Connections Podcast

We're joined by Rochester Mayor Malik Evans. Following up on the last State of the City address of his first term in office, the mayor sits down with guest host Gino Fanelli to discuss his administration's accomplishments and the challenges the city still faces — from public safety, to the economy, housing, and more. Our guest:

The Rochester Real Beer Expo has a new curator this year in Rob Richenberg. Richenberg aims to narrow the focus of the festival to New York breweries. That move comes at a time when the craft brewing industry has seen some turbulence, with both major players in the local scene and small breweries struggling to keep doors open and taps flowing. This hour, guest host Gino Fanelli explores it all with his guests:

How does play shape our minds and our bodies? And why do the experts say it's just as important for adults as it is for kids? Most importantly, how do we integrate it into our everyday lives? This hour, guest host Noelle Evans explores those questions. She talks about the science and joy of play with a panel of researchers and facilitators who say fun is serious business.

What does it take to preserve a language? It's a question Jamie Jacobs, a member of the Seneca Nation, has worked to answer over years. He has teamed up with university researchers to use technology to revive the Seneca language from historical texts written by Jesuit priests. Guest host Noelle Evans has reported extensively on his work. This hour, she and her guests explore the process of cultural preservation. In studio:

Kayjona Rogers is the 28-year-old executive chef at Studio Lounge. It all began when a run-in with the law offered Rogers the opportunity to attend a Foodlink program. That program changed the course of her life. Her passion for the culinary arts reignited, Rogers started her own catering business, Taste of Kaye. From there, she made the move to Studio Lounge. As executive chef, she has increased kitchen revenue by 200%. This hour, guest host Racquel Stephen talks with Rogers about her path to running a kitchen, her philosophy on food, and her take on making her mark in the culinary arts. Our guests:

Moe Jackson's football coaching career made headlines after he parted ways with Aquinas Institute in early March. Jackson led the football team to a Section V championship, but alleges that racial bias played a role in his termination. Less than a month later, he was hired by Vertus High School, a predominantly Black all-boys charter school, to lead their young football program. While his role at Aquinas was bringing the storied program to victory, at Vertus, it's also about nurturing young Black men. This hour guest host Racquel Stephen sits down with Coach Jackson to talk about his coaching philosophy, the value of mentorship, and what those relationships mean for both young people and the adults who support them. Our guests:

Then in our second hour, a Pittsford couple is seeing their work on the big screen...and so is the rest of the country. The film "Drop" from Universal Pictures is in theaters across the nation. Its screenwriters are Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach, who moved from Los Angeles to Pittsford in 2021. The thriller tells the story of a widowed mother named Violet whose date turns into a living nightmare. The title refers to digi-drops — or memes — that an unknown user is sending to Violet. Those drops become more and more threatening. Guest host Matt DeTurck sits down with Jacobs and Roach this hour to discuss their film, working with Hollywood, and what drew them to Rochester. Our guests: Jillian Jacobs, screenwriter for "Drop" Chris Roach, screenwriter for "Drop"

While LGBTQ+ arts and culture have received more mainstream visibility in recent years, the rapidly changing political climate has often shown a lack of support and, in some cases, outright aggression, towards individuals in these communities. As the ImageOut LGBTQ+ Film Festival prepares to present its annual spring screening of films and events from April 24-29, how is the festival pivoting its programming and mission in response to the current cultural landscape? From showcasing informative, visible, and representative stories, to also providing an entertaining escape, the organizers say the mission to present queer and trans stories, art, and culture is critically important to inform, educate, celebrate, and bring people together. Guest host Matt DeTurck leads this conversation with his guests: Michele Thornton, board chair for ImageOut Rick Porlier, programming co-chair for ImageOut Jennifer Tiexiera, co-director of "Speak" Guy Mossman, co-director of "Speak"

Farmers and home gardeners alike are preparing for spring, but this year's planting season may come with challenges. From erratic weather caused by climate change to market and industry changes, there's a lot to consider. Our guests this hour explain those challenges and answer your questions about what and when to plant. Our guests:

