Connections Podcast

Latest Episodes:

NY gubernatorial debate; Peace Village moves forward; 'Bea Arthur: The Documentary' Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

It's our weekly news roundup.

We begin this week's episode with a look at New York's gubernatorial race. In a televised debate Tuesday night, Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul and Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman sparred over affordability issues and immigration. NYPNN correspondent Jon Campbell shares his takeaways.

Then, plans to revive Rochester’s only sanctioned homeless encampment have been approved. As reported by WXXI’s Gino Fanelli, Peace Village will be reestablished with prefabricated pallet shelters. He explains the latest.

Then, calling all fans of “Maude” and “The Golden Girls.” A new documentary about Bea Arthur will be screened at The Little Theatre later this month. “Bea Arthur: The Documentary – ‘I’ve Done Everything Except Porn’” is a love letter to the star. Filmmaker Dan Watt was Arthur's close friend. He and The Little's Scott Pukos join us for a preview.

Our guests:

Jon Campbell, Albany correspondent for WNYC, Gothamist, and the New York Public News Network
Gino Fanelli, investigations/City Hall reporter for WXXI News
Dan Watt, Emmy-winning producer and director
Scott Pukos, director of communications for The Little Theatre

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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.

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Connectionsairs 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.

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Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

A tale of two (climate) migrations Oct 14, 2026

Show notes

The phrase "climate migration" most often refers to people relocating due to concerns about their homes becoming unlivable as a result of climate change. But according to American University professor Claire Brunel, Ph.D., it can also refer to firms and factories making cross-border moves due to climate regulation.

According to Brunel's research, fears of companies fleeing are largely unfounded. It's when those industries stay put — and don't adapt to green technology — that they push people out.

What are some examples? How can we ensure green tech can be available where it's needed most? And what does all of this mean for Rust Belt cities like Rochester?

Brunel is in Rochester as a guest of the World Affairs Council. She joins us to discuss those questions and more.

Our guest:

Claire Brunel, Ph.D., associate professor at American University

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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.

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Connectionsairs 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.

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Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

Joe Morelle, candidate for New York's 25th Congressional District Oct 13, 2026

Show notes

Rep. Joe Morelle is our guest.

The Democratic incumbent is running for re-election in New York's 25th Congressional District. He joins us to discuss a range of issues, including election protection, inflation, jobs, AI, and more. We ask him your questions throughout the hour as we continue our coverage of the 2026 general election.

In studio:

Joe Morelle (D, WF), candidate for New York's 25th Congressional District

*Note: The Republican challenger in this race, Virginia McIntyre, will be a guest on "Connections" on Oct. 19, 2026.

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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.

---

Connectionsairs 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.

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Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

How new tech and treatments are helping breast cancer patients survive and thrive Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

"It's not a death sentence like in years past." That's according to a local woman living with metastatic breast cancer. She's sharing her story with the hope of helping others thrive as they navigate a diagnosis. Advancements in screening and treatment for breast cancer have improved outcomes for patients, and as the technology continues to evolve, one question has become of particular focus: Can AI help save lives? This hour, we sit down with experts in breast cancer care who explain how technology can help people survive and live longer. We also hear from advocates about community resources and proposed state legislation that they say could be instrumental in supporting patients navigating the disease. In studio:

Karen Hill, metastatic breast cancer thriver
Avice O'Connell, M.D., longtime local radiologist
Ruth O'Regan, M.D., executive vice dean and chief academic officer at the University of Rochester, and breast cancer oncologist at the Pluta Cancer Center
Christina Thompson, executive director of the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester

"Connections" is livestreamed each day on the WXXI News YouTube channel. Watch here.

Beginning October 5, "Connections" will air live for one hour at noon each weekday, down from its previous two-hour format. The change gives the "Connections" team more time for original reporting, live events, and reaching audiences in new ways, including a weekly Sunday presentation on WXXI-TV. For listeners on WXXI-FM 105.9, WEOS-FM 88.5/90.3 (Geneva), and streaming on WXXINews.org, the show will be followed at 1 p.m. by the Peabody Award-winning "Fresh Air" with Terry Gross and Tonya Mosley. Click here to learn more.

---

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.

---

Connectionsairs 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.

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Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

Measles spreads across the state; ICE detention facility set to expand; ImageOut returns Oct 08, 2026

Show notes

What do you need to know about the spread of measles in New York? On Monday, Governor Kathy Hochul declared a State Disaster Emergency due to the increase in cases.

