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Recorded November 4th 2026 Guest Lisa Spetrini, Maker with utopian tendencies, Co-Founder EcoWorks CT EcoWorks is a Connecticut nonprofit creative reuse center. It diverts tons of materials from landfills annually.Founded fourteen years ago during a storefront pilot program.The organization operates entirely with dedicated volunteers.It sells affordable art supplies and vintage materials.EcoWorks supports educators seeking low-cost classroom resources.A consignment rebootique generates micro-income for local makers.Workshops teach traditional crafts and critical thinking skills.The center collaborates with nationally recognized contemporary artists.Programs like Warm Community distribute handmade items to those in need.Founder Lisa Spatrini envisions a future waste-based enterprise hub.EcoWorks promotes sustainability, creativity, and community connection

Recorded Nov 3 2026  Georgian Lussier, Host with Guest Jill Roberts This interview focuses on midlife reinvention, showing how stepping away from a familiar identity can lead to personal growth, creativity, deeper self-understanding, and a more meaningful work-life balance.  From Career evolution as an accountant to exploration & Creativity including a granola business, Jill returns to accounting differently.  She shares some key life lessons, influences, and practices, including modeling values like kindness & gratitude.

Recorded in studioW Oct 28th: Interview with Program Director Rebekah Moore Arts Council of Greater New Haven: Mission and Role The Arts Council of Greater New Haven supports artists by providing resources, one-on-one assistance, professional development, grants, networking, and business support.It serves 16 cities and towns across Greater New Haven, not just New Haven.The organization has existed for more than 60 years and operates with a small staff of three full-time and several part-time employees.Key Programs and Resources Sandbox Creative Space A free creative space for members to hold events, performances, workshops, meetings, rehearsals, and classes.Accommodates about 45-50 people.Includes professional audio equipment, microphones, tables, chairs, and presentation technology.Artists manage the space themselves through a self-service model.Has logged over 2,000 reservations since opening.Artist Directory and Opportunity Network Partnership with Culturalyst provides an online artist directory.Artists can create profiles, connect with other creatives, and discover opportunities.Includes calls for artists and opportunities from local, regional, and broader markets.Resource Databases Space database connecting artists with venues and exhibition opportunities.Regional event calendar where artists and organizations can promote events.Events submitted once can appear on calendars throughout Connecticut via the state's Designated Regional Service Organization network.Skill Box Training Program Online and in-person professional development workshops.Topics include: Forming an LLCBusiness taxesSole proprietorshipsGrant writingFiscal sponsorshipWebsite developmentCanva and marketing toolsWorkshops are recorded and available through the Arts Council's YouTube channel.Funding and Economic Impact The Arts Council recently secured $194,000 in congressionally directed spending (CDS) funding to expand its "Artists as Small Business" initiative.Funding sources include: GrantsPartnershipsDonationsRental income from property ownershipFees from certain organizational use of Sandbox spacesLeadership emphasizes that artists should be able to earn income and build sustainable businesses.Major partners include: Libraries throughout the regionCity of New HavenYale UniversityYale VenturesMidnight Oil CollectiveLocal businesses and Shops at YaleThe Council often acts as a facilitator, connecting artists with funding, mentors, businesses, exhibition opportunities, and collaborators. Mentorship and Career Development Provides office hours and individualized guidance.Helps connect artists with mentors and industry professionals.Operates mentorship programs focused on both arts administration and creative entrepreneurship.Supports artists in transitioning from hobbyists to sustainable business owners.Fridays at the Sandbox Networking eventsArtist performancesCommunity-building activitiesBroad Definition of "Artist" The Arts Council intentionally defines art broadly, including: Visual artistsMusiciansDancersTheater artistsPodcastersCulinary artistsNail artistsHairstylistsOther creative professionalsArts and Economic Development The Council views the arts as an economic driver for the region.It cited findings that arts spending generates additional local economic activity through restaurants, parking, shopping, and other related spending.Leaders believe Connecticut artists can increasingly build successful careers locally without relocating to larger markets.Future Vision The Arts Council's goals include: Expanding funding opportunities.Increasing business-development programming for artists.Developing a larger creative hub.Creating artist housing initiatives.Establishing a sustainable emergency fund for artists.Adding studio, rehearsal, and creative workspace capacity throughout the region.

"Midlife Matters" interview recorded 10.20.26 in studioW, hosted by Georgian Lussier, featuring Lindy Lee Gold, a Connecticut economic development professional, philanthropist, and advocate for women’s leadership. Career in Economic Development Lindy Lee Gold has spent nearly 30 years with the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development after transitioning from entrepreneurship and nonprofit leadership. Her work includes business recruitment, retention, expansion, workforce initiatives, and helping companies navigate state government resources. Collaboration as a Key StrategyShe emphasizes that organizations should collaborate rather than duplicate efforts, especially as funding becomes more limited. Her advice is to identify existing assets and fill genuine gaps rather than "reinventing the wheel." Community and Economic RevitalizationGold discusses projects that transform underused or contaminated properties into community assets, highlighting developments such as the Ball & Socket (Cheshire, CT) project as examples of collaboration among economic development, arts, culture, and community stakeholders. Supporting Women and Workforce DevelopmentMuch of her philanthropy focuses on women and girls, particularly programs that help break cycles of poverty through education and career training. She co-founded workforce training initiatives designed to help women enter manufacturing careers by accommodating family responsibilities and providing paid training. Re-entry ProgramsGold describes successful training programs for formerly incarcerated individuals, arguing that meaningful employment and family reintegration are critical to reducing recidivism. Personal Career PivotsOriginally a theater arts major, she moved through several careers, including commercial design, travel business ownership, and construction management, before joining state government. She encourages people, especially midlife professionals, to recognize their transferable skills and remain open to reinvention. Women in Leadership Academy (WILA)She founded the Women in Leadership Academy at Southern Connecticut State University, later opening at Albertus Magnus, pairing students with mentors in their chosen fields and helping first-generation students build confidence, networks, and professional skills. Influences and PhilosophyGold credits her parents, both lawyers, for teaching her that women can pursue any career. She discusses the Jewish concept of tikkun olam ("repairing the world"), which guides her commitment to service and philanthropy. Key TakeawaysSelf-esteem is foundational to success. Career and life reinvention are possible at any age. Collaboration creates stronger communities than competition. Education, mentorship, and workforce opportunities can create lasting generational change. One of her favorite sayings:"No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care."

