MWA Podcast - Woodworking Conversations

On this episode, we’re excited to welcome Chuck Bender as our guest. Chuck is a master furniture maker, seasoned instructor, and former Senior Editor at Popular Woodworking Magazine. He shares how he got his start in woodworking, his passion for period furniture, and offers up some fun and insightful anecdotes along the way. It’s a great conversation with one of the true masters of our craft. Check it out! Chuck Bender * @no_bs_woodworking [https://www.instagram.com/no_bs_woodworking/] on Instagram * acanthus.com [https://acanthus.com/] (Chuck Bender Furniture Maker) * Chuck Benders No BS Woodworking [https://www.youtube.com/@acanthuscarver] on YouTube * Acanthus Workshop [https://www.facebook.com/AcanthusWorkshop] on Facebook Sutherland Welles Finishes [https://sutherlandwelles.com/] - Use code "MWA25" for 10% off your first order Texas Woodworking Festival [https://texaswoodworkingfestival.com/] - Use code "MWA25" to 10% off your tickets  MWA Podcast - Patreon Page [https://www.patreon.com/mwapodcast] @mwa_podcast [https://www.instagram.com/mwa_podcast/?hl=en] on Instagram Hosts' Contact Info: Kyle Barton * @barton.kyle [https://www.instagram.com/barton.kyle/?hl=en] & @bbcustomtools [https://www.instagram.com/bbcustomtools/?hl=en] on Instagram * bbcustomtools.com [https://bbcustomtools.com/] * On Youtube under BB Custom Tools [https://www.youtube.com/@bbcustomtools5684] & Kyle Barton [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYRF9Rtxrkvx175G5KRy2Jg] * Kyle Barton [https://www.facebook.com/KyleDBarton] on Facebook Sean Wisniewski * @Seanw78 [https://www.instagram.com/seanw78/?hl=en] on most social media Mark Hicks * jointeffort.net [http://jointeffort.net/] * Jointeffort.net/mwa [http://jointeffort.net/mwa] * @markbuildsit [https://www.instagram.com/markbuildsit/?hl=en] on Instagram * On Youtube under Plate 11 / Joint Effort [https://www.youtube.com/@thejointeffort] Brian Obst * @obstwoodworks [https://www.instagram.com/obstwoodworks/?hl=en] on Instagram

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome back Andy Minier of Swell Furniture! Andy is a full-time cabinet maker and the owner of Swell Furniture, based in Anoka, Minnesota. We dive into his work at a high-end custom cabinet and furniture shop, explore some of his personal commissions, and cover a few questions we didn’t get to during his last visit. It’s a fun and fascinating conversation with a great friend of the show. Check it Out! Andy Minier * @swell_furniture [https://www.instagram.com/swell_furniture/?hl=en] on IG * swellfurniture.com [https://www.swellfurniture.com/] Texas Woodworking Festival [https://texaswoodworkingfestival.com/] - Use code "MWA25" to 10% off your tickets  WWing News   * New sponsor “Sutherland Welles [https://sutherlandwelles.com]” - Use code MWA25 for 10% off your first order * LAP - Build a Chair from Bull%$t - Free Video Series and Book [https://blog.lostartpress.com/2025/05/19/the-free-video-series-of-build-a-chair-from-bullst/] * Woodpeckers OneTIME Tool - 4 Piece Bench Chisel Set [https://www.woodpeck.com/ott-collectors-vault-4pc-bench-chisel-set.html] MWA Podcast - Patreon Page [https://www.patreon.com/mwapodcast] @mwa_podcast [https://www.instagram.com/mwa_podcast/?hl=en] on Instagram Hosts' Contact Info: Kyle Barton * @barton.kyle [https://www.instagram.com/barton.kyle/?hl=en] & @bbcustomtools [https://www.instagram.com/bbcustomtools/?hl=en] on Instagram * bbcustomtools.com [https://bbcustomtools.com/] * On Youtube under BB Custom Tools [https://www.youtube.com/@bbcustomtools5684] & Kyle Barton [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYRF9Rtxrkvx175G5KRy2Jg] * Kyle Barton [https://www.facebook.com/KyleDBarton] on Facebook Sean Wisniewski * @Seanw78 [https://www.instagram.com/seanw78/?hl=en] on most social media Mark Hicks * jointeffort.net [http://jointeffort.net/] * Jointeffort.net/mwa [http://jointeffort.net/mwa] * @markbuildsit [https://www.instagram.com/markbuildsit/?hl=en] on Instagram * On Youtube under Plate 11 / Joint Effort [https://www.youtube.com/@thejointeffort] Brian Obst * @obstwoodworks [https://www.instagram.com/obstwoodworks/?hl=en] on Instagram

