In this episode of The Mappiest Hour, Tee and Silas welcome three powerhouse Spatial Librarians—Girmaye Misgna (University of Pennsylvania), Phil White (University of Colorado Boulder), and Joshua Sadvari (The Ohio State University)—to debunk the myth that librarians just "shush" people and shelve books. The group reveals how modern academic libraries have transformed into vibrant hubs for geospatial data, high-performance computing, and cross-disciplinary research support. From curating massive data repositories to teaching researchers how to code in R and Python, these librarians are the unsung heroes connecting students and faculty to the spatial tools they need. Tune in to hear about their unique career paths, the challenges of managing "data deluges," and why your local university library might just be the most exciting place to work in GIS today.

In this episode of The Mappiest Hour, Tee and Silas are joined by Vanessa Knoppke-Wetzel to explore the shifting landscape of modern mapmaking. Vanessa traces her fascinating career pivot from digging in the dirt as an archaeologist to designing digital worlds at Mapbox, illustrating how the definition of a "cartographer" has expanded in the age of neogeography. The trio discusses the democratization of design through tools like Mapbox Studio, arguing that making maps "look cool" isn't just about aesthetics—it's a critical component of effective communication. Tune in for a passionate conversation about overcoming imposter syndrome, the value of community mentorship, and why, with the right tools, we are indeed all cartographers now.

In this episode of The Mappiest Hour, Tee and Silas welcome Dr. Christopher Tucker, Chairman of the American Geographical Society, to navigate the complex moral landscape of the geospatial world. As location technology becomes ubiquitous—from satellite surveillance to the apps on our phones—the industry faces a critical turning point: moving from "can we map it?" to "should we map it?" Chris discusses the EthicalGEO initiative and the Locus Charter, urging professionals to adopt a principled approach to data that respects privacy and vulnerable populations. The conversation also touches on his book, A Planet of 3 Billion, and the future of geography as a tool for sustainable survival. Tune in for a profound discussion on the responsibilities of the modern mapmaker, the risks of the "surveillance economy," and why ethics must be the foundation of our spatial future.

In this episode of The Mappiest Hour, Tee and Silas chat with Kent Marten from Tableau about his accidental journey into the geospatial world—from a summer job mapping in the British Virgin Islands to spending a decade at Esri, and finally landing at Tableau. Kent discusses how Tableau is making spatial data analytics accessible to the masses by removing the barriers of complex GIS software, allowing users to simply drag and drop data to create visualizations. The conversation covers the "democratization of data," the rise of sports analytics, and why Seattle has become a hub for tech and community. Plus, Kent shares a hilarious story about his uncle starting the Fremont Solstice Parade's naked bicycle ride tradition. Tune in for insights on the future of mapping, the power of visual analytics, and why sometimes you just have to "tabloid" your data.

In this episode of The Mappiest Hour, Tee and Silas welcome James Pardue from Esri to tackle the elusive concept of GIS leadership. With over 30 years in the industry—spanning from hand-drawing postal routes on Mylar to supporting military operations in Bosnia and Haiti—James offers a masterclass on evolving from a technical "doer" to a strategic leader. He breaks down the crucial difference between a GIS Manager who puts out daily fires and a GIS Leader who builds the vision, mentors the next generation, and ensures the "train keeps rolling" while simultaneously upgrading the tracks. Tune in for a conversation filled with "graybeard" wisdom on paying it forward, the art of cultivating talent, and why technical competence is just the starting line for true leadership.

In this episode of The Mappiest Hour, Tee and Silas are joined by Jeff Monevich from BayGeo and Rachael Stevenson from URISA's Vanguard Cabinet to explore the transformative power of showing up. The group discusses the critical role of networking for young geospatial professionals, moving beyond the transactional "give and take" to building genuine, long-term relationships. Jeff shares his journey from computer science burnout to becoming a board member at BayGeo simply by attending a holiday party, while Rachael recounts her "trial by fire" introduction to GIS during a family road trip that eventually led her to criminal analysis and community leadership. They delve into the democratization of data, the rise of "geo-beers" and informal meetups, and the future of professional gatherings in a post-Twitter world. Tune in to hear why networking doesn't have to be scary, how volunteering can jumpstart your career, and why sometimes just being in the room—or the Zoom chat—is half the battle.

