Bonsai Time Podcast

In this episode, Kevin, Kelly, and Ryan sat down with Megan Bibelhauser of the Waterfront Botanical Garden and Russel Stevens of Twisted Nature Bonsai in Louisville, Kentucky. Among other things, in Part 1 we discussed how the Waterfront Botanical Garden was founded only 5 years ago and their major events. Then in Part 2, we focused on their new bonsai training program, bonsai collection, and Japanese garden that is under construction. The video version of Part 1 is ⁠⁠here [https://youtu.be/OgzzUmA97CQ]. The video version of Part 2 is here [https://youtu.be/i1Cw7sm85ts]. Show notes, relevant pictures, and links are here [https://www.bonsaitimepodcast.com/2025/05/from-trash-to-treasure-origin-of.html]. See you in the next episode! Sponsor Info: This episode is sponsored by the Waterfront Botanical Gardens 3rd Annual Bonsai Weekend in Louisville, Kentucky. Details at BonsaiWeekend.com. Come visit Kentucky's newest botanic garden and see what's growing with the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society. The show will feature guest judge Owen Reich, bonsai workshops, demonstrations, cultural activities, food and drink, koi fish on display from the Louisville Koi Society, and an expanded selection of vendors for all your bonsai needs. I'll be there too, and I hope to see you there May 30th-June 1st. Tickets are on sale now at BonsaiWeekend.com [www.BonsaiWeekend.com]. Guest Info: Megan Bibelhauser can be found at the Waterfront Botanical Gardens [https://waterfrontgardens.org/] in Louisville, KY, USA. Russel Stevens can be found at Twisted Nature Bonsai [ Twisted Nature Bonsai] and at the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society [https://www.louisvillebonsai.org/]. Support the Pod: Anytime you listen, subscribe, rate us, or share us with friends you help keep us motivated to keep making episodes for you all! If you want to take it to the next level, you can also help keep the podcast going by donating to us through Spotify or by sponsoring an episode (contact us directly for that). All donations go back into the podcast such as for our web hosting, recording gear expenses, etc. Podcast Info: The Bonsai Time Podcast is hosted, edited, & produced by Kevin Faris, Ryan Huston, & Kelly Lui. We expect to post new interviews and reflections monthly! Find us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@BonsaiTimePodcast], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/BonsaiTimePodcast], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bonsaitimepod/], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@bonsaitimepod], our website [https://www.bonsaitimepodcast.com/], and our email BonsaiTimePodcast@gmail.com. Submit questions or pictures for future Bonsai Brainstorm episodes to our email, social media DMs, or here [https://www.bonsaitimepodcast.com/p/contact.html]. Music by MIDICANCER. Find more music by them on SoundCloud [https://soundcloud.com/midicancer] and BandCamp [https://midicancer.bandcamp.com/]. Host info: Ryan [https://www.instagram.com/InVivoBonsai/] is a former bonsai apprentice of Elandan Gardens and current operator of In Vivo Bonsai nursery and educational operation in Columbus, OH. Kevin [https://www.instagram.com/kevin_farisbonsai/]is a bonsai student and local leader of many years now moving to Maryland. Kelly [https://www.instagram.com/BonsaiWithKelly/] is a newer bonsai artist volunteering and studying especially in the Los Angeles area. More Bonsai Projects by Ryan: Read more about bonsai on his blog and learn more about his educational services here [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.InVivoBonsai.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]. Find Ryan's online-available bonsai products, seeds, tools, etc. here [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.invivobonsai.etsy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]. Each seed kit sold comes with my full 10-year bonsai-from-seed guide. Find Ryan on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/InVivoBonsai/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/InVivoBonsai/], YouTube [https://www.YouTube.com/@invivobonsai], and TikTok [https://www.TikTok.com/InVivoBonsai]as well if you need more bonsai in your feed. Also, check out some of my video editing work for the Puget Sound Bonsai Association [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtYWnc5qvsHk1UPjcPhalIQ] and Columbus Bonsai Society [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMUxTwUO5Ja2zXIRetMqjPQ]'s demonstration archives.

