Closing The Digital Divide On AGL

Charles Thomas

Navigating The Digital Landscape

Episodes

  1. The Art of Letting Go with Kim Strohmeier - Updated

    08/18/2025

    The Art of Letting Go with Kim Strohmeier - Updated

    In this episode, we sit down with Kim Strohmeier, founder of Still Waters Business Coaching, to explore “The Art of Letting Go”—a transformative concept for business owners struggling to scale because they’re caught in the weeds. Kim shares how effective delegation is less about giving tasks away and more about empowering others through intentional training, mindset shifts, and clear authority structures. Drawing on analogies from orchestral conducting and tools like the Profit & Play Prism™ and Milestones to Mastery™, Kim breaks down a step-by-step approach to offloading the right tasks to the right people. We discuss common mindset traps, how to build trust through feedback, and how letting go can unlock hidden strengths in your team—and yourself. Whether you're overwhelmed with day-to-day operations or seeking a practical framework to build a more resilient and scalable business, this episode provides actionable insights to help you focus on what you do best. Chapters (00:00:02) - Closing the Digital Divide(00:00:34) - Closing the Digital Divide(00:01:50) - Steve Stillwater on the Art of Let Go(00:05:59) - Why Business Owners Struggle to Give Up Control(00:10:33) - The Difference Between Responsible Leadership and Micromanagement(00:12:24) - The Profit and Play Parallax(00:15:30) - What makes the Enabling Through Apprenticeship Worksheet so powerful(00:19:08) - Delegate as a Way to Build Momentum(00:21:37) - Delegation and Business Success(00:24:51) - How to Become a Business Coach(00:27:42) - The First Step to Learning to Let Go(00:32:10) - Letting Go: The Art of Letting Go

    33 min
  2. Wireless Role in Closing the Digital Divide w/David Zumwalt CEO & President, Wireless Internet Service Association (WISPA)

    07/22/2025

    Wireless Role in Closing the Digital Divide w/David Zumwalt CEO & President, Wireless Internet Service Association (WISPA)

    In this episode of Closing the Digital Divide, I chat with David Zumwalt, CEO and President of the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA), to explore the evolving role of wireless technologies in bridging the broadband gap. Zumwalt discusses the impact of the NTIA’s updated BEAD guidance, the strengths of fixed wireless in reaching underserved communities, and how WISPs are leveraging innovation, local knowledge, and private investment to accelerate deployment. The conversation highlights key policy considerations, spectrum access, and the critical need for technology-neutral solutions to ensure broadband equity across America. Chapters (00:00:00) - Closing the Digital Divide(00:00:58) - WISPA President David Zumwalt on Closing the Digital(00:02:04) - In the Elevator With WISPA's President(00:03:56) - NTIA's updated Broadband Expansion Guidance(00:06:39) - Wi-Fi and fiber: Best for broadband?(00:09:08) - WISPA on Wireless Coverage in Bead Implementation Plans(00:12:22) - State Broadband Offices(00:14:26) - President Trump on closing the digital divide(00:16:11) - Common Criticism of Fixed Wireless(00:20:24) - Does CBRS make it more eligible for priority broadband?(00:25:30) - WSJD Live: Challenges facing wireless and wired broadband operators(00:29:47) - Will Wireless Close the Digital Divide?(00:30:48) - WISPA's New Sponsor and How to Get Involved

    33 min
  3. The Current Status of BEAD in the States w/Scott Woods

    07/21/2025

    The Current Status of BEAD in the States w/Scott Woods

    In this episode of the Closing the Digital Divide podcast, we sit down with Scott D. Woods, Esq., President of Public-Private Partnerships at Ready.net, to discuss the current status of the BEAD program across the states following the NTIA’s latest guidance. Scott offers expert insight into how states are adjusting their plans, the implications of technology-neutral funding, the evolving role of the Independent Certifier, and the critical workforce and partnership challenges that lie ahead. It’s a timely and essential conversation for anyone tracking the future of broadband deployment in America. Chapters (00:00:00) - Closing the Digital Divide(00:00:57) - Closing the Digital Divide with Scott Woods(00:02:07) - President of Public Private Partnerships and Ready for Broadband(00:04:39) - The Current Status of BEAD in the United States(00:05:05) - NTIA New B Guidance(00:07:26) - WSJD Broadband Implementation Update(00:14:02) - NTIA: Challenges facing states to meet new guidance(00:17:58) - WSJD Live: BEID Restructure Guidance(00:21:19) - NTIA's broadband restructure guidance(00:25:13) - Will the rush to compliance affect the workforce?(00:28:43) - Independent Certification of Networks(00:34:00) - WSJD Live: Ready for Broadband Deployment

    41 min
  4. Fiber's Role In Closing The Digital Divide

    07/15/2025

    Fiber's Role In Closing The Digital Divide

    Gary Bolton, President and CEO at Fiber Broadband Association, describes the role fiber plays in "Closing The Digital Divide" Chapters (00:00:00) - Broadband Infrastructure: The Tech You Need to Know(00:00:47) - Closing the Digital Divide(00:03:14) - Fiber Broadband: Its Role in Closing the Digital Divide(00:04:43) - Why is fiber the gold standard for broadband infrastructure?(00:07:20) - Federal broadband programs have struggled(00:13:02) - NTIA: Technology Neutral vs Fiber Priorities(00:18:37) - How to Support Fiber Deployment in Rural Communities(00:23:48) - Economic impacts of fiber deployment(00:26:39) - Broadband connectivity in rural areas(00:29:23) - How does fiber deployment today prepare communities for emerging technologies?(00:32:16) - WSJD Live: Workforce Development(00:36:27) - A Taste of Alaska(00:37:02) - Fiber Broadband Association(00:39:05) - Getting Everyone Connected With Fiber

    39 min

  5. 06/28/2025

    A Deep Dive Into Agentic AI - Ron Westfall

    Explore the future of Agentic AI with Ron Westfall, HyperFRAME Practice Lead, specializing in Digital Transformation, 5G, AI, Security, Cloud Computing, IoT, and data centers. Together, we discuss the prospects for AI Agents and how they are uniquely positioned to serve as collaborators. This involves setting up appropriate guardrails, preparing teams to work alongside AI agents, and cultivating high-performing, human-AI teams. Ultimately, it’s about creating a partnership where humans and AI complement each other’s strengths and evolve together over time.

    39 min

  6. 06/28/2025

    NextLink and Community - Claude Aiken

    Fun talk with Claude Aiken, Chief Strategy Officer/Chief Legal Officer at Nextlink Internet. I check in with Claude on how NextLink invests in the communities it serves, navigating the uncertainty of a changing political landscape.

    30 min
  • 6 Episodes

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Navigating The Digital Landscape

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