Explore every episode of the podcast Connected Nation
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How Connected Nation is evolving digital skills training to help you understand and use AI | 20 Nov 2025 | 00:22:17 | |
On this episode of Connected Nation, we examine digital skills training and what it takes to evolve from the basics - like learning to use email and the internet - to really mastering emerging trends like AI. Related links: | |||
| The new blueprint for building broadband networks | 19 Nov 2025 | 00:20:37 | |
On this special episode of Connected Nation, we talk to leadership from the broadband program office at Cisco Systems. Learn about the new blueprint they're taking for building the networks that power your connectivity. Plus, we talk about AI, AI pods, and the company's broadband innovation centers. Recommended links: | |||
| The father and son duo focused on helping telecom manufacturers deliver their products | 01 Oct 2025 | 00:16:16 | |
On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk to a father and son team who rep a host of manufacturers in the broadband space. Find out how their model fills the needs of a wide range of companies, programs, and projects. Recommended links: Communications Marketing Systems - https://superrep.com/ Ken Lazear (dad) and Jake Lazear (son) | |||
| Innovative solutions for underserved populations: A conversation with Kwikbit Internet's CEO | 10 Apr 2024 | 00:45:04 | |
On today's two guest episode we are first joined by Joe Costello, the founder and CEO of Kwikbit Internet – an internet service provider with a mission to help some of the most underserved populations in the country. | |||
| Unlocking telehealth potential: State policy spotlight | 03 Apr 2024 | 00:40:17 | |
A recently released report examines how states are approaching reforms to telehealth laws – from allowing access to specialists across borders to creating more flexibility for innovation. | |||
| Lights! Camera! Action! Internet? One filmmaker shares how taking her craft online changed her work, opened new doors for moviemaking | 20 Mar 2024 | 00:47:20 | |
In recognition of Women's History Month, we're putting a spotlight on women who are leaders in tech or leveraging technology in new ways. | |||
| A technology-based model for mental health: How it's improving quality of care, expanding treatment options | 13 Mar 2024 | 00:41:41 | |
In recognition of Women's History Month, we're putting a spotlight on women who are leaders in tech or leveraging technology in new ways. Related links: | |||
| Unveiling the hybrid network model: GeoLinks' vision for connectivity | 06 Mar 2024 | 00:34:19 | |
On today's episode of the Connected Nation podcast, we welcome Ryan Adams, the President and Chief Operations Officer of GeoLinks, a California-based telecommunications company. | |||
| Breaking barriers: Black tech leaders' vision for digital equity | 21 Feb 2024 | 01:23:14 | |
On today's episode we celebrate and mark Black History Month by exploring issues important to African Americans relating to broadband, technology, and the Digital Divide. Dr. Fallon Wilson | |||
| A call to action for closing the digital access, design, and use divides | 14 Feb 2024 | 00:30:04 | |
On Season 5 Episode 5, we walk through the 2024 National Educational Technology Plan. It examines how technologies can raise the bar for elementary and secondary students – and offers solutions already being utilized by schools, districts, and states to close digital inequities in learning. Myths and Facts Surrounding Assistive Technology Devices and Services (PDF) (ed.gov) Digital Safety | Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center (ed.gov) | |||
| "If it doesn't exist, let's invent it." Discover the mindset of innovation with a Google insider. | 06 Feb 2024 | 00:45:19 | |
On this episode, we are joined by an amazing guest that is a US Army Veteran, IT Adjunct Professor at South University and Technical Program Manager at Google. We discuss his time in Iraq, his 18 years of experience in the "Game of Thrones" world of telecommunications and what it is like to work at Google. | |||
| Could this be the "easy button" for ISP development? | 29 Jan 2024 | 00:57:48 | |
On this episode of Connected Nation, we explore what it takes to connect some of the most rural areas across the country. You'll hear from leadership at Capcon Networks and Irby Utilities, who are not shy about calling themselves "The Dream Team" when it comes to helping smaller ISPs grow. Plus, we'll talk with a company that's benefitting from their guidance while doing the in-the-field, physical work daily to connect more Americans. | |||
| From theory to action: What new data tell us about tracking digital equity milestones | 17 Jan 2024 | 00:56:02 | |
In this episode of the Connected Nation Podcast, we explore a report addressing pivotal questions surrounding the digital equity landscape in the United States. As the nation invests billions of tax dollars to bridge the connectivity gap, our guests, the authors of "Developing Digital Equity Theory of Change with Tech Goes Home," provide valuable insights. Join us as we delve into the report and seek answers to the crucial question: "How do we measure progress?" | |||
