Jessica Denson
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 2026 and 2024 with an Award of Excellence for Podcast Series - Technology. This is the highest honor given by the Communicator Awards. In addition, the podcast received Awards of Distinction in the same category in 2025, 2023, and 2022. Learn more about the national nonprofit behind this podcast at connectednation.org. Intereste...
Author
Jessica Denson
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Jul 8, 2026
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Episodes
Sounds of the Summit: He’s never worked in broadband but that’s not stopping him. Meet the man trying to connect Encinitas, California. 13.11.2024 26:48
Send us Fan Mail 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...
Sounds of the Summit: Today's perceptions in telehealth and Hawaii's vision for full connectivity 07.11.2024 16:21
Send us Fan Mail 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 Hawa...
Sounds of the Summit: Upcoming trends in digital inclusion and how one ISP is revolutionizing local connectivity 05.11.2024 16:50
Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our live coverage at the Broadband Communities Summit West conference. We talk with the Executive VP of Digital Inclusion for Connected Nation, about trends that are happening within the digital inclusion space. Plus we talk with a leader from Further Reach about how the company started as a project at UC Berkeley, and has now becom...
Sounds from the Summit: Why 100% connectivity is a moving target in the Sunflower State 31.10.2024 14:45
Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our live coverage at the Broadband Communities Summit West conference. You'll hear from the Interim Director of the Kansas State Broadband Office as he discusses Middle Mile vs. Last Mile, BEAD deadlines, and Kansas's BEAD challenge process. Recommended Links: Kansas Department of Commerce - Office of Broadband Development...
Sounds from the Summit: Episode #1 30.10.2024 20:31
Send us Fan Mail On our first episode of BBC Summit coverage, you'll hear from one man who says he knows what the number one issue many of the broadband leaders are having. Also joining us, a state broadband director who says "by the time BEAD is done, there will be 56 different conclusions." Recommended Links: Brian Newby's LinkedIn Tom Cox's LinkedIn Steve Valdez LinkedI...
Behind the 5G revolution: Verizon leadership on the company's role in shaping the future of connectivity 23.10.2024 39:58
Send us Fan Mail On today’s podcast, Verizon's CRO for the Global Enterprise & Public Sector, Massimo Peselli, joins us to discuss the technology of 5G including what’s myth and what’s reality. Plus, we look at how global leaders are tackling the issue of connectivity AND what’s on the horizon for new tech within the broadband space. Recommended Links: Massimo's LinkedIn Verizon Bus...
Broadband Nation Expo: The role of mapping and data analytics in expanding broadband access 17.10.2024 14:24
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is a bonus interview from our coverage at the 2024 Broadband Nation Expo. We were joined by Justin Fazzari, Senior Broadband Strategist at Sanborn. We speak about Justin's background, some of his daily activities and what is the present and future of Sanborn. Be sure to check out the links below! Recommended Links: Justin's LinkedIn Sanborn's We...
Broadband Nation Expo 2024: Understanding the importance of BEAD funding & how it impacts all Americans 11.10.2024 38:07
Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our live coverage at the Broadband Nation Expo. During the "Broadband and Brews" event hosted by Connected Nation, Vernonburg Group, and Sandborn our host Grant Ahlbrand speaks with three broadband industry leaders. The discussion covers everything from digital equity and broadband funding to day-to-day responsibilities of...
Broadband Nation Expo 2024: How broadband connectivity can help individuals become successful in the digital age 10.10.2024 29:14
Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our live coverage at the Broadband Nation Expo. We talk with two experts about the importance of broadband in many aspects of everyday life. Learn how connectivity is bringing more people together than ever before. RELATED LINKS: Miami Dale College Eutelsat Oneweb Jorge Gonzalez, Business Innovation Center, Miami Dale College, Link...
On the road: Inside Broadband Nation Expo 2024 (Part 1) 10.10.2024 23:56
Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we begin our coverage from Broadband Nation Expo. At this broadband conference attendees learn from 120+ industry and government leaders as they discuss relevant topics and supply them with tangible takeaways across 2 1/2 days of in-depth, high-quality programming. We speak with leaders in the industry about workforce development challenges, th...
From open Wi-Fi to "visionary" broadband laws: How the western US is addressing digital access differently 26.09.2024 25:52
Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with leadership at Total Telecom about a new event that’s focused on connecting “every community in the Western US with next-generation communications infrastructure.” From cutting-edge technologies to proven broadband strategies – we’ll find out what topics, speakers, and innovations you can expect to explore during the inaugural Broad...
Where innovators and leaders unite: Previewing the upcoming 2024 Broadband Nation Expo 18.09.2024 19:10
Send us Fan Mail Today, we’re gearing up for one of the most exciting events in the broadband space – the 2024 Broadband Nation Expo in Washington, D.C. On this episode, we are joined by leadership at Questex to discuss why this expo is where leaders and innovators come together to talk about the future of broadband and digital inclusion. Recommended Links: Broadband Nation Expo Registration Link...
