Connections Podcast

WXXI News
  • 4.7 (146)
  • NEWS
  • UPDATED DAILY

Evan 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.

  1. 4H AGO

    Finding the facts: How to avoid pseudoscience in health information

    You've likely seen health care-related headlines that confused you, raised questions, or even alarmed you. What happens when this kind of clickbait informs medical decisions? Our guests this hour are focused on media literacy in medicine. They help us understand how to spot pseudoscience and health care misinformation, and how to identify credible sources and the facts. Our guests: Gary Schwitzer, health care journalist for 50 years and adjunct associate professor at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health Christina Thompson, executive director of the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester Rae-Ellen Kavey, M.D., retired pediatric cardiologist and volunteer at the Rochester Academy of Medicine -- 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.

    51 min

  2. 5H AGO

    Supreme lessons on tariffs

    President Trump said that the decision by the Supreme Court on his tariffs was a disgrace. Some of the justices who opposed the president were appointed by Trump in his first term. The justices offered different opinions about why they decided what they did. We take a look at the lessons we can learn from this. What does it mean for the balance of power? We explore it with our guest: Richard A. Dollinger, retired New York Court of Claims judge--- 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.

    51 min

  3. 3D AGO

    Local Olympians win gold; new book on Bach; drag queen Aggy Dune

    It's our weekly news roundup. First, a gold for Team USA means a gold for Rochester! Rochester native Haley Winn and her USA women's hockey teammates beat Canada Thursday for the top spot on the podium. Winn and several of her teammates are graduates of Bishop Kearney and its select hockey program. WXXI's Veronica Volk has been following that story and others featuring local athletes competing in Milan. She has the latest. Then, WXXI Classical's Mona Seghatoleslami recently sat down with the author of "Bach: The Cello Suites." We bring you that interview and discuss the enduring relevance of Bach. Finally, local drag queen Aggy Dune joins us in the studio. Her new monthly show, "Therapy," highlights queer voices. We get a preview. Our guests: Veronica Volk, executive producer and director of podcast strategy for WXXI Public Media Mona Seghatoleslami, music director, host, and producer for WXXI Classical 91.5 FM Aggy Dune, drag queen and comedian --- 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.

    51 min

  4. 3D AGO

    Local clergy returns from Minneapolis

    Several local faith leaders recently traveled to Minneapolis to protest ICE and to show solidarity with the community. We talk with them about what they witness and what they learned. In studio: Rev. Deborah L. Hughes, American Baptist minister Rev. Shari Quan, lead minister of First Unitarian Church of Rochester Rev. Dan Brockway, M.Div., Ph.D., lead pastor at Brockport First Baptist Rev. Lisa Friedman, Minister of Unitarian Universalist Church of Minnetonka, Minnesota --- 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.

    51 min

  5. 4D AGO

    What do local high school students think of the bell-to-bell ban?

    K-12 students are two thirds of the way through their first year under a smartphone ban during the school day. The ban was intended to remove the distraction from technology that many students experience. With students on February break, we welcome a group of them on the program to discuss how they are experiencing the ban. Our guests: Helena Dixon, senior at Fairport High School Eli Fybush, senior at Brighton High School Norah Kirkebye, junior at Pittsford Sutherland High School Carter Markowycz, freshman at Greece Arcadia High School --- 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.

    52 min

  6. 4D AGO

    Checking in on Rochester's kids

    A local nonprofit says changes and challenges at the federal level are deeply affecting Rochester-area families. ROC the Future Alliance is focused on improving educational and life outcomes for children from cradle to career. Each year, it examines the state of youth wellbeing. We discuss what the organization has learned in the last year, and what local leaders and community members can do to help put more children on a path to success. Our guests: Toyin Anderson-Smith, parent/family partner for ROC the Future Alliance Brian Lewis, executive director of ROC the Future Alliance Erika Rosenberg, president and CEO of the Center for Governmental Research Ja’yonna Willis, sophomore at Our Lady of Mercy for Young Women --- 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.

    51 min

  7. 5D AGO

    'Travelpreneur' helps hundreds see the world

    When a girls' trip failed to make it out of a group chat, a business was born. Tarshia Shanai Franklin is one of the top-ranked travel agents in the world. She founded her agency, Sky High Society, after the aforementioned girls' trip became a solo trip and she decided to become a "travelpreneur." She has since helped hundreds of people see the world. Throughout the month of February, WXXI News' Racquel Stephen is highlighting Black community members whose work may be under the radar but is making a big difference. In part two of the series, we talk with Tarshia Shanai Franklin about her work, her travels, and what it means to pursue her passion. This conversation is part of WXXI's celebration of Black History Month. Our guests: Racquel Stephen, health, equity and community reporter and producer for WXXI News Tarshia Shanai Franklin, owner of Sky High Society travel agency and the First Class Travel Network Valincia Tyson, owner of Union and Odyssey travel agency, which is under the First-Class Travel Network --- 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.

    51 min

  8. 5D AGO

    Assemblymember Jen Lunsford on the 2026 State of the State address

    State leaders have been outspoken about Governor Kathy Hochul's State of the State address. This hour, we continue our series of conversations with members of the local delegation. Assemblymember Jen Lunsford joins us in the studio to discuss issues pertaining to taxes, auto insurance, the role of ICE in her district, and more. Our guest: Assemblymember Jen Lunsford, District 135--- 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.

    51 min
See All (52)

4.7
out of 5
146 Ratings

About

Evan 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.

Information

  • Creator
    WXXI News
  • Years Active
    2013 - 2026
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 WXXI
  • Show Website
    Connections Podcast

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