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. 20H 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

  2. 21H 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

  3. 1D 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

  4. 1D 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

  5. 4D 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

  6. 4D 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

  7. 5D 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

  8. 5D 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
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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