The Geoholics

Episode 112 - Brian Owens

We believe that shining a light on safety is the best way possible to kickoff 2022! The guys were joined this week by Brian Owens. Who is Brian Owens you ask...besides being an American hero...he is a husband, father, musician and the author of "Inversion and the Perspective-Based Safety Culture". This is a completely different way of looking at safety that we believe will move you as it did us. Some of the items discussed include avoidable accidents, finding & fixing, risks associated with being reactive vs proactive, the power of perspective-based safety and how it changes habits, pre-employment behavior development, the significance of a compass, and does one-size fit all? PJ reinforces his love for Elon...BS is back in the saddle and DD has holiday brain fog. Brian Owens is quoted. Music for this episode by Pantera!!!

Episode 111 - Rob Kolar

Crypto, Drugs & Rock n Roll...what a way to close out 2021! The guys were joined this week by the one and only Rob Kolar. This was a "bucket list" conversation for DD as he's been a fan of Rob and his band KOLARS for quite some time. This engaging and thought-provoking conversation touched on Rob's unique upbringing & musical journey, ayahuasca & psychedelic exploration, expansion of consciousness, blockchain & crypto currency, NFT's, the metaverse and this thing called life. BS was off this week spending Huddy's college fund in Legoland so Connor O'Gorman, fellow podcaster and all-around great guy, was in the co-pilot seat. Music for this episode by KOLARS!!!

Episode 110 - Tom Hebert, Dinosaur Hunter & Mapper

AKA The Geoholics Christmas Episode. Well...I think it's safe to say that when we started this podcast a couple years ago...we never could have dreamt of having an opportunity to talk to a real dinosaur hunter. This week the boys did just that! Tom Hebert is a paleontologist from Wisconsin who you may know from the October 2021 XHYT article by Jeff Thoreson titled "Breaking Old Ground". This article documented how Tom, his daughter and the folks from Carlson Software are incorporating paleontology and surveying to build a GIS based map of findings and dig sites. Little did Tom know, that this passion was going to turn into what is now nearly a fulltime effort known as FossilPedia. We discussed paleontology vs archaeology, how Tom's love for dinosaur hunting began (thanks to his daughter!), the generosity and belief that Carlson Software had in him and his efforts, why the idea of a GIS based map of paleontological dig is important, how Tom determines the location of the next dinosaur hunt and what he has in store for 2022 and beyond. The guys had their annual Geoholics Xmas gift exchange...PJ bought 3 monkeys...BS saw Santa Claus with a tear in his eye and DD says "Don't be a messy Elf." Some touching Santa Claus quotes were shared. Music for this episode by My Chemical Romance!! Merry Christmas Everyone!! Here is how you can support Tom & FossilPedia: https://www.gofundme.com/f/fossilpedia?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1

Episode 109 - Mike Bontrager

Welcome to the Culture Zone! The boys were joined this week by Mike Bontrager. Mike has written a great career story so far having spent over 30 years being a "Culture Warrior" for The Weitz Company and Alston Construction. He has established himself as a "turnaround specialist" having had tremendous success fixing broken companies across the country. The focus was defining corporate culture as establishing what is encouraged, discouraged, accepted, or rejected within a group or team. We talk about where this starts and who is responsible for it, the importance of culture being aligned with strategy and leadership, how leading with culture may be among the few competitive advantages left for companies today and the importance of selecting or developing leaders with a forward-looking strategy and passion for culture. PJ gets analytical...BS gets sick and DD stumps PJ! Gary Vaynerchuk is quoted. Music for this episode by Tom Petty!

Episode 108 - Jason Martschuk & Prostar

You're gonna want to hear about this! The guys sat down this week with Mr. Jason Martschuk the Senior VP of Sales for Prostar (www.prostarcorp.com). ProStar is recognized as a world leader in the development of Precision Mapping Solutions specializing in developing patented cloud and mobile solutions. Their flagship product is PointMan, a mapping solution, proven to significantly enhance the workflow processes and business practices associated with the lifecycle management of critical infrastructure both above and below the Earth’s surface. PointMan provides the ability to precisely capture, record, display, and manage critical infrastructure in real-time, including roads, bridges, railways, pipelines, and utilities. Their clients span from Fortune 500 construction companies, utility owners, and government agencies to smaller entities including engineering & surveying firms, municipalities and universities. Jason was the perfect person to answer all of our questions re: this exciting platform. I can't forget to also mention that Jason "enjoys" taking on food challenges having conquered such things as an 80 oz steak in one sitting!! PJ got into an accident...BS got into an accident...DD was an accident (not really...we don't think)! Kevin Hart was quoted. Music for this episode by Beastie Boys! SPECIAL OFFER: IF YOU MENTION THE "GEOHOLICS", JASON & PROSTAR WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH A 6 MONTH FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO POINTMAN!!!

