Connections

Weekend Connections is a collection of some of the most noteworthy moments from the week on Connections with Evan Dawson. This episode includes conversations about:

• Why refugees leave their native countries to pursue better lives in America;
• What Rochester can learn about urbanism from cities around the world;
• If centrism in politics is dying;
• The making of pop hits.
  

Do you care if the music you listen to has meaning for the person who created it? Are you okay with music by committee? The New York Times recently told the story of one of the biggest pop hits of the summer. It’s a song called "The Middle," and it wasn’t performed by anyone who had anything to do with it. The producers sculpted this song because they thought it would sell, and it has.

Should we care about the origin of the music we hear? Our guests discuss it.

• John Covach, director of the Institute for Popular Music at the University of Rochester
• Mikaela Davis, Mikaela Davis Band
• Matt Merritt, Roses & Revolutions
• Drew Dawson, Hearts Alum
  

A long-running battle over the environment is over at the southern end of Seneca Lake -- at least that’s how it appears, with the New York DEC deciding against allowing a big gas project in old salt caverns. The storage project would have a been a big one, and there was a lot of grassroots opposition on a number of grounds.

This hour, we examine what the DEC decided and why. It’s not just a question of safety; there’s more to it. We’re talking about community character and why this decision might impact future decisions and how grassroots organizers do their work. Our guests:

• Will Ouweleen, owner and winemaker at Eagle Crest and O-Neh-da Vineyards, and co-founder of the Finger Lakes Wine Business Coalition
• Joseph Campbell, president and co-founder of Gas Free Seneca
• Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D., distinguished scholar in residence in the Department of Environmental Studies at Ithaca College
  

Our Summer of Food conversation examines the slow but steady increase of female chefs in American restaurants. The majority of restaurant chefs are men. Why is that?

Our guests are women who work in the industry; they share their experiences, and offer ideas for young women who want to become leaders in restaurants. In studio:

• Andrea Parros, owner and operator of The Red Fern
• Emma Nguti, manager and head cook at Fusion 4 Restaurant and Bar
• Candace Doell, chef de cuisine at Owl House
• Anna Brinkman, chef de cuisine at Atlas Eats
• Voula Maria Katsetos-Stratton, owner of Voula's Greek Sweets
  

Is centrism dying in politics? The primary victory of Alexandria-Ocasio Cortez has energized Democrats who argue for a slate of significant changes, starting with single-payer health care. Many Americans self-identify as centrists, but what does that mean?

Our guests debate whether centrism has value, or is just a dodge on pursuing one's ideals. 

• Molly Clifford, member of Rochester City Council, and former chair of the Monroe County Democratic Party
• Anthony Plonczynski Figueroa, chair of the 21st Legislative District, and co-founder of La Cumbre
• Doug Jay, writer for the political commentary website Balloon Juice
  

Some brands are using CGI in their advertising, and consumers can’t tell that the images are not real humans. Is that ethical? Will CGI define the future of advertising?

We talk to experts about this trend. Our guests:

• Scott Malouf, attorney whose work focuses on the intersection between social media and the law
• Anne Esse, creative director and change strategist
• Dan Mulcahy, creative director for Bush Communications
• Jennifer Grygiel, assistant professor of communications at Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
  

About half of the children under the age of five separated from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border were reunited with their parents by Tuesday’s deadline, but the Trump administration says it was not able to reunite all of the children in that age group by that time.

Local immigrants are reacting to this news and to policies set by the White House. We hear their immigration stories and what being in America means to them. In studio:

• Akil Al-Jaysh, refugee from Iraq, U.S. citizen, refugee case manager at Catholic Family Center, and adjunct lecturer of Arabic at SUNY Geneseo
• Tek Acharyam, refugee from Bhutan, U.S. citizen, case manager and social worker
• Rose Tomlinson, immigrant from Jamaica, permanent resident, and small business owner
• Lisa Hoyt, director of immigration and refugee resettlement at Catholic Family Center