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We’re sharing our most popular podcast episodes of the year. Haven’t been tuning in? Search “The StoryConnect Podcast” episodes by topic on our website at pioneer.coop/podcasts, and follow the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you tune in for fresh ideas.
What challenges are you facing as a communicator at your electric or broadband company? Chances are, someone else has been there—and we’ve likely asked them about it on Pioneer’s national award-winning “The StoryConnect Podcast.”
Co-hosts Andy Johns and Megan McKoy-Noe record video podcasts throughout the year and podcast live from industry events, including Calix ConneXions and the Northwest Innovations in Communications conferences. An average of 50 Utility Pioneers tune in to each episode, adding up to more than 17,000 downloads by the end of 2024.
With a few fresh episodes each month, ideas range from broadband labels, podcasts, SEO, branding and co-op storytelling to community murals and staff culture building. Did you miss one? Follow the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast platform so you don’t miss your next best idea!
Here are the top 10 most-downloaded episodes of the year—plus a bonus episode featuring a dino-riding broadband hero. Yes, really.
Top 10 Podcast Stories of 2024
1. “Broadband Labels Deadline Insights”
As an October deadline loomed for utilities to put broadband labels in place, JSI Associate Policy Council Dounia Chikhoune shared updates on guidelines, audit plans and how utilities are interpreting the requirement. For more insights, visit broadbandlabels.coop.
2. “Connecting With Your Community Through a New Brand”
Launching or refreshing a brand? Get storytelling tips and tactics from Dickson Electric System Business Development Manager Elizabeth Kuhns, who partnered with Pioneer to create the Ignite Broadband brand in Tennessee.
3. “Recruitications: Using Communications to Recruit Staff”
Today’s jobseekers are watching your utility’s communications to see what kind of organization you are. And while your primary audience will almost always be your members or customers, Umatilla Electric Co-op Manager of Public Relations Weston Putman says it’s crucial to signal to potential new hires that your organization is a place they would want to work.
4. “Working with Different Kinds of Co-ops to Build Our Shared Story”
Food co-ops, credit unions, utilities and other types of co-ops may serve different needs, but we share many of the same stories. Cooperative educator Cathy Statz talks about the power of sharing the cross-sector co-op story with young people, then offers advice for building your local cooperative community.
5. “What Do You Need to Know Before Starting a Podcast?”
Thinking about creating a podcast? Alaska Power Association deputy director Michael Rovito, host of “Alaska Powerline,” explains how he prepared to launch the podcast, built a content strategy and measures success.
6. “The ‘Rural Mural’ Program”
Georgia’s Flint Energies started a matching grant program with artists and community groups to paint murals in towns around its service territory. Vice President of Cooperative Communications Marian McLemore shares how in addition to adding beauty to the community, they’re seeing positive economic impacts.
7. “Transforming Communication Skills into Broadband Marketing Tactics”
Like many broadband storytellers, Bonnie Baty, manager of Sprout Fiber Internet Marketing and Services, began working on the electric utility side. She offers advice for communicators making the switch and shares her take on how broadband communications will evolve over the next five years.
8. “SEO’s Not Dead in North Carolina”
SkyLine SkyBest doesn’t let the fact that it is a member-owned telephone cooperative in the North Carolina mountains stop it from fighting hard against big competitors in the search rankings. Chief Marketing and Sales Officer Edward Hinson shares examples of what the co-op has done to move up in the rankings and why it’s worth it.
9. “Storytelling Tactics From Different Types of Cooperatives”
With a story-packed career spanning three different types of co-ops, WCTEL’s Mary Miller shares ideas for co-op culture-building, effective campaigns and co-opportunities for growth.
10. “Broadband and Bigfoot: Building Engagement into Your Service Strategy”
Storytelling is a HUGE component of broadband marketing. But how can you make a technical subject engaging and memorable for your community? Kelly Burns, marketing manager at CTC in Minnesota, tells us how Bigfoot, its own Gig A. Byte monster, Taste of Technology events and Broadband in a Box keep people interested and engaged in broadband services.
BONUS Episode!
Several of our top-downloaded episodes were published in January or February, gaining traction throughout the year. But while it’s not in this year’s top 10, Andy Johns claims interviewing the creatives behind the Chip Thunder franchise was one of his favorite all-time interviews. We HAD to add the episode to our list!
“Team ThunderForce: How a Dino-Riding Hero Turns Humor Into Sales”
Incorporating humor into broadband marketing has skyrocketed sales at Co-Mo Communications over the past several years. How did dino-riding Chip Thunder go from a short-lived advertisement to a beloved character among subscribers? Co-Mo Connect Marketing Manager Gene McCoy and Manager of Communications Patrick Wood tell the entertaining story. Love listening to them? They’re leading a session on video storytelling at StoryConnect 2025!
“The StoryConnect Podcast” Roots
“The StoryConnect Podcast” plays a critical role in Pioneer’s effort to make pioneer.coop a value-packed content resource for Utility Pioneers. Since the podcast began in 2016, hosts Stephen Smith and Andy have interviewed industry thought leaders to spark ideas for Utility Pioneers. Megan joined the podcast as a host in 2022.
Behind the scenes, Associate Podcast Producer Sarah Wootten works with Lucas Smith to edit the audio, write episode summaries and get the podcast published on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pioneer’s website and other audio outlets.
Video versions of some episodes were added to this mix in 2023 and Pioneer’s podcast production team wrote an in-depth guide, “How to Stream Stories with Podcasts,” on how to create, launch and promote audio storytelling, too.
Pioneer won top awards in 2023 and 2024 from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and Cooperative Communicator Association for the storytelling-driven, member-focused podcast.
Ready to tune in? Search episodes by topic at pioneer.coop/podcasts, and subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast platform.