This is Connected Nation – a 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. To learn more about our national nonprofit, head to connectednation.org.
Send a textOn this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with leadership from the Minnesota Telecom Alliance. Learn how they work with co-ops and family ISPs to help them stay ahead of the curve, what it's like working with the state broadband office in Minnesota, and why they believe BEAD is one of the worst things to happen to rural broadband in America.Recommended links:Minnesota Telecom Alliance websiteBrent's LinkedIn
Send a textOn this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our coverage from the Broadband Nation Expo taking place in Orlando, Florida. And we're doing so by telling a story from Montana, one of two tribes, two nations, and the effort to connect an entire reservation across borders. Recommended links: Fort Belknap Indian CommunityDonald Long Knife LinkedIn
Send a textOn today's podcast, we're talking with the Tribal Broadband Leader for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. We'll explore how one of the largest federally recognized tribes is tackling connectivity challenges, leading fiber initiatives, and shaping broadband policy for Tribal communities nationwide.Recommended links: Robert Griffin LinkedInChoctaw Nation LinkedInChoctaw Nation websiteFiber Broadband AssociationConnected Nation Internet Exchange Points
Send us a textToday, we're bringing you a bonus episode for Black History Month. In it, we ask the simple question, how comfortable are you with using AI in your business? We talk with Black leadership at Bavardio to get some tips on what to do to improve your workflow and find out what you should definitely avoid.Recommended links:Bavardio websiteCharles' LinkedInBavardio's LinkedIn
Send us a textBroadband isn't just about speed—it's about people. This episode of Connected Nation highlights how Tarana Wireless is connecting families, schools, and small businesses AND inviting them to see how it all comes together with hands-on, behind-the-scenes technology tours.Recommended links:Tarana websiteCarl's LinkedIn
Send us a textWhat would you do if you didn't like what was played on your radio station? You probably would just change the channel. What if you didn't like your connectivity? You'd probably just change the company that you're using. In this bonus episode of Connected Nation for Black History Month, we'll introduce you to one man who actually started his own radio station and his own ISP simply because he felt like it was needed. Recommended links:Media King Communications website
Send us a textOn this episode of Connected Nation, we sit down with leadership from Dense Networks, which works with the public sector across the country. Find out what they're doing to help government organizations understand AI, what it means to "build versus buy", and predictions for how AI will be used long term.Recommended links: Peter Murray LinkedinDense Networks website
Send us a textOn this episode of Connected Nation, we talk to a company that tailors its services to small businesses - helping them with whatever they need from recruitment to HR services to workforce development. We discuss solutions for the challenges small businesses face, including how to approach doing business in a time when many workers are asking for hybrid or remote positions only. Reccomended links:Dana Syme Althoff LinkedinIncipio Workforce Solutions
Send us a textOn this episode of Connected Nation, we sit down with Ashley-Shae Benton, Interim Chief of Staff at Canopy, and Stephanie Kelley, Director of Client Services at The Gleason Group, to discuss what it means to “do business better”—from using AI more ethically to creating joy in the workplace, whether in person or remote.Recommended links:Canopy Good Business SummitAshley-Shae Benton LinkedinStephanie Kelley Linkedin
Send us a textOn this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with leadership from Trimble Inc., a global tech company shaking up the construction industry. The company's mission — to transform the way the world works. We talk about connecting the physical and digital worlds, construction solutions and challenges, and BEAD funding deployment. Recommended links: Trimble websiteGareth Gibson Linkedin
Send us a textOn this episode of Connected Nation, we're going exploring with GoodMaps, the indoor navigation app. We'll talk with leadership from GoodMaps about the way LiDAR imaging works, why indoor navigation is critical for millions of Americans, and find out what's next for this innovative tech company.Recommended links: Theresa Reno-Weber LinkedInGoodMaps website
