Celebrating five years: Exploring our best interviews and topics since 2020

On this episode of Connected Nation, we’re doing things a little bit differently. That’s because March 24, 2025 marks our five year anniversary since launching.

We’ll take you through the very distinct moment in time we got started,  how we’ve evolved since, and what are favorite episodes have been over the last five years. 

Related links:
Press release announcing five-year-anniversary 

First episode (S1, Ep. 1) - Telemedicine in a time of Coronavirus: What a recent study on telehealth can teach us

Some favorite episodes:
S1, Ep. 10 - Expert advice: An elementary school teacher shares her top 5 tips for parents

S1, Ep. 15 - FCC Chairman on "Digital Opportunity" for all Americans

S1, Ep. 22 - Gov. Jeb Bush: Broadband internet is an imperative, not a luxury

 S2, Ep. 17 - Why Michigan's new approach to expanding internet statewide may be the answer to universal access

S4, Ep. 4 - Pushing Tin: How one air traffic controller is helping introduce black youth to aviation

S5, Ep. 9 - One filmmaker shares how taking her craft online changed her work, opened new doors for moviemaking

Chapters

• 5:31 What Lily McCoy learned her first couple seasons of the podcast
• 7:32 Lily's favorite episodes from seasons 1 & 2
• 13:26 How Grant Ahlbrand got started on the podcast
• 17:20 Grant's favorite episodes from earlier seasons
• 22:00 Grant's journey as a guest host
• 24:38 Grant's favorite episodes from the later seasons
• 25:54 What to expect for the CN podcast in the future

Transcript

Jessica Denson (00:08):

This is Connected Nation, an award-winning podcast focused on all things broadband from closing the digital divide to improving your internet speeds. We talk technology topics that impact all of us are families and our neighborhoods. On today's podcast, we're doing things a little differently. 

That's because this week marks our five year anniversary since launching, we'll take you through how we got started at a very distinct moment in time, how we've evolved since, and what our favorite episodes have been over the last five years.

I'm Jessica Denson, and this is Connected Nation. 

start of podcast

I'm Jessica Denson, and my first guest today is Lily McCoy, who is the senior Communication Specialist at Connected Nation. Welcome, Lily. Lily McCoy (00:55):

Hi, Jessica. How are you? Jessica Denson (00:57):

I'm good. I'm excited to talk about this. Celebrate our five year anniversary. Uh, I remember we were just a scrappy little team of two working on this podcast, don't you? Lily McCoy (01:07):

Oh, yeah. I definitely remember <laugh>. Jessica Denson (01:09):

The good old days are, yeah, actually the days that I'm glad are gone. <laugh> <laugh>. Uh, I, I'd like to back up a little bit before we get to Lily and her role with the podcast. Uh, for some background for our audience Connected Nation. The organization Lily and I work for is a national nonprofit with a mission to expand the access, adoption and use of broadband IE high-speed internet to all people. Our teams work with local, state and federal leaders, internet service providers, large for-profit companies like at and t, Amazon and others, and other nonprofits within the broadband space such as NDIA, um, to close the digital divide. And our company has been at it, our nonprofit has been at it for about 24 years. We'll, celebrate, celebrate 25 next year. And the work includes technology planning, digital literacy, skills training, broadband mapping, research related to the industry on things like telehealth and telework and establishing internet exchange points in rural and mid-sized areas. Um, that's just a drop in the bucket, and I mentioned that because many times when we start these podcasts, I give a lot of history about who our guests are and who our company is. So we don't always talk about Connected Nation unless there's something specific in the program or the research we've done that we're doing an interview upon. So, um, that's who Connected Nation is. Um, Lily and I have been, uh, working together for, what, Lily, what year did you come in? Lily McCoy (02:37):

I can't remember. I came in in April of, end of April, 2018. Jessica Denson (02:43):

