Rephonic
Artwork for For Flux Sake
Ceramics
Glazes
Clay Bodies
Pottery
Glaze Chemistry
Thermal Expansion
Clay
Glazing Techniques
Ceramic Materials Workshop
Cone 6
Vitrification
Electric Kilns
Clay Recycling
Porcelain
Cone 10
Art History
Glazing
Pottery Glazing
Bristol Glazes
Ceramics Materials Workshop

Matt and Rose Katz of the Ceramics Materials Workshop and Kathy King of the Ceramics Program at Harvard University discuss listener questions about clay and glaze. This show will have you laughing and learning about the chemistry behind ceramics in no time.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes125Founded5 years ago
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DesignVisual ArtsArts

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Artwork for For Flux Sake

Latest Episodes

To start today's episode the gang talk about their upcoming live show in Boston. We hope you will join us June 5th at the Harvard Ed Portal, where Kathy, Matt, Rose, and Producer Ben will be ready to answer your burning questions about clay and glaz... more

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Today we have a special Flux U episode where the gang dive deep into glaze application to answer a listener's question about the chemical and physical limitations of glaze layering. What seems like a simple topic turns out to be quite complex. They a... more

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To start today's explosive episode a listener writes in wondering about using ash from Mt. St. Helens in a glaze. The gang also talk about best cleaning practices for keeping pets and children safe in a home studio, and methods for reducing pinholing... more

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We love questions from our educator friends. Today's episode starts with a question from a high school teacher who wondered what the best materials are for starting a glaze lab. The gang also answer a question about cleaning up clay with soap and tak... more

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Recent Guests

Ian Tanner
Owner of Silverton Pottery Company, listener asking about firing fast vs medium
Silverton Pottery Company
Episode: Is it best to use the medium or fast fire setting on my kiln?
Gabriel Kline
Co-author of Amazing Glaze: Food Safe Recipes
Episode: Gabriel Kline and Bill Collins on food safe glazes
Bill Collins
Co-author and PhD Chemistry Professor
Episode: Gabriel Kline and Bill Collins on food safe glazes
Steven Young Lee
Ceramic artist and former director of the Archie Bray Foundation
Brickyard Network
Episode: Fluxed Up with Steven Young Lee
Susan Feagin
Clay manager at the Penland School of Crafts and solo artist
Penland School of Crafts
Episode: Fluxed Up with Susan Feagin
Meredith Host
Ceramic artist specializing in mid-range glazes and functional pieces
Episode: Fluxed Up with Meredith Host
Paul Andrew Wandless
Chicago-based artist, educator, and author
Author of Image Transfer on Clay
Episode: Fluxed Up with Paul Andrew Wandless
Pattie Chalmers
Ceramic artist with a diverse practice
Episode: Fluxed Up with Pattie Chalmers
Osa Atoe
Ceramic artist known for her work with wild clays and innovative glazing techniques
Episode: Fluxed Up with Osa Atoe

Hosts

Kathy King
Host of For Flux Sake, affiliated with Harvard Ceramics Program; brings extensive ceramics education and lab-based insights.
Rose Katz
Co-host; Ceramic Materials Workshop; provides glaze chemistry and studio practice perspectives.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 454 ratings
  • Love the science!

    I love the podcast. Great information and people. I’d even like to hear more from Ben on low firing. Whether or not I like the “rants” about supplies and suppliers depends upon my mood. No one can know it all, but the research is invaluable and much appreciated from the whole team.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Lil4!
    United States2 months ago
  • The best ceramics podcast

    Great info presented in an entertaining and engaging way. I do have to say that while Kathy and Rose are a delight, I sometimes have to take a break from the podcast because Matt rubs me the wrong way — comes across very arrogant and condescending.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pixar4Prez
    United States3 months ago
  • Worth my time!

    This informative podcast has helped me solve a few problems and it’s just great fun! Kathy’s quick wit provides laugh out loud moments.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    nick name throwthedice
    United States9 months ago
  • Not to be missed

    I am an avid listener of this podcast. It’s both informative and entertaining.

    If you work in ceramics, and love to talk shop, this is the place for you.

