Best Pioneer Utility Resources Podcasts (2024)

1
Cram the Van — A Community Fundraiser Becomes a Storytelling Powerhouse, With Alli Conine 19:05

3h ago19:05

19:05

Hear how a Kansas utility delivered 159 TONS of food with a branded van, school competitions and coordinated, consistent messaging over the last 10 years.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
Line Life – Giving Students a 40-foot View of Utility Careers, With Jessica Parr 22:24

14d ago22:24

22:24

Want more people to apply for lineworker jobs? Show your story to high school seniors! Learn how Community Electric Co-op’s “Day in the Life of a Lineworker” student experience raises awareness of utility career paths and lineworker scholarships every spring.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
Boosting Member Engagement with Youth Programs, With Tory Tedder-Loffland 15:17

10d ago15:17

15:17

Starting in kindergarten, the team at Oklahoma Electric Co-op offers educational programs to students throughout their school experience. Hear how the programs developed and why engaging children became a strategic focus for the utility over the last decade.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
Telling Timeless Stories in Engaging Ways, With David Latona 29:13

17d ago29:13

29:13

Energy efficiency is a story that can feel stale. Hear how Louisiana Utility Pioneers rebranded existing resources with an owl mascot and cohesive storytelling to help both staff and members be Power Smart.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
2024 Rural Broadband Streaming and Social Media Study, With Scott Meyer 11:39

24d ago11:39

11:39

For the second year in a row, price was not the No. 1 concern for respondents in Innovative Systems’ annual broadband survey. What is it that matters most? This episode also includes notes on bundling, social media platform usage, streaming options and communication preferences. Special: Recorded LIVE at StoryConnect 2024!…

1
Unlocking Staff Strengths to Harness Your Internal Storytelling Potential, With Katie Haby 21:16

1M ago21:16

21:16

Internal communications is a critical part of storytelling, but one we often forget. At Medina Electric, Katie Haby's using the CliftonStrengths training program to help staff focus on strengths to build cross-department teams and happier, more engaged employees. Hear how the program’s helping the co-op strengthen its internal storytelling approach…

1
Using an Internal Newsletter and Intranet to Engage Employees, With Allison Young 8:41

1M ago8:41

8:41

Allison Young and the Kauai team just won an NRECA Spotlight award for their internal newsletter and intranet. What's their secret for engaging internal communications? Special: Recorded LIVE at StoryConnect 2024!By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
How Can Empowered Youth Build Your Brand Story?, With Chinelle Christensen 20:38

2M ago20:38

20:38

Icebreakers, scholarships and character building — meet EmPOWER, a youth leadership program for high school juniors in South Dakota and Minnesota. Learn about Sioux Valley Energy’s long-term investment to build future leaders in its community.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
Weaving the Co-op Difference into Economic Development and Staff Storytelling, With Marty Walsh 24:28

2M ago24:28

24:28

Do you have a local network of cooperative storytellers? From his dual roles as an economic development manager at People's Energy and board member for Cooperative Development Services, Marty Walsh’s has a unique take on co-op education and how Utility Pioneers can turn the cooperative difference into shared storytelling opportunities to foster mem…

1
Managing a New Brand, With Larry Mattox 11:42

2M ago11:42

11:42

In under three years, Central Rural Electric Co-op moved from breaking ground to 85% buildout of their broadband service, CentraNet, in Oklahoma. During a break from the Calix event, Larry Mattox shares how the small team managed this growth, a new brand and evolving member expectations.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
Persona Based Marketing, With Chris Lovell 12:59

3M ago12:59

12:59

In an effort to move beyond features like speed, CL Tel has begun discussing its broadband based on what their service can do for specific customer profiles of personas like gamers, remote workers and families. Special: Recorded LIVE at NTCABy Pioneer Utility Resources

1
Broadband Labels Rules and Regulations, With Dereck DeVries 23:12

3M ago23:12

23:12

Now that the rules have been finalized, Dereck DeVries, of Vantage Point, shares the latest on what marketers, communicators and executives need to know about the where, what and when of broadband labels.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
Staff Leadership Programs to Grow Future Leaders, With Chinelle Christensen 21:13