Yeah, so it's been a while now. <laugh>. Yeah,
(02:45)
Yeah, yeah. You're my first hire. Um, well, five years ago in early 2020, our CEO and our chairman and CEO Tom Farry challenged the comms Department to Launch podcast. He really wanted a podcast. He talked this over several years, uh, to invite others within the space to talk about their work, how we can do more together, lessons learned, and so much more. So I had to kind of figure it that out from the ground up and how we were going to do that. Essentially, the idea was recognizing the need for a place to give more time to discuss these issues around this, our mission and, um, everything broadband, as I say in the open, all things broadband. Uh, now this is our anniversary week for the podcast launch. At this moment. It's March 24th, uh, 2025, and we march. We first aired on March 24th, 2020. And if you think about that date for a moment, it might be kind of familiar, the pandemic shut down everything that Monday and the first episode aired Tuesday, the topic Telemedicine in a Time of Coronavirus, what a recent study on telehealth can teach us. Well, since you brought up COVID-19, uh, what are some things that we can really apply from this study, or at least some lessons, um, to this time, to this unique time period? Um, it's on everybody's minds, obviously, because no one is, not everyone is impacted in some way. So what are some of the things that myself or the average person can take away from this, um, that we can really apply to what's happening now? Eric Frederick (04:26):

Yeah, I'll take the, the first shot at that. I mean, one would be exploring what telehealth options might be available to you from your existing insurance company. Jessica Denson (04:39):

It, it was really a great podcast. Uh, and it, the incredible thing was Connected Nations research team had just completed the groundbreaking, excuse me, the groundbreaking telehealth study weeks before our first podcast. Now, let's bring in Lily again, uh, because she and I had to really figure out our approach to those, the, the first two seasons. Welcome again, Lily. Lily McCoy (05:01):

Hello again, Jessica Denson (05:02):

<laugh>. I, I used to be a journalist and I turned to my media friends for some help. They talked me through some of the basic equipment and items that we need from what kind of mics to what kind of equipment in the, out in the field to using Buzz Sprout, which really helps ease the transition of getting onto major podcast platforms like Apple Prime, Spotify. Um, Lily, you really helped throughout anything you remember about those first two seasons, lessons learned about putting a new podcast together? Lily McCoy (05:31):

Yeah. Um, when we first started, I never edited audio before. I mean, I had edited some video, but never just audio. But I've always been a huge lover and listener, a podcast. So I was really excited to learn. And so for the first few episodes we did it on, we did the editing on Audacity, which is a audio only software. But as I became, um, more familiar with Premier Pro, I switched to that 'cause it was a little bit easier. And one of the biggest lessons I learned while editing, um, was definitely making sure that that overall sound was not too loud. I remember my first couple episodes I had to completely redo them because I was editing without headphones, so I wasn't really putting myself as, you know, what the listener is hearing. And then when I put my headphones on, it was extremely loud, so I had to go back and turn all of the audio a little bit lower so that it doesn't blow out your headphones on your listening <laugh>. So that was definitely a really good, and definitely my biggest learning lesson. Jessica Denson (06:32):

That's a a good point. We u we use a, um, a platform called Zencaster, which helps us get everybody's, uh, voices on different channels. So, 'cause sometimes I can tend to be very loud and you have to turn me down and sometimes our, our, one of our guests will be very low and we have to turn them up and mm-hmm <affirmative>. So audio levels. It was definitely something I struggled with at first as well. I remember how long it used to take me to edit something. It would be like two and a half, three hours to edit a podcast. And I'm just adding music and trying to get the levels. And now I think any one of us, especially you and Grant, who will talk to in a little bit, um, can edit it and just 20, 30 minutes. Um, uh, also, um, generally I would find the guests, write a script, do the prep, and depending on who's had time, then you and I would take turns editing and publishing. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. It was, I'd be just be like, Hey Lily, you got time <laugh>, like, oh yeah. Do you have any favorite episodes from those first few seasons? Lily McCoy (07:32):

Oh, yeah. Well, I definitely love thinking about going back to those first couple seasons 'cause it was new, but there were definitely a couple that stood out to me. Um, the first one that comes to mind was season one, episode 24, and this one is just simply titled, introducing Connect K 12. This was one of my favorites because I got to actually work on that project that we did with Connect Nation, the Connect K through 12, and we interviewed another CN employee, and that was, um, one of our VPs, Emily Jordan, and the Connect K 12 was a free program that had a lot of online resources and it focused on schools, um, having their district leaders and state decision makers improve the classroom and school networks and internet connectivity. And to me, this was really important because I had just got outta college and just got outta schooling.
(08:18)
And it was a really important time because in December, 2020, um, many schools were still fully remote from Covid. So thinking back to us giving those resources and interviewing Emily Jordan on that, I thought that one really stood out to me. And for my second favorite episode from the earlier seasons was, um, season two, episode 17. And that one was titled Why Michigan's New Approach to Expanding Internet Statewide may be the Answer to Universal Access. Uh, this one was very intriguing and interesting to me because our guest was Michigan Lieutenant Governors Garland Gilchrest, and he let us know, um, kind of about the creation of Michigan's high speed internet office, which is now called My High. And he shows us how the creation of that really helped Michigan and all their residents stay connected, which hits close to home. 'cause Connected Nation does a lot of work in Michigan, and I love the state of Michigan. So Jessica Denson (09:13):

