Central Connection Podcast

As we mark 2025 — the International Year of the Co-op — we take a deep dive into the essential role rural electric cooperatives play in bringing power to remote communities. On this episode, we sit down with Josh McGhee, Director of Member Marketing & Engagement with Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, to chat all things people, power and purpose! 

Whether it's exploring the vital role politics plays in shaping the energy landscape for rural communities or learning the proper parameters of a filibuster, we've got plenty to talk about! Join our guests Sean Strickler and Todd Stacy as they discuss these topics and many more on this episode of the CCP. 

Valentine’s Day may be over, but love is still in the air—just in a different way. We’ve talked about knowing when to break up with your hot water heater, but now we’re looking at other parts of your home that might need some TLC. Efficiency and comfort go hand in hand—let’s make sure your home isn’t giving you the cold shoulder! 

Ever wonder how your lights stay on even when demand surges? Or why energy prices fluctuate? On this episode of the CCP, we’re diving into the high-stakes balancing act of energy supply and demand with special guest Damon Morgan from our G&T PowerSouth! 

Central Access...it's what everyone is talking about! What is it? How did it begin? What's next? We look at this and more with our special guests Chris Montgomery, Vice President of Central Access, and Jimmy Gray, Vice President of Engineering & Operations. 

We all love the high-speed connectivity and reliability of Central Access, but do you know what all goes into making sure internet runs from the lines to your home? Join us as we talk with three members of our Central Access crew to get the nitty gritty details of how fiber works, as well as an update on upcoming construction and installation timelines! 

Did you know that October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month? The CCP recently sat down with two of our very own tech gurus to learn the ins and outs of staying secure in today's cyber world, as well as how to recognize and avoid common cyber scams. 

Concern for Community is one of the seven core cooperative principles rural electric co-ops live by. With October being Co-op Month, we sat down with CAEC's own Jeremy Hicks and Michael Kelley to discuss how they and other co-op employees took this principle to heart during their recent trip to Guatemala as part of the NRECA's International program. 

The CCP had the amazing opportunity to sit down with WSFA Chief Meteorologist Josh Johnson for a local look at weather preparedness. From the 2024 hurricane outlook and bolt from the blue lightning to the history of weather sirens, we talk about a plethora of weather information for our neck of the woods and how you can help keep you and your family safe. 

While it's true we appreciate our linemen every day, April 18th officially marked National Lineman Appreciation Day. To keep the celebration going, the Central Connection Podcast sat down with two of our very own linemen to find out what drew them to this field and why they do what they do. So join us and as always, #ThankALineman! 

Blurb: Let's face it, weather in Alabama is unpredictable and severe weather can strike at any time. We chat with Mark Wakefield of the Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief Center about what he's seen after a storm hits and what you can do to prepare if that day ever comes. Joined by Michael Kelley (CAEC Manager of Training & Safety) we'll also discuss vital steps after a storm, generator safety and more. 

It may be a new year, but it's the same old scams. Whether it's someone pretending to be a CAEC employee and demanding payment or trying to steal your personal info, beat scammers at their own game by being aware of some common red flags. 

 On Nov. 28, 1938, rural Alabama residents filed the incorporation papers for Central Alabama Electric Corporation and the rest, as they say, is history. Join us as we take a quick decade by decade look at some important moments of CAEC's history. From politics, Y2K, epic storms, home economics and more, we've seen a lot and we're ready for the future!

Did you know that along with being the spooooookiest of all the months, October is also National Co-op Month? To really get into the co-op spirit, we sat down with CAEC's very own Connie Bainbridge and Lori Williams to learn more about the role the co-op plays in Economic Development, as well as how it helps demonstrate our core principle of "concern for community." 

One of the banner programs cooperatives offer is Youth Tour! But have you ever wondered what the students who participate in the program get out of it? We sit down with two of the 2023 Youth Tour delegates to get the dirt on what this program means to them, what they gained from it and how it's impacting their lives. Oh, and by the way, applications for the 2024 Youth Tour are open now through January 2024! 

We love our community. We love our teachers. We love to help teachers engage the young minds in our communities through the Bright Ideas Grant Program. We spoke with guests and local educators, Emily Gregory of Pine Level Elementary School and Gylendora Davis of Billingsley School, about the Bright Ideas Grant program and how it's impacted their classrooms. So teachers, this is for you! Y'all rock!

We held CAEC's Annual Meeting on August 11 and took the CCP on the road to talk to you-- the members! Join Beth as she talks to people about the importance of Annual Meeting, Central Access, cooperative membership and so much more during our episode about you, by you and all about you!