This week on the podcast, Chris and Jamal talk about the current state of Wayfarer, including eMiLy still being down, the lack of updates around the Ambassador program, and growing frustration with Recon especially among the “I want to do both” crowd who feel stuck waiting for meaningful changes.

They also dive into a great community discussion around trail markers, breaking down what actually makes them eligible. The key takeaway: it’s not the marker itself it’s the trail. Chris and Jamal explain how to position trail markers as anchors for a larger point of interest, and why details like trail names, locations, and official maps can make or break your nomination.

Finally, with bad weather keeping everyone inside, they share productive ways to stay engaged with Wayfarer reviewing nominations, exploring the new Wayfarer map, digging into forum discussions, and revisiting past rejections for better resubmissions.

Stick around for:

✅ Spatial / Scopely News

✅ Tales From Canada

✅ Wayspots / Coal of the Week

✅ Dad Jokes (of course!)

Show Credits Hosts: Jamal Harvey & Chris Bell

Writer: Chris Bell

Producer: Jamal Harvey

Executive Producer: Kate Konz

Show Historian: Matty G

Recorded: 19 Feb 2026

Published: 22 Feb 2026

Season 5, Episode 6

Contact Us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Voicemail / SMS: 704-426-3710

 Support the Show 

Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/PokemonProfessor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wayspotters.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

 Follow! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotterspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter/X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@imakewayspots⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WayspottersPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitch.tv/pokemonprofessornetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Community & Friends Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/niawayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ German Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/ThTZCZH5⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/groups/2241761169257836⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Solstice: 🎧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify Episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unsplash⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Agent X on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@agentx_wayfinder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chris Bell’s Articles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pokemongohub.net/post/author/glawhantojar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Niantic Wayfarer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@NianticWayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music CreditsIntro: “Game Over” – Danijel ZamboBreak: Heavy Trap Drum Loops – LoopmastersOutro: “Itty Bitty 8 Bit” – Kevin MacLeodAdditional: Spanish Hard Trap – Steve Oxen

Vocal Recordings © Pokémon Professor Network 2025

Pokémon and all respective names © Nintendo 1996–2025. Pokémon GO © Niantic, Inc. Wayspotters & Pokémon Professor Network are not affiliated with Niantic, The Pokémon Company, Game Freak, or Nintendo.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Jamal and Chris talk about recent Wayfarer news, including eMiLy’s photo-edit outage, ongoing email issues, and a reminder about properly handling location edits through help chat instead of inching Wayspots around the map. They also react to some listener comments before diving into the main topics.

In Topic #1, they discuss a “Measure Twice, Cut Once” approach to nominations, introducing a practical pre-submission checklist. They cover the importance of strong photos, clear unique features, accessibility details, cultural or historical context, and smart use of supporting images to answer reviewer questions before they’re even asked.

In Topic #2, they explore whether reviewers are actually getting better—or if the so-called gatekeepers have simply disappeared. They break down possible reasons for faster approvals, including improved submitter quality, shifts in the reviewer pool, and potential backend or automation changes. They also challenge the “gatekeeper” label, talk about community bias, and ask whether quality could drift if approvals stay this fast.

Stick around for:

✅ Spatial / Scopely News

✅ One's Gotta Go

✅ Wayspots / Coal of the Week

✅ Dad Jokes (of course!)

Show Credits Hosts: Jamal Harvey & Chris Bell

Writer: Jamal Harvey

Producer: Jamal Harvey

Executive Producer: Kate Konz

Show Historian: Matty G

Recorded: 12 Feb 2026

Published: 15 Feb 2026

Season 5, Episode 5

Contact Us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Voicemail / SMS: 704-426-3710

 Support the Show 

Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/PokemonProfessor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wayspotters.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

 Follow! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotterspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter/X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@imakewayspots⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WayspottersPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitch.tv/pokemonprofessornetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Community & Friends Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/niawayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ German Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/ThTZCZH5⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/groups/2241761169257836⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Solstice: 🎧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify Episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unsplash⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Agent X on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@agentx_wayfinder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chris Bell’s Articles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pokemongohub.net/post/author/glawhantojar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Niantic Wayfarer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@NianticWayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music CreditsIntro: “Game Over” – Danijel ZamboBreak: Heavy Trap Drum Loops – LoopmastersOutro: “Itty Bitty 8 Bit” – Kevin MacLeodAdditional: Spanish Hard Trap – Steve Oxen