| What a Danish company now manufacturing in the US can do to help improve broadband buildouts | 24 Sep 2025 | 00:15:33 | |
On this episode of Connected Nation, we ask what the Danish can do to help build out broadband in America? I talk to a rep with Lynddahl Telecom about the product they're now manufacturing in the US to do just that. Recommended links: Pete Spehr, SVP of Sales, Lynddahl Telecom America - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-spehr-0437042/ | |||
| Connecting continents: The Native Nation that's about to make broadband history | 02 Jan 2024 | 00:45:33 | |
On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with the Chairman of the Board and Head of Development for Toptana Technologies - the first Native American-owned company that is about to build a new cable landing station. | |||
| Getting the word out: Simple ways nonprofits can use the internet to reach a wider audience | 12 Dec 2023 | 00:44:06 | |
On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with three Connected Nation communications team members: our Senior Communication Specialist, Lily McCoy; Senior Marketing Specialist, Ashley Pino; and Communications Social Media Specialist, Grant Ahlbrand. | |||
| Why some say access to the internet at home is more important than running water | 04 Dec 2023 | 00:23:49 | |
On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with the CEO of Fiber Fast Homes – a company that works directly with real estate developers and builders to connect homes and rental buildings to lightning-fast internet. | |||
| "This is a once in a lifetime thing." A look into Arizona's fastest growing fiber to home and fixed wireless provider | 27 Nov 2023 | 00:35:13 | |
On this episode of Connectede Nation, we are joined by Ben Elkins, CEO of AireBeam Internet. He shares his mission to bring fiber to the rural communities of Arizona with the capabilities of a massive ISP and the personality of a small-town organization. | |||
| U.S. Broadband Summit: Discussing State, Native, and Publicly-owned broadband solutions | 17 Nov 2023 | 01:07:22 | |
On this episode of Connected Nation, we complete our coverage of the US Broadband Summit taking place in Washington, DC. | |||
| Broadband and Brews: Bringing together industry insiders | 16 Nov 2023 | 01:00:08 | |
On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with broadband leaders across the country including the founder of SHLB and those leading Puerto Rico’s Broadband Program. | |||
| Improving connectivity across America: Go inside the Inaugural U.S. Broadband Summit | 15 Nov 2023 | 00:45:44 | |
From industry insiders to government officials, many leaders in the broadband space believe we now have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to close the Digital Divide in America. That’s because there is finally a perfect storm – of sorts – with funding and understanding of why access and affordability to high-speed internet are critical. On this episode of Connected Nation, we take you inside the Inaugural U.S. Broadband Summit where internet service providers, nonprofits, customers, legislative leaders, and many others have come together to discuss how to finally make closing digital inequities across the US a reality. | |||
| "Don't just talk about it. Be about it." Meet the Hall of Famer who is helping thousands of adults learn digital skills | 06 Nov 2023 | 00:37:31 | |
On this episode of Connected Nation, we focus our attention on Teens Teach Tech - a program that's bridging generations by using the skills of teenagers to help adults take part in an increasingly digital world. | |||
| Small, smart towns: The company bringing smart technologies to rural America's schools, businesses, and towns | 18 Oct 2023 | 00:20:10 | |
You’ve heard of smart tvs, smart phones, and smart homes – and even smart cities in urban areas. On this episode of Connected Nation, we explore similar ideas for rural America and it includes Smart Towns, Smart Education, and Smart Business. | |||
| Women in telecom share why it's a great time to have more women working in broadband | 17 Oct 2023 | 00:19:48 | |
The broadband space has traditionally been a male-dominated industry – but that’s changing and more and more women are filling positions in the industry at all levels from the C-Suite to entry. | |||
| Special edition: Why Wichita is about to stake its claim in the AI revolution | 21 Sep 2025 | 00:27:40 | |
On this special edition of Connected Nation, we head back to Wichita, Kansas one last time for the AI Interconnection Summit, which took place on Thursday, September 11th. This time we talk with leadership from Stevens Fiber Group and Moonshot Energy about what they do, why Kansas is on their radar, and the reason this summit was their can't miss event. Recommended links: | |||
| 100th Episode: Talking tribal broadband with the nation's first tribally owned telecommunications company | 16 Oct 2023 | 00:32:33 | |
This marks Connected Nation's 100th episode. On this episode, we focus on the critical need to approach closing the Digital Divide on Native American lands with respect, humility, and long-term commitment. | |||