Yeah, I remember him well too, because he was, he's such a technologist. And I think we interviewed him again at a later date for Black History Month, just 'cause he had such an interesting story. Um, a few that have stuck out for me over the years are, especially that first year for some reason, it was such a, you know, a year that we were identifying who we were in this podcast and how we were gonna do things. And, um, an elementary school teacher who shared her five tips for parents, it was during the lockdown and she had some great ways to help. And I really think that a lot of parents resonated with that was season one, episode 10, also two very big, quote unquote gets for me, especially as a brand new podcast. Um, and as a former journalist. So, you know, I love getting those big interviews. <laugh>,
(10:00)
Uh, I was interviewing FCC Chairman, agent Pi and Governor Jeb Bush Bush wrote an op-ed about the importance of connecting everyone. I was pretty nervous beforehand because he, no matter your politics, he's, you know, part of our country's political royalty, so to speak, since, uh, his dad and brother were both presidents. But he said about connecting people, quote, I see this as an incredible opportunity to allow people to live purposeful lives. And that was episode 22 of season one. And again, staying with season one, episode 15, I interviewed, uh, chairman Pi about digital opportunity for all Americans. And the reason I really liked him, not only because he was the FCC, he was the FCC Chairman, it's such an important role when it comes to broadband. They really do. The FCC really does, um, inform how broadband is gonna be run in the country, that type of thing.
(10:51)
Um, but he was just really funny and interesting and very straightforward, which kind of surprised me and threw me off a little bit. And he's known for his giant Reese's Cup, uh, <laugh> Coffee Cup, and he, he was excited to share about that <laugh>. It's just really, it always makes me laugh. It's still one of my favorite interviews even now, years later. So it was just a really good one. Um, as we move forward, we really worked hard to improve and evolve the podcast. And so I wanna bring on our next guest, uh, who's been silently watching or listening and recording us. Uh, he's really helped us rethink how we approach some things. And that's Grant Al Brand, who is the social media specialist with Connected Nation. Um, he joined us late in our third season and brought some fresh ideas and fresh eyes to it. So, welcome Grant. Grant Ahlbrand (11:41):

Hello. How's it going? Jessica Denson (11:42):

Good. Have you been listening going? Oh, yeah, yeah. I remember the editing thing. <laugh>. Grant Ahlbrand (11:47):

Yeah, it's like you, you hyped me up quite a bit, so hopefully I don't let the listeners down. <laugh>. Jessica Denson (11:52):

Well, before we get into some of the changes that helped put you in place, I'd like to mention how we made the podcast more accessible, because not only are we doing these interviews, but we're also listening and paying attention to how it affects our industry, including our own office. So on November of 2022, I did an interview with a representative with the US Department of Education's Office of Educational Technology about advancing digital equity within our schools and communities. And that was season three, episode 19. And one of the things our guest said did, uh, was his name was, uh, uh, GSU Song, who actually I'm gonna talk to on a, on a podcast later this week. Um, he talked about making things more accessible to all people. And as a result, we as a comm team really had to look at, are we making the podcasts access accessible?
(12:43)
Are we making things accessible? So we really, first time we started doing transcripts for all our podcast, adding captions to all our videos using plain language on all social media and things that we do. Um, so it more people feel welcomed into that, um, adding descriptions and captions to all our images on the website and more. And we also know how a lot of materials that are in Spanish so we can be more accessible and, um, and bilingual. Um, anyway, having said that, that was really our first major change. But as Grant came in, he really, um, helped us look at some other things. So Grant, tell us when you first started on the podcast, anything you remember about those early moments? Grant Ahlbrand (13:26):

