The End of Expensive Space Data: NOVI’s Vision for Earth Observation
What if satellites became as smart and as accessible as your smartphone?In this episode, I sit down with Michael Bartholomeusz, CEO of NOVI to unpack how Earth observation is being transformed by edge computing in space. We explore the shift from sending terabytes of raw imagery to delivering actionable insights, and why this change could take the cost of analysis from $150,000 down to under $1,000.Michael shares stories from his 25-year career, from working on the space shuttle that launched John Glenn, to leading NOVI’s dual-use strategy for defense and commercial markets. Along the way, we dive into:Why the current Earth observation model is brokenHow edge computing flips the economics of space dataThe “iPhone moment” for satellites and what it means for new applicationsReal-world examples of cost savings and new use casesThe industries poised to benefit most — from defense to agriculture to disaster responseThis is a conversation about more than satellites. It’s about making Earth observation affordable, democratized, and insight-driven.NOVI’s Website: www.novispace.aiNOVI’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/novispace-incNOVI’s GENIE™ Constellation Press Release: https://www.newswire.com/news/novi-unveils-genie-tm-a-platform-and-satellite-constellation-that-22622479
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From Leafmap to GeoAI: Open Source, Education, and What’s Next with Dr. Qiusheng Wu
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Qiusheng Wu, associate professor, open-source advocate, and creator of some of the most widely used tools in modern geospatial, including Leafmap and GeoAI. If you’ve ever watched his YouTube tutorials or come across his projects on GitHub, you already know the impact he’s had on the community.We dive into:His newly released Python for Geospatial book, one of the most complete guides in the field.The ongoing debate of Python vs. SQL in modern workflows—and how to combine them effectively.The rise of embeddings and geospatial foundation models (including Google’s AlphaEarth) and what they mean for GIS.The future of open-source education and why anyone, with patience and time, can learn and contribute.How Dr. Wu balances teaching, tool-building, publishing, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.This is a wide-ranging conversation about technology, education, and the future of spatial data. If you care about where geospatial is headed—and how to keep up—you won’t want to miss it.👉 Links Dr. Wu's Book on Geospatial Python: https://a.co/d/7M08rlYWebsite: https://wetlands.io/Dr. Wu on YouTube: @giswqs LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giswqs/
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Why Open Data Isn’t Really Open: Navigating Licenses in Geospatial with Mina Nada
Open data is supposed to unlock innovation, but what happens when “open” isn’t really open?In this episode of The Spatial Stack, I sit down with return guest Mina Nada to explore the world of open data licenses — from Creative Commons to Open Database Licenses and beyond. We break down what these licenses actually allow you to do, where the pitfalls are, and how they impact anyone building geospatial products, tools, or services.Along the way, Mina shares real-world experiences navigating licensing challenges, from NASA’s permissive CC0 approach to the more restrictive “share-alike” models. Whether you’re a developer, analyst, or entrepreneur, this conversation will help you understand how to work with open data without running into legal or business roadblocks.If you’ve ever wondered what “open data” really means for your projects, this is the episode to listen to.The future is spatial — so let’s get into it.
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How Preset Is Reinventing BI with Open Source and Geospatial Power
What happens when a hackathon project becomes one of the most influential open-source BI tools in the world?In this episode, we sit down with Max Beauchemin — creator of Apache Superset and Apache Airflow — and Evan Rusackas from Preset, the company behind Superset’s enterprise evolution.We explore:The origin story of Superset at Airbnb — and why Max says it became his “life’s mission”How open-source BI tools are outpacing traditional vendors like Tableau and Power BIWhy geospatial data is more than just maps — it’s a core analytical dimensionThe design philosophy behind Superset: from SQL-first thinking to visual storytellingLessons from building geospatial capabilities into dashboards with Deck.GL and H3The future of BI, and why the open ecosystem is winningWhether you're a data engineer, GIS pro, or just curious how modern BI is evolving, this episode is packed with insights from two people who are building that future.📍 Guest Links:Apache Superset: https://superset.apache.org/Preset: https://preset.io/🎧 Tune in now and hear how Superset is redefining what modern, open, and geospatial-aware BI looks like.
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An Honest Conversation About Imposter Syndrome in GIS
In this episode, I open up about something many of us in GIS rarely talk about — imposter syndrome. That nagging feeling of not being good enough, of questioning whether you really belong in this field, even when the evidence says otherwise.This isn’t a polished success story, it’s an honest conversation about doubt, comparison, and the pressure to measure up in GIS. I share my own experiences, what I’ve learned along the way, and why so many professionals quietly wrestle with the same thoughts.If you’ve ever wondered “Am I really cut out for this?” — you’re not alone. Let’s talk about it.
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!
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