• Podcasts
    StoryConnect

    The Power of Strategic Partnerships

    Andy Johns is joined by Chris Townson, CEO of West Carolina and Upcountry Fiber, to talk about what makes a strong partnership. Chris shares candid lessons from working with telcos, electrics and municipalities—including how to evaluate opportunities, align missions, manage egos and build lasting agreements.
    Avtar
    Andy Johns
    May 14, 2026
  • Rural-Broadband-Today
    Podcasts
    Rural Broadband Today Podcast

    Implementing BEAD & Digital Equity Programs in Tennessee

    Paige Shapiro, Tennessee’s federal program officer for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) and Digital Equity programs, discusses how these programs aim to ensure all people and communities have the skills, technology and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of the digital economy.
    Avtar
    Carrie Huckeby
    November 30, 2022
  • Podcasts
    StoryConnect

    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 […]
    Avtar
    Andy Johns
    November 28, 2022
  • Podcasts
    StoryConnect

    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 […]
    Avtar
    Andy Johns
    November 21, 2022
  • Rural-Broadband-Today
    Podcasts
    Rural Broadband Today Podcast

    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 […]
    Avtar
    Andy Johns
    November 16, 2022
  • Podcasts
    StoryConnect

    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 […]
    Avtar
    Andy Johns
    November 14, 2022
  • Podcasts
    StoryConnect

    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. […]
    Avtar
    Andy Johns
    November 7, 2022
  • Podcasts
    StoryConnect

    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?
    Avtar
    Andy Johns
    October 31, 2022
  • Podcasts
    StoryConnect

    The Reluctant Salesperson

    What You’ll Learn Tom DuBos reveals what it really takes to be a good salesperson and how folks can embrace sales opportunities by seeing them as ways to meet needs. Guest Speaker Tom DuBos Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility Resources. StoryConnect The Podcast, […]
    Avtar
    Andy Johns
    October 24, 2022
  • Podcasts
    StoryConnect

    Navigating Social Media

    What You’ll Learn Ian Cope shares thoughts on how utilities can navigate through the wilds of social media, summing up his panel at the 2022 NIC conference. Guest Speaker Ian Cope Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of WordSouth and Pioneer Utility Resources. StoryConnect The Podcast, helping […]
    Avtar
    Andy Johns
    October 17, 2022
  • Podcasts
    StoryConnect

    After a Rebrand, How Can You Make Sure All of Your Staff are Telling the Same Story?

    What You’ll Learn A lot of utilities are weighing rebrands and new brands as they add broadband service, merge with other utilities or expand to new communities. Meridian Cooperative Vice President of Marketing and Creative Services Lindsay Tyson led her co-op’s rebranding efforts. She talks about using a rebranding timeline, engaging staff as brand ambassadors […]
    Avtar
    Megan McKoy-Noe, CCC
    August 22, 2022
  • Podcasts
    StoryConnect

    Writing Tips for Myths, Folklore and Utility Magazines

    What You’ll Learn Camilla Mortensen, a University of Oregon journalism instructor and editor of Eugene Weekly, defines “solution journalism” and shares storytelling tips for utility communicators from the world of journalism and folklore. Guest Speaker Camilla Mortensen Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of WordSouth and Pioneer […]
    Avtar
    Andy Johns
    August 11, 2022
  • Podcasts
    StoryConnect

    Leveraging the Smart Rural Community Designation

    What You’ll Learn NTCA’s Smart Rural Community Designation can be a powerful tool to help differentiate your telco — if you leverage it properly. Guest Speaker Melissa Lanzourakis Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of WordSouth and Pioneer Utility Resources. StoryConnect: The Podcast, helping communicators discover ideas […]
    Avtar
    Andy Johns
    August 8, 2022