Geographical Thinking from Esri Canada

Get ready to map out some new territory as we dive into the world of GIS in regional management! In this episode of Geographical Thinking, we’re sitting down with Douglas Sauer from the Strathcona Regional District. Together, we’ll uncover how GIS is keeping the wheels turning behind the scenes—from emergency response to infrastructure planning. Douglas is a one-person GIS team supporting an entir...

Get ready for some serious brain-bending as contestants Mark Ho and Justin Brassard go head-to-head in Geographical Thinking Caps, our very own geospatial game show. With topics ranging from haunted hotspots to eerie urban legends, there's never a dull moment as our contestants vie for the title of geography guru. So grab your map and join our host, Michelle Brake, on this thrilling journey throug...

Join us as we navigate the complex landscape of rural health care! In this episode of Geographical Thinking, we’re talking with Tomoko McGaughey, a researcher from Carleton University who is redefining our understanding of rurality and its impact on healthcare access. Together, we’ll explore how new models and innovative GIS tools are transforming how we think about healthcare delivery in rural an...

Get ready for a retrospective! It’s time for Management Perspectives, a special series of the Geographical Thinking podcast where we discuss how geospatial strategy is helping organizations achieve their business goals.   On this episode of Management Perspectives, Esri Canada management consultant Kelsey Davis chats with Nigel Forster, GIS specialist with the City of Medicine Hat in Alberta, abou...

Grab your maps and let's embark on a journey through the world of real estate innovation! In this episode of Geographical Thinking, we're exploring with Sumaiya Siddiqi and Rachelle Siwy, GIS Analysts from Colliers Canada. Together, we'll uncover how GIS technology is revolutionizing the real estate industry, from demographic analysis to future area projections.

In this special crossover episode, Geographical Thinking shines a spotlight on its sibling podcast, Spatial Report. We sit down with hosts, Mark Ho and Maggie Samson to uncover what it's like to be at the helm of this dynamic series, exploring the latest in GIS and beyond. As a bonus, we dive into the critical topic of Next Generation 911 by playing the most recent episode of Spatial Report, w...

Curious about how cities can become more accessible? In this episode of Geographical Thinking, we're talking with Kate Clark and Katherine Deturbide from the PEACH research group. Together, we'll explore how GIS is revolutionizing city planning to create more inclusive and connected spaces. From the forward-thinking 15-minute city to the innovative CANdid Access project, join us on this fa...

Grab your hiking boots and join us on a journey through the world of long-distance trails! In this episode of Geographical Thinking, we’ll be exploring with Galen Keily from the Pacific Crest Trail Association. Together, we'll uncover the role of GIS in preserving and managing one of America's most iconic trails.

Get ready to dive into the vibrant world of mapmaking with Heather Smith on this episode of Geographical Thinking! Heather spills the beans on her cartographic wizardry, revealing how she mixes creativity with data to craft tutorials that'll have you mapping like a pro in no time. We'll explore everything from the fine art of balancing aesthetics with precision, to the crucial role of acce...

Dust off those textbooks and sharpen your pencils because we're diving deep into the world of GIS education on this episode of Geographical Thinking! Join us as we explore the ins and outs of post-secondary GIS education with our special guests, Jon Salter and Rahul Chandra.

From the sandy shores of secluded islands to the bustling streets of exotic cities, this special edition of geographical thinking caps will put our contestants’ geographical savvy on display. Get ready to pack your bags with knowledge and embark on a journey of discovery as we explore everything from hidden gems to famous landmarks and anything in between!

Grab your toque and prepare for an icy voyage to the ends of the Earth! In this episode of Geographical Thinking, host Michelle Brake speaks to Anais Schaenzel, who recently embarked on a thrilling expedition to Antarctica and documented it all with GIS. 

Grab your gardening gloves as we dig into the world of ecological restoration. In this episode of Geographical Thinking, we’ll explore innovative strategies for creating a greener, more resilient world with the insightful Heather Schibli, from Dougan & Associates.

Imagine a landscape where lichens are not just tiny patches on rocks and branches, but vibrant characters in a complex ecological story. In this episode of Geographical Thinking, we’ll talk with Miranda Frison, a master's student looking to uncover the hidden intricacies of lichen communities.

How are Alex Trebek, K-12 education, and GIS all connected? This episode of Geographical Thinking connects the dots as Michelle Brake talks with Jean Tong and Angela Alexander, two of the people who keep Esri Canada’s K-12 education program thriving.   

40 thousand children go missing in Canada every year. Missing Children Society of Canada is leveraging the latest location-based technology to ensure more children are found faster. 

Turning data into actionable insights is the superpower that most organizations dream of having. Jan Kestle founded Environics Analytics twenty years ago and is a seasoned expert in statistics and data analytics. In this conversation with Esri Canada’s Guan Yue, Jan demonstrates the importance of data-driven decision making with a keen focus on location intelligence. 

In this episode of Geographical Thinking, Matthew Lewin, director of strategic advisory at Esri Canada, interviews TD’s associate VP of geospatial data and retail analytics, Annie Latremouille. TD’s geospatial program is on the rise, with GIS technology helping to strengthen the customer experience and drive better business outcomes. Their success comes from positioning the group as a Canadian cen...

In very little time with very little money, Georgina Fire and Rescue Services transformed their community risk assessment process.  How did they do it? Esri’s Guan Yue speaks with Georgina Fire and Rescue Services Deputy Fire Chief Lorianne Zwicker who explains how real-time data collection and $58 saves lives. 

Did you know noise is the #2 Urban Environmental Health Hazard affecting our sleep, our bodies and our minds?  Making a ruckus about excessive noise in the big city before noise by-laws are reviewed, Ingrid Buday, founder of No More Noise Toronto, tells Guan Yue how she’s taken matters into her own hands. 

Southlake Regional Health Centre’s hyper-local interventions, tailored and targeted to the Northern York Region of Ontario, are gained through geoanalytics.    Our guest speaker is Gayle Seddon, Director of the Southlake Community Ontario Health Team. Gayle joined Southlake Regional Health Centre as the Executive Innovator. 

CBRE is the world's largest commercial real estate services and investment firm. They have a team of GIS professionals who understand the potential of location intelligence and built their proprietary web-based platform – Dimension.  In this episode of Geographical Thinking, Guan Yue speaks with Naz Ali, the Senior GIS Manager for CBRE Limited, about the evolution of GIS at CBRE and what the f...

The Canadian Urban Institute’s new report examines the hurdles to converting empty downtown buildings in eight Canadian cities. CUI’s executive director Mary Rowe explains. 

As Guan prepares for a new season of Geographical Thinking, we're pleased to share a conversation with Esri Canada’s Genevieve George about GeoAI. This content originally aired as part of Spatial Report Podcast's Episode 3: An Eye for A.I. Maggie Samson and Mark Ho host. Artificial intelligence is changing the way we approach geospatial analysis, and GeoAI is at the forefront of this trans...

Put on your hiking shoes and pack your picnic basket.  The funcast podcast is back, and this time we’re taking a leisurely stroll through your favourite parks.  Esri Canada instructors André Piasta and Nigel Pereira trade their laptops for frisbees as they battle for trivia geo-glory.  From Stanley Park to Gros Morne, join us on an awe-inspiring journey that traverses the most captivating landscap...