CBIA BizCast

Hosted by Connecticut Business & Industry Association

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Episodes

253

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

A podcast for the business-minded in Connecticut. Interviews consist of business and community leaders who are shaping the future of Connecticut’s economy. The CBIA BizCast provides new content every other week, introduces members of the business community, and tells stories about how businesses are innovating and growing in Connecticut! BizCast provides new content every other week, introduces members of CBIA staff, and tells stories about how businesses are innovating and growing in Connecticut!

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60 recent

October 22, 202618 min

Breaking Down Connecticut’s Job Market

On this episode of the CBIA BizCast, host Amanda Marlow sits down with CBIA Foundation director Dustin Nord to break down the newly released employment report. Nord shares his insights into manufacturing’s growth, Connecticut’s labor-force shortages, workforce development, and the economic risks businesses should watch. Also in this episode, we share highlights from the foundation’s 2026 Manufacturing Tour, which celebrated the importance of the industry to Connecticut’s economy. During the week-long tour business leaders and public officials hit the road in a fully-branded and wrapped bus to visit 15 manufacturers and five workforce development organizations. Episode Highlights • Payroll increases • Manufacturing growth • Professional and business services losses • Labor force concerns • Workforce development and career pipelines • Connecticut economic outlook Headlines You May Have Missed • Connecticut Workers Among Top Five Earners (https://www.cbia.com/news/economy/connecticut-workers-top-five-earners) • Election 2026: Connecticut Sample Ballots (https://www.cbia.com/resources/issues-policies/election-2026-connecticut-sample-ballots) • SBA, Pentagon Launch Financing Initiative (https://www.cbia.com/news/small-business/sba-pentagon-financing-deal) The CBIA BizCast is made possible through the generous support of Google. Subscribe to the BizCast wherever you get your podcasts. Please rate the podcast and leave us a review—we appreciate your support! And be sure to give us your feedback and share guests you’d like to hear.

October 9, 202624 min

Manufacturing a Stronger Connecticut

On this episode of the CBIA BizCast, we take you inside the important discussions that took place during the CBIA Foundation’s Oct. 1 Made in Connecticut: 2026 Manufacturing Summit. The summit brought together 550 business leaders and public officials for important conversations about what Connecticut manufacturers are doing today and what they’re working on to build a stronger tomorrow. The episode features a discussion from a panel of manufacturers breaking down the findings of the CBIA Foundation’s 2026 Manufacturing Report. RSM US LLP’s Brian Deming, Carey Manufacturing’s Alison Carey Lynch, Mica Corporation’s Jaclyn Epstein, and Forum Contract Manufacturing’s Mark Polinsky shared their perspectives on rising costs, workforce challenges, trade disruptions, and rapidly evolving technology that continue to pressure manufacturers. In a separate panel, executives from Connecticut’s largest manufacturers share how they’re using artificial intelligence. RTX Pratt & Whitney’s Pete Bradley, General Dynamics Electric Boat’s Gary Cooper, and Sikorsky’s Paul Link shared insights on how AI is shaping everything from process optimization to workforce transformation and competitive advantage with the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology’s Amy Thompson. And we share some of the headlines you may have missed, including new GDP data for Connecticut, draft recommendations from Gov. Ned Lamont’s Career Pathways Commission, and the winner of the Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut. Episode Highlights 2026 Connecticut Manufacturing Report • Rising materials, healthcare, labor, and energy costs • Workforce challenges • Attracting, retaining, and training talent • Manufacturing growth outlook How AI Is Shaping Manufacturing’s Future Best uses for AI • Best uses for AI • Measuring AI’s ROI • How AI is changing the worker experience • The role of AI in the future Headlines You May Have Missed • Manufacturing, Finance Drive Robust Second Quarter Growth (https://www.cbia.com/news/featured/manufacturing-finance-drive-q2-gdp-growth) • 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut Winner Crowned (https://www.cbia.com/media-center/2026-coolest-thing-made-in-connecticut-winner-crowned/) • Career Pathways Commission Releases Draft Modernization Plan (https://www.cbia.com/news/featured/pathways-commission-draft-modernize-system_

