On The Scene

West Hartford comes alive in this inspiring new episode of On The Scene with hosts Tom Hickey and Bob Carr. Joined by Chamber of Commerce President Chris Conway, the conversation celebrates the creative spirit and community pride behind the Best of West Hartford and its beloved outdoor art project—Benchmark 2025. From the vibrant Pride Bench to the heartfelt Survivor Bench, each piece tells a story of connection, creativity, and local collaboration. Listeners will discover how local artists, sponsors, and residents unite to support the Chamber’s mission of strengthening businesses, nonprofits, and community life. The episode shines a spotlight on West Hartford’s unique ability to blend art, commerce, and compassion into a thriving local culture. Hear how these benches bring people together—literally and figuratively—while raising funds for the Chamber’s continued community programs.

Listen now on your favorite podcast app and stay On The Scene in West Hartford.

In this inspiring episode of On The Scene with host Tom Hickey, listeners are invited to celebrate the incredible 95-year journey of The Jewish Ledger — a true testament to dedication, resilience, and community spirit. Joined by editor Judy Jacobson and Digital Marketing Manager Hilary Pasternak Sarrasin, Tom explores how the Ledger has endured through decades of change, from the Great Depression to the digital era, while remaining a trusted voice for Jewish life in Southern New England. Listeners will hear powerful stories of leadership, perseverance, and purpose that remind us why passion and community commitment never go out of style. It’s a conversation about legacy, teamwork, and the drive to create impact that lasts. Tune in and discover what it really takes to keep a mission alive for nearly a century.

Step into the heart of West Hartford’s creative scene in this engaging episode of NBT Bank's On The Scene. Hosts Tom Hickey and Bob Carr sit down with artists Sam FerrI and Kelly Kelly to explore the story behind the town’s most talked-about public art project: the vibrant bench installations that have transformed community spaces into living galleries. Discover how these artists overcame unique creative challenges, from designing on complex surfaces to making art people can literally sit on. Hear their personal stories, artistic inspirations, and how public art builds stronger connections between people, place, and purpose. Plus, learn how these installations support local nonprofits and why the West Hartford Chamber’s work is vital for small businesses and the community. Whether you’re an art lover, entrepreneur, or just curious about how creativity can shape a city, this episode offers insight, inspiration, and a fresh perspective on the power of public art.

On this episode of On The Scene, Tom Hickey and Bob Carr welcome Justin Cote, Vice President at Hitchcock Printing in New Britain—celebrating 120+ years in print. Justin reveals how a legacy shop stays future-ready: an apprenticeship pipeline with New Britain High School and CCSU, cross-training that builds true craftspeople, and steady capital investments—from a 40" four-color press to high-speed digital with inline book finishing and pharma-grade folding.

They unpack common design pitfalls (hello RGB vs. CMYK and the importance of bleeds) and share practical tips for creators using tools like Canva to get print-perfect results. Justin also dives into the resurgence of direct mail—why tactile pieces drive stronger response—and how Hitchcock’s pre-sort mailing operation can cut postage and push over a million pieces a day. Speed, transparency, and service tie it all together.

If you care about quality, timelines, and ROI—from business cards to major publications and high-volume mail—this conversation shows why Hitchcock has endured and how they help brands win in print today. Presented by NBT Bank, proud supporter of local business.

In this episode of NBT Bank’s On The Scene Podcast, hosts Tom Hickey and Bob Carr sit down with Maureen Kennedy, Senior Business Banking Officer at NBT Bank, and Andreas Kapetanopoulos, President of NBT Bank Connecticut. Together, they dive into the bank’s deep roots in the community, their support of local organizations like the Aurora Foundation, and the personal relationships that set NBT apart.

Maureen shares how NBT Bank helps businesses of every size—from cash flow management and treasury services to fraud prevention and insurance solutions—while Andreas discusses the bank’s growth, community engagement, and expansion into new Connecticut markets. Listeners will also gain insights into what it takes to build strong banking relationships and why trust, urgency, and accessibility make all the difference.

Whether you’re a small business owner, a community leader, or someone looking for a more personal banking experience, this conversation shines a light on how NBT Bank goes beyond transactions to create lasting impact.

