Podcast
The Geoholics
Hosted by thegeoholics · EN
”Adding Value & Making Friends” since 2019! Our goal is to not waste your time! The group discusses a variety of topics including surveying, geospatial, geomatics, GIS, civil engineering and much much more.
31episodes
Episodes
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Episode 284 - Alex Chose, Taylor Shepley & YSN National Mentorship Program
6d ago01:12:57Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Geoholics, we’re talking mentorship, momentum, and the future of land surveying with Alex Chose and Taylor Shepley from the Young Surveyors Network. With applications open for the 2026 YSN National Mentorship Program, Alex and Taylor dig into why mentorship matters right now, not someday, and how structured mentor/mentee relationships can help young surveyors navigate licensure, leadership, business ownership, work-life balance, confidence, and the kind of hard-earned professional judgment that simply cannot be pulled from a textbook or YouTube video. The 2025 pilot program delivered a powerful result, with 100% of questionnaire respondents saying they would recommend it to their peers, and the 2026 program is expanding to 250 participants, signaling real demand and real momentum across the profession. This one is about more than career advice. It is a call to action for seasoned surveyors to be intentional about passing down knowledge, opening doors, and helping the next generation believe they belong in the room. Alex brings a passion for community, camaraderie, and preservation of wild public lands, while Taylor brings a deep commitment to mentoring the next generation of surveyors through his work in the industry and with YSN. Add in a Leica Geosystems Pro Tip on mentorship, Wanda Jackson’s “Let’s Have a Party” as Song of the Week, and the usual Geoholics energy, and you’ve got an episode focused on adding value, making friends, and reminding all of us that the future of surveying depends on what we are willing to share today.
Transcribe →Episode 279 - John Russo & Joseph Romano - USIBD
2w ago01:16:46Tap to summarizeEpisode 279 of The Geoholics is a straight-up masterclass in reality capture, Scan to BIM, digital twins, and the future of the built world. Kent and the crew sit down with industry heavy hitters John Russo and Joseph Romano to unpack how Scan to BIM evolved from a niche service into a game-changing force across the AEC industry. From LOA standards and digital twin ecosystems to AI automation and the risks of “push-button” technology, this episode dives deep into the balance between innovation and professional expertise. The conversation also highlights the critical role of organizations like U.S. Institute of Building Documentation in driving standards, education, and credibility throughout the reality capture community. Toss in some classic Geoholics energy, a little John Mellencamp, industry pro tips, and plenty of future-focused insight—and you’ve got an episode built for anyone serious about where geospatial technology is headed next.
Transcribe →Episode 278 - Shelby Sharpe
3w ago01:22:48Tap to summarizeThis week, we sit down with Shelby Sharpe, an instructional designer and PhD candidate who’s right in the middle of where education meets the real-world geospatial workforce. And let’s just say…she brings some perspective. We dig into the so-called “workforce shortage” and flip the script...it’s not just about talent, it’s about accessibility, awareness, and how we’re actually training people. Schools are teaching tools…industry needs problem-solvers. Big difference. Shelby also drops some serious insight on how adults really learn...especially busy professionals, field crews, and PMs. Hint: it’s not sitting through long trainings. It’s solving real problems, in real time, with context that actually matters. We also get into her journey from practicing geospatial to teaching it, what makes a great technical expert to collaborate with, and how we can better connect education and industry moving forward. If you care about the future of surveying, geospatial, and the next generation coming into it…this one’s worth your time. Music by Tom Petty!
Transcribe →GeoWeek 2026 - Part 3 LIVE From Denver!
