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 received an 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.
- Update frequency
- every 5 days
- Average duration
- 29 minutes
- Episodes
- 204
- Years Active
- 2020 - 2025
Gig City Goes Quantum: preparing for the next wave of education, jobs, business opportunities
On this episode of Connected Nation, we’re talking about what Albert Einstein called “spooky action at a distance” – quantum physics.
Find out which southern city just went “Quantum;" how the “scie…
From Baby Boomers to Gen Z: How teens are using their tech skills to help older adults
On this episode of Conneced Nation, we focus on a new program that’s flipping the script by asking teenagers to TEACH adults in their communities new skills. It's called Teens Teach Tech.
Learn how t…
From the vault: Lyft's new CEO on using technology to help others
The big business news this week is that Lyft's co-founders are resigning, and David Risher has been named as the new CEO. In light of these headlines, we're taking you into the vault of Connected N…
Google, Samsung, META: This organization gets some of the world's largest companies to work together
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 episo…
Faster speeds, lower costs: How IXPs can bring world-class internet to smaller cities, rural areas
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 l…
On the road with MIHI: Why connecting America's farms, ranches is critical for us all
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 peopl…
On the road with MIHI: Tackling the question of affordable access for all
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 …
Pushing Tin: How one air traffic controller is helping introduce black youth to aviation
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 …
On the road with MIHI: hear from those who will help shape a statewide internet connectivity plan
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-Sp…
On the road with MIHI: 40 stops, thousands of miles, hundreds of opinions
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 th…
Why a path to citizenship should include training in digital skills
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 …
NEW DATA: Connect K-12 report on school connectivity in 2022 is out
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…
The partnership that's helping create a more inclusive and effective educational system in the US
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…
Internet provider point-of-view: the two tech trends that will change the internet
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…
The resource your school district, state leader needs to advance digital equity for all
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 com…
How you can help create a more digitally inclusive world
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 decade…
Coping with the traumas of war: why more veterans need access to telehealth now
"[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 ser…
Examining the future of telehealth in America: what a White House report recommends
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 m…
7 years, 700 affiliates and counting: Why this national group says NOW is digital equity’s moment
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 organizat…
Internet for All: How the Biden-Harris Administration plans to bring high-speed internet to everyone in America
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 Re…