Explore every episode of the podcast Passion for Craft Podcast

Come check out this historic preservation project in Hanover, MA. Michael Burrey is rebuilding a historic timber-framed home and combining it with a new build in a Carpenter Gothic style. This project blends new construction techniques with historic preservation to create a one-of-a-kind home that will be on the market later this year.

Come and meet Rich Friberg. Rich was the second year Preservation Carpentry instructor who took over after Robert Adam. He is a master turner and owns Pleasant Avenue Restorations. He has an incredible crown post timber framed shop and was kind enough to share it with us.

Join Brent, Richard, and Jackson for another deep dive into the craftsman style! Gustav Stickley really pioneered this style in the early 1900's and it has become a staple of classic american residential architecture.

PFC is back, and we are excited to share some fun episodes with you this summer. Tune in to hear about Jackson's passion for bees, Brent's for moldings, and Richard sharing everything that has been keeping him busy (as a bee). Plus, when you join us on Patreon, you'll get to hear Brent share about working on Barbra Streisand's home.

Join us in meeting 'British Brent'! Vincent Reed has a passion for restoring historic woodwork. He has worked on so many incredible projects in the UK, and continues to elevate craft in our world. To see more from Vincent, you can visit the links below: Website: https://www.vincentreed.com/ YouTube: ‪@vincentreedconservation‬ & ‪@HeritageBuildingsAssociation‬

Uhhh... We tried something new here, this is a totally different type of episode. Let us know what you think of this less structured normal conversation. Back to craft next week, we just tried to have some fun!

Inspired by a recent guest instructor at NBSS, Jackson wanted to talk about paints and finishes. Richard has a great perspective because of his extensive paint experience. Brent points out that because of UV, there is a big difference in finishes in Texas vs Massachusetts.

When is it time to move from working your small business, to running it. The craftsmen talk about when it is time to put down the toolbelt, if that is necessary for everyone, and how to practically make the switch between the two roles.

This episode starts out as a deep dive into stairs and mantles, then turns into a fun bit of chaos. Join in to learn why the orders define proportions of a room without dictating the style of the room.

Join the craftsmen as they talk to Dave Rogers from Windsor One. From philosophy, to wood growth, to marketing, they cover all aspects of Windsor in a really fun and engaging conversation.

During home build or remodel, there are 6 hidden designers who play a role in changing your desired plans for the house, often without your consent. As a homeowner or homebuilder, it is your job to be aware of these and to know how to push back to keep the integrity of your original design.

Join us for a long awaited deep dive into kit houses! This is a lost art of building that should still be in use today. As the original entry level home, it is a tragedy that we no longer build houses like this!

Is Frank Lloyd Wright the only good modern architect? Does Falling Water hold water? While modernism is a rejection of the classical orders, it still has merit... right? Maybe we need some help from Brent on this one. The guys talk about the Modern Style of home building and where it has a place in great craft.

The guys look ahead and discuss what is to come for the year.

The craftsmen spent the weekend soaking in the amazing historic architecture of Boston and Salem, and now they are debriefing it all. In this episode, the guys discuss what stood out, what surprised them, and what sparked new ideas.

The craftsmen are joined again by Michael Burrey inside of Kings Chapel. Completed in 1754 as Boston's first granite building, Kings Chapel has a massive timber framed roof and columns carved out of entire trees.

The Craftsmen are back with Brock Leiendecker at the Old North Church. One if by land, two if by sea, and three cheers for a really cool episode!

The guys are joined by Michael Burrey, the second year Preservation Carpentry program at NBSS.

The guys are joined by Ryan Foley, Jackson's classmate, to explore some of the historic properties owned by the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA. Ryan worked on some of the houses for his summer internship with Rich Friberg, a past Preservation Carpentry instructor at NBSS. Thanks to our Sponsor for this episode, Champion.

Explore Salem, MA with Brent, Richard and Jackson as they walk around the McIntire District and Brent nerds out...a lot. Thanks to our Sponsor for this episode, Rockwool.

Listen in on this conversation with Christine Franck, an architect in Denver, CO who introduced Brent into the world of the 5 orders of architecture.

Brent talks about the idea of "what got you here won't get you there". How do you take your business to the next level? Do you create a new branch or do you restructure and reorganize the inside. Find out what path Brent took in this episode.

There are ups and downs to running a business. In this episode, Richard covers his latest struggles and what he has learned from them.

Brent discusses the obstacles his company had to overcome and the hoops they had to jump through to coordinate the construction of a 3 foot corinthian column. The guys talk about why you should never do this... and how they're planning on doing a doric and ionic one too.

The guys were excited to sit down with guest, Patrick Moore. Pat is a classically trained stereotomist who studied in a timber framing compagnon in France. Now he brings this lost art back to North America. Stereotomy is a skill that defined the way we built in the past we hope can be used to improve our craft today.

