Connected Nation

By Jessica Denson

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

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FAQs about Connected Nation:

How many episodes does Connected Nation have?

The podcast currently has 244 episodes available.

Connected Nation episodes:

February 09, 2026 Black History Month: The AI experts on improving your workflow and what to avoid
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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 to improve your workflow and find out what you should definitely avoid.
Recommended links:
Bavardio website
Charles' LinkedIn
Bavardio's LinkedIn
Over the past 25 years, Connected Nation’s Engineering and Technical Services team has built trusted, collaborative relationships with state broadband offices, local communities, and broadband providers nationwide.
From tracking deployment progress… to asset mapping… to delivering clear, data‑driven insights for stakeholders — Connected Nation’s experts are ready to help. To learn more, email us at [email protected].

This September, Connected Nation is attempting a world record — a 25‑hour global digital skills marathon, celebrating 25 years of impact. We’re looking for sponsors, partners, and watch‑party hosts who want to make history and expand digital opportunity worldwide.
Learn more at connectednation.org or email us at [email protected]

With 25 years of experience, Connected Nation’s Engineering and Technical Services team helps states and providers verify build‑outs, track progress, and deliver clear, data‑driven insights.
Learn more by emailing [email protected] with the subject line ETS.
...more
25min
February 04, 2026 From unconnected to empowered: The human side of next-generation broadband
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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, behind-the-scenes technology tours.
Coming Thursday, April 2, 2026: register for the Virtual Town Hall Meeting
Recommended links:
Tarana website
Carl's LinkedIn
Over the past 25 years, Connected Nation’s Engineering and Technical Services team has built trusted, collaborative relationships with state broadband offices, local communities, and broadband providers nationwide.
From tracking deployment progress… to asset mapping… to delivering clear, data‑driven insights for stakeholders — Connected Nation’s experts are ready to help. To learn more, email us at [email protected].

This September, Connected Nation is attempting a world record — a 25‑hour global digital skills marathon, celebrating 25 years of impact. We’re looking for sponsors, partners, and watch‑party hosts who want to make history and expand digital opportunity worldwide.
Learn more at connectednation.org or email us at [email protected]

With 25 years of experience, Connected Nation’s Engineering and Technical Services team helps states and providers verify build‑outs, track progress, and deliver clear, data‑driven insights.
Learn more by emailing [email protected] with the subject line ETS.
...more
21min
February 02, 2026 Black History Month: Meet the self-proclaimed Media King
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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 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
Over the past 25 years, Connected Nation’s Engineering and Technical Services team has built trusted, collaborative relationships with state broadband offices, local communities, and broadband providers nationwide.
From tracking deployment progress… to asset mapping… to delivering clear, data‑driven insights for stakeholders — Connected Nation’s experts are ready to help. To learn more, email us at [email protected].

With 25 years of experience, Connected Nation’s Engineering and Technical Services team helps states and providers verify build‑outs, track progress, and deliver clear, data‑driven insights.
Learn more by emailing [email protected] with the subject line ETS.
...more
15min
January 28, 2026 AI’s new demands on broadband: A smart-city reality check
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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 to "build versus buy", and predictions for how AI will be used long term.
Recommended links:
Peter Murray Linkedin
Dense Networks website
Over the past 25 years, Connected Nation’s Engineering and Technical Services team has built trusted, collaborative relationships with state broadband offices, local communities, and broadband providers nationwide.
From tracking deployment progress… to asset mapping… to delivering clear, data‑driven insights for stakeholders — Connected Nation’s experts are ready to help. To learn more, email us at [email protected].

With 25 years of experience, Connected Nation’s Engineering and Technical Services team helps states and providers verify build‑outs, track progress, and deliver clear, data‑driven insights.
Learn more by emailing [email protected] with the subject line ETS.
...more
18min
January 21, 2026 Inside the small-business talent crunch: Recruitment, retention, and hybrid work realities
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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 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 Linkedin
Incipio Workforce Solutions

Over the past 25 years, Connected Nation’s Engineering and Technical Services team has built trusted, collaborative relationships with state broadband offices, local communities, and broadband providers nationwide.
From tracking deployment progress… to asset mapping… to delivering clear, data‑driven insights for stakeholders — Connected Nation’s experts are ready to help. To learn more, email us at [email protected].

With 25 years of experience, Connected Nation’s Engineering and Technical Services team helps states and providers verify build‑outs, track progress, and deliver clear, data‑driven insights.
Learn more by emailing [email protected] with the subject line ETS.
...more
19min
January 19, 2026 From using AI ethnically to creating joy in the workplace: The group that's trying to "do business better"
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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 more ethically to creating joy in the workplace, whether in person or remote.
Recommended links:
Canopy Good Business Summit
Ashley-Shae Benton Linkedin
Stephanie Kelley Linkedin

Over the past 25 years, Connected Nation’s Engineering and Technical Services team has built trusted, collaborative relationships with state broadband offices, local communities, and broadband providers nationwide.
From tracking deployment progress… to asset mapping… to delivering clear, data‑driven insights for stakeholders — Connected Nation’s experts are ready to help. To learn more, email us at [email protected].