    Each episode deals with issues that have been sent in by listeners.

    If you want to learn more about ceramics, covering a wide variety of topics with an emphasis on problem solving, the science of ceramics and glazes, and educating listeners about the raw materials that we use, you owe it to yourself to listen this podcast.

    A wide variety o... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DonKopy
    United States10 months ago
  • Fun, engaging and educational

    Love this show, I learn something in every episode. As soon as I hear the jingle I feel happy.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    nitchi0999
    Australia10 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Fans value depth on glaze safety, materials, and problem-solving across studio scales.
Listeners praise rigorous science behind ceramics topics and practical usefulness of testing advice.
Many appreciate host chemistry banter and approachable delivery, with some noting occasional audio issues.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#11
United States/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#244
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#15
Canada/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#188
United Kingdom/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#203
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#16
Australia/Arts/Visual Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Can I add something to a commercial glaze to change its temperature?
Q: Karen asks about white spots on surfaces after using Val Cushing Turquoise glaze and whether the crystals indicate degradation or formation.
They explain the white spots are crystals formed in crystalline glazes, not degradation; the phenomenon depends on glaze chemistry, glaze body, and firing conditions, and understanding the chemistry helps predict when crystals will form.
Can I add something to a commercial glaze to change its temperature?
Q: Lena asks if there is any way to adjust a commercial glaze, either up to fire hotter or down by adding a flux, so that all glazes mature at the same temperature.
The hosts explain there is essentially no reliable chemical way to adjust existing commercial glazes to a single target temperature; you cannot predictably change a glaze's chemistry by adding substances without knowing its exact formulation, and the practical path is to adjust application thickness and choose one firing temperature to test and optimize.
Why do layered glazes look different every time?
Q: I've been listening to the podcast and asked about glaze layering: why do some glaze combinations look completely different depending on which glaze is applied first, while others stay similar?
The answer is that glazes melt and interact more by physical processes than by new chemistry; factors like thickness, firing, particle packing, and the underlying clay body all influence the final look, so testing and understanding each glaze's behavior is essential to predict results.
What materials should I buy to start mixing glazes?
Q: What is your starter list of raw materials for Cone 6 glazes?
The panel recommends Nepheline cyanide, whiting (calcium carbonate), kaolin (McNamee is preferred), 325 mesh flint, and Frit 3134 as the core materials, plus colorants like cobalt carbonate, copper compounds, chrome oxide, red iron oxides, nickel, and manganese for color testing.
Is it best to use the medium or fast fire setting on my kiln?
Q: Can Ian compensate for temperature and still do a fast fire, and is customizing the fast firing program possible?
Yes, but you must write a custom firing program with specific heating rates and peak temperature so you reach the desired cone target; the built-in fast firing program is often underpowered and unreliable, so hand-tune the profile.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About For Flux Sake

What is For Flux Sake about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A technically focused show centered on ceramics chemistry, glazes, firing, and studio practice, driven by in-depth Q&A and practical testing guidance. Listeners routinely get actionable tips on glaze formulation, material sourcing, kiln control, and troubleshooting, balanced with accessible banter and host expertise. Noteworthy threads include debunking myths in materials science, testing-driven approaches to reliability, and how supply-chain issues shape what makers can buy. The format consistently blends science with hands-on studio know-how, making complex topics approachable for both hobbyists and professionals seeking problem-solving guidance and up-to-date material insights.

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How many listeners does For Flux Sake get?

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Which podcasts are similar to For Flux Sake?

These podcasts share a similar audience with For Flux Sake:

1. Tales of a Red Clay Rambler: A pottery and ceramic art podcast
2. The Maker's Playbook
3. The Potters Cast
4. The Mud Peddlers: Ceramic Art Behind the Scenes
5. Wheel Talk

How many episodes of For Flux Sake are there?

For Flux Sake launched 5 years ago and published 125 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on For Flux Sake?

Recent guests on For Flux Sake include:

1. Ian Tanner
2. Gabriel Kline
3. Bill Collins
4. Steven Young Lee
5. Susan Feagin
6. Meredith Host
7. Paul Andrew Wandless
8. Pattie Chalmers

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