Podcast
The Matthew Byrd Podcast
Hosted by Matthew Byrd + Reality Capture Network · EN
This is a podcast for those who push boundaries, embrace innovation, and strive for excellence. Matthew sits down with disruptors, innovators, and lifelong learners across multiple industries, from reality capture and emerging tech to entrepreneurship, branding, and personal growth. In every conversation, we break down the mindsets, habits, and lessons behind success, because having a vision isn’t enough. It takes relentless action. If you’re driven to evolve, think bigger, and shape the future, let’s learn together from the journey of others. Join me and subscribe to this podcast!
12episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
They Just Found a Lost Civilization in the Amazon | How LiDAR Is Rewriting History
2w ago02:39:09Tap to summarizeWhat if everything we thought we knew about the Amazon was wrong?In this episode of the Matthew Byrd Podcast, Matthew sits down with an incredible roundtable of geospatial innovators, archaeologists, and explorers to discuss one of the most fascinating discoveries of our time.Through the power of LiDAR, remote sensing, GIS, and modern geospatial technology, researchers are uncovering evidence of ancient civilizations hidden beneath the Amazon rainforest—places untouched for thousands of years.Join Matthew Byrd alongside:• Chris Bodine – Terra Incognita Research Institute• Daniel Pierce – Terra Incognita Research Institute• Daniel Windham – BaseMap• Casey Prior – BaseMapTogether they explore how cutting-edge technology is helping archaeologists see through dense jungle canopies, challenge decades of historical assumptions, and reveal discoveries that could reshape our understanding of human history.From expedition stories and field challenges to LiDAR workflows and archaeological breakthroughs, this conversation is packed with insights for anyone passionate about geospatial technology, exploration, drones, GIS, mapping, and discovery.Topics Covered:• Lost civilizations in the Amazon• LiDAR archaeology• Remote sensing & GIS• Drone mapping technology• Geospatial innovation• Archaeological exploration• Expedition logistics• The future of digital archaeologySubscribe for more conversations exploring the future of reality capture, mapping, geospatial technology, and the innovators pushing the industry forward.#LiDAR #Amazon #Archaeology #GIS #Drones #Geospatial #History #RealityCapture #RemoteSensing #MatthewByrdPodcastStay Connected with Reality Capture Network
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From Dumpster Diving to Millionaire: The Story of Rondi Lambeth
4w ago01:23:58Tap to summarizeFrom growing up in a shack without running water or electricity to advising high-net-worth entrepreneurs and helping business owners build wealth, Rondi Lambeth's story is one of the most remarkable journeys we've featured on Millionaire Builder.In this episode, Rondi shares how he survived an abusive childhood, left home at 15 years old, became a firefighter, endured a near-fatal heart attack, and built multiple successful businesses focused on credit, taxes, debt, and wealth creation.Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, business owner, or someone looking for inspiration to overcome adversity, this conversation is packed with powerful lessons and practical financial insights.TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Surviving a massive heart attack and a new perspective on life02:30 – What Rondi does today: helping entrepreneurs maximize wealth04:10 – Growing up without electricity, running water, or stability05:15 – Living with a convicted murderer and surviving abuse06:20 – Leaving home at 15 and hitchhiking across states07:15 – Becoming a funeral director apprentice in high school08:20 – The lesson that changed his life: it's not what you make, it's what you keep09:15 – Becoming a firefighter and starting his first business10:10 – Losing his younger brother to suicide over financial struggles11:15 – Building a nonprofit credit repair company13:20 – Working with celebrities, athletes, and wealthy entrepreneurs14:15 – What the wealthy have in common: own nothing, control everything16:10 – How Rondi legally paid just $71 in income tax17:00 – Why stress nearly killed him19:00 – Escaping childhood trauma and creating a different future25:00 – Turning adversity into a superpower29:30 – Common misconceptions about credit scores37:00 – The 3-1-1 rule for building great credit42:00 – Why good credit saves you money everywhere47:00 – Good debt vs. bad debt50:00 – Real estate, business ownership, and building wealth57:00 – Why most business owners overpay in taxes1:03:00 – The difference between a CPA and a tax strategist1:11:00 – Entrepreneurship, purpose, and helping others win1:15:30 – The advice he'd give his younger self TAKEAWAYS• Your past can become your greatest advantage—or your biggest excuse.• Never quit. If you don't quit, nobody can stop you.• How much money you make is not as important as how much money you keep.• Financial literacy can completely change the trajectory of your life.• Most people misunderstand how credit actually works.• Wealthy people think differently about ownership, taxes, and assets.• Business ownership remains one of the most powerful paths to financial freedom.• Investing in yourself often produces the highest return.• Adversity can become a superpower when you choose to learn from it.• Life is too short to spend doing work that doesn't energize you.Connect with Rondi: https://rondilambeth.com @RondiLambethConnect with Matthew Byrd: https://realitycapturenetwork.com
