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 receive 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
What do YOU think motivates some people to put their own needs aside to help others? We talked with one extraordinary teenager who is taking action to the close the Digital Divide – by helping both senior citizens and those dealing with homelessness.
On this episode of Connected Nation, we head to Birmingham, Alabama to meet the 2025 National Student Broadband Hero Award honoree – Michael Schmalz.
Related links:
Teens Teach Te...
On this episode of Connected Nation, we wrap up our coverage of the Connected America conference with a powerful conversation about bridging the Digital Divide. Host Jessica Denson is joined by Viviana Cohuo, Lead Project Manager for AT&T’s Corporate Social Responsibility team.
They dive into AT&T’s nationwide efforts to build digital skills through programs like Teens Teach Tech powered by AT&T, Ready Tech Go workshops...
The retirement of copper landlines is accelerating — and many businesses aren’t ready.
On this episode of Connected Nation, guest host Grant Ahlbrand speaks with Max Silber, Vice President of Mobility and IoT at MetTel, to explore why this shift is happening now, what it means for essential services and businesses, and how digital solutions can deliver safer, smarter, and more cost-effective communication infrastructure.
Whether yo...
On this episode of Connected Nation, we tackle a topic impacting millions of students across the country — how to sustain digital access in K-12 education.
As federal programs end, only 27% of states are ready to keep kids connected. Jessica Denson talks with Pam Lloyd, Ph.D., Strategic Advisor at Connected Nation, and Ji Soo Song, Director of Projects and Initiatives at SETDA, about a new report that outlines strategies to prevent...
In this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our coverage from the Connected America conference in Irving, Texas.
Our host, Jessica Denson sits down with the Editor-in-Chief at Working Nation, to discuss the importance of digital skills in today’s workforce and how digital navigators are bridging the connectivity gap.
Later, Jessica speaks with an individual from Lead for America about their efforts to support digitally disconn...
On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with leadership from Calix – a company that “helps broadband service providers simplify, innovate, and grow.”
Learn how the company is shifting the focus from being a service provider to a “experience” provider, what exactly that means, and and how the unique approach is actually aiding in the response to natural disasters in the U-S.
Recommend Links:
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) - Teleme...
On this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our coverage from the Connected America conference, where we dive into the latest in broadband innovation and policy.
First, we hear from Belden Precision Optical Technologies, a company that was recently acquired by Belden, about how this shift is driving new opportunities in fiber connectivity. Then, we sit down with Eric Frederick, Chief Connectivity Officer of the Michigan High-S...
On this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our coverage from Connected America in Irving, Texas, by exploring the Startup Village, where innovation is driving connectivity forward.
First, we sit down with Huw Rees from NetExperience, a company revolutionizing managed Wi-Fi for apartments, student housing, and hotels. Then, we meet Yishai Amsterdamer, CEO of Litelinx, whose company is introducing smart fiber, a game-changing t...
We’re live from Connected America, exploring how internet exchange points (IXPs) improve connectivity across the U.S.!
Host Jessica Denson chats with De-CIX's Kelly Sieben, who uses a fun marble demo to explain how IXPs reduce latency and speed up internet access. Then, Ed d'Agostino dives deeper into why IXPs are critical for broadband expansion, how they impact everyday users, and why the U.S. is working to expand them...
Imagine living in today’s digital world without knowing how to access the internet, use a computer, or even navigate a mobile phone. It may surprise you to learn that this is a reality for millions of Americans.
On this episode, we explore the critical impact of digital literacy and how lacking essential skills affects everything from economic opportunities to health outcomes. Host Jessica Denson speaks with experts behind a new rep...
Navigating the broadband landscape in 2025 is no easy task—especially as new policies, technologies, and funding opportunities emerge. In this episode of Connected Nation, host Jessica Denson sits down with an Editor at TotalTelecom, to discuss the key broadband issues and opportunities state and local leaders should be watching.
They’ll explore the themes shaping the upcoming Connected America Conference in Dallas, Texas, on March ...
Broadband isn’t just about fiber and wireless networks—it’s about people. In this episode of Connected Nation, we explore a groundbreaking research project that examines the individuals and programs working to close the Digital Divide.
Jessica Denson is joined by Dr. Revati Prasad from the Benton Institute for Broadband and Society and Dr. Caroline Stratton from the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) to discuss their findin...
Telehealth has transformed how older adults access healthcare, but significant barriers still exist. In this special roundtable episode of Connected Naton, we're joined by a panel of telehealth experts to discuss how technology, innovation, and collaboration can improve healthcare access for aging populations.
PRODUCTION NOTE: One of the guests, Tom Kamber had a previous engagement that he had to step out for around the 30:00 m...
The new year has arrived - bringing the long-awaited start of broadband expansion under the Broadband Equity Access and Development Program (BEAD). However, as all U.S. states and territories prepare to build simultaneously, new challenges are surfacing.
On this episode of Connected Nation, we’ll discuss these issues with a telecom industry leader covering topics ranging from strengthening the workforce to adopting best p...
State leaders across the US are about to embark on a massive undertaking to expand the nation’s broadband infrastructure – thanks to bipartisan legislation that funds the work.
On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with the CEO and founder of Aurigo Software Technologies, a company that’s helped plan, build, and manage some of the world’s largest infrastructure projects.
We ask what common mistakes state...
On today’s podcast – we’re doing something special to wrap up an incredible year.
We're bringing in the award-winning communications team that works behind the scenes daily to spread the word about Connected Nation’s impactful programs and projects – tackling digital inequities from coast to coast.
We’ll reflect on the biggest challenges, milestones, and victories of 2024, share personal highlights, and even give a glimpse of w...
Today, we’re diving into an incredible story of technology and connection happening right here in the United States.
We’re thrilled to welcome leadership from Centranet, a company that delivers cutting edge internet via a fiber broadband communitcations network.
We will hear more about Centranet and their recently announced partnership with Sac and Fox Nation to bring one of the fastest internet speeds in the wo...
On this episode of Connected Nation, we conclude our coverage of the Broadband Communities Summit West. Learn how a relatively new nonprofit is helping community organizations bridge the Digital Divide; explore another company's unique approach to helping smaller ISPs secure funding; AND hear from one man who is taking connecting his community into his own hands.
Recommended Links:
Curtis Dean Linkedin
Commu...
On this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our coverage from the Broadband Communities Summit West conference.
We discuss new trends in telehealth with a leading researcher on the topic and talk to a representative from Hawaiian Telecom about the state's goal to have a 100% connectivity by 2026.
Recommended Links:
Chris McGovern Linkedin
Jonathan Delahoyde Linkedin
Hawaiian Telecom
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