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PODCAST

Connected Nation

This is Connected Nation – an award-winning podcast focused on all things broadband. From closing the Digital Divide to simply improving your internet speeds, we talk technology topics that impact all of us, our families, and our communities.The podcast was honored in 2024 with an Award of Excellence for Podcast Series - Technology. This is the highest honor given by the Communicator Awards. More recently, the podcast received an Award of Distinction in 2025. It received the same honor in 2023 and

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All Episodes

23:47

The national Digital Divide Award goes to...

Connected Nation ·

2025/07/30

On this episode of Connected Nation, we wrap up our coverage from the 2025 Broadband Communities Summit in Houston, Texas. Telecommunications legal expert Philip Macres breaks down the new BEAD rules—what’s good, what’s bad, and what’s uncertain—as states prepare for fast-moving deadlines and funding decisions. Then we sit down with Megan Steckly, CEO of Compudopt, this year’s National Digital Divide Award winner, to hear how her nonprofit is on track to impact 1 million lives thr...

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12:42

The exhibit booth no one wanted to miss at the 2025...

Connected Nation ·

2025/07/28

In this special bonus episode of Connected Nation, we take you straight to the heart of the action on the exhibit floor at the Broadband Communities Summit. Join us as we explore the buzz around Interduct.com — the booth everyone was talking about. Discover why it captured so much attention. Recommended Links: Innerduct Website

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11:57

Assessing telehealth attitudes and usage in Northwest...

Connected Nation ·

2025/07/24

On this episode, we’re reporting from the Broadband Communities Summit in Houston, Texas, where we sit down with Molly Weiner, Director of Local and Regional Planning for Connected Nation. Molly shares insights from a new telehealth study focused on seven rural counties in northwest Colorado, conducted in partnership with Colorado’s eHealth Innovation Office. We explore why many residents still aren’t using telehealth, what’s holding them back, and how education, awareness, and digital ...

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12:22

Communities, Coops, Native Lands: Building open...

Connected Nation ·

2025/07/22

Send us a text BONUS EPISODE: On this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our coverage from the Broadband Community Summit. We talk with Drew Pappas from Bonfire Infrastructure Group on how they help communities build open networks across the country. Recommended links: Bonfire Website Guest's LinkedIn

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24:16

This company is the Internet Service Provider of...

Connected Nation ·

2025/07/16

On this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our coverage live from the Broadband Community Summit in Houston, Texas. On this edition we sit down with two representatives from Cogent Communications. We discuss the evolution of data centers, talk about Cogent's work globally, and how it is the Internet Service Provider of Internet Service Providers. Recommended Link: Cogent website

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23:22

DirecTV's big changes and the company that's creating...

Connected Nation ·

2025/07/10

In this episode of Connected Nation, host Jessica Denson continues coverage from the 2025 Broadband Communities Summit in Houston. First, she sits down with Dawn Intili of DirecTV, who breaks down how the company is reshaping its services for the modern streaming era and expanding into multifamily dwellings with flexible, cost-effective options. Then, Jessica chats with Scott Garnder and Duane Lyons of Dura-Line, who explain how fiber pathways are being built smarter — and how som...

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28:43

Where civil rights and digital access meet

Connected Nation ·

2025/07/02

In this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our coverage from the Broadband Communities Summit in Houston, Texas. Jessica Denson speaks with Tyler Dempsey and Shelby Smith of Sonar Software about what sets their OSS/BSS platform apart in a rapidly changing industry—and why launching their new podcast “Bandwidth” is part of building stronger connections. Later, we hear from Adeyinka O. Ogunlegan, Chief of Staff and VP of Federal Affairs at the National Urban League. She shares why b...

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14:21

You never know who you'll meet at the Broadband...

Connected Nation ·

2025/06/26

On this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our coverage live from the Broadband Community Summit in Houston, Texas. We talk with Heather Gate, Executive Vice President of Digital Transformation for Connected Nation about the summit and the topic she's focused on. But as you'll hear, things didn't quite go as we'd planned. I like to call this one. You never know who you're gonna meet when you're with Heather Gate. Recommended Links: WSU and CNIXP projectWichita State University (WS...

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21:37

From Middle Mile to high stakes in the High Court:...

Connected Nation ·

2025/06/25

On this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our coverage from the Broadband Community Summit, and we talk with the president and CEO of MCNC, about its role connecting schools and healthcare facilities across North Carolina. We also talk about the importance of middle mile infrastructure and the high stakes of an upcoming court decision. Recommended Links: Microelectronics Center of North Carolina (MCNC) websitePodcast: High Stakes in the High Court as Nation Awaits USF DecisionTra...

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14:19

Why the SHLB Coalition's defense of the USF impacts...

Connected Nation ·

2025/06/24

Today we begin our in-depth coverage of the Broadband Communities Summit taking place in Houston, Texas. On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with Joseph Wender, Executive Director of the SHLB Coalition about what's happening this week to critical funding that's used to connect our nation's schools and libraries. Recommended Links: Broadband Communities SummitSchools, Health, & Libraries Broadband CoalitionSupreme Court hears arguments on USF Constitutionality: Decisio...

