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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.
Learn more about the national nonprofit behind this podcast at connectednation.org.
120 Episodes
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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. Learn how the company is focusing on bringing access to everyone from rural communities to inner city households – by using what it calls “flexible deployment.” BONUS: Following Joe, we are joined by Brad Randall of Terrapinn. Brad and Jessica preview the upcoming Broadband Communities conference in May!Recommended Links:Kwikbit websiteJoe Costello LinkedInBrad Randall LinkedInBroadband Communities summitBroadband Communities news
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. On today's installment of the Connected Nation podcast, we’ll talk with one of the co-authors of the research project – which provides a report card of sorts on how states are doing. Find out if your state is among the top performers – or the lowest. Recommended Links:The Cicero Institute WebsiteAgenda ReportData ReportJosh Profile
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. On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with award-winning writer, producer, and director Jessica Mathis (aka Divinity Rose) about taking her craft online in the days of and following the pandemic. Learn how it changed her approach to making her critically acclaimed project titled “Triggered.” Plus, we explore how it’s informed her screenwriting work since, what challenges remain for filmmakers, and what she sees on the horizon for movie making *outside* of Hollywood’s normal channels. Related Links: Websites: https://divinityrose.com/ and shedreamscontent.com IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1550617/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Rxjt4qBTMvcDH-f8q94uA
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. On this episode of Connected Nation, we're talking with the CEO and co-founder of Oria Health, Amanda Havard. Learn how the company is addressing the critical need for more mental health practitioners in rural America; why its approach is both improving quality of care and expanding treatment options; AND where Oria Health recently expanded its services. Related links:Oria Health - https://www.oria.health/Oria Health Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/oria.health/Oria Health Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/oriahealthOria Health Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/oria-health/about/
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. Ryan shares what he believes in standing in the way of helping millions more Americans, AND we explore the hybrid network model he says can connect the hardest to reach communities in the U.S.Recommended Links:GeoLinks WebsiteRyan's LinkedIn
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. We welcome guests that are leaders in a variety of areas in tech for a round table discussion on everything from the misuse of the term “diversity” to the future of Black tech in America. Recommended Links:Sabrina Morton: Sabrina's LinkedInSabrina's CompanyDoug McCullough:Doug's LinkedIn Color Coded LabsBlack Tech ColumbusHeather Gate:Heather's LinkedInConnected Nation’s Heather Gate earns spot in Women We Admire’s Top 50 Women Leaders of Kentucky for 2023Dr. Fallon WilsonFallon's LinkedInBrookings articleCode for America article
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. We are joined today by one of those who helped author that plan, Zac Chase, who is a Digital Equity Impact Fellow within the Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology. Recommended Links:Read the plan -> https://tech.ed.gov/NETP/ U.S. Department of Education Releases 2024 National Educational Technology Plan | U.S. Department of EducationEducator Preparation Programs for Digital Equity and Transformation - Office of Educational TechnologyAssistive Technology Devices and Services for Children With Disabilities Under the IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education ActMyths and Facts Surrounding Assistive Technology Devices and Services (PDF) (ed.gov)Digital Safety | Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center (ed.gov)
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.As he is our first guest of Black History Month, Demarkus also shares his experience as an African-American in telecommunications and what can be done to provide more opportunities for African-Americans in tech.Recommended Links:Demarkus Pruitt LinkedIn
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. Related Links:Capcon Networks - https://www.capconnetworks.com/Cullman Electric Cooperative - https://cullmanec.com/sprout Irby Utilities - https://www.broadband.irbyutilities.com/
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?"Recommended Links:DERC Website: https://dercenter.org/TGH Website: https://www.techgoeshome.org/Sangha's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sangha-kang-le/Colin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinrhinesmith/
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.Learn how the company is working to improve the quality of life for the Quinault Indian Nation and its neighbors by providing access to global internet connectivity and technologies. Related links:Toptana Technologies website - https://www.toptanatech.com/ Tyson Johnston, Chairman of the Board and Head of Development for Toptana Technologies and Self-Governance Director for Quinault Indian Nation - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyson-johnston/
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. Get a behind-the-scenes look into how the communications staff spreads the word about CN's varied work – including it’s on-the-ground programs and projects that are tackling digital inequities. We’ll also look back on the greatest challenges and victories of 2023 when it comes to the team’s work within the broadband space. Related links - Connected Nation website - https://connectednation.org/ Connected Nation 1. Twitter2. Facebook3. Linkedin 4. Instagram5. YouTube
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.Learn how the company approaches working with builders, what’s next when it comes to connectivity to the home, and why some say having internet access at home is more important than having water piped to the home. Related links:Fiber Fast Homes’ website - https://www.fiberfasthomes.com/ Listen to the Airebeam podcast featuring CEO Ben Elkins
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.Ben speaks with our host, Jessica Denson, about the wide range of groups AireBeam serves, the unique challenges of focusing on rural communities, and the importance of serving the modular home market (RV parks).Recommended Links:Website - https://airebeam.com/Twitter (X) - https://twitter.com/AireBeamLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/airebeam/Ben's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-elkins-0b6b70/
On this episode of Connected Nation, we complete our coverage of the US Broadband Summit taking place in Washington, DC.Among our guests: Quinn Jordan, who founded the Mississippi Broadband Association; Donald Long Knife who built broadband access from the ground up for his tribe in Montana; and Gigi Sohn, who has a long history of public service, including with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), co-founding Public Knowledge, and now leading the American Association for Public Broadband as its Executive Director. Related links:U.S. Broadband Summit website - https://www.usbroadbandsummit.com/
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. Topics ranged from solving the ‘people problem’ the broadband industry is having right now to changing how federal officials approach awarding billions of dollars in funding. And it all happened at a little event dubbed “Broadband and Brews.”Related links:U.S. Broadband Summit website - https://www.usbroadbandsummit.com/
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. Related links:U.S. Broadband Summit website - https://www.usbroadbandsummit.com/
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. Learn how one pastor, who is also in the Gospel Hall of Fame, leveraged the program to help thousands of adults and teens. Related link:Teens Teach Tech - https://connectednation.org/programs/teens-teach-tech
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. We talked with those leading these programs during the ConneXions 2023 Conference hosted by Calix and found out what exactly those offerings can do. Related Links:Calix website - https://www.calix.com/SmartBiz - https://www.calix.com/press-release/2022/10--october-/calix-announces-smartbiz-ninth-managed-service.html
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.On this episode of Connected Nation, we go inside the 2023 Calix Connections conference to talk with some of those women about why they’re drawn to the broadband industry – and what they want us all to know.
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