Connections With Evan Dawson

Shoes have obvious benefits — but how would our thinking change if we walked barefoot in the woods? Lyanda Lynn Haupt is the author of "Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit." She's coming to Rochester as a guest of the Western New York Land Conservancy. We discuss her feelings about the disconnect that many people feel: disconnected from nature, from the planet, from anything other than a screen. And we explore ways to get reconnected, even in small ways. Our guests: Lyanda Lynn Haupt, naturalist and author of "Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit," among others Marisa Riggi, executive director of Western New York Land Conservancy

We continue our series of conversations with candidates running in the Democratic primary for Rochester City Council. We've invited all of the candidates in that race to join us on the talk show to discuss their platforms and priorities and to answer questions from community members. This is part two in our series. In studio: Clifford Florence Jr., candidate for Rochester City Council LaShunda Leslie-Smith, D.S.W., candidate for Rochester City Council Josie McClary, candidate for Rochester City Council

Local advocates with the Healthi Kids Initiative and Common Ground Health and New York State United Teachers went to Albany to rally for what they call the Right to Recess.While many school districts in the state require 20 minutes of recess for K–6 students, enforcement varies — and access to play is often shaped by race, income, and neighborhood. Experts and families say 20 minutes isn't enough, and that playful learning should extend from pre-K through 12th grade.With the pandemic underscoring the need for movement and connection, guest host Noelle Evans asks: why is recess essential, and how can schools make it more equitable and effective?Our guests:  Mike Bulger, director of Whole Child Health Advocacy with the Healthi Kids Coalition Sharon Peck, parent advocate and associate professor of literacy at SUNY Geneseo

School board is an elected office that regularly flies under the radar, but boards are crucial: deciding district policies, allocation of taxpayer money, and so much of what shapes the environment where children learn.Newly elected school board members are stepping into one of the most high-pressure roles in local government and facing political fights, public backlash, and deeply personal debates over what kids should learn and how schools should run.This hour, guest host Noelle Evans pulls back the curtain on your local school board and explores more about the ins and outs of one of the most powerful — and overlooked — elected offices in the community. Annamaria Falzarano, member-elect of the Greece Central School Board and retired coordinator of world languages at the Greece Central School District Amy Thomas, executive director of the Monroe County School Boards Association

How can the arts help us heal? Experts say music therapy can help people cope with anxiety, depression, and even post-traumatic stress disorder. A program called Music for Veterans aims to leverage the therapeutic qualities of music to support and enrich the lives of military veterans. The head of that national program has ties to Rochester. He's in town this week to help support the local chapter. This hour, we talk with him and with local program organizers and veterans about the healing power of music. Our guests: Roy Ernst, Ph.D., founder of Music for Veterans National Association and professor emeritus of music education at the Eastman School of Music Mike Doolin, president of Music for Veterans-Rochester, U.S. Navy veteran, and trumpeter in the New Horizons band, among others Judy Rose, executive director of Music for Veterans-Rochester, bass clarinetist in the New Horizons Band, and vice president of Datrose Inc. Laura Heltz, executive director of Veterans Outreach Center, U.S. Army veteran, and author

Some members of Rochester City Council contend that last year’s budget allocated funds that could have been used to study a potential public utility. For those who don’t love the service from RG&E, this has been a big issue for years. Rochester Mayor Malik Evans said last week on "Connections" that he is not trying to block a public utility, but he wants the county to share the cost of a study. Our guests explain why they think the timeline should speed up. In studio: Mary Lupien, member of Rochester City Council  Michi Cole Wenderlich, campaign and policy coordinator for Metro Justice

The town of Penfield has to decide what to do with the Clark Road Barn — a local historic structure. A number of other local towns have moved to preserve old barns, and a group of residents in Penfield want the same approach. But the town is considering several options, including demolition. So how do our local towns decide what is worth saving? When is a structure deemed essential because of its historic character, and when is it a burden? Our guests discuss why they want towns to slow down and prioritize preservation over demolition. In studio: Katie Andres, co-producer of the documentary, "Still Standing: The Barns of J.T. Wells & Sons" Larry Francer, assistant director of the Landmark Society of Western New York Michael Jarvis, Ph.D., professor of history and archaeology at the University of Rochester