Yeah, so I was hired outta college, um, way back in May of 2023, um, <laugh>. So this was after a year long internship, so I was kind of in and around it a little bit. But, uh, with me graduating with a degree in digital marketing, I never thought I would be producing or even guess hosting a podcast. But Jessica reached out and was looking for some help on the podcast, and I was very, very excited to help because as someone who listens to all kinds of podcasts about all kinds of topics, uh, I was always really interested in the recording, production and just the background of how these podcasts come to be. And since then, I've, I've really, really enjoyed my time working on the Connected Nation podcast. Jessica Denson (14:08):

Yeah, you and Lily both mentioned that you've heard pos you were listening to podcasts. I really didn't start listening to podcasts till the last year or two. As in like, I'm doing these podcasts, I need to be listening to more to others <laugh>. And so, um, I've had people telling me what podcasts to listen to because I'm just now, as ridiculous as that sounds, have opened myself up to that whole world. So having both of you have that back experience and understanding has been really critical to making this what this is. So, as I said, you had some new ideas for it. Share some of those things that we've, that we implemented and that we're start, that we're now doing still today. Grant Ahlbrand (14:47):

Yeah. So I figured with, uh, you and Lily's rich background of journalism and like public relations, all that kind of stuff. And my, I kind of brought a little bit more of a digital marketing side of things. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. So I figured the first thing that we should do was promotional graphics specifically created to promote individual episodes, because a lot of podcasts will just post the same picture over and over and over again. And it doesn't kind of highlight the, the differences from episode to episode. So maybe there's someone that sees a guest that we have and that excites them more than just a regular graphic would do. And, uh, so yeah, we're still posting those, so be on the lookout on social media. So if you see any guest or kind of topics that really intrigue you to make sure to listen. But, um, also we, um, looked at kind of our highest analytical viewership days, and Wednesday seems to be the best day of kind of in the middle of the week. So, um, we started specifically posting on Wednesdays, and sometimes we have some special items, whether it be a special edition or a round table. But yeah, so typically every Wednesday we have a new episode coming out. Um, also we worked on some, I think some of our best stuff is when Jessica or I or Lily take the podcast to a conference and you go out there in the field and you are interviewing people that either spur of the moment or people that you normally wouldn't be able to talk Brelis Spiller (16:14):

To mm-hmm <affirmative>. Grant Ahlbrand (16:15):

And, uh, we get such great content and I just figured instead of stacking all of these, uh, episodes onto each other, kind of highlighting one episode and giving it a few days to breathe on social media and allowing people to easily access all of these interviews over a longer period of time. But, uh, other than that, it's kind of just a lot of looking in the boring listenership analytics and kind of figuring out how we mold our digital marketing to best attract new audiences, but also retain existing audiences for our podcast, Jessica Denson (16:46):

Which I highly appreciate. Um, I will say that we just, in fact today we were talking about, uh, the Connected America podcast that we did. We, I, I did seven in the field. We've only put out three so far. We, we were talking about how are we gonna put these out over the next couple of weeks and connect them. So, um, look for some of those coming up that, and if we're in the field, uh, grab, uh, grant or I or Lily, 'cause we're always looking for people to talk to. Um, I asked Lily this earlier, but Grant, for you, what are some of your favorite podcast Epi episodes? Grant Ahlbrand (17:20):

Yeah, for me, um, I always gravitate towards the ones that when I first joined Connected Nation when I was listening to those episodes, because as somebody new, fresh Outta college that's all of a sudden working for a broadband company, I don't know a whole lot about it. So, um, one of the really early ones was, it was with World Mobile and it was, it's titled 3 billion People Worldwide don't have Internet access and this is how one company says We can fix it. So I recall kind of trying to figure out more and more about Connected Nation and this Whole Space's Mission, and that did a lot to explaining that for me. Um, so I really, really enjoyed that one. And another one I really liked was the IXP podcast with Hunter Newbie. Um, also I was new and I kept creating graphics or social media posts about ips.
(18:10)
Ips. I'm like, what are ips <laugh>? I don't really, I don't really understand it. And I think a lot of people when they hear it, want to learn more about ips, which are internet exchange points. But, um, the episode did a fantastic job of kind of understand or allowing the listener to understand what they are, what role they play, and kind of how they suit the future of broadband. Um, so yeah, it's titled Faster Speeds, lower Cost, how IPS can Bring World Class Internet to smaller cities and Rural areas. So obviously the titles interesting enough, but trust me, it's a, it's really, really a great and informed, listen, Jessica Denson (18:46):

