Going somewhere this summer? Host Racquel Stephen spends an hour discussing travel safety. Whether you’re traveling out of the country or taking a road trip with the family, there is much to consider, from state department warnings to airline safety. Racquel and guests discuss how to stay safe and healthy for summer travel.

Our guests:

• Barry Choi, money and travel expert
• Tyler Buffington, travel advisor for AAA of Western and Central New York
• Mark Gruba, senior communications specialist for AAA of Western and Central New York

As Rochester prepares for Pride weekend, several proposed laws and executive orders appear to put the transgender community in the crosshairs. Host Racquel Stephen discusses the current political climate with local organizers who are working on these issues. We’ll also look at national polling revealing the complex feelings of Americans about transgender people.

Our guests:

• Javannah Davis, founder of WAVE Women, Inc.
• Brittan Hardges, president/founder of Next Generation Men of Transition and director of advocacy and community engagement for New Pride Agenda
• Juliana Horowitz, senior associate director of research at Pew Research Center
• Rocco Vallerand, founder of the Support Alliance for Fairness and Equity for Transgender Youth

Host Racquel Stephen discusses diagnosis, treatment options and stigma associated with phobias. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 12.5% of adults in the United States experience a phobia at some time in their lives. We delve into these intense, irrational fears – fears that can disrupt daily life and cause severe anxiety symptoms. In studio:

• Rachel Glazer, LCSW, anxiety therapist
• Janelle Holmes, LCSW, senior therapist at Rochester Regional Health

Connections host Evan Dawson is taking some time off until September, and our very own health, equity and community reporter Racquel Stephen will be filling in all summer – but before she does that, senior editor Veronica Volk sits down to talk about her life and career, and reflect on journalism and media, and how it feels to be caught between two worlds. In studio:

• Racquel Stephen, health, equity and community reporter at WXXI News

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Assemblymember Stephen Hawley joins guest host Gino Fanelli to discuss the 2025-2026 New York State budget. Their conversation covers a range of issues, from the expected impact of Medicaid cuts in rural counties to state spending on areas like child care, school lunches, inflation relief checks, and more. Our guest:

• Assemblymember Stephen Hawley (R), District 139

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Rochester Mayor Malik Evans is joined by the president of City Council and the council finance chair to discuss the recent city budget. Guest host Gino Fanelli leads the conversation about the city’s focus on housing and economic development, recent debates about GBI (guaranteed basic income), downtown projects, and more. Our guests:

• Malik Evans, Rochester mayor
• Miguel A. Meléndez, Jr., president of Rochester City Council
• Mitch Gruber, finance chair for Rochester City Council

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Maintaining and repairing old homes requires sensitivity, a commitment to preserving historic characteristics, and an understanding of modern functionality. Author and restoration expert Steve Jordan provides guidance for homeowners in his new book, "The Historic House Handbook: A Sensitive Guide for Old-House Living." This hour, we talk with him about what homeowners need to know: design concepts; material availability; and how to navigate difficult decisions, especially in 2025. We also hear from local homeowners about how they've revitalized their old homes. Our guests:

• Steve Jordan, author of "The Historic House Handbook: A Sensitive Guide for Old-House Living" and historic preservation and window restoration expert
• Megan Klem, director of preservation services for the Landmark Society of Western New York
• Bradley Huber, Irondequoit resident and old house DIYer
• Ellen Olah, Rochester resident who is restoring her 1870s home

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Assemblymember Harry Bronson is our guest this hour as we continue to explore what local state representatives see as wins and missteps with the 2025-2026 New York State budget. Bronson discusses his take on a range of issues — from health care affordability, to mental health crisis response, to labor issues, and more. Our guest:

• Assemblymember Harry Bronson (D, WF), District 138

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