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My Story: Early Career, Nexus 3D, Reality Capture Network, and What's Ahead
Jun 3000:39:21Tap to summarizeThis is a solo episode, and a different one for me. I don't usually talk straight to camera, but with some recent announcements, including relaunching Nexus 3D Consulting while continuing to build Reality Capture Network, I wanted to take the time to unpack my story for you.I go all the way back. From a kid obsessed with football, to a head-on car accident at 16 that ended my path in sports, to touring in a rock band, to landing in land surveying almost by accident, working under my dad. I share how discovering laser scanning and LIDAR around 2009 reignited my passion, how that led to founding Nexus 3D Consulting in 2016 with no business background and no plan, and how an abundance mindset shaped the way I approached growth through collaboration from day one.I also walk through how Reality Capture Network and the RCON conference came to life in 2020 and 2021, what led to Nexus 3D going through an acquisition, what I learned during two years of separation from hands-on services, and why I've decided the right move now is to step back into services while continuing to grow the global community we've built. Not as competing efforts, but as one mission to grow opportunities in the industry and share them with the relationships we've built.If you're building a business, navigating a pivot, or just curious about the full story behind RCN and Nexus 3D, this conversation is for you.
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From ESPN Dreams to Marketing Leadership | Shane Larson's Journey
Jun 2301:03:11Tap to summarizeWhat does it take to build a successful career, grow a personal brand, and stay consistent when nobody is paying attention?In this episode, Matthew Byrd sits down with Shane Larson—Marketing Director, podcast host of The Game Time Guru, coach, and entrepreneur—to discuss his journey from wanting to become an ESPN analyst to building a career in marketing leadership while growing a podcast that's been running consistently since 2017.Shane shares lessons learned from working at Bodybuilding.com, ClickFunnels, and alongside Russell Brunson, plus his insights on AI, content creation, personal branding, networking, leadership, and why most people quit too early.Whether you're an entrepreneur, marketer, creator, business owner, or someone trying to navigate your career path, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and inspiration.👇 Connect with Shane LarsonInstagram: @gametimeguruYouTube: The Game Time Guru⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Introduction01:00 – Wanting to become an ESPN analyst02:30 – College, boxing, and life's unexpected detours04:00 – Early career at Scentsy and Bodybuilding.com05:00 – Discovering ClickFunnels and Russell Brunson06:15 – Learning marketing from Russell Brunson08:00 – Starting in customer support and earning opportunities10:00 – Why titles don't matter as much as growth12:00 – Leadership lessons and taking initiative12:45 – Becoming a marketing leader14:00 – The power of networking and relationships16:00 – Starting The Game Time Guru podcast17:30 – The reality of podcasting and consistency18:15 – "Nobody was listening" in the beginning19:00 – The interview that changed everything20:00 – Lessons learned from interviewing athletes22:00 – Why family and friends won't scale your brand23:00 – Finding mentors and learning from successful people24:00 – Podcast inspiration, Gary Vee, and Grant Cardone30:30 – Funny Grant Cardone story from ClickFunnels31:30 – The quote that changed Shane's perspective on life33:00 – AI, content creation, and the future of marketing35:00 – SEO, AEO, and Answer Engine Optimization explained36:00 – Why authentic content still wins37:00 – How to optimize content for AI search40:00 – Common marketing mistakes businesses make42:00 – The importance of email marketing43:00 – Zero-click marketing and social media strategy44:00 – Why TikTok is changing e-commerce46:00 – Founder-led content and personal branding48:00 – Building trust through storytelling50:00 – Why people overcomplicate content creation52:00 – Marketing advice for small business owners53:00 – Shane's vision for the future54:00 – "Everything is figureoutable"56:00 – Advice for young professionals57:00 – Patience, opportunity, and enjoying the journey59:00 – Why most people quit too early01:01:00 – Final thoughts and where to find Shane💡 Key Takeaways✅ Consistency beats talent when building a brand or podcast.✅ The best career opportunities often come from being willing to learn.✅ AI is powerful, but authentic human content builds trust.✅ Personal branding and founder-led content are more important than ever.✅ Networking creates opportunities you can't predict.✅ Most people quit before they see results.✅ Patience and long-term thinking are competitive advantages.✅ Stories connect, build trust, and ultimately sell.
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The AI Future Nobody Is Ready For: Entrepreneurship and Human Connection | Peter Swain
Jun 201:20:29Tap to summarizePeter Swain has spent his life at the forefront of technological disruption. From becoming one of the world’s first web developers, to helping shape early mobile app strategy with Apple and Steve Jobs, to now advising entrepreneurs on artificial intelligence, Peter has built a career around seeing what’s coming before the rest of the world catches up.In this episode, Peter shares why AI is fundamentally different from every technology shift before it, why he believes the next five years will completely reshape business and society, and why entrepreneurs who ignore AI may not survive what’s coming next. But this conversation goes far beyond automation and business strategy. Peter dives into parenting in an AI world, human connection, creativity, education, relationships, and the deeper question of what still makes us human when AI can do almost everything better than we can.From autonomous weapons and deepfakes to solopreneur millionaires and AI-powered businesses, this is one of the most fascinating and thought-provoking conversations we’ve had on the podcast.If you are curious, excited, skeptical, or even terrified about the future of AI, this episode is for you.TIMESTAMPS[00:01:30] — From coding at six years old to becoming one of the world’s first web developers[00:04:18] — Working with Steve Jobs and helping Apple shape app strategy[00:05:11] — Why AI is fundamentally different from every technology before it[00:10:40] — Why Peter believes humanity is completely unprepared for AI[00:16:36] — AI-discovered medicine and the unintended consequences nobody talks about[00:22:44] — Peter’s prediction for how quickly the world will transform[00:29:07] — Deepfakes, regulation, and Peter’s most controversial opinion[00:35:34] — The three things AI can never replace: connection, community, and charisma[01:03:45] — Why entrepreneurs need to adopt AI immediately[01:16:02] — “You can be proud or rich, but you can’t be both.”