Brian Crano returns to answer the 5 Questions. We talk about his 5 favorite tools, totems, and his bad ideas. It's a fun and informative conversation with one of the great guys in our community. Check it out!  Brian Crano * @idontunderstandyoumovie [https://www.instagram.com/idontunderstandyoumovie/?hl=en] on Instagram * @a_liminal_object [https://www.instagram.com/a_liminal_object/?hl=en] on Instagram WWing News * Haystack Summer Workshop Openings [https://www.haystack-mtn.org/summer-workshops-details] * Harvey Alpha A-15 Intelligent Bandsaw [https://toolguyd.com/harvey-smarter-woodworking-bandsaw-alpha-a15/]  * Blue Spruce - New Leather Assembly Mallet [https://bluesprucetoolworks.com/products/leather-assembly-mallet?trk_msg=GJDNED83U684J8G1P7NQM5A7BO&trk_contact=4D6SSTN6RFAAQG1L4JA9RNEHA0&trk_sid=M7OUVQ5OHC4Q9U8JOGALLCOPE8&trk_link=4KU0F6I7C1R4L80R9UBOGMJI2C&utm_source=listrak&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Blue+Spruce+Leather+Assembly+Mallet&utm_campaign=Blue+Spruce+Leather+Assembly+Mallet&utm_content=Blue+Spruce+Leather+Assembly+Mallet] * Woodpecker’s in-DEXABLE Joiner’s Combination Squares [https://www.woodpeck.com/woodpeckers-in-dexable-joiners-combiniation-squares.html] * Mike Farrington’s sharpening jig [https://www.mikefarrington.com/sharpening-jig/the-sharpening-jig] MWA Podcast - Patreon Page [https://www.patreon.com/mwapodcast] @mwa_podcast [https://www.instagram.com/mwa_podcast/?hl=en] on Instagram Hosts' Contact Info: Kyle Barton * @barton.kyle [https://www.instagram.com/barton.kyle/?hl=en] & @bbcustomtools [https://www.instagram.com/bbcustomtools/?hl=en] on Instagram * bbcustomtools.com [https://bbcustomtools.com/] * On Youtube under BB Custom Tools [https://www.youtube.com/@bbcustomtools5684] & Kyle Barton [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYRF9Rtxrkvx175G5KRy2Jg] * Kyle Barton [https://www.facebook.com/KyleDBarton] on Facebook Sean Wisniewski * @Seanw78 [https://www.instagram.com/seanw78/?hl=en] on most social media Mark Hicks * jointeffort.net [http://jointeffort.net/] * Jointeffort.net/mwa [http://jointeffort.net/mwa] * @markbuildsit [https://www.instagram.com/markbuildsit/?hl=en] on Instagram * On Youtube under Plate 11 / Joint Effort [https://www.youtube.com/@thejointeffort] Brian Obst * @obstwoodworks [https://www.instagram.com/obstwoodworks/?hl=en] on Instagram

On this episode, we’re excited to welcome a special guest and friend of the show: Brian Crano! By day, Brian is a Hollywood director and writer—but he’s also a passionate hobbyist woodworker and chairmaker. We talk about his love for woodworking, its positive effect on his film making, and his upcoming feature film I Don’t Understand You, premiering in theaters on June 6. Brian Crano * @idontunderstandyoumovie [https://www.instagram.com/idontunderstandyoumovie/?hl=en] on Instagram * @a_liminal_object [https://www.instagram.com/a_liminal_object/?hl=en] on Instagram MWA Podcast - Patreon Page [https://www.patreon.com/mwapodcast] @mwa_podcast [https://www.instagram.com/mwa_podcast/?hl=en] on Instagram Hosts' Contact Info: Kyle Barton * @barton.kyle [https://www.instagram.com/barton.kyle/?hl=en] & @bbcustomtools [https://www.instagram.com/bbcustomtools/?hl=en] on Instagram * bbcustomtools.com [https://bbcustomtools.com/] * On Youtube under BB Custom Tools [https://www.youtube.com/@bbcustomtools5684] & Kyle Barton [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYRF9Rtxrkvx175G5KRy2Jg] * Kyle Barton [https://www.facebook.com/KyleDBarton] on Facebook Sean Wisniewski * @Seanw78 [https://www.instagram.com/seanw78/?hl=en] on most social media Mark Hicks * jointeffort.net [http://jointeffort.net/] * Jointeffort.net/mwa [http://jointeffort.net/mwa] * @markbuildsit [https://www.instagram.com/markbuildsit/?hl=en] on Instagram * On Youtube under Plate 11 / Joint Effort [https://www.youtube.com/@thejointeffort] Brian Obst * @obstwoodworks [https://www.instagram.com/obstwoodworks/?hl=en] on Instagram

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome back award-winning furniture maker Frank Strazza. Fresh from two inspiring trips to Italy, Frank shares his experiences studying the marquetry masters of the Renaissance. A talented craftsman, instructor, hand-tool enthusiast, musician, and avid cyclist, Frank brings a unique perspective to everything he does. Join us as we explore his journey, insights, and much more. Frank Strazza * strazzafurniture.com [http://www.strazzafurniture.com/home.html] * @strazzafuniture [https://www.instagram.com/strazzafurniture/?hl=en] on IG * Frank Strazza [https://www.facebook.com/frank.strazza.35] on Facebook * Frank Strazza [https://www.youtube.com/@strazzafurniture] on YouTube MWA Podcast - Patreon Page [https://www.patreon.com/mwapodcast] @mwa_podcast [https://www.instagram.com/mwa_podcast/?hl=en] on Instagram Hosts' Contact Info: Kyle Barton * @barton.kyle [https://www.instagram.com/barton.kyle/?hl=en] & @bbcustomtools [https://www.instagram.com/bbcustomtools/?hl=en] on Instagram * bbcustomtools.com [https://bbcustomtools.com/] * On Youtube under BB Custom Tools [https://www.youtube.com/@bbcustomtools5684] & Kyle Barton [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYRF9Rtxrkvx175G5KRy2Jg] * Kyle Barton [https://www.facebook.com/KyleDBarton] on Facebook Sean Wisniewski * @Seanw78 [https://www.instagram.com/seanw78/?hl=en] on most social media Mark Hicks * jointeffort.net [http://jointeffort.net/] * Jointeffort.net/mwa [http://jointeffort.net/mwa] * @markbuildsit [https://www.instagram.com/markbuildsit/?hl=en] on Instagram * On Youtube under Plate 11 / Joint Effort [https://www.youtube.com/@thejointeffort] Brian Obst * @obstwoodworks [https://www.instagram.com/obstwoodworks/?hl=en] on Instagram