Send us a textOn this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with the representative from Vantage Point Solutions who took the main stage at Calix ConnecXions 2025 in front of 3,000 attendees. Find out what she told the crowd about using AI and preparing for the future. Recommended links:Jacki Miskimins, Director of Communications & EngagementVantage Point SolutionsVantage Point Solutions websiteAsOne Ministries websiteCorn Palace website
Send us a textOn this bonus episode of Connected Nation, we talk with leadership from Mission Telecom about their new RESPOND Kit – a broadband solution for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. It's not just for ISPs. This product was built for everyone from disaster agencies to nonprofits responding to immediate and long term need. Recommended links: Mission Telecom websiteMark Colwell Linkedin
Send us a textOn this episode of Connected Nation, we talk to two technicians about building broadband in some of the most rural areas in America - Wyoming, and Montana.We also put them on the spot by asking them to build a STEAM packet for local kids. This is what happened. Recommended links:Range.netGoodera
Send us a textOn today's episode of Connected Nation, we ask what it takes to win the partner award for innovation given by Calix every year. The answer: be a disruptor. We'll talk with the CEO and Co-founder of Camvio about winning the award and find out how the company has been and is approaching innovation including leveraging AI years before AI was "cool." Recommended links:Jennifer Logsdon, CEO & Co-founder, Camvio LinkedInCamvio website
Send us a textOn this episode on Connected Nation, we chat with Chris Homan, Telecom Vertical Leader for Paymentus, about the company's multi-vertical payment platform, their partnership with Calix, and their show-stopping conference booth!Recommended links: Calix ConneXions 2025Paymentus websiteChris Homan LinkedIn
Send us a textOn this episode of Connected Nation, we sit down with Google's Head of Global Quality and Commissioning to discuss how industry leaders are coming together to set standards for data center infrastructure. Find out how your company can get involved and why setting a standard now is important for AI in the future. Related links:Google Gino Tozzi's Linkedin Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) details data center quality management
Send us a textOn 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:AI Literacy Resource HubDigital Literacy and Learning ProgramTeens Teach Tech, powered by AT&TDigital Works
Send us a textOn 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:Robin Olds' LinkedInCisco webpage
Send us a textOn this episode of Connected Nation, we have a special guest - Chairman and CEO of our national nonprofit, Tom Ferree. We'll discuss what it means to map joy in the workplace AND find out how Connected Nation can help broadband leaders do everything from tackle AI to more easily tracking BEAD compliance.Recommended links: Tom Ferree LinkedinCanopy Good Business SummitConnected Nation website
Send us a textOn this episode of Connected Nation, we're taking you to Big Sky Country for a conversation with the Montana State Broadband Director. We ask her how she and her team are implementing the ConnectMT Broadband Program in a place that attracts people because it's wild and rural. Recommended links: Montana Broadband Office websiteMisty Ann Giles LinkedinBEAD Program (NTIA webpage)
Send us a textOn this episode on Connected Nation, we continue our coverage from rom Calix ConneXions 2025, taking place in Las Vegas Nevada. We talk with one man who just struck out on his own in the telecom and broadband industry, despite some of those uncertainties. Find out how he's planning to leverage his 35 years in the business to help others, and why he believes it was now or never.Recommended links: Calix ConneXions 2025Waypoint 33 websiteRandall Rene LinkedIn
Send us a textOn this episode on Connected Nation, we continue our coverage from rom Calix ConneXions 2025, which took place in Las Vegas in mid-October. We sat down with the Corporate VP of Marketing for Calix to discuss innovating customer success, implementing a smarter AI, and using a little showmanship to drive the messages home.Recommended links: Calix ConneXions 2025Scott Neuman Calix Corporate Vice President of Marketing LinkedIn
Send us a textOn this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with leadership from Mac Mountain. A recently launched company that's taking a unique approach to expanding broadband by helping other businesses grow. Listen and find out how the model works and what led to this non-traditional approach to expanding access to more homes and businesses.Recommended links: Mac Mountain WebsiteAlex Rozek LinkedInScott Sampson LinkedIn
