Connections Podcast

WXXI News

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.

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Friday · 50 min
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.
Thursday · 51 min
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.
Wednesday · 51 min
Pacing our lives to avoid burnout
Many people feel like they can never complete their to-do lists, and yet they spend hours each week scrolling social media. We are struggling with how to balance all the work we need to do without burning out. In general, we are not pacing ourselves well. A new book takes a look at the scientific evidence behind the way we structure our days, while offering ideas for how to find better balance. We talk to critically acclaimed science writer Elizabeth Svoboda about "The Art of Pacing." Our guest: Elizabeth Svoboda, award-winning science writer and author of "The Art of Pacing: A Guide to Balancing Short-Term Demands with Long-Term Thriving" --- 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.
Tuesday · 50 min
New York levels up funding for mental health 'clubhouses'
New York State recently announced a multimillion-dollar investment in the expansion of clubhouses, which are community hubs for mental health support. As reported by WXXI's Noelle Evans, clubhouses serve people with mental illnesses like major depression, schizophrenia, PTSD, bipolar and mood disorders. Some of its concepts challenge typical ideas about mental illness. We discuss how it works toward the goal of saving and improving lives. Our guests: Liz Breier, chief advocacy officer for the New York State Office of Mental Health Jamie Comenale, chief program officer at East House Alex Baldassare, senior director of strategic growth at Fountain House Phillip Fleming, Hon. D.Div., board member at Fountain House and member of the Fountain House Clubhouse --- 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.
Monday · 50 min
Assemblymember Demond Meeks on the 2026-2027 NYS budget
We continue our series of conversations with local state representatives about New York's 2026-2027 budget. This hour, we're joined by Assemblymember Demond Meeks. He shares his takeaways on legislation related to public safety -- including bills concerning 3D-printed ghost guns and domestic violence reduction -- housings, childcare, education, and more. He also answers your questions about state business. In studio: Assemblymember Demond Meeks, District 137 --- 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.
August 21 · 50 min
How our schools are dealing with special education staffing shortages
Special education teachers provide instruction tailored to the needs of students with disabilities to help them realize their full potential, keeping many of these children from falling through the cracks in our education system. But what happens when there are not enough teachers to go around? There is a nationwide shortage of special education staff, and some local school districts are feeling it. Guest host Julie Philipp examines how schools are addressing the problem, and how St. John Fisher University is working to help fill the gap. In studio: Kathy Broikou, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the Inclusive Childhood Education and Literacy Programs at St. John Fisher University Debra Luna, recruitment and retention specialist at Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES Emma Spelman, graduate student in the Inclusive Childhood Education Program at St. John Fisher University and apprentice at Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES Eric Vaillancourt, director of teaching, learning and accountability for the Bloomfield Central 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.
August 20 · 50 min
Writing, reading, and talking about grief: Two authors share their experiences
At some point or another, we all grieve over the loss of a loved one. Guest host Julie Philipp talks with two authors about how books can help us work through and live with grief, and how they can help us navigate conversations about grief with our children. This is in advance of A Conversation About Grief, scheduled for September 3 at Hipocampo Children’s Books on South Avenue. In studio: Maeve Cullinane, educator and author of “Almost Twelve: Uncovering My Journey through Grief” Linda Shanti, PsyD, author of “After Your Person Dies: Affirmations for Grief, Making Meaning, and Going on" --- 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.
August 19 · 50 min
The state of public health and what it means for our community
Until the COVID -19 pandemic, public health was nearly invisible. Most of us did not think about the people who keep an eye on restaurants, public water supplies, air quality, vaccination rates, outbreaks of diseases like measles, and many other measures that contribute to a healthy community. That has changed. Public health is often in the headlines. It has become more political and less trusted. Guest host Julie Philipp discusses the current state of public health and how it affects you. In studio: Anja Bottler, M.D., service line division head for infectious disease at Rochester Regional Health Paul S. Graman, M.D., professor of medicine and senior associate hospital epidemiologist in the Infectious Diseases Division at the University of Rochester Medical Center Michael Mendoza, M.D., MPH, senior medical director for Town Square Health Laura Sugarwala, MBA, RD, director of community health partnerships at the Center for Community Health & Prevention, part of University of Rochester 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.