Local real estate experts say it's still very much a sellers' market. According to Zillow's Heat Index — which measures the balance of for-sale housing supply and demand — Rochester is the top sellers' market in the country, beating out San Jose and San Francisco. That's good news for sellers, but buyers are coming up short. Meanwhile, changes with the Trump administration's tariff policies are sending interest rates on a rollercoaster ride. What does this mean for the local market? What do you need to know if you're trying to buy or sell? When will the market cool down? We discuss it all with local agents:

Hunt Country Vineyards is one of the pioneering wineries of the Finger Lakes, and come 2026, it will cease to exist as a wine producer. The new generation of owners have made the painful decision to end the winery. Dozens of other Finger Lakes wineries will soon face similar decisions, as owners age out of the grinding work demands. Hunt Country will transition into other sustainable farming and business endeavors, and we discuss it with our guests:

Kilmar Abrego Garcia was deported in error, and now is housed in a brutal prison in El Salvador. The Trump administration says it can't do anything to help him. Vice President JD Vance says that critics calling for Abrego Garcia's return will not be satisfied no matter what the administration does; Vance says the administration has to move quickly to facilitate the mass deportation that they promised voters. We discuss it with our guests:

Can you name the 2025 "Dirty Dozen?" In the Monroe County Department of Environmental Services (DES), the term refers to the 12 items that cannot be thrown in your curbside recycling. While county recycling leaders say Monroe County has been ranked among the best municipalities for recycling in the U.S., one in 10 items placed in residents' recycling bins shouldn't be there. This hour, we're joined by the DES team to explore the state of county recycling efforts and what you need to know. Our guests:

Trump administration policies have left about 40,000 Afghan refugees who served the U.S. military in limbo. The Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program has been paused under Trump's executive order, leaving Afghan allies as targets of the Taliban. In Rochester, the nonprofit Keeping Our Promise has expedited its work to resettle refugees, but that work grows more difficult by the day. This hour, we discuss the state of the SIV program and how it's affecting Afghan refugees who were approved to come to Rochester. Our guests:

Documentary producer Lynn Novick is known for her work on a number of projects that have aired on PBS. In 2017, she and filmmaker Ken Burns were guests on "Connections" discussing their series, "The Vietnam War." This hour, she returns to the program to talk about "The U.S. and the Holocaust" series. Novick will be in Rochester for an event with Monroe Community College, but first, she joins us on "Connections" to explore the power of visual storytelling. Our guest: Lynn Novick, director and producer of "The U.S. and the Holocaust"

The measles outbreak in the southern United States has caused multiple deaths, marking the first measles fatalities in this country in years. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has sent mixed messages on vaccination and preventive care. In addition, Kennedy has been wrong about how vaccines are tested in children. We talk to local doctors about the best way to care for kids and keep them safe. Our guests:

When President Trump installed himself at the head of the Kennedy Center board, he promised less “wokeness” on stage. Musicians and artists have debated whether to keep their 2025 bookings, knowing they won’t be invited back next year. Our colleagues from Classical 91.5 look at the history of government control of the arts.

It’s spring break, and we’ve invited local teachers to come in and discuss how they’re approaching issues related to politics and current events in the classroom. Are classes more politically charged? Are students more engaged? Or more tuned out?

A new play at Geva Theatre asks whether Pure Native is a clever name for new bottled water with Haudenosaunee connections...or if it's purely exploitative. The show could push audiences to examine what they stand for, and what selling out really means. And for populations who have been abused, where is the line? Is it different? Our guests discuss it with Evan and co-host Eric Grode. In studio:

How would the Rochester region have developed differently without the Erie Canal? This year marks the canal's bicentennial, and a number of events are planned. Modern life has changed the canal from economic engine to a multi-use resource. Enthusiasts say more New Yorkers should use it. This hour, Evan and co-host Eric Grode explore the history of the canal, its significance to the region, and how it helped Rochester become the city it is today. Our guests: