Connections Podcast

How difficult is it to publish a book? It's a nuanced question, especially when there are different avenues for aspiring writers to explore. This hour, guest host Julie Philipp sits down with local authors to talk about what new writers face when they're trying to get their books in the hands of readers. How do authors go about finding an audience? How can they attract the attention of agents? Wha...

Guest host Julie Philipp leads our weekly news roundup with WXXI journalists. First, deputy editor Jeremy Moule shares the latest from Monroe County. He reviews County Executive Adam Bello's State of the County and his assessment of the local economy and public safety. Then, Capitol Bureau reporter Samuel King joins us from Albany with a wrap up of the legislative session and a push from lawmakers...

Recent fights among teenagers at Ontario Beach Park and the Lilac Festival have local leaders looking for answers. Guest host Julie Philipp sits down with Monroe County Legislature President Yversha Roman and representatives from Teen Empowerment to talk about safety concerns and possible solutions, stereotypes, and the realities related to why young people are behaving in dangerous ways. Our gues...

"Connections" goes on the road this hour. A live audience joins us from the Early Learning Center in Greece, where we discuss youth mental health. We bring you multiple perspectives, including the voices of teenagers. Our guests share the challenges they are seeing in the youth mental health space, and we hear how local nonprofit organizations like the Center for Youth are teaming up with Greece C...

Rochester City School District (RCSD) students are gearing up for a weekend of competition. The second annual RCSD Flower City Frenzy Robotics Competition will be held on Saturday at East High School. In recent years, NPR has referred to robotics as a sport that builds the next generation of engineers. We talk with the students about the robots they've built, the skills they've learned, and how th...

We continue our coverage of the Democratic primary for New York State comptroller. Raj Goyle is a former Kansas legislator. He is now seeking to serve as New York's chief financial officer. This hour, we talk with Goyle about his background and experience, the often misunderstood role of the comptroller, and the office's role on the daily lives of New Yorkers. Our guest: Raj Goyle, candidate for N...

What can young people learn from the wisdom of seniors? And what can older adults learn from students? Two local programs are pairing young people with senior citizens so members of different generations can benefit from the other’s experience. We hear from participants about what they’ve learned from each other. Our guests: Rachel Hucko, middle school music teacher at Allendale Columbia School Ka...

In Rochester, gun violence is on a downward trend. Those who work in gun violence prevention are concerned about the dangers of forgetting. That’s their way of saying that the community cannot afford to become complacent. This hour, a local gun violence prevention counselor talks about what is actually working on the street, and what is not. In studio: Justin Morris, founder and CEO of Untrapped M...

In the month of May, the nation recognizes the cultural and historical contributions of people of Asian American descent and individuals from the Pacific Islands by honoring how they have helped shape our society. WXXI commemorates AAPI Heritage Month by spotlighting community members who trace their lineage back to Asia and the Pacific Islands, but now call Rochester home. Three of them sit down...

This year has been declared the International Year of the Woman Farmer, but farming remains one of the most male-dominated occupations in the nation. Some argue, though, that women were indeed the first agriculturalists, but over the years, institutional and social barriers like fair wages, the design of farm equipment and childcare have limited their contributions. But despite the inequities, a r...

Last year, the Rochester area saw its highest count of homeless individuals since at least 2007. Shelters are often overcrowded, and street homeless are becoming more visible. Guest host Gino Fanelli explores what the shelter system is doing to meet demand, and what resources are still needed. In studio: Amy D’Amico, housing advocate and founder of Rochester Grants Pass Resistance Anna Valeria, pr...

Summer movie season is officially here with a lineup of blockbusters, horror titles, and indie gems. The summer season will largely be defined by "The Odyssey" — Christopher Nolan's epic follow-up to his Oscar-winning 2023 film, "Oppenheimer." The father of the summer blockbuster, Steven Spielberg, is also back with "Disclosure Day," a new sci-fi romp. Another seasonal trend? Summer horror. Indie...