August 18 · 51 min
Genesee River Watch: Keeping tabs on this natural resource
If you have been downtown lately, you’ve seen all the changes underway along Rochester’s riverfront. New and improved parks, public gathering spots, trails, and infrastructure. It’s all part of a multi-year, half-billion dollar investment to expand the use of the Genesee River, which has long been treated as our city’s backyard instead of its front. There’s a lot of excitement around this…but what about the main attraction itself? How healthy is the Genesee River? How is it being affected by climate change? Are pollution problems of the past still an issue? And why does it matter? Guest host Julie Philipp talks with our panelists from Genesee River Watch. Our guests: Caroline Kilmer, assistant director of Genesee River Watch Steve Orr, board president of Genesee River Watch Mike Haugh, board member for Genesee River Watch Don Zelazny, board member for Genesee River Watch --- 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.
August 17 · 50 min
Local brewers celebrate, despite challenging times
Brewers from around the state are gathering at the Rochester Public Market on Friday night for the Flour City Brewers Fest, an annual celebration of craft beers. But the festivities are taking place against a backdrop of increasingly tough times for the industry. Hundreds of craft breweries across the country closed over the past year, and many others are struggling. How are surviving brewers adjusting to the new reality of rising costs and shrinking demand? Guest host Julie Philipp talks about that with our panelists and finds out what they think the future holds. In studio: Paul Leone, executive director of the New York State Brewers Association Jeff Ching, managing partner at Strangebird Brewing Andy Cook, owner and head brewer at Swiftwater Brewing --- 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.
August 14 · 51 min
What will help families most when it comes to affording basic necessities?
Which expense is most difficult for your family to afford? That question was raised during a recent public hearing hosted by New York State's Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council. The goal was to hear from the public about the financial challenges they face, while also examining the council's anti-poverty efforts. What's working? What challenges still need to be addressed? And what kinds of support do families say they need? We discuss those questions with our guests, and we talk about how expected cuts at the federal level could affect local families. In studio: Madison Byrne, policy and community advocate at the Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative Pete Nabozny, director of policy for The Children's Agenda Tianna Johnson, parent advocate and community organizer
August 13 · 51 min
Understanding patterns of abusers
Ohio Congressman Max Miller has denied allegations that he abused his ex-wife and their young daughter. Evidence that he has tried to marshal in his own defense has sparked conversations about abuse: specifically, why victims might behave in a certain way and why abusers might behave in a certain way. Our guests explore it: Lisa Nolan, director of prevention education at Willow Domestic Violence Center Jerri Lynn Sparks, former congressional press secretary and author of "Surviving Madmen"
August 12 · 50 min
'Our work...must be brave:' Fashion Week Rochester and supporting local youth in crisis
Fashion Week Rochester is back this fall, and it's being reimagined a bit this year. What hasn't changed is its mission: the event has always been about serving the Center for Youth. As the center's executive director, Elaine Spaull writes, "With threats from our federal government and the needs growing every day, our work with youth facing homelessness, despair, and abandonment must be brave." This hour, we talk with Spaull about that work. We also hear from local emerging designers who share their remarkable stories. In studio: Elaine Spaull, executive director for the Center for Youth Angela Monique, creative conceptualist, stylist, and owner of Brown Girls Too vintage reseller Julia Sibley, personal stylist and founder of Storied Marcel "¢el" McCollough, designer and owner of NoBlam! NazMeir Lucas, youth leader and clothing designer
August 11 · 50 min
'Connections on the Road:' How to create healthier neighborhoods for everyone
We welcome a live audience as we bring the show to Ibero-American Action League's Community Resource Center, located in the El Camino neighborhood of Rochester. Residents say they have concerns about poverty, drug use, and homelessness, and some neighborhood children don't like to play outside anymore. We talk to a neighbor and local leaders about what it will take to change that, and about how neighborhoods thrive or suffer based on resources and funding. We welcome comments from the live audience as well. Our guests: Angelica Perez-Delgado, president and CEO of Ibero-American Action League Ramona Colon, resident of the El Camino neighborhood Maria Garcia, marketplace bilingual facilitated enroller for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield --- 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.
