Create and Connect Podcast

The conversation with Odell Daniels covers his journey in woodturning, metalwork, and the incorporation of leather and metal into his craft. It also delves into his favorite pieces and the stories behind them, as well as the importance of sharing creativity and craftsmanship within the community. The theme of community and collaboration is prevalent throughout the conversation, highlighting the supportive and collaborative nature of the maker community. The conversation highlights the importance of community collaboration and continuous learning within the maker community. It explores the value of sharing skills, knowledge, and resources, as well as the joy of learning and teaching within a supportive community.Follow Odell on Instagram @odell_danielsThank you for listen! Keep Creating! Keep Connecting!

Odell Daniels is the next guest on Episode 11. He is a woodturner and teaching woodturning but also learning from anyone willing to share.

Jessi Lloyd shares her experience of connecting with people through their personal stories of loss and vulnerability, and how she translates these emotions into pieces of art. She also discusses the significance of hats as personal pieces that symbolize emotional attachment and physical representation.This is the first video version of Create & Connect. I am sporting the hat that Jessi helped me create at Maker Camp 2025. The only thing greater then her patience is her heart. Thanks you, Jessi for pouring your heart into every piece you create and joining me on the podcast.Discover Jessi's work :WWW.GREYCOLLECTIVEHATS.COMInstagram & Facebook@greycollectivehats

You heard it here first! Who is going to Sparks & Sawdust?1WWW.PAPACHAD.COMCheck it out! March 20-22

From podcast discussion to reality, Ethan shared his dream project and its come true.

Today’s guest is someone I’ve admired for a long time, not just for what he builds, but for how he thinks about creativity and learning. Jimmy DiResta has this rare ability to make creativity feel accessible. His philosophy is simple, but powerful: you learn by doing. You don’t wait until you’re ready — you start, you make mistakes, you figure it out, and the process teaches you.For Jimmy, the shop isn’t just a place to build things — it’s a classroom. Whether he’s working on a project in his shop or bringing kids’ ideas to life on Making Fun, he’s constantly showing that creativity isn’t about perfection. It’s about curiosity, problem-solving, and having the confidence to try.What really resonates with me is how Jimmy uses making as a way to educate and connect people. He reminds us that when we work with our hands, we don’t just build objects — we build skills, confidence, and community.Check out Jimmy on all Social Media platforms@jimmydirestaBuy some merch at IMAKENY.COM

Kicking off 2026 with The Godfather of Making, Jimmy DiResta. Jimmy dives into why there is room for everyone in the Maker Community, explains why its impportant to be a "Good Hang" and then we slide down some personal rabbit holes. Set a reminder to tune in : January 7, 2026.

Emmett from @DeadriseWoodcraft is my latest guest.

In this episode of the Create and Connect podcast, host Tom speaks with Emmett Newsome of Deadrise Woodcrafts about his journey in woodturning, the importance of community in the maker space, and his experiences volunteering at Maker Camp. Emmett shares insights into his creative process, the joy of giving handmade gifts, and the connections he has made through his craft. The conversation also touches on the impact of charitable projects and the spirit of generosity within the maker community.takeawaysEmmett's woodcrafting journey began with his father's workshop.He enjoys giving handmade gifts to friends and family.The maker community is supportive and collaborative.Volunteering at Maker Camp has been a rewarding experience for Emmett.He values the connections made through shared creative endeavors.Emmett's videos reflect his passion for storytelling in woodworking.He has a strong desire to give back to the community through his craft.The importance of creativity in relieving stress is emphasized.Emmett's Chip character adds a fun element to his creative process.He is involved in various charitable projects to help those in need.

Jamie Seel of Seel Made Leather Goods discusses her journey as a solitary maker who found the confidence to connect with other leatherworkers and embrace the maker community. She highlights the transformative experience of stepping out of one's comfort zone and engaging with like-minded individuals.TakeawaysEmbracing the maker communityThe rewarding experience of connecting with other makersFind Jamie online SEELMADE.COMInstagram and Tik Tok @seelmadeSign Up for her Winter Intensive March 20-22 2026At The Catskills Mountail Maker Camphttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/bag-making-intensive-with-jamie-seel-tickets-1963584136009?aff=oddtdtcreator

