Connections Podcast

WXXI News
  • 4.7 (148)
  • 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. 6h ago

    What does the Rochester City Mark say about the Flower/Flour City?

    It's everywhere: from big city signs to the side of recycling bins to tattooed on people's bodies. The City Mark is one of Rochester's most recognizable symbols. Designed during a time of great social change, the mark is rooted in Rochester's dual identity as the Flower/Flour City. Now, 50 years after it was approved by City Council, what does the mark say about Rochester and the people who call this city home? Guest host Matt DeTurck leads a discussion about the history of the mark, its enduring legacy, and how it helps us tell Rochester's story. Our guests: Lee Green, first graphic designer for the city of Rochester, retired vice president of global design and branding for IBM, and originator of the City Mark Erich S. Lehman, artist, designer, and curator of 1975 Gallery and WALL\THERAPY Nate Miller, digital media specialist for the city of Rochester Barbara Pierce, director of the Bureau of Communications and Special Events for the city 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

  2. 1d ago

    The effort to diversify nonprofit boards of directors

    Who gets a seat at the table when the decisions that shape our communities are made? Many of those decisions happen in a place most of us rarely think about: the boardrooms of nonprofit organizations. Across the Rochester region, hundreds of nonprofits receive millions of dollars in public funding and philanthropic support to serve the community. Yet for decades, many of the people those organizations were created to serve had little or no representation on the boards that set their policies, priorities, and long-term direction. Guest host Julio Sáenz and his panel discuss a local initiative that has become a national model for diversifying one of the community's most influential centers of power: nonprofit boards of directors. In studio: LaCerius Cross, leadership development program coordinator for the United Way Nydia Padilla, co-founder of the Latino Leadership Development Program Septimus Scott, class of 2023 graduate and leadership development steering committee member of African American Leadership Development Program Rodney Young, one of the first graduates and past coordinator of the African American Leadership Development Program --- 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. 4d ago

    Who are the greatest living American songwriters?

    Recently, the New York Times and its music critics caused a bit of a dustup with its "30 Greatest Living American Songwriters" list. Tough assignment — and no list like that is going to make everyone happy. But the real drama happened in the responses: how the critics responded to criticism, and arguments for who should have been on that list. Musicians and writers — including Rick Beato, Ted Gioa, and Brad Mehldau — jumped into the fray with their thoughts not just on the choices, but on how those choices are made (Did Billy Joel belong on the list? Or at least deserve a little more respect from the critics?). This hour, guest host Mona Seghatoleslami and local music experts talk about the art and the craft of songwriting. In studio:  Dave Chisholm, comic artist, writer and musician Anna Reguero, Ph.D., arts journalist, music scholar, and founding editor of Rochester Overture Rissa the Righter, musician and songwriter --- 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. 5d ago

    'The Extraordinary Caterpillar'

    Before they become butterflies or moths, caterpillars play a critical role in supporting biodiversity within our ecosystem. These creatures are a food source for birds and other insects; they support pollination; and their waste nourishes the soil. The importance of caterpillars is captured in Jeff McKay’s documentary film, “The Extraordinary Caterpillar.” The Broccolo B-Friendly Farm and Gardens in Fairport will be hosting a special screening June 29. Guest host Racquel Stephen discusses the film with a panel of enthusiasts and explores the hidden world of these small herbivores. Our guests: Laurie Broccolo, owner of B-Friendly Farm and Gardens at Broccolo Kevin Farrell, senior director of conservation for Genesee Land Trust Kyra Stephenson, founder of Nature Mind Solutions, nature-based learning coach for the Rochester City School District, and soon-to-be director of Helmer Nature Center with the West Irondequoit 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.

    51 min

  5. 6d ago

    Reclaiming the 'hood'

    This year marks the second season for the Hood 2 Hood Basketball Tournament. Every Sunday for the duration of the summer, neighborhood teams will meet at Gateway Park on Mt. Hope Avenue to compete for a trophy—and bragging rights. Organizers say the tournament is about bringing men together, from all sides of town, who might not usually get along. They say the tournament fosters peace, unity and brotherhood.Racquel Stephen guest hosts "Connections" this hour and will lead a discussion on how initiatives like Hood 2 Hood help reduce violence in the community and what more of a role civilians can play in cutting crime. In studio: Jamie Anderson, co-founder of the Hood2Hood Basketball Tournament Raheen Gayden, founder of Guns Down Gloves Up Norman Simmons, community organizer David "D-Will" Williams, founder of Church In The Wild --- 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. Jun 23

    Shootings in Rochester drop, but illegal guns remain an issue

    Shootings in Rochester have dropped significantly in recent years. According to reportingfrom WXXI's Gino Fanelli, in the first six months of this year, there were 43 shootings in Rochester. That's a precipitous drop from a pandemic era peak. Yet, the number of guns collected annually has remained relatively stable. An increasing number of illegal guns are being traced to New York dealers, but the data shows the majority are still coming from out of state. Gino guest hosts "Connections" this hour. He and his guests discuss the state of gun violence in Rochester, what we need to know about the sources of illegal guns, and what's being done to address the issues. In studio: Captain Greg Bello, public information officer for the Rochester Police Department Pastor Willie Joe Lightfoot Sr., founder/chairman of ROC Against Gun Violence  --- 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. Jun 22

    What does it mean to be inclusively playful?

    What is the value of play? WXXI education reporter Noelle Evans guest hosts this episode. Her guests are experts in play, and they say it's powerful: it can bring people together; it can foster learning and growth; and it can heal. But it’s not always accessible to everyone. What does it mean to be inclusively playful? We explore that question — from design to reality. Our guests: Kendra Hayle, director of center operations for the city of Rochester Ingrid M. Kanics, OTR, FAOTA, CPSI, president of Kanics Inclusive Design Services Anita O’Brien, founder and executive director of Rochester Accessible Adventures This conversation 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.

    51 min

  8. Jun 18

    Freedom Walk examines Rochester's role on the Underground Railroad

    Rochester was a noted stop on the Underground Railroad, and now, you can be part of an event retracing a route from Maryland to Canada. #FreedomWalk2026 is passing through Rochester this week. Participants making the 750-mile journey stop in various communities to collect narratives from the people who live there. In advance of Juneteenth — and on the 250th anniversary of American independence — our guests from Freedom Walk help us understand what we can learn about the history of abolition, Rochester's role in the fight for freedom, and what it all means in 2026. In studio: Anthony Cohen, historian and founder for Freedom Walk Judy Wellman, executive director of the 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse Norm Strothers, tour guide with AKWAABA: The Heritage Associates Inc.  Christine L. Ridarsky, historian for Rochester and Monroe County --- 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
148 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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