Spatial Stack With Matt Forrest podcast

22:49

Jonathan Jones is an NFL cornerback for the Washington Commanders who rose from the undrafted ranks to become two-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, a businessman, philanthropist, and licensed pilot. In 2019, Jonathan founded the Jonathan Jones Next Step Foundation in 2019, a platform dedicated to empowering youth through education, professional development, and mentorship. The foundation works to alleviate food insecurity, promote women in stem and sports, and to promote professional development in the communities where he lives. Jay and Jonathan talk about investing in the communities they live in, acknowledging the people who helped you become the person you are, and paying that same investment forward to the next generation. Episode Chapters 0:00 intro 1:24 Building local connections 4:25 Jonathan’s mentors and mentees 10:54 Jonathan’s pride in his mentees’ successes 13:04 how Jonathan chooses his causes 14:08 Jonathan’s support for girls and young women 17:19: Jonathan’s passion for flying 19:40 The Next Step Foundation 20:29 Goodbye For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation Stay in touch: X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/ Looking for more insights into the world of activism? Be sure to check out Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight , in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at www.jayruderman.com .…

Spatial Stack with Matt Forrest

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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!

14 episodes

#Tech #Matt Forrest

Spatial Stack with Matt Forrest

updated 17 days ago

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14 episodes

#Tech #Matt Forrest

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Spatial Stack with Matt Forrest

1
Is this the worst job in GIS? 15:37

17 days ago15:37

15:37

📩 Get every update from my newsletter ➡️ https://forrest.nyc ⬅️ 💨 Sign up for the Modern GIS Accelerator ➡️ https://forrest.nyc/accelerator ⬅️ In this episode, we dive into one of the biggest challenges holding back GIS professionals today: the technician trap . Sparked by a real-world job posting from one of the world’s richest tech companies—offering just $20–$22 an hour for a GIS contract role—we explore what this means for the broader industry. Why are highly skilled spatial professionals being underpaid, and what separates a $45K contractor from a $300K geospatial data engineer? The answer lies in how you position yourself—and whether your work is seen as project-based execution or strategic value creation. We’ll unpack: The pay disparity across GIS roles and what it reveals How entry-level positions can set the wrong trajectory Why spatial skills alone aren’t enough without systems thinking The mindset shift needed to break free from being "just a mapmaker" How to move from being a button-pusher to a strategic stakeholder Whether you're just entering the GIS field or feeling stuck in your current role, this episode offers a candid look at how to grow your career by aligning technical skills with business impact—and why it's time to expect more from GIS roles. 🎧 Plus: Learn about the Modern GIS Accelerator , a program designed to help you scale your skills and reframe your career path.…

Spatial Stack with Matt Forrest

1
Why Your GIS Career Feels Stuck (And What to Do About It) 11:55

5 weeks ago11:55

11:55

📩 Get every update from my newsletter ➡️ https://forrest.nyc ⬅️ 💨 Sign up for the Modern GIS Accelerator ➡️ https://forrest.nyc/accelerator ⬅️ Feeling stuck in your GIS career? You're not alone. In this episode, we dive deep into the common challenges GIS professionals face and how to break free from the "technician trap." Discover actionable strategies to transition from a support role to a strategic contributor, adding greater value to your organization. We'll explore how to shift your mindset from focusing solely on deliverables to emphasizing outcomes. Learn how to identify your technical passions, specialize effectively, and position yourself as a leader in your field. Whether you're aiming to build a standout portfolio, land a promotion, or pivot into a new GIS role, this episode offers practical insights to help you achieve your goals. Plus, hear real-world examples of how GIS professionals have transformed their careers by applying these principles. Tune in and start unlocking the next level in your GIS journey!…

Spatial Stack with Matt Forrest

1
The Hidden Data Crisis in GIS (And How to Solve It) 46:19

5 weeks ago46:19

46:19

📩 Get every update from my newsletter ➡️ https://forrest.nyc ⬅️ What if you could stop wrangling geospatial data, and just get to the good part? In this episode, I sit down with Rob Fletcher, Chief Science Officer at Seer AI, to talk about one of the biggest blockers in geospatial today: accessing and integrating the right data, at the right time, in the right format. Rob shares his journey from doing particle physics at CERN to pioneering spatial data infrastructure, and how Seer AI is building what he calls a “CDN for geospatial data.” We dive into: 🌍 Why the biggest challenge in GIS isn’t analysis—it's finding and formatting data 💡 The danger of agreeing to analytics projects without knowing what's possible 🛠️ Why Seer AI chose graph technology to organize spatial data across sources ⚡ How a "side project" dashboard became essential to real-time disaster response 📊 Bridging the gap between GIS teams and business analysts Whether you're working in local government, disaster response, sustainability, or just tired of managing messy spatial data, this episode will change how you think about building modern GIS workflows. 🔗 Learn more about Seer AI: https://seer.ai 🎧 Subscribe for more episodes on the future of geospatial…