Vocal Recordings © Pokémon Professor Network 2025

Pokémon and all respective names © Nintendo 1996–2025. Pokémon GO © Niantic, Inc. Wayspotters & Pokémon Professor Network are not affiliated with Niantic, The Pokémon Company, Game Freak, or Nintendo.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Chris and Jamal talk about the latest Wayfarer news, including issues with map sync delays that are causing approved Wayspots, edits, and removals to take hours (or even more than a day) to appear in games. Niantic is currently running manual syncs while investigating the problem, and the hosts also highlight a community comment suggesting that player-submitted Wayspots should replace some of the newly generated street PokéStops.

The bulk of the episode focuses on a deep dive into the newly released Wayfarer Map. Chris and Jamal review what the first version can currently do, then walk through a long list of known issues pulled from forum discussions — such as delayed live data, broken location searches, visual problems with Google Maps layers, missing Street View, translation gaps, and the inability to filter certain Wayspot types. They also discuss features they hope appear in future updates, including improved zoom controls, filters for personal contributions, the ability to edit locations directly from the map, plugin support, and results from Jamal’s recent experiment using the tool.

Finally, the hosts evaluate Niantic’s 2025–2026 Wayfarer roadmap and measure progress so far. They run through each promised improvement — from appeals and distance changes to quality surfacing, leaderboards, and rating systems — noting that only the Wayfarer Map and web submissions have fully launched so far. Chris argues that despite many items still pending, these two features are major wins and, when broken down mathematically, put the team roughly on pace if development continues steadily through 2026.

Stick around for:

✅ Spatial / Scopely News

✅ Tales From Canada

✅ Wayspots / Coal of the Week

✅ Dad Jokes (of course!)

Show Credits Hosts: Jamal Harvey & Chris Bell

Writer: Chris Bell

Producer: Jamal Harvey

Executive Producer: Kate Konz

Show Historian: Matty G

Recorded: 5 Feb 2026

Published: 8 Jan 2026

Season 5, Episode 4

Contact Us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Voicemail / SMS: 704-426-3710

 Support the Show 

Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/PokemonProfessor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wayspotters.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

 Follow! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotterspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter/X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@imakewayspots⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WayspottersPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitch.tv/pokemonprofessornetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Community & Friends Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/niawayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ German Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/ThTZCZH5⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/groups/2241761169257836⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Solstice: 🎧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify Episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unsplash⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Agent X on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@agentx_wayfinder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chris Bell’s Articles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pokemongohub.net/post/author/glawhantojar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Niantic Wayfarer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@NianticWayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music CreditsIntro: “Game Over” – Danijel ZamboBreak: Heavy Trap Drum Loops – LoopmastersOutro: “Itty Bitty 8 Bit” – Kevin MacLeodAdditional: Spanish Hard Trap – Steve Oxen

Vocal Recordings © Pokémon Professor Network 2025

Pokémon and all respective names © Nintendo 1996–2025. Pokémon GO © Niantic, Inc. Wayspotters & Pokémon Professor Network are not affiliated with Niantic, The Pokémon Company, Game Freak, or Nintendo.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this week’s episode, Jamal and Chris dive into Niantic’s controversial experiment of adding PokéStops directly to street corners and bus stops in select U.S. areas, weighing the potential benefits for underserved communities against concerns around criteria, fairness, safety, and visual clutter. They break down what this could mean for Wayfarer’s philosophy, reviewer morale, and future map growth—plus what success (or failure) of the test might signal long-term.

Links: https://community.wayfarer.nianticlabs.com/t/testing-new-wayspots-in-pokemon-go/109242

Stick around for:

✅ Spatial / Scopely News

✅ One's Gotta Go

✅ Wayspots / Coal of the Week

✅ Dad Jokes (of course!)

