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.”
Episodes
And Then There Were Two
Everything changes in Episode 9. After eight solo episodes, Steven brings on Alex Baum — a Joinery member and self-described "stay-at-home dad Monday through Friday" — as co-host. They talk about where beginners get stuck, why YouTube only gets you so far, and what it means to build something for someone who actually loves it.
About Alex Army medic and National Guard veteran (17 years, retired), with...
When a sculptural rocking chair project went wrong, I nearly walked away from woodworking for good. What followed was an unexpected act of kindness from the legendary Sam Maloof—and a reminder from my wife that failure isn’t the end of the story. This episode of The Joiner’s Bench is about perseverance, humility, and rediscovering why we make things in the first place.
Episode Summary: The Joiner's Bench - "Sharpen Your Skills"
In this episode of "The Joiner's Bench," host Stephen Ricks delves into the often overlooked yet essential aspect of woodworking: sharpening. Stephen not only highlights how sharpening is crucial for both the performance of woodworking tools and the overall woodworking experience but also attempts to demystify the process by sharing personal in...
In this episode of The Joiner’s Bench, Steven takes a deep dive into one of the most versatile and beginner-friendly machines in the shop: the bandsaw. From safety essentials like why you should never back out of a cut, to understanding feed pressure, blade drift myths, and how to properly set bearings and adjustments, this episode is packed with practical advice for new woodworkers. Along the way, Steven shares personal shop stori...
Episode date: September 10, 2025
Host: Steven Ricks
Length: ~28 minutes
Episode Summary
Measuring might sound basic, but it’s where most beginner mistakes start. In this episode, Steven breaks down a practical, low-stress measuring system for shared shops: prioritize consistency over absolute precision, use the same measuring tools every time, and be consistent in how you mark and how you cut. We also hit Bench Notes (new shop benches,...
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...
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 ...
🪑 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 “m...
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 beginne...
Popular Podcasts
Hey Jonas! The official Jonas Brothers podcast. Hosted by Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas. It’s the Jonas Brothers you know... musicians, actors, and well, yes, brothers. Now, they’re sharing another side of themselves in the playful, intimate, and irreverent way only they can. Spend time with the Jonas Brothers here and stay a little bit longer for deep conversations like never before.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.