Connections Podcast

Evan Dawson
  • 4.7 (151)
  • News
  • 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. 9h ago

    Journalist Greg O'Brien on living with Alzheimer's

    What does it feel like to live with Alzheimer's?  It's a question journalist Greg O'Brien has been answering for nearly two decades. O'Brien was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2009 at age 59.  In his book, “On Pluto: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer’s,” he chronicles his own disease. O'Brien will be in Rochester for an event at St. John's, but first, he joins us on "Connections" to tell his story and to share what he wants the public to know about living with the disease. We also talk with local neurologist Dr. David Gill about the latest in Alzheimer's research and treatment. Greg O'Brien, career journalist and author of "On Pluto: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer's" David Gill, M.D., chief of the Division of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology at University of Rochester Medicine  Tom Harner, director of marketing at St. John's *Note: WXXI is a media sponsor of the event at St. John's.

    Journalist Greg O'Brien on living with Alzheimer's

  2. 1d ago

    Rochester's hotel desert; celebrating 'Open Turnings' host Scott Regan; 'You Can See Everything'

    It's our weekly news roundup. The city of Rochester is short hotel rooms. That's according to Deputy Mayor Michael Burns. As reported by WXXI's Brian Sharp, the 2020 closure of the Rochester Riverside hotel and the more recent shutdown of the Wyndham has left a dearth of rooms. Meanwhile, the Hyatt Regency is slated for a $16 million renovation — a "positive note" amid the other hotels' uncertain futures, according to the Hyatt's general manager. What does the future hold? And how many rooms does Rochester need to support local travel and tourism? We talk to Sharp about the latest with downtown development. In studio: Brian Sharp, investigations and enterprise editor for WXXI News Then, we celebrate Rochester radio legend Scott Regan. The longtime host of "Open Tunings" on The Route will host his final weekday show on October 30. He'll continue to host his Saturday broadcast. Regan sits down with us to discuss his career, his music, and what he has loved and learned during his 22 years of "Open Tunings." In studio: Scott Regan, host of "Open Tunings" on The Route We end the week with a discussion about the most talked-about film currently on screen. "You Can See Everything" is a documentary about disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes. The former CEO was convicted of defrauding investors and is serving an 11-year prison sentence. The film follows Holmes in the 34 days before that sentence began and has left audiences questioning what is fact and what is fiction. Our guests share their perspectives, and we invite you to weigh in as well. Our guests: Scott Pukos, director of communications for The Little Theatre Amy Adrion, filmmaker and assistant professor in the School of Film and Animation at RIT

  3. 2d ago

    Suffering in silence: Why healthcare providers hide addiction

    What if the doctor treating your addiction is also in recovery from a substance use disorder? Research shows approximately 10% to 15% of physicians and 15% to 20% of nurses struggle with addiction — a rate similar to that of the general population. This hour, we're joined by healthcare providers in recovery who say their experiences give them a unique perspective when it comes to helping their patients. Our guests share their stories, why some healthcare professionals hide addiction, the barriers they've experienced in seeking help, and they discuss the current landscape for supporting people in recovery. In studio: Mark Winsberg, M.D., addiction medicine specialist Marcy Owens, RN, former ICU nurse Amy Vitkus, RN, regional coordinator for Western NY for the Statewide Peer Assistance for Nurses (SPAN) program  Chuck Montante, LMHC, former president and CEO of Westfall Associates -- 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.

    Suffering in silence: Why healthcare providers hide addiction

  4. 3d ago

    Sarah Clark and Clianda Florence, candidates for NYS Assembly District 136

    WXXI News is your source for election coverage. In this episode, we sit down with the candidates for New York State Assembly District 136. Democratic incumbent Sarah Clark and Republican challenger Clianda Florence discuss their platforms, their perspectives on state issues, and what they'd prioritize for the district, if elected. They also answer your questions throughout the hour. Our guests: Sarah Clark (D, WF), candidate for New York State Assembly District 136 Clianda Florence (R, C), candidate for New York State Assembly District 136 *Note: Candidates are listed in the order in which they appear on the Monroe County Board of Elections Certification of Candidates list. --- 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.

    Sarah Clark and Clianda Florence, candidates for NYS Assembly District 136

  5. 4d ago

    Answering your questions about enrolling in Medicare Advantage

    What do you want to know about signing up for Medicare Advantage? Open enrollment is in full swing, and if you or someone you know has questions about the process, we have answers. During this annual discussion, we're joined by experts who discuss how it works. We also hear from a local woman who shares her enrollment experience. In studio: Dave Kamholz, lead licensed Medicare agent for AAA Western and Central New York Andy Napierala, vice president of Medicare and individual market sales for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Cindy McDaid, Medicare Advantage enrollee --- 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.

    Answering your questions about enrolling in Medicare Advantage

  6. Oct 23

    Kurt VanWuyckhuyse and Josh Jensen, candidates for NYS Assembly District 134

    WXXI News is your source for election coverage. This hour, we bring you a conversation with the candidates for New York State Assembly District 134.  Republican incumbent Josh Jensen and Democratic challenger Kurt VanWuyckhuyse discuss their policy ideas, their priorities for the district, where they agree, and where they differ. We also welcome your questions throughout the hour.  In studio: Kurt VanWuyckhuyse (D, WF), candidate for New York State Assembly District 134 Josh Jensen (R, C), candidate for New York State Assembly District 134 *Note: Candidates are listed in the order in which they appear on the Monroe County Board of Elections Certification of Candidates list.

  7. Oct 22

    'Connections on the Road': Mental health on campus

    We welcome a live audience at The Little Theatre for a conversation about student mental health on college and university campuses. Are colleges doing enough to support students? The issue is a growing concern, leading higher education institutions to establish new programs, services, and — in some cases — new grading and evaluation criteria to meet students' needs. WXXI has gathered data from more than 20 colleges and universities in the Rochester and Finger Lakes region related to how they are supporting students. You can access that data below. Our panelists discuss what works, where they see gaps, and what students say they need. Our guests: Becca Morris, Ed.D., vice president for campus life and dean of students at Hobart and William Smith Colleges Darlene Schmitt, MSEd, LMHC, director of the Counseling Center at SUNY Brockport Giulianna Volpe, psychology major at Finger Lakes Community College --- 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.

    'Connections on the Road': Mental health on campus

  8. Oct 21

    Jen Lunsford and Kalinda Washington, candidates for NYS Assembly District 135

    We continue our series of conversations with candidates running for office. This hour, we talk with the candidates for New York State Assembly District 135. Democratic incumbent Jen Lunsford and Republican challenger Kalinda Washington join us in the studio to discuss their priorities for the district, if elected. We ask them your questions throughout the hour. In studio: Jen Lunsford (D, WF), candidate for New York State Assembly District 135 Kalinda Washington (R, C), candidate for New York State Assembly District 135 --- 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.

    Jen Lunsford and Kalinda Washington, candidates for NYS Assembly District 135
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4.7
out of 5
151 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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