Best Spatial Connection Podcasts (2025)

1
015: The Nuclear Opportunity: How Wolverine Power Cooperative Seized an Unprecedented Moment (with Zach Anderson) 17:30

22h ago17:30

17:30

In this episode of The Co-Op Heroes podcast, we sit down with Zach Anderson, Chief Operating Officer of Wolverine Power Cooperative, to discuss one of the most significant achievements in cooperative energy history: the restart of the Palisades Nuclear Generating Station. When Palisades entered decommissioning status, it seemed like a closed chapte…

1
014: Storytelling as a Bridge: How Hoosier Energy is Connecting the Next Generation to the Cooperative Difference (with Chad Mertz) 28:11

15d ago28:11

28:11

In this episode of The Co-Op Heroes podcast, hosts Pablo Fuentes and James Tanneberger sit down with Chad Mertz, Vice President of Strategic Communications at Hoosier Energy to explore the challenge facing the entire cooperative movement: communicating with the next generation. Chad dives into the creative solution that's changing how communities u…

1
013: The Brotherhood Above: The Indiana Lineman Rodeo with Tommy Nance of Ninestar Connect and IEC 18:39

29d ago18:39

18:39

In this episode of The Co-Op Heroes podcast, host Pablo Fuentes heads to the Hendricks County Fairgrounds to speak with Tommy Nance, VP of Operations at NineStar Connect, about the fourth annual Indiana Lineman Rodeo, an event born from a simple vision that has become a beacon for community for linemen across the state. Five years ago, during the h…

1
Esri's Young Professionals Network with Raquel Perez 48:46

1M ago48:46

48:46

In this episode of The Spatial Connection, I talk with Raquel Perez, and we explore how an internship led to her role at Esri as a Sr. Marketing Manager, and the founder and manager of Esri's Young Professionals Network. Raquel tells of how the YPN program came about and her hopes for its future. Young Professionals Network: YPN Home page - https:/…

1
012: 10,000 Pounds of Ice: How Great Lakes Energy Survived an Unprecedented Ice Storm (with Shaun Lamp) 30:02

1M ago30:02

30:02

In this episode of The Co-Op Heroes podcast, host Pablo Fuentes sits down with Shaun Lamp, President and CEO of Great Lakes Energy, to hear firsthand accounts of how crews and community members responded to one of Michigan's most devastating natural disasters in recent memory. When a once-in-a-century ice storm struck in March 2025, Great Lakes Ene…

1
Building Better Communicators — One VOISS at a Time with Paul Epp 35:05

2M ago35:05

35:05

In this episode, host Shannon Putman welcomes technology entrepreneur Paul Epp to discuss his journey from music education to founding Foster Care Technologies and his current work with voiss.org, a platform designed to help children develop social skills through customizable, research-backed virtual scenarios. The conversation explores the importa…

1
011: Box? What Box? How Co-Ops Think Outside Traditional Boundaries 19:32

2M ago19:32

19:32

_*]:min-w-0 !gap-3.5"> In this forward-thinking episode of The Co-Op Heroes podcast, hosts Pablo Fuentes (CEO of Bloom Spatial) and James Tanneberger (CEO of South Central Indiana REMC) explore what makes electric cooperatives uniquely positioned to innovate and push boundaries that investor-owned utilities often cannot. James explains how his perc…

1
Stacey Brown 50:30

2M ago50:30

50:30

By Kelly McGee

1
Stirring Up Innovation in the Kitchen with VR with Carmine Provenzano 33:18

2M ago33:18

33:18

Shannon Putman interviews Carmine Provenzano, founder of Safe Kitchen VR, about using virtual reality and AI to revolutionize kitchen safety training. They discuss Carmine’s journey, the importance of immersive learning, and how Safe Kitchen is making safety accessible for everyone from students to professionals. Guest Links: LinkedIn Safe Kitchen …

1
010: The Hooded Llama Award: Tales from Vegetation Management Heroes 21:31

2M ago21:31

21:31

In this special roundtable episode of The Co-Op Heroes podcast, we sit down with five co-op vegetation management leaders at the Trees and Utilities Show in Knoxville, Tennessee. Each person shared a story about the heroic actions and the community impact of their vegetation management team. Featured Guests: Anthony Lindfors - Matanuska Electric As…