Spatial Stack with Matt Forrest

1
How a Data Analyst Became a GIS Expert (And What You Can Learn) 44:42

6 weeks ago44:42

44:42

In this episode, we sit down with David Price, GIS Project Manager for Wood County, Ohio, to explore the evolving landscape of modern GIS. David’s journey into geospatial wasn’t a traditional one—he started in data analytics before discovering GIS, a shift that completely changed his career trajectory. We dive into: 🔹 Why GIS education is falling behind and how universities are missing the mark 🔹 The critical skills GIS professionals need today (Hint: It’s more than just mapping) 🔹 The debate: Do you really need to learn to code to stay competitive? 🔹 Open-source vs. Esri: Why a hybrid approach is the future of GIS 🔹 The power of real-time data, automation, and APIs in GIS workflows David shares his experiences managing an enterprise GIS system, adapting to new geospatial technologies, and why he believes learning SQL and Python can future-proof your GIS career. If you’re a GIS professional, student, or just someone interested in the future of geospatial technology, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!…

Spatial Stack with Matt Forrest

1
Is There Any Hope for the GIS Career Path? 15:01

7 weeks ago15:01

15:01

Is there a future in GIS? How can you break past the salary ceilings and position yourself for long-term success? In this episode, we dive into the realities of GIS careers, salaries, and strategies to help you grow. 🔹 Why GIS salaries often lag behind similar data roles 🔹 The Technician Trap —how GIS is often seen as a support role rather than a strategic function 🔹 Skills that matter —Python, SQL, and cloud-native GIS for career flexibility 🔹 How to position yourself as a problem-solver, not just an executor 🔹 Tangible steps to accelerate your career without switching jobs GIS is an exciting field, but to truly thrive, you need to think beyond maps and spatial analysis—you need to be strategic . Tune in to learn how to showcase your skills, position yourself for growth, and maximize your career growth.…

Spatial Stack with Matt Forrest

1
Why We’re Still Bad at Predicting Wildfires 23:30

9 weeks ago23:30

23:30

📩 Get every update from my newsletter ➡️ https://forrest.nyc ⬅️ Wildfires are getting more intense, yet many people in Los Angeles had no idea the fire was near them—until they saw the smoke. Despite all our advancements in geospatial technology, disaster response still struggles with timely alerts, real-time data access, and predictive modeling. In this episode, I sit down with Mina Nada, a remote sensing specialist, to explore what went wrong during the recent LA wildfires and how geospatial tools like satellite imagery, fire modeling, and risk mapping can improve future disaster response. We break down why current wildfire alerts are failing, what GIS professionals can do to fix it, and how earth observation data plays a critical role in mitigating fire disasters. If you’re in GIS, remote sensing, emergency management, or just curious about the future of fire detection, this conversation is packed with insights you don’t want to miss. 🔥 Topics Covered: ✔️ Why wildfire alerts failed during the LA fires ✔️ How satellite imagery tracks wildfires in real-time ✔️ The role of GIS in predicting and responding to fires ✔️ Challenges in making wildfire data more accessible ✔️ What we need to do to prevent future wildfire disasters…

Spatial Stack with Matt Forrest

1
Why GIS Needs the Cloud (And What’s Next) 21:50

11 weeks ago21:50

21:50

For years, geospatial professionals have been forced to download massive datasets—only to discard most of the data. It’s an outdated, inefficient process that slows down analysis and limits scalability. But a major shift is happening. Cloud-native geospatial is transforming how we store, access, and process spatial data, making it faster, more efficient, and accessible to everyone. In this episode, I sit down with Jed Sundewald, Executive Director of Radiant Earth , to explore how the Cloud-Native Geospatial Forum is shaping the future of GIS, the evolution of cloud-optimized formats like COGs and STAC, and what this means for GIS professionals, developers, and decision-makers. Whether you're new to cloud-native geospatial or looking to optimize your data workflows, this conversation will give you a front-row seat to the future of geospatial technology . 📩 Get every update from my newsletter ➡️ https://forrest.nyc ⬅️ 🏔️ Attend the Cloud Native Geospatial Forum in April ➡️ https://2025-ut.cloudnativegeo.org/ ⬅️ 🔑 Topics Covered: ✔️ Why traditional geospatial workflows are inefficient ✔️ The rise of cloud-native geospatial formats (COGs, STAC, and more) ✔️ How cloud-native GIS benefits both small and large-scale users ✔️ The role of the Cloud-Native Geospatial Forum and upcoming events ✔️ How to integrate cloud-native principles into your geospatial stack…