Recorded at studioW on Oct 14th Host GiGi About the Guest: Tom Pender is a Wallingford-based artist, educator, and community advocate whose work spans portraiture, fine art, commissions, teaching, and public engagement. A lifelong student of art, he continues to explore new creative directions while encouraging others to discover their own artistic voice. For More about Tom: TomPenderArtist.com Topics Discussed • Growing up in a family of artists  • Learning to paint as a child  • Commercial art and professional design work  • Artistic influences and creative inspiration  • Portrait painting and memorable client experiences  • Overcoming self-doubt and creative challenges  • AI and the future of art  • Teaching and mentoring emerging artists  • The role of community arts organizations  • Wallingford's artistic heritage and future Memorable Quote "I haven't painted my masterpiece yet." Episode Highlights In this episode of MakingItArtisan$tories, GiGi sits down with Wallingford artist Tom Pender, whose creative journey began with a set of oil paints at age seven and grew into a career spanning commercial art, graphic design, Disney-related projects, portrait commissions, and fine art. Tom shares stories from his childhood in a family of artists, including drawing lessons from library books and selling his sketches to siblings long before he imagined art as a profession. He reflects on the mentors and influences that shaped him, from Norman Rockwell and John Singer Sargent to the emotional power of classical music. The conversation explores the personal side of creativity as Tom discusses overcoming childhood shyness, finding inspiration in everyday life, and why he still believes his greatest painting is yet to come. Along the way, he shares memorable stories from portrait commissions, candid reflections on self-criticism, and the lessons learned through decades of artistic practice. We also dive into one of the most talked-about topics in today's art world: Artificial Intelligence. Tom offers a thoughtful perspective on how AI can be used as a learning tool without replacing artistic skill, creativity, or personal vision. Later, we discuss his teaching philosophy, favorite artistic mediums, the importance of community arts programs, and his hopes for the future of the arts in Wallingford. From studio life to public engagement, Tom reminds us that creativity belongs to everyone.

Recorded Oct 12 in StudioW Candidates for: Connecticut State Representative, 85th & 90th District Sam (1st 19 minutes)

Producer David Rooney Co-Host Andrew Rice and David Rooney 'On This Side of Common' will explore 'Where We Already Agree,' But it may take conversations among 'common' people to determine just what the agreement looks like. Our shared experiences, values, and needs lie just beneath the surface of disagreement. We all depend on trust, public spaces, institutions, and a sense of neighborhood.  We are not loud, extreme media; we are community media of, for & by the people.

Every Voice Adds Something A place for conversations about people, families, health and the issues that touch our everyday lives. Community Matters with host Brenda Shuler. A conversation with Guest: Eva Bermúdez Zimmerman Title: Coalition Director Organization: Child Care for Connecticut Host: Brenda Shuler The conversation highlights childcare affordability and accessibility, the experiences of Connecticut families and childcare providers, workforce challenges, advocacy efforts, and the importance of childcare to the state’s families, businesses, and economy.

Every Voice Adds Something A place for conversations about people, families, health and the issues that touch our everyday lives. Community Matters with host Brenda Shuler. A conversation with Guest: Ann Zak Title: Executive Director Organization: Wallingford Senior Center and Wallingford Committee on Aging, Inc. Host: Brenda Shuler The conversation highlights the Wallingford Senior Center’s programs and services and the ways it helps older adults remain active, informed, independent, and connected. We will also discuss caregiver and family resources, changing needs among older adults, and ways residents can become involved.

Every Voice Adds Something A place for conversations about people, families, health and the issues that touch our everyday lives. Community Matters with host Brenda Shuler. A conversation with Julieth Callejas, a licensed day care provider. She provides insights into costs, programs to help with costs, and what to look for in a facility with a focus on communication.   Host: Brenda Shuler

Every Voice Adds Something A place for conversations about people, families, health and the issues that touch our everyday lives. Community Matters with host Brenda Shuler. A conversation with Executive Director Julieth Callejas of End Hunger CT in studioW on Sept 14, 2026. Julieth wants to be put out of her job by solving the hunger situation in Connecticut.  Host: Brenda Shuler

Recorded Sept 9 AA Preamble Guest Speaker  Responsibility Statement

Recorded Sept 2026 Dave Fritz 40 seconds to 20 minutes continuing with Sam Carmody

Recorded Aug 2026

Recorded Aug 11 AA Preamble Guest Speaker Dave 5:23 Responsibility Statement