Arbor Vitae: Recent Episodes

Jonathan Conrad & Adam Taylor

Our mission is to explore how different virtues influence the way we live and work in the shop, how virtues contribute to the fruitfulness of our labor, and highlight those who are making significant contributions to this great woodworking community.

View Details

In our tenth episode we talk about value of mentors in our development as woodworkers. Mentoring is an intentional relationship focused around personal and professional skills development of an individual. […]

View Details

This week we interview our featured craftsman from episode 9, Craig Thibodeau (Instagram, Website). Craig is a phenomenally talented fine furniture maker who specializes in inlays, marquetry, and parquetry. He […]

View Details

In our ninth episode we talk about a few of the patron saints of woodworking: Patron Saint: heavenly advocate of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family or person. Catholics […]

View Details

This week we interview our Featured Craftsman from Episode 8, Mary May (Website, Carving School, Instagram, YouTube). Mary has been wood carving for 25 years, and her experience shows in the […]

View Details

In our eighth episode we had the pleasure of speaking with Daniel Taylor (Instagram) about the virtue of patience in the shop. Patience is the virtue of staying calm in the […]

View Details

This week, Adam interviews our Featured Craftsman from Episode 7, Corey Morgan of Corey Morgan Woodworks (Website, Instagram, Facebook).

View Details

In our seventh episode we explore the virtue of faith and the parallels to our journey as woodworkers. Faith is the theological virtue by which we believe in God and believe all that […]

View Details

In place of our normal episode this week, we’re releasing an interview that Jonathan did a while back with Guy Dunlap of Guy’s Woodshop (Instagram, YouTube). We’ll be back to […]

View Details

This week, Adam interviews our Featured Craftsman, Joseph Tyler of Furnished By Frassati (Instagram, Etsy).

View Details

In our sixth episode we explore the virtue of charity and how we share our time, talent, and treasure with our family. Charity is the theological virtue by which we love God […]

View Details

It gives us great pleasure to introduce our Episode 5 Featured Craftsman: none other than The American Craftsman Todd Clippinger!!! This was without a doubt the most fun we’ve had […]

View Details

In our fifth episode we explore the virtue of hope and the role social media can play in spreading hope throughout this great community. This may be our best episode […]

View Details

Adam and I had the honor of talking with Tyler from @DIYTylerG 2 weeks ago on the topic of scarcity and temperance. As a woodworking content creator on YouTube and family […]

View Details

Summary In our fourth episode we explore the virtue of temperance and how it relates to scarcity of tools, materials, and space in woodworking. Temperance is the moral virtue that […]

View Details

Adam had the distinct pleasure of speaking with Fr. Thomas Bailey from @monkwerks last week on the topic of practice and fortitude. Father Thomas is a Benedictine monk on assignment at […]

View Details

Summary In our third episode we explore the virtue of fortitude and how it relates to practice, persistence, and courage in overcoming fear of failure. Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures […]

View Details

This bonus episode contains extra discussion from Episode 2: Profit and Justice. We discuss when not to purchase a tool and what to do for people who can’t afford necessities.

View Details

Today we interview our first ever Featured Craftsman, sawyer Mike Woods (@theforesterswoodco). I (Jonathan) had the pleasure of meeting Mike 6 months ago when I was in search of lumber […]

View Details

In our second episode we explore the virtue of justice and how it relates to the profitable nature of woodworking. Whether that be financial profit or the simple reward of bringing joy to family and friends, we have both come to realize the importance of quality craftsmanship.

View Details

In our first episode, we talk about what purpose woodworking serves in our lives, and why it's important to know that purpose if our woodworking is going to be fruitful. We also discuss prudence and how it applies to woodworking, especially when deciding how much of it to do for our states of life.