Spatial Stack with Matt Forrest

1
The Hidden Flaw in Location Data (And How to Solve It) 44:48

11 weeks ago44:48

44:48

📩 Get every update from my newsletter ➡️ https://forrest.nyc ⬅️ 🔑 Sign up for Placekey here: https://placekey.io Merging and cleaning location data is one of the biggest headaches in GIS, real estate, and business intelligence. Duplicate addresses, inconsistent formats, and messy datasets can derail even the most sophisticated analysis. But what if there was a universal identifier that made all of those problems disappear?In this episode, I sit down with Hayden Mortimer, President of PlaceKey, to uncover why traditional addresses aren’t enough and how PlaceKey is revolutionizing the way we connect place-based data. We dive into the challenges of entity resolution, the pitfalls of fuzzy matching, and how a simple, open-source identifier is making spatial joins seamless.Whether you work in GIS, data science, or any field that relies on location data, this conversation will change how you think about addressing and spatial relationships. Don’t miss it!✔️ Why addresses alone aren’t reliable for data integration✔️ The hidden challenges of matching places across datasets✔️ How PlaceKey works and why it’s different from other solutions✔️ Real-world use cases for small businesses and enterprise-level applications✔️ The future of location data and entity resolution🎧 Listen now and learn how to fix your messy location data for good!…

Spatial Stack with Matt Forrest

1
Let's shake up geospatial 20:34

13 weeks ago20:34

20:34

Matt returns to discuss the future of Spatial Stack —what it is, where it’s headed, and how it will evolve into a go-to platform for exploring the intersection of geospatial technology and real-world impact. From its origins as a live-stream experiment to a full-fledged video-first podcast, this episode lays out the vision for breaking the geospatial echo chamber, identifying new opportunities, and working together to expand the field. Expect a mix of solo deep dives, expert conversations, and practical discussions on geospatial trends, Earth observation, and the growing role of spatial data across industries. Whether you're a seasoned GIS professional or just curious about geospatial’s future, this episode sets the stage for what’s to come.…

Spatial Stack with Matt Forrest

1
The spatial intelligence cloud with Will Lyon and Ryan Avery from Wherobots 53:58

43 weeks ago53:58

53:58

Apache Sedona has been a core element of the geospatial analytics space for several years now, and in this live stream we will explore how Wherobots is taking this to the next level with different advancements in visualization, powerful geospatial data engineering, and AI.

Spatial Stack with Matt Forrest

1
Modernizing spatial data standards for everyone with Chris Holmes 51:33

46 weeks ago51:33

51:33

Standardizing spatial data for specific verticals or use cases has been tried many times throughout the history of geospatial. But now we're at a point where things might actually be taking a turn and having a standard format for different use cases be it agriculture, socio-demographics, or any other number of problems might be within sight. We'll talk with Chris Holmes to hear his opinions about why this is changing and why now is the right time to take this on and taking a look at a first use case of this for agricultural field data with fiboa.…

Spatial Stack with Matt Forrest

1
How AI will crack open geospatial data access with Hantz Févry 36:47

46 weeks ago36:47

36:47

How do you get access to just the data you need? And what if that data isn't in large datasets or traditional mapping services? And can AI make this data accessible to those without a background in geospatial? Get answers to these questions and more in this live stream with Hantz Févry, CEO of Stoovo!…

Spatial Stack with Matt Forrest

1
Big geospatial visualization with lonboard and Kyle Barron 58:39

51 weeks ago58:39

58:39

In this conversation with Kyle Barron from Development Seed, we will learn lonboard, a new Python package that solves the problem of visualizing massive geospatial datasets in Python. Learn about the motivations behind the project, some of the tech under the hood, and of course a demo! Sign up for TLDR for free here!…

Spatial Stack with Matt Forrest

1
Build, scale, and ship geospatial workflows of any size with Fused 1:00:44

51 weeks ago1:00:44