Show Credits Hosts: Jamal Harvey & Chris Bell

Writer: Jamal Harvey

Producer: Jamal Harvey

Executive Producer: Kate Konz

Show Historian: Matty G

Recorded: 29 Jan 2026

Published: 1 Feb 2026

Season 5, Episode 3

Contact Us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Voicemail / SMS: 704-426-3710

 Support the Show 

Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/PokemonProfessor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wayspotters.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

 Follow! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotterspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter/X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@imakewayspots⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WayspottersPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitch.tv/pokemonprofessornetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Community & Friends Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/niawayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ German Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/ThTZCZH5⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/groups/2241761169257836⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Solstice: 🎧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify Episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unsplash⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Agent X on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@agentx_wayfinder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chris Bell’s Articles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pokemongohub.net/post/author/glawhantojar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Niantic Wayfarer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@NianticWayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music CreditsIntro: “Game Over” – Danijel ZamboBreak: Heavy Trap Drum Loops – LoopmastersOutro: “Itty Bitty 8 Bit” – Kevin MacLeodAdditional: Spanish Hard Trap – Steve Oxen

Vocal Recordings © Pokémon Professor Network 2025

Pokémon and all respective names © Nintendo 1996–2025. Pokémon GO © Niantic, Inc. Wayspotters & Pokémon Professor Network are not affiliated with Niantic, The Pokémon Company, Game Freak, or Nintendo.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Chris and Jamal dive headfirst into fresh Wayfarer movement, community chatter, and one of the trickiest topics explorers face: when — and how — to report problematic Wayspots.

The duo opens with some classic banter before jumping into the latest Wayfarer News, including long-stuck nominations finally reaching resolution, speculation on when 2026 Wayfarer Ambassador applications might open, and why some Niantic reviews seem to clear faster than others.

From there it’s on to From the Comments! as the hosts react to listener feedback about restaurant nominations, broken Wayfarer tools, and Jamal’s infamous tinfoil-hat theory about shifting approval speeds.

The main discussion centers on a hot forum topic: “To report, or not report?” Chris and Jamal break down why cleaning up the map matters, what actually qualifies for removal, and where things get murky with private residential property, emergency services locations, nonexistent Wayspots, and borderline cases that are bad — but not necessarily abuse. They also tackle what real abuse looks like, how to recognize it, and whether AI and suspicious photos should raise red flags.

Plus… the Professor steps in for a heartfelt moment of tough love about reporting correctly — hand-holding included.

Let’s explore.

Stick around for:

✅ Spatial / Scopely News

✅ Tales From Canada

✅ Wayspots / Coal of the Week

✅ Dad Jokes (of course!)

Show Credits Hosts: Jamal Harvey & Chris Bell

Writer: Chris Bell

Producer: Jamal Harvey

Executive Producer: Kate Konz

Show Historian: Matty G

Recorded: 22 Jan 2026

Published: 25 Jan 2026

Season 5, Episode 2

Contact Us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Voicemail / SMS: 704-426-3710

 Support the Show 

Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/PokemonProfessor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wayspotters.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

 Follow! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotterspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter/X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@imakewayspots⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WayspottersPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitch.tv/pokemonprofessornetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Community & Friends Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/niawayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ German Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/ThTZCZH5⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/groups/2241761169257836⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Solstice: 🎧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify Episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unsplash⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Agent X on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@agentx_wayfinder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chris Bell’s Articles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pokemongohub.net/post/author/glawhantojar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Niantic Wayfarer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@NianticWayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music CreditsIntro: “Game Over” – Danijel ZamboBreak: Heavy Trap Drum Loops – LoopmastersOutro: “Itty Bitty 8 Bit” – Kevin MacLeodAdditional: Spanish Hard Trap – Steve Oxen

Vocal Recordings © Pokémon Professor Network 2025

Pokémon and all respective names © Nintendo 1996–2025. Pokémon GO © Niantic, Inc. Wayspotters & Pokémon Professor Network are not affiliated with Niantic, The Pokémon Company, Game Freak, or Nintendo.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this week’s episode, Jamal and Chris break down everything kicking off Season 5 of Wayfarer, starting with the surprising speed-up that has nominations flying through in hours instead of weeks.

