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Shop Talk Live - Fine Woodworking

FineWoodworking.com
Woodworking
Furniture Making
Woodworking Techniques
Veneering
Fine Woodworking
Woodworking Tools
Woodworking In America
Hand Tools
Finishing Techniques
Fine Furniture
Fine Woodworking New England
Joinery Techniques
Cabinet Making
Community Engagement
Production Woodworking
Upholstery
Woodworking Education
Dovetail Joints
Teaching
Box Making

Fine Woodworking magazine editors and contributors answer your questions and share woodworking tips and techniques.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes403Founded15 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HobbiesLeisure

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Shop Talk Live

Latest Episodes

This week, Fine Woodworking staffers Mike, Owen, and Bridgid interpret wood science for practical use in the shop. We know that drilling a hole through a tenon makes it weaker. The science doesn't lie, but is that reason enough to abandon pinned join... more

Seri Robinson, a professor of wood science at Oregon State University, and Dan Bollock, the woodshop operations manager for Purdue Univeristy, sit down in person with Vic and Owen to bust myths about wooden cutting boards, pinned joinery, and appropr... more

In this episode, Vic sits down with Fine Woodworking staffers Owen and Bridgid to talk about shop tunes, handplane weight, and ways to systematically shape wood.

View the show notes here - www.shoptalklive.com

Sign up for Woodworking in A... more

Crossover episode! This week Bridgid sat down with Popular Woodworking's Logan Wittmer and SawStop CEO Matt Howard to chat about the big bandsaw news revealed at IWF 2026.

View the show notes here - www.shoptalklive.com

Sign up for Woodw... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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ShopNotes Podcast
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Shop Sounds PodcastKeith Johnson

Recent Guests

Seri Robinson
Professor of wood science and engineering at Oregon State University
Oregon State University
Episode: STL377: Woodworking Myth Busters!
Dan Bollock
Operations manager for Purdue University's Woodworking Lab
Purdue University
Episode: STL377: Woodworking Myth Busters!
Owen Madden
Guest from Fine Woodworking magazine
Fine Woodworking
Episode: STL376: How Hefty is Your Handplane?
Matt Howard
CEO of SawStop
SawStop
Episode: STL: The SawStop Bandsaw with CEO Matt Howard
Vasko Sotirov
Designer/woodworker featured in the magazine
Orgiano, Lombardy, Italy
Episode: STL374: The Space Between the Dots
David Bedrosian
Amazing woodworker and problem solver extraordinaire
Independent woodworker
Episode: STL372: David Bedrosian Is a Clever Dude
Jamie Gilgen
Guest, YouTube woodworker and channel creator
Self-directed
Episode: STL370: Jamie Figures Things Out
Bridgid Gruber
Associate Digital Editor at Fine Woodworking; participant in the episode
Fine Woodworking
Episode: STL369: Calling All Choppers!
Bill Pavlak
Head cabinet maker at the Hay Shop in Colonial Williamsburg; craftsman and instructor
Colonial Williamsburg
Episode: STL369: Calling All Choppers!

Hosts

Vic Teslin
Fine Woodworking editor and woodworking author
Bridgid Gruber
Associate digital editor at Fine Woodworking
Ben Strano

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.7k ratings
  • Very inspiring

    Great show all around.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hereigoagainonmyown
    United States6 months ago
  • Could be great

    The guest related content of this podcast can be great. The host often brings the conversation back to himself and is dismissive of his female cohosts. Meh.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    NickAlreadyIsANickname
    United States7 months ago
  • Good stuff

    There’s nothing better than driving around aimlessly learning about tapered sliding dovetails, drying walnut, or how to identify how sharp a blade really is. Real woodworking practitioners generously sharing their magic ways with wood. Thanks y’all!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Grumpy American
    United States8 months ago
  • Worth it

    The only podcast I listen to at 1.0 speed

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hmmmlong
    United States10 months ago
  • Love love love this.

    I’ve been listening now for a couple dozen episodes and I’m nothing but inspired by these episodes. Keep up the good work fellow sawdust herders!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Considerate Hammerhead
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners often praise the practical advice, detailed craft knowledge, and willingness of experienced makers to share how they work.
Some listeners find the conversation too chat-heavy or feel that a host takes too much airtime from guests and co-hosts.
Opinions are divided about changes in the format and balance between technical craft instruction and tool-focused discussion.
The relaxed humor and host chemistry make the discussions enjoyable for shop time, commutes, and road trips.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#21
United States/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#177
United States/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#16
Canada/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#99
United Kingdom/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#139
Canada/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#64
Australia/Leisure/Hobbies

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

STL378: The Tweezer Man Cometh
Q: I'd like to hear your guys' opinion on drawers and wooden drawer slide construction. Which details matter most, and how do you troubleshoot when a drawer isn't behaving?
Test the drawer in its case without the runners first, then check whether the case is square and whether the runners are too tight in the drawer grooves or bottoming out. Adjust the fit only after identifying where the binding occurs.
STL377: Woodworking Myth Busters!
Q: So if you want to talk a little bit about strength of mortise and tenons, I'd love.
Bollock describes research finding that pinned and wedged joints were weaker than plain mortise-and-tenon joints, partly because holes act as stress risers. He also recommends a tight fit and applying glue to both mating surfaces.
STL377: Woodworking Myth Busters!
Q: Can you sort of talk to us again about how you don't have to use a finish, you don't have to use soap even, and wood is this, has this natural ability?
Robinson explains that dry wood draws surface moisture inward, carrying contaminants with it, before the moisture evaporates. A finish can interfere with this process, while soap is optional except when fats may block pores. She recommends rinsing the used side and letting the board dry thoroughly.
STL374: The Space Between the Dots
Q: How do you think through design projects when choosing between metric and imperial units?
The guest and host agree that design goals and visual proportions matter more than the unit of measurement; you should design in the system that feels natural and translate measurements as needed, focusing on proportions rather than absolute numbers.
STL371: The Wood Gets a Vote
Q: Are you versed in the cookie concept (n-grain) and how do you handle drying and movement in such pieces?
Adam and others share practical experiences with cookies, discussing drying, movement, and potential cracks, and emphasize the importance of communicating wood movement to clients and planning for possible repairs or adjustments.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Shop Talk Live

What is Shop Talk Live about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Practical woodworking advice and lively shop conversation sit side by side, with editors and experienced makers discussing joinery, tools, wood properties, finishing, safety, design, and the realities of working in a shop. The format moves between listener questions, informal roundtables, and interviews with craftspeople, educators, researchers, designers, and tool-company leaders. Regular voices include Vic Teslin, Bridgid Gruber, and Ben Strano, with the lineup evolving over time.

The distinctive appeal is its mix of specific, usable techniques and open discussion about craft decisions: why a joint behaves a certain way, when a tool upgrade is worthwhile, or how a maker balances design with practical constraints. The tone is casual and h... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Shop Talk Live?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Shop Talk Live:

1. Wood Talk | Woodworking
2. Woodshop Life Podcast
3. Shannon's Lumber Industry Update
4. ShopNotes Podcast
5. Shop Sounds Podcast

How many episodes of Shop Talk Live are there?

Shop Talk Live launched 15 years ago and published 403 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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What guests have appeared on Shop Talk Live?

Recent guests on Shop Talk Live include:

1. Seri Robinson
2. Dan Bollock
3. Owen Madden
4. Matt Howard
5. Vasko Sotirov
6. David Bedrosian
7. Jamie Gilgen
8. Bridgid Gruber

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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