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R-CON 2026 Is Leveling Up — Bigger Venue, Bigger Vision, Bigger Opportunities
May 2800:35:50Tap to summarizeRCN 2026 is leveling up in a massive way. In this episode, Matthew Byrd and Phillip Ellering break down the biggest changes coming to this year’s conference, including the move to the Boise Centre, a 70-booth expo hall, hands-on technical workshops, the new Innovation Village & Hackathon, upgraded VIP experiences, and the community-focused networking that has made RCN one of the most unique events in the reality capture industry. From LiDAR, drones, surveying, BIM, digital twins, robotics, and AI to startups, enterprise companies, and career opportunities, this conversation dives into why RCN is more than a conference — it’s a growing ecosystem built to connect people, spark innovation, and create real opportunities across the industry.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Intro & why this year feels different01:00 – From small venues to the Boise Centre03:30 – Building the conference & improving every year04:45 – The new expo hall experience05:45 – Hands-on workshops & technical training07:00 – Gamifying growth & solving challenges09:15 – Lessons from the first conference11:15 – Why RCN feels different from other events12:00 – Innovation Village & Hackathon announcement14:15 – Solving industry problems through collaboration15:00 – Venue accessibility & attendee experience16:30 – VIP lounge & networking upgrades18:00 – Growth in exhibitors & attendance19:00 – Why RCN happy hours are legendary21:00 – The power of networking outside the conference room23:00 – Real career & business opportunities created through RCN24:00 – Who attends RCN?26:00 – The mission behind the conference28:00 – Matthew’s personal approach to building community30:00 – Why the team goes all-in on marketing31:00 – Ticket options & conference flexibility34:00 – Final thoughts & what to expect this year🎟️ RCN 2026📍 Boise Centre — Boise, Idaho📅 October 12–15
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From Air Force Pilot to CEO | What Military Leaders Do That Corporate America Can't | Nate Amidon
May 2601:42:17Tap to summarizeNate Amidon didn't plan on starting a company. He flew C-17 cargo planes for 12 years on active duty, transitioned out of full-time service, and landed a program management role at Microsoft, where he quickly realized his military skills were a perfect fit for the tech world. When his firm wouldn't hire his fellow veterans, he built Form 100 Consulting to do it himself. In this episode, Nate breaks down what military leaders bring to corporate teams that no resume or interview can reveal, how to run meetings worth having, and why companies that approach AI with a human-first mindset will outpace everyone else. If you lead a team, run a business, or want to think more clearly about getting things done, this one delivers. TIMESTAMPS[00:00:00] Introducing Nate Amidon and Form 100 Consulting[00:01:39] Growing up in Minnesota and joining the Air Force Academy[00:05:07] What bootcamp was actually like [00:08:37] What kept him going through training and into pilot school[00:09:22] Flying the C-17 and 23 years of military service[00:10:37] What the military teaches you that business cannot[00:15:21] Transitioning out of active duty and taking a 50% pay cut[00:17:24] Seeing the gap, starting Form 100, and having no idea what he was doing[00:21:44] Why alignment and communication are the real problems inside every tech company[00:25:16] Finding the right balance between structure and engineering freedom[00:29:07] The program execution chart every organization is missing[00:31:06] Death by meetings and fixing the problem[00:36:07] How to run one-on-ones that actually build relationships[00:43:10] The AI reality check: most companies are nowhere near real ROI[00:50:05] A human-first framework for implementing AI incrementally[01:02:41] Authenticity, AI avatars, and why people still want people[01:13:17] Final advice: lean into the hard thing, fail forward, and find mentors
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The Anti-Bank Bank: Real Estate, Mortgages & the Wealth Strategy Most People Miss | Harrison George
May 1901:05:49Tap to summarizeHarrison George grew up on a thousand acres in the California Bay Area, the son of the founder of CMG, one of the largest privately held mortgage companies in the United States. But his path into the family business was anything but a straight line. In this episode, Harrison shares how he found his footing through failure, why he calls CMG the "anti-bank bank," and how a product called the All-in-One loan is helping homeowners pay off their mortgages years early. He also breaks down his own real estate investment strategy, the mindset behind choosing default happiness, and why sitting with failure is the most underrated growth tool most people skip. If you are thinking about buying a home, building wealth through real estate, or just trying to figure out how to enjoy the journey, this one is for you. TIMESTAMPS[00:00:37] — CMG Mortgage, the family business and getting licensed in 48 states[00:02:18] — Buying a bank: what Bank CMG is and why it matters[00:03:29] — Growing up: The culinary school detour[00:04:25] — How one campus visit changed everything[00:06:35] — Life on a thousand acres in the Bay Area[00:08:03] — Failing the loan license exam and what he learned from moving back home[00:09:41] — Moving to Boise on 45 days notice with a U-Haul and woodworking equipment[00:10:13] — A home, another and then a duplex: How he built his portfolio[00:15:27] — The 2008 housing crash as the son of a mortgage company founder[00:23:27] — What it is actually like to have your dad as your boss
