The Geoholics

Episode 095 - Anna Rios, LS & Lauren Holland, MCInstCES

Stop the presses! Anna Rios & Lauren Holland joined the boys this week to talk about the outcome of their individual surveys intended to shine a light on sexism and harassment specifically in the STEM careers. Before you say, "here we go again", be clear that this is NOT just a men vs women issue. The data was collected over the course of the last 8 months and the results that they shared are, to say the least, disturbing. We are certain that you will agree. If you're reading this, then you should listen because it means that you're curious if nothing else. It's no doubt that men and women are different and experience things differently. All people are different, communication and actions impact people in different ways. Ultimately this conversation was about "intention vs impact" and surveyors supporting surveyors creating an environment that welcomes and nurtures new workforce regardless of gender, race, background, etc. PJ is headed to Gilligan's Island. BS is back and better than ever. DD says, "get your asses in shape" and Dolly Parton is quoted. Music for this episode by Creedence Clearwater Revival!

Geoholics Anonymous - Aaron Machado

Strap in folks! We were joined on this Geoholics Anonymous episode by Aaron Machado. Aaron is an American patriot having served the country as a US Marine, an aspiring author, a husband, father, and host of the Wetdown Podcast. Needless to say, he's got an amazing perspective on current events and life in general. Some topics discussed included Afghanistan and what it's like to be under the control of the Taliban, the ripple effects the pandemic is having on society, homelessness and a common thread, how wokeness is backfiring, effective leadership, importance of lifelong mentoring, challenges of being an entrepreneur and so much more. PJ is sailing off to make lifelong memories. Neighbor Billy co-hosted his sophomore show and did not disappoint. DD drank spotted cow. Music for this episode by Collective Soul!

Episode 094 - Tyler LaPointe & Keegan Lumley

“Americans never quit.” – General Douglas MacArthur. We were joined this week by two survey warriors. Tyler LaPointe (ARNG Technical Engineer NCO/HQ Squad Leader) & Keegan Lumley (USAF Engineering Journeyman), both military and civilian surveyors, took time out of their busy schedules to share their unique career paths and experiences. Topics of discussion included...economic status is a mindset, 12Tango, Captain Cain, historical roles of military surveyors, military vs civilian survey training and challenges, benefits of serving your country, specialized training received, influential mentors, deployment stories, path to licensure, and life/work balance. BS was out this week adulting. In his stead, Instagram "influencer" and subject of the recently published xyHt article titled "Generation S(urveyor)", Mr. Will Wing, LS was in the hot seat this week. Music for this episode by Red Hot Chili Peppers!

Episode 093 - Dr. Nik Smilovsky & Parker Hinson

Two peas in a pod as they say. Dr. Nik Smilovsky & Parker Hinson joined us this week to talk about a number of things they are passionate about. BTW...passion = success. We touched on the desensitization of society, life on the University of Florida campus, Larry's Giant Subs, pre-modern GIS, contemporary GIS, the future of GIS and how GIS has left land surveying in the dust in many ways. Fear not...there is still hope! The Geoholics are in the top 8.5%...Dr. Nik is like a 5-day old pair of underwear...BTW...that's a compliment...PJ is going off the grid...BS has started a new job...DD has started a new job...coincidence?...and Marilyn Manson was quoted. Music for this episode by Mest!

Episode 092 - Ophir Wainer & 4M Analytics

Don't listen to this episode just because our guest this week has the most interesting name ever! Ophir Wainer is the Director of North American Business Development & Technology Implementation at 4M Analytics. If you haven't heard about 4M Analytics before now, and even if you have, you're NOT going to want to miss Ophir sharing all there is to know about this cutting-edge company. "We don’t see it, but we all use it. Every day, in every part of our lives." Mapping the Under Earth is what 4M is all about! Music for this episode by Oingo Boingo!

Episode 091 - Michael "Scooter" Schoder PLS

It's not very often you get the opportunity to chat with a true renaissance man! To say that our good friend Michael "Scooter" Schoder, PLS has lived a life of adventure would be an understatement. We took this opportunity to scratch the surface of just some of Scooter's life changing and character-building experiences. Growing up with Ann & Nancy Wilson (Heart), inventing duck farts, bear encounters, setting 1000 monuments in the frozen tundra with a team of Alaskan Natives, spending time in jail in the Congo, pulling off a mapping miracle, surviving cancer, and what it's like being a raggedy ass crazy Alaska wildman bush rat were just a few of the things we discussed. Music for this episode by Heart!!!

Geoholics Episode 090 - David O'Brien, PSM & David Graves

It's hard to believe that it's taken 90 episodes to highlight our hydrographic survey brethren. David O'Brien & David Graves from SurvTech Solutions, Inc joined us to talk about all things hydrographic/bathymetric surveying. We discussed the history of this unique profession, the different mapping applications and techniques, the challenges hydro-surveyors face on a daily basis, the different platforms and watercraft utilized, how water conditions affect the approach and deliverables, and so much more. Sir Richard Branson makes an appearance...sort of but not really. Music for this episode by Whitesnake!!

Geoholics Anonymous - Jaime Staples & PartyPoker

What...a...show! If you have ANY interest in the game of poker whatsoever...this episode is for you! Jaime Staples, professional poker star with over 100K Twitch followers and net winnings of over $1M joined the guys for a discussion covering all things poker. We talked about how Jaime & his brother won a $150K prop bet, how Jaime became a successful full-time poker player and is "living the dream", game basics and high-level strategies, the skyrocketing growth of online poker, his biggest "cashes" and "beats", Jaime's passion for being a poker ambassador and so much more. BS was off romancing TLK for their 10-year wedding anniversary, so the now infamous Mark Taylor (Ep 004 & GA 02) joined the crew adding some great perspective. PJ needs to go to space before he drives us crazy, and DD can't make sense of the word "vlogger". Music for this episode by ABBA!!!

Episode 089 - Dennis McKay, PLS

Note: Our committed guest was recording from his vehicle in a rural Colorado campground hence the poor-ish audio...even PJ couldn't magically expand the bandwidth! That being said, our guest Dennis McKay, who spent over 30 years as a surveyor at the BLM, has plenty to say about the land survey profession. We touched on what he's most proud of, physical and imagined/abstract data, unknowability of measurements, geodatabases, the value of a multipurpose cadastre and augmented reality boundaries. There was a ton of information provided if you can maneuver thru the audio...I promise. Music for this episode by Harry Nilsson! GO SUNS!

Episode 088 - Jorge Salcedo AIA, Jeremy Snyder PE, Ben Shinabery LS & Engineering Ministries International

Another absolute "must listen" episode! The guys were joined this week by Jorge Salcedo AIA, Jeremy Snyder PE, and Ben Shinabery LS to share their personal experiences working on Engineering Ministries International (EMI) project in El Monte, Mexico. The passion for serving and servant leadership that these three gentlemen exhibited was infectious. We talked about the specifics of this exciting project and the role each played in making it happen, how the project team came together, the importance of checking individual egos at the door, the rewards of servanthood, loving God & loving people and ways we can give back by donating our professional expertise. This was truly a rewarding episode to be a part of. Music by Café Tacvba!!!