Episode 107 - Claire Buxton, Roshni Sharma & VCSP

All we can say is WOW...these ladies are amazing! The boys were joined this week by Claire Buxton & Roshni Sharma. Claire is a Party Chief, Project Manager, and CAD Coordinator at Underhill Geomatics and theLead of the Volunteer Community Surveyor Program or VCSP (a FIG Young Surveyors Network initiative). Roshni is a Project Manager and Geospatial Analyst for FrontierSI and the Communications and Marketing Lead of the VCSP. If you are like we were before we had this conversation, you are going to come away from it humbled and hopefully motivated to support these ladies and this group of committed and passionate individuals. We discussed the mission of the VCSP, how personally rewarding and character building it is, the positive impact this group is making and how folks just like you can get involved. Claire, Roshni and the VCSP are truly making the world a better place while promoting geomatics around the globe! PJ was in the 'Dale, BS was in the Nerdery and DD was in Sin City. Jim Carrey was quoted. Music for this episode by Gueen!

Episode 106 - Business of Land Surveying - Small Business Perspective

Talk about an all-star cast of characters...this one did not disappoint! The boys were joined this week by Steve Gangwal, Owner of Gangwal Enterprises, Inc., Nolan Mark LS, Owner of On The Mark Land Surveying LLC, Michael Thompson LS, President at Halma Thompson Land Surveys Ltd., and Will Wing, LS Owner Operator\CEO at Infinity Land Surveying, LLC. If you can maneuver your attention around all that was going on throughout this episode there was some amazing content shared by this group that everyone will be able to related to. We had this same general conversation on Episode 101 from a larger company perspective and we believe you will find the views these small business owners to be equally intriguing. PJ told us about DART/FART, BS had TK envy and DD got bit by Lucy the street dog. Steve Jobs & Tony Robbins were quoted. Music for this episode by J. Roddy Walston & The Business. Happy (U.S.) Thanksgiving everyone...be safe!

Episode 105 - Landon Jakse

Ahoy Geoholics! The boys took a 1-hour tour this week with off-shore surveyor Landon Jakse. Landon is not only an intelligent (fellow SIU-C grad...Go Salukis!), handsome man that can cook and rebuild Triumphs, he is also a PM in the offshore survey and positioning operations for Oceaneering. This was such an interesting conversation about a survey "discipline" that is rarely talked about. Some items discussed included Offshore geoscience, AUV's, ROS', oil & gas, Roy Frank, the crazy challenges of this type of surveying and the fact that offshore surveying is a Geoholics wet dream! Ladon shares details about some career defining projects that he has worked on as well as how offshore surveying may would be a great career path for anyone looking for a new challenge and to do something completely different. PJ geeks out...BS freaks out and DD nearly broke his ankle. Jacques Cousteau was quoted. Music for this episode by Turnpike Troubadours!

Episode 104 - Rich Antonio, Dorina Bustamante & Bill Swope

Well, this was fun! The boys were joined this week by Rich Antonio, VP of Business Development at Alta Southwest, Dorina Bustamante, Director of Business Development at Ritoch-Powell and Associates, and Bill Swope, Geospatial & Survey Business Development Manager at Halff Associates, Inc. It goes without saying that this week's topic is Business Development! We had a great conversation with these three BD professionals touching on business development vs marketing vs sales, how to craft a business development plan, various business development strategies/tactics and the importance of community involvement. Music for this episode by Bob Schneider!

Episode 103 - David & Nikolas Schlosser

Whether you say Shlosser or Slossher...this father and son survey team is one of a kind! We were joined this week by Dave & Nik Schlosser from Northstar Surveying, Inc. in Corvallis, Oregon. We kicked the show off with a toast of Benchmark whiskey which was recommended by the surveying Schlosser's and the rest is history. From what I remember, we talked about their military service (thank you!), pros & cons of having a family business, ways to transition ownership, risk of not having an exit plan, the importance of making time to educate and challenge your employees, overcoming the obstacle of finding & retaining survey staff, education vs experience and the importance of family! You're going to want to be adopted by the Schlosser's after this one! William Shatner is quoted. PJ is smart. BS tries to be and DD gets groped. Music for this episode by Pixies!