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Artwork for On The Paper Trail...

On The Paper Trail...

Joe and Lisa
Mental Health
Journaling
Notebooks
Pens
Ink
Paper
Nashville, United States
Fountain Pens
California Pen Show
Washington, DC
Nib Grinds
Nib Tuning
Inks
Kyoto, Japan
Japan
TWSBI
San Francisco
Pen and Stationery
Stationery Shows
Collecting

Join Joe Crace and Lisa Vanness each episode as they dive into the world of pens, inks, paper, and everything that makes analog a more thoughtful, meaningful experience. Between Joe’s decade-plus of experience running The Gentleman Stationer, and Lisa’s history navigating the retail pen and ink industry “behind the counter” at Vanness Pens, the series blends personal reflection with practical insi... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes17Founded9 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HobbiesLeisure

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Artwork for On The Paper Trail...

Latest Episodes

Episode 17 continues our discussion on Journaling for Mental Health! September is National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness month, so for these two most recent episodes we have been discussing a topic important to both of us: journaling... more

September is National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness Month, so for Episode 16 we decided to talk about a topic that's close to both of us: Journaling for mental health and techniques we both find helpful for self care. Part I discusse... more

Join Joe and Lisa as they co-host "The Art of Creation," a panel discussion at the 2026 San Francisco Pen Show featuring a discussion with three independent makers in the stationery industry. We had the opportunity to ask our guests about their creat... more

Do you ever feel that some fountain pen and ink combinations work especially well together? Have you found that switching inks can make a pen write better? Today we talk about how to pair fountain pens and inks to optimize your writing experience. We... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Stationery Freaks
Stationery FreaksRob Lambert & Helen Lisowski

Recent Guests

Matthew Chen
Nib grinder associated with Pilot Pens; guest on episode
Pilot Pens
Episode: Episode 2: Snowed In with Matthew Chen

Hosts

Lisa Vanness
Host of On The Paper Trail, associated with Vanness Pens Shop; appears frequently as a co-host and show operator.
Joe Crace
Co-host and show host, involved in The Gentleman Stationer; frequently co-hosts and contributes retail perspective.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 23 ratings
  • NOT a podcast

    This is a really nice audio feed of a YouTube show. The audio only people who want to enjoy this content will find this “podcast” a disappointment. I hope that the very nice hosts will continue to think about how they can make their experience accessible to people who will never… ever…watch this as a video. I’ve seen other shows managed this by having one of the host responsible for making sure that the other host gives verbal feedback by explaining what they are seeing instead of just letting t... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Julie from Kansas
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the practical, hands-on focus and the sense of community around events and maker stories.
Fans value candid retailer and maker insights, with a strong emphasis on journaling and handwriting culture.
Some feedback notes audio-only formats can miss visual details discussed on screen and during demos.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#115
United States/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#101
Canada/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#31
Australia/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#230
Australia/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#67
India/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#72
Indonesia/Leisure/Hobbies

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 16: Journaling for Mental Health (Part I)
Q: What kind of nib performance can you test by dipping a pen before you ink it, and what can't you learn from dipping?
Dipping lets you test nib size, smoothness, and basic alignment, but it doesn't reveal ink flow or how the feed will keep up in normal writing, so you should ink the pen to assess performance fully.
Episode 10: We're Back from a Stationery Trip To Japan!
Q: What is your default nib-size recommendation when between sizes, and why?
There are too many variables ( nib, model, ink, paper, handwriting style, pressure ) to give a universal answer; the best approach is to try the pen in person at a store or show, and when buying online, lean toward broader nibs since they can be ground down but cannot be widened easily.
Episode 9: Fountain Pen Nib Sizes, Explained
Q: What combination of nib, ink, and paper would you recommend for a notebook like Moleskine when using a broad nib?
Ink tends to feather or bleed on some notebooks with broad nibs; for Moleskine, use a very fine nib and a drier ink (like Lamy Blue Black or iron gall) to minimize feathering and bleeding, and prefer notebooks with smoother, coated paper if you want nicer sheen and shading.
Episode 7: Underappreciated Stationery Gems
Q: What are the package issues and shipping delays affecting customers and how is the store handling them?
The hosts explain that delays come from USPS scans, customs, and overall carrier slowdowns; they insure shipments and will refund or replace lost packages after the required holding periods; they also outline steps customers should follow if delivery isn't received or is damaged, and stress that they cannot control carrier timelines but will manage claims once the criteria are met.
Episode 3: We Tour Pilot Pens USA!
Q: There are now 25 hours in a day with an extra hour to spend on pens—how would you use it?
They describe using the extra hour for creative writing prompts, journaling, and structured practice to improve handwriting and design, including rewriting quotes and exploring the impact of spacing and layout on readers and writers.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About On The Paper Trail...

What is On The Paper Trail... about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on pens, inks, and paper, with hosts sharing practical buying tips, product know-how, and behind-the-counter experiences from the stationery world. Episodes cover journaling practices, ink behavior, paper selection, live events, and the broader craft culture around writing instruments, often highlighting community, collaboration, and hands-on demonstrations. The tone blends personal storytelling with actionable guidance for enthusiasts, retailers, and makers, and it often weaves in event news and product workflows that affect both collectors and small shops. A notable through-line is the emphasis on hands-on exploration, education, and the social side of a love for analog tools, making it valuable for listeners who want tho... more

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Which podcasts are similar to On The Paper Trail...?

These podcasts share a similar audience with On The Paper Trail...:

1. The Pen Addict
2. The DWRDNET Stationery Feed
3. Fountain Pen and Stationery
4. The Stationery Cafe
5. Stationery Freaks

How many episodes of On The Paper Trail... are there?

On The Paper Trail... launched 9 months ago and published 17 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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Recent guests on On The Paper Trail... include:

1. Matthew Chen

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