

Making Problems to Solve
Dave Bauer
Exploring the unique paths of creative weirdos through the connections of curiosity, creativity, and problem solving.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 6, 2023 • 54min
Sophie Glenn - Making Wood Furniture out of Steel
This week my guest is Sophie Glenn from Arcburn Furniture! We discussed her recreations of classic furniture designs from metal and the series Rust Never Sleeps, including textile from steel wool. We also explored her experiences teaching woodworking and metalworking.
Find Sophie on Instagram

Jun 29, 2023 • 1h 15min
Rob Ray and Taylor Hokanson - Curiosity, Creativity and Trying New Things
Taylor Hokanson and Rob Ray hosted the super creative Opposable Thumbs podcast which challenged the hosts and a guest to solve a creative problem every two weeks. They've taken a break from the podcast but they are still out there spreading the good word about being a creative weirdo at Columbia College and Cal State San Benardino. We learn why teaching is like being the captain of a pirate ship.
Check out Taylor on Instagram and https://www.finewiththis.site/
Check out Rob at https://shimmeringtrashpile.com/ and https://kdzu.org/

Jun 22, 2023 • 52min
Justine Silva - Anthropologie to TV
This weeks guest is Justine Silva, a multidisciplinary artist and winner of Making It Season 2! She started her professional art career as an intern working on window displays at Anthropoligie, and explored residential construction as a project coordinator before getting pick to participate in the Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman show Making It on NBC. That experience led to her working behind the scenes on a future season of Making it and on Making Fun! for Netflix with some of our favorite YouTube makers.
Find out what Justine is working on now on Instagram and Youtube.

Jun 15, 2023 • 1h 2min
Rebecca DeGroot - Functional Art, Walking Woodwork, and Tattoos
I had a great conversation with woodturning and tattoo artist Rebecca DeGroot. We talked about the definition of functional art, teaching in the classroom and workshops, where Rebecca is going next, furniture as danger, and why everything is better with legs.
Find Rebecca's woodworking on Instagram and also her tattoo art on Instagram.

Jun 8, 2023 • 1h 19min
Lucas De'Angelo - Take Your Time
This week I talked to Lucas De'Angelo, otherwise known as Mann Made in MA and discover the start of his vintage cast iron obsession, and some tips about getting started finding and collecting old machines. We discussed his history with making, and his relatively recent entry into the online maker community.
Check out Lucas on Instagram and YouTube (there's also a TikTok)
Mentions in this episode:
Chris Zep
Dre Fandetti
Total Boat
Austin Handel and Catskill Mountain Maker Camp
Photo Credit: Mark Adams

Jun 1, 2023 • 56min
Morley Kert - International YouTube 3D Printing Problem Solver
This week I catch up with Morley Kert, repeat guest, about the changes in his making in the last 9 months, his experience at Maker's Central, and 3D printing for the public in London!
Check out Morley on Instagram and Youtube.
Mentions in this episode:
Matt Gray
Matt Estlea
K.J. Stjernström
Steve House
Novelty Automation

May 25, 2023 • 57min
Katie Freeman - From Manufacturing Technology to Furniture Design
This week I talked with Katie Freeman, a woodworker who specializes in power carved art pieces. We talked about her making from making with her family, to shop class, to learning woodworking, discovering power carving, and to her latest exploration of furniture design. Of course we talked about her experience finding the maker community, online, and in person at Workbenchcon!
Find Katie on Instagram at @freemanfurnishings and @kf.designs.art as well as on her podcast @craftingarevolution
Mentions in this show:
Brandy Aubé
Tamara Robertson and Tinkering Belles Podcast

May 18, 2023 • 43min
Geoff Feder and Keith Decent - Is the business the art?
I had the great pleasure of hanging out with two of the best makers and podcasters out there, Geoff Feder and Keith Decent. We started talking about art but of course the conversation took off and we ended up talking about products, teaching, sharing, and problem-solving from sculpture to business.
Check out Geoff at Feder Knives on Instagram and the web shop, the Full Blast Podcast, and the Knife Talk Podcast.
Check out Keith on Instagram, his web store, and From the Ground Up Podcast.

May 11, 2023 • 1h 9min
Bandsaw Cowboys: Beckner/Diresta
This week I talked to Shawn Beckner and Jimmy Diresta about their bandsaw history. Along the way we covered paint robots, video editing, and race cars.
Follow Shawn on Instagram @shawnvbeckner and of course @jimmydiresta everywhere.
Mentions in this episode:
Laura Adenin
Shane Mooney
Jeremy Specce
Ralf or Rayk, both is right
Keith Drennan
Tony Woodland
Working Hands Podcast
Patrick Reynolds
Dusty Lumber Co
Bernie Solo
Makers Central
Lucas
Dre
Colin Furze
Eric the Car Guy
Lindsay Zuelich
Eric at No Bad Tides

May 4, 2023 • 1h 7min
Chris Faroe - Creative Mapping - Designing a Creative Life and Career
I had the great pleasure of chatting with Chris Faroe about his path through creativity from music to permaculture to spoon carving and his development of the Creative Mapping Project. We talked about anti-mentors, who push you away from the wrong thing, even if they're not quite sure what the right thing might be.
Learn more about what Chris is up to creatively @faeroplane on Instagram and his work @creativemappingproject and learn more about Creative Mapping on his web site https://www.creativemappingproject.com/linkinbio
Photo credit: Chris Bauer
Mentions in this episode
Keith Decent


