

Woodworking is BULLSHIT!
Woodworking is Bullsh*t
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
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 25, 2024 • 1h 13min
Episode 26 - HOLIDAY SPECIAL! (with Victoria & Sara)
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

Dec 11, 2024 • 1h 7min
Episode 25 - DEALING WITH REPETITION and the Problem with Production
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 the right mindset that enables repetitive production work to be more creative and more fulfilling. We also have our first AD read, and believe me, you won't want to skip it because its a hiarious mess told as a bad Hallmark Movie. I'm pretty sure we won't have another ad sponsor after this! To watch the YOUTUBE VIDEO of this episode and the irreverent & somewhat unpredictable AFTERSHOW, subscribe to our Patreon: http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467

17 snips
Nov 27, 2024 • 1h 12min
Episode 24 - Increasing PRICE POINT & the Ethics of doing so (w/ Jack Thomas)
Explore the intricate art of pricing in the creative world. Dive into the ethical dilemmas artists face when raising their prices. Discover personal anecdotes about pricing strategies in woodworking and printmaking. Unpack the balance of perceived value and market demands in selling handmade goods. Join a spirited debate about accessibility versus profitability for artisans. Plus, hear insights on the unique value of skill in crafting and how scarcity affects pricing.

Nov 13, 2024 • 1h 10min
Episode 23 - STRESS and how to Handle It
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 how we go about solving or alleviating that stress.To watch the YOUTUBE VIDEO of this episode and the irreverent & somewhat unpredictable AFTERSHOW, subscribe to our Patreon: http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467

Oct 30, 2024 • 1h 9min
Episode 22 - Are FIGURED WOODS a GIMMICK?
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 spirited debate on how we see the tasteful use of figured woods, but how this simple question speaks to a MUCH LARGER design question of HUGE IMPORTANCE. We also cover how figured woods develop in trees and what the scientific research says about their occurrence.To watch the YOUTUBE VIDEO of this episode and the irreverent & somewhat unpredictable AFTERSHOW, subscribe to our Patreon: http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467

Oct 16, 2024 • 1h 12min
Episode 21 - Confidence vs. IMPOSTER SYNDROME? (w/ Kristin Siegfried Ballenger)
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 violins and other stringed instruments) and has first hand experience dealing with imposter syndrome. We all relate our experiences with imposter syndrome, talk about what the research suggests about it, and perhaps most importantly, talk about how to deal with it productively to achieve a deeper sense of confidence.To watch the YOUTUBE VIDEO of this episode and the irreverent & somewhat unpredictable AFTERSHOW, subscribe to our Patreon: http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467

Oct 2, 2024 • 1h 9min
Episode 20 - Erik said, "Let's Just WING IT THIS EPISODE!!" & Thoughts on COMPETITIVENESS
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 our Patreon: http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467

Sep 18, 2024 • 1h 21min
Episode 19 - The Master Series: NAKASHIMA
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 slab tables and benches with architecturally inspired bases, with clean lines almost evoking the peace and serenity of Zen Buddhism. Following George's death in 1990, his daughter Mira boldly led Nakashima Woodworkers forward into their new chapter. Today, we have the incredible fortune of having two VERY SPECIAL guests with us, Mira Nakashima, daughter of George Nakashima, and her grandson Toshi Amagasu who not only give us an inside look into Nakashima Furniture, but also inside their thriving family legacy. For more information on Nakashima Furniture: https://nakashimawoodworkers.com/ For a wonderful in-depth documentary on George's Life: https://nakashimadocumentary.com/ George Nakashima Video Clip courtesy of Jim Bunn, with assistance from John Nakashima.To watch the YOUTUBE VIDEO of this episode and the irreverent & somewhat unpredictable AFTERSHOW, subscribe to our Patreon: http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467

Sep 4, 2024 • 1h 8min
Episode 18 - Is "DIY" Bullshit?
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 history of DIY culture and how it developed, which helps us to understand the complex nature of DIY as it exists today. We have a ROUSING episode of WIBS Debate Club, where Erik and Mary pick sides of the DIY argument and the GLOVES COME OFF!To watch the YOUTUBE VIDEO of this episode and the irreverent & somewhat unpredictable AFTERSHOW, subscribe to our Patreon: http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467

Aug 21, 2024 • 1h 23min
Episode 17 - PERFECTIONISM: Friend or Foe?
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 after each project? In this episode we consider the double-edged sword that is PERFECTIONISM and how to identify and deal with it.To watch the YOUTUBE VIDEO of this episode and the irreverent & somewhat unpredictable AFTERSHOW, subscribe to our Patreon: http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467