The Geoholics

thegeoholics
  • 4.8 (36)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

”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.

  1. 1D AGO

    Episode 272 - Mikel Bowman & Bowman Legacies

    This week on The Geoholics, we fire up the mics, and dive head-first into something bigger than business, bigger than titles… bigger than ego. Legacy. Our guest, Mikel Bowman — President of Bowman Legacies, leadership coach, keynote speaker, and best-selling author of Lead From the Middle — joins us to talk about the difference between being remembered… and actually making a difference. Spoiler alert: -Legends get applause. -Legacies change lives. Mikel doesn’t preach leadership from a boardroom. He talks about getting in the dirt with your people — job sites, shop floors, and real-world pressure where culture either shows up… or falls apart. From near-miss moments on projects to coaching CEOs and first-timers alike, he shares why servant leadership, mindset shifts, and culture-first thinking are the real levers that save teams (and sometimes lives). We unpack: Why culture beats process every time The biggest leadership blind spots managers don’t want to admit What separates managers from leaders from legacy builders How one tough question can silence a room — and spark real change And why leadership starts in the messy middle, not the corner office This episode hits home for anyone leading crews, projects, families, or companies — especially those of us in survey, geospatial, and construction who know leadership isn’t theory… it’s boots-on-the-ground reality. If you’ve ever thought: “There’s got to be a better way to lead…” This one’s for you. Because at the end of the day…It’s not about building your résumé...It’s about building people...And building something that outlives you! Music by Metallica!!

    1h 13m

  2. 4D AGO

    Episode 271 - Marc Goldman

    Buckle up, Geoholics… this one’s for the builders, the dreamers, and the tech rebels. This week we sit down with Marc Goldman — part storyteller, part pilot, part GIS evangelist, and 100% believer that location intelligence is the secret sauce behind the future of the built environment. Marc didn’t follow the “safe” path. He walked away from architecture and engineering school at 21 to start his first AEC-tech company — betting on himself before “startup culture” was even a thing. Thirty years later, after navigating startups, global orgs, and everything in between, he’s still pushing the industry forward… helping architects, engineers, and surveyors finally see how GIS connects all the dots. And trust us… this isn’t just a “software talk”...this is mindset stuff. We get into: Taking big risks early and why failure is the best professor The real difference between startups and enterprise culture Bridging the gap between CAD, BIM, and spatial thinking Where GIS actually delivers value (not just buzzwords) Digital twins, reality capture, and what’s practical vs hype Leading teams through change without losing your people Inspiring early-career pros to find their lane in AEC tech And what’s next… AI, interoperability, and the data-driven future of our industry Marc’s passion is contagious — especially when he talks about helping the next generation “take flight” (literally and figuratively). His analogies from flying airplanes to flying careers hit home in true Geoholics fashion. If you’ve ever wondered how survey, GIS, BIM, and reality capture finally come together into one ecosystem, this episode connects the dots. Big energy. Big perspective. Big future. So whether you’re in the field, the office, or cruising at 30,000 feet...hit play and let’s map it out. As always — Add value. Make friends. T**S OUT & CHIN UP! Music by Pink Floyd!

    1h 25m

  3. FEB 4

    Episode 270 - Rob Cammack & SmartDrone

    This week the Geoholics crew sits down with Rob Cammack — entrepreneur, builder, and CEO/Founder of SmartDrone — a guy who’s basically been innovating since most of us were trading baseball cards. From launching businesses as a kid to founding and selling multiple companies, Rob brings that rare mix of grit, vision, and “there’s gotta be a better way” thinking that our industry desperately needs. We dive headfirst into the origin story behind Magellan, the first “No Drone Expert Required” LiDAR drone — and why it’s flipping the script on how survey firms adopt technology. No six-figure science projects. No “drone guy risk.” Just practical robotics that turn everyday crews into productivity machines. But this episode isn’t just about hardware — it’s about mindset. Rob talks: -Building companies (and selling them) without losing your soul -Removing friction so surveyors can focus on surveying -Why LiDAR is the great unlock for mapping pros stuck in camera-only workflows -How robotics can upgrade people, not replace them -What “world-class talent” really looks like in a tech-driven survey company -And where the surveying industry is headed in the next 5–10 years It’s equal parts leadership, innovation, and straight-up field practicality — the kind of conversation that makes you rethink how your team operates Monday morning. If you care about LiDAR, drones, scaling your survey operations, or building a future-proof business… this one’s a must-listen. Because sometimes innovation isn’t about flying higher…it’s about making it simple enough that everyone can fly. Music by The Killers!

    1h 20m

  4. JAN 23

    Episode 269 - Jenna Kent

    In this episode of The Geoholics Podcast, the crew dives deep—both literally and figuratively—into the world of archaeology, GIS, and cultural resource management with special guest Jenna Kent, Archaeologist at Jacobs Engineering Group. From growing up across Texas, Mississippi, Utah, and Hawaii as part of a military family, to excavating 7th-century monasteries and 12th-century abbeys in Ireland, Jenna’s journey has been anything but ordinary. That geographic diversity helped shape her appreciation for landscapes, cultures, and the human stories hidden beneath them. The conversation explores what archaeology really looks like beyond the movies—balancing rugged fieldwork with complex office analysis—and why cultural resource compliance is far more technical, analytical, and geospatially driven than most people realize. Listeners get an inside look at: >Prehistoric ceramic replication and how recreating ancient pottery reveals insights no textbook ever could >Surveying 15 miles of wilderness at Bandelier National Monument, one of Jenna’s career-defining projects >How archaeologists decode fragmented evidence like a massive puzzle with missing pieces >The growing role of GIS in archaeology, including site density modeling, probability mapping, and interactive story maps >Where surveyors, mappers, LiDAR professionals, and archaeologists can collaborate more effectively >The powerful human moments that remind us archaeology is ultimately about people—not artifacts Jenna closes the episode with thoughtful advice for young professionals looking to enter archaeology, cultural resources, or GIS—encouraging curiosity, patience, and a willingness to embrace both science and storytelling. This episode is a reminder that whether you’re mapping terrain, scanning infrastructure, or excavating history—context matters, layers matter, and collaboration across disciplines makes us all better. Song of the Week: “New Orleans Is Sinking” by The Tragically Hip

