Bonsai Builders Podcast

The Hardcore Hobbyist's Path w/ Joel Jenkins - Ep 45

In this episode, we get back to the roots of the show, getting the hardcore hobbyists perspective on bonsai. Joel Jenkins joins us from Louisiana where he's caught the bonsai bug so hard he is even starting the city's first public bonsai collection! Hear about his journey, how he's developed his styling capabilities from 0, and also his frank take on what it takes to get good at bonsai.

Rare Books, Shohin, and US Bonsai History w/ John Romano - Ep 44

In this Episode, I speak with John Romano, an esteemed teacher and certified Shohin instructor based in the Northeastern US. In this refreshing conversation, we cover a wide array of topics including the history of bonsai in the US, John's time at Taisho-en in the early 2000's, and even a conversation about rare books.

Midnights at Mirai - Workshop Session w/ Brock Arvesen - Ep 43

In this episode, Brock and Addison record a casual catch up conversation while working late at the workshop after a day of class at Bonsai Mirai. It was great to hear how Brock's work has been progressing now that he is full time there and learn more about what occupies his spare time. Spoiler alert, it's more bonsai!

The New Zealand & Bay Area Connection w/ Scott Jania - Ep 42

In this episode, Addison catches up with friend and fellow bonsai practitioner Scott Jania, who joins the show all the way from New Zealand! They discuss Scott's unique career as a body piercer and the surprising ways it relates to working with trees. Scott also shares the fascinating history of the New Zealand bonsai scene, and the two explore the uncanny crossover between the tree species thriving in both New Zealand and the San Francisco Bay Area.

The Bay Area Boom - Ep 41 w/ Adam Toth

There has been a change in the winds at shows in the Bay Area in the last few years and a big part of that has been through the work and tutelage of Adam Toth. His impact on the community and the quality of trees in the area is definitely being felt. In this episode, Adam explains how he developed his skills and how he got the rare experience to apprentice at Taisho-en with Taiga Urushibata.