Connections Podcast

The Special Olympics New York winter games are returning to Rochester next month, and so is a local photojournalism collaboration. RIT students are teaming up with athletes and organizers — and as we learn this hour, they are covering more than just sports. Accessible health care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) is one of the nonprofit's priorities. Its Healthy Athletes event at the games helps competitors access routine screenings and other resources, while also providing an opportunity for health care professionals to learn best practices for caring for patients in the IDD community. We explore it all with our guests: Cori Piels, Special Olympics athlete and health messenger  Jess Dauvergne, director of health programs for Unified Sports at Special Olympics New York Furqan Alwaely, B.D.S., dental provider and faculty member at the Eastman Institute for Oral Health Josh Meltzer, associate professor in the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences at RIT  Natasha Kaiser, photojournalism major at RIT and former intern for WXXI News ---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.

The Trump administration has been exploring the possibility of 50-year mortgages as a way of lowering home costs for Americans. Most industry professionals think it's a bad idea. The administration is also pursuing other possibilities to affect the cost for buyers. We talk about how these proposals might work, and we take an updated look at the regional housing market. In studio: Lanie Bittner, associate real estate broker with RE/MAX Plus Jason Mancuso, real estate salesperson with the Anthony Butera Team at Keller Williams Realty Mark Siwiec, broker and owner of Elysian Homes by Mark Siwiec and Associates ---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.

A number of local food-based businesses are telling customers that they are making significant changes in 2026, owing to the high cost of many food products and the difficult economy. Meat prices are especially high. Tariffs have impacted other costs. Meanwhile, a number of long-time Rochester businesses closed in 2025. We talk about the challenge of surviving this recent period of inflation and what business owners are telling customers. In studio: Art Rogers, chef/owner of Lento Restaurant Kelly Scott, owner/operator of Get Caked Bakery Rory Van Grol, owner/operator of Ugly Duck Coffee ---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.

The prime minister of Norway released a private text sent from President Trump, and it has sparked deep concern. Trump explained that he blamed Norway for stopping him from receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, and as a result, he was no longer committed expressly to peace. He said he will pursue Greenland however necessary. Meanwhile, NATO allies are sending troops to Greenland, hoping to deter an American invasion. We discuss what this means for American alliances; the view from Russia of these events; and options that lawmakers have to stop further escalation. Our guest:Randy Stone, Ph.D., director of the Skalny Center for Polish and Central European Studies at the University 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 (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.

Stories and issues that have generated buzz this week. What questions do you have about how federal funding cuts will affect public media, including WXXI? CEO Chris Hastings joins us to discuss the dissolution of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and what it means for PBS, NPR, and WXXI. Then, Capitol News Bureau reporter Samuel King spoke with disability rights advocates during the first day of New York's legislative session. He explains their priorities as part of Dialogue on Disability Week. Finally, you've likely heard about different Move to Include projects on WXXI throughout the week. Project manager Sarah Murphy Abbamonte talks with us about the depth and breadth of this national inclusion initiative and how it seeks to make programming more accessible for everyone. Our guests: Chris Hastings, president and CEO of WXXI Public Media Samuel King, Capitol News Bureau reporter for the New York Public News Network Sarah Murphy Abbamonte, project manager for Move to Include ---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.

What would Susan B. Anthony think the "work" is in 2026? We address that question this hour with leaders from the Susan B. Anthony Museum & House. Longtime president and CEO Deborah Hughes retired in December, passing the torch to the museum's former chief operating officer, Allison Hinman. We're joined by both women to discuss Hughes' legacy, Hinman's vision, the museum's upcoming birthday celebration — titled, "Get on with the Work!" — and what that work is in today's current political and social climate. Our guests: Deborah Hughes, retired president and CEO of the National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House Allison Hinman, president and CEO of the National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House ---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.

2025 was a hard year for American nonprofits: roughly one in three lost some form of funding, and charitable giving wavered, given the uncertain economy. That has created a challenging environment for families of children with disabilities in the Greater Rochester region. In this Dialogue on Disability discussion, we explore what a local nonprofit is doing to sustain and grow — as demand grows for services. We also talk to parents who share personal stories. Our guests: Laura Arrington, director of training and workforce development at Starbridge, and parent of a child with a disability Kara Georgi, family education specialist at Starbridge This story is reported from WXXI’s Inclusion Desk and is part of Dialogue on Disability Week — a partnership between WXXI and Al Sigl Community of Agencies — in conjunction with the Herman and Margaret Schwartz Community 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 1-844-295-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.