3M ago21:13

21:13

Sioux Valley Energy's staff LEAD program builds a culture of cooperation across the utility, creating a competitive edge when recruiting talent. Learn how projects from the leadership program improved volunteerism programs, removed silos and strengthened the co-op's internal communications.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
Working with Different Kinds of Co-ops to Build Our Shared Story, With Cathy Statz 18:46

3M ago18:46

18:46

Food co-ops, credit unions, utilities and other types of co-ops may serve different needs, but we share many of the same stories. Cooperative educator Cathy Statz talks about the power of sharing the cross-sector co-op story with young people, then offers advice for building your local cooperative community.…

1
Photo Tips to Tell Better Stories, With Chris Pietsch 14:45

3M ago14:45

14:45

Chris Pietsch, director of photography for Gannett Newspapers in Oregon, shares tips on "making — not taking" better photos while previewing the sessions he will lead at StoryConnect in April.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
How Self-Editing Can Make You A Better Writer, With Teddy Feinberg 18:26

4M ago18:26

18:26

Teddy Feinberg, managing editor at the Idaho Press, gives us a preview of his sessions at StoryConnect 2024, where he will be the writing instructor. In this episode, Teddy focuses on the value of concise writing and gives tips on how to improve your writing by self-editing.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
Questions to Ask Before You Start Market Research, With John Marling 25:23

4M ago25:23

25:23

John Marling has been conducting market research for almost four decades. In this episode, he shares insights on what marketers and communicators need to think about in order to get meaningful, actionable data from their research. Learn more at pioneer.coop/surveys.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
Recruitications: Using Communications to Recruit Staff, With Weston Putman 24:20

4M ago24:20

24:20

Today's jobseekers are watching your utility's communications to see what kind of organization you are. And while your primary audience will almost always be your members or customers, Weston Putman says it's crucial to signal to potential new hires that your organization is a place they would want to work.…

1
Storytelling Tactics From Different Types of Cooperatives, With Mary Miller 30:04

4M ago30:04

30:04

With a story-packed career spanning three different types of co-ops, WCTEL’s Mary Miller shares ideas for co-op culture-building, effective campaigns and co-opportunities for growth.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
Preparing Your Co-op to Launch Fiber in a Competitive Area, With Lindsay Brinker 13:13

5M ago13:13

13:13

Communicating in a competitive community? Prepare yourself by learning who you're up against — and know your differences — focus on your community, get peer support and strengthen your story.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
Finding Staff Who Champion Your Story, With Gregg Hunter and Peter Davies 19:15

5M ago19:15

19:15

How can you get an engineer excited about telling your utility story? Gregg Hunter, one of Nemont’s storytellers, sits down to talk culture and the value of story with network engineer Peter Davies.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
Transforming Communication Skills into Broadband Marketing Tactics, With Bonnie Baty 22:01

5M ago22:01

22:01

Like many broadband storytellers, Bonnie Baty began working on the electric utility side. She offers advice for communicators making the switch and shares her take on how broadband communications will evolve over the next 5 years.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
Connecting With Your Community Through a New Brand, With Elizabeth Kuhns 22:11

5M ago22:11

22:11

Launching or refreshing a brand? Get storytelling tips and tactics from Elizabeth Kuhns, who partnered with Pioneer to create the Ignite Broadband brand.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
What Do You Need to Know Before Starting a Podcast?, With Michael Rovito 25:17

6M ago25:17

25:17

Thinking about creating a podcast? Michael Rovito, host of “Alaska Powerline,” explains how he prepared to launch the podcast, built a content strategy and measures success.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
How Can Culture Get Your Team Through The 'Great Transition’, With Ed Wolff 11:47

6M ago11:47

11:47

Ed Wolff says trust, urgency, empowerment and other elements of strong organizational culture can be the keys for telcos and utilities having to reinvent themselves due to changing demands. Special: Recorded Live at the KYRBA/TNBA Fall ConferenceBy Pioneer Utility Resources

