The Joiner's Bench
“Welcome to The Joiner’s Bench — stories, skills, and conversations from the heart of the woodshop. I’m Steven, founder of The Joinery, and every other week I’ll be here sharing reflections, lessons, and stories from inside the shop. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been working with your hands for years — this is your bench too.”
S1E4 - From Button Pusher to Craftsperson
Host: Steven Ricks
Release Date: August 25, 2025
Length: ~38 minutes
Listen in as Steven explores the difference between simply operating a tool and truly mastering it. From the “ballet” of the miter saw to the pitfalls of relying on YouTube, this episode unpacks why real growth happens when you understand not just what to do, but why you’re doing it.
🪚 What You’ll Learn:
Why familiarity isn’t the same as mastery.The hidden dangers of “I’ve been doing it this way for years.”The ba...S1E3 - “Wood Moves… and So Do We”
Host: Steven Ricks
Release Date: August 5, 2025
Length: ~33 minutes
Listen in as Steven explores the ever-shifting world of wood movement—what causes it, how to plan for it, and how it’s more than just a technical detail. From humid summers in Wisconsin to blown-apart breadboard joints in Texas, this episode blends woodworking wisdom with a bit of lived humility.
🪚 What You’ll Learn:
Why wood moves (hint: it’s not just a tree being difficult).Practical t...S1E2 -The Tool That Change Everything
🪑 Episode 2: The Tool That Changed Everything
Host: Steven
Length: ~23 minutes
🔧 In This Episode
In Episode 2, Steven dives into the transformative power of tools—not just how they cut wood, but how they shape confidence, skill, and craft identity. From the humble card scraper to the mighty power mortiser, this episode is a deep-dive into the tools that make woodworking click.
You’ll hear:
A shop story featuring a member’s “mandolin-style” card scraper momentWhy Steven finally embraced the power mortiser (and which one now lives at The Joinery)T...S1E1 Measure Once - Just Get Started
Welcome to the very first episode of the Joiners Bench podcast, where Steven, the founder of the Joinery, shares reflections, lessons, and stories from inside the workshop. This episode addresses the fear of starting a new woodworking project and offers advice on breaking the ice. Listen in as he discusses how to overcome hesitation, choose beginning projects, and gradually build skill and confidence. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced woodworker, there's something here for everyone. Don't forget to send in your questions for future episodes!
