recorded Feb 2020 - Important issues need to be advanced at the State Capitol and West Hartford’s own, Derek Slap, is at the forefront fighting for the rights of contingents in our state! From age discrimination to gender pay equity to the rights of college athletes, Derek works tirelessly to help improve issues that matter to people in our state. Ryan and I had a chance to learn more about Derek’s life as a state senator, vice president of Advancement at The Village for Children and Families, and as a father.

Follow State Sen., Derek Slap HERE 

Episode Chapters

0:00 – Intro

1:45 – About Derek and his work as State Senator

5:00 – Derek’s work/life outside of politics

6:30 – Age discrimination in the workplace

12:30 – Switching gears to our youth and communication

15:25 – Policymaking, legislation and “Slap Chats”

24:20 – The most rewarding part of Derek’s role as State Senator – Working across the aisle

30:30 – Youth in politics

31:45 – Derek’s favorite We-Ha dish

Another West Hartford small business success story! Annisa Teich of West Hartford Coworking takes a great concept and business model started in West Hartford Center and now located on New Park Avenue to the next level which allows remote workers and entrepreneurs a space to work, create and collaborate. Hear Annisa’s story and find out more about West Hartford Coworking HERE and make sure to follow on Facebook.

Episode Chapters

0:00 – Intro/Annisa Teich

2:11 – How co-working works

4:00 – The evolution of West Hartford Coworking

9:15 – A flexible space for every need

13:00 – More than just a space to work – free events

15:55 – Launch your podcast in the Creator Space

18:15 – How Annisa balances it all

21:20 – The future of West Hartford Coworking and being the brand

33:15 – How to find out more about West Hartford Coworking

34:40 – Annisa’s favorite We-Ha dish

You might think you’re “all set” because you have adequate coverage on your auto and home policies but you might want to take a second look. For over 50 years, Keating Agency Insurance has been serving the insurance needs of the local community. Mike Keating and our very own Experience We-Ha Podcast co-host, Ryan Keating share their vast knowledge of what you need to consider when purchasing a new policy or updating your existing to ensure you have the right coverage.

Get your free policy review from Keating Agency Insurance by clicking HERE and make sure to follow on Facebook and Instagram

Episode Chapters

0:00 – Intro

3:15 – About Keating Agency

5:40 – Red flags on your auto insurance

10:34 – Top things to look for on your auto insurance policy

13:00 – Grab an umbrella

16:25 – Know what IS and what IS NOT covered on your homeowner’s policy

25:15 – New technology trends in insurance

28:30 – Insurance for businesses

32:50 – Insuring your pet … Is it worth it and what to consider?

35:50 – Changes in the insurance industry to benefit younger consumers

39:25 – Mike & Ryan’s favorite We-Ha dish

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving has established the West Hartford Community Fund, currently a $100,000 fund to help empower residents to make the community a better place, encourage broad civic engagement, and anchor the fund in the community of West Hartford.

Ryan Keating flies solo in this week’s Experience We-Ha Podcast as he talks to Megan Burke, Jim Veneman, and Yukiyo Iida about how the fund works, the committee selection process, the purpose of the fund, and how it will benefit West Hartford.

You can find out more about the Fund at a presentation on March 8, from 3-4 p.m., at the Noah Webster Library, or read more HERE on We-Ha.com.

Click here for more information from the Foundation’s website.

Episode Chapters

0:00 – Intro/About the West Hartford Community Fund

3:04 – Selection committee process

10:04 – Grant awards

12:00 – How the fund works and the secret donor

16:45 – Find out more

18:12 – About the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

One of the most popular episodes of the Experience We-Ha podcast in 2019 was our talk with Mayor Shari Cantor – so back by popular demand and coming off the heels of her State of the Town Address in late January, Ryan and I had another great conversation with our mayor. We dig deeper on some of the topics covered during the address and some others that were on our minds as well as some questions from the members of our community.

We definitely covered a lot of ground as you can see in the episode chapters below, so take a listen and get up-to-speed on all that’s happening in our great town of West Hartford!

You can read We-Ha.com’s full article of the State of the Town Address HERE or view the video of the full speech HERE.

Episode Chapters

0:00 – Intro

2:50 – Taxes vs. preserving our quality of life

6:05 – Initial feedback from the State of the Town address

7:45 – The state of town residency

10:15 – Town safety and community vigilance 

14:07 – Celebrating town diversity

15:40 – State of the old UConn property and “Fintech Village”

18:18 – Sisters of St. Joseph’s project

19:25 – Park Road Project

21:30 – North Main “Road Diet”

25:20 – What’s up with parking?

31:30 – Food Truck Park/Elmwood/New Park Avenue projects

37:15 – Entertainment in commercial zones

39:00 – Renewable energy – We-Ha is going green!

40:00 – The future of the mall

41:28 – Special Education in West Hartford

47:35 – What keeps the Mayor up at night?

50:12 – The State of the Dog Park

54:08 – Shari’s favorite We-Ha cocktail (and vacation spot)