In the first official episode of Unbuffered, Christopher Mitchell is joined by a powerhouse roundtable: Karl Bode, Gigi Sohn, Doug Dawson, and Sean Gonsalves. Together, they have a wide-ranging conversation on broadband policy, media consolidation, and the systems of power shaping both.

They unpack how decades of telecom mergers and inconsistent oversight from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have concentrated control over our media and reshaped how these issues are covered and understood. 

The group explores the erosion of local journalism, the growing influence of large corporations and billionaires, and how regulatory decisions continue to shape competition, affordability, and accountability.

The conversation also steps back to wrestle with a bigger question: is today’s Internet and technology ecosystem still serving the public good? From algorithm-driven media to infrastructure decisions that prioritize profit over people, the group reflects on how technology can both empower communities and reinforce existing inequities.

This show is 57 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 (formerly Community Broadband Bits) or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Riverside for the music. The song is Caveman and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

Welcome to Unbuffered, a new podcast from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance that builds on the legacy of Community Broadband Bits and Connect This! while expanding the conversation around the Internet, technology, and power.

Hosted by Chris Mitchell, Unbuffered will continue to explore community broadband, digital equity, and local solutions, but with a broader lens on how technology shapes our lives, our communities, and our sense of agency. 

From local infrastructure to global platforms, the show asks a central question: who controls the systems we rely on every day, and how can communities take that power back?

Expect a mix of one-on-one interviews, roundtable discussions, and candid reflections on the policies, technologies, and ideas shaping our digital future. 

Same trusted conversations, new name, and a renewed focus on building an Internet that is open, accessible, and accountable to the people it serves.

This trailer is 3 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 Riverside for the music. The song is Caveman and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license