In this episode of The Mappiest Hour, Tee and Silas are joined by Russell Mercer, who manages the Geographic Information Systems for the City of Imperial Beach, California. Russell shares his journey from a geography student at the University of Washington to becoming the one-man GIS powerhouse for a small city facing big challenges. He discusses the critical transition from legacy systems to a modern, integrated GIS infrastructure built on PostgreSQL and PostGIS, all while navigating limited budgets and the unique geospatial issues of a border town. Russell highlights how he leverages open-source tools to deliver enterprise-level solutions, proving that you don't need a massive team to create impactful, data-driven city management systems. Tune in to hear about his "hybrid approach" to GIS, the unexpected benefits of learning SQL, and how he manages everything from sewer modeling to scooter tracking in a city where the beach meets the border.

In this episode of The Mappiest Hour, Tee and Silas are joined by Sara Safavi from Planet to discuss the massive paradigm shift from simply capturing satellite imagery to creating a "Queryable Earth". Sara shares her unique career path—transitioning from computer science to geography to graduate faster, only to circle back to software engineering within the geospatial world. The group dives into how Planet is democratizing data by turning daily earth imagery into an accessible API for developers and data scientists, moving beyond traditional "fire hose" delivery models. Of course, it wouldn’t be The Mappiest Hour without some significant detours: tune in to hear about the resilience of "zombie radishes" in Sara’s garden, the East Coast cult of Wegmans, and why GeoRodeo is the place to be for open-source geospatial innovation.

In this episode of The Mappiest Hour, Tee Barr and Silas Toms sit down with Kate Chapman, currently with the Wikimedia Foundation, to trace her unique journey through the geospatial world. Kate shares her unconventional origin story—starting with a skin allergy at a mosquito control job that led to mapping dead birds in ArcView—and discusses her impactful tenure as the first Executive Director of the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team during the response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake. The conversation dives deep into the "hybrid system" of open-source versus proprietary data, the challenges women face in the tech industry, and Kate's decision to prioritize a remote lifestyle on a farm over a traditional GIS career. Tune in for a discussion that spans from critical infrastructure to the "geography of goats," zombie radishes, and the cult of Wegmans.

In this episode of The Mappiest Hour, Tee and Silas explore the art of career-building with Jeff Monevich from BayGeo and Rachel Stevenson of URISA's Vanguard Cabinet. The group breaks down the intimidating concept of "networking" into a simple, actionable philosophy: the key to success is often just showing up. Jeff shares how a casual decision to attend a holiday party eventually led to a leadership role at BayGeo, while Rachel discusses the importance of finding a "geo-family" and the value of peer mentorship for young professionals entering the field. They discuss the shift from stuffy, transactional networking to building genuine relationships at informal events like "GeoBeers," and why established leaders should embrace "reverse mentorship" from digital natives. Tune in for an encouraging conversation on overcoming imposter syndrome, the power of volunteering, and why your next big career opportunity might be waiting at the bottom of a pint glass.

In the final episode of 2018, The Mappiest Hour hosts Tee and Silas reflect on a year of geeking out with the geospatial community. The duo looks back on their favorite moments, from launching the podcast with nervous energy to interviewing industry heavyweights and discovering that yes, GIS can actually be funny. They muse on the evolution of the field, debating whether the term "GIS" is fading in favor of "spatial data science," and celebrate the democratization of mapping tools that allow anyone to tell a spatial story. With candid discussions about career pivots, the imposter syndrome that plagues us all, and their resolutions for the new year (spoiler: meet more listeners in person), this episode is a heartfelt thank you to the community that made The Mappiest Hour a reality. Tune in for a nostalgic look back and an optimistic look forward to a 2019 filled with even more maps, tech, and terrible puns.

