• Andy Johns

  • Podcasts

    Crisis Communications

    Nathalie Strickland, of the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association, discusses ways to recognize patterns of crises, the first mover advantage and other keys to being prepared to communicate when something goes really wrong.
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    Andy Johns
    May 14, 2026
  • Podcasts

    What Can LinkedIn Do for Your Company (and Yourself)?

    Now that the rules have been finalized, Dereck DeVries, of Vantage Point, shares the latest on what marketers, communicators and executives need to know about the where, what and when of broadband labels.
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    Andy Johns
    May 14, 2026
  • Podcasts

    How One Texas Telco Got 86% of Customers to Use Its App

    Ian Cope joined Utility Pioneers from across Washington at PUD Day on the Hill. As an elected official himself, he shares the best storytelling prompts to keep government officials engaged in your story. And yes, he bought GOAT shirts!
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    Andy Johns
    May 14, 2026
  • Rethinking Your Annual Meetings
    Podcasts

    Rethinking Your Annual Meetings

    When WREC's annual meeting attendance sagged, the co-op reworked the meeting into a series of events that focused on local students. Garrett Hylton explains the results and how they made it happen.
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    Andy Johns
    May 14, 2026
  • Podcasts

    Using Humor to be ‘Non-Boring’

    What You’ll Learn The Corps of Engineers Portland District social media feeds that Chris Gaylord manages are full of vampires, yams on dams, celebrities and memes. It’s not what you might expect from a government agency. Chris Gaylord explains why humor can be a useful tool when he’s communicating about scintillating topics like dredging and […]
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    Andy Johns
    May 1, 2026
  • News

    Tennessee Connections Rebrand Wins APPA Award

    Tennessee Municipal Electric Power Association took the stage at the American Public Power Association Customer Connections Conference in November, winning an Excellence in Public Power Communications award for the association’s magazine, Tennessee Connections.
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    Andy Johns
    May 22, 2026
  • Podcasts

    Seven Common Grammar Gaffes

    What You’ll Learn A self-professed grammar nerd, NWPPA Director of Communications Brenda Dunn talks through some common mistakes that writers make and how to fix them. Guest Speaker Brenda Dunn Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility Resources. StoryConnect, helping communicators discover ideas to shape […]
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    Andy Johns
    May 1, 2026
  • Podcasts

    What Can Utilities Learn From Sled Dogs? With Quince Mountain

    What You’ll Learn Quince Mountain, author of “Naked and Afraid” and a competitor in the Iditarod, was the keynote speaker at the NWPPA NIC conference. He shares points that utilities and broadband providers can learn from dog-sled racing. Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility […]
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    Andy Johns
    May 1, 2026
  • Rural-Broadband-Today
    Podcasts

    Louisiana is Dishing Out GUMBO Grants to Build Broadband

    What You’ll Learn GUMBO is more than just the best new acronym in the industry. The program has catapulted Louisiana’s broadband office forward into a leading role across the country. Guest Speaker Thomas Tyler Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability.  Intro: Rural broadband today is a production of Pioneer Utility […]
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    Andy Johns
    May 1, 2026
  • Podcasts

    Video Tips for Utility Communicators

    What You’ll Learn Sheila Corson at Okanogan County PUD shares tips utility communicators can use to quickly create quality video content to tell their stories. The software programs mentioned include vyond.com, animaker.com and powtoon.com. Guest Speaker Sheila Corson Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility […]
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    Andy Johns
    May 1, 2026
  • Podcasts

    The Case for Multigig Broadband Service

    What You’ll Learn The number of people who need (or even understand) multiple gigs’ worth of broadband speed might be small now, but Matt Daniel at Mountain Telephone lays out the case for why offering such top-end packages makes sense. Guest Speaker Matt Daniel Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. […]
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    Andy Johns
    May 1, 2026
  • Podcasts

    How to Communicate Through Alaska-sized Crises

    Extreme weather and the state's remoteness amplify any crisis that may come up in Alaska. That means Meadow Bailey and the Golden Valley team have to be prepared. What can other communicators learn from their preparation?
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    Andy Johns
    May 14, 2026