Rephonic
Artwork for Connections Podcast

Connections Podcast

WXXI News
Rochester
Donald Trump
ICE
Iran
State Of the Union
Child Care
New York State
Recycling
Climate Change
Artificial Intelligence
Trump Administration
Democracy
Rochester, New York
Rochester, United States
Republican Party
Human Trafficking
United States
Mental Health
Democratic Party
Ukraine

Evan Dawson talks about what matters to you on Connections. Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections. For transcripts, please email our Move to Include team with a link to the episode.

PublishesDailyEpisodes1624Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Connections Podcast

Latest Episodes

In the month of May, the nation recognizes the cultural and historical contributions of people of Asian American descent and individuals from the Pacific Islands by honoring how they have helped shape our society. WXXI commemorates AAPI Heritage Mont... more

This year has been declared the International Year of the Woman Farmer, but farming remains one of the most male-dominated occupations in the nation. Some argue, though, that women were indeed the first agriculturalists, but over the years, instituti... more

Last year, the Rochester area saw its highest count of homeless individuals since at least 2007. Shelters are often overcrowded, and street homeless are becoming more visible. Guest host Gino Fanelli explores what the shelter system is doing to meet ... more

Summer movie season is officially here with a lineup of blockbusters, horror titles, and indie gems. The summer season will largely be defined by "The Odyssey" — Christopher Nolan's epic follow-up to his Oscar-winning 2023 film, "Oppenheimer." The fa... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Caroline Pardilla
Author of Margarita Time; Digital content editor for Imbibe Magazine
Imbibe Magazine
Episode: Rochester Cocktail Revival returns
Dr. Abu Saeed Islam
Former president of the Islamic Center of Rochester
Islamic Center of Rochester
Episode: Local Islamic leaders on the deadly San Diego mosque shooting
Olena Prokopovych
Associate Professor of Political Science; Director of the Political Science Undergraduate Program at Nazareth University; singer
Nazareth University
Episode: Ukrainian artists create beauty amid tragedy
Olena Kondrashova
Ukrainian artist and photographer
Episode: Ukrainian artists create beauty amid tragedy
Olena Dilai
Fine arts photographer, owner of Olena Dilai Photography
Episode: Ukrainian artists create beauty amid tragedy
Stanley Martin
Rochester City Council member
Rochester City Council
Episode: A contentious debate about two old school buildings, part 2
Chiara KeeKee Smith
Rochester City Council member
Rochester City Council
Episode: A contentious debate about two old school buildings, part 2
Erin Overcash
astronaut candidate
NASA
Episode: Local students team up with NASA astronauts
Harry Bliss
Graphic memoirist, New Yorker cover artist, and cartoonist
New Yorker, Bleak House Books (event partner)
Episode: New Yorker cover artist Harry Bliss on his memoir, 'You Can Never Die'

Host

Evan Dawson
Host of the program; longtime journalist and community interviewer with WXXI News.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 164 ratings
  • So glad I tuned in

    I started listening to Connections when someone I knew was featured on an episode and was struck by how great and informative the show is. Evan is an excellent host, who leads an engaging conversation while also giving his guests room to share their expertise. The topics are super informative, and I appreciate how such a fascinating show comes together so often. Upstate NY (and the worldwide listeners of the podcast) is lucky to have a show like this!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    XCaitlin
    United States2 years ago
  • So informative!

    Love listening to Connections with Evan Dawson! Such a wide variety of topics and Evan is a great interviewer. He, obviously, knows the topic well, asks interesting questions, and presents all points of view.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Limabean62
    United States3 years ago
  • We’ll researched level headed

    A real treat of living in Rochester is this wxxi broadcast. Dawson provides a very thorough and level headed daily conversation about local issues and national news with regional impact. I really do look forward to it every day. Rational, practical, and most importantly, honest reporting.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Angryamygdala
    United States4 years ago
  • Great for the Greater Rochester area

    Great podcast for people in the Greater Rochester area. Covers a wide range of local issues and their connections to national and international issues.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Brady N. F.
    United States5 years ago
  • Thoughtful and informative

    Simply the best podcast in Rochester. A wide range of topics all covered in a thoughtful informative way.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kmppluck
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The host is commended for asking thoughtful questions and ensuring guests' voices come through.
Audience appreciates a broad range of topics from education to infrastructure to health.
The show is seen as a reliable source for nuanced discussions on Rochester issues.
Guests consistently praised for expertise and clear, respectful moderation.
Listeners note the show provides practical takeaways and strong local relevance.

Top News Podcasts

The Daily
The DailyThe New York Times
Pod Save America
Pod Save AmericaPod Save America
The Tucker Carlson Show
The Tucker Carlson ShowTucker Carlson Network
The Ben Shapiro Show
The Ben Shapiro ShowThe Daily Wire
The MeidasTouch Podcast
The MeidasTouch PodcastMeidasTouch Network
Pivot
PivotNew York Magazine
Morning Wire
Morning WireThe Daily Wire

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Local Islamic leaders on the deadly San Diego mosque shooting
Q: What can be done to intervene before violence occurs?
They emphasized community investment, stronger guidance for youth, active male role models, education to counter prejudice, and responsible leadership that prioritizes humanity over divisive rhetoric.
Local Islamic leaders on the deadly San Diego mosque shooting
Q: Do you think the actions of our political leadership have made things more dangerous?
The guests argued that dangerous rhetoric has systemic roots and that leadership on multiple levels—local, state, and national—contributes to a climate that normalizes hatred, making violence more likely unless there is sustained, constructive, and accountable leadership.
Local students team up with NASA astronauts
Q: Sloane, how did you get involved?
Luke explains that a teacher encouraged him to join NASA class the next year, which led to involvement in the program.
Let’s talk about (not having) sex
Q: Why is there still a sex taboo in dating and relationships today?
Stigma persists from cultural and patriarchal scripts, and fear of judgment around women's sexuality, which complicates open dialogue and honest exploration of desire.
'I don't call it out because I still need you to be my doctor.' Local woman explains ableism in healthcare
Q: What practical steps can providers take to create a more inclusive environment for disabled patients?
Turn the screen toward the patient to review the problem list, ensure conversations are directed at the patient, arrange accessible examination rooms, and design intake and treatment processes with disability in mind from the start, not as an afterthought.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Connections Podcast

What is Connections Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program covers local and regional issues with a wide range of guests that span journalism, academia, public policy, healthcare, education, and community organizations. Episodes frequently explore civic topics like urban planning, education budgets, road safety, and public health, often connecting local events to broader national or global contexts. The show distinguishes itself through timely, issue-driven conversations that blend expert analysis with personal stories, data, and resident perspectives. Listeners likely appreciate accessible explanations of complex topics, practical takeaways for community involvement, and a steady stream of diverse guests that illuminate how policy choices affect everyday life.

Where can I find podcast stats for Connections Podcast?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Connections Podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Connections Podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Connections Podcast get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Connections Podcast, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Connections Podcast?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Connections Podcast, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Connections Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Connections Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Connections Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Connections Podcast:

1. The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart
2. Fresh Air
3. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
4. On the Media
5. The New Yorker Radio Hour

How many episodes of Connections Podcast are there?

Connections Podcast launched 13 years ago and published 1624 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Connections Podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Connections Podcast?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Connections Podcast from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Connections Podcast?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Connections Podcast. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Connections Podcast?

Recent guests on Connections Podcast include:

1. Caroline Pardilla
2. Dr. Abu Saeed Islam
3. Olena Prokopovych
4. Olena Kondrashova
5. Olena Dilai
6. Stanley Martin
7. Chiara KeeKee Smith
8. Erin Overcash

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days