In a special "hostful" episode, Tee and Silas take the mic solo for the first time in months to catch up on everything from electric scooters to conference travel plans. The duo dives into the polarizing "scooter wars" in cities like San Francisco and Denver, debating the merits of micro-mobility versus urban clutter. They also discuss the upcoming FOSS4G conference in Bucharest (and maybe San Diego?), the challenges of teaching GIS to a new generation, and why sometimes you just have to embrace being a "stick in the mud" about new tech trends.

With Silas away at a team dinner, Tee Barr flies solo to host a candid roundtable on the experience of women in the geospatial industry. Guests Haynes Bunn and Shannon Dermont share their "accidental" journeys into GIS—from political campaigning to environmental resource science—and discuss the disparity between the diverse workforce and the male-dominated conference circuit. The group explores the persistence of imposter syndrome, the hesitation to claim the "developer" title, and the critical role of mentorship in closing the gender gap on stage and in the boardroom.

In this episode, Tee and Silas connect with the next generation of geographers from Humboldt State University. Dr. Amy Rock (Director of the Online GIS Certificate) joins students Melissa Collin and Sean Fleming to discuss how they "accidentally" discovered GIS—from marine biology dreams to hydrology conferences. The group explores the evolving curriculum that now includes Python, R, and web mapping with tools like Canvas Map, debating whether traditional desktop software like ArcMap is becoming obsolete. They also touch on the "imposter syndrome" that plagues even seasoned professionals and the importance of hands-on projects, like mapping strawberry fields and modeling watersheds, to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

In this episode of The Mappiest Hour, Tee and Silas head north to the misty redwood coast to chat with Hank Sims, editor of the Lost Coast Outpost. The trio discusses the evolution of local journalism in Humboldt County, from the "weed or no weed" interactive map game to tracking police calls in real-time. Hank shares how open-source tools like Leaflet and Django have allowed a small-town news site to punch above its weight, creating a hyper-local digital community that rivals major metro papers. They also touch on the anxiety surrounding the legalization of marijuana, the "Thunderdome" nature of internet comment sections, and why Humboldt County remains a unique outpost of American culture.

Tee and Silas sit down with Dr. Chris Tucker and Dr. Marie Price, the leadership duo behind the American Geographical Society, to preview the upcoming Geography 2050: Powering Our Future Planet symposium. From visualizing the energy grid of the future to mapping the "state secrets" of global wind patterns, this episode explores how geography is the ultimate tool for understanding our changing world. The group also discusses the resurgence of geography education in high schools, the democratization of mapping through open data, and why everyone—from CEOs to high school students—needs to think spatially to solve tomorrow's problems.

As fires continue to ravage California, Tee and Silas bring in expert David Jones from TechnoSilva to explain the critical role of GIS in wildfire response. From printing paper maps for firefighters in the field to using satellite imagery for real-time heat detection, this episode covers the full spectrum of emergency management technology. The trio also discusses the challenges of predicting fire behavior, the impact of population growth on fire risk, and why "pot-hole" insurance might be the next big thing.

Silas and Tee talk to James Fee, about how and why he decided to retire his blog, the future of Spatial, and how ArcIMS was the peak of single tenant web mapping.

Recorded live (and very loose) from Bucharest, Romania, this is the infamous "lost episode" of The Mappiest Hour. Tee and Silas take the microphone to the streets—and bars—of FOSS4G 2019, capturing the raw energy of the global geospatial community. Between shots of ţuică and local beers, the hosts interview a revolving door of conference attendees, debating the merits of open-source software, the intensity of the "hallway track," and why this community feels more like a family than a tech sector. Be warned: the audio is raw, the takes are unfiltered, and the editing is... minimal.