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 century, a dramatic change took hold. Clean lines, muted palettes, and functional simplicity replaced the flourish and decorative excess of previous eras. In this episode, we explore how and why ornamentation fell out of favor, and what that tells us about changing tastes, cultural values, and the evolving purpose of art itself.

To watch the YOUTUBE VIDEO of this episode and the irreverent & somewhat unpredictable AFTERSHOW, subscribe to our Patreon:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467]⁠http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467 [http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467]

Episode 35 - WHERE has all the COLOR GONE?

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 asking the right questions, being honest with ourselves, and sharing that discussion with the community we care so much about.

This episode gets back to those roots where Paul & Erik have a  vulnerable and candid discussion on two SUPRISE QUESTIONS (each of us came up with 1 question and DID NOT tell the other person prior to the show) to answer in the moment, with no prep.  Even though it was recorded as a podcast episode, it felt like the old days where the two of us were sitting together, enjoying a beer, and searching for meaning in our lives together.

To watch the YOUTUBE VIDEO of this episode and the irreverent & somewhat unpredictable AFTERSHOW, subscribe to our Patreon:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467]http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467

Episode 34 -Barstool Confessions #1 : Surprise Questions w/ Paul & Erik

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 between WORKING WITH OUR HANDS and MENTAL WELL-BEING with Clinical Psychologist and Professor Dr. Sherry Pagoto.  Sherry challenges us to assess our LIFE BALANCE through the ROOTS Framework (Relationships, Occupation, Ongoing Growth, Tasks, and Self-Care) and explains how these life areas being in BALANCE is key to mental health, and how WORKING WITH OUR HANDS can help rebalance us when life goes sideways.  This important episode will explore the science behind this connection and share inspiring stories of how creativity and craftsmanship can be a form of therapy.

A companion article to today's conversation is published in Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shrink/202504/how-creative-pursuits-can-quiet-the-noise-of-stress

For more information from Dr. Sherry Pagoto, you can find her on LinkedIn, BlueSky @drsherrypagoto.bsky.social and on Instagram @drsherrypagoto.

To watch the YOUTUBE VIDEO of this episode and the irreverent & somewhat unpredictable AFTERSHOW, subscribe to our Patreon:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467


Episode 33 - How Creative Pursuits Can QUIET the Noise of STRESS (w/ Dr. Sherry Pagoto)

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 while making a living!).  So HOW DO WE STAY and FEEL CREATIVE WITHIN THESE LIMITATIONS ???  

Today we have a wonderful talk on this topic with DAISY TEMPEST, guitar luthier, on how she finds opportunities for CREATIVITY within arguably one of the most traditional fields in the world, ACOUSTIC GUITAR MAKING.

To watch the YOUTUBE VIDEO of this episode and the irreverent & somewhat unpredictable AFTERSHOW, subscribe to our Patreon:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467


Episode 32 - Don't let LIMITATIONS stifle your CREATIVITY! (w/ guitar luthier Daisy Tempest)

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 lonliness creep in?

Today we have an amazing conversation with Maker/Woodworker/Content Creator and PYSCHOLOGIST Dr. Sam Raimondi (DIYHuntress) on this topic.  We all share our experiences on this topic and importantly, share how we alleviate these feelings to emerge inspired with a deep sense of well-being.

To watch the YOUTUBE VIDEO of this episode and the irreverent & somewhat unpredictable AFTERSHOW, subscribe to our Patreon:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467

Episode 31 - Dealing with Loneliness (w/ DIYHuntress Dr. Sam Raimondi)

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 record straight about their VERY VERY similar cabinets.  We get to know Nick's thinking in terms of his approach to design, and some really interesting insights as to how he runs his business to successfully make ends meet as an artist & craftsperson.

To watch the YOUTUBE VIDEO of this episode and the irreverent & somewhat unpredictable AFTERSHOW, subscribe to our Patreon:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467

Episode 30 - SIMULTANEOUS REVELATION  in Design (w/ Nick Pedulla)

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 THESE QUESTIONS, YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE!

In this episode, we speak with Professor of Wood Anatomy at OSU, Dr. Seri Robinson, about these EXTREMELY  important topics.  Seri has dedicated years of laboratory research towards addressing these topics and leads a wonderful discussion.  A rare occurrence in the maker space where two Ph.D. scientists (Paul & Seri) work together to deconvolute these important topics, cut through fear and misinformation, and come away with real world pragmatic recommendations.

For more reading on these topics, here is a link to Seri's book ⁠"Living with Wood: A Guide for Toymakers, Hobbyists, Crafters, and Parents" ⁠ [https://www.amazon.com/Living-Wood-Toymakers-Hobbyists-Crafters/dp/0764359355/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2SE2B6OU33D7P&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.f48xkEZdhmg8pObx9GfTAV1GQ7YRyeyEMZRyBTETAUNicYUdj6IM22-kX2WtkdyJdu86ecqSxgamZu3NinSMY2aGc01C92RQtflGBZdiTLQWKY_8MFs4-ymzzMmaQPWJpgFOH_tOSpDKgb59ZbR-IgwlBVmsevur6q4fQ0slRsOwlRXYa_yorQks3uPcFLMus2JQcHdepsqi9AyzSY2n-5Dg1-aNZJ8srlPozDZaPkE.tr4bRqDOYQDr8gFgdgJfdlVC26oXsVGrgc4r2tl9GSw&dib_tag=se&keywords=living+with+wood&qid=1737397654&sprefix=living+with+woo%2Caps%2C202&sr=8-1]

and Seri's Patreon all about Wood Safety: http://www.patreon.com/woodsafety

To watch the YOUTUBE VIDEO of this episode and the irreverent & somewhat unpredictable AFTERSHOW, subscribe to our Patreon:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467

Episode 29 - Cutting Board Safety, Wood Dust Allergies, & Cancer Risk (w/ Dr. Seri Robinson)

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 have to teach us about OUR OWN WORK????  Are we missing an opportunity here to learn something important here???  Mary brings the heat in today's discuss on this amazing and often overlooked topic.

To watch the YOUTUBE VIDEO of this episode and the irreverent & somewhat unpredictable AFTERSHOW, subscribe to our Patreon:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467 [http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467]



Episode 28 - WHAT can the IPHONE teach us ??

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 2025 together on a POSITIVE OPTIMISTIC note, and tackle the topic of "ENOUGH".  Can we realize what is ENOUGH in our lives, and rather than chasing happiness, practice gratitude and appreciation to find the happiness already within.  True contentedness comes NOT from getting what you think you want, but rather, learning to APPRECIATE what you already have.  

To watch the YOUTUBE VIDEO of this episode and the irreverent & somewhat unpredictable AFTERSHOW, subscribe to our Patreon:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467 [http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467]

Episode 27 - Gratitude, Appreciation, and the concept of "ENOUGH"

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 we hear from the significant others Victoria & Sara and hear about HOW THEY SEE THE MAKER WORLD. We also have some fun TRIVIA CHALLENGES between the girls seeing how much they have learned by Osmosis, followed by the sexiest ad read ever.  It's a joyful and fun episode for all!

To watch the YOUTUBE VIDEO of this episode and the irreverent & somewhat unpredictable AFTERSHOW, subscribe to our Patreon:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467 [http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467]


Episode 26 - HOLIDAY SPECIAL! (with Victoria & Sara)

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:

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