EP #131: Arunan Arulampalam - Mayor of Hartford (Connecticut)

Arunan Arulampalam ( @mayorarunan ) is the Mayor of Hartford (Connecticut).

He joins Ara on this week’s episode of #TheTamilCreator to discuss South Asian representation slowly growing in the politics, his parents’ belief that “no one would vote for someone with the last name, Arulampalam” because of the world they inherited and overcoming these underdog odds, being the CEO of a non-profit before running for mayor, his passion for Hartford, the importance of faith and family in keeping him rooted, and so much more.

Follow Arunan:
- Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mayorarunan/)   

Timestamps

00:19 - Ara introduces this week’s guest, Arunan Arulampalam
01:22 - Arunan’s thoughts on how the 2025 US Elections played out
03:34 - Arunan speaks on his childhood years; not realizing he’d end up in politics
06:43 - Politics being less openly discussed in today’s world
07:09 - College, love, career, and family; Atlanta, LA, and Hartford
08:43 - Why he loves Hartford; why you should visit
10:16 - Being the CEO of a non-profit before running for mayor
12:00 - His path to becoming mayor; beating the odds as an underdog
15:47 - What he wants to accomplish during his time as mayor
17:51 - His day-to-day as mayor; navigating a lack of time
19:28 - How he manages his energy through work and familiar priorities
21:20 - Family and faith dictating his decisions; staying humble
23:35 - His biggest learning lessons since becoming mayor
27:18 - What’s the Tamil-community like in Hartford?
29:25 - Advice he would give his 16-year-old self
30:17 - The legacy he wants to be remembered for by friends and family
30:51 - Creator Confessions
35:36 - The Wrap Up

Intro Music

Produced And Mixed By:
- The Tamil Creator
- Yanchan

Written By:
- Aravinthan Ehamparam
- Yanchan Rajmohan