WCNY Community FM

Columnist Sean Kirst has returned to writing in Syracuse after nearly a decade away. Now the newest member of the Central Current newsroom, the veteran journalist joins hosts Maximilian Eyle and Dr. Rick Wright to discuss the importance of focus and storytelling in how we understand the community we live in. They revisit the tragedy of Pan Am flight 103 which exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1...

On the latest episode of Repeating History, our guest is Dr. Adam Laats. Dr. Laats is the author of Mr. Lancaster's System: The Failed Reform that Created America's Public Schools , published in 2024. Professor Laats and Bob discuss the origins of the American public education system in response to the unsuccessful Lancastrian movement Dewitt Clinton imported to New York from Great Britain in the...

(#72, 5/5/25) In this episode of CNY Latino Podcast, we will have two interviews, one with interview with Maximilian Eyle about the event of the Hiscock Legal Aid Society an evening of celebration and community engagement in the famous Salt City Market in downtown Syracuse, and also to talk about him as a local Latino leader. the second interview with both Juan Proaño and Dr. Ray Serrano from LULA...

On this edition of Innovate to Educate, host Jody Manning is joined by two educators, Tim Nicholas and Owen Valentine and two of their students from the Communication Arts CTE Program at Liverpool High School, Alannah Edwards, and Selah Poulsen. The Communication Arts CTE Pathway at Liverpool High School immerses students in the dynamic world of media, offering hands-on experience with professiona...

It's always a fine day in the 315 when the Orange win. But Intercollegiate athletics is so much more than a team's record. SU Athletic Director John Wildhack brought all the goods to this episode. From his halcyon days at the young ESPN, John grew to become Executive Vice President, negotiating contracts to air Wimbledon and the World Cup, just a couple of the highlights. John brings all his passi...

On this edition of CNY Heroes Dan’s guests are Juliet Nadeau, Community Care Coordinator for the SyracuseServes program and program team leader Vincent DelSignore. SyracuseServes, hosted by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University, is designed to connect veterans, service members and families with the wide range of benefits, services and assistance available to them....

Can computers think more like humans? Learn how neuromorphic computing technology, using hardware and algorithms based on brain anatomy, provide more adaptability and efficiency than current artificial intelligence systems. New findings about microscopic plastic contamination in our bodies. Plus, on this month’s episode of Science Today, the answer to an age-old question— what is the best way to b...

You may not know him, but his company creates a LOT of fun at the libraries in Onondaga County. This week, we welcome Danny Tripodi of RetroGameCon. They are the group that brings a host of old school, 64bit fun to various libraries during the holidays and for the upcoming summer reading season. Maggie is player one, Tom is player two and you are invited to grab a controller for this week's editio...

Former SUNY Upstate President Dr. Greg Eastwood talks about how research has driven the dramatic increase in life span since 1900, and the human cost of federal budget cuts on research and health care at medical schools, VA hospitals and clinics, and for those of us on Medicare and Medicaid.

Playwright and actor Kate Hamill talks about her adaptation of Jane Austen’s "Sense and Sensibility" with director Jason O’Connell for Syracuse Stage’s upcoming production. 

(#71, 4/17/25) In this episode of CNY Latino Podcast, we will have two interviews, Beatriz Mateos, a Spanish author and former professor, was interviewed about her historical novel "When Stealth Lurks," which follows a family fleeing Nazi persecution during World War II. She spoke about her writing process, research methods, and the inspiration behind her book, which was sparked by a visit to Hear...

On this edition of Our New Neighbors, hosts Ibrahim and Maryna are joined by Osman Hassan. Osman fled from his native country of Somalia to Kenya with his family to escape conflict in the early 90’s, then came to America in search of a better life. Osman discusses his journey to America, his experience resettling in Syracuse, and the various ways that he is using that experience to help others tha...

Spring Break week is upon the Check It Out crew, and they have come prepared with events going on at over 17 libraries in the county. Plus, Tom and Maggie will tell you about an event where you can help stock Green Lakes with fish AND get a library card! All on this week's Check It Out.