Mountain Connect 2024: How BroadbandOhio is navigating BEAD 08.08.2024 19:28
Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we wrap our coverage from Mountain Connect 2024 as we sit down with the State Broadband Director from the Buckeye State to discuss the state's broadband strategic plan and the future if connectivity in Ohio. Related Links: BroadbandOhio Mountain Connect Mountain Connect 2024 series Opening episode The Internet Equity Initiative and connec...
Mountain Connect 2024: BEAM's leadership on broadband expansion and accessibility across Mississippi 08.08.2024 19:30
Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we sit down with Sally Doty, who serves as the Director of the State Broadband Office for Mississippi, better known as BEAM. Related links: Broadband Expansion & Accessibility of Mississippi (BEAM) Newby Ventures - Internet Exchange Points Connected Nation IXPs Mountain Connect 2024 series Opening episode The Internet Equity Initiative and...
Mountain Connect 2024: Key partnerships, digital equity, and the Illinois Broadband Lab 08.08.2024 30:32
Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with Director of State and Local Government Partnerships at ready.net. Plus, we sit down with a representative from the University of Illinois to discuss the Illinois Broadband Lab and catch up with the team at Digitunity to learn how the nonprofit is expanding its work to reach more Americans in need. Related Links: Ready.net Illinoi...
Mountain Connect 2024: Nokia's Network in a Box and the one thing most people get wrong about the company 07.08.2024 12:44
Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our coverage from Mountain Connect, which is taking place in Denver, Colorado. We talk with leadership at Nokia and discuss the company's movement into rural America, it's "network in a box" program, and the one thing everyone is getting wrong about the company. Recommended Links: Stefaan Vanhastel's LinkedI...
Mountain Connect 2024: The high-tech (and dangerous) broadband job that some say needs regulation now 07.08.2024 32:19
Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our coverage from Mountain Connect, which is taking place in Denver, Colorado. We talk with a leader at the Fiber Optics Network about the need for regulations surrounding a critical broadband job, AND we talk with the leader of a new telecom school that's approaching training in a new way. Related Links: Mountain Connect The F...
Mountain Connect 2024: The Internet Equity Initiative and connecting the most remote, inhabited island in Michigan 07.08.2024 32:33
Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our coverage from Mountain Connect, taking place in Denver, Colorado. We speak with an organization that's working in seven of the least connected states in the country. Plus, we talk with researchers from the University of Chicago about the Internet Equity Initiative AND get an update from MIHI office about connecting all Mich...
On the road: Inside Mountain Connect 2024 (Part 1) 06.08.2024 17:04
Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we begin our coverage from Mountain Connect, a broadband conference that is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The theme this year is "Beyond the bandwidth, the power of broadband revolutionizing access." We begin by answering a simple the question - what does a small ISP do if it needs big equipment? Plus, find out why having a strong...
Service over self: How an ex-submarine captain is tackling America's Digital Divide 31.07.2024 48:28
Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with Tony Grayson – a man who has held leadership roles at such tech giants as Amazon, Facebook, and Oracle – roles that are perhaps eclipsed by his time as a submarine captain. We’ll explore his new approach to closing the Digital Divide in America; look at the challenges of providing resources for growing needs of AI; and share how t...
How being "a canoe in a sea of battleships" steers this ISP's mission 24.07.2024 36:31
Send us Fan Mail On today’s podcast, we talk with the CEO of DigitalC, a company that’s offering lightning fast-internet to anyone in its service area for just 18-dollars a month, for five years! The service is 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload speeds. Find out how that’s been made possible through a unique partnership. Plus, we’ll explore the community approach DigitalC takes – that’s sett...
Special series: Inside NACo - covering what county leaders should know about AI, cybersecurity, and more 15.07.2024 18:00
Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we conclude our coverage from the National Association of Counties' (NACo) Conference and Exposition. We sit down with NACo's Legislative Director of Telecommunications and Technology and cover everything from county broadband needs to developing a toolkit on AI for county leaders. Related links: NACo website The County Compass - an...
Special series: Inside NACo - from the "science of where" to casinos everywhere 15.07.2024 26:55
Send us Fan Mail On this special episode of Connected Nation, we talk with the head of government solutions for Esri; the national director for the public sector at Big Health; and a leader for Tunica County, Mississippi about the unique needs of his county, which includes six casinos. Related links: Esri Big Health Tunica County, Mississippi Special series episodes list: Inside that National Asso...
Special series: Inside NACo - how USDA Rural Development supports county leaders 14.07.2024 18:21
Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk to the IT Director of Kent County, Delaware about what can be done to help transient populations. We also sit down with a representative from USDA Rural Development about what the organization can do to help rural areas do everything from improve their infrastructure to navigate the federal grant proces. Related links: USDA Rural Devel...
Special series: Inside NACo - two innovations that can make your life more stress free 14.07.2024 19:48
Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we continue our coverage from the NACo conference. And you're going to love this episode. That's because we talked to two companies that are doing pretty innovative things to make your life more relaxed and stress-free. Related links: Daiwa massage chairs Advanced Robot Solutions NACo's Achievement Award winners for 2024 Special...
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