The Matthew Byrd Podcast

Matthew Byrd + Reality Capture Network
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Business
  • Updated Weekly

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!

  1. 6d ago

    The Future of Reality Capture: AI, LiDAR & Digital Twins | Jeremy Pilgrim

    What happens when you spend nearly 30 years mapping thousands of schools—and watch reality capture evolve from paper drawings and early CAD to LiDAR, digital twins, AI, and Gaussian splats? In this episode of the Matthew Byrd Podcast, Matthew sits down with Jeremy Pilgrim, Managing Director of Building Spatial Intelligence Limited, to explore the evolution of spatial data and where the industry could be headed next. Jeremy has worked on more than 5,000 schools across the UK, building an incredibly unique perspective on how buildings are documented, managed, maintained, and ultimately understood. The conversation dives into why collecting data is only the beginning. The real opportunity is connecting that information so buildings can become living spatial databases—linking assets, maintenance records, environmental information, safety data, and institutional knowledge together. Jeremy and Matthew also explore the rapidly changing technology behind reality capture, including SLAM, LiDAR, photogrammetry, Gaussian splats, AI, and the possibility that cameras could eventually replace LiDAR for many applications. They also discuss one of the industry's biggest challenges: we already have much of the technology needed to transform how buildings are managed. The harder problem may simply be getting people to use it. KEY TAKEAWAYS: • Why Jeremy built an entire career around mapping schools • How reality capture evolved from paper drawings and 2D CAD into connected 3D data • Why spatial data should be treated as a corporate asset rather than a project cost • The importance of connecting building data instead of simply collecting it • Why geospatial referencing can bridge information silos • How digital models can preserve institutional knowledge when experienced employees leave • Why AI could fundamentally change how we interact with building information • The growing role of photogrammetry, Gaussian splats, and camera-based capture • Whether cameras could eventually replace LiDAR for certain applications • Why the required level of accuracy should be driven by the use case • How capturing buildings throughout construction could create a true operational record • Jeremy’s vision for giving people “X-ray vision” into buildings • Why problem-solving may become more important than memorizing information in an AI-driven world • Jeremy’s advice for younger professionals: believe in yourself, take chances, and just do it CHAPTERS: 00:00 – Coming Up 01:29 – Meet Jeremy Pilgrim 03:37 – From Pipe Fitter to Computers and CAD 13:13 – Taking the Leap and Starting a Company 16:48 – Why Jeremy Focused on Schools 26:27 – From Floor Plans to Connected Spatial Data 37:09 – Why Schools Need Better Building Data 44:05 – UK vs. US Technology Adoption 54:08 – Bridging Data Silos with Geospatial Information 1:01:04 – Bringing AI Into Building Management 1:08:55 – Why Spatial Data Is an Asset, Not a Cost 1:10:10 – The Biggest Reality Capture Technology Challenges 1:13:10 – Will Cameras Eventually Replace LiDAR? 1:20:41 – The Missing Link Between BIM and Operations 1:22:05 – The Future: Giving Buildings “X-Ray Vision” 2:10:20 – Reality Capture Network and the Value of Industry Collaboration 2:17:14 – Jeremy’s Advice to His Younger Self Subscribe for more conversations with the innovators shaping the future of reality capture, digital twins, geospatial technology, and the built environment.