4w ago01:41:47Tap to summarizeCheck out these highlights from this year's awesome event!!! 00:30 - Rhea Garratt, Manager of Geospatial Desktop at Pix4D...apologies for the technical difficulties! 09:40 - Andy Ives, Survey Manager at Langan Engineering 34:45 - Madeleine Janzen, Technical Sales Specialist at Geo-Plus and William Myers, Director of Operations at Global eTraining 47:55 - Charles Schreiner, Senior Project Manager and Scott Graham, VP and Chief Surveyor at ETM Surveying & Mapping, Inc. 1:10:55 - Rami Tamimi, Founder and Lead Instructor at The Survey School and Geomatics Project Manager at WSP 1:25:55 - Mike Liggett, Owner at Aerial Ethos, LLC and Scott Harrigan, President at Harkin Aerial
Transcribe →GeoWeek 2026 - Part 2 LIVE From Denver!
Apr 2201:46:59Tap to summarizeCheck out these highlights from this year's awesome event!!! 00:10 - John Downing, CO-Founder & Chief Product Architect of Leteligence and Vice President of LETEL 24:42 - Jeffrey Martin, Founder CEO at Mosaic - 360º Geospatial Imaging System 41:05 - Andrew Middleton, Owner of The Map Center, New England's Oldest Map Store 1:00:40 - Dr. Mohamed Mostafa, Lead Technical Authority - Mobile Mapping at Trimble Applanix 1:30:15 - Riley Smith, Director, Monitoring, Mining, and Tunneling at Trimble
Transcribe →GeoWeek 2026 - Part 1 LIVE From Denver!
Apr 2101:40:49Tap to summarizeCheck out these highlights from this year's awesome event!!! 00:20 - Andres Abeyta, Executive Director at BootcampGIS 15:12 - Joel Gregory, CEO and Mitch McPherson at 12D Synergy 31:05 - Aaron Morris, Director of Innovation at Woolpert 48:40 - Craig Peddie, CEO North America at nfoldROI 1:14:30 - Mario Montagna, Survey Technician and Chad Maxwell, Senior Geomatics Manager at HDR
Transcribe →Episode 277 - Matt Nugent & Overwatch Imaging
Apr 1301:05:01Tap to summarizeThis week, we sit down with Matt Nugent from Overwatch Imaging a product leader who didn’t start in geospatial…but now lives and breathes it. And honestly? That outsider perspective might be exactly why he’s helping reshape how this industry thinks. This episode is all about closing the gap between data and decision-making. Because let’s be real…in geospatial, data has never been the problem whereas knowing what to do with it has. Matt breaks down how the next generation of geospatial tech is being built: Not around sensors…but around the operator’s decision Not around volume of data…but speed + clarity of insight Not around “cool tech”…but real-world impact (wildfires, search & rescue, defense) “Superhuman Vision”...It’s not about replacing people…it’s about augmenting human judgment at scale. From agile product development to real-time feedback loops (literally flying systems weekly), this conversation is a masterclass in: Building products people actually use Finding true product-market fit in geospatial Leveraging AI as an accelerator, not a distraction If you’re in surveying, remote sensing, or building the future of geospatial tech…this episode is a wake-up call! Music by Frank Sinatra!
Transcribe →Episode 275 - Ted Knaak & TopoDOT Solutions
Apr 201:33:55Tap to summarizeThis episode of The Geoholics takes us deep into the evolution of surveying—where the industry isn’t just changing…it’s being completely flipped “upside down and inside out.” And leading that conversation? None other than Ted Knaak—OG innovator, founder, and one of the sharpest minds in the point cloud game. Ted walks us through one of the biggest paradigm shifts our profession has ever seen: we didn’t just improve data collection…we changed the nature of the data itself. This episode challenges the idea that “more data = better outcomes”… and pushes us to rethink what quality really means in a point cloud world. Ted calls out one of the biggest gaps in our industry today—dysfunctional data governance. Firms adopting scanning tech without a clear strategy...Workflows being dictated by software instead of mission...Multiple sensors, platforms, and tools creating fragmentation...Lack of defensibility when it actually matters. TopoDOT Solutions: This isn’t just a name change—it’s a mindset shift. Ted introduces the idea of defining measurable characteristics of point cloud data—bringing structure, accountability, and true quality assessment into the conversation. The role of the surveyor is evolving—from collector to interpreter, validator, and data governor. To stay relevant (and lead), surveyors need to: Understand data at a deeper level...Own quality and traceability...Think beyond deliverables...Think lifecycle! The firms (and people) who figure out data governance, quality, and strategy first…are going to lead the next era of surveying. Music by Pigeons Playing Ping Pong!