August 10 · 51 min
TikTok star and best-selling author Jonathan Graziano and his dog, Milton
This hour, we welcome a human guest and his canine co-panelist. You may know TikTok star Jonathan Graziano for his "Bones or No Bones" videos with his late dog, Noodle. The Rochester native is a best-selling author, and his newest book is about his adopted senior pug, Milton. "Milton Makes a Move" follows Milton's story as he finds his forever home. Graziano and Milton are in town for a series of events. We sit down with both of them to hear their story and to discuss animal rescue. In studio: Jonathan Graziano, No. 1 New York Times best-selling author Milton the pug --- 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.
August 7 · 50 min
Understanding cuts to SNAP and more
Thousands of people in the Rochester region are losing SNAP benefits due to new federal guidelines. According to reporting by WXXI's Noelle Evans, the Monroe County Department of Human Services closed 3,900 cases at the end of May due to non-compliance or not verifying an exemption to new work requirements for some people without dependents. This hour, we're joined by Rochester City Councilmember Mitch Gruber. He discusses the changes and answers listener questions. He also addresses a summer meal program. In studio: Mitch Gruber, Ph.D., member of Rochester City Council --- 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.
August 6 · 49 min
Community leaders address weekend violence in Rochester
What should local leaders do to prevent violence in the community? Zahnia Barr, 14, and Shakara Green, 35, were killed last weekend in two separate incidents. In both cases, authorities say shots were fired into large groups of people. We talk with community leaders about the tragedies and what it will take to stop future violence. In studio: Beatriz LeBron, executive director of the Father Tracy Advocacy Center Miguel Meléndez Jr., president of Rochester City Council and member of the Northeast Safety Committee Jerome Ward, CEO and owner of Chisel Collective LLC
August 5 · 50 min
CITY Magazine's 2026 'Rochester Ten'
"They always come back home." That's how CITY Magazine editor-in-chief Leah Stacy describes CITY's 2026 "Rochester Ten" cohort. The annual list celebrates community members whose work and passions are creating positive change. As Stacy writes, some are Rochester natives, some are transplants, and some live in several places, but the Flower City is where "they want their work to be felt most." We meet some of them this hour, and we welcome the team from CITY to discuss this month's issue. In studio: Leah Stacy, editor-in-chief of CITY Magazine Jacob Walsh, art director for CITY Magazine Rafael Rodriguez, photographer and filmmaker Leaphe Ferm, musician, artist, caregiver, and 2026 "Rochester Ten" Jenna Manetta-Knauf, owner of Bella Events Group and 2026 "Rochester Ten" Max Kelley, station manager at WAYO 104.3FM and 2026 "Rochester Ten" Nydia Padilla-Rodriguez, artistic director and founder of Borinquen Dance Theatre and 2026 "Rochester Ten"
August 4 · 50 min
Former public health director helps launch new healthcare model in Rochester
Dr. Michael Mendoza is the senior medical director for the new Town Square Health Rochester office. The practice caters to seniors and recently began accepting patients. As reported by WXXI's Brian Sharp, the goal is to bring a new model for healthcare to the region, focused on prevention and lower costs. Dr. Mendoza discusses how it works and whether it can be a solution for the ongoing problems in the American healthcare system. In studio: Michael Mendoza, M.D., MPH, senior medical director for Town Square Health Daniel J. Marino, principal with ECG Management Consultants Brian Sharp, investigations and enterprise editor for WXXI News
August 3 · 50 min
Nazareth University's new president on the state of higher education
We sit down Maureen Finney, the new president of Nazareth University. As reported by WXXI’s Noelle Evans, Finney takes the helm of the institution at a time when federal rules are shifting for student loan borrowers. We sit down with Finney to discuss what those changes mean for Nazareth, her vision for the university, and the current state of higher education. In studio: Maureen Finney, Ed.D., president of Nazareth University

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