"Musick has Charms to sooth a savage Breast, To soften Rocks, or bend a knotted Oak." (William Congreve) It is often said that music is healing, but what are some ways that this truism plays out in practice? Jon Batiste recently collaborated with Joanne Loewy of Mount Sinai on a study that advances “social music” as a prescription for better health outcomes. That's just one angle. This hour, guest...

When Rochester had its first Cocktail Revival years ago, the organizers aspired to put Rochester on the nation’s cocktail map. The newest edition includes tastings, teachings, and artistic challenges. We explore the growth of the event, even while fewer Americans are drinking alcohol. Our guests: Leah Stacy, producer of Rochester Cocktail Revival and editor-in-chief of CITY Magazine Chuck Cerankos...

A shooting at a mosque in San Diego has rocked the Islamic community. We talk to local Islamic leaders about responding to violence. Our guests: Sareer Fazili, former president of the Islamic Center of Rochester Abu Saeed Islam, former president of the Islamic Center of Rochester --- Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support th...

"When war touches an artist’s life directly, how does it change what feels necessary to say or impossible to ignore?" That's a question local Ukrainian-born photographer Elena Dilai asked herself as she watched Russia's war tear her native country apart. She says she and her fellow Ukrainian artists didn't set out to make "war art," but as the fighting touched their families, their language, and t...

Rochester City Council voted Tuesday night on what to do with two vacant city school district buildings — specifically, a proposal that would allow for the sale of two buildings to charter schools. Council voted to sell one building and not the other. We sit down with three Council members to discuss their votes. In studio: Mary Lupien, member of Rochester City Council Chiara "KeeKee" Smith, membe...

We're joined by two local high school students who recently returned from Houston, where they met with NASA astronauts. Sloane Keller and Luke Schulte are students at Fairport High School who participated in the NASA HUNCH program. The initiative pairs NASA mentors with students who research solutions to real-world problems faced by NASA. This hour, we talk with the students and their mentors abou...

In the first few pages of his debut graphic memoir, cartoonist and New Yorker cover artist Harry Bliss writes that his intention with the book is to establish intimacy with his readers. "You Can Never Die" is rooted in his heartbreak over the loss of his dog, Penny. In his exploration of his grief, Bliss revisits emotional moments over the course of his life: growing up in Henrietta, in a family w...

Technology enhances many aspects of our lives, but when it comes to the arts, some artists say it can be a threat. Artificial intelligence, in particular, is changing how works are created and how certain disciplines are taught. We discuss it all with local experts in literature, publishing, music, and more. Michael Solis, executive director of Writers & Books Peter Conners, publisher and exec...

Economist Eric Morris is our guest, talking about the "K-shaped economy." He explains how and why recent economic challenges in this country are not affecting people equally. In studio: Eric Morris, portfolio manager and staff economist for Alesco Advisors, an ESL company --- Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show,...

It's our weekly news roundup. The future of the former Irondequoit Mall is up for debate. WXXI's Brian Sharp has the latest with the court fight over development of the space. Then, school districts across the Rochester area are putting their annual budgets up to vote on May 19, but they're doing so against a background of uncertainty. That's according to reporting from WXXI's Noelle Evans. She br...

Time is of the essence when it comes to treating a stroke. A local man learned that earlier this year when he had a stroke in his home. Josh Graves says his life was saved thanks to the University of Rochester Medical Center's Mobile Stroke Unit. On Friday, URMC is lifting the curtain on a new mobile unit. Leaders say it will help improve the region's rapid stroke response capabilities, leading to...

A group of Rochester teachers and retired educators is preparing to host an event with a mission: to rally the public against standardized testing. They describe the exams as “high stakes” and will make the case for different ways to assess students. We discuss how they would change student assessment. In studio: Dan Drmacich, coordinator of the Rochester Coalition for Public Education, retired pr...

A local woman says she learned early on that being understood in a doctor’s office isn’t guaranteed. Jeiri Flores has cerebral palsy, and as she told WXXI's Noelle Evans in a recent episode of the Move to Include Podcast, her healthcare experience has meant constantly navigating Medicaid limits, confusing private insurance, and providers who don’t have experience with disabled bodies. This hour, w...