Connected Nation

Send us Fan Mail 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 entire reservation across borders.  Recommended links:  Fort Belknap Indian Community Donald Long Knife LinkedIn

Send us Fan Mail 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, and shaping broadband policy for Tribal communities nationwide. Coming Thursday, April 2, 2026:   register for the Virtual Town Hall Meeting   Recomm...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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 websi...

Send us Fan Mail 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 sta...

Send us Fan Mail 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 websi...

Send us Fan Mail 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. ...

Send us Fan Mail 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 Ben...

Send us Fan Mail 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 Gibso...

Send us Fan Mail 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

Send us Fan Mail 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 Solution...

Send us Fan Mail 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 M...

Send us Fan Mail 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. This is what happened.  Recommended links: Range.net Goodera

Send us Fan Mail 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 find out how the company has been and is approaching innovation including leveraging AI years before AI was "cool."  Recommended...

Send us Fan Mail 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! Recommended links:  Calix ConneXions 2025 Paymentus website Chris Homan LinkedIn

Send us Fan Mail 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 company can get involved and why setting a standard now is important for AI in the future.  Related links: Google Gino Tozzi's Linkedin Telecommunic...

Send us Fan Mail 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: AI Literacy Resource Hub Digital Literacy and Learning Program Teens Teach Tech, powered by AT&T Digital Works

Send us Fan Mail 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 talk about AI, AI pods, and the company's broadband innovation centers.  Recommended links: Robin Olds' LinkedIn Cisco webpage

Send us Fan Mail 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 leaders do everything from tackle AI to more easily tracking BEAD compliance. Recommended links:  Tom Ferree Linkedin Canopy Good Business Summit Con...

Send us Fan Mail 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 people because it's wild and rural.  Recommended links:  Montana Broadband Office website Misty Ann Giles Linkedin BEAD Program (NTI...

Send us Fan Mail 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 planning to leverage his 25 years in the business to help others and why he believes it was "now or never." Editor's note: The ho...

Send us Fan Mail 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 customer success, implementing a smarter AI, and using a little showmanship to drive the messages home. Recommended links:  Calix ConneXions 2025 Scott Neuman Cal...

Send us Fan Mail 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 the model works and what led to this non-traditional approach to expanding access to more homes and businesses. Recommended links:  Mac Mountain Website Al...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with Bree Maki, Executive Director, Office of Broadband Development, Minnesota.  She explains why the state was already well on its way to connecting everyone *before* BEAD.   Plus, we find out what state broadband leaders across the country are sharing with one another AND learn about the unique challenges of building out broadband in...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we begin our coverage from Calix ConneXions 2025, taking place in Las Vegas Nevada.  We talk with Jacob Smithee, the Director of IT from a Co-op in Alabama, about the challenges of bringing high speed internet to extremely rural areas. Plus we find out what he hopes for connectivity in his state and how his company recently helped the Navajo Na...