September 24, 202622 min

Lamont, Fazio Pitch Economic Agendas

On this episode of the BizCast, we're taking you inside the important discussions that took place during the CBIA Foundation’s Sept. 17 The Connecticut Economy Conference in Hartford. Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont and Republican challenger Sen. Ryan Fazio shared their economic agendas with the more than 430 business leaders, public officials, and lawmakers who packed the room. Lamont and Fazio spoke separately with CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima to make their pitch—addressing affordability, economic growth, and competitiveness. In a separate panel, business leaders broke down the findings from the foundation's 2026 Survey of Connecticut Businesses, which gives insight into overall business sentiment and the challenges employers are facing. CBIZ' Michael Brooder discussed the survey's findings with U.S. Fabricating president Tom McGwire, Loureiro Engineering president David Fiereck, and The Walker Group co-CEO Jessica Rich. The discussion highlighted the most significant challenges employers are facing and what they’re doing to keep business moving. Episode Highlights Sen. Fazio, Gov. Lamont • Affordability • Spending and taxes • Energy costs • Healthcare costs • Regulatory Reforms • Workforce Survey of Connecticut Businesses • Business climate • Cost pressures • Workforce challenges • Retaining workers • Embracing AI Headlines You May Have Missed • 2026 Summer/Fall Connecticut Consumer Outlook (https://www.cbia.com/resources/economy/2026-summer-fall-connecticut-consumer-outlook) • State Agency Overtime Hits Record $338M (https://www.cbia.com/news/issues-policies/state-agency-overtime-hits-record-338m) • August Jobs Report: Supply, Demand Gap Widens (https://www.cbia.com/news/economy/august-jobs-report-supply-demand-gap-widens) • Regulators Approve 2026 Health Insurance Rate Increases (https://www.cbia.com/news/issues-policies/regulators-approve-2026-health-insurance-rate-increases)

September 3, 202624 min

CBIA BizCast: Connecticut’s Complicated Labor Market

From payroll growth to rising unemployment and a shrinking labor force, Connecticut is facing a complicated jobs market. Add growing trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada, one of Connecticut’s most important trading partners, and businesses have a lot to think about. On this episode of the CBIA BizCast, host Amanda Marlow sits down with Quinnipiac professor of international business Mohammad Elahee and CBIA Foundation director Dustin Nord. Elahee and Nord break down the conflicting signals in the state’s jobs market, factors contributing to the shrinking labor force, and how Connecticut businesses are navigating federal trade uncertainty. Episode Highlights -Breaking down conflicting jobs data -Outmigration, aging population, and workforce challenges -Workforce skills gaps -Growth industry sectors -Investment and economic development -Navigating tariff and trade uncertainty Headlines You May Have Missed -CBIA Releases 2026 State Legislative Voting Records (https://www.cbia.com/news/media-center/cbia-releases-2026-state-legislative-voting-records) -US DOL Issues Unemployment for Striking Workers Warning (https://www.cbia.com/news/issues-policies/us-dol-unemployment-striking-workers) -The Lee Company Acquires Two Facilities (https://www.cbia.com/news/manufacturing/lee-company-acquires-new-facilities)

August 20, 202620 min

Meet the Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut Contenders

Voting is officially underway for the 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut competition. The single-elimination, bracket-style challenge showcases Connecticut’s world-class manufacturing industry. On this episode of the CBIA BizCast, we introduce you to the 16 Connecticut-made products that are competing head-to-head in the bracket. The public will vote weekly to decide which products advance each round, until the winner is announced Oct. 1 at the at the Made in Connecticut: 2026 Manufacturing Summit. The products in this year’s bracket represent the breadth of Connecticut manufacturing, from medical and safety devices to aerospace components, food products, consumer goods, household items, and more. Episode Highlights Medtronic Hugo Robotic-Assisted Surgery System Eljen Corporation Geotextile Sand Filter Martin Rosol’s Kielbasa Inline Plastics Safe-T-Fresh Packaging The Lee Company Satellite Propellant Isolation Valve Whelen Engineering Company Arges Remote Spotlight Ti-Trikes Roadster 750 Accurate Lock and Hardware JAM for Accurate Designer Hardware RBC Bearings Satellite Bearing Cartridge Sheffield Pharmaceuticals Dr. Sheffield’s Toothpaste Waterbury Button Company Santa Claus Brass Button Chapco-Fastcorp Dippin’ Dots DIVI Vending Machine BD BD Syringe Poly-Tech America Tilt-N-Deploy Calzone Case Co. Calzone Go Live Workstation Omar Coffee Breakfast Blend Headlines You May Have Missed Connecticut 2026 Primary Election Results (https://www.cbia.com/resources/issues-policies/connecticut-2026-primary-election-results) Survey: AI Anxiety Tops Employer Concerns (https://www.cbia.com/news/hr-safety/survey-ai-anxiety-tops-employer-concerns) Freight Projections: Rail Expands, Trucking Stays Dominant (https://www.cbia.com/news/economy/freight-projections-rail-expands-trucking-stays-dominant)

August 6, 202611 min

Searching for The Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut

What’s the Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut? Voting gets underway Aug. 20 for the third annual competition highlighting our state’s manufacturing industry. (https://www.cbia.com/coolest-thing/) Ahead of the competition, CBIA and competition supporter CliftonLarsonAllen visited the 16 companies in the running for this year’s title to showcase the products. On this episode of the CBIA BizCast, host Amanda Marlow sits down with CLA’s Brett Bushnell and Matt Gaieski to talk about the competition, this year’s contenders, and the importance of Connecticut’s manufacturing industry. Episode Highlights: -Overview of the Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut -Manufacturing’s role in Connecticut -Depth, diversity, and pride of Connecticut manufacturing -Workforce challenges Headlines You May Have Missed -Slow Job Growth, Higher Spending Signal Budget Risks (https://www.cbia.com/news/issues-policies/slow-job-growth-higher-spending-budget-risk) -US Navy Awards Electric Boat Record $77B Contract (https://www.cbia.com/news/manufacturing/navy-awards-electric-boat-record-contract) -First Phase of $1.6B Metro-North Upgrade Launched (https://www.cbia.com/news/economy/first-phase-metro-north-upgrade) The CBIA BizCast is made possible through the generous support of Google. Subscribe to the BizCast wherever you get your podcasts. Please rate the podcast and leave us a review—we appreciate your support! And be sure to give us your feedback and share guests you’d like to hear.