In this episode, Kevin, Kelly, and Ryan sat down with Megan Bibelhauser of the Waterfront Botanical Garden and Russel Stevens of Twisted Nature Bonsai in Louisville, Kentucky. Among other things, in Part 1 we discussed how the Waterfront Botanical Garden was founded only 5 years ago and their major events. Then in Part 2, we focused on their new bonsai training program, bonsai collection, and Japanese garden that is under construction. The video version is ⁠⁠here [https://youtu.be/OgzzUmA97CQ]. Show notes, relevant pictures, and links are here [https://www.bonsaitimepodcast.com/2025/05/from-trash-to-treasure-origin-of.html]. See you in the next episode! Sponsor Info: This episode is sponsored by the Waterfront Botanical Gardens 3rd Annual Bonsai Weekend in Louisville, Kentucky. Details at BonsaiWeekend.com. Come visit Kentucky's newest botanic garden and see what's growing with the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society. The show will feature guest judge Owen Reich, bonsai workshops, demonstrations, cultural activities, food and drink, koi fish on display from the Louisville Koi Society, and an expanded selection of vendors for all your bonsai needs. I'll be there too, and I hope to see you there May 30th-June 1st. Tickets are on sale now at BonsaiWeekend.com [www.BonsaiWeekend.com]. Guest Info:Megan Bibelhauser can be found at the Waterfront Botanical Gardens [https://waterfrontgardens.org/] in Louisville, KY, USA. Russel Stevens can be found at Twisted Nature Bonsai [ Twisted Nature Bonsai] and at the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society [https://www.louisvillebonsai.org/]. Support the Pod: Anytime you listen, subscribe, rate us, or share us with friends you help keep us motivated to keep making episodes for you all! If you want to take it to the next level, you can also help keep the podcast going by donating to us through Spotify or by sponsoring an episode (contact us directly for that). All donations go back into the podcast such as for our web hosting, recording gear expenses, etc. Podcast Info: The Bonsai Time Podcast is hosted, edited, & produced by Kevin Faris, Ryan Huston, & Kelly Lui. We expect to post new interviews and reflections monthly! Find us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@BonsaiTimePodcast], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/BonsaiTimePodcast], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bonsaitimepod/], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@bonsaitimepod], our website [https://www.bonsaitimepodcast.com/], and our email BonsaiTimePodcast@gmail.com. Submit questions or pictures for future Bonsai Brainstorm episodes to our email, social media DMs, or here [https://www.bonsaitimepodcast.com/p/contact.html]. Music by MIDICANCER. Find more music by them on SoundCloud [https://soundcloud.com/midicancer] and BandCamp [https://midicancer.bandcamp.com/]. Host info: Ryan [https://www.instagram.com/InVivoBonsai/] is a former bonsai apprentice of Elandan Gardens and current operator of In Vivo Bonsai nursery and educational operation in Columbus, OH. Kevin [https://www.instagram.com/kevin_farisbonsai/]is a bonsai student and local leader of many years now moving to Maryland. Kelly [https://www.instagram.com/BonsaiWithKelly/] is a newer bonsai artist volunteering and studying especially in the Los Angeles area. More Bonsai Projects by Ryan: Read more about bonsai on his blog and learn more about his educational services here [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.InVivoBonsai.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]. Find Ryan's online-available bonsai products, seeds, tools, etc. here [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.invivobonsai.etsy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]. Each seed kit sold comes with my full 10-year bonsai-from-seed guide. Find Ryan on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/InVivoBonsai/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/InVivoBonsai/], YouTube [https://www.YouTube.com/@invivobonsai], and TikTok [https://www.TikTok.com/InVivoBonsai]as well if you need more bonsai in your feed. Also, check out some of my video editing work for the Puget Sound Bonsai Association [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtYWnc5qvsHk1UPjcPhalIQ] and Columbus Bonsai Society [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMUxTwUO5Ja2zXIRetMqjPQ]'s demonstration archives.