They explore what this means for queues, backlogs, and overall Explorer behavior, and whether Niantic might be testing something under the hood.

The conversation then shifts to the big Quality Question — are these faster decisions still accurate, or are reviewers becoming more lenient as systems evolve?

Stick around for:

✅ Spatial / Scopely News

✅ One's Gotta Go

✅ Wayspots / Coal of the Week

✅ Dad Jokes (of course!)

Show Credits Hosts: Jamal Harvey & Chris Bell

Writer: Jamal Harvey

Producer: Jamal Harvey

Executive Producer: Kate Konz

Show Historian: Matty G

Recorded: 15 Jan 2026

Published: 18 Jan 2026

Season 5, Episode 1

Contact Us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Voicemail / SMS: 704-426-3710

 Support the Show 

Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/PokemonProfessor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wayspotters.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

 Follow! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotterspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter/X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@imakewayspots⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WayspottersPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitch.tv/pokemonprofessornetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Community & Friends Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/niawayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ German Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/ThTZCZH5⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/groups/2241761169257836⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Solstice: 🎧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify Episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unsplash⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Agent X on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@agentx_wayfinder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chris Bell’s Articles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pokemongohub.net/post/author/glawhantojar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Niantic Wayfarer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@NianticWayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music CreditsIntro: “Game Over” – Danijel ZamboBreak: Heavy Trap Drum Loops – LoopmastersOutro: “Itty Bitty 8 Bit” – Kevin MacLeodAdditional: Spanish Hard Trap – Steve Oxen

Vocal Recordings © Pokémon Professor Network 2025

Pokémon and all respective names © Nintendo 1996–2025. Pokémon GO © Niantic, Inc. Wayspotters & Pokémon Professor Network are not affiliated with Niantic, The Pokémon Company, Game Freak, or Nintendo.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Jamal & Chris dig into the first recorded episode of 2026 and the Season 4 finale! We look back at the incredible growth of the show over the past four years and share what’s ahead for Season 5. Then we break down the surprising Wayfarer update that caused years-old failed uploads to suddenly appear in Niantic review — some only half-uploaded — and what this means for reviewers.

We also share our personal 2026 Wayfarer commitments, including Chris’ push for WDD Top 35, nomination and edit goals, and Jamal’s plan to boost reviews, re-engage positively on the forums, and bring in new guests. Finally, we dive into the growing trend of previously “impossible” nominations getting approved — restaurants, neighborhood signs, barbershops, business artwork — and discuss whether this shift is good for Wayfarer or just blurring the grey areas even more.

Kicking off 2026 with the Season 4 finale

Niantic’s “attic clean-out” that released years-old failed uploads

What half-uploaded nominations mean for reviewers

Chris’ 2026 commitments: WDD Top 35, nominations, edits & more

Jamal’s 2026 commitments: daily reviews, forum presence & new guests

The rise of “previously impossible” approvals

Restaurants, signs, barbershops & business artwork in today’s grey zones

What this shift means for the future of Wayfarer

Stick around for:

✅ Spatial / Scopely News

✅ Tales From Canada

✅ Wayspots / Coal of the Week

✅ Dad Jokes (of course!)

Show Credits Hosts: Jamal Harvey & Chris Bell

Writer: Chris Bell

Producer: Jamal Harvey

Executive Producer: Kate Konz

Show Historian: Matty G

Recorded: 08 Jan 2026

Published: 11 Jan 2026

Season 4, Episode 52

Contact Us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Voicemail / SMS: 704-426-3710

 Support the Show 

Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/PokemonProfessor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wayspotters.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

 Follow! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotterspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter/X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@imakewayspots⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WayspottersPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitch.tv/pokemonprofessornetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Community & Friends Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/niawayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ German Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/ThTZCZH5⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/groups/2241761169257836⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Solstice: 🎧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify Episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unsplash⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Agent X on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@agentx_wayfinder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chris Bell’s Articles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pokemongohub.net/post/author/glawhantojar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Niantic Wayfarer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@NianticWayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music CreditsIntro: “Game Over” – Danijel ZamboBreak: Heavy Trap Drum Loops – LoopmastersOutro: “Itty Bitty 8 Bit” – Kevin MacLeodAdditional: Spanish Hard Trap – Steve Oxen