1
Cave Mapping 54:34

3M ago54:34

54:34

Today’s Spatial Connection episode is a bit different. Join us in today’s episode as we dive into the process of mapping caves with Aaron Addison. Learn what it takes, how to get involved, and where to find more resources. Resources: National Speleological Society Find A Grotto - National Speleological Society Caving Clubs…

1
009: Innovation and Public Entrepreneurship: Building Community Wealth Through Cooperatives (with Keith Taylor - UC Davis) 26:37

3M ago26:37

26:37

_*]:min-w-0 !gap-3.5"> In this episode of The Co-Op Heroes podcast, host Pablo Fuentes sits down with Keith Taylor, Professor of Economic Development at UC Davis and self-described "People's Professor," to explore how electric cooperatives are leading innovation in rural America. Keith shares the remarkable story of Anza Electric Cooperative in Sou…

1
Steve Kasten 52:09

3M ago52:09

52:09

In this episode of The Spatial Connection, I talk with Steve Kasten, Vice President of Surveying and Photogrammetry at Bowman Consulting. Steve takes us on a journey through his career in cartography, photogrammetry, and surveying — from his first spark of interest in high school geography class, to working with the Defense Mapping Agency, to becom…

1
008: From Tragedy to Teaching Safety: Chuck Tiemann's Inspiring Story 30:39

3M ago30:39

30:39

In this powerful episode of The Co-Op Heroes podcast, host Pablo Fuentes sits down with Chuck Tiemann, the legendary safety instructor known throughout the electric cooperative world for his uncompromising dedication to lineman safety. Speaking from the Indiana Lineman Rodeo, Chuck shares his remarkable journey from a life-changing accident to beco…

1
Managing the Metaverse: How ManageXR Simplifies VR at Scale with Ryan Simio 43:09

4M ago43:09

43:09

In this episode, host Shannon Putman sits down with Ryan Simio from ManageXR to discuss the evolution and real-world impact of XR (Extended Reality) technology, focusing on its transformative role in education and beyond. Ryan shares his personal journey into the XR industry, the mission and growth of ManageXR, and the challenges and opportunities …

1
007: Turn Around, Don't Drown: Water Safety and Survival for Utility Workers 18:28

4M ago18:28

18:28

In this sobering episode of The Co-Op Heroes podcast, hosts Pablo Fuentes (CEO of Bloom Spatial) and James Tanneberger (CEO of South Central Indiana REMC) share a harrowing story that illustrates why water safety is a critical concern for utility workers. James recounts a near-tragic incident from his time in Texas, where two substation maintenance…

1
Pitch Perfect Practice in the Metaverse with Chris Gunby 32:57

4M ago32:57

32:57

In this episode, Shannon Putman interviews Chris Gunby, Head of Commercial at VirtualSpeech, a company specializing in VR and AI-powered professional skills training. Chris shares the origin story of VirtualSpeech, which was founded to help co-founder Sophie Thompson overcome her fear of public speaking using VR technology. The platform has since e…

1
006: Beyond Borders: How Indiana Co-Ops Are Electrifying Rural Guatemala (with Mandy Barth - IEC) 23:12

4M ago23:12

23:12

In this inspiring episode of The Co-Op Heroes podcast, host Pablo Fuentes sits down with Mandy Barth, Vice President of Communication at Indiana Electric Cooperatives (IEC), to explore an extraordinary international mission that has been transforming lives for over a decade. What began as a one-time project in 2012 to celebrate the UN's Internation…

1
School Design Isn’t Dead—It’s Just Tired with Jethro Jones 31:32

4M ago31:32

31:32

In this episode, Shannon is joined by Jethro Jones, a national award-winning former school leader, podcaster, and author known for his transformative approaches to educational leadership. Jethro discusses the concept of being a transformative principal, which involves designing unique school experiences tailored to the specific needs of the student…

1
Best from the Archive: Getting the Right XR Hardware with Marco Janmaat 16:21

4M ago16:21

16:21

In this episode, Shannon Putman interviews Marco Janmaat, the head of VR Experts US. They discuss the role of VR Experts in integrating virtual reality into educational and enterprise settings, and the benefits of VR in the classroom. Topics covered include the importance of proper VR setup, hygiene considerations, support services, and emerging VR…

1
Sole Purpose: Ian Harrison, Co-founder of SneakAR on Supercharging Connection Through Web3, XR & Augmented Footwear 36:32

4M ago36:32

36:32

What do your shoes do? On today’s episode we’re stepping into the future of footwear with Ian Harrison, creative disruptor, innovation catalyst, XR futurist and the Co-founder of SneakAR. SneakAR transforms your sneakers into a dynamic digital canvas with their revolutionary AR experience, turning your shoes into an interactive masterpiece with jus…

1
005: Delivering Life-Enhancing Services: Beyond the Power Lines 15:53

5M ago15:53

15:53

In this episode of The Co-Op Heroes podcast, hosts Pablo Fuentes (CEO of Bloom Spatial) and James Tanneberger (CEO of South Central Indiana REMC) explore how electric cooperatives go beyond traditional utility services to improve their members' lives. James shares South Central Indiana REMC's mission to "improve the lives of our members" and how th…

1
Best from the Archive: How Engage XR is Redefining Virtual Learning with Chris Madsen 28:35

5M ago28:35

28:35

In this episode, Shannon Putman interviews Chris Madsen from EngageXR. They delve into Chris's extensive experience in behavioral science and how he transitioned into the world of virtual reality. They discuss the transformative potential of VR and XR in education, the advancements in technology, and the impact of AI in virtual experiences. Chris s…

1
Best from the Archive: Building Hands-On Skills with XR: The MIMBUS Approach with Dr. Laurent Da Dalto 23:44

5M ago23:44

23:44

In this episode, Shannon Putman welcomes Dr. Laurent Da Dalto, CEO and founder of Mimbus. They discuss Dr. Laurent's journey in VR, the evolution of VR technology, its significant impact on vocational training, and the future trends in immersive learning. The conversation dives deep into the importance of ensuring VR is seen as a learning tool rath…

1
Stop Losing Attendees in the Chaos: Smarter Paths Through the Event Floor 33:44

5M ago33:44

33:44

In the latest episode of Spatial Experience Design, MapsPeople’s Søren Vasø sits down with Johnny Sloan, SVP at Leap, to talk about what happens when events stop being static and start getting smart. Together, they explore what it takes to transform a high-density, high-stakes environment—like a comic con or fandom expo—into a thoughtfully designed…

1
004: Manager on Call: The Day the Line Exploded 13:08

5M ago13:08

13:08

In this episode of The Co-Op Heroes podcast, hosts Pablo Fuentes (CEO of Bloom Spatial) and James Tanneberger (CEO of South Central Indiana REMC) explore real-world utility emergency response through personal experience. James recounts his early days as an electrical engineer when he was assigned to the "manager on call" rotation. During a severe s…

1
What Everyone Gets Wrong About 3DoF with Dave Dolan 1:00:40

5M ago1:00:40

1:00:40

In this episode, Shannon Putman hosts Dave Dolan, an educator with over 35 years of experience and a passionate advocate for VR in education. The discussion dives deep into the nuances of VR technology, comparing 3DoF and 6DoF systems, their educational value, cost efficiency, and privacy concerns. Dolan shares insights from his extensive internati…

1
Spatial MCPs: The Secret Weapon for Building Experiences in 2025 27:43

5M ago27:43

27:43

In this episode of Spatial Experience Design, MapsPeople’s CPTO Christian Christensen joins host Søren Vasø to unpack the rising role of spatial MCPs—Model Context Protocols that enable AI to understand tools, data, and context without custom code. From finding a quiet spot at a convention center to answering, “Will I make my flight?”, this convers…

1
XR Zero to Hero: Dominique Wu, Founder XReality Pro & her latest Ultimate AI Pipeline for XR Development course 31:11

5M ago31:11

31:11

Dominique Wu is the founder of XReality Pro, where she designs, builds, and teaches immersive technologies that empower creators and transform how we interact with XR and AI. She has consulted for industry giants including Meta and Walmart’s Store No. 8, and is the author of Spatial Design: Breaking the 2D Paradigm. With over 500 speaker events hos…

1
Let's Chat about Lobaki with Zack Davenport! 29:36

5M ago29:36

29:36

In this episode, host Shannon Putman converses with Zack Davenport, the Director of Production at Lobaki, about the transformative impact of virtual reality in education and training. They discuss Zack's journey into the VR industry, the importance of spatial learning, addressing educational equity with VR, and the Immersive Institute's diverse con…

1
A Better Reality for Neurodiverse Learners with Vijay Ravindran 32:15

5M ago32:15

32:15

In this episode, Shannon Putman hosts Vijay Ravindran, CEO, and founder of Floreo. Vijay discusses his journey from software engineering at Amazon and being a technology executive at the Washington Post to creating Floreo, a virtual reality therapy system designed to assist neurodiverse individuals, particularly those with autism. The conversation …

1
What's Missing From Your Airport Map? 28:07

6M ago28:07

28:07

In this episode of Spatial Experience Design, MapsPeople Solutions Engineer Brynley Herbert joins host Søren Vasø to explore what today’s airport maps should be doing—and why most of them fall short. From live wait times at security to adaptive wayfinding for janitors, travelers, and accessibility needs, this conversation unpacks how responsive map…

1
AWE 2025: Heard in the Hall – AI in XR, VRChat’s Avatar Marketplace, Spatial Intelligence, Favorite Games & Purpose-Driven Innovation 25:43

6M ago25:43

25:43

What’s everyone excited about at AWE 2025? What’s still needed as we build the future of XR? 🎧 Listen in for quick-hit insights from leading XR innovators, direct from the expo hall floor. Featuring: Cognitive3D - Build Better XR Experiences with 3D Spatial Analytics VR Chat Avatar Marketplace - The First Avatar Marketplace Inside VRChat Convai - C…

1
002: Winnebago to the Rescue: When Electric Utilities Get Creative During a Crisis 13:45

6M ago13:45

13:45

What happens when a hurricane threatens to flood your electric utility's control center and you have just 12 hours to evacuate? For James Tannenberger and his team during Hurricane Rita in 2005, the answer was a 1997 Winnebago converted into a mobile backup operations center. In this episode, James shares the harrowing story of their 32-hour journe…

1
001: Beyond the Bunny Hop: SCI-REMC's Path to Improving Member Satisfaction 21:05

6M ago21:05

21:05

When James Tanneberger became CEO of SCI-REMC, his co-op ranked 17th out of 18 electric cooperatives in Southern Indiana for member satisfaction, with a score of just 68 out of 100. Eight years later, that score has climbed to 74 and continues rising. In this episode, James shares the innovative strategies that transformed his co-op's relationship …

1
000: Co-Op Heroes: Introduction 2:50

6M ago2:50

2:50

Welcome to the show! Hosts James Tanneberger and Pablo Fuentes give a quick overview of the show. We will share stories and interviews with utility operators, highlighting the trials and triumphs of the people who bring power to our homes and businesses.By Bloom Spatial

1
XR is Going Mainstream! AWE 2025 Keynote Highlights: Ori Inbar AWE / Evan Spiegel Snap / Chi Xu & Ralph Jodice Xreal / Year of the Master Builder 26:09

5M ago26:09

26:09

AWE USA 2025 delivered on its promise of feeling spatial. Not only was the mantra XR is Going Mainstream, AWE founder Ori Inbar optimistically declared 2025 as the year of the Master Builder - passionate domain subject experts creating XR solutions for their community filling in diverse content gaps that are shifting the balance between big brands …

1
Beyond the Diploma: How Certify-Ed is Revolutionizing Digital Credentials with Lynne Henderson 24:33

6M ago24:33

24:33

In this episode, Shannon talks with Lynne Henderson, CEO and co-founder of Certify-Ed. They discuss the innovative curriculum developed by Certify-Ed, which includes courses and simulations available on multiple platforms such as VR headsets, laptops, desktops, and tablets. Lynne shares insights into the increasing use of VR in education, the impor…

1
How IPS Solves the ‘Friction’ Problem at Major Events 23:34

6M ago23:34

23:34

In this episode of Spatial Experience Design, host Søren Vasø sits down with Crowd Connected’s CEO, James Cobb, to unpack how indoor positioning systems (IPS) are transforming navigation at large-scale events. They dive into the hidden friction between key attendee moments—lost time, missed meetings, inefficient crowd flow—and how IPS helps remove …

1
Get Spatial with the XR Guild @ AWE USA 2025 Augmented World Expo, June 10th - 12th Long Beach Convention Center 50:45

6M ago50:45

50:45

XR pioneer Avi Bar-Zeev has been at the forefront of Spatial Computing for over 30 years: from launching Disney’s groundbreaking Aladdin VR ride in the early 90s and crafting Second Life’s 3D worlds to co-founding Keyhole (Google Earth) mirror-earth spatial browser, co-inventing the Hololens AR headset in 2010 and leading the Experience Prototyping…

1
We're getting spacial at AWE! The 2025 Augmented World Expo returns to the Long Beach Convention Center, June 10th -12th 18:00

6M ago18:00

18:00

On today's show we're spotlighting our AWE day one itinerary. Elevate your conference vibe with our AWE playlist ! Heading to AWE USA 2025 next week? Road to VR readers can still get an exclusive 20% discount on tickets: https://geni.us/7ijTS - BEN LANG JUNE 10 ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS 09:00 AM - 09:25 AM AWE USA 2025 Welcome Keynote - XR Is Going Main…

1
AI Built This in 5 Minutes: Maps, Chatbots, and What’s Possible Now 28:23

6M ago28:23

28:23

In this episode of Spatial Experience Design, in-house Senior Solutions Engineer Geoff Wakefield sits down with host Søren Vasø to explore how AI is removing technical barriers and unlocking faster experimentation. It's now quicker and easier than ever to turn creative spatial ideas into working experiences. Instead of static presentations, working…

1
Engineering the Future: Tim Ventura on IQ3 & XR for Industry 23:27

6M ago23:27

23:27

In this episode, Shannon Putman sits down with Tim Ventura, an industry insider with extensive experience in visualization and AR/VR technologies. Together, they explore Tim's journey through the technology landscape, his contributions to the industry, and the innovative platform IQ3Connect, which aims to revolutionize collaboration and education i…

1
MeaningfulXR panel: Creating platforms and apps to better people's lives led by Carsten Becker, Faculty, Media Design and Extended Reality at USC Iovine & Young Academy 1:04:04

6M ago1:04:04

1:04:04

How can we create XR experiences with purpose and why does it matter? Last week's MeaningfulXR conference at UC Davis and in VRChat brought together a dynamic XR community from across the globe to explore the answers and featured some of the latest academic research using XR across disciplines including education, psychology, design, AI, health and…

1
Tara Mott 49:02

6M ago49:02

49:02

In this episode of The Spatial Connection, I talk with Tara Mott, an Account Manager at Esri, about her unexpected path into the geospatial industry. Starting out as a geological engineer in the energy sector, Tara’s career took several turns—including roles outside the geospatial world—before ultimately leading her to Esri. She shares insights on …

1
Amber Rowland on Giving Teachers Tools They Actually Want to Use 26:01

7M ago26:01

26:01

In this episode, Shannon Putman interviews Amber Rowland, an associate research professor at the University of Kansas, about technology integration and professional development in education. They discuss the use of virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as the VOISS and iKNOW projects, to help students, especially those w…

1
The MeaningfulXR Conference at U.C. Davis May 22nd - 23rd and The Neely Purpose-Driven XR Library 7:43

7M ago7:43

7:43

Today’s bite-sized episode is a quick shout out to the Meaningful XR conference happening Thursday May 22nd and Friday May 23rd at the UC Davis International Center and virtually in VRChat. On Friday at 12:30pm I’ll be joining the panel, Creating platforms and apps to better people's lives Led by Carsten Becker Faculty, Media Design and Extended Re…

1
Virtuleap and the Future of Brain Training in VR with Amir Bozorgzadeh 33:53

7M ago33:53

33:53

In this episode, Shannon Putman interviews Amir Bozorgzadeh, co-founder and CEO of Virtuleap. They discuss his background, Virtuleap's purpose, the benefits and applications of VR in education and healthcare, and the challenges and innovations in the sector. The conversation also touches upon Amir's personal experiences and favorite fictional villa…

1
Your Office Might Be Killing Your Best Ideas 33:19

7M ago33:19

33:19

David Dewane, CXO at Geniant, joins this episode of Spatial Experience Design to unpack why most modern offices aren't working—and what to do about it. David and host Søren Vasø explore how workplaces can either support or sabotage creativity, focus, and momentum. Drawing from real-world examples like recording studios, law firms, and even the Wrig…

1
On Creativity | Part 2 22:38

7M ago22:38

22:38

Audre Lorde famously professed that “poetry is not a luxury”, but in a culture where survival demands that every moment be productive, it is a complex statement to accept. Is creativity a blessing or a burden? What does it mean to live a creative life? What is the difference between art and commodity, and what do either have to do with living well?…

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