Child abuse prevention experts say there's a lot to learn from the Epstein scandal. We sit down with Mary Whittier of The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester (formerly Bivona Child Advocacy Center) for the hour. Whittier has spent more than three decades working to prevent child abuse and helping children heal from trauma. She helps us understand lessons from the Epstein case, how to hold people in power accountable when children are abused, and what support for survivors looks like. Our guest:Mary Whittier, interim CEO of The Child Advocacy Center of Greater 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 (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.

When asked, "How does it feel to be walking around with people always looking at you?" Corey R. Taylor answers, "You feel different." Taylor was born with craniofacial deformity. He underwent 50 surgeries before the age of 19. The question — which came from an elementary school student — was captured in a short documentary about his experiences living with a facial difference. "Don't Look Away" follows Taylor in his search for a job, housing, and love. He speaks candidly about how his facial difference has affected his relationships and his daily life, and how those experiences have shaped his personality. You can see the film during an online screening event next week, but first, we talk with Taylor and filmmaker Joseph Lingad as part of WXXI's Dialogue on Disability Week. Our guests: Corey R. Taylor, advocate, actor, and writer  Joseph Lingad, filmmaker of "Don't Look Away" This story is reported from WXXI’s Inclusion Desk and is part of Dialogue on Disability Week — a partnership between WXXI and Al Sigl Community of Agencies — in conjunction with the Herman and Margaret Schwartz Community 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 1-844-295-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.

Afghan war veteran Laura Jedeed never thought ICE would hire her as a deportation officer. She thought she failed the drug test, and she knew an internet search would reveal plenty of reasons for the agency not to hire her. As she writes for Slate Magazine, ICE didn't perform a background check ... and it sent her an offer. We discuss the process of joining ICE and concerns about the conduct of some of its officers. Our guests: Laura Jedeed, freelance journalist and writer at FirewalledMedia.com Marv Stepherson, retired police sergeant, military veteran, and Monroe County Legislator for District 3 ---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.

The classics — under a recent microscope — are getting a reboot from a longtime arts leader. Mark Cuddy is back in Rochester. He spent nearly 30 years as artistic director at Geva Theatre, retiring a few years ago. Now he has a new project: a theater company bringing the classics to Rochester stages. The first round features the work of Chekhov, and Cuddy thinks the material is more relatable than audiences might expect. We discuss why he wants more focus on the classics, his post-Geva career, his tenure at the Cleveland Play House, and the future of the arts. Our guests: Mark Cuddy, founder and artistic director of The Classics Company, and artistic director emeritus of Geva Theatre Rick Staropoli, actor in "The Seagull" ---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.

It's WXXI's annual Dialogue on Disability Week. We begin our coverage with a new podcast that puts the voices of people with disabilities front and center. The Move to Include podcast launches Monday. Produced by WXXI's Veronica Volk and hosted by education reporter/producer Noelle E. C. Evans, it dives into self-advocates’ experiences navigating systems like the workforce, health care access, relationships, and more. Guests share the moments that shaped them and the changes they’re working toward in their own lives and communities. We bring you the first episode and discuss what’s coming next. Our guests: Veronica Volk, executive producer of the Move to Include podcast, and executive producer and director of podcast strategy for WXXI Public Media Noelle E. C. Evans, host of the Move to Include podcast, and education reporter/producer for WXXI News This story is reported from WXXI’s Inclusion Desk and is part of Dialogue on Disability Week — a partnership between WXXI and Al Sigl Community of Agencies — in conjunction with the Herman and Margaret Schwartz Community 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 1-844-295-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

The death toll in Iran continues to rise as demonstrations challenging the nation’s government enter their second week. Activists speaking to NPR cited more than 100 deaths, while a U.S.-based rights group told Reuters that more than 500 people had been killed. The situation has been difficult to assess, as the Internet in Iran is down and phone lines have been cut. The Trump administration is considering military strikes, and as NPR reports, Iran's parliament speaker has said the U.S. military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if those strikes occur. This hour, we talk with local Iranians about the protests and about what they are hearing from friends and family in their home country. Our guests: Niaz Abdolrahim, Ph.D., associate professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Rochester Zahra Edlou, refugee health promotion coordinator and senior health case manager for Catholic Charities Family and Community Services  Kayvan Mirhadi, M.D., chair of medicine at Clifton Springs Hospital Shahin Monshipour, Iranian American ---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.

