the JOSANA neighborhood. We discuss the plan for new homes that will sell for $127,000 — far below what most home buyers are seeing on the market. Our guests: Brian Sharp, investigations and enterprise editor for WXXI News Scott Benjamin, CEO of Charles Settlement House & Community Place of Greater Rochester Ryan Brandt, vice president of development for Rochester’s Cornerstone Group, Ltd.  Erik Frisch, deputy commissioner of the Department of Neighborhood and Business Development for the City of Rochester and president of the Rochester Landbank  Glenda Torres, housing navigator for Charles Settlement House ---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation w

American veterans often say in surveys that they feel invisible. That goes for how society views them, but it’s also a reflection of a major problem with loneliness and mental health. ROC Veterans is a collaboration of Rochester and Finger Lakes-area organizations that support veterans. We discuss what veterans need and how the group's work is helping to address the loneliness epidemic. In studio: Zachary Collins, Ph.D., clinical psychologist with Veterans Nature-Based Therapy, part of Monroe County Veterans Service Agency Luke Moody, U.S. Army veteran and coordinator of the Veterans Coalition for the Finger Lakes Ashley Smith, chair of Roc Veterans ---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or

Clean energy policy advocates are frustrated with Governor Kathy Hochul, who recently indicated that she’ll scale back clean energy initiatives. Hochul, who faces re-election next year, says that holding costs down is the primary goal. The implication is that clean energy is more expensive. Our guests make the case that the governor is wrong. Our guests: Suzanne Hunt, vice president of policy for Generate Upcycle Marguerite Wells, executive director of ACE NY ---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.---Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch yo

By some measures, Rochester has the highest percentage of fatherless households in the country. We meet mentors who are working on mitigating the effect of absent fathers, and we talk about what kids miss when fathers aren’t involved. In studio: Louis Curwin, mentor Mike Hennessy, executive director of Youth For Christ Rochester Felix Ortiz, mentor ---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.---Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

We welcome one of the leading experts in reversing deforestation worldwide. Dr. Kinari Webb is a medical doctor whose work on multiple continents has helped improve the lives of people and the environments in which they live. By making health care affordable for people in rainforest villages, she has helped reduce illegal logging, which was a source of income for some patients. A healthier rainforest, in turn, has made for healthier people. As she explains in her TEDx talk, she's saving lives by saving trees. For the second time, the Seneca Park Zoo Society is bestowing its Conservation Warrior Award; it has selected Dr. Webb as the winner. We discuss the impact that Webb's work has had abroad and on conservationists in western New York. Our guests: Kinari Webb, M.D., founder of Health In Harmony Pamela Reed Sanchez, president and CEO of the Seneca Park Zoo Society Jeff Wyatt, DVM, MPH, professor and chair of comparative medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry ---Connections i

Political scientist and author Lauren Hall recently wrote that political parties will not be the salvation that many Americans seek. Instead, she prescribes a kind of coalition against authoritarianism — one that might unite many people who otherwise disagree on a lot of issues. Hall joins us this hour to talk about how to accomplish that, and how to recognize the forces that might prevent such a coalition from forming. In studio:Lauren Hall, Ph.D., professor of political science and associate dean at RIT, author, and co-host of the "We Made this Political" podcast---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. Y