The advent of solid-state batteries has spawned a recent increase in interest in lithium conducting solid electrolytes. In this presentation, we will show how an understanding of their structure-transport properties can help tailor ionic conductivity. Two examples will be shown in which the first will highlight the need to design anionic disorder and the second the need to study the local structure. In a second part of this talk, we will show that it is not only important to find fast ionic conductors, but that fast ionic conduction is paramount within solid state battery composites. Measuring the effective ionic transport in cathode composites provides an avenue to explore transport and stability limitations that in turn provide better criteria for solid state battery performance. Finally, we will explore strain effects in solid electrolytes and how pressure affects microstructure, transport and electrochemical properties of solid ionic conductors.