In this episode, Kevin, Kelly, and Ryan discuss how we can better preserve history through our bonsai and elevate them into an ambassador role between cultures and places. Kevin was specifically thinking about the famous Yamaki White Pine Bonsai that survived an atomic bomb and was later gifted by Japan to the US National Bonsai Museum. This tree has a powerful presence for all those who visit it. Likewise, Kevin compared it to his recent visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum in Japan and the powerful impression that place leaves on visitors as well. The video version is ⁠⁠here [https://youtu.be/88Yg7Rv30K8]. Show notes, relevant pictures, and links are available ⁠here [https://www.bonsaitimepodcast.com/2025/04/the-bonsai-that-survived-hiroshima-and.html]. See you in the next episode! Sponsor Info: This episode is sponsored by the Waterfront Botanical Gardens 3rd Annual Bonsai Weekend in Louisville, Kentucky. Details at BonsaiWeekend.com. Come visit Kentucky's newest botanic garden and see what's growing with the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society. The show will feature guest judge Owen Reich, bonsai workshops, demonstrations, cultural activities, food and drink, koi fish on display from the Louisville Koi Society, and an expanded selection of vendors for all your bonsai needs. I'll be there too, and I hope to see you there May 30th-June 1st. Tickets are on sale now at BonsaiWeekend.com [www.BonsaiWeekend.com]. Support the Pod: Anytime you listen, subscribe, rate us, or share us with friends you help keep us motivated to keep making episodes for you all! If you want to take it to the next level, you can also help keep the podcast going by donating to us through Spotify or by sponsoring an episode (contact us directly for that). All donations go back into the podcast such as for our web hosting, recording gear expenses, etc. Podcast Info: The Bonsai Time Podcast is hosted, edited, & produced by Kevin Faris, Ryan Huston, & Kelly Lui. We expect to post new interviews and reflections monthly! Find us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@BonsaiTimePodcast], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/BonsaiTimePodcast], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bonsaitimepod/], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@bonsaitimepod], our website [https://www.bonsaitimepodcast.com/], and our email BonsaiTimePodcast@gmail.com. Submit questions or pictures for future Bonsai Brainstorm episodes to our email, social media DMs, or here [https://www.bonsaitimepodcast.com/p/contact.html]. Music by MIDICANCER. Find more music by them on SoundCloud [https://soundcloud.com/midicancer] and BandCamp [https://midicancer.bandcamp.com/]. Host info: Ryan [https://www.instagram.com/InVivoBonsai/] is a former bonsai apprentice of Elandan Gardens and current operator of In Vivo Bonsai nursery and educational operation in Columbus, OH. Kevin [https://www.instagram.com/kevin_farisbonsai/]is a bonsai student and local leader of many years now moving to Maryland. Kelly [https://www.instagram.com/BonsaiWithKelly/] is a newer bonsai artist volunteering and studying especially in the Los Angeles area. More Bonsai Projects by Ryan: Read more about bonsai on his blog and learn more about his educational services here [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.InVivoBonsai.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]. Find Ryan's online-available bonsai products, seeds, tools, etc. here [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.invivobonsai.etsy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]. Each seed kit sold comes with my full 10-year bonsai-from-seed guide. Find Ryan on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/InVivoBonsai/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/InVivoBonsai/], YouTube [https://www.YouTube.com/@invivobonsai], and TikTok [https://www.TikTok.com/InVivoBonsai]as well if you need more bonsai in your feed. Also, check out some of my video editing work for the Puget Sound Bonsai Association [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtYWnc5qvsHk1UPjcPhalIQ] and Columbus Bonsai Society [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMUxTwUO5Ja2zXIRetMqjPQ]'s demonstration archives.

In this episode, Kelly sat down with Cheryl Manning in California for a wide-ranging interview spanning from her time as a student of the California bonsai greats like John Naka and Harry Hirao to her time as a bonsai apprentice in Japan. See last week's episode for Part 1 which focused on Cheryl's time in bonsai as an apprentice in Japan and how she got started in the professional scene. The video version is ⁠⁠here [https://youtu.be/AjwPZCygQ70]. Show notes, relevant pictures, and links to Part 1 are available ⁠here [https://www.bonsaitimepodcast.com/2025/03/cheryl-mannings-bonsai-journey.html]. See you in the next episode! Guest Info: This episode features Cheryl Manning, an accomplished bonsai professional artist and writer. Find more of her work on her website, BetterBonsai.com [https://betterbonsai.com/]. Sponsor Info: This episode is sponsored by (me!) In Vivo Bonsai of Columbus, Ohio. Find me in person, at invivobonsai.etsy.com [www.invivobonsai.etsy.com], or go to ⁠https://www.InVivoBonsai.com⁠/ [https://www.InVivoBonsai.com⁠/ ]to see upcoming events, expanding online offerings, educational materials, and more. Support the Pod: Anytime you listen, subscribe, rate us, or share us with friends you help keep us motivated to keep making episodes for you all! If you want to take it to the next level, you can also help keep the podcast going by donating to us through Spotify or by sponsoring an episode (contact us directly for that). All donations go back into the podcast such as for our web hosting, recording gear expenses, etc. Podcast Info: The Bonsai Time Podcast is hosted, edited, & produced by Kevin Faris, Ryan Huston, & Kelly Lui. We expect to post new interviews and reflections monthly! Find us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@BonsaiTimePodcast], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/BonsaiTimePodcast], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bonsaitimepod/], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@bonsaitimepod], our website [https://www.bonsaitimepodcast.com/], and our email BonsaiTimePodcast@gmail.com. Submit questions or pictures for future Bonsai Brainstorm episodes to our email, social media DMs, or here [https://www.bonsaitimepodcast.com/p/contact.html]. Music by MIDICANCER. Find more music by them on SoundCloud [https://soundcloud.com/midicancer] and BandCamp [https://midicancer.bandcamp.com/]. Host info: Ryan [https://www.instagram.com/InVivoBonsai/] is a former bonsai apprentice of Elandan Gardens and current operator of In Vivo Bonsai nursery and educational operation in Columbus, OH. Kevin [https://www.instagram.com/kevin_farisbonsai/]is a bonsai student and local leader of many years now moving to Maryland. Kelly [https://www.instagram.com/BonsaiWithKelly/] is a newer bonsai artist volunteering and studying especially in the Los Angeles area. More Bonsai Projects by Ryan: Read more about bonsai on his blog and learn more about his educational services here [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.InVivoBonsai.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]. Find Ryan's online-available bonsai products, seeds, tools, etc. here [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.invivobonsai.etsy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]. Each seed kit sold comes with my full 10-year bonsai-from-seed guide. Find Ryan on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/InVivoBonsai/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/InVivoBonsai/], YouTube [https://www.YouTube.com/@invivobonsai], and TikTok [https://www.TikTok.com/InVivoBonsai]as well if you need more bonsai in your feed. Also, check out some of my video editing work for the Puget Sound Bonsai Association [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtYWnc5qvsHk1UPjcPhalIQ] and Columbus Bonsai Society [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMUxTwUO5Ja2zXIRetMqjPQ]'s demonstration archives.