Season 3 is here! The guys are back together after a busy summer—Jackson shares about his internship, Richard talks about growing his company, and Brent catches us up on hiring new employees. Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper reunion without some fun—Richard and Jackson kick things off with a practical joke on Brent. It’s good to have the trio back for another season of Passion for Craft.

The guys are back...all the guys. It's going to be a great year with some exciting conversations not only across the country, but the globe. As always, thank you for your passion for craft. When you become a patron of the podcast, you get first access to all episodes, bonus content, and more. Check it out at Patreon. patreon.com/passionforcraft

Join the Craftsmen for the last episode of Season 2! We are in Boston talking to Brock Leiendecker who is one of the two instructors for the carpentry program at NBSS.

The guys are back in Boston! Listen in as they connect with David Supple, owner of an architectural design and remodeling company in Boston. They discuss the origin of the AIA, and do some history sleuthing of a home that was owned by one of the Minutemen and modified over the years.

Brent and Jackson cover the topic of architecture. Where did it begin? How does it play into building today? What are some misunderstandings and problems in the industry?

In this episode Jackson and Brent go into detail on the history and background of cladding. This is a part of building that has been "over-engineered" by new products and would be well served by looking to the past. | Thanks to our sponsor for this episode, Rockwool.

For our 100th episode, we had to go back to our roots and bring on Richard. Brent and Jackson hear updates with what has been going on in his world and talk about what’s next. We appreciate your support of the podcast and look forward to what is to come! | Thanks to our sponsors for this episode, Truss.

How do you break into the world of craft? How do you set yourself up for success? In this episode, Brent and Jackson discuss these questions and more all circling around the commonly requested topic: making money in craft. | Thanks to our sponsor for this episode, MBrico.

Brent's long career began at North Bennet Street School and he considers the things he learned there the bedrock upon which he built the rest of his mastery... So what was learned during his time there and what did he have to dive deeper on and learn after?

Jackson tries to build a pediment and needs Brent's help. Brent takes him step by step through the process and they only hit a few bumps along the way. Thanks to our sponsor for this episode, Viewrail. https://www.viewrail.com/

Jackson and Brent address some unanswered questions of Jackson's about the philosophical side of building that he saw in France. They also have a brief catchup about NBSS. Thanks to our sponsor for this episode, Viewrail. https://www.viewrail.com/

Join us as Jackson talks about his trip to France and what his takeaways were as he comes back to the states.

Brent and Jackson totally DESTROY all the bad home trends right now... not really. Join Brent and Jackson as they talk about common design failings that Brent sees commonly in his consulting work with people and their homes.

Brent and Jackson are late to the trend, but they go over what is or should be in and out of building for 2025. We'd love to hear from you: What are your "ins and outs?"

Jackson talks about team building using a tool from giantworldwide.com. This company is so helpful and it has changed how I (Jackson) have led my teams, I would encourage anyone who this even remotely interested to check them out.

This episode, we tried out something new. We are talking about doing a longer form podcast where we discuss a topic more in depth. This was a trial run to see if we had the content to go the distance! Let us know what you think!

Jackson and Brent talk about how school subjects are taught, and how they get substantially more interesting when they have application. History is a huge part of craft because we build upon those who did it before us (pun intended). | Thanks to our sponsor, MBrico.

Brent and Jackson catch up about what Jackson is learning in school, and Jackson outlines the roadmap of what a modern day apprenticeship looks like. | Thanks to our sponsor, Viewrail.

Join us as we get to talk with the creator of The Aggregate podcast and owner of New Age Artisans, Jeremy Mistretta. Plaster is an ancient art that is being lost to todays world, Jeremy seeks to do it right. Thanks to our sponsor, Viewrail.

The gang is back together again, Richard is back and gives us a great life update. Just some good friends catching up, talkin' craft. | Thanks to our sponsor, Viewrail.

Brent was featured in a book called Your Hidden Genius. It features an assessment where you figure out what your aptitudes are. One of the first steps to being a strong business leader is to know yourself so you can play to your strengths not weaknesses. In this episode we got to talk to author Alex Ellison about how the book came about and why Brent was featured. | Thanks to our sponsor, Viewrail.

Banks in the UK have stopped giving out loans to houses with spray foam insulation. Why is it so bad and what are the ramifications for the US? | Thanks to our sponsor, Viewrail.

Listen in on a conversation with Kevin Jarvis, one of Jackson's classmates at North Bennet Street School. Thanks to our sponsors for this episode, Viewrail and Benjamin Obdyke.

The craftsmen sit down with Steven O'Shaughnessy, Jackson's first year instructor at North Bennet Street, and the department head of Preservation Carpentry. Thanks to our sponsors for this episode, Viewrail and Benjamin Obdyke.

Join us as we sit down with Brent's first instructor at North Bennet Street School, Robert Adam. We spoke with Robert inside his restored shaker house addition, and got to hear about how he got into preservation carpentry. | Thanks to our sponsor, Viewrail.