The Geoholics

Latest Episodes:

Episode 250 - Dr. Samuel Ariaratnam & Dr. Firat Sever Apr 28, 2025

Show notes

This week, the Geoholics hit the big 2-5-0, and what better way to celebrate than digging deep — literally — into the glamorous, pulse-pounding world of trenchless technologies and underground infrastructure! Our guests, Sam "The Sultan of Subsurface" Ariaratnam and Firat "The Pipeline Picasso" Sever, taught us that real heroes don’t wear capes — they wear hard hats and dream of pipes bigger than your average minivan. We learned that Urban infrastructure needs trenchless tech like a millennial needs Wi-Fi...Misconceptions about underground work abound — spoiler alert: it’s not just giant moles and angry dwarves down there...UESI isn’t a secret society, but it might as well be, given how it’s saving cities one buried utility at a time...Sam schools us on trenchless technologies (because who actually wants to dig giant holes anymore?)…While Firat flexes his resume by casually mentioning he built the world’s largest composite pipe — no big deal. If you ever thought digging holes wasn’t rocket science — well, it turns out it’s worse. It's way more complicated. Love the planet, love your pipes, and if someone hands you a shovel — just politely ask if they’ve heard of going trenchless. Music by Rush!

Episode 249 -Sean Gorman & Zephr Apr 22, 2025

Show notes

Apologies for the audio challenges...it was one of those nights!!

In this episode, the Geoholics crew sits down with serial startup whisperer Sean Gorman, co-founder of Zephr.xyz—a company so cutting-edge it probably triangulated this podcast before it aired. Sean, who grew up everywhere from Germany to the Philippines (basically Carmen Sandiego in reverse), shares how a life of constant relocation and rowing (yes, actual rowing) shaped his journey into geospatial tech superstardom.

The conversation navigates GPS spoofing, blockchain-based RTK, and turning your phone into a location-locked superhero—all while trying to make sense of GNSS like it’s not just a Scrabble score. We also learn that Sean has exited three startups and still had time to accidentally go viral for a dissertation. Casual.

From Sofi Tukker’s “Purple Hat” vibes to the WingtraGround setup that even your intern could master, this episode blends tech, travel, and topography in a way only The Geoholics can. One thing’s for sure: if location is everything, Sean’s been everywhere.

Moral of the story? Always bring a base station…and never underestimate a former rower with a PhD and a passion for satellites.

Episode 248 - Colin Sellers Apr 14, 2025

Show notes

The guys were joined in-studio this week by Colin Sellers—land surveyor, father, veteran, and part-time GPS wizard—joined us to discuss how moving around Georgia, joining the military, and raising a kid named Ragnarok (yes, like the Norse apocalypse) all led to one thing: a love affair with surveying that might just rival his affection for coffee.

From dodging camels in Djibouti to resurrecting section corners like Indiana Jones with a data collector, Colin shares tales of grit, GPS, and generational wisdom—especially the time he and his son turned a Nebraska project into a family bonding moment worthy of a Pixar movie.

He also dives into For The Quest, a geo-RPG that turns map-hunting into a noble pursuit, proving once and for all that surveyors can be adventurers too… just with more sunburns and fewer dragons.

And of course, it all wraps up with a dose of philosophy, family values, and a reminder that the best education often comes from the dirt under your boots—not the letters after your name. Music by Tengger Cavalry!!!

ASPRS Gulf South Region 4th Annual Geospatial Conference - Part 2 Apr 14, 2025

Show notes

Check out these highlights from this year's awesome event!!!

01:05 - Nathan Jones, UAS/GIS Department Lead @ AG3 Group LLC

18:50 - Will Alexander, Geospatial Specialist @ Centurion Planning & Design, LLC

29:50 - Scott Dunham, Geospatial Director @ Gorrondona & Associates, Inc.

38:28 - José A. Pilartes-Congo, Jr., Ph.D. Research Assistant @ MANTIS Lab (Conrad Blucher Institute for Surveying & Science)

ASPRS Gulf South Region 4th Annual Geospatial Conference - Part 1 Apr 14, 2025

Show notes

Check out these highlights from this year's awesome event!!!

00:40 - Vladimir Serkov, LiDAR Manager @ Poznecki Camarillo, LLC

17:30 - Alex Sorrells, Student @ Texas A&M University

31:15 - Terrance Ranney, Drone Services Manager @ UNICO Engineering, Inc.