President Joe Biden's cancer diagnosis has sparked a wave of concern, as well as questions about the disease. Who tends to get it? When should men get screened? What causes it? What are the myths, and what are the realities? Our guests answer questions from listeners about prostate cancer: Supriya Mohile, M.D., geriatric oncologist and professor in the Departments of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology; Surgery, Cancer Control; and the Cancer Center; and vice chair for academic affairs in the Department of Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center Thomas Osinski, M.D., assistant professor of urology at the University of Rochester Medical Center Matthew Truong, M.D., urologist who practices general urology and urologic oncology at the Center for Urology, which is associated with Rochester Regional Health

The Seneca Park Zoo recently welcomed the first-ever North American river otters to be born at its facility. Leaders say it's a conservation success story that has been decades in the making. It comes at a time when a shift in federal priorities has affected environmental and wildlife protections: funding cuts to USAID and a funding freeze for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have halted projects centered on animals facing various threats, including extinction. Can the local project serve as a model for continued conservation work, despite changes at the federal level? Our guests discuss it. In studio: David Hamilton, general curator at the Seneca Park Zoo Larry Buckley, Ph.D., senior associate dean of the College of Science at RIT Laura Gaenzler, community science coordinator for the Seneca Park Zoo Society Tom Snyder, director of programming and conservation action for the Seneca Park Zoo Society

In a report earlier this month, the group Reporters Without Borders said, "Trump's second term as president has brought a troubling deterioration in press freedom." For two decades, the number of American journalists has been in decline. The Star-Ledger in New Jersey is an example of a high-profile newsroom that stopped producing a print edition and cut more staff in 2024. Fewer than a quarter of American newsrooms are in growth mode. We discuss the state of the profession with our guests: Gino Fanelli, investigations and City Hall reporter for WXXI News Veronica Volk, senior producer for WXXI News Natasha Kaiser, rising senior in the photojournalism program at RIT Roisin Meyer, rising senior in the international relations and economics program at the University of Rochester

Local Democrats will see a number of candidates for Rochester City Council on their primary ballot next month. We've invited all of the candidates in that race to join us on the talk show to discuss their platforms and priorities and to answer questions from community members. This is part one in our series. In studio:  Miquel Powell, candidate for Rochester City Council  Chiara "Kee Kee" Smith, candidate for Rochester City Council Kevin Stewart, candidate for Rochester City Council 

President Biden's cancer diagnosis has prompted prayers and well wishes, and it keeps the political spotlight on the former president and his health. Biden recently said that he would have beaten Donald Trump in 2024, and he's not surprised that Vice President Harris lost. Meanwhile, a new book details the ways that the Biden team concealed his cognitive decline from the public. Democrats are eager to move on and focus on the array of young leaders who could rise to prominence. But what lessons should they learn from the past four years? Our guests discuss it. In studio: Dylan Dailor, Democratic political consultant Nayeliz Santiago, vice president of Monroe County Young Democrats

It's prom season, and for high schoolers across the region, prom isn’t just a rite of passage anymore. It’s a stage. We’re talking crystallized corsets, embroidered tuxedos, motorcades, professional photographers, and send-off parties that look more like weddings. In many Black communities, prom has become a dazzling display of creativity, self-expression, and joy. Think of it as a teen Met Gala—shaped by tradition and TikTok. But there’s more to prom than just the glamor; it also raises deeper questions—about identity, performance, social media, and how a new generation is redefining what celebration looks like. This hour, guest host Racquel Stephen dives into prom as fashion statement, cultural ritual, and social phenomenon. Our guests: Tania Casini, local designer specializing in custom prom fashion Kasey Casini, fashion designer at Tania Casini Nathaniel Johnson, local designer specializing in custom prom fashion Jeffrey McCune, Jr., Ph.D., founding chair of the Department of Black Studies and the Univers