In this episode, Kelly sat down with Cheryl Manning in California for a wide-ranging interview spanning from her time as a student of the California bonsai greats like John Naka and Harry Hirao to her time as a bonsai apprentice in Japan. Stay tuned for next week's Part 2 which focuses on how she has seen the California bonsai scene evolve over her professional career. The video version is ⁠⁠here [https://youtu.be/rGGJrOzPH8A]. Show notes, relevant pictures, and links to Part 2 are available ⁠⁠⁠⁠here [https://www.bonsaitimepodcast.com/2025/03/cheryl-mannings-bonsai-journey.html]. See you in the next episode! Guest Info: This episode features Cheryl Manning, an accomplished bonsai professional artist and writer. Find more of her work on her website, BetterBonsai.com [https://betterbonsai.com/]. Sponsor Info: This episode is sponsored by (me!) In Vivo Bonsai of Columbus, Ohio. Find me in person, at invivobonsai.etsy.com [www.invivobonsai.etsy.com], or go to ⁠https://www.InVivoBonsai.com⁠/ [https://www.InVivoBonsai.com⁠/ ]to see upcoming events, expanding online offerings, educational materials, and more. Support the Pod: Anytime you listen, subscribe, rate us, or share us with friends you help keep us motivated to keep making episodes for you all! If you want to take it to the next level, you can also help keep the podcast going by donating to us through Spotify or by sponsoring an episode (contact us directly for that). All donations go back into the podcast such as for our web hosting, recording gear expenses, etc. Podcast Info:The Bonsai Time Podcast is hosted, edited, & produced by Kevin Faris, Ryan Huston, & Kelly Lui. We expect to post new interviews and reflections monthly! Find us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@BonsaiTimePodcast], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/BonsaiTimePodcast], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bonsaitimepod/], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@bonsaitimepod], our website [https://www.bonsaitimepodcast.com/], and our email BonsaiTimePodcast@gmail.com. Submit questions or pictures for future Bonsai Brainstorm episodes to our email, social media DMs, or here [https://www.bonsaitimepodcast.com/p/contact.html]. Music by MIDICANCER. Find more music by them on SoundCloud [https://soundcloud.com/midicancer] and BandCamp [https://midicancer.bandcamp.com/]. Host info: Ryan [https://www.instagram.com/InVivoBonsai/] is a former bonsai apprentice of Elandan Gardens and current operator of In Vivo Bonsai nursery and educational operation in Columbus, OH. Kevin [https://www.instagram.com/kevin_farisbonsai/]is a bonsai student and local leader of many years now moving to Maryland. Kelly [https://www.instagram.com/BonsaiWithKelly/] is a newer bonsai artist volunteering and studying especially in the Los Angeles area. More Bonsai Projects by Ryan: Read more about bonsai on his blog and learn more about his educational services here [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.InVivoBonsai.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]. Find Ryan's online-available bonsai products, seeds, tools, etc. here [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.invivobonsai.etsy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]. Each seed kit sold comes with my full 10-year bonsai-from-seed guide. Find Ryan on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/InVivoBonsai/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/InVivoBonsai/], YouTube [https://www.YouTube.com/@invivobonsai], and TikTok [https://www.TikTok.com/InVivoBonsai]as well if you need more bonsai in your feed. Also, check out some of my video editing work for the Puget Sound Bonsai Association [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtYWnc5qvsHk1UPjcPhalIQ] and Columbus Bonsai Society [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMUxTwUO5Ja2zXIRetMqjPQ]'s demonstration archives.