I’d like to thank Ethan for spending this time taking with me about his Leather Crafting journey from an Amazon Kit to instructing hundreds of students through the Maker Camp Weekends, winter intensives, Weaver intensive and the internet. If you want to see Ethan’s latest projects, check out his YouTube Channel : Ethan Carter Designs and his reels on Instagram @Ethan Carter Designs.His website is EthanCarterDesigns.comShout out to the other amazing makers who were in The Weaver Leather Supply Tent at Maker Camp:Presenters : Jamie Seel @seelmade Pete Guester @gusterleather Dennis Forrester @21GramsLeathergoodsBehind The Scenes Heroes: Emmet @deadrisewoodcrafts Keith Woeltje @kfwoeltjeIt’s always a pleasure spending time with Ethan and talking about our favorite things like connecting through our creations. Thank you Ethan! And thank YOU the listener for tuning in to another episode of Create and Connect. It was my pleasure to bring you this episode and remember:Keep Creating!Keep Connecting!

Today I talk with @alabama_papa_chad. His 6 foot plus bullet-proof stature seems to be softened with experience and wisdom. His welcoming attitude draws new friends in and he is a staple in the Maker Community. We hit record in the middle of our conversation so jump in and listen as our favorite Making Papa shares some life lessons. Thanks for tuning into Create & Connect!

Leigh Northrup talks about the impact of JessI Combs in the Maker Community during Episode 4 of Create and Connect Podcast. Check it out!

In this episode of Create and Connect, Tom sits down with Leigh Northrup, better known to many in the maker world as The Tinker Teacher on Instagram. Leigh is a lifelong educator, woodworker, and cohost of Storyteller Tavern, where he brings people together through laughter, history, and creativity.Leigh shares how his journey began in his grandfather’s woodshop, where he learned the importance of patience, curiosity, and craft. Those lessons stuck with him—and today, he passes them on to his middle school students, encouraging the next generation of makers to think critically, build boldly, and never stop tinkering.From the smell of fresh-cut wood to the spark of an idea in a classroom, Leigh’s story is about connection across generations—how the act of making binds us together through shared experience, storytelling, and a love of learning.

Pat Reynolds is a staple of the Maker Camp scene and a mainstay in East Durham, New York. He’s a guy who greets you with a smile, remembers your name, and is as comfortable wiring an airport as he is talking shop around a campfire.For over 40 years, Pat worked as a master electrician in New York City, installing power, lighting, and infrastructure in everything from museums and airports to high-rise buildings and industrial plants. Now, in retirement, he’s channeling all of that experience into a new kind of project: teaching. Online and in person, Pat is committed to helping the maker community learn what he knows—sharing his knowledge in ways that are simple, approachable, and empowering.But beyond all that? Pat is a connector. He’s a mentor, a dad, a husband, and a guy who lights up every room he walks into—literally and figuratively!Today we’ll talk about his journey, his teaching philosophy, and how he’s building bridges between trades and makers of every kind.

My guest today is Kurt Blum, the sole proprietor of Three Goose Shoppe based in Rhode Island. Kurt has a unique view of the world—and of his work. He often says he specializes in learning how to correct mistakes, and honestly, that’s part of what makes his craft so honest and so human.Kurt has lived many lives—first in the Pacific Northwest, then in Los Angeles, and now in the Northeast. Along the way, he’s carved out a life that’s as rooted in family as it is in making. When he’s not working on a commissioned piece or fixing up his home and garden, he’s fully present as a husband, father, and son.

Welcome to the very first episode of Create and Connect, the podcast that brings you into the world of makers—woodworkers, metal fabricators, leather craftsmen, and artists of all kinds—people who don’t just make things, they make meaning.I’m your host, Tom Breslin, the face behind The Phoenix Woodshop. I create custom CNC-machined flags to honor the service of firefighters, police officers, and military service members. Each flag is a one-of-a-kind tribute, made to connect with the individual receiving it. I consider it a privilege to tell their stories through wood and craftsmanship.This show is about stories like that—about creators who use their hands and hearts to build something bigger than themselves.Today, I couldn’t be more excited to kick off the show with a powerhouse in the leather working world—Dennis Forrester of 21 Grams, all the way from California.Dennis is a former tattoo artist who found new life in leather, blending his eye for bold design with a passion for craft. He’s the creator of the Leather Tattooing Machine, distributed exclusively by Weaver Leather Supply, and his work brings the soul of traditional tattooing to the timeless medium of leather.But there’s more to Dennis than tools and talent—his story is one of personal growth, transformation, and connection.