In this powerful episode of On The Scene, hosts Tom Hickey and Bob Carr sit down with Brianna Dunlap, Director of Development and Community Relations at South Park Inn, a Hartford-based homeless shelter making a life-changing impact. Brianna shares her personal journey into nonprofit work, her passion for helping vulnerable communities, and the powerful mission of South Park Inn—to break the cycle of homelessness and provide shelter, dignity, and hope for those in need.

From serving older adults and veterans to offering post-hospitalization programs and community support, Brianna pulls back the curtain on the realities of homelessness, the challenges of funding cuts, and the inspiring resilience of their guests. She also highlights South Park Inn’s upcoming Shake It Out fundraiser—a unique dance event designed to spread joy while raising critical support.

This episode is a moving reminder of how compassion, advocacy, and community action can create real change. Whether you’re inspired to volunteer, donate, or simply learn more, this conversation will open your eyes and your heart.

In this episode of the On The Scene Podcast, hosts Tom Hickey and Bob Carr sit down with Mike Roy of Roy Web Design to uncover what really makes a website work for your business. Mike shares his journey from working at multiple agencies to building his own successful firm, where he specializes in web design, hosting, and search engine optimization (SEO).

You’ll learn why so many businesses struggle with websites that look great but fail to bring results, how Google’s algorithms and AI snippets shape search rankings, and why owning your content with platforms like WordPress gives you control and long-term value. Mike also explains the dangers of poor hosting, AI-generated content, and quick-fix SEO tricks that can actually hurt your business.

From building sites that rank, to protecting against hacks, to keeping your site live 24/7, Mike breaks down the essentials every business owner needs to know. Whether you’re starting from scratch, revamping an outdated site, or frustrated with lackluster results, this episode is packed with actionable insights that can help you take control of your digital presence.

In this episode of On The Scene, hosts Tom Hickey and Bob Carr sit down with Ilana Bernstein from the Community Renewal Team (CRT), Connecticut’s largest nonprofit human services organization. Ilana shares CRT’s powerful mission: helping individuals and families across Middlesex and Hartford counties overcome life’s challenges by providing critical services—from Meals on Wheels and energy assistance to shelters, veteran programs, and senior support.

Listeners will gain insight into how CRT supports nearly 50,000 individuals annually, why fundraising is essential, and how anyone can make a difference—whether through donations, volunteering in CRT’s industrial kitchen, or participating in the upcoming Meals on Wheels Golf Classic on September 10. Discover the hidden impact of CRT’s work and how you can be part of the solution.

Visit CRTCT.org to learn more or get involved.

In this episode of On The Scene, hosts Tom Hickey and Bob Carr sit down with Mana Zarinejad, Executive Director of the Connecticut Forum, for an insightful and inspiring conversation about the power of dialogue, culture, and community. Mana shares the Forum’s mission to spark meaningful conversations that bridge divides and bring people together through unscripted, thought-provoking events featuring diverse voices—from musicians like Jon Batiste to writers like Elizabeth Gilbert and Roxane Gay.

You’ll get a sneak peek at the exciting upcoming season, including guest appearances by Amber Ruffin, Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Jonah Goldberg, environmental advocate Bill McKibben, and historian Jon Meacham. From chefs and artists to policy leaders and political minds, the Connecticut Forum delivers more than just events—it delivers impact.

With over three decades of history, 400+ speakers, and a commitment to building intellectual community, this episode celebrates what happens when people come together to listen, learn, and engage.

 Tune in to discover why the Connecticut Forum is one of Connecticut’s cultural cornerstones—and why every voice on stage is just the beginning of the conversation. Visit ctforum.org for more details.

In this episode of On The Scene, hosts Tom Hickey and Bob Carr welcome Yvonne Alston, founder and Chief Culture Architect of Indelible Impressions Consulting, for a compelling conversation about the future of workplace culture. Yvonne shares her mission to help organizations build inclusive, human-centric environments that value dignity, empathy, and belonging.

Together, they explore how post-pandemic shifts, the racial reckoning of 2020, and generational differences have redefined employee expectations. Yvonne breaks down the difference between transactional and transformational leadership, discusses how organizations can use data as a compass for change, and reveals how real transformation goes beyond metrics—it requires courage, intentionality, and honest dialogue.