The Waterbury Talks

Hosted by The Waterbury

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Latest episode

Sep 2025

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About the show

The Waterbury Talks podcast is a series of informative and inspiring conversations from The Waterbury – a public-private partnership between the City of Waterbury and several local organizations whose goal is to raise awareness and understanding of the growth in Waterbury, Connecticut. The Waterbury Talks goes deep with some of the region’s visionary people – discussing everything from their backgrounds and interests to reasons why you should join them in Waterbury.

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29 recent

September 11, 2025Episode 2856 min

How Darren Schwartz Is Setting the Stage for Student Success In Waterbury

Dr. Darren Schwartz is the Superintendent of Waterbury Public Schools – a system that educates nearly 20,000 students each year. Darren is a lifelong learner who has drawn on his experiences as a teacher, math coach, intervention specialist, principal, and community leader to lead the school system into what many describe as its most ambitious era. You’ll hear what he was like as a youngster, the bold proclamation he’s made about Waterbury education, and the question he wants to ask people who are considering a move to the city. Join in this dynamic and deep conversation, as The Waterbury Talks with Darren Schwartz.Follow The WaterburyInstagramFacebookLinkedInXYouTube

February 5, 2025Episode 2724 min

How Support in Waterbury Helped This Entrepreneur Build His Business

Terrance Myers is the CEO of Myers Medical Coding Education – a post-secondary school he founded in 2020. Myers offers online certification courses that train the next generation of medical coders in Connecticut and across the United States. Get Terrance’s opinions on upskilling professionals for in-demand jobs in healthcare, why he left New York City for Waterbury, how the Women’s Business Development Council is not just for female business owners, and the momentum happening in Waterbury that inspired him to grow his company here. It’s a compelling conversation with an impressive entrepreneur, as The Waterbury Talks with Terrance Myers.Follow The WaterburyInstagramFacebookLinkedInXYouTube

December 13, 2024Episode 2638 min

Why a Top Fashion Designer Set Up Her Own Studio in Waterbury

Susan-Jayne Caballero is a leader in the field of fashion design, textiles, and décor, with professional stints at companies like Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger. Recently, Susan-Jayne created her own brand called Sacra Indumenta – which makes bespoke garments, accessories, linens, and gowns for sacrament milestones. Hear why she chose to bring her family and business to Waterbury, what local resources helped professionalize her plans, and how she compares Waterbury to other markets like Fairfield County and New York City. It’s an articulate and inspiring conversation with some surprise answers, so sit beside us – as The Waterbury Talks with Susan-Jayne Caballero.Follow The WaterburyInstagramFacebookLinkedInXYouTube

November 4, 2024Episode 2523 min

How Celina Caetano Is Using the Lessons She Learned in Waterbury

Celina Caetano is a Doctor in Residency at Yale New Haven Health. A Waterburian through and through, Celina was raised in one of the city’s diverse neighborhoods, has been active since childhood in a local church, was taught through her formative years by the Waterbury Public School system, and was inspired during her time on the UConn Waterbury campus. Hear about the best advice she ever received, what career she originally wanted, and her recommendation for others to see what Waterbury is really all about. It’s a motivating conversation that showcases a next-generation leader in our community, so join us – as The Waterbury Talks with Celina Caetano.Follow The WaterburyInstagramFacebookLinkedInXYouTube

July 26, 2024Episode 2433 min

What Fred Spagnolo Is Doing for Public Safety and Community Building

Fred Spagnolo is Waterbury’s 22nd Chief of Police. From joining as an officer in 2002 to assuming the top role in 2018, Fred has led the Waterbury Police Department with a deep commitment to community service, continual training, and innovative uses of technology. Hear about why he actively supports youth programs, what new advancements are being used on the community’s behalf, what he advocates for on a national level, and how a certain interaction as a kid in Hartford changed his life. It’s a very eye-opening conversation, so join us – as The Waterbury Talks with Fred Spagnolo.Follow The WaterburyInstagramFacebookLinkedInXYouTube

February 28, 2024Episode 2313 min

How Waterbury Public Schools Prepared Daiana Lilo For Harvard

Over the last decade, the City of Waterbury has made major investments in its educational system – including the building of three new schools. At of the newly-created institutions, Waterbury Career Academy, Daiana Lilo earned Valedictorian honors from its second cohort. Here, Daiana discusses her path to graduating from Harvard, the start of her career in law, and the advocacy that has garnered her international acclaim. Plus, she offers some pointed words about the quality of education in Waterbury. It’s a quick, but powerful, conversation – as The Waterbury Talks with Daiana Lilo. Follow The WaterburyInstagramFacebookLinkedInXYouTube

January 30, 2024Episode 2228 min

How Fran Pastore Is Helping Women-Owned Businesses Thrive in Waterbury

Fran Pastore is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Business Development Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting female entrepreneurs. After helping a number of Waterbury businesses open and grow in the last several years, the Council has established offices in the city – and is poised to deliver more “capital and confidence,” as Fran says, to women-owned enterprises. Hear Fran describe the biases that still exist in society, the reasons for starting her business in 1997, and why she thinks Waterbury has something special in store, as The Waterbury Talks with Fran Pastore.Follow The WaterburyInstagramFacebookLinkedInXYouTube

November 6, 2023Episode 2119 min

3x10: How Waterbury Rebuilt Itself as a City of Strength, Part III

3x10 is a special three-part docuseries about the amazing progress made in Waterbury over the last ten years. Part III shows how the City – starting in an unlikely place – took stock of the ways that living, working, and playing in Waterbury could be improved. Then it began to do something about each. A companion book is also available for purchase – with proceeds benefiting Waterbury nonprofit organizations – at 3x10.TheWaterbury.com.Follow The WaterburyInstagramFacebookLinkedInXYouTube

November 6, 2023Episode 2020 min

3x10: How Waterbury Rebuilt Itself as a City of Strength, Part II

3x10 is a special three-part docuseries about the amazing progress made in Waterbury over the last ten years. Part II describes the Mixmaster – which to many was more a mess than an efficient system. When the highway was improved, though, it sparked a flurry of development projects that will impact Waterbury’s cultural, educational, and corporate fabric for generations to come. A companion book is also available for purchase – with proceeds benefiting Waterbury nonprofit organizations – at 3x10.TheWaterbury.com.Follow The WaterburyInstagramFacebookLinkedInXYouTube

November 6, 2023Episode 1917 min

3x10: How Waterbury Rebuilt Itself as a City of Strength, Part I

3x10 is a special three-part docuseries about the amazing progress made in Waterbury over the last ten years. Part I goes into how Waterbury was on the verge of bankruptcy at the beginning of the 21st century. But by doing the difficult analysis to determine the causes, and adhering to a new fiscal blueprint, the City restored confidence – and showcased the resolve of its people. A companion book is also available for purchase – with proceeds benefiting Waterbury nonprofit organizations – at 3x10.TheWaterbury.comFollow The WaterburyInstagramFacebookLinkedInXYouTube