With 25 years of experience, Connected Nation’s Engineering and Technical Services team helps states and providers verify build‑outs, track progress, and deliver clear, data‑driven insights.
Learn more by emailing [email protected] with the subject line ETS.
...more
19min
January 14, 2026 Design before you dig: How digital-first infrastructure can save millions
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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 physical and digital worlds, construction solutions and challenges, and BEAD funding deployment.
Recommended links:
Trimble website
Gareth Gibson Linkedin
Over the past 25 years, Connected Nation’s Engineering and Technical Services team has built trusted, collaborative relationships with state broadband offices, local communities, and broadband providers nationwide.
From tracking deployment progress… to asset mapping… to delivering clear, data‑driven insights for stakeholders — Connected Nation’s experts are ready to help. To learn more, email us at [email protected].

This September, Connected Nation is attempting a world record — a 25‑hour global digital skills marathon, celebrating 25 years of impact. We’re looking for sponsors, partners, and watch‑party hosts who want to make history and expand digital opportunity worldwide.
Learn more at connectednation.org or email us at [email protected]

With 25 years of experience, Connected Nation’s Engineering and Technical Services team helps states and providers verify build‑outs, track progress, and deliver clear, data‑driven insights.
Learn more by emailing [email protected] with the subject line ETS.
...more
46min
January 07, 2026 GPS for the great indoors: The tool to help you navigate everything from airports to hospitals
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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 find out what's next for this innovative tech company.
Recommended links:
Theresa Reno-Weber LinkedIn
GoodMaps website
Over the past 25 years, Connected Nation’s Engineering and Technical Services team has built trusted, collaborative relationships with state broadband offices, local communities, and broadband providers nationwide.
From tracking deployment progress… to asset mapping… to delivering clear, data‑driven insights for stakeholders — Connected Nation’s experts are ready to help. To learn more, email us at [email protected].

This September, Connected Nation is attempting a world record — a 25‑hour global digital skills marathon, celebrating 25 years of impact. We’re looking for sponsors, partners, and watch‑party hosts who want to make history and expand digital opportunity worldwide.
Learn more at connectednation.org or email us at [email protected]

With 25 years of experience, Connected Nation’s Engineering and Technical Services team helps states and providers verify build‑outs, track progress, and deliver clear, data‑driven insights.
Learn more by emailing [email protected] with the subject line ETS.
...more
40min
December 17, 2025 How broadband businesses can turn AI into a road map for success
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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 for the future.
Recommended links:
Jacki Miskimins, Director of Communications & Engagement

Vantage Point Solutions

Vantage Point Solutions website

AsOne Ministries website

Corn Palace website
Over the past 25 years, Connected Nation’s Engineering and Technical Services team has built trusted, collaborative relationships with state broadband offices, local communities, and broadband providers nationwide.
From tracking deployment progress… to asset mapping… to delivering clear, data‑driven insights for stakeholders — Connected Nation’s experts are ready to help. To learn more, email us at [email protected].

This September, Connected Nation is attempting a world record — a 25‑hour global digital skills marathon, celebrating 25 years of impact. We’re looking for sponsors, partners, and watch‑party hosts who want to make history and expand digital opportunity worldwide.
Learn more at connectednation.org or email us at [email protected]

With 25 years of experience, Connected Nation’s Engineering and Technical Services team helps states and providers verify build‑outs, track progress, and deliver clear, data‑driven insights.
Learn more by emailing [email protected] with the subject line ETS.
...more
26min
December 15, 2025 Mission Telecom's RESPOND Kit: Ensuring communities stay connected during disasters
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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 built for everyone from disaster agencies to nonprofits responding to immediate and long term need.
Recommended links:
Mission Telecom website
Mark Colwell Linkedin
Over the past 25 years, Connected Nation’s Engineering and Technical Services team has built trusted, collaborative relationships with state broadband offices, local communities, and broadband providers nationwide.
From tracking deployment progress… to asset mapping… to delivering clear, data‑driven insights for stakeholders — Connected Nation’s experts are ready to help. To learn more, email us at [email protected].

This September, Connected Nation is attempting a world record — a 25‑hour global digital skills marathon, celebrating 25 years of impact. We’re looking for sponsors, partners, and watch‑party hosts who want to make history and expand digital opportunity worldwide.
Learn more at connectednation.org or email us at [email protected]

With 25 years of experience, Connected Nation’s Engineering and Technical Services team helps states and providers verify build‑outs, track progress, and deliver clear, data‑driven insights.
Learn more by emailing [email protected] with the subject line ETS.
...more
38min

FAQs about Connected Nation:

How many episodes does Connected Nation have?

The podcast currently has 244 episodes available.