    1h 11m

  5. JAN 22

    Episode 268 - Keith Masback

    As former CEO of USGIF, Keith reflects on what fueled the organization’s massive growth, the importance of building strong academic pipelines, and why developing people has always been just as critical as advancing technology. We explore the evolution of GEOINT education, the skills today’s students must master, and why adaptability now outweighs specialization. The conversation turns toward the future of the industry—interoperability challenges, outdated policies slowing innovation, and the growing tension between traditional mapping workflows and real-time, AI-enabled geospatial intelligence. Keith offers an insider’s perspective on what’s working, what’s broken, and what he would redesign if the GEOINT enterprise were built from scratch today. As an advisor and investor, Keith also shares what separates startups that struggle from those that truly move the needle—highlighting the mindset, leadership traits, and clarity of purpose required to survive in an increasingly crowded geospatial market. We close with a powerful reflection on the single lesson Keith believes every geospatial professional must understand to make a meaningful impact in this rapidly evolving industry—plus his personal mantra that continues to guide his journey. If you care about leadership, policy, innovation, AI, startups, and the future of geospatial intelligence, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Music by Spafford!

    1h 19m

  6. JAN 9

    Episode 267 - Dillon Harp, RPLS, LSLS, CFedS

    Episode 267 is a masterclass in discipline, faith, leadership, and next-level surveying as the Geoholics crew sits down with Dillon Harp—a surveyor whose journey started at just 16 years old and has led him to become a nationally respected leader in the profession. Born on Carswell Air Force Base and raised with a strong sense of structure and service, Dillon shares how early exposure to hard work, responsibility, and mentorship shaped his approach to both surveying and leadership. From cutting his teeth in his dad’s survey company to earning his RPLS at the age of 23, Dillon’s story is one of focus, humility, and relentless growth. The conversation dives deep into his dual academic and hands-on education, the value of learning the profession from the ground up, and how those early field lessons still guide how he leads teams today as Director of Survey Operations for Energy & Power. Dillon also breaks down advanced topics like gradient boundary surveys, LSLS projects, and CFedS certification, offering real-world advice for young surveyors who want to push beyond the basics and specialize. Beyond the technical side, this episode hits hard on purpose and service. Dillon opens up about his faith, his commitment to being a servant leader, and his passion for giving back through TSPS involvement and student outreach. Recognition like being named TSPS Young Surveyor of the Year is discussed not as an endpoint—but as a responsibility to lift others up and leave the profession better than he found it. Dillon caps it all off by sharing the one piece of advice he’d give his 16-year-old self standing on that first survey crew—wisdom earned through years of experience, mistakes, and growth. Another episode that reminds us surveying isn’t just a job—it’s a calling, a craft, and a community. Music by Alan Jackson!!

    1h 1m

  7. JAN 6

    Episode 266 - Dustin Gardner, PLS

    This one’s got HEART. In Episode 266 of The Geoholics, we sit down with Dustin Gardner, PLS—a guy who somehow combined American literature, math, criminal justice, surveying, fatherhood, service, and storytelling into one damn good life. From San Diego roots to EV infrastructure projects… From survey outreach and historical preservation to mentoring foster youth… From fishing with his son to writing books that challenge how we think about purpose… Dustin is living proof that surveying isn’t just lines, points, and coordinates—it’s context, character, and contribution. We talk career moments that make you stop and say “I belong here”, why teaching the next generation matters, how storytelling and surveying are basically cousins, and what it means to build a legacy that goes way beyond the job title. This episode will: -Inspire you -Ground you -Remind you why you got into this profession -And probably make you call a mentor you haven’t talked to in a while Hit play. Trust us.  Music by Waylon Jennings!

    1h 14m

  8. 12/19/2025

    2025 Trimble Dimensions - Day 2 from Las Vegas!

    Check out these highlights from Day 2 of this year's awesome event!!! 01:10 - Will Wing PLS, Owner Operator\CEO @ Infinity Land Surveying, LLC & Dustin Gardner PLS, Land Surveyor @ Diamondback Land Surveying. 18:05 - Klaus Thymann, Explorer, Scientist, Creator - Fellow @ The Explorers Club & The Royal Geographical Society - Expert Roster @ UNESCO UN - Founder Project Pressure 37:40 - Dr. Scott Peterson, Associate Professor, Geomatics Engineering at Fresno State University & Tom Cardenas, Senior Vice President at CSDS, Inc. 01:01:25 - Brian Manning, CEO/Founder of Xona Space Systems & Olivier Casabianca, Vice President, Advanced Positioning Sector @ Trimble, Inc.

    1h 25m
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About

”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.

Information

  • Creator
    thegeoholics
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    250
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2019 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Geoholics