Woodworking is BULLSHIT!

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 is right?  How should we balance pursuing our passion while earning a living?  Does a sole focus on money ruin our passion for a craft that used to make us feel alive?Join us for a spirited discussion on this topic with our new interim host Jennifer DiArenzo!! (While Mary is traveling this week)  Jennifer is classically trained with a degree in art and illustration, is a phenomenal pyrography artist, and has strong coffee views and a sense of humor that fit right in to Woodworking in Bullshit.To watch the YOUTUBE VIDEO of this episode and the irreverent & somewhat unpredictable AFTERSHOW, subscribe to our Patreon:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467

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 challenges it poses to fields steeped in tradition.Join us for a spirited discussion analyzing BOTH SIDES of this fascinating 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

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 burnout, and discuss what research suggests for possible solutions to this very real and common problem. To watch the YOUTUBE VIDEO of this episode and the irreverent & somewhat unpredictable AFTERSHOW, subscribe to our Patreon:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467

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

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.  Join us and our SPECIAL GUEST KEITH JOHNSON as we jointly discuss this most important 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

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 is impacting everyone, and our society treats nearly everything as disposable.   This topic has been pioneered by the research of Jonathan Chapman, professor at Carnegie Melon School of Design, in his book "Emotionally Durable Design: Objects, Experiences & Empathy."  Our very own host, Mary Tsai, was a graduate student in Jonathan's lab, studying with him for a number of years.  Mary is the perfect person to take us through this important and fascinating 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

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

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

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 (Sauer & Steiner), which he has been crafting by hand for the past 25 years.  However, what many people don't know is that he is classically trained in art/design and is incredibly passionate about those topics.  To watch the YOUTUBE VIDEO of this episode and the irreverent & inappropriate AFTERSHOW, subscribe to our Patreon:⁠http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467

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, subscribe to our Patreon:⁠http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467

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

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.