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. 21H AGO

    Volunteer firefighter shortage; specialized training for dentists; Rochester Music Hall of Fame

    It's our weekly news roundup. New York State lawmakers are working to address a volunteer firefighter shortage. According to WXXI's Capitol Bureau reporter Samuel King, the number of volunteer firefighters in the state has dropped by a third since the early 2000s. King joins us to explore proposed legislation that would pay volunteers stipends. Then, as WXXI's Racquel Stephen reports, Eastman Dental has received a grant to help train its residents on how to better treat patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities and certain medical conditions. She explains the goals and the expected benefits of the training. We end the week with a conversation about music — Rochester music, to be specific. The Rochester Music Hall of Fame is gearing up to welcome its newest class of inductees. We talk with the organization's president and one of the inductees about this year's event and about how the Hall plans to address changes in the music industry. Our guests: Samuel King, Capitol News Bureau reporter for the New York Public News Network Racquel Stephen, health, equity, and community reporter and producer for WXXI News Ryan Kelly, dental patient Diane Kelly, parent Charissa Moll, parent and director of customized support at Heritage Christian Services Jack Whittier, president of the Rochester Music Hall of Fame Pat La Barbera, jazz saxophonist, educator, and member of the Rochester Music Hall of Fame Class of 2026 --- 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.

    49 min

  2. 22H AGO

    A strange time for American Catholics

    Pope Leo XIV says he is not afraid of the Trump administration. That statement followed a series of public criticisms from the president and vice president. President Trump bashed Pope Leo over issues like war and crime. Vice President Vance claimed that the pope does not understand Just War Theory. But Pope Leo has remained steady, saying that he will speak truth wherever he goes. It's a strange time for American Catholics. Our guests discuss it. In studio: Jamie R. Fazio, M.Div., director and university chaplain in the Center for Spirituality at Nazareth University Patricia Schoelles, Ph.D., moral theologian and director of mission integration for the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Rochester --- 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

    Could high-impact tutoring be a game changer for struggling students?

    Education advocates say student success is on the line as they push New York lawmakers to include funding for a specialized tutoring program in the state budget. Students who receive high-impact tutoring, or HIT, meet in small groups with professionally trained tutors during school hours. Research shows HIT is more effective than standard tutoring models, and students who dedicate three to 15 months to HIT can see a 30% increase in reading proficiency. This hour, our guests explain what HIT is, how it works, why it works, and why they think it could be a game changer in high-needs districts. Our guests: Ashara Baker, parent advocate Jacquelyn Martell, executive director of Education Reform Now New York Yvette Russell, chief strategy officer for Read Alliance --- 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

    A 'compassionate response to immigration in our time'

    What is a “compassionate” response to immigration? The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is participating in a community forum on the subject. The Trump administration has said it expects local law enforcement to work side-by-side with ICE. We discuss the subject with our guests, who are joining the Mercy Spirituality Center’s upcoming event. In studio: Brigid Ryan, executive director of the Mercy Spirituality Center Deputy Ray Ruiz, community liaison for the Monroe County Sheriff's Office Esma Nacakgedigi, attorney and immigration services manager at Rochester Refugee Resettlement 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 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

    'What sort of buildings do we build?' Self-advocacy on the Move to Include Podcast

    A local man says an experience he had as a young boy informed the rest of his life. Conan Gillis uses a wheelchair. When he was eight years old, he wanted to use his local library, but the aisles weren't wide enough for his wheelchair. As WXXI's Move to Include Podcast host Noelle Evans reports, that was the moment that sparked Gillis' self-advocacy. In episode four of the podcast, she and Gillis talk about disability as a reflection of the environments and systems we build. We hear that conversation and we discuss the lessons we can learn. In studio: Noelle E. C. Evans, host of the Move to Include Podcast and education reporter/producer for WXXI News Sarah Murphy Abbamonte, project manager for Move to Include This story is reported from WXXI's Inclusion Desk. --- 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. WXXI Public Broadcasting Right now: Every dollar matters more. Thank you for supporting WXXIThe permanent loss of federal funding means community support now plays an even bigger role in keeping WXXI strong for everyone we...

    51 min

  6. 2D AGO

    The case for God from a former atheist

    Francis Spufford spent 20 years as an atheist and then drifted back to faith rather unexpectedly. He’s an award-winning author of fiction and non-fiction. He made the case for God in his book, “Unapologetic: Why, despite everything, Christianity can still make surprising emotional sense,” and he continues to write on the theme. So, is New Atheism on the ropes? We talk to a former follower of Hitchens and Dawkins about life, beauty, God, and more. Our guest: Francis Spufford, writer--- 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.

    50 min

  7. 3D AGO

    Author Brit Bennett on her acclaimed book, “The Vanishing Half”

    Twin sisters — light-skinned African Americans — eventually split and live very different lives: one, as a Black woman; the other, choosing a life as a white woman. Bennett’s book follows their stories across generations. She'll be in Rochester next week for an event with the Rochester Speaker Series, but first, she joins us on "Connections" to discuss themes of identity, passing, and self-acceptance. Our guests: Brit Bennett, author of the National Book Award-nominated novel, "The Vanishing Half" Norma Holland, chief of staff at the Office of University Engagement and Enrichment at the University of Rochester and former journalist Nancy Klotz, president of the board of the Rochester Speakers Series --- 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

    Trump administration still blocking Special Immigrant Visas, AfghanEvac says

    The Trump administration says it has now resumed processing Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for Afghans and their families who assisted the U.S. government. The SIV process was put on hold last year. But a leading group that works with Afghan allies says it’s only a “ruse certain to result in blanket denials.” We examine it with our guests: Ellen Smith, founder and executive director of Keeping Our Promise Inc. Naweed, operations staff member at Keeping Our Promise Stephen Cady, 17-year Army veteran and housing coordinator for Keeping Our Promise Shawn VanDiver, president and founder of AfghanEvac --- 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.

    50 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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