87:60 by Virtuoso

WheelPrice is reshaping how car enthusiasts buy and sell secondhand vehicles, combining tech, trust, and a deep connection to car culture. In this episode of Shaping CT's Future Pitch Competition, Co-Founder Wally Namane shares how his team is building a purpose-driven marketplace that solves the frustrations of outdated forums and fragmented resale experiences. With AI-powered fitment tools,...

Kicking off our Shaping CT's Future Pitch Competition series is a duo transforming how we teach kids to handle big feelings, with science, puppets, and a whole lot of heart. Meet Emily Wicks and Dr. Sandy Chafouleas, Co-Founders of Feel Your Best Self. Emily brings a decade of leadership in puppetry arts and education. Sandy is a nationally recognized psychologist and Distinguished Professor...

BJ Kito, host of 87:60, sits down with Bernt Ullmann—the strategic force behind global brands like FUBU, Sean John, Jennifer Lopez, and Adam Levine. With over $6 billion in retail sales to his name, Bernt unpacks how he’s helped turn celebrity into enterprise and personality into profit. This episode explores the playbook behind billion-dollar brand launches, the overlooked art of brand longevity,...

BJ Kito, host of 87:60, sits down with Pete Tucci— creator of the game-chaning Torpedo bat and founder of Tucci Limited. Once a first-round draft pick, Pete shares the journey from pro ball to the garage workbench, where he began building one of the most respected names in baseball bat manufacturing. In this powerful conversation, Pete shares how a career-ending injury led him to redefine success,...

What does it take to change careers and achieve the impossible? Just ask Kevin Klipstein. After building a successful career at a major sports marketing agency and Sun Microsystems, he made the leap into the nonprofit world to lead US Squash. His ultimate goal: get the sport into the Olympics. Join Virtuoso CEO BJ Kito and Shaping CT's Future Executive Producer Sam Barrett with Kevin Klipstei...

Join Virtuoso CEO BJ Kito and video producer Tim O’Shea in a forward-looking conversation with Emmy-winning sports producer and professor Dennis Deninger. Fresh off his keynote at Shaping Connecticut’s Future, Deninger dives into how the NFL is preparing for a radically global future—from games in Madrid and London to international fandom, supersonic travel, and AI-enhanced broadcasts. Explore how...

Why is Connecticut a winning destination for major sporting events? Join Virtuoso CEO BJ Kito and Shaping CT's Future Executive Producer Sam Barrett as they explore this with Nathan Grube (Travelers Championship Tournament Director) and Gabrielle Lucivero (NBC CT Sports Anchor). They discuss the unique draw of Connecticut that makes events like the Travelers feel like a home game for players,...

Join Virtuoso CEO BJ Kito and video producer Tim O'Shea as they sit down with Hartford Athletic's Dr. Wasserlauf and Bruce Mandel for a fascinating discussion. They explore everything from the latest advancements in sports medicine, education, and biomedicine to how Hartford Athletic is embracing innovation and tackling the season with a focus on player safety and community. Discover the...

From Michelin-starred kitchens to the heart of Connecticut, listen to BJ Kito, host of 87:60, as he sits down with Jeff Lizotte, Head Chef of The Foundry. Discover the fascinating path that brought this culinary talent back to Connecticut, and hear his passionate vision for the local food scene. They delve into the incredible talent pool thriving here while also candidly discussing the barriers fa...

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the USGA's comprehensive marketing approach with Head of Brand and Marketing, Lynn LaRocca. We delve into how they balance the prestige of golf with innovative strategies to broaden its appeal and ensure anyone can play. Learn how they connect with fans, capitalize on golf's rising visibility, and empower players to reach their peak performance. Lynn also...

In this episode, BJ Kito and Tim O'Shea explore the dynamic world of minor league baseball and community engagement in Connecticut with Tim Restall, the dedicated President of the Hartford Yard Goats. Get the inside scoop on his vision for the team's connection with Hartford and the surrounding region, their strategies for fostering a vibrant fan experience at Dunkin' Donuts Park, a...

In this episode, BJ Kito explores the rapidly evolving world of college athletics with Jack Betts, the King of DIII NIL, from Amherst College. Get the inside scoop on his journey navigating the new NIL landscape, his insights on being a leader in this space, and the strategic dedication that fuels his success both on and off the field. More than just an athlete, Jack Betts' story showcases th...

In this episode, Rob Thompson and BJ Kito explore the exciting landscape of sports innovation in Connecticut with Freddie and Jeremiah Vargas, the founders of Tater Baseball. Get the inside scoop on Tater's origin, their journey to success, and the incredible dedication that fuels the creation of their high-quality bats. More than just a product, Tater Baseball's story showcases the driv...

Get an unfiltered look at the production of Shaping CT's Future with the producers and HB Live.  This installment of the 87:60 X Shaping CT's Future series features Virtuoso CEO BJ Kito alongside Shaping CT's Future Executive Producer Sam Barrett. Together with HB Live, they share behind-the-scenes stories, challenges overcome, and triumphs in bringing this event to life. Tune in fo...

In this engaging episode of the 87:60 X Shaping CT's Future series, Virtuoso CEO BJ Kito joins Shaping CT's Future Executive Producer Sam Barrett for an insightful conversation with the experts at HB Live.  They pull back the curtain on the crucial elements of how they maintain the dynamic energy that defines Shaping CT's Future and cultivate the strong sense of community that atten...

Get an unfiltered look at the production of Shaping CT's Future with the producers and HB Live. They're sharing the behind-the-scenes stories, challenges, and triumphs of bringing this event to life.  This episode of 87:60 X Shaping CT's Future series, Virtuoso CEO BJ Kito and Shaping CT's Future's Producers Mel Nardiello and Sam Barrett sit down with HB Live Vice Presiden...

Rob Thompson and BJ Kito discuss how Connecticut is more than just pizza and UConn basketball. This podcast reveals the state's undeniable sports legacy, from the birth of American football to the disruption of sports broadcasting. We're talking Walter Camp, ESPN, WWE, and the future of sports tech. Get ready to rethink everything you know about sports in Connecticut. We are kicking off...

In this episode of 87:60, we tackle the hottest topics in sports today! We discuss the controversy surrounding the "torpedo bat" and its impact on baseball, analyze the continued dominance of major sports leagues, and explore the explosive influence of athletes-turned-influencers. Plus, we dive into the exciting rise of women's sports and the innovations changing how we play and exp...

In this episode of 87:60, we examine the role of a Fractional CMO and weigh the benefits against the potential pitfalls. Can a part-time leader deliver full-time results, or are there hidden drawbacks? Tune in to discover if a Fractional CMO is the strategic edge your business needs in today's competitive landscape. Our experts, BJ Kito, Steve McLaughlin, and James Dowd, discuss the role of t...

In this episode of 87:60's internal series, BJ Kito, Steve McLaughlin, and James Dowd confront the complexities of AI, from its ethical implications to its impact on creativity and strategy. They highlight the dangers of misinformation and over-reliance, particularly with tools like ChatGPT. The team emphasizes the importance of human creativity and authenticity in an AI-influenced world. The...

This episode of 87:60 features host BJ Kito, CSO at Rebellion Group, Bryn Tindall, CEO & Owner at Rebellion Group, James Dowd, CCO at Rebellion Group, and Steve McLoughlin, SVP, Strategical Marketing & Impact at Rebellion Group.   Is the consulting world full of "BS"? We think so. In this episode, we expose the gap between strategy and execution, the flaws in blindly relying on o...

AI and cybersecurity are no longer the future—they’re the present, and they’re inevitable. In this episode, BJ Kito and Sam Barrett are joined by Senators Tony Hwang and James Maroney to discuss how these technologies are impacting Connecticut’s public safety, education, economy, and legislation.  They explore how Connecticut can learn from surrounding states, develop stronger data privacy laws, a...

Governor Ned Lamont joins BJ to discuss how his entrepreneurial background helped shape his leadership today. As Connecticut's first businessman-turned-governor, he discusses the economic importance of supporting startups, fostering innovation, and creating a supportive environment for business growth in the state. The Governor and BJ are joined by Kevin Masse, an entrepreneur who moved to CT...

Senator Richard Blumenthal dropped by the Virtuoso studio to chat about cybersecurity, the privacy of children online, and how AI might threaten it all. Joining Sen. Blumenthal and host BJ Kito are cybersecurity expert Sal Marino from Charles IT and Greg Bordonaro, editor at the Hartford Business Journal.

Join us on an exciting journey with Rebel's Chief Strategy Officer BJ Kito and VP of Strategic Marketing & Impact Steve McLoughlin as they sit down with Pete Tucci, the founder and CEO of Tucci Lumber Co. He's gone from being one of minor league baseball's top prospects to all-star business exec, and his journey is nothing short of inspiring. Major league lessons on the reality...