Vocal Recordings © Pokémon Professor Network 2025

Pokémon and all respective names © Nintendo 1996–2025. Pokémon GO © Niantic, Inc. Wayspotters & Pokémon Professor Network are not affiliated with Niantic, The Pokémon Company, Game Freak, or Nintendo.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week the boys talk about…

Part 2 of our 2025 Wayfarer retrospective — where momentum turned into mastery. From the mid-year surge of new Wayfarers to roadmap clarity, recognition, and early automation, the community didn’t just grow… it leveled up. We break down how July through December reshaped reviewing habits, mentorship, and what it really means to Wayfind heading into 2026.

The mid-year Wayfarer check-in and how contributors evaluated their own performance

Pokémon GO Wayfarer opening to Level 35 and the wave of new reviewers it unleashed

How mentorship, Discord guides, and peer coaching became core to community success

Why supporting statements evolved from “helpful” to mission-critical

Ongoing Scopely speculation — and how the community adapted without official answers

The shift from growth to refinement as reviewers focused on quality and efficiency

Wayfarer Roadmap 2025–2026, the AMA, and what clarity did for community confidence

The rise of recognition emails, reviewer spotlights, and year-end acknowledgments

Early signs of automation and how reviewers balanced speed with integrity

How 2025 closed with collaboration, preparation, and excitement for 2026

Show Credits Hosts: Jamal Harvey & Chris Bell

Writer: Jamal Harvey

Producer: Jamal Harvey

Executive Producer: Kate Konz

Show Historian: Matty G

Recorded: December 18, 2025

Published: December 21, 2025

Season 4, Episode 49

Contact Us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Voicemail / SMS: 704-426-3710

 Support the Show 

Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/PokemonProfessor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wayspotters.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

 Follow! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotterspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter/X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@imakewayspots⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WayspottersPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitch.tv/pokemonprofessornetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Community & Friends Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/niawayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ German Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/ThTZCZH5⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/groups/2241761169257836⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Solstice: 🎧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify Episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unsplash⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Agent X on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@agentx_wayfinder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chris Bell’s Articles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pokemongohub.net/post/author/glawhantojar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Niantic Wayfarer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@NianticWayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music CreditsIntro: “Game Over” – Danijel ZamboBreak: Heavy Trap Drum Loops – LoopmastersOutro: “Itty Bitty 8 Bit” – Kevin MacLeodAdditional: Spanish Hard Trap – Steve Oxen

Vocal Recordings © Pokémon Professor Network 2025

Pokémon and all respective names © Nintendo 1996–2025. Pokémon GO © Niantic, Inc. Wayspotters & Pokémon Professor Network are not affiliated with Niantic, The Pokémon Company, Game Freak, or Nintendo.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Wayspotters Podcast, Jamal and Chris hit rewind on 2025 and take a month-by-month look at how Wayfarer really changed — not just through updates and announcements, but through reviewer behavior, community strategy, and shifting trust in the system.

This isn’t a “Niantic did this” or “Scopely did that” episode. It’s about us — the reviewers, nominators, veterans, and newcomers who adapted as the rules stayed mostly the same, but the reality around them didn’t.

In Part 1, we cover January through June 2025, including:

Reviewer fatigue and growing inconsistency early in the year

How supporting info, upgrades, and edits quietly lost trust

The moment skepticism replaced benefit-of-the-doubt

Community adaptation through Discords, strategy sharing, and mentorship

The impact of Niantic’s games business being acquired by Scopely

Think of this episode as the Wayfarer yearbook — fewer signatures, more opinions.

Why 2025 felt different in Wayfarer — even before anything officially changed

Reviewer fatigue, inconsistency, and the rise of “will this pass?” thinking

How supporting information became the real battleground

The growing distrust in edits, upgrades, and appeals

When skepticism replaced benefit-of-the-doubt

How the community adapted through strategy, Discords, and peer leadership

The ripple effects of Niantic’s games business being acquired by Scopely

Show Credits Hosts: Jamal Harvey & Chris Bell

Writer: Jamal Harvey

Producer: Jamal Harvey

Executive Producer: Kate Konz

Show Historian: Matty G

Recorded: December 23, 2025

Published: December 28, 2025

Season 4, Episode 51

Contact Us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Voicemail / SMS: 704-426-3710

 Support the Show 

Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/PokemonProfessor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wayspotters.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

 Follow! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotterspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter/X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@imakewayspots⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WayspottersPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitch.tv/pokemonprofessornetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Community & Friends Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/niawayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ German Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/ThTZCZH5⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/groups/2241761169257836⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Solstice: 🎧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify Episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unsplash⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Agent X on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@agentx_wayfinder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chris Bell’s Articles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pokemongohub.net/post/author/glawhantojar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Niantic Wayfarer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@NianticWayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music CreditsIntro: “Game Over” – Danijel ZamboBreak: Heavy Trap Drum Loops – LoopmastersOutro: “Itty Bitty 8 Bit” – Kevin MacLeodAdditional: Spanish Hard Trap – Steve Oxen

Vocal Recordings © Pokémon Professor Network 2025

Pokémon and all respective names © Nintendo 1996–2025. Pokémon GO © Niantic, Inc. Wayspotters & Pokémon Professor Network are not affiliated with Niantic, The Pokémon Company, Game Freak, or Nintendo.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Wayspotters Podcast, Jamal and Chris wrap up the year by taking a look at Wayfarer at the end of 2025. From a holiday-themed Wayfarer Christmas Wishlist to reflecting on what the year actually taught us about nominations, eligibility, and reviewer consistency, the conversation balances insight with end-of-year perspective.

The episode also covers recent Wayfarer news, seasonal submission realities, and wraps with the debate no one asked for but everyone has an opinion on: Cake vs. Pie — dessert supremacy. Grab some eggnog, queue up a few reviews, and close out the year with the Wayspotters.

Here’s What We’re Talking About:

Here’s What We’re Talking About:

Year-end Wayfarer news, including recent web submission issues

A Wayfarer Christmas Wishlist, from realistic improvements to total long shots

What 2025 taught us about Wayfarer, including consistency, eligibility, and reviewer interpretation

How local knowledge and presentation still impact nomination outcomes

The debate no one asked for: Cake vs. Pie — dessert supremacy

Stick around for:

✅ Spatial / Scopely News

✅ The debate no one asked for

✅ Wayspots / Coal of the Week

✅ Dad Jokes (of course!)

Show Credits Hosts: Jamal Harvey & Chris Bell

Writer: Jamal Harvey

Producer: Jamal Harvey

Executive Producer: Kate Konz

Show Historian: Matty G

Recorded: December 18, 2025

Published: December 21, 2025

Season 4, Episode 49

Contact Us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Voicemail / SMS: 704-426-3710

 Support the Show 

Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/PokemonProfessor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wayspotters.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

 Follow! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotterspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter/X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wayspotters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@imakewayspots⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WayspottersPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitch.tv/pokemonprofessornetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Community & Friends Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/niawayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ German Wayfarer Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/ThTZCZH5⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/groups/2241761169257836⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Solstice: 🎧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify Episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unsplash⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Agent X on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@agentx_wayfinder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chris Bell’s Articles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pokemongohub.net/post/author/glawhantojar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Niantic Wayfarer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@NianticWayfarer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music CreditsIntro: “Game Over” – Danijel ZamboBreak: Heavy Trap Drum Loops – LoopmastersOutro: “Itty Bitty 8 Bit” – Kevin MacLeodAdditional: Spanish Hard Trap – Steve Oxen

Vocal Recordings © Pokémon Professor Network 2025

Pokémon and all respective names © Nintendo 1996–2025. Pokémon GO © Niantic, Inc. Wayspotters & Pokémon Professor Network are not affiliated with Niantic, The Pokémon Company, Game Freak, or Nintendo.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices