A podcast centered around design, creativity, and the search for authentic inspiration in woodworking and beyond, hosted by Paul Jasper, Erik Curtis, and Mary Tsai. Join our Patreon for a VIDEO FEED of the show on YOUTUBE, and the ever lively AFTERSHOW: https://patreon.com/user?u=91688467&utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
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Woodworking Is Bullsh*t Podcasts
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Episode 37 - Barstool Confessions #2 : Surprise Questions w/ Paul & Erik
1:25:19
1:25:19
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BY POPULAR REQUEST, ANOTHER EPISODE OF BARSTOOL CONFESSIONS. Pull up a bar stool next to us, have a beer, and talk about DESIGN, LIFE, PHILOSOPHY, and the emotional nature of CREATIVITY. This episode gets back to our roots where Paul & Erik have a vulnerable and candid discussion on two SUPRISE QUESTIONS (each of us came up with 1 question and DID …
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Episode 36 - Should THE PRICE guide THE DESIGN?
1:28:27
1:28:27
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When you design something, should you be thinking about the final price upfront? Does that help guide you toward a sale of the piece or does that HINDER your thinking, prohibiting you from making AN EVEN BETTER PIECE?? Are we thinking practically about marketing, price point, and MAKING THE SALE, or are we LIMITING OUR CREATIVITY or ability to brea…
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Episode 35 - WHERE has all the COLOR GONE?
1:28:01
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Where has all the color and ornamentation gone??? Why has minimalism become so pervasive over the last century in America? Once, ornamentation and vivid color were celebrated hallmarks of art, architecture, and design—think Baroque paintings, intricate textiles, and the opulence of Art Nouveau. But with the rise of minimalism in the early 20th cent…
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Episode 34 -Barstool Confessions #1 : Surprise Questions w/ Paul & Erik
1:05:42
1:05:42
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This podcast began organically, when Paul & Erik noticed that each time they were together, they would pull up a bar stool, have a beer, and talk about DESIGN, LIFE, PHILOSOPHY, and the emotional nature of CREATIVITY, so why not record the conversations that were ALREADY HAPPENING?! We figured we may or may not find answers, but at least we're aski…
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Episode 33 - How Creative Pursuits Can QUIET the Noise of STRESS (w/ Dr. Sherry Pagoto)
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Have you ever felt a sense of calm after working in the garden, fixing something in the shop, or cooking in the kitchen? Why does working with our hands have such a powerful effect on our mood? Can working with our hands help with the heaviness we feel, the anxiety, or even depression? In today’s episode, we’re diving into the deep connection betwe…
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Episode 32 - Don't let LIMITATIONS stifle your CREATIVITY! (w/ guitar luthier Daisy Tempest)
1:10:54
1:10:54
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We ALL FACE LIMITATIONS IN OUR LIVES: Limitations based on form and function (how DIFFERENT can a guitar or violin actually be without sacrificing sound quality or playability?), limitations of materials (there's only SO MUCH of a specific figured wood or rare veneer), and limitations of economy (we can only spend so much time or money on a piece w…
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Episode 31 - Dealing with Loneliness (w/ DIYHuntress Dr. Sam Raimondi)
1:26:17
1:26:17
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Have you ever felt feelings of loneliness and/or isolation as a creative? We spend so many hours alone typically because that is how we make things and have the quiet head space to create. Moreover, many people in our lives may not understand WHAT or WHY we do this. How much alone time is optimal vs. too much? What do you do when feeling of lonline…
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Episode 30 - SIMULTANEOUS REVELATION in Design (w/ Nick Pedulla)
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Did Erik copy Nick's cabinet? Did Nick copy Erik's? Did they copy each other? or did both just happen to occur simultaneous and independently? Why were their build videos so similar as well? Why does this happen? TODAY we talk with the amazing DESIGNER AND FURNITURE MAKER NICK PEDULLA on the topic of COPYING vs SIMULTANEOUS REVELATION, and set the …
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Episode 29 - Cutting Board Safety, Wood Dust Allergies, & Cancer Risk (w/ Dr. Seri Robinson)
1:59:45
1:59:45
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Should you cut raw meat on wooden cutting boards? Do the bacteria grow inside the cutting board? Is plastic better? Should you use a finish on wood cutting boards? How often do SERIOUS allergies develop from breathing in wood dust? Should you always wear a mask? What is the risk of cancer for woodworkers? IF YOU'VE BEEN CURIOUS OR CARE ABOUT ANY OF…
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Episode 28 - WHAT can the IPHONE teach us ??
1:27:06
1:27:06
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Have you heard of "Industrial Design" before? (or have you largely overlooked it like so many of us?!) The iPHONE, which transformed the entire world, is an ingenous example of Industrial Design where an object is designed to interact with hundreds of millions of random people. What are the rules governing GOOD INDUSTRIAL DESIGN and what does it ha…
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Episode 27 - Gratitude, Appreciation, and the concept of "ENOUGH"
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1:12:39
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Are you satisfied with what you have in life? Do you find yourself wishing for MORE?? MORE AND MORE MONEY, a bigger/better place to live, a nicer car or more opulent vacations? "When I have (Insert Answer Here), then I"ll be happier!" . Do you continually strive for more, AND ACHIEVE IT, only to feel somewhat hollow or anticlimactic? Let's start 20…
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Episode 26 - HOLIDAY SPECIAL! (with Victoria & Sara)
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DO YOU KNOW what your significant other or non-artist friends THINK & FEEL about your art, your craft, or your passion? Do they find it intersting because we do? Do they feel the special pull of hand made objects like we do? Do they find themselves passionate by proxy, or do they think we're just weird? Join us for a special HOLIDAY EPISODE where w…
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Episode 25 - DEALING WITH REPETITION and the Problem with Production
1:06:53
1:06:53
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Do you find yourself bored when you make something more than once? How about when you make that something 1000 times because it sells well? Is there creativity to be found withing production work? How do we deal with the mental side of doing a repetitive task? In this episode we think about both the PROS and CONS to production work and how to find …
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Episode 24 - Increasing PRICE POINT & the Ethics of doing so (w/ Jack Thomas)
1:12:23
1:12:23
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Do you want to earn more money for your work? Do you struggle to set prices and get nervous thinking about asking for more money? When you do charge more, do you feel ok about it? Today we discuss the many ways one can RAISE PRICE POINT as an artist and then have a short but spirirted session of WIB's DEBATE CLUB where Erik and I debate the ethical…
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Episode 23 - STRESS and how to Handle It
1:09:45
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Do you feel STRESS at times in the shop? Many people turn to woodworking and other crafts to relieve stress but once sufficiently into it, those once stress-relieving hobbies can actually become a SOURCE OF STRESS. Today we talk about the stresses that each of us feel around the shop and making experience, what effects that stress has on us, and ho…
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Episode 22 - Are FIGURED WOODS a GIMMICK?
1:08:48
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We've all seen them, pieces of furniture or woodworking where someone throws all these random ass pieces of contrasting figured woods together, thinking that by using figured woods, their piece will look better, or fancy, or valuable. When in reality, it often looks gaudy and disjointed, and a bit confused. IS USING FIGURED WOODS A GIMMICK? Join a …
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Episode 21 - Confidence vs. IMPOSTER SYNDROME? (w/ Kristin Siegfried Ballenger)
1:12:28
1:12:28
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Have you ever felt like an Imposter at work or when creating? It is estimated that up to 85% of people experience imposter syndrome in their lives, despite training and high achievement. ARE YOU PART OF THAT 85%? In today's episode we confront this issue head on with the help of Kristin Siegfried Ballenger, who is an expert luthier (maker or violin…
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Episode 20 - Erik said, "Let's Just WING IT THIS EPISODE!!" & Thoughts on COMPETITIVENESS
1:08:57
1:08:57
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As soon as we sat down to record, Erik said, "Let's just WING IT!!" , instead of following an outline for the conversation about: IS BEING COMPETITIVE A GOOD THING? Paul is noticeably uncomfortable and what ensued is lovely W.I.B. history. To watch the YOUTUBE VIDEO of this episode and the irreverent & somewhat unpredictable AFTERSHOW, subscribe to…
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Episode 19 - The Master Series: NAKASHIMA
1:20:42
1:20:42
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In today's episode of the Master Series, we discuss the amazing Japanese Americana furniture designer and architect, George Nakashima, widely considered to be the father of slab furniture. George believed trees had a soul, and through the act of making furniture he was giving them a second life. His most famous pieces of furniture include live edge…
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The current crop of DIY shows make us feel as though we can build anything quickly and easily over the course of a weekend with only a few tools. But is this ACTUALLY TRUE??? Are DIY influencers selling us a fantasy as a form of entertainment or are they really teaching us how to make things and improve our homes? In this episode, we review a brief…
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Episode 17 - PERFECTIONISM: Friend or Foe?
1:22:44
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Are you a PERFECTIONIST? Do you have tendencies toward perfectionism? Does it steal the joy of making things? Does it make it difficult to start or finish anything because it's so built up in your mind how AMAZING the next project needs to be? OR does it make you a better maker/artist with a higher standard of excellence who improves very quickly a…
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Episode 16 - CAN WE TRUST Content Creators?
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Content Creators have taken social media by storm, showing you all their "tips & tricks", advising you what to buy, and how to make things. THEIR GOAL: GET THE MOST EYEBALLS TO WATCH THEIR VIDEOS SO THEY EARN MORE MONEY in the form of ad revenue and corporate sponsorships. This begs the question of whether you can trust their advice. In this episod…
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Episode 15 - The Master Series: The Shakers & Their Amazing Furniture
1:19:29
1:19:29
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In the Masters Series, we review MAJOR INFLUENCES on American Furniture. Together, we seek to understand their story, belief systems, and guiding philosophies, as a way to understand the objects they made, which are still extremely well know and popular today. The Shakers are SO MUCH more than just simple furniture. Did you know they pursued artist…
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Episode 14 - Stay Hobbyist or go Full Time Professional?
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Is being a HOBBYIST enough?? Or should you lay down all the chips and go FULL TIME PROFESSIONAL?? Today we discuss the pros/cons of this critical decision faced by so many artists to help you evaluate your own decision. Paul & Mary are hobbyists while Erik is a full time professional, so we have all the viewpoints covered and get INTO IT. Join us f…
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Fact: We're all going to die. Question: Do we make things, things that can last across centuries, as a way of establishing a legacy for ourselves. Do you think "this piece will likely outlive me" as you make? Have you thought, "I wonder who will own this some day and how they will use it, or whether they'll be curious who I am?". Coming to terms wi…
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Episode 12 - Pursue Passion or Profit?
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Many people will tell you, "Pursue your passion and you'll never work a day in your life", suggesting that if you follow your burning passion, the money will follow. Others are far more practical recommending you find a product that will sell and focus on that right away while building your business because WE ALL HAVE BILLS TO PAY. Which of these …
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CNC technology is currently one of the most divisive topics in our craft. Many argue, CNC use should NOT be considered woodworking, while others insist that it's just another tool, and these "growing pains" occur whenever a new technology comes into the craft. This speaks to a larger issue of innovation & technology adoption in the arts and the cha…
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Episode 10 - Creative Burnout: Signs, Symptoms, & Solutions
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Have you felt creative burnout as an artist/maker? You feel exhausted, uninspired, and maybe even a bit cynical. What do you do in these moments? What do you do when you hit that moment of not caring or not having the energy to keep up with your job or creative work? In this episode, we share our experiences identifying and dealing with creative bu…
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In this episode, we discuss Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cover how we can use this exciting (and sometimes scary) technology in our creative pursuits. Our host Mary Tsai, who works in the AI field, helps us understand fact vs. myth, as we cover many topics that we are forced to address now that AI plays such a prominent role in our daily lives.…
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Episode 8 - Finding Your Artistic Voice w/ Keith Johnson
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How do we figure out WHO WE ARE as an artist? What is it that we want to communicate with our work, either visually or conceptually? Have you been able to define a style that is immediately recognizable as your own? For most, this is an evolutionary process consisting of much trial and error, taking risks, resulting in both failures and successes. …
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Episode 7 - Emotionally Durable Design: How to Make Objects that People Love & Want to Keep
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Why do people LOVE and CHERISH certain objects? What is it about those objects exactly? If we can figure this out, perhaps we can use these guiding principles to guide the things WE MAKE, becoming treasured heirlooms instead of disposable goods. This has far reaching implications for humanity at a time where resources are being depleted, pollution …
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Episode 6 - Is Hustle Culture Toxic for Creativity?
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"HUSTLE & GRIND BABY!" We've all heard catchy motivational phrases like this, which sound good on the surface, but is HUSTLE CULTURE actually toxic to our creativity? Does it lead to higher productivity and success or simply BURNOUT? Join us for a discussion on this topic where we arrive at some quite interesting conclusions. To watch the YOUTUBE V…
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Episode 5 - Does Boredom Drive Creativity?
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Most of us hate being bored. However, does being bored actually stimulate creativity? Research suggests it DOES! . How do you handle your boredom? Do you allow yourself time to be bored or do you constantly take your phone out and browse it like a dopamine addict? Are you doing yourself a creative disservice? Join us for a discussion on this absolu…
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Episode 4 - Design Lessons w/ Konrad Sauer : 1+1=3?
1:08:13
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We are honored to have our first guest, Konrad Sauer, on the podcast to discuss his views of design with us including: 1 + 1 = 3, the pitfalls of using computers to design, designing without considering execution details, and more. Konrad is known more broadly in the woodworking field for his exceptionally beautiful and function infill planes (Saue…
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Episode 3 - Artist vs. Craftsperson
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Are you an Artist? Are you a Craftsperson? Does it matter? Why do we use these labels and what are the differences between art and craft? What exactly is art? What is Craft? Are these labels helpful or just bullshit? Join our discussion on this divisive topic. To watch the YOUTUBE VIDEO of this episode and the funny & inappropriate AFTERSHOW, subsc…
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Episode 2 - Creativity, Inspiration, & Avoidance
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Where do you look for INSPIRATION when you're in a creative rut? Why do so many people AVOID original design? Let's hurt some feelings today as we discuss these extremely important issues. To watch the YOUTUBE VIDEO of this episode and the highly inappropriate AFTERSHOW, subscribe to our Patreon: http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467…
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We dive in to the sticky, but important topic of COPYING. Is it OK? Is it helpful? Is it a normal part of the artistic process? Let's discuss.By Woodworking is Bullsh*t
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