Best Clec Podcasts (2025)

1
Grow your revenue by training end-users, with Katie Merrill from B-Lynk 18:38

9M ago18:38

18:38

In this episode I'm joined by Katie Merrill, founder and CEO of B-Lynk to share how she started a business focused on creating training materials for hosted PBX and UCaaS providers. Over the years B-Lynk has ended up working with all the major UCaaS vendors and has developed a huge library of materials that continues to grow and evolve as new featu…

1
Why technicians need to be comedians, with Jerry Black of IT Misfits 35:46

11M ago35:46

35:46

In this episode I interview Jerry Black of IT Misfits, to understand how a background in construction, video editing and project management has led to a passion for stand-up comedy, and to see why anyone in the technology field could benefit from improving their comedy skills.By Award Consulting

1
Telecom Talks: Cloud Connections recap episode with Alan Percy 23:28

11M ago23:28

23:28

In this episode I'm joined by Alan Percy from TelcoBridges for an episode of Telecom Talks, where we discuss the Cloud Connections conference we both recently attended in Florida.By Award Consulting

1
How to complete projects successfully - with Tara Kelley 24:47

3y ago24:47

24:47

A good project manager can make a huge difference when you're trying to execute your projects. It's not just about tracking tasks and hitting dates on a calendar - a good project manager also has domain expertise, and can help to spot risks, and make sure the project goes smoothly - whether that's migrations or product launches or fiber builds. For…

1
Why phone numbers should be on a Blockchain - with Noah Rafalko of TSG Global 38:15

3y ago38:15

38:15

In our discussion we'll cover: why a blockchain could work better than STIR/SHAKEN to give users control of their DNs how users could be given powerful control of who can and can't call their number how a similar approach is already being used for text messaging. For more information check out tsgglobal.com, tnid.com or email [email protected].…

1
A new MaX UC client and support for nomadic 911 - with Jo Ramachandran 27:26

3y ago27:26

27:26

For more information, please check out the following links: MaX by Metaswitch Blog MaX UC with MCT (Connector for Teams) Youtube demo MaX UC Desktop video demoBy Award Consulting

1
Are we supposed to block illegal robocalls? - with Mark Lindsey of ECG 38:16

3y ago38:16

38:16

For more information check out the following links: Are my customers making illegal robocalls? (Article with diagram) Why are my calls being marked as spam - with Greg Blumstein of TrueCNAM (Podcast episode) How YouMail uses Machine Learning to block robocalls (Article) ECG websiteBy Award Consulting

1
Why you can't put your switch in the cloud - with Mark Suto of Toly Digital 28:08

3+ y ago28:08

28:08

Other topics covered: - Why it's great to work with rural ILECs. - What products have worked, and what didn't, over the years. - The tension between technical advancement and the regulations that cover compensation. - What to expect in the future. - You can learn more about Toly Digital at tolydigital.net.…

1
Integrating TelcoBridges Media Gateways with Metaswitch - with Alan Percy 20:33

3+ y ago20:33

20:33

Topics include: - TelcoBridges unusual approach of focusing on specific products, rather than trying to do everything - Why is a partnership between Metaswitch and TelcoBridges good - for TelcoBridges, for Metaswitch, and for their mutual customers? - Should telcos be concerned about having too many vendors in their network? - For more information,…

1
Inside the ATIS Non-IP Call Authentication Task Force - with Alec Fenichel of TransNexus 31:44

3+ y ago31:44

31:44

Useful links: - ATIS-1000095 Extending SHAKEN over TDM - ATIS-1000096 SHAKEN OOB PASSPORT for TDM - ATIS-1000097 Technical report on alternatives for non-IP traffic. - TransNexus STIR/SHAKEN information hub.By Award Consulting

1
Why are my calls marked as spam? - with Greg Blumstein of TrueCNAM 26:29

3+ y ago26:29

26:29

For more information on some of the topics, check out the links below: - TrueCNAM: https://truecnam.com/ - you're welcome to contact their team to query your score. - More info about legal vs illegal robocalls (although remember that the reputation is based on whether calls are unwanted, not whether they're illegal). - The FCC Fourth Report and Ord…

1
STIR/SHAKEN for TDM networks - with Austin Spreadbury 32:34

3+ y ago32:34

32:34

In our discussion, Austin Spreadbury (the Microsoft Program Manager responsible for Robocall solutions) and I take a look at the new ATIS specifications covering some options for using STIR/SHAKEN for calls passing over TDM networks. We also discuss how the STIR/SHAKEN roll-out has been going so far, and speculate about what the future holds. You c…

1
Transforming lives with fiber internet and a mule - with Keith Gabbard of PRTC 34:54

3+ y ago34:54

34:54

For more information about PRTC and this story, check out the following: - The Race: TV show - The One Traffic Light Town with some of the Fastest Internet in the US: New Yorker article - Wikipedia article about Roberto ClementeBy Award Consulting

1
Network monitoring, DDOS and American Idol - with Marc Matthews of Kentik 23:49

3+ y ago23:49

23:49

Marc and I discuss a variety of topics, including: - his time working with me at Metaswitch, where he was the first Sales Engineer - how American Idol was an early form of DDOS attack - how network operators can identify and respond to DDOS attacks - the importance of network monitoring and observability, and how Kentik can help. Links: https://www…

1
Champing at the BITS - clocking for TDM, VoIP and 5G - with Jim Olsen of Microchip 25:36

3+ y ago25:36

25:36

In this episode I talk to Jim Olsen from Microchip about network synchronization. What is clocking, why does it matter in TDM networks and why will it continue to be important in the future? You'll learn how timing works for TDM, and what happens when a GPS source is lost; we'll explore what comes after BITS; and we'll discuss how clocking is impor…

1
The middle-man: how does an IXC provide value - with Roy Martindale of USA Digital 22:06

3+ y ago22:06

22:06

In this episode I talk to Roy Martindale, CTO of USA Digital about life as an IXC. We cover the services provided in a class 4 network, how STIR/SHAKEN impacts an intermediate carrier, how least-cost routing works, and the benefits that come when offering a combination of both class 4 and class 5 services - including a new UCaaS offering.…

1
The story behind Award Consulting - with Stephen Denny 27:44

3+ y ago27:44

27:44

In this self-indulgent episode, Andrew talks with Stephen Denny, the first consultant to join my team at Award Consulting, about our story so far. How did Andrew come to start consulting as a freelancer, why did he hire Stephen, and what has happened to the business since then. In particular we'll discuss: - Andrew's decision to leave Metaswitch wi…

1
Why did Microsoft buy Metaswitch, and what's going on in the telecoms industry - with Matt Townend of Cavell 33:15

4y ago33:15

33:15

Useful links: Cavell Group: https://cavellgroup.com/ Cloud Comms Summit: https://cavellgroup.com/events/ccs-us/ Cloud Comms Alliance: https://www.cloudcommunications.com/By Award Consulting

1
The modernization of 911 calls - with Mark Grady of INdigital 32:45

4y ago32:45

32:45

In this episode, I talk with Mark Grady from INdigital about his 39 years in the independent telecoms industry along with the history of 911 calls and how INdigital has been working to bring 911 into the 21st century.By Award Consulting

1
Lessons from launching Hosted PBX and management through EOS - with Jim McCarthy of Northland 25:40

4y ago25:40

25:40

In this episode, we mention: Northland Communications: https://www.northland.net/ Entrepreneurial Operating System: https://www.eosworldwide.com/ Get a Grip (book): https://www.amazon.com/Get-Grip-Entrepreneurial-Journey-Results-ebook/dp/B009K44DQYBy Award Consulting

1
Building a UCaaS Platform for Partners to Sell - with David Ansehl of Reinvent 1:00:02

4y ago1:00:02

1:00:02

In this episode David Ansehl talks about the state of UCaaS / Hosted PBX as we come out of the pandemic, discusses the benefits over traditional PBXs, and explains Reinvent's model of selling through whitelabel partners.By Award Consulting

1
Translations, LNP and Archaeology - with Rita Reinke 36:23

4y ago36:23

36:23

Rita Reinke joins me to talk about her best practices for switch translations, why LNP causes so many problems, and why she'd rather be excavating an archaeological site than working on a switch.By Award Consulting

1
IP Networks for VoIP - with Nathan Littlepage 38:04

4y ago38:04

38:04

Nathan Littlepage, Senior Technical Consultant at Award Consulting joins host Andrew Ward to discuss his history as an early customer of Metaswitch, and then to discuss some best practices and common gotchas when building IP networks to support voice over IP and other real-time communications.By Award Consulting

1
Taking care of clients and living in a van - with Dave Capece 13:22

4y ago13:22

13:22

A few months ago I had the opportunity to catch up with an old friend and coworker Dave Capece. He’s a charismatic guy who used to work with me in Metaswitch Support, then spent a couple of years traveling the world delivering training courses for Metaswitch, and then helped me get started as a consultant. In this excerpt from our conversation we s…

1
Ep 139: Farewell, Birth Kweens! 9:22

4+ y ago9:22

9:22

After 3+ years and 138 episodes, the Birth Kweens Podcast is coming to an end! Listen to this final episode to hear Karly and Ali wrap things up. Thank you all for supporting us and listening to the show over the past few years. We love and appreciate all of you!By Karly Nuttall & Ali Feroah

1
Ep 138: Four Birth Stories with Jeanette Fant 1:34:17

4+ y ago1:34:17

1:34:17

**TRIGGER WARNING: Infant Loss** Today we’re talking with Jeanette Fant about the births of her four babies. Jeanette has had a wide variety of birth experiences including medicated hospital births, a home birth, and the birth of her stillborn daughter, Natalie. Jeanette shares about how her approach to preparing for birth has changed over the year…

