Connecticut civic life, explained plainly.
Community Access keeps a practical eye on Connecticut civic life, from West Hartford wellness fairs to New Britain fundraisers. Its conversations are direct, welcoming, and built around what an organization does, where it serves, and why an upcoming event matters.
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Community Access is a Connecticut-centered interview program that treats local events and services as useful civic information. It is straightforward. Each episode introduces a guest, identifies the organization, and then walks through what is happening, who it serves, and how the community can take part. The range is broad, but the emphasis is consistent. The show spends time with nonprofits, health providers, arts organizations, chambers of commerce, wellness studios, dental practices, and real estate service businesses. A conversation with Mimi Madden explains the American Mural Project in Winstead as a large indoor collaborative mural honoring work and workers. Another episode with Joy Peck and Kirsten Foster focuses on Cancer Survivors Day at St. Francis Hospital, especially the role of patients, families, caregivers, and staff. The West Hartford Chamber of Commerce segment outlines the WeHa Health and Wellness Fair, including traditional medicine, physical therapy, fitness, mental health services, chiropractic, senior care, and spa services. Joyce Bray describes the Connecticut Breast Health Initiative through local research funding, education, and the Connecticut Race in the Park. Dr. Abbas Mohammadi discusses Columbia Dental locations across Connecticut and the need for weekend and year-round access. Edwin Thrower frames Shakespeare as performance first, with Capital Classics making outdoor productions approachable and affordable. Jamie Gray explains Restore Hyper Wellness through practical wellness services such as red light therapy. Dominic Santanello and Luke Giusto describe Naples Homebuyers through real estate, clean-outs, dumpsters, and fast cash offers for sellers in difficult situations. The show is not flashy. Its value is in clarity, repetition, and local usefulness. Questions are simple by design, which gives guests room to explain logistics and purpose. The result is a steady guide to organizations operating around Hartford, West Hartford, Winstead, New Britain, Manchester, and nearby communities. It best serves listeners who want to know what local groups are doing before deciding where to go, volunteer, seek help, or learn more.
Made for: Community Access is for Connecticut listeners who want practical awareness of local events, nonprofits, health resources, arts programming, and service businesses. It also suits people who prefer calm, explanatory interviews over opinion-driven news.
What sets it apart: The show stands out by giving local guests time to explain both logistics and purpose. It is less about commentary than about making community resources, fundraisers, fairs, performances, and services easy to understand.
Find out what's going on in Connecticut this weekend and in the coming weeks.
Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.
A Bristol officer's coffee shop story centered on espresso, cold brew testing, and local growth.
Community Access comes across as a grounded local profile, following Vinny Infante and Lion's Den Coffee Shop in Southington through the everyday details that make the place feel lived in.
Short-term rental lessons from the operator side.
Alison Demers interviews Vinny Infante, owner of Lion's Den Coffee Shop in Southington, Connecticut.
Alison Demers interviews Rebecca Jones, who stars as the Ghost of Christmas Past in Hartford Stage's production of A Christmas Carol.
This episode features an interview with leaders from Live Well, a Connecticut-based not-for-profit organization discussing their 35-year history in aging services and the launch of the nation's first brain health and dementia prevention clinic in partnership with Yale School of Nursing.
This episode features an interview with West Hartford Chamber of Commerce representatives discussing the upcoming 2026 WeHa Health and Wellness Fair, including its purpose, vendors, and community impact.
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This episode features Mimi Madden discussing the American Mural Project, a large indoor collaborative mural in Winstead that celebrates work and workers, and its upcoming involvement in the America 250 anniversary celebration.
This episode features an interview with Joyce Bray, president of the Connecticut Breast Health Initiative, discussing the organization's mission to fund breast cancer research and education in Connecticut, including details about their upcoming fundraiser.
Two nurses from Smilo Cancer Center discuss their upcoming Cancer Survivors Day event on June 7th, highlighting its purpose to honor patients, families, and caregivers at all stages of the cancer journey.
This episode features an interview with Edwin Thrower from Capital Classics Theatre Company discussing their 35th year of outdoor Shakespeare festivals and an upcoming Shakespeare Fun Night event.
Allison Demers interviews Jamie Gray, owner of Restore Hyper Wellness, about their wellness services including red light therapy for inflammation, circulation, and mood.
This episode features the co-founders of Naples Homebuyers explaining their business model of providing fast cash solutions for motivated sellers in tough situations, along with their complementary waste management services.
This episode features an interview with Christy Gonsalves, show producer and chair of the 44th Connecticut Flower and Garden Show, discussing the event's schedule, seminars, and demonstrations.