Black women in America are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. It’s a crisis fueled by systemic racism, medical bias, and structural inequities. But there’s also a growing movement to push back. Community-based doulas are stepping in to support Black mothers throughout pregnancy, birth, and beyond. They’re advocating, empowering, and providing care that’s culturally rooted and deeply personal. This hour, guest host Racquel Stephen and her guests explore the role of doulas in Black maternal health, how and why they do what they do, and whether they are making a difference. Our guests: Jasmine Brewer, doula program manager at the Healthy Baby Network Ayanah Alexander, doula at the Healthy Baby Network Stefanie Hollenbach, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology and biomedical engineering at the University of Rochester Medical Center

For the past four years, former Democrat and Chronicle journalist Erica Bryant has turned her attention to reporting on the dream world. Bryant has gone deep, interviewing people about their dreams, and collecting hundreds of dream stories. She's preparing to debut her exhibition "Other People's Dreams" at the Rochester Contemporary Art Center. But first, she and some of her dream interviewees join us on "Connections" to explore what our dreams mean: why we have them; what they say about our lives and desires; and what the experts say. Our guests: Erica Bryant, artist and associate director of writing at the Vera Institute of Justice Jon Gary, musician and artist Davida Rogers, graduate student and artist Wilfred Pigeon, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and public health sciences and director of the Sleep and Neurophysiology Research Lab at the University of Rochester Medical Center

A member of the New York State Assembly has proposals for how to regulate artificial intelligence. The AI Training Data Transparency Act would require AI firms to make their safety testing protocols visible, and it would protect whistleblowers who call attention to AI dangers. Is it enough? The Responsible AI Safety and Education (RAISE) Act would require developers to meet certain safety and security requirements before launching their platforms. Our guests include the Assemblymember who has introduced the legislation. Our guests: Assemblymember Alex Bores, District 73 Max Irwin, founder of Max.io

Rochester Mayor Malik Evans is running for re-election. We sit down with him to discuss his record, his campaign, and his goals for a second term. He also answers our questions and yours. In studio:Malik Evans, candidate for Rochester mayor

Rochester is often referred to as a "festival city," and if you're ready to explore the scene, CITY Magazine has you covered. This month's issue is a festival guide, with a look at the many events happening throughout the region through October. This hour, we sit down with the CITY team to preview those festivals, meet the people who make them possible, and we discuss the impact the festival season has on our region. Our guests: Leah Stacy, editor of CITY Magazine Roberto Lagares, multimedia reporter for CITY Magazine Jake Walsh, art director for CITY Magazine Jenny LoMaglio, executive director of the 2025 Rochester Lilac Festival  Dave Drago, music director and talent buyer for the 2025 Lilac Festival  Brian Sharp, investigations and enterprise editor for WXXI News and contributor to CITY Magazine Ken Glazer, CEO of Buckingham Properties

After a weeks-long delay, lawmakers passed the New York State budget on Thursday. Despite its approval, the $254 budget could require major changes if cuts are made at the federal level. This hour, we begin our series of conversations with local state lawmakers about the budget and how it will affect Rochester and the Finger Lakes. Our guest is Assemblymember Sarah Clark, who explains her takeaways — from housing, to children and families, to public safety, and more. Our guest:Assemblymember Sarah Clark, District 136

What do patients and families need to know about the latest in treatment for Type 2 diabetes? That question is the focus of an upcoming program at the Rochester Academy of Medicine. According to the CDC, more than 38 million Americans have diabetes, and the overwhelming majority of those individuals have Type 2 diabetes. Experts say that without effective management, the condition can result in serious complications, including blindness, kidney failure, and heart disease. This hour, our guests help us understand the condition, how to manage it, and what's new when it comes to research and treatment. In studio: Benjamin J. Gigliotti, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center Sunkanmi (Suki) Ajewole, M.D., board-certified internist  Deborah Ajewole, local resident with Type 2 diabetes Naeem J., local resident with Type 2 diabetes