87:60 by Virtuoso
How are the greatest leaders able to recall, leverage, and translate prior experiences into insights for decision-making? Co-hosts BJ Kito & Steve McLoughlin seek to shed light on the experiences that most leaders rely upon (consciously or subconsciously). It's an instinct developed through consistency, focus, and determination -- 24/7, 365 days a year...or, 8760 hours a year. This is the 87:60 podcast. Experience isn’t gained in an instant, progress is seldom made in a day, and success doesn’t just manifest through sheer force. There’s more to success than a 24/7 grind. More than a “why” others can validate. More than intuition, instinct, gut feel… and perhaps a little bit of luck. Visionary leaders and entrepreneurs have an eidetic mind for experiences. It’s here they amass knowledge and instincts to fuel an extraordinary ability to innately forecast outcomes of various scenarios in real time. To see their optimal future reality and identify the decisions that get them one step closer. The 87:60 Podcast digs into how the greatest leaders are able to recall, leverage, and translate prior experiences into insights for decision-making. We ask, what are they able to see in the future that gives them the confidence to “trust their gut” and remain steadfast when others doubt them? And, how do they build a business when the clarity of the way forward is largely held in the cipher of their mind?
Episodes
Cybersecurity isn’t just about firewalls and fear. It’s about protecting the systems that hold the world together. In this episode, Justin Orcutt, Microsoft’s defense and cybersecurity lead for top global contractors, explains how “unknown unknowns,” AI, and zero trust are reshaping security. From nation-state threats and regulatory frameworks to Connecticut’s growing role as a defense and cyber hub, Orcutt explores what it takes t...
Quantum technology and life sciences may seem like two different worlds — but in Connecticut, they’re rapidly converging. In this episode, Albert Green, CEO of QuantumCT, and Jodie Gillon, CEO of BioCT, explain how the state is becoming a national hub for quantum innovation, biotech advancement, and workforce development.
Artificial intelligence doesn’t have to live in the hands of a few. In this episode, Edward Zyszkowski, CEO and Chairman of Personal Digital Spaces, explains how decentralization, data licensing, and small, specialized models are reshaping the AI economy. From the early foundations of neural networks to today’s human-first design, Zyszkowski explores a future where consent, control, and compensation define digital progress.
From nuclear submarines to cybersecurity strategy, Ian Leatherman’s journey proves that innovation starts with curiosity and the courage to rethink what’s possible. As a former Navy engineer turned Microsoft security strategist, Ian has helped reshape how the federal government, defense sector, and private industry protect critical systems and infrastructure.
111 years in business doesn’t mean playing it safe.
Jill Mayer, CEO of Bead Industries, is proving that legacy and innovation aren’t opposites — they’re fuel for each other.
As the fifth-generation leader of a family company, she’s carrying forward more than a century of history while pushing into new markets, experimenting with technology, and rethinking what it means to build culture in modern manufacturing.
On this episode of 87:6...
Niko Zurita has spent his career scaling startups and building intentional workplace cultures. From early talent roles to leading People & Culture at Inbox Health, he’s helped companies grow with clarity, empathy, and operational focus.
Now, he’s applying that same mindset to a new challenge: group travel.
As co-founder of Vamos, Niko is solving the coordination chaos behind company retreats. Built for hybrid ...
Behind Shaping CT's Future Pitch Competition is the powerhouse team at UConn’s Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CCEI). Executive Director Jennifer Mathieu and Assistant Director Alycia Chrosniak have helped launch and grow hundreds of startups, designing accelerator programs, securing funding opportunities, and mentoring founders.
This episode highlights what makes Connecticut’s startup ecosystem unique...
Orbit Crates is reimagining playtime with a toy rental service designed to reduce clutter, encourage sustainable play, and help families save money. Founder Kim Conti, a three-time AI product founder, left a C-suite role to build a mission-driven business tackling the environmental and financial waste of toy overconsumption. This episode highlights the inspiration behind Orbit Crates, lessons from early customer feedback, and her v...
Puure is a mission-driven intimate apparel brand putting women’s health first. Founder Christina Phillips was inspired by her personal health journey to design organic, non-toxic lingerie that’s as safe and sustainable as it is beautiful. In this episode, Christina talks about the gaps in the intimate apparel market, how Puure blends wellness with fashion, and why conscious consumer choices can transform an industry.
Restore is a SaaS platform built for restaurants to track and resolve guest issues in real time, whether it’s handling concerns in person, offering rewards through the app, or using insights to improve service. Founder Nathan Catapano is focused on giving restaurant owners a credible, engaging tool that strengthens customer relationships and boosts operational performance. In this episode, Nathan shares how Restore helps hospitalit...
PatentPlus AI is automating one of the most time-consuming parts of innovation: patent search. Co-founder Massyl Mallem is pioneering a system that delivers premium-quality search reports in less than 24 hours, giving inventors and startups faster paths to protection and commercialization. We take a closer look at how AI can transform IP research, the impact on global innovation, and what’s next for their market-ready autonomous se...
Levo International is transforming food security with affordable, accessible hydroponic technology. Founder Christian Heiden started the company as a teenager and has since scaled it into a community-driven enterprise producing fresh, local food with 90% less water and faster growth than traditional farming. We talk about Levo’s journey from small pilot farms to statewide expansion and how their model empowers neighborhoods to grow...
Andrea Shields is a physician-entrepreneur and maternal health advocate, co-founding Varda5 to tackle a critical gap in emergency response education: maternal cardiac arrest. Their Obstetric Life Support (OBLS) training is a first-of-its-kind, evidence-based program preparing healthcare teams to save lives in critical moments. In this episode, Andrea discusses the urgent need for OBLS, the challenges of scaling life-saving training...
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, real-time pricing, escrow protectio...
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 known for turning...
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, and why staying off-camera might j...
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, channeling his pro athlete mindset...
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 Klipstein, President and CEO of US...
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 American football is following in ...
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, highlighting what our state offers...
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