Connected Nation

About 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. Interested in being one of our sponsors? Email us at info@connectednation.org.

Publisher

Jessica Denson

Category

business · news · news

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

24 Mar 2020

Latest episode

21 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

281 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   21 Oct 2026

   Build broadband with communities, not just for them

   Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we're talking with Drew Lentz of Frontera Consulting, also known as the Wireless Nerd, about what it takes to build broadband networks that truly serve the communities they connect. We discuss why broadband access is only one piece of the puzzle, the need for digital skills and cybersecurity education, and Drew's idea for “digital paperboys” to train students to support technology in their own communities. We also explore lessons from proj...

2. 

   18 Oct 2026

   It's game on: Calix on AI and the future of broadband

   Send us Fan Mail AI isn’t coming anymore. It’s here. Live from the 25th Calix ConnecXions Conference, Calix’s Scott Neuman explains why it’s "game on" for broadband providers and what that means for the communities they serve. Related links: Calix website Scott Neuman, SVP, Corporate Marketing

3. 

   14 Oct 2026

   From 4,000 survey responses to $47 million: Bastrop County’s broadband journey

   Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Connected Nation, we're talking with Norma Mercado, executive director of Bastrop County Cares, about the community-driven effort to bring broadband to underserved areas of Bastrop County, Texas. We discuss how local collaboration helped secure $47 million in broadband funding, the importance of digital skills and devices, and how Bastrop County is working to build a more connected community. Related links: Bastrop County Cares website Norma Mercado LinkedIn

Who has been a guest on Connected Nation

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Adeyinka O Ogunlegan
• Heather Gate
• Ray Zeek
• Joseph Wender
• Dana Spencer

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

47,171

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 70 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

83

Social presence

0

YouTube

76

Engagement

68