Transcribe →Episode 274 - Gordon Perry, PLS
Mar 2501:20:30Tap to summarizeThis week, The Geoholics take a deep dive underground—literally and figuratively—with rail and LiDAR expert Gordon Perry, PLS. From the streets of Detroit to the tunnels beneath NY Penn Station, Gordon brings a perspective shaped by grit, precision, and a relentless pursuit of quality. Gordon shares his journey from Lansing Community College into the world of surveying—where curiosity turned into passion, and passion turned into a career spanning some of the most complex infrastructure projects in the country. We’re talking 1,200 miles of the Amtrak Northeast Corridor, full transit system mapping across MBTA lines, and working in environments most surveyors will never experience—like fully underground rail systems where GPS is nonexistent and precision is everything. If you’ve been hearing the LiDAR buzz—this episode breaks it down. Gordon walks us through the full workflow. And here’s the truth bomb: Data collection gets the spotlight… but processing is where careers are made or broken. He also calls out one of the biggest misconceptions in the industry—thinking LiDAR is “push-button easy.” Spoiler alert: it’s not. Not if you care about quality. Gordon emphasizes that great partners aren’t just technically sound—they’re communicative, accountable, and aligned on expectations. This episode is a masterclass in staying relevant, delivering quality, and embracing the complexity of our profession. If you’re in surveying, LiDAR, rail, or just love hearing how the best in the game think—this one’s a must-listen. Music by Genesis!!!
Transcribe →Episode 276 - ASPRS Gulf South Region
Mar 601:08:14Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Geoholics, we go full geospatial nerd mode with several leaders from the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) — a professional organization that’s been shaping the mapping and imaging sciences since 1934. That’s right… these folks were advancing mapping science before lidar was cool and long before anyone thought strapping cameras to drones was a good idea. Joining the show are Dr. Balaji Ramachandran, Dr. Unal Okyay, Bill Swope, and Scott Dunham, representing the ASPRS Gulf South Region, where they’re working to grow a tight-knit geospatial community across Texas and Louisiana. From certifications to conferences to career-changing connections, this episode dives into why professional organizations still matter in an industry evolving at warp speed. We kick things off at 30,000 feet discussing what ASPRS actually does and why surveyors, drone pilots, photogrammetrists, lidar specialists, and GIS pros should care. With nearly a century of history behind it, ASPRS has helped establish standards, promote education, and advance technologies that form the backbone of modern geospatial workflows. The conversation also digs into ASPRS certifications — including Certified Photogrammetrist (CP) and Certified Mapping Scientist (CMS) — and how these credentials can elevate careers, validate expertise, and help professionals stand out in a rapidly growing field. We also preview the ASPRS Gulf South Geospatial Conference, happening at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, where attendees can expect technical sessions on topics like mobile lidar for railroads, geospatial accuracy standards, photorealistic 3D visualization, and lidar data assessment — plus a panel discussion moderated by your very own Geoholics host....Mr. Kent Groh! Beyond the tech talk, the episode highlights initiatives like the Jim Gillis Memorial Education Fund, which helps remove financial barriers for students and young professionals pursuing careers in mapping sciences — proving that investing in the next generation is just as important as pushing the technology forward. Organizations like ASPRS play a critical role in maintaining standards, professional credibility, and ethical practice as geospatial technology becomes more accessible to everyone. If you care about the future of geospatial technology, professional credibility, and building a stronger community in the mapping sciences, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Music by Pink Floyd!
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