Connections With Evan Dawson

80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, but as the CDC reports, hundreds of American women die each year while giving birth or in the year after giving birth. Thousands of additional mothers experience short- or long-term health challenges. Certain factors prevent many women from receiving the care they need, leading to disparities along racial lines. So what can be done to mitigate adverse conditions and prevent unnecessary deaths? We explore this question from Common Ground Health in Rochester as part of this special "on the road" edition of "Connections." Our guests explain the barriers to care; how doulas, midwives, and obstetricians can work together to achieve better outcomes; and we hear one local mother's powerful story. Our guests: Elizabeth Bostock, M.D., Ph.D., obstetrician/gynecologist with Rochester Regional Health and women's health advocate Phyllis Sharp, certified doula and owner of Royalty Birth Services Candice Williams, mother of three and client of Royalty Birth Services  ---Conne

According to the most recent CDC data, more than 40 million Americans are living with diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes. That's 12% of the population. While the condition is a growing public health issue — including in the Finger Lakes region — the burden of the disease is felt by some groups more than others. Research shows that Black and Latino Americans have higher rates of diabetes illness and mortality. This week, Common Ground Health is publishing new data about the prevalence of diabetes in the region, the cost of the disease, and the toll it takes on minority communities. In this special "on the road" edition of "Connections” at Common Ground Health in Rochester, we discuss the disparities and how to address them effectively. Our guests: Jamie Hayslip, director of analytics for FLPPS-Common Ground Health-Rochester RHIO Phyllis Jackson, RN, community health and wellbeing project manager for FLPPS-Common Ground Health-Rochester RHIO David Starks, local resident living with diabetes ---Connections is sup

Russia’s war on Ukraine is now in its fourth year, and while the rest of the world learns about the conflict through the media, Ukrainians continue to navigate daily life during wartime, including pursuing education. Some of the country’s leading pedagogues say education in Ukraine must meet the needs of the state and match the trends of the modern world. That, they argue, will be the basis for rebuilding the country when the war ends. Our guests include Eduard Balashov, rector of the National University of Ostroh Academy in Ukraine. He is in Rochester as a guest of Nazareth University and the University of Rochester. He joins us, along with some of his Rochester-based colleagues, to discuss the role of the university during wartime and the value of international education partnerships. Our guests: Eduard Balashov, Ph.D., professor and rector of the National University of Ostroh Academy in Ostroh, Ukraine Olena Prokopovych, Ph. D., associate professor of political science and director of the Political Science

It's our weekly news roundup.New York State lawmakers are working to address a volunteer firefighter shortage. According to WXXI's Capitol Bureau reporter Samuel King, the number of volunteer firefighters in the state has dropped by a third since the early 2000s. King joins us to explore proposed legislation that would pay volunteers stipends.Then, as WXXI's Racquel Stephen reports, Eastman Dental has received a grant to help train its residents on how to better treat patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities and certain medical conditions. She explains the goals and the expected benefits of the training. We end the week with a conversation about music — Rochester music, to be specific.The Rochester Music Hall of Fame is gearing up to welcome its newest class of inductees. We talk with the organization's president and one of the inductees about this year's event and about how the Hall plans to address changes in the music industry.Our guests: Samuel King, Capitol News Bureau reporter for the N

Pope Leo XIV says he is not afraid of the Trump administration. That statement followed a series of public criticisms from the president and vice president.President Trump bashed Pope Leo over issues like war and crime. Vice President Vance claimed that the pope does not understand Just War Theory.But Pope Leo has remained steady, saying that he will speak truth wherever he goes. It's a strange time for American Catholics.Our guests discuss it. In studio: Jamie R. Fazio, M.Div., director and university chaplain in the Center for Spirituality at Nazareth University Patricia Schoelles, Ph.D., moral theologian and director of mission integration for the Sisters of Saint Joseph 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 (825

Education advocates say student success is on the line as they push New York lawmakers to include funding for a specialized tutoring program in the state budget. Students who receive high-impact tutoring, or HIT, meet in small groups with professionally trained tutors during school hours. Research shows HIT is more effective than standard tutoring models, and students who dedicate three to 15 months to HIT can see a 30% increase in reading proficiency. This hour, our guests explain what HIT is, how it works, why it works, and why they think it could be a game changer in high-needs districts. Our guests: Ashara Baker, parent advocate Jacquelyn Martell, executive director of Education Reform Now New York Yvette Russell, chief strategy officer for Read Alliance ---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 th