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37:25

Meet “The Energy Expert” who says she can help...

Connected Nation ·

2025/06/18

Why does workplace energy matter — and how can we build it? Dana Spencer, known as “The Energy Expert,” joins us to share how she’s helping organizations revitalize employee productivity, morale, and team dynamics using her Five S framework. From remote work boundaries to self-awareness and the power of a simple smile, this episode will leave you feeling recharged. Recommended Links: Dana Spencer's LinkedIn

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31:11

Broadband leaders gather in Houston just weeks after...

Connected Nation ·

2025/06/17

On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with a representative from the Broadband Communities Summit about the topics and speakers attendees can expect in Houston, Texas — and why now is a critical time to come together. Find out what Brad Randall has to say about the new BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) rules—and how Total Telecom is involved in the Broadband Communities Summit. Recommended Links: Broadband Communities Summit 2025Total Telecom website Brad Randa...

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62:24

From 10 employees to 1,000: Nextlink Internet's story...

Connected Nation ·

2025/06/11

On this episode of Connected Nation, we sit down with Bill Baker, CEO of Nextlink Internet, to explore how this Texas-based provider is leading the charge in expanding broadband across 12 states—serving some of the country’s most rural and underserved communities. Baker shares the extraordinary origin story of Nextlink, explains what “radical, organic growth” means, and unpacks the company’s unique approach to fiber and fixed wireless deployment. We also dive into the company’s major ro...

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34:06

How proposed changes to E-rate could impact America's...

Connected Nation ·

2025/06/04

On this episode of Connected Nation, we’re diving into proposed changes to the federal E-rate program — and what those changes could mean for schools, libraries, and the millions of students who rely on internet access to learn. Our guest, Mark Colwell, Director of Broadband Operations at Mission Telecom, brings years of experience in federal and state broadband policy to the table. He explains how efforts to scale back E-Rate funding — particularly for Wi-Fi hotspots and off-campus access — ...

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63:06

Before the storm: What ISPs can do as we enter...

Connected Nation ·

2025/05/29

Hurricane season is here — and it’s expected to be one of the most active on record. In this episode of Connected Nation, we sit down with three industry leaders who know exactly what it takes to keep people online before, during, and after a disaster. Together, they unpack real lessons from 2024’s devastating Hurricane Helene, including how to prepare for outages, deploy emergency Wi-Fi, and coordinate with first responders — and why small and regional ISPs are critical lifelines in rural co...

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43:21

History in the making: Connected Nation breaks ground...

Connected Nation ·

2025/05/21

On this episode of Connected Nation, we take you to Wichita, Kansas for an historic event – the groundbreaking of the first Internet Exchange Point in the state. We talk with those who have been working toward this moment for years – about what an Internet Exchange Point is, why it’s important to individuals, businesses, and communities, AND the effort to bring this same infrastructure to 125 towns across the country. Related links: CNIXP: connectednation.org/ixp Wichita State Univers...

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34:49

The simple step small ISPs should be taking to grow...

Connected Nation ·

2025/05/14

In this episode of Connected Nation, Jessica Denson revisits with Ben Elkins, CEO of Utah Broadband and AireBeam, to discuss the outsized impact that small and medium-sized internet service providers (ISPs) can have on closing the Digital Divide. From strategic builds in underserved communities to innovative fiber solutions in mobile home parks, Ben shares how these regional providers are solving last-mile connectivity challenges, preparing for BEAD funding, and competing with big-name ...

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21:37

A digitally inclusive journey: Meet the 2025 Student...

Connected Nation ·

2025/04/30

What do YOU think motivates some people to put their own needs aside to help others? We talked with one extraordinary teenager who is taking action to the close the Digital Divide – by helping both senior citizens and those dealing with homelessness. On this episode of Connected Nation, we head to Birmingham, Alabama to meet the 2025 National Student Broadband Hero Award honoree – Michael Schmalz. Related links: Teens Teach Tech, powered by AT&T Digital Harmonies Press...

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11:52

AT&T’s commitment to digital learning at all ages

Connected Nation ·

2025/04/24

On this episode of Connected Nation, we wrap up our coverage of the Connected America conference with a powerful conversation about bridging the Digital Divide. Host Jessica Denson is joined by Viviana Cohuo, Lead Project Manager for AT&T’s Corporate Social Responsibility team. They dive into AT&T’s nationwide efforts to build digital skills through programs like Teens Teach Tech powered by AT&T, Ready Tech Go workshops with National PTA, and new device donation initiatives....

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38:19

The Copper Countdown: What landline retirement means...

Connected Nation ·

2025/04/17

The retirement of copper landlines is accelerating — and many businesses aren’t ready. On this episode of Connected Nation, guest host Grant Ahlbrand speaks with Max Silber, Vice President of Mobility and IoT at MetTel, to explore why this shift is happening now, what it means for essential services and businesses, and how digital solutions can deliver safer, smarter, and more cost-effective communication infrastructure. Whether you’re a business owner, IT manager, or simply curio...

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236 results

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