July 23, 202613 min

Connecticut's Best CNBC Ranking

How did Connecticut achieve its highest-ever CNBC ranking? On this episode of the CBIA BizCast, CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima joins Amanda Marlow to break down CNBC's 2026 America's Top States for Business rankings and what they mean for Connecticut's economy. Connecticut reached its highest-ever ranking in the 20-year history of the report, climbing five spots to number 23 overall. DiPentima and Marlow discuss what's driving the state's gains, why workforce challenges remain a concern, and what Connecticut must do to remain competitive. Despite Connecticut's progress, DiPentima says the state must continue addressing workforce challenges while building on recent economic gains. "We need to focus on the things that helped with the improvement, the business friendliness, the economic growth, and then work on the things that the scorecard shows we're clearly having challenges with, like workforce," DiPentima said. Episode Highlights -How permitting reforms, regulatory improvements, and public-private collaboration helped drive recent progress -Why workforce challenges pushed Connecticut's workforce ranking from eighth to 25th -What Connecticut can learn from top-performing states and the long-term strategies needed to remain competitive -Why business-friendly policies and economic growth take time to show up in national rankings Headlines You May Have Missed -CBIA Response to June 2026 Employment Report: https://www.cbia.com/news/media-center/cbia-response-to-june-2026-employment-report -Pentagon Suspends CMMC Program: https://www.cbia.com/news/manufacturing/pentagon-suspends-cmmc-certification -QuantumCT Wins $15M NSF Award: https://www.cbia.com/news/economy/quantumct-wins-15m-nsf-award -2026 Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut: https://www.cbia.com/coolest-thing/ The CBIA BizCast is made possible through the generous support of Google. Subscribe to the BizCast wherever you get your podcasts. Please rate the podcast and leave us a review—we appreciate your support! And be sure to give us your feedback and share guests you’d like to hear.

July 9, 202611 min

CBIA BizCast: Snapshot of Connecticut's Economy

New data is shedding light on the state of Connecticut’s economy and labor force. On this episode of the CBIA BizCast, CBIA Foundation director Dustin Nord joins host Amanda Marlow to talk about new Connecticut Department of Labor data that highlights the mismatch between increased job openings and a shrinking labor force. Connecticut job openings jumped 2.6% in May to 87,356—however, since May 2025, 37,700 people have left Connecticut’s labor force. Nord breaks down some of the reasons for this mismatch and what needs to be done to address Connecticut’s economic challenges. He also shares insights into a U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis report showing Connecticut’s economy expanded 1.8% in the first quarter of 2026.

June 25, 202614 min

Deep Dive Into Connecticut’s Energy Policy

One of the most important issues for Connecticut residents and businesses is the rising cost of energy, a major factor driving the state's affordability crisis. On this episode of the CBIA BizCast, CBIA Foundation director Dustin Nord sits down with host Amanda Marlow to talk about a new report about the relationship between natural gas and electricity prices. Produced by the Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis on behalf of the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, the report claims the state has become more polluted and has more expensive electricity because of the adoption of natural gas over the past 25 years. Nord shares his concerns about the report and offers an analysis of Connecticut’s energy infrastructure. Episode Highlights: Drivers of high energy costs Natural gas in Connecticut Long-term cost, infrastructure, and environmental picture Need for an “all of the above” approach https://www.cbia.com/news/issues-policies/natural-gas-does-not-make-electricity-more-expensive Headlines You May Have Missed What’s Happening to Connecticut’s Labor Force? (https://www.cbia.com/news/economy/connecticut-labor-force-shrinking) Healthcare Tax Proposal ‘Unfairly Targets Employers’ (https://www.cbia.com/news/issues-policies/healthcare-tax-proposal-unfairly-targets-employers) New Business-Related Laws Take Effect July 1 (https://www.cbia.com/news/issues-policies/new-business-related-laws-july-1)

June 11, 202619 min

Answering Your HR Questions

Navigating Connecticut’s complex workplace laws is always at the top of mind for employers and HR professionals. In this episode of the CBIA BizCast, CBIA associate HR counsel Delmarina Lopez (https://www.cbia.com/about/delmarina-lopez/ ) joins host Amanda Marlow to answer some commonly asked questions. The episode also features highlights from the 2026 National Civics Bee Connecticut State Finals. The CBIA BizCast is made possible through the generous support of Google. Subscribe to the BizCast wherever you get your podcasts. Please rate the podcast and leave us a review—we appreciate your support! And be sure to give us your feedback and share guests you’d like to hear .

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