This is Spark: The Innovate Long Island Podcast, featuring up-close conversations with the inventors, investors, executives and entrepreneurs fueling the dynamic Long Island innovation economy. Spark is a production of Innovate Long Island, the home of exceptional thought in Nassau and Suffolk and beyond.
Innovate Long Island is a digital media company covering and promoting the Long Island innovation economy. Our website is located at www.InnovateLI.com
A conversation with James Chitty, CEO of Talon Air
Private-jet travel is not just a lifestyle of the rich and famous – it’s an important resource for businesses of all shapes and sizes, on Long Island and beyond.
As chief executive officer of Talon Air – a full-service operator specializing in aircraft charter, maintenance and management operations, based at East Farmingdale’s Republic Airport – James Chitty recognizes the importance of this economic cornerstone and relishes the challenge of increasing his company’s already impressive wingspan.
In today’s episode, James joins Spark Host Gregory Zeller to discuss the inherent challenge of spiraling fuel costs, the immense opportunity created by ongoing chaos at U.S. public airports and other ups and downs of the private-jet industry – including Talon’s relentless focus on safety, efficiency and happy landings around the globe.
19 Mar 2026
An interview with Dr. James Lentini, President of Molloy University
You might already know James Lentini, but not as president of Molloy University.
He’s that for sure, and one of the best in the business – in his six years at the helm, Dr. Lentini has overseen Molloy’s transition from college to university, helped double the institution’s endowment and led steady gains in first-year enrollment, belying both the COVID pandemic and declining rates at nationwide private colleges.
But he may ring your bell because Dr. Lentini can shred the axe: The Classical guitarist, internationally recognized composer and proud Rock aficionado is well-known to music lovers, with more than 10 albums strumming in the wind.
On this episode of “Spark: The Innovate Long Island Podcast,” the surprisingly scientific Molloy music master joins host Gregory Zeller to share the similarities between left-brain academia and right-brain artistry – and note that Molloy University is just tuning up.
8 Dec 2025
A Conversation with Dan Lloyd, Program Director, Accelerate Long Island
Long Island has the cutting-edge laboratories, the world-class talent, the technological know-how, the proud manufacturing history – everything it needs to be a hub of 21st Century R&D and venture investment.
But with cornerstone institutions all over its wide-spread map – Nassau Suffolk, North Shore, South Shore – it sometimes lacks the cohesion of a New York City or a Silicon Valley.
Enter ambitious nonprofit business booster Accelerate Long Island, now 15 years into its mission to unify all this next-level R&D into a well-oiled nexus for both entrepreneurs and investors.
In today’s episode, Accelerate Long Island Program Director Dan Lloyd – the “civic entrepreneur” who also founded the successful community-oriented nonprofit Minority Millennials – discusses the challenges of melding Long Island’s far-flung innovation landscape into a single entity (plus the joys of family and, arguably, New Jersey’s most famous sandwich).
Podcast Authority Score: 39 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
68
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
27
Contact Spark: The InnovateLI Podcast
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Spark: The InnovateLI Podcast?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