What is a “compassionate” response to immigration? The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is participating in a community forum on the subject. The Trump administration has said it expects local law enforcement to work side-by-side with ICE. We discuss the subject with our guests, who are joining the Mercy Spirituality Center’s upcoming event. In studio: Brigid Ryan, executive director of the Mercy Spirituality Center Deputy Ray Ruiz, community liaison for the Monroe County Sheriff's Office Esma Nacakgedigi, attorney and immigration services manager at Rochester Refugee Resettlement Services ---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 You

A local man says an experience he had as a young boy informed the rest of his life. Conan Gillis uses a wheelchair. When he was eight years old, he wanted to use his local library, but the aisles weren't wide enough for his wheelchair. As WXXI's Move to Include Podcast host Noelle Evans reports, that was the moment that sparked Gillis' self-advocacy. In episode four of the podcast, she and Gillis talk about disability as a reflection of the environments and systems we build. We hear that conversation and we discuss the lessons we can learn. In studio: Noelle E. C. Evans, host of the Move to Include Podcast and education reporter/producer for WXXI News Sarah Murphy Abbamonte, project manager for Move to Include This story 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 t

Francis Spufford spent 20 years as an atheist and then drifted back to faith rather unexpectedly. He’s an award-winning author of fiction and non-fiction. He made the case for God in his book, “Unapologetic: Why, despite everything, Christianity can still make surprising emotional sense,” and he continues to write on the theme. So, is New Atheism on the ropes? We talk to a former follower of Hitchens and Dawkins about life, beauty, God, and more. Our guest:Francis Spufford, writer---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 t

Twin sisters — light-skinned African Americans — eventually split and live very different lives: one, as a Black woman; the other, choosing a life as a white woman. Bennett’s book follows their stories across generations. She'll be in Rochester next week for an event with the Rochester Speaker Series, but first, she joins us on "Connections" to discuss themes of identity, passing, and self-acceptance. Our guests: Brit Bennett, author of the National Book Award-nominated novel, "The Vanishing Half" Norma Holland, chief of staff at the Office of University Engagement and Enrichment at the University of Rochester and former journalist Nancy Klotz, president of the board of the Rochester Speakers Series ---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-

The Trump administration says it has now resumed processing Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for Afghans and their families who assisted the U.S. government. The SIV process was put on hold last year. But a leading group that works with Afghan allies says it’s only a “ruse certain to result in blanket denials.” We examine it with our guests: Ellen Smith, founder and executive director of Keeping Our Promise Inc. Naweed, operations staff member at Keeping Our Promise Stephen Cady, 17-year Army veteran and housing coordinator for Keeping Our Promise Shawn VanDiver, president and founder of AfghanEvac ---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

WXXI Classical's Mona Seghatoleslami guest hosts this discussion about the art of spoken word performance. Local artists say slam poetry is alive and well in Rochester, drawing on a rich intergenerational tradition of performance and community. We hear about what local slam poets are doing in terms of performance, mentorship, and community activism. In studio: Lu Highsmith, administrative consultant for North Star Poets Matthew Van Scott, North Star poet Chi the Realist, North Star poet Agape Armageddon Towns, commissioner of deeds and North Star poet This conversation is part of WXXI's celebration of Poetry Month.---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 livest

It has been five years since the rollout of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act in New York State. What do we need to know about how local businesses are doing and how policies are affecting New Yorkers? Guest host Gino Fanelli discusses the state of the cannabis industry. In studio: Chad Anderson, vice president of B.L.O.O.M. ROC, and co-founder and vice president of A-Room Consulting Inc. Precious Brown, president of B.L.O.O.M. ROC ---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 Connecti