1
Ep 137: An Unmedicated Hospital Birth Story with Angie Ponce 48:59

4+ y ago48:59

48:59

Angie Ponce is with us today to share the story of the birth of her first baby! Earlier this year, Angie had an unmedicated hospital birth with the support of her husband and doula. We hope you enjoy Angie’s wonderful birth story! --- SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! Sign up for a subscription with Ritual Vitamins today! Get your daily multivitamin or prenata…

1
Ep 136: Preconception & Prenatal Nutrition with Ryann Kipping, RDN, CLEC 57:39

4+ y ago57:39

57:39

In this episode we’re talking with Ryann Kipling about nutrition during preconception and pregnancy. Ryann is a clinically trained Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Lactation Educator, and Author of The Feel-Good Pregnancy Cookbook. She is the founder of The Prenatal Nutritionist, a virtual nutrition private practice, which focuses on pr…

1
Ep 135: VBAC Success Story with Anissa Ballesteros 51:41

4+ y ago51:41

51:41

Anissa Ballesteros is here today to share her two birth stories with us. For her first baby, Anissa had planned and prepared for an unmedicated hospital birth but her baby was breech so she ended up having a cesarean. When she got pregnant with her second baby, she knew she wanted a different experience so she hired Karly and planned a home birth. …

1
Ep 134: Preterm Birth and NICU Stays with Dr. Melinda Elliott 49:21

4+ y ago49:21

49:21

Today we’re talking with Dr. Melinda Elliott about preterm birth and navigating an unexpected NICU stay. Dr. Elliott is chief medical officer of Prolacta Bioscience where she serves as the voice of the patient, working to ensure that the needs of critically ill and premature infants are being articulated and that the relevant treatment and product …

1
Ep 133: A Midwife’s Birth Story with Chloë Lubell 1:06:46

4+ y ago1:06:46

1:06:46

Chloë Lubell of Cosmos Midwifery is here to share her birth story with us! Chloë had been a midwife for many years before becoming pregnant with her first child. She shares in depth about her pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences, including what it was like to have an ultra-fast labor and lots of other surprises along the way. Enjoy! --- SUP…

1
Ep 132: Representation and Inclusivity in Birth Work with Cheyenne Varner 1:01:52

4+ y ago1:01:52

1:01:52

In this episode we’re talking with Cheyenne Varner of The Educated Birth about representation and inclusivity in the birth world. Cheyenne is a birth and postpartum doula and graphic designer in Richmond, VA. She started The Educated Birth, a collection of childbirth education materials including Everyday Birth Magazine, in 2016, when she couldn't …

1
Ep 131: Hospital and Home Birth Stories with Johanna Penn 58:56

4+ y ago58:56

58:56

Johanna Penn shares her two birth stories with us in this episode. Her first son was born in the hospital after a long, difficult labor. This birth experience really impacted Johanna and it inspired her to go into birth work. It also caused her to make an entirely different birth plan for her second son who was born quickly at home. Johanna shares …

1
Ep 130: The Identity Shift of Motherhood with Jessie Harrold of MotherSHIFT 57:02

4+ y ago57:02

57:02

In this episode we’re talking with Jessie Harrold of MotherSHIFT about how pregnancy and birth are rites of passage and what an enormous identity shift it is to become a parent. Jessie is a coach, women’s mentor and doula who supports women to traverse radical life transformation and other rites of passage. She is the founder of MotherSHIFT, a prog…

1
Ep 129: A Home Birth Transfer Story with Laci Silva 53:47

4+ y ago53:47

53:47

Laci Silva shares about the birth of her daughter, Lilás. Laci and her husband Jimmy had planned a home birth with Karly and Ali but after a long few days of early labor with no progress they made the decision to transfer to the hospital for medical intervention. Despite things not going as planned, Laci and Jimmy still had a very positive (albeit …

1
Ep 128: Vitamin K for the Newborn 43:15

4+ y ago43:15

43:15

In this episode we’re covering vitamin K for the newborn. You’ll hear about what vitamin K is, why it’s routinely given to newborns, the two ways it can be administered, and the risks and benefits of receiving it, including it’s effectiveness. The resources used to put together this episode are listed below: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/article…

1
Ep 127: The Rebozo: History, Cultural Significance & Use During the Childbearing Year with Gina Kirby 1:23:05

5y ago1:23:05

1:23:05

Today we’re talking with the amazing Gena Kirby about the rebozo! We discuss what it is, it’s history and cultural significance, and how it can be integrated into pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. To get information about Gena’s workshops or buy her e-books visit her website GenaKirby.net. Check out Gena’s mentorship program The Doula’s …

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