Drexel University economist Paul Harrington returns to the program to discuss the future of the post-pandemic economy, as well as labor market trends. Paul also shares his thoughts about the current and future state of manufacturing and whether we will face a crisis when it comes to long-term unemployed workers. 

Ari Santiago, President of IT Direct, joins the program to discuss the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on his IT services business, as well as the trends he is seeing in his manufacturing clientele and his podcast “Made in America.” Ari also shares his thoughts on attracting tech talent and the impact of manufacturers investing in robotics and AI technologies. 

Tariq Farid, founder of Edible Arrangements, joins the program to discuss his newest venture, Incredible Edibles, an end-to-end CBD product business that will farm, process and sell CBD food products through a franchise model. Tariq reveals why he decided to start Incredible Edibles, the benefits of CBD for consumers, and the potential economic impact of the industry. 

This episode was recorded live at the Amazon Fullfillment Center in North Haven, Connecticut with Richard Dyce, Director of Operations for the facility. The center features 855,000-square-feet of space and 10 miles of conveyors. Discover why Amazon chose the North Haven location, the role of automation in the shipping and fullfillment process, and the benefits and opportunities available to employees. 

Bill Villano keeps asking questions about how automation and robotics impact the labor force. He talks with Professor and Economist Harry J. Holzer on how to prepare for more disruption. Are wage subsidies the best way to make up the loss? How does that fit in with or labor reforms to avoid the “3 L’s”: longer unemployment, lower wages, and labor market withdrawal. Holzer is a public policy professor at Georgetown University, a Brookings Institute contributor, and former U.S. Dept. of Labor economist.

Discover the jobs, skills and training opportunities in the medical and recreational marijuana business. Bill Villano talks with Joe LaChance, who is an advocate, business owner and director of education for CannaHealth LLC, which prepares people to work in dispensaries. Second of two new episodes on this $9 billion industry.

Cannabis is a $9 billion business. In the first of two new episodes on the medical and recreational marijuana industry, Bill Villano digs into how the industry has grown and the workforce outlook with CT Attorney and NORML Counsel Aaron Romano.

Following last year’s popular episode, Ellen Davis of the National Retail Federation returns to talk about innovation. As a bonus, Bill Villano traveled to one of CT’s most personalized spaces – Colony Grill in Milford, CT – to talk with co-owner Ken Martin about how keeping elements of the building that was once the iconic Harrison’s Hardware store has endeared the restaurant to the community. Ellen and Bill go on to preview the first ever Retail Works Summit, and tackle hot-button political issues like tariffs and immigration.

What has been called the fourth Industrial Revolution is fundamentally changing the way we live, work and relate to one another. Host Bill Villano talks with scholar and author Darrell West of the Brooking Institution about his new book “The Future of Work: Robots, AI and Automation."

The best people may not want to work for you. They want to work WITH you as a freelancer. On this episode, Bill Villano continues with Nation 1099 founder and marketing expert Robert McGuire about how the gig economy impacts employers. Freelancers are business people too, so listen for what tools exist for collaborating.

Gig work, independent contracting, freelancing, project-based work – no matter what you call it, more people are making a living at it. Bill Villano talks with Robert McGuire, founder of the website Nation1099.com and also owner of a New Haven-based marketing agency that employs a stable of 1099ers. The percent of independent contractors in the Gig Economy by choice may surprise you.