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. 19H AGO

    Paying for your commute; detention center data; songs of peace and protest

    It's our weekly news roundup with WXXI journalists. First, deputy editor Jeremy Moule explains proposed legislation that would enable employees to set aside pre-tax money for commuting expenses. Then, Gino Fanelli reports that the number of non-criminals held at the federal immigration detention facility in Batavia has soared in recent months. We talk about how that reflects national trends. And finally, some music. We're joined by local artists in advance of a concert featuring songs of peace and protest. In studio: Jeremy Moule, deputy editor for WXXI News Gino Fanelli, investigations and City Hall reporter for WXXI News John Dady, singer, instrumentalist, and musician with the Dady Brothers; and co-producer of the RiseUpROC concert John Kelley, musician in Kelley's Heroes, and co-producer of the RiseUpROC concert Paul Vincent Nunes, leader of The Occasional Saints and The P.V. Nunes Band, and co-producer of the RiseUpROC concert --- 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. 20H AGO

    Who will take care of the kids? Rural families navigate child care deserts

    Families in rural areas of New York say it is increasingly difficult to find child care. According to a report from the Children's Agenda, seven rural counties in Western New York shows can be characterized as child care deserts, where there are more than three children under the age of five per licensed child care slot for children in that age group. Structural and funding issues are contributing to the challenges, and providers point to low child care educator pay as a critical factor in the availability of reliable care. So what can be done? Our guests discuss it: Pete Nabozny, director of policy for The Children's Agenda Rachel Bonsignore, executive director of Liftoff Western New York Kathleen Valley, executive board member for Praising Kids Child Care Center in Medina  Taryn Moyle, child care resource center program manager for Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, Inc. Lindsey Dailey, parent --- 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. 1D AGO

    AI is moving fast; what do you need to know and how will it affect your life?

    OpenAI's Sam Altman recently said that artificial intelligence programs have become more energy efficient than human beings. Google's Larry Page said that it is absurd to think that AI can be stopped in any meaningful way. And Jack Clark of Anthropic said that new Claude models are developing characteristics that its designers do not understand. Artificial intelligence is moving very quickly, and we sit down with someone who works in that world to digest the changes. In studio: Max Irwin, president at Bonsai.io--- 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. 1D AGO

    Reactions to the State of the Union address, part 2

    We continue the conversation about President Trump's State of the Union address. Our guests this hour are local Republicans who offer their perspectives on the president's message about a range of issues, including the state of the economy, immigration policies, health care, and more. In studio: Louis Sabo III, secretary of the Rochester City Republican Committee Marcus C. Williams, chairman of the Rochester City Republican Committee --- 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. 2D AGO

    Local church leader on his impact as a pastor and "homie"

    We continue our spotlight on Black community members whose work may be under the radar but is making a big difference. This hour, we sit down with Pastor Jerrard Brown. Brown is the youngest-ever senior pastor at Holy Trinity Baptist Church on North Street. He's also the office and facilities manager for Teen Empowerment. Through both roles, Brown has built community and served as a role model, especially for young people. As he told WXXI's Racquel Stephen, "I think the pastor should be the homie." We talk with Brown and his Teen Empowerment colleagues about the impact of his work. Our guests: Jerrard Brown, senior pastor at Holy Trinity Baptist Church, and office and facilities manager for Teen Empowerment Sahiyra Dillard, program coordinator at Teen Empowerment --- 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

  6. 2D AGO

    Reactions to the State of the Union address, part 1

    We break down President Trump's State of the Union address. Our guests analyze his remarks on the economy, tariffs, immigration, foreign policy, and more. Our guests: Lauren Hall, Ph.D., professor of political science and associate dean at RIT, author, and co-host of the "We Made this Political" podcast Nayeliz Santiago, president of Monroe County Young Democrats --- 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. 3D AGO

    Young professionals on redefining service in 2026

    What are the priorities for the next generation of community leaders? We sit down with members of Rochester Young Professionals (RYP). The grassroots, volunteer-led organization focuses on connecting young leaders dedicated to uplifting the community. The group is hosting a gala later this week to honor members who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to shape Rochester in positive ways. We talk with RYP representatives about their work and what service looks like in the current sociopolitical climate. Our guests: Jordynn Barnhart Sullivan, Rochester Young Professionals Excellence Award winner and vice president of marketing at Lilac Manor Rehabilitation And Nursing Center Maggie Coleman, Rochester Young Professionals Excellence Award winner and founder of Roc Girl Walks  Miranda Leo, Rochester Young Professionals Excellence Award winner and senior recruiter at Insero Talent Solutions Izzy Loughlin, co-chair of Rochester Young Professionals Rachel Yuhas, Rochester Young Professionals Excellence Award winner and event and program coordinator at Genesee Regional Bank  --- 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. 3D AGO

    Solar energy: Fact versus fiction

    We've heard a lot of commentary about solar from elected leaders on this program in recent weeks. Some state leaders have been very outspoken about why they don't want to see more solar arrays, particularly on possible farmland. This hour, our guest helps us understand the facts about solar energy, while debunking solar myths and misconceptions. In studio: Kevin Schulte, CEO of GreenSpark Solar--- 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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