Wayspotters - A Niantic Wayfarer Podcast

Pickaxe

Join hosts Jamal Harvey and Chris Bell for a weekly podcast dedicated to the Wide World of Niantic Wayfarer! Niantic Wayfarer provides the Points of Interests (POIs) that make these games run: Pokémon Go, Pikmin Bloom, Monster Hunter & More! Find us! On X (Formally Twitter) @wayspotters At our Website -> www.wayspotters.com On Instagram @wayspotterspodcast On TikTok @imakewayspots On YouTube @wayspotterspodcast Also available on pokemonprofessor.com

  1. 1D AGO

    224. It’s Shocking

    This week, Jamal and Chris dive into one of the most debated updates yet... AED PokéStops in Japan. They break down what AEDs are, why Niantic may be adding them to the map, and the real-world impact this could have on player awareness and emergency preparedness. From clear pros like life-saving visibility and more stops… to concerns around safety, crowding, and unintended behavior, this one sparks a serious debate. The conversation also expands into a bigger topic—should the Wayfarer map be global, or shaped by local communities? And is this even a Wayfarer issue at all… or just another example of the Pokémon GO team doing their own thing? Plus: A quick but important nomination tip: don’t mention “Wayspots” in your submissions A breakdown of generic infrastructure signs (and why they’re not eligible) Wayspot of the Week featuring a creative upcycled bench and a massive mural Coal of the Week highlighting obvious pin abuse All that, plus hockey talk, dad jokes, and the usual chaos. Stick around for: ✅ Spatial / Scopely News ✅ Wayspots / Coal of the Week ✅ Dad Jokes (of course!) Show Credits Hosts: Jamal Harvey & Chris Bell Writer: Chris Bell Producer: Jamal Harvey Executive Producer: Kate Konz Show Historian: Matty G Recorded: 29 April 2026 Published: 3 May 2026 Season 5, Episode 16 Contact Us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wayspotters@pokemonprofessor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Voicemail / SMS: 704-426-3710  Support the Show  Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/PokemonProfessor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wayspotters.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Follow! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotterspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter/X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@imakewayspots⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WayspottersPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitch.tv/pokemonprofessornetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Community & Friends Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/niawayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ German Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/ThTZCZH5⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/groups/2241761169257836⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Solstice: 🎧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify Episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unsplash⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Agent X on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@agentx_wayfinder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chris Bell’s Articles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pokemongohub.net/post/author/glawhantojar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Niantic Wayfarer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@NianticWayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music CreditsIntro: “Game Over” – Danijel ZamboBreak: Heavy Trap Drum Loops – LoopmastersOutro: “Itty Bitty 8 Bit” – Kevin MacLeodAdditional: Spanish Hard Trap – Steve Oxen Vocal Recordings © Pokémon Professor Network 2025 Pokémon and all respective names © Nintendo 1996–2025. Pokémon GO © Niantic, Inc. Wayspotters & Pokémon Professor Network are not affiliated with Niantic, The Pokémon Company, Game Freak, or Nintendo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    55 min
  2. APR 26

    223. Confessions of a Cell Optimizer

    This week, Jamal and Chris dive into a packed episode discussing whether Wayfinders are running out of quality POIs, and how location plays a major role—dense cities may be tapped out while growing suburbs still offer opportunity. Jamal shares a massive run of 19 approvals (17 live in-game) in under a week, sparking a debate on “stretching criteria” and the future of nominations. The conversation shifts to S2 cell strategy, where both agree it’s not cheating—unless you’re manipulating pin placement outside the rules. They break down the difference between smart optimization and abuse, and Jamal introduces his “Confessions of a Cell Optimizer” segment, explaining how he maximized a local area into a fully optimized cluster. They also explore the idea of “remove and replace” as areas redevelop, debating whether outdated Wayspots should be removed immediately or left until replacements are ready. In lighter moments, the episode features a “One’s Gotta Go” gaming debate (PS5 vs PC vs Switch vs Mobile, with Xbox catching strays), standout Wayspots of the Week featuring incredible murals, and a clear Coal of the Week example highlighting what not to nominate (a PRP tree). As always, the episode wraps with community shoutouts, patron love, and the reminder: “What’s a few meters between friends?” Stick around for: ✅ Spatial / Scopely News ✅ One's Gotta Go - Gaming Edition ✅ Wayspots / Coal of the Week ✅ Dad Jokes (of course!) Show Credits Hosts: Jamal Harvey & Chris Bell Writer: Jamal Harvey Producer: Jamal Harvey Executive Producer: Kate Konz Show Historian: Matty G Recorded: 24 April 2026 Published: 26 April 2026 Season 5, Episode 15 Contact Us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wayspotters@pokemonprofessor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Voicemail / SMS: 704-426-3710  Support the Show  Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/PokemonProfessor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wayspotters.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Follow! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotterspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter/X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@imakewayspots⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WayspottersPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitch.tv/pokemonprofessornetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Community & Friends Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/niawayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ German Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/ThTZCZH5⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/groups/2241761169257836⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Solstice: 🎧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify Episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unsplash⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Agent X on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@agentx_wayfinder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chris Bell’s Articles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pokemongohub.net/post/author/glawhantojar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Niantic Wayfarer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@NianticWayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music CreditsIntro: “Game Over” – Danijel ZamboBreak: Heavy Trap Drum Loops – LoopmastersOutro: “Itty Bitty 8 Bit” – Kevin MacLeodAdditional: Spanish Hard Trap – Steve Oxen Vocal Recordings © Pokémon Professor Network 2025 Pokémon and all respective names © Nintendo 1996–2025. Pokémon GO © Niantic, Inc. Wayspotters & Pokémon Professor Network are not affiliated with Niantic, The Pokémon Company, Game Freak, or Nintendo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 8m
  3. APR 19

    222. Bracketology

    This week, Chris and Jamal kick things off with some fun tangents—from time being a construct to bold sports predictions and a dose of nostalgia with upcoming movie announcements—before diving into Wayfarer news, including reports of missing Wayspot images and how the community can help fix them. In Topic #1, the guys take a deep dive into sports fields, breaking down how to properly maximize nominations through smart pin placement, understanding S2 cells, and why “a few meters” can make a big difference. They also debate dugouts, scoreboards, and how far is too far when it comes to maximizing a single complex. In Topic #2, it’s time for Wayspot Madness 2026, where the community bracket delivers surprises, upsets, and a Cinderella run—culminating in restaurants taking home the title over libraries. The episode wraps up with Wayspots of the Week, including a long-fought restaurant nomination success story and a perfectly framed mural submission, plus a Coal of the Week that highlights the importance of quality photos. Stick around for: ✅ Spatial / Scopely News ✅ Wayspots / Coal of the Week ✅ Dad Jokes (of course!) Show Credits Hosts: Jamal Harvey & Chris Bell Writer: Chris Bell Producer: Jamal Harvey Executive Producer: Kate Konz Show Historian: Matty G Recorded: 17 April 2026 Published: 19 April 2026 Season 5, Episode 14 Contact Us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wayspotters@pokemonprofessor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Voicemail / SMS: 704-426-3710  Support the Show  Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/PokemonProfessor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wayspotters.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Follow! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotterspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter/X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@imakewayspots⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WayspottersPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitch.tv/pokemonprofessornetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Community & Friends Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/niawayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ German Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/ThTZCZH5⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/groups/2241761169257836⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Solstice: 🎧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify Episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unsplash⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Agent X on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@agentx_wayfinder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chris Bell’s Articles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pokemongohub.net/post/author/glawhantojar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Niantic Wayfarer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@NianticWayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music CreditsIntro: “Game Over” – Danijel ZamboBreak: Heavy Trap Drum Loops – LoopmastersOutro: “Itty Bitty 8 Bit” – Kevin MacLeodAdditional: Spanish Hard Trap – Steve Oxen Vocal Recordings © Pokémon Professor Network 2025 Pokémon and all respective names © Nintendo 1996–2025. Pokémon GO © Niantic, Inc. Wayspotters & Pokémon Professor Network are not affiliated with Niantic, The Pokémon Company, Game Freak, or Nintendo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 2m
  4. APR 12

    221. Blame eMiLy

    This week Jamal and Chris kick things off with a lively discussion around “Don’t Blame Emily,” diving into whether AI rejections are really the problem—or if nominators have gotten complacent. They explore how faster approvals and shifting reviewer dynamics have changed submission quality, and why adapting your nominations still matters. The conversation expands into the impact of the Ingress community stepping back, and how that shift may have affected overall map standards in today’s “need more stops” era. From there, the guys reflect on how building Wayspots can transform local communities, turning quiet areas into active social hubs. In Topic #2, Jamal and Chris tackle the debate of cleaning vs policing the map, discussing local control, global enforcement, and when removing Wayspots goes too far. It’s a thoughtful look at balancing map quality with player experience. Plus, a fun One’s Gotta Go: BBQ Edition, some classic dad jokes, and standout submissions including two awesome murals and a not-so-great high school nomination for Coal of the Week. Stick around for: ✅ Spatial / Scopely News ✅ One's Gotta Go - BBQ Edition ✅ Wayspots / Coal of the Week ✅ Dad Jokes (of course!) Show Credits Hosts: Jamal Harvey & Chris Bell Writer: Jamal Harvey Producer: Jamal Harvey Executive Producer: Kate Konz Show Historian: Matty G Recorded: 08 April 2026 Published: 12 April 2026 Season 5, Episode 13 Contact Us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wayspotters@pokemonprofessor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Voicemail / SMS: 704-426-3710  Support the Show  Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/PokemonProfessor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wayspotters.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Follow! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotterspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter/X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@imakewayspots⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WayspottersPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitch.tv/pokemonprofessornetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Community & Friends Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/niawayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ German Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/ThTZCZH5⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/groups/2241761169257836⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Solstice: 🎧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify Episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unsplash⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Agent X on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@agentx_wayfinder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chris Bell’s Articles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pokemongohub.net/post/author/glawhantojar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Niantic Wayfarer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@NianticWayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music CreditsIntro: “Game Over” – Danijel ZamboBreak: Heavy Trap Drum Loops – LoopmastersOutro: “Itty Bitty 8 Bit” – Kevin MacLeodAdditional: Spanish Hard Trap – Steve Oxen Vocal Recordings © Pokémon Professor Network 2025 Pokémon and all respective names © Nintendo 1996–2025. Pokémon GO © Niantic, Inc. Wayspotters & Pokémon Professor Network are not affiliated with Niantic, The Pokémon Company, Game Freak, or Nintendo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 14m
  5. APR 5

    220. Building Out Your Toolbox

    This week Chris and Jamal dig into how to build your Wayfarer toolbox and set yourself up for success—whether you’re brand new or a seasoned Wayfinder. Inspired by real-world onboarding strategies, they break down practical ways to improve your nominations through better photos, stronger supporting information, and cleaner titles and descriptions. They also discuss how to gain momentum in Wayfarer by doing consistent reviews, making meaningful edits, and learning from others through reviews and forum discussions. The goal? Build confidence, avoid common mistakes, and create higher-quality submissions from the start. Along the way, the guys touch on GO Fest excitement, community discussions around removals and reviewing behavior, and a preview of next week’s spicy topics. Plus: Building Your Wayfarer Toolbox (photos, supporting info, titles & descriptions, tools) Gaining Momentum (reviews, edits, and learning from others) Community Talk (removals, Reddit vs forums, and reviewer behavior) Wayspots of the Week (including a creative transit-themed sign & a powerful multi-story mural) Coal of the Week (what NOT to submit) Stick around for: ✅ Spatial / Scopely News ✅ Wayspots / Coal of the Week ✅ Dad Jokes (of course!) Show Credits Hosts: Jamal Harvey & Chris Bell Writer: Jamal Harvey Producer: Jamal Harvey Executive Producer: Kate Konz Show Historian: Matty G Recorded: 3 April 2026 Published: 5 April 2026 Season 5, Episode 12 Contact Us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wayspotters@pokemonprofessor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Voicemail / SMS: 704-426-3710  Support the Show  Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/PokemonProfessor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wayspotters.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Follow! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotterspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter/X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@imakewayspots⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WayspottersPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitch.tv/pokemonprofessornetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Community & Friends Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/niawayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ German Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/ThTZCZH5⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/groups/2241761169257836⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Solstice: 🎧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify Episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unsplash⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Agent X on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@agentx_wayfinder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chris Bell’s Articles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pokemongohub.net/post/author/glawhantojar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Niantic Wayfarer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@NianticWayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music CreditsIntro: “Game Over” – Danijel ZamboBreak: Heavy Trap Drum Loops – LoopmastersOutro: “Itty Bitty 8 Bit” – Kevin MacLeodAdditional: Spanish Hard Trap – Steve Oxen Vocal Recordings © Pokémon Professor Network 2025 Pokémon and all respective names © Nintendo 1996–2025. Pokémon GO © Niantic, Inc. Wayspotters & Pokémon Professor Network are not affiliated with Niantic, The Pokémon Company, Game Freak, or Nintendo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 4m
  6. MAR 29

    219. Wayfarer Identity Crisis

    This week Jamal and Chris dig into the current state of Wayfarer and ask the big question: has the system become too easy—or is it finally working the way it should? They break down the shift from strict “gatekeeping” to a more open, fast-moving system, and debate whether community-driven approvals are helping or hurting overall quality. The conversation then moves into one of the hottest topics right now: local vs global reviewing. Does local knowledge still matter most, or is global reviewing the key to speed and fairness? The guys also tackle the rise of “voyeur removals” and whether players should be removing Wayspots in areas they don’t even play in. They wrap up the discussion by exploring what the “Wayfarer standard” really is today—and whether different players are playing by completely different definitions of that standard. Stick around for: ✅ Spatial / Scopely News ✅ One's Gotta Go - Potato Edition ✅ Wayspots / Coal of the Week ✅ Dad Jokes (of course!) Show Credits Hosts: Jamal Harvey & Chris Bell Writer: Jamal Harvey Producer: Jamal Harvey Executive Producer: Kate Konz Show Historian: Matty G Recorded: 26 March 2026 Published: 29 March 2026 Season 5, Episode 11 Contact Us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wayspotters@pokemonprofessor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Voicemail / SMS: 704-426-3710  Support the Show  Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/PokemonProfessor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wayspotters.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Follow! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotterspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter/X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@imakewayspots⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WayspottersPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitch.tv/pokemonprofessornetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Community & Friends Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/niawayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ German Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/ThTZCZH5⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/groups/2241761169257836⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Solstice: 🎧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify Episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unsplash⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Agent X on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@agentx_wayfinder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chris Bell’s Articles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pokemongohub.net/post/author/glawhantojar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Niantic Wayfarer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@NianticWayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music CreditsIntro: “Game Over” – Danijel ZamboBreak: Heavy Trap Drum Loops – LoopmastersOutro: “Itty Bitty 8 Bit” – Kevin MacLeodAdditional: Spanish Hard Trap – Steve Oxen Vocal Recordings © Pokémon Professor Network 2025 Pokémon and all respective names © Nintendo 1996–2025. Pokémon GO © Niantic, Inc. Wayspotters & Pokémon Professor Network are not affiliated with Niantic, The Pokémon Company, Game Freak, or Nintendo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 22m
  7. MAR 22

    218 . Saying Goodbye

    This week Chris and Jamal kick off Episode 218 of the Wayspotters Podcast with some personal updates, including Chris preparing to start a new job and celebrating his son making a lacrosse rep team. After the catch-up, they dive into the latest Wayfarer and Niantic news. The big topic this week is the pause of Operation Portal Recon (OPR). Chris and Jamal discuss Niantic Spatial’s announcement that OPR has been temporarily shut down and share their speculation about why it happened. Reports surfaced showing large-scale cheating, bots, and automated portal submissions creating thousands of fake reviews and portals. They explore how the abuse may have overwhelmed Niantic’s ability to manage the system, why OPR may stay offline for a long time, and what the future could look like for Ingress mapping and community review. They also talk about what this pause could mean for Ingress players and the long-term health of the portal network, including concerns that without new portals the game could feel stale and lose player engagement. On the Wayfarer side, the hosts highlight a major quality-of-life improvement: web submission drafts. The new system allows Wayfinders to create and store multiple nomination drafts, review photos and descriptions at home, and submit them later once everything is polished. Chris and Jamal explain why this could improve nomination quality, reduce “coal” submissions, and help reviewers overall—while noting the limitation that submissions still require available nomination slots. The episode wraps up with Wayspot of the Week, featuring a striking globe installation in Dublin and an abstract art installation in Rockford, Illinois, followed by Coal of the Week, showcasing a great nomination ruined by using a watermarked photo pulled from a website. Overall, the episode explores the evolving future of Wayfarer, the challenges of community-driven mapping systems, and how new tools might improve the quality of Wayspot nominations going forward. Stick around for: ✅ Spatial / Scopely News ✅ Tales From Canada ✅ Wayspots / Coal of the Week ✅ Dad Jokes (of course!) Show Credits Hosts: Jamal Harvey & Chris Bell Writer: Chris Bell Producer: Jamal Harvey Executive Producer: Kate Konz Show Historian: Matty G Recorded: 5 March 2026 Published:8 March 2026 Season 5, Episode 10 Contact Us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wayspotters@pokemonprofessor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Voicemail / SMS: 704-426-3710  Support the Show  Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/PokemonProfessor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wayspotters.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Follow! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotterspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter/X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@imakewayspots⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WayspottersPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitch.tv/pokemonprofessornetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Community & Friends Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/niawayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ German Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/ThTZCZH5⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/groups/2241761169257836⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Solstice: 🎧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify Episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unsplash⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Agent X on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@agentx_wayfinder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chris Bell’s Articles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pokemongohub.net/post/author/glawhantojar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Niantic Wayfarer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@NianticWayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music CreditsIntro: “Game Over” – Danijel ZamboBreak: Heavy Trap Drum Loops – LoopmastersOutro: “Itty Bitty 8 Bit” – Kevin MacLeodAdditional: Spanish Hard Trap – Steve Oxen Vocal Recordings © Pokémon Professor Network 2025 Pokémon and all respective names © Nintendo 1996–2025. Pokémon GO © Niantic, Inc. Wayspotters & Pokémon Professor Network are not affiliated with Niantic, The Pokémon Company, Game Freak, or Nintendo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 17m
  8. MAR 15

    217. What If Pokémon GO Couldn't Submit PokéStops?

    This week Chris and Jamal dig into a packed episode full of Wayfarer news, hot takes, and a lot of common-sense discussion. They cover the fix for the Pokémon GO nomination spacebar bug, the nearby map issue, Niantic Spatial pausing OPR and retiring Overclock, and the arrival of Wayfarer nomination drafts—an update they both see as one of the biggest quality-of-life improvements Wayfarer has had in a long time. The main topic asks a bold question: what if Pokémon GO removed the ability to nominate POIs in-game and pushed all nominations through the Wayfarer website instead? What starts as a spicy hot take turns into a thoughtful conversation about better onboarding, higher-quality nominations, clearer expectations, and reducing the constant confusion from players who think they are nominating PokéStops instead of submitting Wayspots to Niantic’s larger database. Chris and Jamal weigh the pros and cons, from better education and fewer junk nominations to the risk of losing casual contributors and slowing map growth. They also talk about whether Wayfarer may be entering a post-backlog era, with eMiLy filtering out more coal, review areas feeling wider, and nominations moving faster than ever. From there, they jump into a fun “One’s Gotta Go” debate featuring Pokémon, Mario, Call of Duty, and EA Sports, before wrapping up with two great Wayspots of the Week and a Coal of the Week that serves as a reminder that even a beautiful mural is still ineligible if it sits on K-12 school property. https://community.wayfarer.nianticlabs.com/t/whats-the-point-of-having-pokemon-go-if-my-nomination-wont-show-up-in-game/108679 Stick around for: ✅ Spatial / Scopely News ✅ One's Gotta Go ✅ Wayspots / Coal of the Week ✅ Dad Jokes (of course!) Show Credits Hosts: Jamal Harvey & Chris Bell Writer: Jamal Harvey Producer: Jamal Harvey Executive Producer: Kate Konz Show Historian: Matty G Recorded: 12 March 2026 Published: 15 March 2026 Season 5, Episode 9 Contact Us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wayspotters@pokemonprofessor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Voicemail / SMS: 704-426-3710  Support the Show  Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/PokemonProfessor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wayspotters.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Follow! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotterspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter/X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@imakewayspots⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WayspottersPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitch.tv/pokemonprofessornetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Community & Friends Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/niawayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ German Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/ThTZCZH5⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/groups/2241761169257836⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Solstice: 🎧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify Episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unsplash⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Agent X on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@agentx_wayfinder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chris Bell’s Articles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pokemongohub.net/post/author/glawhantojar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Niantic Wayfarer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@NianticWayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music CreditsIntro: “Game Over” – Danijel ZamboBreak: Heavy Trap Drum Loops – LoopmastersOutro: “Itty Bitty 8 Bit” – Kevin MacLeodAdditional: Spanish Hard Trap – Steve Oxen Vocal Recordings © Pokémon Professor Network 2025 Pokémon and all respective names © Nintendo 1996–2025. Pokémon GO © Niantic, Inc. Wayspotters & Pokémon Professor Network are not affiliated with Niantic, The Pokémon Company, Game Freak, or Nintendo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 27m
4.4
out of 5
43 Ratings

About

Join hosts Jamal Harvey and Chris Bell for a weekly podcast dedicated to the Wide World of Niantic Wayfarer! Niantic Wayfarer provides the Points of Interests (POIs) that make these games run: Pokémon Go, Pikmin Bloom, Monster Hunter & More! Find us! On X (Formally Twitter) @wayspotters At our Website -> www.wayspotters.com On Instagram @wayspotterspodcast On TikTok @imakewayspots On YouTube @wayspotterspodcast Also available on pokemonprofessor.com

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