Tune in to the Pulse of the Region, brought to you by the MetroHartford Alliance.
Join us each week for discussions with industry leaders, subject matter experts, and community influencers to get a deeper look at what’s happening in our own back yard. From healthcare to economic development, local entertainment to housing, we dive into issues that matter to Hartford and beyond!
Pulse of the Region is recorded at The Swift Factory and produced in partnership with the North End Partnership.
Pulse of the Region
Stay connected with
Listen to Our
Newest Episodes!
Economic Outlook with KeyBank
(4/23/26) This week on Pulse of the Region, we’re joined by KeyBank's Michael Astorino, Home Lending Leader, CT/MA, and Elona Shape, Retail Leader, CT/MA.
Michael and Elona discuss consumer sentiment and the results of KeyBank's financial mobility survey, how economic realities are impacting homebuyers, and tips on how to navigate finances and buying a home in an uncertain economy.
Behind the Curtain at Hartford Stage and TheaterWorks Hartford
(4/16/26) This week on Pulse of the Region, we’re taking a look behind the curtain with two of Hartford’s most influential creative forces: Melia Bensussen, Artistic Director at Hartford Stage, and Rob Ruggiero, Artistic Director at TheaterWorks Hartford.
Melia and Rob will take us inside their upcoming spring productions—Circus Fire at TheaterWorks and Native Gardens at Hartford Stage—revealing the stories, themes, and artistic sparks driving each show.
We’ll also explore an unprecedented collaboration between the two theaters as they join creative forces to stage a bold, intimate chamber production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, coming June 5 – July 5, 2026. This is a conversation about artistry, community, and the power of partnership in Hartford’s performing arts scene.
CREC Celebrates 60 Years
(4/9/26) This week on Pulse of the Region, we're exploring the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) and how they're celebrating 60 years of providing high-quality, integrated education for all students. We're joined by Executive Director Desi Nesmith and Superintendent of CREC Schools, Sasha Douglas.
Women-Owned Businesses in Hartford
(4/1/26) This week on Pulse of the Region, we're welcoming two women-owned businesses operating here in our capital city. Emily Walsh, Co-Owner of the first and only btone FITNESS in Connecticut, Emily Munoz, btone FITNESS instructor, and Chantell Boissiere Kelly, Owner, Capital Ice Cream. We discuss how these unique businesses have grown from their initial inception and how both entrepreneurs are creating community-driven spaces.
860Gives with United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut
(3/26/26) This week on Pulse of the Region, we're discussing 860Gives, a 48-hour community-wide fundraising campaign powered by United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. Here to discuss 860Gives are Eric Harrison, President and CEO, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, Corrianne Chipello, CEO of Hartford's Camp Courant, and Carolyn Jasper, Chief Development Officer of Prudence Crandall Center.
860Gives kicks off at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31, and concludes at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 2. Find out more about 860Gives and over 140 nonprofits that are participating in the giving campaign this year by visiting https://www.860gives.org/.
Eversource Explores CT Electric Infrastructure
(3/12/26) This week on Pulse of the Region, we're discussing Connecticut's Electric System infrastructure with Eversource Energy and diving into how Connecticut is preparing for future infrastructure improvements, mitigating outages from storms, and improving overall resiliency.
Our guests today are Eversource's Electric Operations President, Steve Sullivan, and Engineering Senior Vice President, Digaunto Chatterjee.
Nassau Financial Group Explores Employee Wellness
(3/5/26) This week on the MetroHartford Alliance's Pulse of the Region cast, we sit down with two employees from Nassau Financial Group: Ana Pope, Director of Investor Relations, and Michael Remieres, Fitness Center Manager. We examine how employers like Nassau Financial Group are approaching employee well-being and how a focus on wellness can assist in talent attraction and retention.
A Look at the Cannabis Industry with Shipman & Goodwin and Enlightened Foods
(2/20/26) This week on MetroHartford Alliance's Pulse of the Region Cast, we sit down with Sarah Westby, Partner and Chair of Shipman & Goodwin's Cannabis Team, and Paul Travaglino, cannabis entrepreneur and advocate, founder of Enlightened Foods, and holder of a cannabis product manufacturing license.
In this episode, we explore developments in the cannabis industry and the latest regulations within Connecticut and federally. Paul from Enlightened Foods also discusses how he is working with Shipman & Goodwin to navigate the ever-changing policies around cannabis to begin manufacturing smokeless products and confections for medical and recreational use at his South Norwalk-based business.
The Link Between Mental Health and Financial Wellness with Mental Health CT and Nutmeg State FCU
(2/12/26) Explore the connection between mental health and financial wellness on this week’s Pulse of the Region Cast, featuring insights from Jacquilyn Davis, Director of Learning & Workforce Development at Mental Health Connecticut, and Brandi Byrne, Financial Education Manager at Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union.
The conversation also highlights Mental Health Connecticut’s newly released Winter Wellness Toolkit—a free digital guide designed to help individuals and families navigate the winter season. The toolkit is presented by Nutmeg State, whose financial wellness expertise is featured throughout.