Send us a textIn this episode of the Connected Nation podcast, we talk with Bree Maki, Executive Director, Minnesota Broadband Office. Listen as we discuss the next steps for connecting everyone in Minnesota!Recommended links: Minnesota Broadband Office Website
Send us a textOn this episode of Connected Nation, we begin our coverage from Calix ConneXions 2025, taking place in Las Vegas Nevada. We talk with Jacob Smithee, the Director of IT from a Co-op in Alabama, about the challenges of bringing high speed internet to extremely rural areas. Plus we find out what he hopes for connectivity in his state and how his company recently helped the Navajo Nation with a completely different problem.Recommended links: Calix ConneXions 2025Flash Fiber website
Send us a textOn this episode of Connected Nation, we're joined by a special guest who has spent nearly a decade researching the Digital Divide and meeting many of those who are directly impacted by it.Find out what Dr. Christopher Ali is working on now AND the claim he says many broadband leaders need to stop making now or risk creating more harm. Recommended links:Get "Farm Fresh Broadband: The Politics of Rural Connectivity" Dr. Christopher Ali Penn State University
Send us a textOn 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)https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-lazear-586a20149/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacoblazear/
Send us a textOn 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: Lynddahl Telecom website Pete Spehr, SVP of Sales, Lynddahl Telecom America - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-spehr-0437042/
Send us a textOn 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:AI Interconnection Summit websiteStevens Fiber Group's website Allen Meyer's Linkedin profileMoonshot Energy's website Bryan Lubin's Linkedin profile
Send us a textOn 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:AI Interconnection Summit websiteSocket Fiber websiteJade Piros de Carvalho Linkedin profile iM Data Centers websiteMike Roark Linkedin profile
Send us a textOn 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:Scott Sampson LinkedInBlueprint BroadbandMac Mountain
Send us a textOn this special edition of Connected Nation, we head to Wichita, Kansas for a first-of-its-kind event – an AI Interconnection Summit.We begin our coverage with Ivo Ivanov - the CEO of DE-CIX - one of the world's biggest names when it comes to internet infrastructure. Find out why he felt it was critical to travel to America's heartland for the summit, what his company is doing there in the long term, and why what's happening there will ultimately impact us all. Recommended links:AI Interconnection Summit websiteDE-CIX websiteIvo Ivanov's Linkedin profile
On this episode of Connected Nation, we are joined by the leadership at the Range, which is short for regional accelerator and new growth engine. Learn how the organization is focusing on creating incredible innovation and everything from energy and food production to workforce development and healthcare in one of the most rural areas of America, the Texas Panhandle.Recommended Links:The Range websiteThe Range LinkedInMatt Garner LinkedIn
What makes Fort Collins' community-owned internet one of the best ISPs in the nation? Find out from their Broadband Executive Director on this latest episode of the Connected Nation podcast. Join us as we sit down with Chad Crager to discuss how this city-built network is redefining customer service, digital inclusion, and the future of broadband.Recommended Links: Chad Crager LinkedInFort Collins Connexion
On this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our coverage from Mountain Connect 2025 as we sit down with Connected Nation's very own Brent Legg, Executive Vice President, Government Affairs. We discuss the one-of-a-kind Connected Nation Internet Exchange Point (IXP) joint venture with Newby Ventures and why it's so important for the future of connectivity.Learn about the latest policy and infrastructure needs—PLUS the challenges and opportunities ahead in 2025–2026.Recommended links:Newby VenturesDE-CIXIvo Ivanov LinkedInBrent Legg LinkedInHunter Newby LinkedIn
On this episode of Connected Nation, host Jessica Denson talks with Mike Miller, Broadband Practice Leader at HDR—a 107-year-old company that recently entered the broadband space.Discover how HDR is leveraging its Matrix model to tackle complex challenges, from Dig Once initiatives to the rapid demand for data centers nationwide. Learn why open access networks, middle-mile redundancy, and forward-thinking infrastructure planning are key to preparing for an AI-driven future.Recommended Links:Mike's LinkedInHDR's LinkedIn