In the first segment of the return of our weekly news roundup, we're joined by Monroe County Public Health Commissioner Dr. Marielena Vélez de Brown. She explains the latest with the outbreak, how the disease spreads, and what you need to know about protecting yourself.

Then, we turn our attention to immigration issues. As reported by WXXI's Brian Sharp and Jose Sandoval, plans to expand an ICE detention facility in Batavia now include a soft-sided or tent project that would house women. Sharp discusses the updates and provides a look at broader immigration updates in the region.

Then, ImageOut is back. The annual LGBTQ+ film festival runs October 8 through 18. We preview two of the films with filmmakers and a festival organizer.

Our guests:

Marielena Vélez de Brown, M.D., MPH, commissioner of the Monroe County Department of Public Health
Brian Sharp, investigations and enterprise editor for WXXI News
Peter C. Bisuito, professional entertainer and director, writer, and star of "I Remember"
Gillian Griffin, documentary programming lead for ImageOut
Karl Hillbrick, producer of "Our Colors Never Fade" and founder of Infilmpact
Jim McSherry, director of "Our Colors Never Fade"

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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.

---

Connectionsairs 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.

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Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

Data center debate comes to Western New York Oct 07, 2026

Show notes

Rural communities in Western New York are debating proposed data centers. One site is located on Seneca Lake, in a facility currently being used for cryptomining. Opponents are concerned about noise, pollution, and the rapid move toward artificial intelligence. Local governments want to keep debates grounded in facts. Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order putting a moratorium on new hyperscale data center development for one year. What do you need to know about this issue, which has generated heated discussions across the state? We discuss what’s on the table. Our guests:

Steve Griffin, CEO of Finger Lakes Economic Development Center
Jason Leifer, Dryden town supervisor
Yvonne Taylor, vice president of Seneca Lake Guardian

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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.

---

Connectionsairs 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.

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Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

Jeremy Cooney and Orlando Rivera, candidates for NYS Senate District 56 Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

We welcome the candidates for New York State Senate District 56.

Democratic incumbent Jeremy Cooney and Republican challenger Orlando Rivera join us in the studio to discuss their platforms, priorities for office, and how they plan to address a range of issues affecting the district.

Jeremy Cooney (D, WF), candidate for New York State Senate District 56
Orlando Rivera (R, C), candidate for New York State Senate District 56

*Notes:

Candidates are listed in the order in which they appear on the Monroe County Board of Elections Certification of Candidates list.
Beginning October 5, "Connections" will air live for one hour at noon each weekday, down from its previous two-hour format. The change gives the "Connections" team more time for original reporting, live events, and reaching audiences in new ways, including a weekly Sunday presentation on WXXI-TV. For listeners on WXXI-FM 105.9, WEOS-FM 88.5/90.3 (Geneva), and streaming on WXXINews.org, the show will be followed at 1 p.m. by the Peabody Award-winning "Fresh Air" with Terry Gross and Tonya Mosley. Click here to learn more.

---

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.

---

Connectionsairs 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.

An astrobiologist doubts AI’s capacity to think Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

Adam Frank has spent his career examining the possibility of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe. Now he turns his gaze to the question of just how intelligent AI can be.

Frank thinks most of the conversation about AI is misguided, and that it should be thought of as a software product before anything else. This hour, we examine his fresh insight into what has become a heated public conversation.

In studio:

Adam Frank, Ph.D., author and Helen F. and Fred H. Gowen Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Rochester

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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.

---

Connectionsairs 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.

DSA gains influence: What you need to know about the Democratic Socialists of America Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

According to an NBC News poll, 47 percent of voters aged 18 to 29 hold a negative view of capitalism. Meanwhile, a growing number of political candidates aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) have had success. They’re led by New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani. So what does DSA stand for, exactly? Our guests explain. In studio:

Gregory Lebens-Higgins, co-chair of ROC DSA
Hannah Wlasowicz, co-chair of ROC DSA
Edwin Rodriguez, external organizer for ROC DSA

National debt, bond market chaos, and the stickiness of food prices Oct 01, 2026

Show notes

The U.S. national debt recently crossed the $40 trillion mark. The bond market is experiencing turbulence. Meanwhile, many of the prices that consumers pay have remained high, including at the grocery store. What can we learn from all this? We compare some grocery bills and dig into the debt, the bond market, and interest rates with economist Eric Morris. Our guests:

Eric Morris, Ed.D., portfolio manager and staff economist for Alesco Advisors, LLC
Ellie Rosenfeld, Monroe County resident and home cook

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