Pulse of the Region
Stay connected with
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.
Listen to Our
Newest Episodes!
Experience Hartford 2026
(10/9/26) This week on Pulse of the Region, we’re taking you inside Experience Hartford, the Hartford Chamber of Commerce’s signature celebration of the businesses, restaurants, nonprofits, and organizations that make the city a vibrant place to live, work, and explore. This year's event will be held on October 15 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Parkville Market.
Julio Concepción, Executive Director of the Hartford Chamber of Commerce, and Joe Ploof, founder and owner of The Upstate Lounge & Cafe (one of more than 20 vendors participating in this year’s event!), join us to share exclusive details on the complimentary food and drinks you can expect to enjoy, as well as how the evening introduces attendees to some of the people and places that make Hartford unique, all under one roof.
Experience Hartford is made possible thanks to our event sponsors, Liberty Bank, NBC Connecticut and Telemundo, and the Robert and Margaret Patricelli Family Foundation.
Tickets are selling quickly—grab yours before they’re gone! MHA investors, Chamber members, and HYPE members receive discounted admission through the Investor Registration link below.
Greater Hartford Theater Week 2026
(10/2/26) We’re celebrating the start of Greater Hartford Theater Week with a special bonus episode of Pulse of the Region! Amanda Perry Roy, CEO of the Greater Hartford Arts Council, and Cynthia Rider, Managing Director at Hartford Stage, join us to share everything you need to know about Theater Week, running October 1–18.
From BOGO ticket deals and giveaways to spectacular performances across the region, there’s plenty to look forward to! Amanda also shares what’s ahead for the Greater Hartford Arts Council, while Cynthia gives us a look at upcoming productions at Hartford Stage.
Insuring the Future 2026 Preview
(10/1/26) This week on Pulse of the Region, we’re previewing Insuring the Future, taking place October 29 in Hartford, Connecticut—the Insurance Capital of the World. Hosted by Connecticut Insurance and Financial Services (CT IFS) and the Connecticut Insurance Department (CID), the summit will convene industry leaders to discuss what’s next for insurance.
Joining us are Commissioner Josh Hershman from the CID; Susan Winkler, Executive Director and Vice President of CT IFS; Craig Weber, Head of Insurance Strategy at Cognizant (ITF's Title Sponsor); and Jim Bedard, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at RVI Group (ITF's Future Talent Sponsor).
Tune in for an inside look at what attendees can expect from this year’s summit.
HYPE’s Impact on the Business Community
(9/23/26) This week on the MetroHartford Alliance’s Pulse of the Region podcast, we’re joined by Hartford Young Professionals & Entrepreneurs (HYPE) Executive Director Lauren Zevetchin and HYPE Leadership Committee members Malaika Dewes from Trinity Health of New York, Sam Tapper from the Connecticut Department of Public Health, and Melina Floyd from United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut.
The group discusses how HYPE is connecting young talent across the Hartford Region and helping them build meaningful networks. They also share insights into what young professionals are looking for in the workplace, their experiences serving on the HYPE Leadership Committee, and what’s coming up on HYPE’s event calendar.
The Salvation Army of Greater Hartford and the Marshall House Renovation Project
(9/10/26) This week on Pulse of the Region, we’re joined by Major Donald Spencer, Greater Hartford Area Services Coordinator; Michael Baldelli, Public Relations and Marketing Manager; and Erin Sieczkowski, Advisory Board Chair of The Salvation Army of Greater Hartford.
The group provides an overview of The Salvation Army’s services within our city and highlights the Marshall House Family Shelter in Hartford, which was established in 1974 to help local families overcome poverty and is currently undergoing renovation. They discuss the benefits of the project, including increased shelter capacity, modernized amenities, and other improvements. The conversation also addresses the shelter’s funding needs and explores ways the community can support the effort.
Women’s Health in Connecticut
(9/3/26) This week on Pulse of the Region, we’re joined by Tiffany Morrissey, Executive Director of the Connecticut Health Council (CHC), and Paula Greenberg, President and CEO of Women’s Health Connecticut.
Tiffany and Paula discuss CHC’s annual summit, The Changing Landscape of Women’s Health, taking place September 16 at the 1635 Club at Hartford Athletic. Women’s Health Connecticut is serving as a Presenting Partner of the event along with Deloitte.
The conversation explores why women’s health was chosen as the focus of this year’s summit, highlights leading services and innovations available to women across Connecticut, and examines how healthcare has become a major economic driver in the state.
Beyond a Library: Hartford Public Library
This week on Pulse of the Region, we’re joined by Hartford Public Library (HPL) President and CEO Bridget Quinn, Hartford History Center and Digital Library Lab Manager Leon Ha, and HPL Studios Manager Aaron Hillard.
Bridget, Leon, and Aaron provide an overview of Hartford Public Library and discuss how HPL serves as much more than a traditional library. They also highlight innovative spaces within the recently renovated Downtown Library, including the Digital Library Lab and HPL Studios.
A Look at Real Art Ways
(8/20/26) This week on Pulse of the Region, we’re joined by Will Wilkins, Executive Director, and Winnie Wong, Director of Marketing and Communications at Real Art Ways.
Will and Winnie discuss Real Art Ways’ role as a cultural anchor in Hartford’s Parkville neighborhood, reflect on its 50-year history, and share updates on the organization’s expansion project, set for completion in mid-2027.
A Preview of Hartford Stage’s Upcoming Season!
This week on Pulse of the Region, we’re joined by Melia Bensussen, Artistic Director of Hartford Stage. Melia shares a preview of the 2026/2027 lineup of plays and discusses how theatre serves as both an economic driver and a powerful way to bring people together, regardless of background.
AI Transformations in the Workplace
(7/16/26) This week on Pulse of the Region, we’re joined by BJ Kito, President and CSO of Rebellion Group, and Grant Flannery, Head of Strategy.
BJ and Grant explore how AI is transforming the workplace, from using tools to better understand customers more efficiently to applying strong judgment in asking the right questions and expanding what AI can do. They also discuss the AI tools currently in development at Rebellion Group, which combine behavioral intelligence with organizational knowledge, and share their perspective on what the future of business and marketing could look like as these technologies take shape.