    The Future of Reality Capture: AI, LiDAR & Digital Twins | Jeremy Pilgrim

  2. Sep 24

    From a Park Bench to Intel: Building a Reality Capture Business | Ken Smerz

    Ken Smerz has built one of the larger VDC companies in North America—but the road there was anything but predictable. After breaking away from a previous business, Ken and 11 members of his team found themselves with no money and working together from a local park. A major relationship with Intel eventually provided the financial “dry powder” they needed to launch forward. Today, Ken is the founder and owner of ZELUS, a VDC and reality capture company operating across the United States. In this episode of the Matthew Byrd Podcast, Ken sits down with Matthew to talk about the evolution of reality capture, what it actually takes to build and scale a business, and why he believes the opportunity ahead for scanning, BIM, VDC, digital twins and AI is enormous. From early LiDAR adoption and choosing the right technology for the job to surviving COVID, building great teams and learning when to pivot, Ken shares lessons earned through more than 16 years of entrepreneurship. They also explore where the industry goes next—including AI-powered feature extraction, the growing demand for operational digital twins, and a talent shortage that could become one of the industry's biggest challenges. KEY TAKEAWAYS: • Why early work with Intel helped provide the runway for ZELUS • How Ken and his team went from working in a park to building a nationwide VDC company • Why the reality capture industry may still be in its infancy • Why the demand for skilled scanning, BIM and VDC professionals could outpace the available talent • How owner adoption could accelerate the next wave of digital twins • Why choosing the right scanner for the right application matters • How AI could dramatically change point-cloud-to-BIM workflows • Why collaboration between reality capture companies may be more valuable than competition • The difference between growing a company and truly scaling one • Why successful entrepreneurs have to be willing to pivot • Why great businesses ultimately come down to “people, people, people” • Why young professionals should chase knowledge and experience before money

    From a Park Bench to Intel: Building a Reality Capture Business | Ken Smerz

  3. Sep 22

    Burn the Boats: Chrissy Barron on Building Million-Dollar Brands, Marketing Psychology & AI

    What separates businesses that thrive from those that disappear? In this episode of the Matthew Byrd Podcast, marketing strategist, entrepreneur, and fractional CMO Chrissy Barron shares the mindset that helped her build and scale seven-figure brands. From betting her life savings on a startup to leading marketing for brands like HexClad, F45, Planet Fitness, and Gym Launch, Chrissy dives into the psychology behind consumer behavior, entrepreneurship, AI, branding, leadership, and why growth only happens when you're willing to get uncomfortable. Whether you're a founder, marketer, creator, or someone chasing a bigger vision, this episode is packed with practical lessons and mindset shifts you can apply immediately. In this episode: • The Viking "Burn the Boats" philosophy • Building and selling a seven-figure business • Why consumers buy emotionally • Marketing psychology that actually converts • Finding your first 1,000 true fans • Facebook vs TikTok vs Instagram • AI's impact on marketing • Confidence vs arrogance • Why you should always bet on yourself Link with Chrissy Barron here: 🌐 Website: https://growthmarketinghacks.com 🎥 TikTok: @WorkTalksPodcast Chrissy specializes in helping DTC and eCommerce brands grow through strategic marketing, consumer psychology, and fractional CMO services #Marketing #Entrepreneurship #Business #AI #Branding #ConsumerPsychology #MatthewByrdPodcast 🔗 Explore more at: https://realitycapturenetwork.com/ 📲 Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/realitycapturenetwork/?viewAsMember=true 📸 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realitycapturenetwork/ Subscribe for more insights! Stay updated on the latest in reality capture, AEC innovations, and emerging tech. Hit that like button and subscribe for future content!

    Burn the Boats: Chrissy Barron on Building Million-Dollar Brands, Marketing Psychology & AI

  4. Sep 22

    The Art of the Detour | John Kundly on Reinventing Your Life

    What if the greatest setback in your life is actually preparing you for your greatest success? In this episode of the Matthew Byrd Podcast, Matthew sits down with John Kundly—TEDx speaker, leadership coach, author of The Art of the Detour, and someone whose journey from homelessness to helping leaders around the world proves that success is rarely a straight line. John shares how embracing uncertainty, developing confidence, and learning from life's unexpected turns can unlock opportunities you never imagined. Whether you're navigating a career change, building a business, leading a team, or simply trying to find your next step, this conversation offers practical wisdom for turning obstacles into advantages. Sometimes the path you didn't choose is exactly the one you needed. What You'll Learn ✔️ Why the biggest detours often lead to the greatest opportunities ✔️ How John went from homelessness to the TEDx stage ✔️ The truth about confidence—and how to build it ✔️ Why likability and communication matter more than you think ✔️ How great leaders navigate uncertainty ✔️ Practical ways to embrace change instead of fearing it Key Takeaways Success is rarely a straight line. Confidence is developed through action, not certainty. Your setbacks don't define you—they prepare you. Every detour has the potential to become your greatest advantage. Leadership starts with how you communicate and connect with others. Growth almost always requires discomfort. Timestamps 00:00 – Coming up... 01:18 – Meet John Kundly 04:42 – From homelessness to rebuilding his life 11:06 – Why confidence changes everything 18:30 – The Art of the Detour explained 26:14 – Learning to embrace uncertainty 34:57 – Leadership, communication, and influence 44:15 – The power of likability in business and life 53:41 – Advice for anyone facing a major setback 1:01:27 – Final thoughts and what's next

    The Art of the Detour | John Kundly on Reinventing Your Life

  5. Sep 8

    Are We Calling Everything a DIGITAL TWIN?

    What actually makes a digital twin? Is it a 3D model? A point cloud? A connected data set? Does it need IoT? Does it need to change over time? And most importantly, does any of that matter if nobody actually uses it? In the first Reality Capture Network Roundtable, Matt Byrd brings together Kelley Watt, Jason Sansoucy, Carlos Femmer and Jeremy Pilgrim for a wide-ranging conversation about one of the most used, misunderstood and rapidly evolving terms in the reality capture industry: the digital twin. The group gets into where the definition starts to break down, why digital twins have to create real business value, how reality capture data should live beyond individual projects, the challenges of getting field teams to actually adopt new technology, accuracy versus fit-for-purpose data, workforce and education gaps, robotics, automation and what happens when AI can begin interrogating digital twins on its own. From airports, dams and telecom infrastructure to schools, utilities and industrial facilities, this conversation looks beyond the technology itself and asks a more important question: What problem are we actually trying to solve? Stay Connected with Reality Capture Network 🔗 Explore more at: https://realitycapturenetwork.com/ 📲 Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/realitycapturenetwork/?viewAsMember=true 📸 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realitycapturenetwork/ Subscribe for more insights! Stay updated on the latest in reality capture, AEC innovations, and emerging tech. Hit that like button and subscribe for future content!

  6. Sep 1

    From Bulldozer to Software Founder | John Downing on Building Technology That Actually Works

    What happens when someone spends decades in the dirt before ever stepping into the software world? In this episode of the Matthew Byrd Podcast, John Downing shares an incredible journey from laboring in manholes and operating bulldozers to building innovative technology that's changing heavy civil construction. Rather than creating software from a boardroom, John built solutions from firsthand experience—solving the problems he encountered every day in the field. John and Matthew discuss the evolution of GPS machine control, drones, LiDAR, reality capture, entrepreneurship, leadership, faith, and why the best technology is created by the people closest to the work. Whether you're in construction, surveying, reality capture, or building a business of your own, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and hard-earned lessons. Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction & John's unique path into construction 2:00 – Why today's software misses the real problems 10:45 – Starting at the bottom: life in the dirt 20:00 – Learning heavy equipment and earning respect 35:30 – The opportunity that changed everything 46:30 – Leaving security to bet on himself 58:00 – Becoming an estimator and learning the business 1:05:00 – Discovering drones and reality capture 1:15:00 – Building LaTel and solving real-world problems 1:27:00 – LiDAR, innovation, and what's next Key Takeaways • Great technology starts with real-world experience—not assumptions. • The hardest jobs often become your greatest advantage later in life. • Simplicity beats complexity when you're building tools people actually use. • Innovation happens when you understand both the field and the office. • Trust, integrity, and long-term relationships are competitive advantages. • The future of construction isn't collecting more data—it's making better decisions with it. If you enjoyed this conversation, don't forget to like, subscribe, and share it with someone in the construction, surveying, or reality capture industry.

    From Bulldozer to Software Founder | John Downing on Building Technology That Actually Works

