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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 2022.
Learn more about the national nonprofit behind this podcast at connectednation.org.
Episodes
237 episodes
Is BEAD the worst thing to happen to rural America? Why one industry insider says "yes"
On 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 Mi...
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Season 7
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Episode 11
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23:26
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The challenge of connecting a Native reservation with borders crossing Canada and the US
On 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 enti...
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Season 7
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Episode 10
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20:36
How the Choctaw Nation is leading the way on Tribal broadband
On 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,...
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Season 7
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Episode 9
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41:06
Black History Month: The AI experts on improving your workflow and what to avoid
Today, 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 t...
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Season 7
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Episode 8
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22:14
From unconnected to empowered: The human side of next-generation broadband
Broadband 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, be...
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Season 7
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Episode 7
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17:44
Black History Month: Meet the self-proclaimed Media King
What 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 bon...
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Season 7
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Episode 6
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12:45
AI’s new demands on broadband: A smart-city reality check
On 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 t...
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Season 7
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Episode 5
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15:54
Inside the small-business talent crunch: Recruitment, retention, and hybrid work realities
On 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 ch...
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Season 7
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Episode 4
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16:26
From using AI ethnically to creating joy in the workplace: The group that's trying to "do business better"
On 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 m...
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Season 7
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Episode 3
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16:27
Design before you dig: How digital-first infrastructure can save millions
On 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 p...
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Season 7
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Episode 2
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43:25
GPS for the great indoors: The tool to help you navigate everything from airports to hospitals
On 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 fi...
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Season 7
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Episode 1
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37:17
How broadband businesses can turn AI into a road map for success
On 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...
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Season 6
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Episode 63
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23:20
Mission Telecom's RESPOND Kit: Ensuring communities stay connected during disasters
On 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 b...
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Season 6
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Episode 62
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35:19
What it's like to build broadband in some of the most remote states in America
On 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...
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Season 6
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Episode 61
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15:27
This company won Calix's innovative partner of the year award
On 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...
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Season 6
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Episode 60
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12:28
Like bees to honey: This was the sweetest booth at any broadband conference in 2025
On 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!Recommen...
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Season 6
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Episode 59
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9:09
Google partners to set industry standards for data center infrastructure
On 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 c...
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Season 6
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Episode 58
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11:35
How Connected Nation is evolving digital skills training to help you understand and use AI
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:
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Season 6
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Episode 57
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22:17
The new blueprint for building broadband networks
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 tal...
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Season 6
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Episode 56
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20:37
Mapping Joy: How Connected Nation is building a more connected, inclusive, and joyful future
On 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 lead...
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Season 6
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Episode 55
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33:46
From the badlands to the prairies: Montana’s Broadband Director shares her approach to connecting Big Sky Country
On 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 peo...
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Season 6
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Episode 54
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31:55
Now or never: How one industry veteran is building a people-first future in broadband
On this episode on Connected Nation, we continue our coverage from 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. Find out how he's...
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Season 6
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Episode 53
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25:10
New game. New rules. The show broadband providers don't want to miss
On 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 custome...
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Season 6
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Episode 52
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25:00
Investing in connection: How Mac Mountain helps businesses build better broadband
On 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 th...
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Season 6
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Episode 51
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45:16