Alumnus returns to La Châtaigneraie to record a special podcast episode

Last year we met with Hugo Powell (CHA, 2008) to talk about his podcast The Binge Reading Bookclub with his friend and fellow alumnus, Nick Binge (CHA, 2008). This year, we had the pleasure of meeting him again to discuss another podcast series he launched in 2025 called 15 Minute Maps, featuring a new theme (no more books), a shorter format and an even more ambitious vision.

His podcast explores the world of GIS (Geographic Information Systems). GIS are tools and methods used to collect, analyze, and visualize data linked to geography and space. In simple terms, they help us understand the world through intelligent mapping, covering areas such as transport, climate, urban planning, environment, and logistics. Hugo presents this field in a way that is both accessible and engaging, bringing in a different guest each week from diverse backgrounds.

If you’re wondering where this passion for GIS comes from…well, it all started when Hugo went on a mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2016 to work at the Virunga National Park, since he has become an expert in GIS and has worked for the International Committee of the Red Cross and iMMAP Inc. 

Building on this passion, in each episode, Hugo invites thought leaders and innovators in mapping, GIS, and spatial thinking to share their “dream map” by inviting “to let their minds roam free and come up with a new idea for their dream map”. At a time when data can be shaped to support particular narratives, and we are constantly exposed to visual content online, understanding maps and how they influence our view of the world has become increasingly important. 

Last year for his first season, he welcomed experts such as Nathaniel Raymond - Executive Director of Humanitarian Research Lab at Yale University, Guilherme Iablonovski, geospatial data scientist at the UN or even program lead at Nasa Lifelines Rhiannan Price. 

For this new season, we were delighted to welcome him back to La Châtaigneraie to meet with Mathew Roberts, Head of the Geography department, to record a special episode. During the conversation, Mathew shares his own “dream map” and reflects on how his approach to teaching geography has evolved over the years — from raising the alarm about climate change in the early 2000s to incorporating a stronger message of hope and possibility. 

You can also listen to this episode on Apple.

Ultimately, 15 Minute Maps offers a fresh and playful take on GIS. Instead of presenting it as something purely technical, the podcast brings it to life through creative “dream map” ideas and engaging conversations. In just fifteen minutes, the podcast makes GIS feel less like a complex system and more like a space for ideas, creativity, and exploration. 

If you have an idea for a dream map, do get in touch with Hugo on LinkedIn.