In this episode of the podcast, Chris is joined by Doug Adams, head of Broadband Marketers and writer at Broadband.io, and Karl Bode for a wide-ranging discussion on recent developments reshaping federal broadband policy.

The conversation centers on Starlink’s latest efforts to reshape BEAD program requirements through confidential riders sent to state broadband offices—requests that would dramatically reduce accountability, alter performance standards, and deliver large sums of public funding upfront. 

Doug breaks down what states are being asked to accept, why NTIA has reportedly warned states not to sign on, and how these demands differ from the obligations placed on fiber and fixed wireless providers.

Chris and Karl place the moment in historical context, comparing it to past telecom subsidy failures and raising concerns about affordability, capacity limits, consumer protections, and long-term resilience. 

The discussion also touches on broader themes: the erosion of federal oversight, the future of municipal broadband, how ARPA funds are still quietly delivering results in states like New York, and why community-driven fiber networks may once again become the fallback as federal promises falter.

The episode closes with reflections on accountability, public trust, and the real-world impacts of policy decisions on rural communities.

This show is 50 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed. 

You can also check out the video version via YouTube.

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 and Sean Gonsalves are joined by Brendan Kelly, founder of REVinternet, a new Internet Service Provider focused on bringing better connectivity to manufactured housing communities. 

Brendan shares how years working inside large telecom companies—and later with smaller ISPs—revealed just how consistently these communities are overlooked, locked into aging coaxial networks, and offered little incentive for upgrades.

The conversation explores why manufactured housing parks present unique challenges for broadband deployment, from private land ownership and outdated infrastructure to stigma and lack of competition. 

Brendan explains REVinternet’s service-agnostic approach, combining fiber, fixed wireless, and other technologies to deliver affordable, reliable Internet while working directly with park owners and residents.

Chris, Sean, and Brendan also dig into the role of digital equity, customer support, and trust-building—discussing everything from payment flexibility and digital navigation to partnerships with municipal networks. 

The episode offers a thoughtful look at how targeted, community-centered broadband strategies can succeed where one-size-fits-all policies have failed, and why manufactured housing residents deserve the same quality connectivity as any other neighborhood.

This show is 28 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

You can also check out the video version via YouTube.

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 CBN colleagues Ry Marcattilio, Sean Gonsalves, and Christine Parker for a lively conversation about what they expect to shape broadband and technology policy in 2026. 

The team shares forecasts on everything from how many new municipal networks may come online to which states will keep building with local funding even as federal programs remain uncertain.

The discussion digs into the ongoing turbulence surrounding BEAD, including shifting rules, state-level roadblocks, and growing concerns that more communities could be left waiting yet another year for funding to arrive. 

They also debate the rise of fixed wireless access, the risks and limits of satellite connectivity, and why long-term infrastructure decisions can’t ignore real-world constraints.

Beyond broadband, the group explores the growing backlash to AI and data centers, questions about trust in government and Big Tech, and why digital skills and media literacy may become even more essential in daily life.

This show is 45 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

You can also check out the video version via YouTube.

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 again by Doug Dawson for a candid conversation about where U.S. broadband policy stands as 2026 begins—and where it’s falling short.

The discussion takes a hard look at BEAD implementation delays, how uncertainty at the federal level is reshaping ISP behavior, and why many communities still struggle to plan amid shifting rules and political pressure. 

Doug explains what he’s hearing directly from providers on the ground, including concerns about overbuilding, affordability gaps, and the long-term sustainability of different network models.

Chris and Doug also explore the limits of satellite and fixed wireless solutions, the continuing importance of fiber infrastructure, and why policy debates often miss the practical realities of deployment and operations. 

The episode offers a grounded, experience-driven perspective on what communities should realistically expect in the coming years—and what questions they should be asking now.

This show is 41 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

You can also check out the video version via YouTube.

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 the first episode of the new year, Chris is joined once again by Blair Levin to unpack what 2025 delivered and what 2026 may hold for broadband, media, and technology policy.

The two revisit last year’s predictions on tariffs, deportations, BEAD implementation delays, and federal broadband investment, assessing where expectations aligned with reality — and where they didn’t. 

The conversation also explores deeper structural issues facing the broadband ecosystem: the growing affordability crisis after the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program, the long-term implications for universal service, and the emerging tension between fiber, fixed wireless, and satellite competition. 

Looking beyond broadband, the episode tackles the rising backlash against Big Tech and AI, the expansion of online gambling, consolidation in media ownership, and what Blair calls the shift from free markets to a “market for political affection.” 

The discussion closes with reflections on what it will take to rebuild trust, competition, and accountability in an era where policy, power, and technology are more intertwined than ever.

This show is 51 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

You can also check out the video version via YouTube.

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 special year-end episode of the podcast, Chris is joined by Community Broadband Networks colleagues Jordan Pittman, Sean Gonsalves, Jess Auer, Christine Parker, Ry Marcattilio, and DeAnne Cuellar for a wide-ranging and candid review of 2025’s biggest broadband developments.

The team revisits their predictions from the start of the year, unpacking what they got right—and where reality proved far harsher than expected. 

The conversation dives deep into the troubled rollout of the BEAD program, including delays, shrinking ambitions, and the growing uncertainty facing rural and Tribal communities. 

They also explore the fallout from the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program, the chilling effect on state affordability efforts, and the broader consequences of federal inaction on digital equity.

Along the way, the group highlights important bright spots, including Tribal Nations securing BEAD awards, new municipal networks coming online, and continued local leadership in states like New York and California. 

At the same time, they grapple with rising broadband prices, consolidation in the telecom industry, stalled competition policy, and what it means when Internet access continues to fall off the national priority list.

Tune in for thoughtful reflection, sharp analysis, and a clear-eyed discussion of what 2025 taught us—and what communities should be watching as the fight for fast, affordable, and accountable Internet access continues into 2026.

This show is 51 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

You can also check out the video version via YouTube.

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 longtime guest Sascha Meinrath of Penn State University to unravel what's really happening with the BEAD program—and why federal officials are quietly rewriting the rules behind closed doors. 

Sascha explains how BEAD funding is being diverted away from states and into satellite providers like SpaceX, despite overwhelming data that current Starlink capacity already fails to deliver broadband speeds for most users. 

They also unpack misleading speed test metrics, the dangers of ignoring physics in satellite planning, and the looming risk of space congestion. 

With policy negligence threatening rural investment, economic development, and even national infrastructure, Sascha issues a stark reminder: when science is sidelined, communities pay the price.

This show is 49 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

You can also check out the video version via YouTube.

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