The Esri Canada User Conference is back and it’s more than just maps! In this episode of Geographical Thinking, host Michelle Brake is joined by Mike Gregotski and Mary Jane Maher from the Esri Canada User Conference (UC) planning team to explore what makes this event a must-attend for Canada’s GIS community. The theme, “GIS: Integrating Everything Everywhere,” highlights how geography plays a vital role in connecting people, data and ideas to solve real-world challenges. From keynote speakers to kiosk setups, our guests share what goes into planning a conference of this scale and why face-to-face connection matters more than ever. Whether you're planning to attend for the first time or are looking forward to returning triumphant, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the energy, logistics and inspiration that make the Esri Canada UC a must-attend event.
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Getting Technical: Summer 2025 GIS Update
In this first edition of Getting Technical, a new quarterly segment on the Geographical Thinking podcast, we explore the latest updates from the world of GIS technology. This Summer 2025 update features Maggie Samson diving into what’s new in ArcGIS Online, from user experience enhancements to smart mapping updates. Jarret Totton joins us to unpack recent developments in ArcGIS Enterprise, including deployment improvements and admin tools. Then Céline Doré walks us through powerful new capabilities in ArcGIS Pro, from data editing upgrades to analysis tools. Whether you're managing web maps, enterprise systems, or desktop workflows, this episode will help you stay current and work smarter.
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A Young Generation of Conservation Leaders
In this episode of Geographical Thinking, host Michelle Brake dives into the inspiring story of Ontario Nature’s Youth Council and their growing impact in the world of conservation. Hear from council members and the Ontario Nature staff that support them, as they share how they’re using digital tools, like ArcGIS StoryMaps and Canva, to raise awareness about wetland loss across Ontario.From leading community events to developing social media campaigns, these young changemakers are proving that passion, creativity, and a little geospatial know-how can make a big difference. Whether you're a student, educator, or nature enthusiast, this episode is full of ideas on how youth can lead the way in environmental advocacy, armed with maps, messages, and mission-driven digital content.
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Inside Overture Maps
Accurate, interoperable map data is the backbone of everything from navigation apps to emergency response systems. In this episode of Geographical Thinking, host Michelle Brake explores how the Overture Maps Foundation is tackling the biggest challenges in digital mapping - data fragmentation, inconsistent formats, and lack of standardization. Executive Director Marc Prioleau joins the show alongside Esri Canada’s Paul Heersink and Arif Rafiq to share how Overture is building a global, open map dataset that’s clean, current, and community-driven. From persistent feature IDs to monthly quality updates and standardized schemas, Overture is helping GIS professionals and organizations unlock the full potential of spatial data. We’ll also hear how Esri Canada’s contributions through roads and address data are aligning with international best practices, and how transportation agencies can benefit from this shared approach. Whether you’re a map lover, data manager, or transportation planner, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of open, authoritative geospatial data.
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The Hidden Village of Clementsport
Once a bustling hub of shipbuilding and industry, the village of Clementsport, Nova Scotia, now holds much of its history in memory. But thanks to a powerful blend of storytelling and digital mapping, its past has been brought back into view.In this episode of Geographical Thinking, we sit down with Fionnuala Braun, the creator of The Hidden Village of Clementsport StoryMap, and her father, Scott Digweed, volunteer archivist with the Clements Historical Society. Together, they reflect on the process of uncovering lost stories, digitizing community memory, and mapping what no longer stands. We explore what it means to map absence, how imagination plays a role in digital history, and what it felt like to have the project recognized as a finalist in Esri’s 2024 StoryMaps competition.This episode is a tribute to community memory, grassroots storytelling, and the evolving ways we can engage with place—even places that seem to have disappeared.
Tune in for inspiring stories from thought leaders and GIS users across business, government and education in Canada. Get practical tips for applying geospatial thinking to tackle challenges -- from simple ones encountered in everyday life to the most complex issues our world faces today.
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