| Behind the company that's taking on cyberbullies and creating "smart towns" in rural America | 16 Oct 2023 | 00:36:56 | |
On this episode of Connected Nation, we discuss what resources families can access to combat the harmful effects of social media on the mental health of America’s youth. It’s a problem that’s grown so large and so serious that the US Surgeon General recently issued a call for urgent action to policymakers, technology companies, researchers, families, and others to protect teenagers and children online. Press release - https://www.calix.com/press-release/2023/august/tombigbee-fiber-prioritizes-protecting-children-from-social-media-dangers-launching-bark.html Press release - https://www.calix.com/press-release/2023/september/tombigbee-fiber-connects-9-school-football-fields-with-calix-smarttown.html
| |||
| The nuts and bolts: How "dumb infrastructure" is the backbone of America's connectivity | 16 Oct 2023 | 00:22:05 | |
Today, we speak with Tillman Infrastructure, a rapidly growing, carrier-trusted tower company that develops, owns, and operates assets providing connectivity infrastructure to communities across the United States. | |||
| New national research points to opportunities and action steps to shrink the Digital Divide | 09 Oct 2023 | 00:44:37 | |
On this episode of Connected Nation, we discuss new research that focuses on who is directly impacted by the Digital Divide and WHY they are still not getting online – even if offered financial assistance. | |||
| Three billion people worldwide don’t have internet access, this is how one company says we can fix it | 06 Sep 2023 | 00:39:23 | |
On this episode of Connected Nation, we ask “what if we could bridge the Digital Divide around the world by 2030?” That means connecting more than three billion people who do not have internet access. The CEO and Founder of World Mobile says it’s doable but only if we make networks that are “by the people, for the people.” He explains what needs to be done, how it will work, and what this means for the future of broadband connectivity. | |||
| Research: How the Digital Divide and the connected home are changing in America | 25 Aug 2023 | 00:44:01 | |
On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with leadership from Amdocs about new research that shows a new kind of Digital Divide is surfacing in the U.S. Plus, we explore the future of connectivity including how to more easily manage all those high-tech, wifi-enabled devices we're adding to our offices, businesses, and homes. | |||
| Grizzly bears, extreme weather, frozen ground: How one ISP is connecting people in the nation's last frontier | 17 Aug 2023 | 00:31:39 | |
On this episode of Connected Nation, we focus on the nation’s largest and most remote state – Alaska. Hear from leadership at MTA Solutions about the challenges of working across a massive frontier and learn about the historic terrestrial fiber connection to the "lower 48" that the company just completed. | |||
| What Texans say it will take to better connect the second largest state in the nation | 07 Aug 2023 | 00:13:39 | |
On this episode of Connected Nation, we take you deep into the heart of Texas as the state’s Broadband Development Office hosts a series of public meetings in both large and small communities. | |||
| Low latency is the new currency and DE-CIX wants to make sure rural America is rich with it | 25 Jul 2023 | 00:44:20 | |
On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk one-on-one with the Chairman & CEO of the DE-CIX group - the world’s leading operator of Internet Exchanges. Learn how DE-CIX navigates operations across multiple continents, find out what “interconnection ecosystems” are and why they’re important, and explore the new partnership that’s focused on connecting rural communities across the US. Newby Ventures - https://www.newby-ventures.com/ About Connected Nations IXPs - https://connectednation.org/ixp/ | |||
| The customer and the co-op: Hear from both sides about why and how to better connect rural America | 26 Jun 2023 | 00:11:05 | |
On this episode of Connected Nation, we head into America’s Heartland once more as the “Let’s Get Digital: Oklahoma Broadband Tour” makes its final stops. | |||
| Special edition: Two visionaries behind Kansas' digital leap | 18 Sep 2025 | 00:22:22 | |
On this special edition of Connected Nation, we head BACK to Wichita, Kansas for an AI Interconnection Summit. This time, we talk with the woman many credit with greenlighting the FIRST EVER Internet Exchange Point in Kansas and with one CEO who is going to help make it a reality. Recommended links: | |||
| Internet for All: How groups are working together in Oklahoma to accelerate broadband expansion | 01 Jun 2023 | 00:13:14 | |
On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with two ISPs that provide broadband to a myriad of western states AND with a nonprofit looking for partners to help “accelerate” how quickly people without high-speed internet get it. Learn why these three organizations – two of them competitors – came together in Tulsa for an Internet for All event hosted by the Oklahoma Broadband Office.