Which episode was that one? Grant Ahlbrand (18:48):

Uh, it was, I'm pretty sure that was early on season four. I was season four, episode seven. Jessica Denson (18:53):

Alright. Um, Lily, do you have Lily, I know you mentioned some from our early seasons 'cause we were focused on our first two seasons when we were kind of figuring things out. Did you have any favorite topics from later in the, um, episodes? Lily McCoy (19:07):

Oh yeah, definitely. So the one that stood out to me the most, it was season five, episode nine. And that one was titled Lights Camera Action Internet. One Filmmaker Shares How Tackling Her Craft Online changed her work, opened New Doors for movie making. And you might be like, what? That doesn't sound like broadband and <laugh>. I think that's why it's was, I enjoy this one so much. Um, it was very different from every other episode we did. We interviewed Jessica Mathis or AKA Divinity Rose for Women's History Month and she's a filmmaker and producer and we talked to her about kind of what her filmmaking and her process was like, um, doing all that during the Pandemic. So I thought that one was very interesting and it was for Women's History Month. Jessica Denson (19:54):

Yeah, that was a good one. Um, I, I like that one as well. For me, I feel like the Connected Nation podcast really came into what it was meant to be over these last few seasons as we all learned and evolved together. And one of my favorite later podcasts was season four, episode four, titled Pushing 10 How One Air Traffic Controller is helping introduce Black Youth to Aviation. And I'm gonna pause for a second 'cause I'd love to hear a quick clip. Brelis Spiller (20:20):

Gordon, uh, my neighbor, uh, Mr. Clements jokes was the, uh, he lived on the, uh, down the street from me and he was the, uh, the helicopter pilot for, for our police department. And so it was not unusual to every now and then you walk down the street and there's a helicopter in the driveway, <laugh> got his lunch, you know, and I just thought that that was, I mean, I mean, who, who sees a helicopter in the neighborhood just sitting there parked like, like your car <laugh>? Jessica Denson (20:51):

Uh, we did that podcast for, uh, black History Month, and our guest Bre Spell Spiller, excuse me, Bre Spiller was just so interesting. He was funny and could tell a great story. Plus he was doing things to help kids. Um, and then he had these great stories as you heard of the helicopter in the yard. It, it was just a great inter interview, a great podcast to listen to, um, even after the fact. So I really love that one. Grant Ahlbrand (21:19):

Also, uh, don't forget, we hit our 100th episode back in October of 2023. Uh, this was episode 27 in season four, and this was titled, uh, talking Tribal Broadband with the Nation's First Tribally Owned Telecommunications Company. Jessica Denson (21:35):

Yeah, that was a good one. I did that one on the road while at a conference. Another one of the conferences that we, we mentioned, thanks for reminding us that we had a hundredth, because we have 173 when we add this one to it, it'll be 173 episodes. Um, also since you, since you mentioned that one grant, let's not forget, and you, you kind of mentioned this slightly, but that you've taken on some guest hosting responsibility, share what you've been doing and how it's going for you. Grant Ahlbrand (22:00):

Yeah, well the first podcast, uh, I hosted was with recurring guest Scott Sampson. And at the time he was CEO at Fast, uh, fiber Fast Homes. And yeah, this was just a really great experience to kind of get comfortable on the microphone 'cause it can be intimidating when you first start. But, um, since then I've been called from the bullpen a few times and <laugh>, it's gone well so far. But, um, we'll see, because currently I'm working on a script, um, which I'll, I'll be guest hosting again in April while Jessica's out and I'll be joined by Anthony Suarez from Accom and he's looking to discuss the coming demise of copper landlines in the US And I found it to be a very, very interesting topic and I, I found it to be more interesting when I'm writing the script, so I'm really excited. Uh, so stay tuned, uh, into the Connected Nation podcast in the coming spring, uh, to catch that episode. Jessica Denson (22:51):

Yeah, that's gonna be a good one. Thank you for filling in so I can have a little time off <laugh>. Yeah, of course. Yeah. And and Lily is still very much involved. You're editing and you provide support. Lily, what are your thoughts on doing the podcast now? Anything you li you learn or like doing with it right now? Lily McCoy (23:07):

