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. 19h ago

    Assemblymember Jen Lunsford on the 2026-2027 NYS budget

    We kick off our series of conversations about the New York State budget with Assemblymember Jen Lunsford. She shares her takeaways regarding auto insurance, utilities, and childcare, among other budget items. You can join the discussion and ask her your questions about state business. In studio: Assemblymember Jen Lunsford, 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.

    51 min

  2. 3d ago

    Rochester native Barry Walters launches his book on LGBTQ music

    "Mighty Real: A history of LGBTQ music, 1969-2000" is the culmination of Barry Walters’ forty years of writing for the Village Voice, Spin and Rolling Stone. The book tells the story of music by and for the LGBTQ community, and how that music has influenced the music industry. Walters, who came out in his own review of the Pet Shop Boys, will share personal stories and talk about his New York roots. Our guest:  Barry Walters, author of "Mighty Real: A History of LGBTQ Music 1969-2000"--- 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

    Talking to young people about cannabis

    The New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) recently released its Listen and Learn Report, a comprehensive look at how young people across New York are learning about cannabis, what they want to know, and how trusted adults such as parents, family members, guardians, teachers and mentors can better engage in meaningful, informed conversations. Our guests: Chad Anderson, vice president and co-founder of B.L.O.O.M. ROC Precious Brown, president and co-founder of B.L.O.O.M. ROC Lyla Hunt, director of public health and education for the New York State Office of Cannabis Management --- 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

    Animal shelters and rescue groups face growing challenges

    According to the founder of the Bissell Pet Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting animal welfare organizations, the nation’s animal shelters are in crisis. The economy, the housing market and veterinary deserts are making it harder for people to keep or adopt pets, and shelters are understaffed and overwhelmed. We will look at how this crisis is playing out locally. And we will examine some creative solutions designed to find loving homes for pets, including horses! In studio: Jennifer Lilly, co-founder and current president of Begin Again Horse Rescue in Lima, NY Vicky Pape, director of animal placement at Lollypop Farm Wendy Weisberg, founder of Second Hand Dog Rescue --- 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

    When good fences are not enough, how to deal with your challenging neighbors

    We discuss how neighborhood conflicts tend to increase during the summer, when the windows are open and people are outside, and how to handle the most common problems. We will talk about loud parties, fireworks, roaring motorcycles, BBQ smoke, barking dogs and more with the people whose job it is to help resolve issues like these. In studio: Laura Fleming, licensed clinical social worker Erica Hernandez, director of neighborhood service centers in the department of neighborhood and business development for the city of Rochester Deputy David Marcucci, public information officer for the  Monroe County Sheriff's Office Lieutenant Rob Wilson, Rochester Police Department --- 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. Jul 6

    Finger Lakes Opera tackles the human cost of war

    We explore a unique partnership between Finger Lakes Opera and the Veterans Outreach Center. The organizations are teaming up to present "Glory Denied," an opera based on the experience of America's longest serving prisoner of war, Jim Thompson, and his family. The July 19 performance will include a panel discussion about issues veterans face and how the community can support them, even if the war they engaged in was unpopular. Our guests: Tom Cipullo, composer of "Glory Denied" Brock Tjosvold, head of music for Finger Lakes Opera and conductor for the July 19 performance Loni Wellman, director of programs at the Veterans Outreach Center Tom Williams, Vietnam veteran --- 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. Jul 2

    Indigenous perspectives on the American Revolution

    As the country acknowledges America's 250th birthday, scholars are re-examining different facets of U.S. history. SUNY Geneseo is gearing up for a discussion about the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Local experts participating in the event say that authentic Indigenous perspectives are key to an accurate retelling of the Revolution and the 250 years of history that followed. We discuss those perspectives and the history with our guests. In studio: Grandell "Bird" Hallett Logan, member of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation Snipe Clan and spokesperson for Tonawanda Seneca Nation STAMP Anna Kowalchuk, director of the Livingston County Historical Society Museum Michael Oberg, Ph.D., distinguished professor in the Department of History at SUNY Geneseo --- 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. Jul 1

    Trump administration loses its bid to revoke birthright citizenship

    The Supreme Court of the United States has upheld the legal concept of birthright citizenship. But it was not a unanimous decision. We sit down with legal experts to examine what the justices said, and the implications of this decision. In studio: Richard A. Dollinger, retired New York Court of Claims judge Lucrecia Knapp, immigration attorney at Mancuso Brightman PLLC --- 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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