Making It · 7 Oct 2022 · 1h 20m
Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss how making serves as a form of therapy and a replacement for destructive habits. Diresta details his preparation for Maker Camp, including managing his home and a new pizza oven, while also showcasing a screen-accurate severed hand prop for a Star Wars lightsaber display. Clagett shares his personal history with alcoholism and how the workshop became his 'therapy,' while Picciuto reflects on the energizing experience of attending VidSummit and the importance of continuous learning.
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Hosts Chris White and Elecia White discuss recent projects and gift ideas, including Elecia's work on the Fitbit Surge and Chris's 'Wordy' wearable ring. They also cover Chris's custom hardware controller for the game Kerbal Space Program, the Chiptronics educational kit, and the broader maker movement, addressing misconceptions about its impact on professional engineering.
Bridgid Gruber of Dinkle's Woodshop joins hosts Ben and Amanda to discuss what she would tell her younger self after starting woodworking eight years ago. Gruber, a former engineer turned video editor, shares advice on avoiding niche jigs like router dovetail jigs, understanding power tool physics, and the value of taking classes or joining maker spaces. The conversation highlights her work editing workshops for Fine Woodworking and Lost Art Press, emphasizing that making woodworking accessible and overcoming the fear of mistakes are key to growth.
Robby Simon, a Black woodworker and designer from Atlanta, Georgia, shares his journey from a corporate career at Mailchimp to becoming a professional furniture maker. He discusses his apprenticeship with mentor Rebel Awaka, the influence of his WWII veteran grandfather, and how he integrates his cultural background into a unique design language. Simon explains his philosophy that woodworking is 'magic' rather than science, emphasizing accessibility and the importance of maker spaces for underrepresented communities.
Zack Freedman, the creator behind the YouTube channel Voidstar Labs, discusses his transition from freelance prototyping engineer to full-time content creator. He details his methodology for finishing prototypes by breaking projects into sub-assemblies to ensure progress is visible at every stage, and explains his strategic approach to YouTube content, including the use of a wearable teleprompter to maintain high pacing and persona. Freedman also shares insights on the challenges of the maker economy, the importance of testing unknowns early in the design process, and his philosophy on building technology that serves a clear purpose rather than just showcasing technical novelty.
Hosts Elecia White and Chris White discuss personal projects and burnout, with Chris detailing his experience using CircuitPython and the MIKROE 8800 board to run Conway's Game of Life, and Elecia sharing her paper engineering class. They explore the psychology of creativity, the desire for obscurity versus recognition, and the operational strain of maintaining a weekly podcast schedule, announcing a potential reduction in frequency.
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