Oh yeah, I've, I've definitely learned a lot even from Grant. Um, I really enjoy editing the podcast. I kind of like just buckling down and just having some time to myself and getting to listen to it over again is awesome. But, um, one of the main lessons I learned is definitely just from interviewing our guests, learning all about them and kind of learning how to do good smooth transitions and not just with their interviews, but also, um, integrating like our music that we put in as well. So it's a cool new skill that I picked up Jessica Denson (23:37):

And, and you do a great job at it sometimes when I have to suddenly edit, I'm like, oh yeah, how do I, how do I fade this music? <laugh>. Uh, before we wrap up, are there any notable episodes from any season that either of you wanna mention? Lily, do you have maybe one more? Lily McCoy (23:51):

Yeah, sure. Um, one thing that Grant has mentioned, I really enjoyed doing the podcast on the road and in season five, uh, Jessica and I did the podcast live at the broadband community Summit West in San Diego. And for season five, episode nine, epi, excuse me, season five, episode 49 was a really good one. It was titled Why a hundred percent Connectivity is a Moving Target throughout the Sunflower State. And we got to speak with a interim director of the Kansas State Broadband Office and we got to talk a lot about Middle Mile versus Last Mile. And one thing that was a big topic at the conference, which was beat funding. Jessica Denson (24:32):

Yeah. And Grant, what about for you? Was there, are there any other notable ones that you, you'd want to mention? Grant Ahlbrand (24:38):

Well, I hate to fall into the role of being the boring numbers guy <laugh>, but as someone who's always looking at the analytics, I always, one that really popped out that really did well was the guy, the, the guy I just mentioned, Scott Sampson, uh, we had him on, and there's an episode titled Why some say Access to the Internet at Home is more important than Running Water. And I mean, that title is just good enough. But I recall recording that one and I really, really enjoyed what he had to say on that episode. But, um, yeah, like I said, I'm biased. It did, it did good numbered. So <laugh>, I really, really, really enjoyed that one. Jessica Denson (25:14):

It does help when we have a great headline too, <laugh>. Yeah. I'm always like, can we make that headline better? Um, I get the, I have the pleasure of interviewing most of our guests, so to me it's really hard sometimes to choose. Um, we have one coming out shortly for Women's History Month, which I really enjoyed did last week. Uh, but that's maybe 'cause it's one of the most recent. And, and later this week we're interviewing reps with the State Educational Technology Directors Association about a new study focused on helping schools close the digital access divide. So that's still coming. Um, is there anything that, that you either one of you would like to add about what we can expect over the next five years? Grant, I'll let you go first. And Lily, you could wrap us. Grant Ahlbrand (25:54):

Yeah, so currently as a team, we're working on building out the kind of digital infrastructure to start recording the interviews on video and publishing them to YouTube and sharing clips on social. And as a team, we're committed to consistently improving our content for all of our listeners. And video just felt like the next logical step as most podcasts kind of take that path. Um, we're currently designing intros, outros, and other visuals that will make the transition to video episodes very smooth and seamless so the listeners won't be able to skip a beat and we'll kind of be able to offer more from a content perspective. Jessica Denson (26:31):

Yeah, I'm excited about that. And, and Lily, what about for you? Lily McCoy (26:35):

I think our audience, um, can expect even more interesting interviews even more than we've had already. And those will be with key decision makers in the broadband space. So make sure to stay tuned. Jessica Denson (26:46):

Yeah. Well Lily and Grant, thank you both for your time today and for helping me make Connecta Nation a more informative, interesting, and accessible podcast. I really appreciate you both. Grant Ahlbrand (26:55):

Yeah, we appreciate you too. Thank you. Jessica Denson (27:06):

I would be remiss not to add that all that we've done together, we've produced 173 podcasts, as I mentioned, that includes this one. And we've earned a national award of excellence in 2024 and two Silver Awards of distinction, one in 2023 and another in 2022 for best podcast series in the technology category. So that's nothing to sneeze at. So <laugh>, I'm just condensed. And thanks for listening to Connected Nation. If you like our show and wanna know more about us, head to connect nation.org or look for the latest episodes on iTunes, iHeartRadio, Google Podcast, Pandora, or Spotify.