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  • Podcasts
    The StoryConnect Podcast

    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

    Local Schools & Rural Broadband Providers Working Together on Broadband Access

    What You’ll Learn Dr. Allen Pratt, Executive Director of the National Rural Education Association, discusses four steps local school districts and broadband providers can take together to ensure every child has the internet access they need to succeed. Guest Speaker Dr. Allen Pratt Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Stephen […]
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    Stephen V. Smith
    August 5, 2020
  • Podcasts
    The StoryConnect Podcast

    WordSouth Acquired by Pioneer Utility Resources

    What You’ll Learn Following the news that Oregon-based Pioneer Utility Resources had acquired WordSouth, Pioneer CEO Mike Shepard and WordSouth founder Stephen V. Smith joined the podcast to discuss what this means for the two companies and the industries they serve. Guest Speaker Michael Shepard & Stephen Smith Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited […]
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    Andy Johns
    July 22, 2020
  • Rural-Broadband-Today
    Podcasts
    Rural Broadband Today Podcast

    Asking the Governor to Veto a Rural Broadband Bill

    What You’ll Learn Jeff Arnold, Executive Director of the Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperatives, discusses the grassroots efforts it took to persuade the Louisiana governor to veto a bill that would have likely limited broadband access to Louisiana’s underserved citizens. Guest Speaker Jeff Arnold Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. […]
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    Stephen V. Smith
    July 17, 2020
  • Rural-Broadband-Today
    Podcasts
    Rural Broadband Today Podcast

    Broadband Access & the Homework Gap

    What You’ll Learn Mike Romano, Senior VP of Industry Affairs and Business Development for NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, discusses two distinctive broadband access problems and a five-step plan that could help solve the homework gap schools and students will likely face again this fall. Guest Speaker Mike Romano Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited […]
    Avtar
    Stephen V. Smith
    July 15, 2020
  • Rural-Broadband-Today
    Podcasts
    Rural Broadband Today Podcast

    Investing CARES Act Money in Broadband

    What You’ll Learn Fred Johnson, CEO and Executive Vice President of FTC, has been appointed by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey to the state’s Broadband Working Group. This group is tasked with providing input on how to use federal CARES Act money to increase broadband coverage across the state. Guest Speaker Fred Johnson Show Notes Transcripts […]
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    Stephen V. Smith
    July 10, 2020
  • Podcasts
    The StoryConnect Podcast

    Converting to Usage-Based Broadband

    What You’ll Learn About a year ago, Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company began switching customers over to a usage-based pricing structure that charged on data used, rather than speed. What went into that move and how has it been received? Guest Speaker Melissa Lanzourakis Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Andy […]
    Avtar
    Andy Johns
    June 24, 2020
  • Rural-Broadband-Today
    Podcasts
    Rural Broadband Today Podcast

    Electric Co-ops Serving Broadband to Rural Mississippi

    What You’ll Learn Commissioner Brandon Presley of the Mississippi Public Service Commission discusses the events that took place within the state government for electric co-ops to be legally allowed to provide broadband services to their customers. Guest Speaker Commissioner Brandon Presley Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Stephen Smith: And […]
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    Stephen V. Smith
    June 23, 2020
  • Podcasts
    The StoryConnect Podcast

    Webinar Audio: Back to School Promotions and Campaigns

    What You’ll Learn This episode is the audio from a WordSouth webinar on June 9 titled Back to School Promotions and Campaigns. Visit the WordSouth Webinar page to see more upcoming webinars. Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Andy Johns: If you missed the introduction, my name is Andy Johns. […]
    Avtar
    Andy Johns
    June 23, 2020
  • Podcasts
    The StoryConnect Podcast

    Focusing on the Customer Experience

    What You’ll Learn Carrie Huckeby, who led Pioneer’s training program before joining the Tennessee Broadband Association as Executive Director, discusses how CSRs and MSRs can focus on peak moments in the customer’s journey to dramatically improve customer satisfaction. Guest Speaker Carrie Huckeby Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Andy Johns: […]
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    Andy Johns
    June 23, 2020
  • Podcasts
    The StoryConnect Podcast

    Selling Upgrades in a Pandemic

    What You’ll Learn Upgrading customers is always an important way to grow revenues, but many telcos have been flooded with upgrade requests with customers working from home and homeschooling. What do you need to do to be ready to keep up? Guest Speaker Mcxie Hurst Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and […]
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    Andy Johns
    June 23, 2020
  • Podcasts
    The StoryConnect Podcast

    Webinar Audio: Marketing Segmentation

    What You’ll Learn This episode is the audio from a WordSouth webinar on May 14 titled Marketing Segmentation. Visit the WordSouth Webinars page to find more webinars. Guest Speaker Carrie Huckeby Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability.  Andy Johns: Well, hello, and thanks to everybody for joining us on this […]
    Avtar
    Andy Johns
    June 23, 2020
  • Rural-Broadband-Today
    Podcasts
    Rural Broadband Today Podcast

    A Pandemic Highlights Two Rural Americas

    What You’ll Learn Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for broadband infrastructure across Rural America. Guest Speaker Shirley Bloomfield Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Stephen Smith: Hello, I’m Stephen Smith. Welcome to our first episode of our new […]
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    Stephen V. Smith
    June 20, 2020