Connected Nation

Send us Fan Mail Google, Samsung, META, Cisco— big names that are all part of the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA), which is a global organization that connects people with the latest Wi-Fi initiatives. On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk one-on-one with leader of the WBA to get an industry perspective on everything from connecting rural America to understanding the potential impact of a...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we focus on the question of how to effectively bring world-class internet access to smaller cities and rural areas across the US.   Learn how a new joint venture leveraging Internet Exchange Points may finally fill critical gaps in the system – that will not only speed up the internet in all corners of the country – but make it more affordable...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we wrap-up our look at the Michigan Connected Future Tour—an ambitious 40-stop listening tour focused on  internet access in Michigan. You'll  hear from two people in the ag industry about why internet connectivity on America’s ranches and farms is something every one of us should be concerned about. Related links: MI Connected Future Tour...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we return to Michigan for part three of our look at the Michigan Connected Future Tour.  It’s an ambitious 40-stop listening tour being conducted by the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office, which is developing a five-year internet connectivity plan for the state. You'll hear from two retirees about why senior citizens MUST be part of that...

Send us Fan Mail On this espisode of Connected Nation, we have a special guest in honor of Black History Month – Brelis Spiller, a man who must keep his cool in one of the most technologically advanced and stressful environments in the world as an air traffic controller. Learn how he handles all that pressure. Plus, we'll discuss his role in getting more black youth interested in the aviation...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation,  we return to Michigan for part two of our look at the MI Connected Future Tour.  It’s an ambitious 40-stop listening tour being conducted by the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office, which is developing a five-year internet connectivity plan for the state. In part two, you’ll hear directly from, local residents, business owners, school leaders,...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we take you into the heart of Michigan where the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI) recently launched an ambitious 40-stop broadband listening tour. For the first time on our show, we’re going into the field to hear what residents, business owners. teachers, and other local stakeholders have to  say about the impact of being disconnecte...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine starting a new life in a new country unable to speak the language and unable to navigate the resources and services that could help you – simply because they are online. That’s the challenge for many individuals and families who immigrate to the US.   On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with one man who works directly with Immigrant populations about what can be d...

Send us Fan Mail On today's espisode of Connected Nation,  we talk with those behind a new report on school connectivity in America that finds more than 23.5 million students lack adequate internet speeds for digital learning in every classroom, every day. Find out how the newest data can be used to improve those numbers, how many school districts are already meeting or exceeding recommended...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation,  we talk with those behind a powerful new partnership aimed at helping school districts remove barriers to the use of technology within special education.   We ask how the new partnership will work to support school leaders, what parents and teachers should know, and why this is a critical step in creating a more effective AND inclusive educati...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with two top executives within the broadband industry about the billions of dollars in federal funding now on the table for expanding access to high-speed internet. Learn which subject matter experts they believe are being left out of the conversation, the measurable ways they’ve seen high-speed internet transform economies, AND where t...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with a representative within the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology about advancing digital equity within our schools and communities.  Specifically, we’ll look at a new resource that provides a series of recommendations for developing plans to close the Digital Divide and enable technology-empowered learnin...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation,  we’re focusing on an issue of equity within the broadband space—specifically digital inclusion.   We talk with a thought leader on the issue – who has both decades of experience helping vulnerable populations AND who now chairs a Federal Communications Committee that’s providing guidance to national leaders on closing the Digital Divide for th...

Send us Fan Mail "[Veterans] should not have to march into a clinical sterile setting to try to explain the horrors of war.” ~Dr. Ronald Boyd On this episode of Connected Nation, we ask our audience to consider a serious question.  "How do you believe your world view would shift once you’ve been shot at or been asked to shoot others?”  Hear from one therapist, who is also a disabled comb...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we examine a report from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, which issued new guidance and recommendations for making some telehealth access measures permanent when treating substance use disorders.    Hear from two health care legal experts about what the report uncovers regarding treatment options and  what’s at risk if th...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we focus on one of the largest organizations in the country that’s advocating for digital inclusion— the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA). The  organization just released its first impact report since its founding in 2015. Find what steps it’s taken to narrow the Digital Divide, what success NDIA has seen as a result, and why the grou...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, the focus is on the federal “Internet for All” initiative recently launched by the Biden-Harris Administration.  We talk with the man who’s been named “Special Representative of Broadband” about what YOUR state and community leaders should be doing NOW to access the billions of dollars in broadband-related funding.  Plus, we examine next steps...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we're talking big data and big dollars with Faster Internet Oregon – a group working to ensure that billions of dollars in federal funding for improving internet access and speeds is distributed equitably Learn what the grassroots organization is asking residents, community organizations, and businesses to do AND find out why it's pro...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with leadership at the USDA about the recently launched Rural Partners Network which promises to bring “the federal government [directly] to rural America.”  We find out how this approach will work, which remote areas will immediately benefit, and how other small towns across the US can take advantage of this new opportunity.  Related l...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with the COO of Patriot Broadband – a company with a mission to “bring reliable, fast, affordable, and secure internet connections to underserved rural communities.”   The company is fulfilling its goal by asking if YOU want to own the internet and empower your own community. We’ll explore how that could work.     Related links: Company...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we discuss the "need for speed" when it comes to internet connectivity – specifically how the U-S is doing in comparison to the E-U. The Fair Internet Report has been tracking *international* broadband performance for years. The report’s lead researcher shares when there was a “transformational change” in download speeds, how the US a...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation,  we talk with those behind Accelecom  – a company created specifically to manage commercial access to Kentucky’s newly created state-owned, fiber optic network. We ask how the company is helping  private and nonprofit organizations tap into the  new, high-speed network, why it’s a good business model, and what mistakes - and victories - were ma...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with the President and CMO for Parks Associates - a national market and research consulting firm.  Learn how this woman and family-owned firm became one of the most trusted companies in tech research and find out what emerging consumer tech trends leadership sees on the horizon.  Related links: Parks Associates website - https://www.par...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we discuss the idea of building an internet for everyone in every corner of the globe.    We’ll talk with the man who serves as the regional Vice President for North America for the Internet Society – a nonprofit working to not only extend the internet’s reach but also protect its long-term well-being.    Related links: Internet society website...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we talk with Dr. Fallon Wilson, who is the co-founder and CEO of Black Tech Futures Research institute. We’ll discuss her work for equal access and representation in tech, media, and telecommunications AND learn more about her prophecies for Black tech in America. Related links: Multicultural Media, Telecom, and Internet Council website - https...