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From Platinum Records to Point Clouds | Building a Drone Career the Hard Way with Mark Martin
May 1201:05:38Tap to summarizeFrom Music Studios to LiDAR Systems | How Curiosity Built a Drone Career with Mark Martin Mark Martin has reinvented himself more than once… air traffic control, music production, heavy equipment, drones, and now LiDAR at a large Midwest engineering firm. All of it is connected by a habit of continual learning, doing and showing up before anyone expects you to. Mark gets into what it actually takes to build a drone program inside an engineering firm, why AI in geospatial is coming whether you like it or not, and the advice he gives anyone trying to break in. If you're curious about where drone technology is heading and what it takes to grow in this space, this episode is for you. TIMESTAMPS[00:00:39] — What Mark does now: building a UAS program at Prairie Engineers[00:01:52] — Air traffic controller at 19 and the road into music[00:02:31] — Moving to Nashville, interning for free and earning five platinum records[00:03:04] — Digital downloading kills the studio business and what came next[00:04:29] — Buying a Mavic to film Frisbee dogs and accidentally discovering drones[00:05:00] — From hobbyist to geospatial: teaching himself photogrammetry from scratch[00:09:07] — What the music industry taught him about curiosity, showing up and being seen[00:11:07] — What a drone program actually solves for an engineering firm[00:14:11] — Why firms spend $300K on equipment and never use it[00:25:29] — Solid state batteries, hydrogen drones and what Mark plans to fly next[00:29:54] — AI in data processing: what it's replacing and what it's not [00:32:44] — Embracing AI: the drum machine lesson and why resistance never wins[00:37:44] — Career advice for breaking into geospatial: certifications, project resumes and flight hours[00:40:12] — Scanning SpaceX at Boca Chica and what he saw standing 100 feet from the rocket[00:42:25] — Mounting an MX9 to a train and scanning 60 miles of railroad track[00:43:41] — Using a 360 camera and a bullhorn to count birds for the Department of Natural Resources[00:49:07] — Life advice: find someone doing it, show up, carry the battery cases
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Stop Working for Your Boss, Start Working for Yourself | Career & Leadership with Jake Blanc
May 501:30:40Tap to summarizeJake Blanchard has spent his career parachuting into organizations, fixing what's broken and moving on. From an unpaid six-month internship at St. Luke's that turned into a career, to consulting for billion-dollar companies, to now leading OEM sales for a cutting-edge cybersecurity firm, Jake has built a career around solving problems others can't see. In this episode, he breaks down the most common leadership and communication failures he encounters across industries, and what actually separates high-performing teams from stuck ones. He also shares why his best advice to anyone starting out is simple: be a professional at whatever you do, even if it's stocking shelves. TIMESTAMPS[00:00:35] Jake’s current projects [00:06:27] Growing up in Louisiana, moving to Alaska & losing his accent in speech therapy[00:11:44] Following a girl to college, switching majors, and landing on supply chain[00:13:47] The unpaid six-month internship that launched his career[00:15:36] Why Jake realized he is a great contractor and a terrible employee[00:17:18] Consulting for UCLA Medical Center & seeing his son for only 70 days that year[00:22:03] The wake-up call: overweight, burned out, & unable to enjoy being a father[00:26:20] Running to the stop sign every day and rebuilding his identity[00:27:36] Getting tapped out by a 15-year-old in jiu-jitsu and deciding to come back[00:31:00] Why most businesses run like a sitcom built on miscommunication[00:36:47] The leadership trap: why top-down decision making slows everything down[00:46:38] The Five S framework & why sustain is always the hardest step[00:52:21] Setting a minimum standard for yourself and rebuilding self-trust[00:57:23] What the best leader Jake ever worked for did differently in every one-on-one[01:01:00] Living & what you are actually trading your time for[01:07:48] Kaizen, the Toyota production system, and empowering the people doing the work[01:15:25] Time collapsing: why the best investment is finding someone with the experience[01:21:50] Final advice: pick a thing and decide to be a professional at it, whatever it is
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