In this urgent episode of the podcast, Chris is joined by Angela Siefer and Amy Huffman of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) to unpack a stunning announcement: President Trump has declared the Digital Equity Act “unconstitutional” and vowed to cancel it.

Angela and Amy explain what the Digital Equity Act really does, who it serves, and why this sudden political attack puts millions of Americans—and the country’s digital future—at risk.

They offer insights into what’s still unclear, how local organizations are reacting, and what’s at stake if this critical program is dismantled.

NDIA's response to President Trump's statement can be found here.

This show is 33 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

In this episode of the podcast, Chris sits down again with Evan Feinman to reflect on the challenges and lessons learned from launching the country’s largest broadband infrastructure initiative.

Evan shares an insider perspective on what it took to design the BEAD program, why local decision-making and equity are essential, and how political shifts could jeopardize its success. 

From permitting to the risks of relying on satellite technology, this conversation unpacks the real stakes of connecting every American to high-quality Internet.

This show is 52 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

In this episode of the podcast, we spotlight Stringtown, Missouri— a rural community that now has fast, reliable Internet thanks to a powerful local partnership. 

Chris talks with Patty Boyers, President and CEO of BOYCOM, and Robbie Myers, Butler County’s Emergency Management Director, about the barriers they faced, the grant that made it possible, and how broadband is transforming everything from public safety and telehealth to economic development. 

This show is 37 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

In this episode of the podcast, former BEAD Director Evan Feinman joins Christopher Mitchell and Sean Gonsalves to talk about the turmoil brewing inside the BEAD program. 

They break down what’s really behind the push for more satellite connectivity, the threat of sidelining state-led fiber projects, and the political forces stalling progress. 

With billions on the line and rural communities waiting, this episode cuts through the noise and asks: are we about to squander a once-in-a-generation opportunity?

This show is 46 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

In this episode of the podcast, Chris is joined by Heather Mills, Principal Consultant at Tilson Technology Management, to break down the latest developments in the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.

They discuss the evolving landscape of state applications, common misconceptions, and the uncertainties surrounding potential program changes. With states already awarding funds and moving forward, what challenges lie ahead?

Tune in for an in-depth conversation on how BEAD is shaping broadband expansion and what’s next for communities nationwide.

This show is 33 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

Catch the latest episode of the Connect This! Show, with co-hosts Christopher Mitchell (ILSR) and Travis Carter (USI Fiber) joined by regular guests Kim McKinley (TAK Broadband) and Doug Dawson (CCG Consulting) along with special guest Paul Dickinson (Dura-line, Fiber Optic Sensing Association, and Aii) to talk about the future of fiber optic sensing to do everything from avoid fiber cuts from construction equipment to monitor traffic to detect pipeline leakages. They also hit a grab-bag of other topics, including:

• Arielle Roth's nomination to NTIA
• The AI bubble hitting middle-mile builders
• The FCC reversing course on its efforts to protect renters' access to a competitive broadband market
• FWA providers going in on serving those living in mobile home parks
• Who owns the Internet?

Join us live on February 7th at 2pm ET, or listen afterwards wherever you get your podcasts.

Email us at broadband@communitynets.org with feedback and ideas for the show.

Subscribe to the show using this feed or find it on the Connect This! page, and watch on LinkedIn, on YouTube Live, on Facebook live, or below.

This show was more technical than is usual, even for Connect This!. See transcript below. Some additional resources mentioned in the episode include:

Smarter Infrastructure through Distributed Fiber Optic Sensing with Paul Dickinson

Fiber Broadband Association Awards Concepts that Advance Subscriber Experience at Fiber Connect 2024

G.652.D vs G.657.A1 vs G.657.A2 Fiber Optic Cabling: What’s the Difference?

A New Class of Sensing Products for DAS – AcoustiSens® Wideband Vibration Sensor Fibers and Cables

AcoustiSens® Wideband Vibration Sensor Fiber

The Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure

Common Ground Alliance

Fiber Deployment Cost Annual Report, 2024

Meet the crypto officers: How the internet is controlled by 14 people with seven secret keys

Catch the latest episode of the Connect This! Show, with co-hosts Christopher Mitchell (ILSR) and Travis Carter (USI Fiber) joined by regular guests Kim McKinley (TAK Broadband) and Doug Dawson (CCG Consulting) and special guests Sascha Meinrath (X-Lab) and Robert Boyle (Planet Networks) to talk about all the recent broadband news that's fit to print. On tap:

• The shape of the new FCC
• The Cox and Rhode Island lawsuit is negotiated away
• New York's Affordable Broadband Act
• Straw man attempts to get NTIA to drop fiber preference for BEAD

Join us live on January 24th at 2pm ET, or listen afterwards wherever you get your podcasts.

Join for the next show on February 7th at 2pm ET.

Email us at broadband@communitynets.org with feedback and ideas for the show.

Subscribe to the show using this feed or find it on the Connect This! page, and watch on LinkedIn, on YouTube Live, on Facebook live, or below.