We're joined by members of the WXXI News and CITY Magazine teams to discuss the most popular stories this week. First, investigations and City Hall reporter Gino Fanelli recaps Thursday evening's protest against ICE. Local demonstrators rallied outside of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection patrol station in Irondequoit, calling for justice for Renee Nicole Good. Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Then, investigations and enterprise editor Brian Sharp explains controversy surrounding Wegmans using biometric data in some of its stores. We end the week with a look at CITY Magazine's Best Of Rochester awards. You can join in as we test how many "Rochester things" our guests have experienced. In studio: Gino Fanelli, investigations and City Hall reporter for WXXI News Brian Sharp, investigations and enterprise editor for WXXI News Leah Stacy, editor of CITY Magazine Katie Epner, director of video production for WXXI Public Media Mike McGinnis, customer success manager by day, emcee and ringmaster of ceremonies by night ---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.

It has been a roller coaster of a week for child care advocates in New York State. On Tuesday, the Trump administration announced it was cracking down on the Child Care and Development Fund, a program that subsidizes care for 1.4 million children from low-income households. The administration alleges fraud is reason for the move, and it will require states like New York to provide extra documentation before receiving money. Meanwhile, advocates in New York State are celebrating an announcement today by Governor Kathy Hochul. Her administration is investing in statewide universal pre-K and additional programs to help families. We sit down with Assemblymember Sarah Clark and Pete Nabozny, policy director of the Children's Agenda, to discuss what it all means for families in our region. In studio: Assemblymember Sarah Clark, District 136 Pete Nabozny, director of policy for The Children's Agenda ---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.

We welcome back Valery Perry from the Democratization Policy Council in Europe. Perry joins us to discuss what American action in Venezuela could mean. The Trump administration has said that it will act as a superpower, and it will assert American power without apology, particularly in our hemisphere. Perry has thoughts on what comes next — if the world is divided into spheres of influence. She argues that Europe needs to be prepared to create its own alliances without the United States. We discuss the various options our allies have, and we explore how we got to the idea that a world governed by a rules-based order ever made sense. Our guest:Valery Perry, Ph.D., senior associate for the Democratization Policy Council in Sarajevo---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.

The Buffalo Bills and their fans said goodbye to Highmark Stadium on Sunday during the Bills' victory over the Jets. The New York Times characterized the celebrations as "uniquely" Buffalo. Generations of fans have favorite stories about their time at the stadium...and so do generations of journalists who have covered the team. This hour, guest host Brian Sharp goes behind the scenes of covering the Bills with sports reporters and photographers who share stories that no one else has. In studio: Jamie Germano, photographer who retired from the Democrat and Chronicle after a 38-year career Annette Lein, retired Democrat and Chronicle photojournalist and multimedia producer Scott Pitoniak, best-selling author, nationally honored journalist, and longtime sportswriter Max Schulte, photojournalist for WXXI News ---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.

What does it mean to live Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream in 2026? The seventh annual MLK Living the Dream series seeks to engage people across the community in conversations about racial equity, civic and human rights, and inclusion. This year's events include documentaries, a spoken word and open mic program, and more. Organizers say that they hope to create connection during a time when there is so much division. Guest host Racquel Stephen talks with them about their work and their goals. Our guests: Kevin Spencer Beckford, founder of the MLK Living the Dream series Rev. JD Jackson Jr., M.Div., pastor of United Church of Pittsford Tharaha Thavakumar MSM, MA, MFT, president of Pittsford CommUNITY  ---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.

How can we contextualize the capture of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro? Today on Connections, we're dedicating both hours to the subject.First, we sit down with local Venezuelans to discuss their feelings about this seismic event.In studio: Heiddy Awais, psychologist and community wellness advocate Kelly Tovar Mullaney, web designer, web producer, and president of Working Art Media Then, we're joined by University of Rochester political science professor Hein Goemans, who examines the implications of the Trump administration’s incursion into Venezuela.In studio:Hein Goemans, Ph.D., author of “War and Punishment” and "Leaders and International Conflict," and professor of political science and director of the Peter D. Watson Center for Conflict and Cooperation at the University 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 (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.

We sit down with Michael Solis, executive director of Writers & Books. Solis is an author and international development professional who has worked across the globe. He took the helm of the literary nonprofit in September. As a new year unfolds, Solis joins us to discuss his vision for Writers & Books and how it will impact the community. We also explore the state of the current literary industry and what it means for readers and writers. In studio:Michael Solis, executive director of Writers & Books--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.