Connections Podcast

Evan Dawson
  • 4.7 (150)
  • 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. 1h ago

    Julio Sáenz, the 2026 Rochester Hispanic Business Person of the Year

    The Rochester Hispanic Business Association has named WXXI Chief Content Officer Julio Sáenz its 2026 Hispanic Business Person of the Year. The award celebrates Sáenz’s impact at WXXI and other local organizations, as well as his work elevating local Hispanic history and culture. This hour, Sáenz and representatives from the association join us to discuss how Hispanic businesses and business leaders are contributing to the local economy, the challenges they face, and how they see the landscape changing as they help train the next generation of leaders. In studio: Julio Sáenz, chief content officer for WXXI Public Media and the Rochester Hispanic Business Association's 2026 Hispanic Business Person of the Year Orlando Rivera, chair of the Rochester Hispanic Business Association Board and host of the 2026 Hispanic Business Person of the Year celebration Mercedes Vazquez Simmons, vice president of the Monroe County Legislature, legislator for District 22 and the Rochester Hispanic Business Association's 2016 Hispanic Business Person of the Year Diana Kleps, business consultant, social scientist, and advocate --- 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. 4d ago

    A 'life-changing' trip: Local teens discuss their experiences in Ghana

    A group of local teenagers recently returned from a birthright trip to Ghana. The young men are part of a program called the Talented Tenth. Leaders say the program's mission is to empower exceptional young men of color by helping them overcome barriers and strengthen their sense of purpose. During their trip, the students learned about Ghana's history and culture, while connecting with their ancestral roots. This hour, they join us in the studio to talk about their experiences and how the trip has affected them. Rita Gaither, Ph.D., founder of Pearl Resources Inc. Donte Jamison, participant in the Talented Tenth program Alan Searles Jr., participant in the Talented Tenth program Isaiah West, participant in the Talented Tenth 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.

  3. 5d ago

    Training future leaders to navigate Rochester's challenges

    Who are Rochester's future leaders? And how can we train future leaders to guide the community through recent challenges? The question comes at a time when Rochester remains under a gun violence state of emergency. Our guests are from Leadership Rochester. The nonprofit provides leadership training for Rochesterians interested in working cooperatively to strengthen the city. We discuss what that work looks like in this current moment. In studio: Camille Simmons, executive director of Leadership Rochester and president of the Rochester Board of Education Wanda Ridgeway, director of care management for Chisel Collective and executive director of CAPZ Sgt. Justin Collins, Rochester Police Department

  4. 6d ago

    How teachers are preparing to test and assess students in the age of AI

    Across the country, high school teachers are rethinking how to assess students – and make sure those students aren’t cheating.  Artificial intelligence programs have forced teachers to reconsider grading and testing. Some are asking students to do all of their scored work in person, by hand. Others are leaning on participation grades.  We talk to local teachers about how they’re handling the challenge.  Our guests: George Goga, teacher at Geneva High School and adjunct professor of English and education at SUNY Geneseo Lily Tym, teaching assistant at Geneva High School Julie Kopp, curriculum and assessment coach at Brighton Central School District

  5. Sep 1

    The Rochester Fringe Festival returns

    The Rochester Fringe Festival kicks off in just over two weeks. This year's event includes more than 700 performances, including everything from theater and comedy to music and dance. In our annual Fringe preview, we talk to the festival's executive producer and some of the artists involved about what's coming up and what they think you won't want to miss. Our guests: Erica Fee, CEO and producer of the Rochester Fringe Festival Jimmie Highsmith Jr., Grammy-nominated saxophonist, educator, president of major/music events for Xperience Live Events LLC, and performer in "Lyrical Grooves" Lu Highsmith, administrative consultant for North Star Poets and performer in "Lyrical Grooves" Tracey Yarad, musician, writer, and actor in "All These Pretty Things" Sean Mulligan, artist with "Sound of Sanctuary (SOS)" Kristy Liddell, president of The Friends of Washington Grove, which is producing "Forest Music" Joe Liss, actor, writer, and producer with "Misery Loves Company" Mike Gamble, comedian with "Sorry 4 Da Weight" Dre Gray, comedian with "Sorry 4 Da Weight" Drew Jemison, comedian with "Sorry 4 Da Weight" --- 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 31

    Perspective on the new assisted suicide law

    Medically assisted suicide is now legally available in New York state. New York's Medical Aid in Dying Act — which allows terminally ill patients with fewer than six months to live to end their lives — took effect Aug. 5. An upcoming forum explores the nuances, complexities, and "deeply human experiences" involved in the choice. We discuss those subjects with our guests: Alida Merrill, BSN, MPH, MSMFT, hospice nurse and adjunct professor at the School of Nursing at St. John Fisher University Jennifer Sanfilippo, MBA, end-of-life doula Mandi Zucker, executive director of End of Life Choices New York --- 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 28

    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.

  8. Aug 27

    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.

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4.7
out of 5
150 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
    Evan Dawson
  • Years Active
    2013 - 2026
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 WXXI
  • Show Website
    Connections Podcast

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