1
Achieving a 4.8 out of 5 on Online Review, With Anne Tetamore and Michael Wynschenk 22:01

6M ago22:01

22:01

How can your utility achieve a 4.8 out of 5 stars on Google reviews? Hunter Communication’s Anne Tetamore, VP of marketing, and CEO Michael Wynschenk tell us how valuing both customers and employees plays a key role into achieving success.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
Making Your Marketing Campaigns Work, With Lynn Hall 20:39

6M ago20:39

20:39

Calix Marketing Giant Award winner Lynn Hall shares her utility's Go to Market campaign strategy, with tips to prepare staff for action when marketing is successful.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
Building Your Story Into the Communities You Serve, With James Ratterree 19:12

6M ago19:12

19:12

From community coffee chats to branded coolers for football teams, the WAVE Rural Connect shares fresh ways they build the broadband story into their Arkansas community.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
Making Boring Stories Interesting, With Geni Whitehouse 16:23

7M ago16:23

16:23

Geni Whitehouse left a career in an accounting firm to help people tell their stories in a more interesting way. She says one key to making your stories more interesting is to understand the four types of personalities in your audience. Recorded live: at the NWPPA's NICBy Pioneer Utility Resources

1
Activating Your Members for Advocacy, With Garrett Hylton 28:08

7M ago28:08

28:08

Wells Rural Electric Cooperative is taking a multichannel approach to motivate members to take action on hydropower regulatory issues. Special: Recorded live at the NWPPA NICBy Pioneer Utility Resources

1
How Do You Know What People Think About You?, With Kelly Burns 15:04

7M ago15:04

15:04

Want to track consumer sentiment but not sure where to start? CTC's Kelly Burns shares her telco's experience with the net promoter score and how the utility lets the voice of the consumer guide its marketing strategy.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
Everything Coming Together to Give You a Competitive Advantage, With Tom Williams 16:35

7M ago16:35

16:35

From harnessing net promoter scores to refining your strategic marketing plan, Schurz CEO Tom Williams shares highlights from his speech at Calix ConneXions 2023.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
Delivering an Excellent Customer Experience, With Josh Wehe and Jordan Wehe 21:17

8M ago21:17

21:17

Wi-Fi wizards and tour guides are part of how the Jade Communications team powers up the customer experience. Get takaways from the team's session at Calix ConneXions 2023.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
What Are Some of the Major Takeaways From the 2023 Calix ConneXions Conference? 17:21

8M ago17:21

17:21

Make subscribers heroes, find foggy-night scenarios and focus on service, not speed. Those are a few of the broadband storytelling ideas “StoryConnect” hosts Andy and Megan share from the annual Calix software conference.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
Promote Your Pod: How To Grow Your Listening Audience, With Jacob Puckett 21:21

8M ago21:21

21:21

Blue Ridge Energy promotes its "Unplugged" podcast on streaming audio stations like iHeart Radio and MLB At Bat in an effort to meet potential listeners where they already are. Jacob Puckett describes the approach, as well as his perspective on why "every listen matters.”By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
Truck or Treat!, With Melissa Greenwood 14:54

8M ago14:54

14:54

What's the only thing some children like more than candy? Big trucks! Melissa Greenwood combined both to entice families in her Montana community to engage with their utility and other local businesses at a Truck or Treat event. Special: Recorded live at the NWPPA NICBy Pioneer Utility Resources

1
Is Your Brand Iconic?, With Bryan Rader 20:27

9M ago20:27

20:27

Bryan Rader discusses what it means for a brand to be "iconic" and how broadband providers can take steps in that direction.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
How Can a Podcast Strengthen Your Story?, With Carrie Huckeby 22:52

9M ago22:52

22:52

Lean into your personality, and don't focus on the numbers. That's the advice of veteran podcaster Carrie Huckeby. She shares how the Tennessee Broadband Association uses its “Lead Tennessee Radio” podcast to tell its story, with tips on ways audio storytelling can help utilities reach new audiences.…

