In this episode of the podcast, Chris talks with Josh Etheridge, Chief Strategic Officer of EPC—a broadband construction company based in Louisiana—about the real-world consequences of the federal government’s pause on BEAD funding. 

Josh breaks down how the delay has disrupted local businesses, sidelined workers, and stalled broadband expansion in some of the country’s most disconnected communities. 

From equipment sitting idle to families laid off, he lays out how uncertainty at the top is rippling down through the industry—and what’s at stake if BEAD doesn’t move forward soon.

This show is 36 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

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 talks with Josh Etheridge, Chief Strategic Officer of EPC—a broadband construction company based in Louisiana—about the real-world consequences of the federal government’s pause on BEAD funding. 

Josh breaks down how the delay has disrupted local businesses, sidelined workers, and stalled broadband expansion in some of the country’s most disconnected communities. 

From equipment sitting idle to families laid off, he lays out how uncertainty at the top is rippling down through the industry—and what’s at stake if BEAD doesn’t move forward soon.

This show is 36 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

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 talks with Josh Etheridge, Chief Strategic Officer of EPC—a broadband construction company based in Louisiana—about the real-world consequences of the federal government’s pause on BEAD funding. 

Josh breaks down how the delay has disrupted local businesses, sidelined workers, and stalled broadband expansion in some of the country’s most disconnected communities. 

From equipment sitting idle to families laid off, he lays out how uncertainty at the top is rippling down through the industry—and what’s at stake if BEAD doesn’t move forward soon.

This show is 36 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

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 sits down with Tom Esselman of DEPO-KC to explore how Kansas City is meeting the digital equity challenge with grassroots action, local partnerships, and nonprofit leadership. 

They trace the city’s long digital inclusion journey—from the arrival of Google Fiber and early federal initiatives to today’s uncertain funding landscape. 

Tom shares powerful personal stories of connection, community trust, and workforce development that reveal why local, relationship-driven work remains central to closing the digital divide.

This show is 40 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

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 sits down with Tom Esselman of DEPO-KC to explore how Kansas City is meeting the digital equity challenge with grassroots action, local partnerships, and nonprofit leadership. 

They trace the city’s long digital inclusion journey—from the arrival of Google Fiber and early federal initiatives to today’s uncertain funding landscape. 

Tom shares powerful personal stories of connection, community trust, and workforce development that reveal why local, relationship-driven work remains central to closing the digital divide.

This show is 40 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

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 sits down with Tom Esselman of DEPO-KC to explore how Kansas City is meeting the digital equity challenge with grassroots action, local partnerships, and nonprofit leadership. 

They trace the city’s long digital inclusion journey—from the arrival of Google Fiber and early federal initiatives to today’s uncertain funding landscape. 

Tom shares powerful personal stories of connection, community trust, and workforce development that reveal why local, relationship-driven work remains central to closing the digital divide.

This show is 40 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

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 sits down with Tom Esselman of DEPO-KC to explore how Kansas City is meeting the digital equity challenge with grassroots action, local partnerships, and nonprofit leadership. 

They trace the city’s long digital inclusion journey—from the arrival of Google Fiber and early federal initiatives to today’s uncertain funding landscape. 

Tom shares powerful personal stories of connection, community trust, and workforce development that reveal why local, relationship-driven work remains central to closing the digital divide.

This show is 40 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

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 sits down with Tom Esselman of DEPO-KC to explore how Kansas City is meeting the digital equity challenge with grassroots action, local partnerships, and nonprofit leadership. 

They trace the city’s long digital inclusion journey—from the arrival of Google Fiber and early federal initiatives to today’s uncertain funding landscape. 

Tom shares powerful personal stories of connection, community trust, and workforce development that reveal why local, relationship-driven work remains central to closing the digital divide.

This show is 40 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

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 sits down with Tom Esselman of DEPO-KC to explore how Kansas City is meeting the digital equity challenge with grassroots action, local partnerships, and nonprofit leadership. 

They trace the city’s long digital inclusion journey—from the arrival of Google Fiber and early federal initiatives to today’s uncertain funding landscape. 

Tom shares powerful personal stories of connection, community trust, and workforce development that reveal why local, relationship-driven work remains central to closing the digital divide.

This show is 40 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

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 sits down with Tom Esselman of DEPO-KC to explore how Kansas City is meeting the digital equity challenge with grassroots action, local partnerships, and nonprofit leadership. 

They trace the city’s long digital inclusion journey—from the arrival of Google Fiber and early federal initiatives to today’s uncertain funding landscape. 

Tom shares powerful personal stories of connection, community trust, and workforce development that reveal why local, relationship-driven work remains central to closing the digital divide.

This show is 40 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed.

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