It's our weekly news roundup. First, the story of the missing birdsong. WXXI's Jeremy Moule reports on how the Canadian wildfires have made some birds go quiet. Then WXXI Classical's Mona Seghatoleslami introduces us to Lisa Bielawa, a composer and visiting professor at the Eastman School of Music. Bielawa is in town for her "Rochester Broadcast" — an outdoor performance by hundreds of musicians planned for Parcel 5. We discuss how you can get involved. Finally, tax deadline day is coming, and we are bailing out the procrastinators in a conversation with CPA Mark Kovaleski, managing partner at MMB+CO. Our guests: Jeremy Moule, deputy editor for WXXI News Mona Seghatoleslami, music director, host, and producer for WXXI Classical 91.5 FM Lisa Bielawa, composer, vocalist, and Howard Hanson Visiting Professor at the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester Mark Kovaleski, CPA, managing partner and chair of the executive committee at MMB+CO ---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to o

New York State could go in a number of different directions related to climate action. The current budget debate has included Governor Hochul’s call to slow down on certain action items. Our guests discuss climate and what’s on the table, including a proposal on methane accounting. Our guests: Graham Hughes, director of policy and advocacy at Climate Solutions Accelerator Kevin Schulte, CEO of GreenSpark Solar Lisa Marshall, director of organizing and advocacy at New Yorkers Clean Power Stephan Edel, executive director of NY Renews Coalition This conversation is part of WXXI's celebration of Earth Month. To learn more, please click here.---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. Con

“Entrepreneurs want to help. Just call on us.” So says clean energy entrepreneur Jigar Shah, who is imploring New York State lawmakers to recognize the danger of the energy crisis. Shah held a prominent position in the Biden administration and is now working to convince Governor Hochul and the legislature to act urgently. The worldwide energy crisis, exacerbated by the war in Iran, has only intensified the situation. Shah and his colleagues join us to talk about the specific actions that the state could take this month – actions that Shah says would reduce energy bills for people who are already struggling. Our guests: Jigar Shah, co-managing partner of Multiplier Suzanne Hunt, vice president of policy at Generate Upcycle Marguerite Wells, executive director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York This conversation is part of WXXI's celebration of Earth Month. To learn more, please click here.---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support

Social media giants Meta and YouTube were recently found liable for a young woman's childhood addiction to their platforms. Jurors in the landmark case determined that the companies deliberately create addictive programs that harm kids. Is this a turning point in how the law sees social media and its effects on users? Our guest is an attorney who specializes in the intersection of social media and the law. In studio:Scott L. Malouf, attorney---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 Connect

"I don't ever want to leave this work, but I could be driving an Amazon truck and making more money." That's what a preschool teacher named Dan said during the production of a documentary called "Make a Circle." The film follows a group of child care providers as they care for kids, while also advocating to fix a system that they say is in crisis. The film will be screened Wednesday night in Rochester and you can watch it on PBS Passport. This hour, we're joined by the filmmaker and by local guests who discuss issues with the system, how to best provide for providers, and how New York State's investments in universal child care could help mitigate some of the challenges. Our guests: Jen Bradwell, co-director of "Make a Circle"' Assemblymember Sarah Clark, District 136 Rose Shufelt, CEO of the Child Care Council, Inc.  Ann Marie Stephan, executive director of Rochester Childfirst Network Rachel Rosner, early learning manager for WXXI Public Media ---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our d

The Trump administration has said it wants to see a new democratic government in Iran. Our guest is a senior associate with the Democratization Policy Council, based in Eastern Europe. The council works on issues related to democratic movements around the world. What does it say about the war in Iran? And what does American involvement mean for its global reputation, its relationship with NATO, and more? We discuss it with our guest:Valery Perry, Ph.D., senior associate for the Democratization Policy 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 y

As crocuses push through ground still dusted by snow, now may be a time to reflect on what it takes to grow. This month's edition of CITY Magazine is all about growth — and not just in the physical sense. From growing a cultural and social scene, to personal growth, to the physical blooming of plants, we're joined by the CITY team to explore it all. Our guests: Leah Stacy, editor-in-chief of CITY Magazine Patrick Hosken, arts reporter for CITY Magazine Roberto Lagares, multimedia reporter for CITY Magazine Jake Walsh, art director for CITY Magazine Tom DeBlase, owner of Flora Sam Genovese, operations manager of Flora  Don Stevens, longtime Amerks broadcaster, who is retiring after 40 years Jim Mandelaro, former Democrat and Chronicle sportswriter, freelance writer and author, and contributor to CITY Magazine ---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.---Conn