1
How Can What You Know About Consumers Change the Way You Tell Your Story? With Brianna Wall 19:22

10M ago19:22

19:22

In the second part of our conversation with Brianna Wall, we dive into audience segments and how the team at Oklahoma Electric Cooperative identifies and adds internal data to their communication strategy. Link to OEC’s electric vehicle webpage: https://okcoop.org/ev/.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
How Can Data Support Strategic Storytelling?, With Brianna Wall 16:03

10M ago16:03

16:03

You've got data, but are you using it strategically to strengthen your stories? Hear how Brianna Wall leverages analytics and existing data to be strategic with her communications plan and storytelling. Learn more about Oklahoma Electric Cooperative at https://okcoop.org.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
(Soft)Serving The Community With A Broadband Ice Cream Truck, With Stuart Gregory and Carrie Binns 37:45

10M ago37:45

37:45

When Stuart Gregory and Carrie Binns wanted to make an impression and grow Bulloch Solutions’ brand in new territories in south Georgia, they thought outside the carton — er, box. By converting an aging fiber splicing van into an ice cream truck and opening a general store in the lobby, they are engaging members and potential customers in new ways.…

1
Connecting With Each Other Like Humans Do, With Ginger Johnson 32:34

10M ago32:34

32:34

Whether we're writing, networking, making a presentation or just socializing with friends, connecting with other humans in real ways is vital. Ginger Johnson, who spoke at NRECA's Connect conference, shares her ideas on why those connections matter, what they look like for different people and how marketing and communication professionals can learn…

1
What’s the Magic Formula for an Engaging Utility Podcast?, With Tiffany Trueblood 25:19

11M ago25:19

25:19

From lineman tales to water heater relationship advice, the Central Connection Podcast uses humor and relatable hosts to make waves. Co-host Tiffany Trueblood shares how staff engagement plays a key role in the co-op’s latest communication channel.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
How Can a Pink Hard Hat Transform Your Story?, With Michelle Geans 23:38

11M ago23:38

23:38

Are you generating Pink Power? Since 2011, lineworkers at Baldwin EMC in Alabama have worn pink hard hats each October to educate the community about different types of cancer. They even have a PINK BUCKET TRUCK (name TBD). Learn how you can wear pink to share your story.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
When Is It OK to Say No?, With Brianna Wall 16:45

11M ago16:45

16:45

As Utility Pioneers, we want to say yes to everything. But often, saying yes to one thing means saying no to something else. Brianna Wall shares how she sets deadlines, takes time before accepting new tasks and weighs the benefits of a project to better manage her time.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
Engaging Young People in Youth Programs, With Elizabeth Brown 11:40

11M ago11:40

11:40

Elizabeth Brown, marketing manager at Panhandle Telephone Cooperative, shares ideas on how community involvement can be a competitive edge, especially when it comes to engaging young people in your youth programs.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
Improving Your Video Storytelling, With Taylor Holland 11:10

12M ago11:10

11:10

Taylor Holland dishes out tips for improving your video work, from planning and preproduction to software and postproduction.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
Using SMS Messaging to Improve Your Google Reviews, With Andy Henderson 10:00

12M ago10:00

10:00

In a rare double-Andy podcast, Andy Henderson outlines a text messaging campaign that took his telco's Google review score from the 2s to the 4s.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
Building Relationships Between CSRs, Sales and Techs, With Tim Gilford 11:48

1y ago11:48

11:48

The relationships between staff on the front line of your operation are critical — and sometimes difficult. Tim Gilford shares ideas on formal and informal ways to build strong connections among CSRs/MSRs, techs, marketing and sales team members.By Pioneer Utility Resources

1
Tips for Shooting Better Video, With Melissa Lanzourakis 9:42

1y ago9:42

9:42

With her background as a television news journalist, Melissa Lanzourakis has a strong understanding of how to shoot good video. As online video trends continue to evolve, she shares new tips for shooting better video.By Pioneer Utility Resources

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Pioneer Utility Resources Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide