Spatial Stack with Matt Forrest

Matt Forrest

Welcome to The Spatial Stack, where modern geospatial technology takes center stage. Our episodes feature interviews with leading experts, insightful discussions on the integration of AI and big data in spatial tech, and case studies on groundbreaking projects worldwide. Tune in to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving world of geospatial technology!

  1. Why Open Data Isn’t Really Open: Navigating Licenses in Geospatial with Mina Nada

    HACE 5 DÍAS

    Why Open Data Isn’t Really Open: Navigating Licenses in Geospatial with Mina Nada

    Open data is supposed to unlock innovation, but what happens when “open” isn’t really open? In this episode of The Spatial Stack, I sit down with return guest Mina Nada to explore the world of open data licenses — from Creative Commons to Open Database Licenses and beyond. We break down what these licenses actually allow you to do, where the pitfalls are, and how they impact anyone building geospatial products, tools, or services. Along the way, Mina shares real-world experiences navigating licensing challenges, from NASA’s permissive CC0 approach to the more restrictive “share-alike” models. Whether you’re a developer, analyst, or entrepreneur, this conversation will help you understand how to work with open data without running into legal or business roadblocks. If you’ve ever wondered what “open data” really means for your projects, this is the episode to listen to. The future is spatial — so let’s get into it.

    25 min
  2. How Preset Is Reinventing BI with Open Source and Geospatial Power

    HACE 5 DÍAS

    How Preset Is Reinventing BI with Open Source and Geospatial Power

    What happens when a hackathon project becomes one of the most influential open-source BI tools in the world? In this episode, we sit down with Max Beauchemin — creator of Apache Superset and Apache Airflow — and Evan Rusackas from Preset, the company behind Superset’s enterprise evolution. We explore: The origin story of Superset at Airbnb — and why Max says it became his “life’s mission”How open-source BI tools are outpacing traditional vendors like Tableau and Power BIWhy geospatial data is more than just maps — it’s a core analytical dimensionThe design philosophy behind Superset: from SQL-first thinking to visual storytellingLessons from building geospatial capabilities into dashboards with Deck.GL and H3The future of BI, and why the open ecosystem is winning Whether you're a data engineer, GIS pro, or just curious how modern BI is evolving, this episode is packed with insights from two people who are building that future. 📍 Guest Links: Apache Superset: https://superset.apache.org/Preset: https://preset.io/ 🎧 Tune in now and hear how Superset is redefining what modern, open, and geospatial-aware BI looks like.

    51 min
  3. An Honest Conversation About Imposter Syndrome in GIS

    14 AGO

    An Honest Conversation About Imposter Syndrome in GIS

    In this episode, I open up about something many of us in GIS rarely talk about — imposter syndrome. That nagging feeling of not being good enough, of questioning whether you really belong in this field, even when the evidence says otherwise. This isn’t a polished success story, it’s an honest conversation about doubt, comparison, and the pressure to measure up in GIS. I share my own experiences, what I’ve learned along the way, and why so many professionals quietly wrestle with the same thoughts. If you’ve ever wondered “Am I really cut out for this?” — you’re not alone. Let’s talk about it.

    18 min
  4. Building Smarter Pipelines for AI, Maps, and ML with Airflow

    24 JUL

    Building Smarter Pipelines for AI, Maps, and ML with Airflow

    If you’re working with spatial data, AI workflows, or massive batch jobs, you’ve probably hacked together more than a few pipelines. But what if there’s a better way? In this episode, I sit down with Kenten Danas, Senior Manager of Developer Relations at ‪@Astronomer‬ to explore how Apache Airflow powers the modern data stack including real-world geospatial and climate risk modeling pipelines. We cover: What Airflow actually is (and why it’s everywhere)How it’s used in geospatial pipelines, AI, and LLM workflowsNew features in Airflow 3.0 like assets, remote execution, and backfillsWhy orchestration is the key to scalable spatial data processingTools like the Airflow AI SDK that make LLM pipelines easier to manage Links from the show: Astronomer Academy (with courses + certifications): https://academy.astronomer.io/Astronomer Webinars: https://www.astronomer.io/events/webi...Astro CLI (for running Airflow locally): https://www.astronomer.io/docs/astro/...Free trial of Astro: https://www.astronomer.io/lp/signup/Airflow AI SDK (open source Python SDK for working with LLMs from Airflow): https://github.com/astronomer/airflow...Vibrant Planet Geospatial + ML Airflow use case: https://www.astronomer.io/blog/airflo... Whether you're building spatial features for machine learning or just want a more reliable way to manage your data workflows this is the episode for you.

    41 min
  5. Esri vs Open Source GIS: The Real Debate No One’s Having

    15 JUL

    Esri vs Open Source GIS: The Real Debate No One’s Having

    What happens when a heated LinkedIn debate turns into a real conversation? In this episode, I sit down with Kyle Satterfield, GISP, after a spirited online exchange about geospatial tools — specifically, the classic open-source versus Esri debate. What started as a back-and-forth in the comments became a deeper conversation about the choices we make in GIS: buy versus build, custom versus out-of-the-box, IT-driven versus GIS-led approaches, and how the right answer isn’t always as simple as we make it seem online. Kyle shares candid stories from his work launching GIS programs at the county level, navigating the tug-of-war between IT departments, administrators, and GIS teams. We talk about the value of fast wins, the realities of budgets and buy-in, and why sometimes being "boxed in" by a platform can be a good thing. This episode isn’t about who’s right — it’s about getting past the hot takes and hearing real perspectives from both sides of the geospatial world.

    59 min
  6. The Fight to Free Geospatial Data...And What Comes Next?

    2 JUL

    The Fight to Free Geospatial Data...And What Comes Next?

    📩 Get every update from my newsletter ➡️ https://forrest.nyc ⬅️💨 Sign up for the Spatial Lab Community ➡️ https://forrest.nyc/spatial-lab ⬅️ Why is geospatial data still stuck in its own world — and what will it take to finally integrate it with the rest of the data ecosystem? In this episode, I talk with Javier de la Torre, founder of Carto and one of the original architects of modern spatial analytics. We explore the history of GIS as a siloed discipline, the cost that isolation has had on the industry (and professionals), and how open formats like GeoParquet are finally changing the game. Javier shares his journey from biodiversity research to building Carto, insights from working with major cloud platforms, and the behind-the-scenes story of how geospatial data became a first-class citizen in the analytics world. If you've ever wrestled with incompatible file formats, siloed teams, or the slow pace of innovation in GIS — this conversation will feel like a breath of fresh air. We cover: Why GIS has been isolated for decadesThe hidden costs of geospatial silosHow GeoParquet was born — and what it changesWhat it means to make spatial data “just a join away”The future of cloud-native geospatial Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of spatial, data, and innovation.

    55 min
  7. Rethinking Geospatial for a Sustainable World with Nadine Alameh

    9 JUN

    Rethinking Geospatial for a Sustainable World with Nadine Alameh

    📩 Get every update from my newsletter ➡️ https://forrest.nyc ⬅️💨 Sign up for the Spatial Lab Community ➡️ https://forrest.nyc/spatial-lab ⬅️ What if the way we map the Earth is reinforcing the very inequalities we aim to solve? In this episode of The Spatial Stack, I sit down with Dr. Nadine Alameh, one of the most influential voices in geospatial and AI for Earth. With a background spanning NASA, the United Nations, and the Open Geospatial Consortium, Nadine brings a unique systems-level perspective to the urgent question: Who gets to define the map? We dive into: How AI models can fail without local context and community inputThe tensions between global institutions and grassroots data effortsThe importance of open tools, inclusive standards, and rethinking what “ground truth” really meansWhat it will take to make Earth intelligence equitable, actionable, and trustworthy Whether you’re building geospatial systems, training machine learning models, or working on climate and land use policy, this conversation will reshape how you think about data, power, and place.

    48 min
  8. Investing in Earth: The VC Strategy Behind the Geospatial Boom

    22 MAY

    Investing in Earth: The VC Strategy Behind the Geospatial Boom

    📩 Get every update from my newsletter ➡️ https://forrest.nyc ⬅️💨 Sign up for the Spatial Lab Community ➡️ https://forrest.nyc/spatial-lab ⬅️ What if the future of AI depends on understanding where, not just what? In this episode, I’m joined by Justus Killian, partner at Space Capital, one of the only VC firms focused entirely on geospatial and space-based tech. We dive into why geospatial data is no longer niche, how satellites became billion-dollar businesses, and why the next wave of AI breakthroughs could come from those who understand location. We also unpack the evolving venture landscape, the rise of geo-embeddings, and how spatial data is finally moving beyond the map into real-time decision-making. Whether you're building LLMs, funding the next Planet Labs, or just curious about how Earth is being mapped in ways you’ve never seen, this one's for you.

    52 min
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Welcome to The Spatial Stack, where modern geospatial technology takes center stage. Our episodes feature interviews with leading experts, insightful discussions on the integration of AI and big data in spatial tech, and case studies on groundbreaking projects worldwide. Tune in to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving world of geospatial technology!

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