44:25 - Stephen Anthony, Principal Geospatial Data Engineer @ CoreLogic

53:50 - Sally Holl, GIS Professor @ Austin Community College

2025 Pacific Rim Geospatial Conference - Day 2 (Part 2) Apr 03, 2025

Show notes

Check out these highlights from Day 2 of this year's awesome event!!!

00:32 - Elisse Deleissegues, GIS Analyst at Hawai'i Geographic Information Coordinating Council (HIGICC)

17:10 - Beverly Pascual, Civil Engineer at Engineers Surveyors Hawaii, Inc.

29:12 - Clare Mamura, Owner of Pacific Geospatial Services and President of Hawai'i Geographic Information Coordinating Council (HIGICC)

42:58 - Jim Reinbold, Regional Sales Director at Carlson Software

57:14 - Meyer Cummins, LPLS State of Hawaii

2025 Pacific Rim Geospatial Conference - Day 2 (Part 1) Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

Check out these highlights from Day 2 of this year's awesome event!!!

00:30 Alika Garo, Project Surveyor at Sam O. Hirota, Inc.

10:02 Cliff Yim, Licensed Land Surveyor in the State of Hawaii

20:38 Joey Furlett, Realtor-Broker & Attorney (HI+IL) and Commercial & Residential Real Estate Expert

35:55 Sarah Falzarano, Strategic Planner at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

52:42 Loren Slentz, Operations Manager at Maui Land Surveyors

1:03:12 Edward Carlson, Pacific Region Geodetic Advisor at National Geodetic Survey

2025 Pacific Rim Geospatial Conference - Day 1 Mar 27, 2025

Show notes

Check out these highlights from Day 1 of this year's awesome event!!!

01:00 - Victor Rasgado, Senior Surveyor at Stantec Consulting Services

12:09 - Heath Huovinen, Land Surveyor at The Independent Hawaii Surveyors

27:05 - Sarah Halpern, Geospatial Scientist

37:47 - Puiemau Paopao

49:32 - Michelle Alvarado, Geospatial Scientist

1:01:15 - Stephen Ambagis, Partner Air Data Solutions / Resource Mapping Hawaii

Episode 247 - Monte King, PLS Mar 24, 2025

Show notes

The guys (and Will Wing) were joined this week by Monte King, PLS, Supervisory Cadastral Surveyor at Bureau of Land Management. Monte shares insights into his upbringing, career, and passions. Growing up between the Wind River Reservation and various locations in Montana, Monte reflects on how these experiences shaped his perspective and career path. He shares memories of his childhood, outdoor adventures, and the lessons he would pass on to his younger self. With a surveying career spanning 17 states, he discusses the challenges of working in different terrains, memorable boundary projects, and the excitement of recovering original monuments. Monte emphasizes the importance of mentorship in the industry, offering advice to young surveyors and sharing key takeaways from his presentation at the 2023 Idaho Society of Professional Land Surveyors conference. He also delves into his work on the Cadastral Classroom Investigation, a project published by the BLM, and his involvement in hands-on field exercises with homeschool students. Additionally, Monte reflects on how his ranching background has influenced his work ethic and recounts fascinating stories, including trading a pocketful of rocks for the Marlboro Man’s pitbull. The conversation also touches on his advocacy for tobacco harm reduction and his message about safer nicotine alternatives. This episode offers a deep dive into Monte's journey, highlighting his dedication to surveying, mentorship, and making an impact in the field. Music by TOOL!

Episode 246 - Kevin Pomfret, Geospatial, Space & AI Attorney and Author Mar 17, 2025

Show notes

What an honor! The guys were joined this week by the one and only Kevin Pomfret. As a seasoned attorney based in Washington, D.C., Kevin specializes in navigating the legal and policy intricacies surrounding geospatial information and other types of data, from AI, data privacy, cybersecurity and intellectual property to national security. His focus is on the intersection of emerging technologies and law, particularly in areas like geospatial AI, space, Digital Twins and the evolving regulatory landscape of data collection and usage. Passionate about helping organizations stay compliant while innovating, Kevin provides counsel on the complexities of geospatial data to enable responsible and informed decision-making. Music by Bob Seger!

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