On this edition of Innovate to Educate, Jody Manning is joined by Ian Alexander, Dredin Thomas, and Ti Gibson who are currently enrolled in Big Picture High School in LaFayette. These students host and produce the official podcast of the Big Picture High School "Behind the Picture" that brings you a mix of school news, fun banter, and interviews from students, teachers, and people from the communi...

On the latest edition of North Words, Mitch Teich talks with NPR’s Mary Louise Kelly about the breathtaking year that led to her memoir, “It Goes So Fast.”  Plus, why a recording session in Tupper Lake was interrupted by an emergency trip to… a thrift store.  We’ll meet the members of Drifter and hear some music from “The Tupper Tapes, Volume 1.”  And a photographer looks back on a snapshot in tim...

(#70, 4/3/25) In this episode of CNY Latino Podcast, we will have two interviews, one with Richard, a musician and former movie producer, shared his journey from struggling musician to successful film producer and back to music. He discussed his musical background, influences, and current projects, including his passion for Latin jazz and rock tunes from the 1960s. Richard also talked about his up...

On the latest episode of Repeating History, Robert's guest is Emerson Shenandoah, Director of the Skanonh Great Law of Peace Center. Skanonh and the Onondaga Historical Association are preparing to host the Smithsonian Institution's exhibition, "Voices and Votes," which opens on April 19. Robert and Emerson discuss a host of topics related to Haudenosaunee history, including the Great Law of Peace...

Syracuse’s 53rd mayor and Colgate University professor Stephanie Miner has been busy: in March she published her first book, Madam Mayor: Love and Loss in an American City, detailing her rise in politics to become the first woman elected mayor of a major city in New York State. The story provides a detailed and intimate view of Miner’s experience navigating the ups and downs of city leadership, an...

From the early days of Kids Oneida, ICAN (Integrated Community Alternatives Network) supports home-based family and community programs for family stabilization throughout Upstate New York. ICAN’s vision is to keep families together, through a wide array of traditional and non-traditional social, emotional, mental health and behavioral services and care. Some of the unique programs include the reop...

On this episode of Firebarn Chats, host’s Patricia Black and Robin Larkin are joined by Thomas Keck, a professor of political science at Syracuse Universities’ Maxwell School. Prof. Keck discusses his work with the local grassroots organizations CNY Solidarity Coalition and its sister organization Indivisible Onondaga. Through these organizations Prof. Keck encourages individuals to become civical...

On this edition of CNY Heroes Dan’s guests are Onondaga County American Legion commander Bob Haumann and Glen Wheelock, Jr., Onondaga County Boys State Chair for the American Legion. They discuss the need to reinvigorate interest in the Legion’s Boys State program for high schoolers, the upcoming statewide veterans convention in Syracuse, and the continuing activities of both the Legion and Veter...

Check It Out has now entered the "5 timers club" with our good friend, Brian Rowlands from the Solvay Public Library. In this week's episode, Brian gives us a heads up on what will be happening in Solvay for the week of Spring Break (April 14th-19th), and he let's us know the status of the free Comic Convention later this summer.

Promising new male contraceptives are under development. How do they work? Will they win FDA approval? The “BLOB” is more than a ‘50s Sci-Fi monster; learn about its catastrophic ecological effects on birds. Also, on this month’s episode of Science Today, new astronomical instruments deployed in space and surprisingly, in the ocean depths.

Eighty percent of women have bothersome and often life-disrupting symptoms related to menopause- and surgery-related hormonal changes. These include hot flashes and related sleep disruption, difficulty focusing, anxiety, depression, irritability, sexual difficulties, and others. Dr. Nevena Radonjic, a Reproductive Psychiatrist at SUNY Upstate, discusses diagnosis and treatment options including ne...

Emily Holm, Scenic Charge Artist, and Mara Rich, Prop Shop Supervisor, talk about their work behind the scenes at Syracuse Stage.