CBIA BizCast

Hosted by Connecticut Business & Industry Association

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Episodes

248

Latest episode

Aug 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

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 .

May 28, 202622 min

Building Career Pathways

What does Connecticut need to do to prepare high school students for the careers of today, and tomorrow? That’s the mission of the newly formed Connecticut Career Pathways Commission. In this episode of the CBIA BizCast, CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima joins host Amanda Marlow to break down the commission. DiPentima is one of the 30 members of the commission selected by the Lamont Administration—which also includes representatives from the business, education, and public sectors. Episode Highlights: • Commission members and goals • Miguel Cardona’s role and leadership • Tight timeline • Breaking down silos • Creating pathways for students who don’t go to college • Importance of collaboration with the business community 2026 Human Resources Conference The episode also features a portion of a conversation into the state’s expanded paid sick leave and FMLA laws with Connecticut Department of Labor attorneys Jennifer Devine and Heidi Lane. Headlines You May Have Missed • Rising Unemployment, Shrinking Labor Force Cloud Job Gains • Ari Santiago Appointed Interim CSCU Chair • A New Era for Regulatory Reform? 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 at bizcast@cbia.com.

May 14, 202626 min

CBIA BizCast: Reflecting on the 2026 Legislative Session

Connecticut’s 2026 General Assembly session ended with limited progress and key decisions that will drive costs even higher. In this episode of the CBIA BizCast, CBIA vice president of public policy Chris Davis joins host Amanda Marlow to discuss the business community's wins and losses from the session.

April 30, 202624 min

Bill Bundles Mandates, Workforce Development

As Connecticut’s 2026 legislative session enters its final days, lawmakers are debating several major bills with far‑reaching implications for employers. In this episode of the CBIA BizCast, CBIA senior policy director Paul Amarone joins host Amanda Marlow to break down HB 5003, a sweeping workforce bill. The conversation explores what the massive, 120-page bill—which now awaits action in the Senate after winning House passage April 28—means for employers. Many of HB 5003's mandates failed as standalone bills in previous sessions due to their economic impact, yet are now bundled together with positive workforce development sections, making the bill difficult for legislators to navigate. Amarone highlights key areas of concern, provisions that support workforce development, and the negotiations that shaped the final product. Episode Highlights—HB 5003 What the bill includes Areas of concern for employers Positive workforce development measures How the bill was crafted Headlines You May Have Missed Sweeping AI Mandates: The state Senate approved far reaching legislation imposing new mandates on employers that use AI in hiring and employment decisions. Strengthening Microtransit Services: Momentum is building around legislation aimed at improving commuter access and strengthening workforce participation across Connecticut. February Jobs Report: Connecticut lost 4,200 jobs in February, erasing January’s gains and underscoring troubling trends in the state’s labor market. Tariff Refunds Available: Connecticut businesses may now apply for refunds on federal tariffs that were ruled illegal by the U.S. Supreme Court. Workforce Summit The episode also features inspiring voices from the next generation of Connecticut’s workforce. During the 2026 Workforce Summit, ReadyCT executive director Shannon Marimón welcomed students and young professionals who have benefited from the state’s career pathway programs—sharing firsthand stories of opportunity and growth. 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 from by emailing bizcast@cbia.com.

April 16, 202622 min

Setback for Small Business Healthcare

Health care affordability, Connecticut’s economy, and workforce development are front and center on this episode of CBIA BizCast. CBIA Policy Director Grace Brangwynne joins host Amanda Marlow to discuss the defeat of legislation allowing small businesses to form association health plans. Association Health Plans allow small businesses to come together, pool their risk, and purchase affordable, high quality health insurance through a trade association or local chamber of commerce. Marlow was also joined by CBIA Foundation director Dustin Nord to break down new economic data and highlight the foundation’s newly released Connecticut Workforce & Education Strategy Blueprint. The episode also features a portion of a conversation between Nord, former U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, Electric Boat’s Willie Barber, and Economic Leadership’s Kat Saunders highlighting the blueprint. And the episode highlights a recent news conference on a push to expand the R&D tax credit to pass-through entities at Burke Aerospace. The event included Gov. Ned Lamont, Burke president and CEO Brittany Isherwood, DECD commissioner Dan O’Keefe, and CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima. Episode Highlights Small Business Healthcare • What are Association Health Plans? • Why did the legislation fail? • What’s next for small businesses and their employees? Economic Update • Connecticut added 5,300 jobs in January • Connecticut’s economy expanded 2.4% in 2025—12th fastest in the country Workforce Blueprint • Release of CBIA Foundation’s Connecticut Workforce & Education Strategy Blueprint • Panel discussion on strengthening high school-to-career pathways, aligning education and industry needs, and overcoming fragmentation in Connecticut’s workforce system • Panelists include: o Miguel Cardona, former U.S. Secretary of Education o Willie Barber, Electric Boat o Kat Saunders, Economic Leadership R&D Tax Credit for Small Business • News conference highlighted efforts to expands Connecticut’s R&D tax credit to pass-through entities • 6% credit helps small firms invest in innovation and jobs • Supports small business growth in Connecticut 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 from by emailing bizcast@cbia.com.