On this episode of Connected Nation, recorded live at Mountain Connect 2025 in Denver, Colorado, host Jessica Denson sits down with Osmo's Troy Cross, Vice President of Sales, and Sadie Conley, Demand Generation Specialist.Osmo powers “frictionless support” for industry giants like AT&T, Google, and Verizon—helping customers resolve device issues quickly and easily. Now, they're turning their attention to smaller ISPs, offering scalable, cloud-based solutions that can give providers of any size the tools they need to act as their community's “hometown CTO.”Recommended Links: Ozmo WebsiteTroy's LinkedInSadie's LinkedIn
On this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our coverage from Mountain Connect 2025 as we sit down with Angela Siefer, Executive Director of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA). We discuss the origins and mission of NDIA, the evolving landscape of digital equity, and how AI is shaping the next Digital Divide. Learn about the importance of local digital navigators, the role of ISPs and tech companies, and why digital inclusion is ultimately a human challenge.Recommended links: NDIA webpageNDIA LinkedinAngela Siefer Linkedin
On this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our coverage from Mountain Connect 2025 with two women from Colorado State University Pueblo—Dana Lambert, Director of Digital Equity, and Juliann Sandoval, Digital Navigator.Their program is closing the digital divide across southern Colorado by providing free laptops, broadband access, and personalized digital skills training to students, seniors, veterans, and others in need.Learn how their work is making a difference, why digital literacy is still a major barrier in 2025, and what all of us can do to help more people succeed in a digital-first world.Recommended Links:Dana's LinkedInJuliann's LinkedIn
On this episode of Connected Nation, we kick off our Mountain Connect 2025 coverage from Denver, Colorado. Jessica Denson sits down with Jerry Smith, Broadband Manager for Los Alamos County, New Mexico. The conversation dives into how his county is deploying an innovative open access fiber network, partnering with a sovereign tribal nation, and improving middle-mile redundancy in a remote but tech-savvy area. Recommended Links:Jerry's LinkedInMountain Connect Website
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 through digital inclusion.Recommended Links:Compudopt WebsitePhilip's LinkedInMegan's LinkedIn
On this bonus episode of Connected Nation, we go into the exhibit hall at the Broadband Community Summit. Listen as we stop at Interduct.com, which is the most popular booth we've come across. Find out why as we explore some of the very cool things that are inside of it. Recommended Links: Innerduct Website
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 skills can bridge the gap.Recommended Links: See the study HERECN Telehealth Research
On this episode of Connected Nation, we've got some bonus coverage from the Broadband Community Summit. We talk with Drew Pappas from Bonfire Infrastructure Group on how they help communities, coops, Tribes, and others build open networks across the country.Recommended links:Bonfire WebsiteGuest's LinkedIn - Drew Pappas
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
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 something called “FuturePath” could transform broadband deployment.Tune in for insights on how infrastructure and content delivery are evolving — and how both are working to serve communities better than ever.Recommended Links:DirecTV site for MDUs Dura Line website
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 broadband access is a critical civil rights issue and how digital equity is foundational to economic empowerment.Recommended Links: National Urban League WebsiteSonar Software WebsiteShelby's LinkedInTyler's LinkedInAdeyinka's LinkedIn
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 (WSU)Digital LiftHeather Gate LinkedInTonya Witherspoon LinkedInKami Griffiths LinkedIn
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 DecisionTracy Doaks LinkedIn
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. UPDATE: On June 27, the Supreme Court upheld the program in a 6-3 decisionRecommended Links:Broadband Communities SummitSchools, Health, & Libraries Broadband CoalitionSupreme Court hears arguments on USF Constitutionality: Decision expected this summerConservatives target $8 billion internet and phone subsidy. Supreme Court weighs inJoesph Wender Linkedin
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