“Let’s Get Digital: Oklahoma Broadband Tour” - https://oklahoma.gov/broadband/outreach.html | |||
| The chicken or the egg: A workforce conundrum for America's broadband infrastructure | 31 May 2023 | 00:48:38 | |
On this episode of Connected Nation, we focus on a critical need within the workforce – having more trained workers who can help expand and maintain America’s broadband infrastructure. Learn why those who are laser focused on this issue are concerned that the federal rules around grant monies are not keeping up with the need and how they’d like ISPs and workforce development groups to step in and help. | |||
| In their own words: A new perspective on internet access in America from Tribal Governments | 24 May 2023 | 00:22:50 | |
On this espisode of Connected Nation, we get a new perspective on internet access in America – from the point-of-view of Tribal Governments. A group of Tribal respresentatives share what they’re already doing to connect reservations across Oklahoma AND what support is needed from federal and state governments. | |||
| "We will deliver!" The promise leadership in the Oklahoma Broadband Office just made | 22 May 2023 | 00:17:26 | |
On this episode of Connected Nation, we check back in with the “Let’s Get Digital: Oklahoma Broadband Tour” as makes it’s way through the largest metropolitan area of the state – Oklahoma City.
| |||
| Let's Get Digital: Why the pulse of America's Heartland depends on internet access | 18 May 2023 | 00:12:41 | |
On this episode of Connected Nation, we head into the Heartland for the “Let’s Get Digital: Oklahoma Broadband Tour” – an 18-stop internet listening tour. “Let’s Get Digital: Oklahoma Broadband Tour” - https://oklahoma.gov/broadband/outreach.html
| |||
| In their own words: Teens share how they're helping adults learn digital skills and why it's important | 03 May 2023 | 00:19:54 | |
On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with a group of teenagers who are helping adults in their community learn the digital skills they need to access important resources and opportunities. | |||
| Gig City Goes Quantum: preparing for the next wave of education, jobs, business opportunities | 24 Apr 2023 | 00:42:25 | |
On this episode of Connected Nation, we’re talking about what Albert Einstein called “spooky action at a distance” – quantum physics. | |||
| From Baby Boomers to Gen Z: How teens are using their tech skills to help older adults | 06 Apr 2023 | 00:32:17 | |
On this episode of Conneced Nation, we focus on a new program that’s flipping the script by asking teenagers to TEACH adults in their communities new skills. It's called Teens Teach Tech. | |||
| From the vault: Lyft's new CEO on using technology to help others | 30 Mar 2023 | 00:24:47 | |
The big business news this week is that Lyft's co-founders are resigning, and David Risher has been named as the new CEO. In light of these headlines, we're taking you into the vault of Connected Nation. Worldreader app: bebooksmart.com Pew Research study referenced in podcast - https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/06/22/digital-divide-persists-even-as-americans-with-lower-incomes-make-gains-in-tech-adoption/ | |||
| Google, Samsung, META: This organization gets some of the world's largest companies to work together | 13 Mar 2023 | 00:31:25 | |
Google, Samsung, META, Cisco— big names that are all part of the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA), which is a global organization that connects people with the latest Wi-Fi initiatives. | |||
| From metaverse to AI: what’s next for broadband? | 17 Sep 2025 | 00:27:40 | |
On this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our coverage from Mountain Connect 2025 as we sit down with broadband entrepreneur Scott Sampson, CEO of Blueprint Broadband and founder of Light Craft and Mac Mountain to talk about the fast-changing tech landscape. Hear how his ventures are supporting ISPs with financing, operations, and shared services and why collaboration is the key to closing the Digital Divide. Recommended links: | |||
| Faster speeds, lower costs: How IXPs can bring world-class internet to smaller cities, rural areas | 06 Mar 2023 | 00:55:10 | |
On this episode of Connected Nation, we focus on the question of how to effectively bring world-class internet access to smaller cities and rural areas across the US. The 125 “target” locations for IXPs - https://connectednation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/CNIXP_target_location_list.pdf | |||
| On the road with MIHI: Why connecting America's farms, ranches is critical for us all | 01 Mar 2023 | 00:08:44 | |
On this episode of Connected Nation, we wrap-up our look at the Michigan Connected Future Tour—an ambitious 40-stop listening tour focused on internet access in Michigan. | |||
| On the road with MIHI: Tackling the question of affordable access for all | 27 Feb 2023 | 00:10:08 | |
On this episode of Connected Nation, we return to Michigan for part three of our look at the Michigan Connected Future Tour. It’s an ambitious 40-stop listening tour being conducted by the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office, which is developing a five-year internet connectivity plan for the state. | |||