Shop Talk Live - Fine Woodworking - Podcast Rankings and reviews

Ben and crew keep it light and are a welcome listen every two weeks. I burned through the back catalogue in less than a year and have learned a lot as I delve into woodworking as a beginner. Highly recommend subscribing to this podcast but also FWW unlimited.

I’ve listened to this podcast for years - through multiple host changes, on trips to buy hardwood for a new project, laughing at corny jokes on flights halfway across the Atlantic Ocean. These are my woodworking nerd buddies when I get some alone time - to think about woodworking, or how woodworking affects other things in my life.

In the business world, the best quality a product can have is if customers would be sad if the product went away. I’d be very, very sad if this podcast went away. Keep up the great work!

Hey all, love this podcast for the practical no bull discussions. I appreciate everyone talking about the craft and how it takes place in all kinds of settings and how much variation there is in execution in the shop. I also really like the sidebar discussions that are wood related and some not. This is at the top of my list of favorite podcasts. Thanks to everyone who shares their expertise openly as well as the creative processes they use or don’t use. If anyone listens from the person who hasn’t touched a tool yet to the master craftsman, I think they would thoroughly enjoy listening. Also a big thumbs up the the group for doing a session on hearing protection. This is great stuff and something we all should be actively doing in our shops. Another area where there seems to be a lack of knowledge is in protecting our lungs. It would be great to have some experts and industry folks represented to have that discussion. MSA serves a large industrial base and they have some very knowledgeable folks who can give you the details of a good breathing protection program for the professionals and hobbyist. 3M is another good one. Thanks for pouring into the wood working community.
PS - I love listening to music while working in the shop. It sounds best while making sawdust.

Jeff Underwood
Seminole, FL

I enjoy the show every week (I listen in the iOS app, usually). The different perspectives and personalities of the hosts create an hour that is full of superb content, but is also encouraging, relaxing, and gently funny. Speaking of funny, I applaud the addition of Vic Tesolin, whose energy and quick brain are a match for his humor (should I say “humour? I mean, he’s Canadian…). This week, however, having just the “old gang” of Ben, Mike P., and Anissa, was near-perfect. Anissa, who is warm, genial, direct-while-self-effacing, might be my favorite, but the contributions of all the hosts work together to make a show that is both a pleasure to listen to, and instructionally serious about woodworking. [edit] I want to add that it is due to this show that I’ve become aware of the many women woodworkers out there who contribute so much to this hobby/profession. I’m aware, because you give them visibility.
[UPDATE 10/04/2024:] I am only through 1/2 of tonight’s episode, but I couldn’t wait to comment on the show. Siri(sp?) is a fantastic guest. Direct, blunt, funny, and IMPORTANT information, which I’m not sure I’d hear anyplace else. This is one episode I might play again, this time on YouTube. Great programming, Ben! Love the podcast, and have adored the magazine for decades. Keep up the good—no, GREAT—work. (Now I gotta Google this guest; she’s great!)