Connections Podcast

WXXI News
  • 4.7 (149)
  • 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. 2d ago

    What can we learn from Dolly Parton?

    This hour, we remember Dolly Parton. The music superstar, actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist died Tuesday. Parton was beloved by many — perhaps almost universally so. How was she able to transcend the division and polarization of today's society? We discuss her life and legacy, and the lessons we can learn. Our guests: Hannah Davis, Dolly Parton fan and founding director of Flower City Folk Hannah Maier, music director of The Route and lead singer and guitarist of the country band, Candy Matt Present, M.D., founder emeritus of the Rochester chapter of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and assistant professor of pediatrics at UR 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.

  2. 3d ago

    What's working ... and what isn't? Examining models for treating substance abuse

    Last year, nearly 45 million Americans were diagnosed with a substance abuse disorder. That’s according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. When it comes to treating addiction, what's working? And what isn't? We talk to the team at ROCovery about local peer support, and we hear from a former Biden administration official about the recovery landscape in New York. In studio: Kara Izzo, peer support program manager for ROCovery Jonathan Westfall, executive director of ROCovery Rob Kent, president of Kent Strategic Advisors --- 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.

  3. 4d ago

    Pacing our lives to avoid burnout

    Many people feel like they can never complete their to-do lists, and yet they spend hours each week scrolling social media. We are struggling with how to balance all the work we need to do without burning out. In general, we are not pacing ourselves well. A new book takes a look at the scientific evidence behind the way we structure our days, while offering ideas for how to find better balance. We talk to critically acclaimed science writer Elizabeth Svoboda about "The Art of Pacing." Our guest: Elizabeth Svoboda, award-winning science writer and author of "The Art of Pacing: A Guide to Balancing Short-Term Demands with Long-Term Thriving"--- 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.

  4. 5d ago

    New York levels up funding for mental health 'clubhouses'

    New York State recently announced a multimillion-dollar investment in the expansion of clubhouses, which are community hubs for mental health support. As reported by WXXI's Noelle Evans, clubhouses serve people with mental illnesses like major depression, schizophrenia, PTSD, bipolar and mood disorders. Some of its concepts challenge typical ideas about mental illness. We discuss how it works toward the goal of saving and improving lives. Our guests: Liz Breier, chief advocacy officer for the New York State Office of Mental Health Jamie Comenale, chief program officer at East House Alex Baldassare, senior director of strategic growth at Fountain House Phillip Fleming, Hon. D.Div., board member at Fountain House and member of the Fountain House Clubhouse --- 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.

  5. 6d ago

    Assemblymember Demond Meeks on the 2026-2027 NYS budget

    We continue our series of conversations with local state representatives about New York's 2026-2027 budget. This hour, we're joined by Assemblymember Demond Meeks. He shares his takeaways on legislation related to public safety -- including bills concerning 3D-printed ghost guns and domestic violence reduction -- housings, childcare, education, and more. He also answers your questions about state business. In studio: Assemblymember Demond Meeks, District 137 --- 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.

  6. Aug 21

    How our schools are dealing with special education staffing shortages

    Special education teachers provide instruction tailored to the needs of students with disabilities to help them realize their full potential, keeping many of these children from falling through the cracks in our education system. But what happens when there are not enough teachers to go around? There is a nationwide shortage of special education staff, and some local school districts are feeling it. Guest host Julie Philipp examines how schools are addressing the problem, and how St. John Fisher University is working to help fill the gap. In studio: Kathy Broikou, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the Inclusive Childhood Education and Literacy Programs at St. John Fisher University Debra Luna, recruitment and retention specialist at Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES Emma Spelman, graduate student in the Inclusive Childhood Education Program at St. John Fisher University and apprentice at Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES Eric Vaillancourt, director of teaching, learning and accountability for the Bloomfield Central School District --- 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.

  7. Aug 20

    Writing, reading, and talking about grief: Two authors share their experiences

    At some point or another, we all grieve over the loss of a loved one. Guest host Julie Philipp talks with two authors about how books can help us work through and live with grief, and how they can help us navigate conversations about grief with our children. This is in advance of A Conversation About Grief, scheduled for September 3 at Hipocampo Children’s Books on South Avenue. In studio: Maeve Cullinane, educator and author of “Almost Twelve: Uncovering My Journey through Grief” Linda Shanti, PsyD, author of “After Your Person Dies: Affirmations for Grief, Making Meaning, and Going on" --- 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.

  8. Aug 19

    The state of public health and what it means for our community

    Until the COVID -19 pandemic, public health was nearly invisible. Most of us did not think about the people who keep an eye on restaurants, public water supplies, air quality, vaccination rates, outbreaks of diseases like measles, and many other measures that contribute to a healthy community. That has changed. Public health is often in the headlines. It has become more political and less trusted. Guest host Julie Philipp discusses the current state of public health and how it affects you. In studio: Anja Bottler, M.D., service line division head for infectious disease at Rochester Regional Health Paul S. Graman, M.D., professor of medicine and senior associate hospital epidemiologist in the Infectious Diseases Division at the University of Rochester Medical Center  Michael Mendoza, M.D., MPH, senior medical director for Town Square Health Laura Sugarwala, MBA, RD, director of community health partnerships at the Center for Community Health & Prevention, part of University of Rochester 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.

See All (52)

4.7
out of 5
149 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

You Might Also Like