  7. Aug 25

    Fighter. Builder. Innovator. | The Morgan Drivas Story

    What does an undefeated MMA fighter know about construction technology? A lot more than you might think. Morgan Drivas has taken one of the more unconventional paths into the built environment. After going 5–0 as an amateur MMA fighter and training alongside some of the best in the sport, Morgan made the difficult decision to walk away from fighting and pursue a completely different future. That decision eventually led her into BIM, VDC, innovation, and reality capture—and today, Morgan serves as VDC & Innovation Manager at JTM Construction, where she's spent a decade working in VDC and is now helping expand the company's reality capture capabilities. In this episode of the Matthew Byrd Podcast, Morgan and Matt dig into the unexpected turns that shaped her career, what fighting taught her about discipline and strategy, and why there isn't always a clear blueprint for building a meaningful career. They also explore the evolving role of reality capture and VDC, the importance of building a personal brand, navigating career and family, and what the rise of AI could mean for the next generation of professionals. Morgan's story is a great reminder that your most valuable experience may come from the places that have nothing to do with your job title. If you're building a career in construction technology, reality capture, VDC—or simply trying to figure out what your next move should be—this conversation is for you. In this episode: • Morgan's journey from MMA fighter to construction technology • Why she walked away from fighting at 5–0 • Breaking into BIM and VDC without a traditional path • Reality capture and the changing construction industry • What elite fighters taught her about discipline and strategy • Why your personal story matters professionally • Building a personal brand without "selling yourself" • Career, family, motherhood, and defining success • AI, technology, and adapting to what's next • Advice for the next generation entering the industry Timestamps 00:00 Meet Morgan Drivas 01:07 Taking on Reality Capture at JTM Construction 03:07 The Challenge of Selling Reality Capture 05:04 Using Technology to Win Projects 07:20 Finding the ROI in Reality Capture 09:01 Why “As-Builts” Aren’t Always What Was Built 12:38 The Power of Virtual Site Walks 15:01 The Data We’re Losing in Construction 18:40 Morgan’s Unconventional Career Story Begins 19:47 Growing Up in a Construction Family 21:01 From Softball to MMA 23:20 Discovering Her Talent for Fighting 25:05 Going All-In on MMA 26:23 Lessons From Elite Fighters 27:34 Walking Away at 5–0 28:31 Fighting While Building a Career 32:38 Starting a BIM Consulting Career 34:59 Breaking Into VDC Without a Traditional Path 39:35 Why Everyone Has a Personal Brand 41:01 Your Story Is What Makes You Stand Out 1:00:04 Will AI Take Our Jobs? 1:04:22 What BIM Can Teach Us About AI Disruption 1:05:25 The Problem With “AI Slop” 1:07:21 What Skills Should We Teach Our Kids? 1:09:10 Preparing Children for an Uncertain Future 1:10:07 Why You Might Not Need a Five-Year Plan 1:11:06 Planning for a Future That Keeps Changing

    Fighter. Builder. Innovator. | The Morgan Drivas Story

  8. Aug 18

    Google Drive for 3D? The Future of 3D Is Closer Than You Think | Alon Grinshpoon

    What happens when the worlds of AI, reality capture, digital twins, and entrepreneurship collide? In this episode of the Matthew Byrd Podcast, Matt sits down with Alon Grinshpoon, Founder & CEO of Echo3D, to explore how 3D asset management is becoming a critical piece of the digital transformation happening across construction, manufacturing, gaming, healthcare, and beyond. Alon shares the story of how research in augmented reality for surgery led to the creation of Echo3D, a platform often described as "Google Drive for 3D." Together, they discuss the rapid evolution of AI, digital twins, XR, autonomous technology, and what it takes to build a company that's solving problems for some of the world's largest enterprises. Whether you're interested in reality capture, entrepreneurship, AI, or simply where technology is headed next, this conversation offers an exciting look at the future being built today. In this episode: • How Echo3D is simplifying 3D asset management • Why digital twins are becoming essential across industries • AI's growing role in reality capture and enterprise workflows • The future of XR, smart glasses, and spatial computing • Lessons from building and scaling a venture-backed startup • Why "impossible" problems often lead to the biggest opportunities Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 00:54 Alon's journey from Columbia University to founding Echo3D 06:22 What Echo3D actually does 12:43 The future of reality capture and digital twins 19:29 Enterprise adoption and startup challenges 21:19 How AI is changing software development and business 29:30 Surviving startup adversity and staying resilient 42:13 Advice for entrepreneurs and future founders 48:01 Closing thoughts If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to Like, Subscribe, and leave a comment with your thoughts on where AI, digital twins, and reality capture are headed next.

    Google Drive for 3D? The Future of 3D Is Closer Than You Think | Alon Grinshpoon
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About

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!

Information

  • Creator
    Matthew Byrd + Reality Capture Network
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    131
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Matthew Byrd + Reality Capture Network
  • Show Website
    The Matthew Byrd Podcast

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