The Mortise & Tenon Podcast

Mortise & Tenon Magazine
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Podcast by Mortise & Tenon Magazine

  1. 81 – Coperthwaite on “Wealth, Riches, Treasure”

    1D AGO

    81 – Coperthwaite on “Wealth, Riches, Treasure”

    In this new episode, the guys work their way through Bill’s chapter on the true meaning of “wealth.” Rather than think of wealth merely in terms of monetary accumulation, Bill suggests we think of real enrichment as sharing things that benefit others, such as teaching skills, telling stories, or sharing a meal. In such times, no one goes without so that others can gain – all are better off for having participated. That is true wealth. Joshua and Mike highlight such topics as keeping your possessions to an amount you can personally manage and care for, building your own home over years, and designing “democratic chairs” anyone could build with a little effort. This is, as you’ve surely come to expect, a lofty and “enriching” discussion. Bill’s book is always worth engaging, and this chapter is no exception.

    51 min
  2. 80 – Coperthwaite on Nonviolence: A Gentle Revolution

    JAN 30

    80 – Coperthwaite on Nonviolence: A Gentle Revolution

    In this episode, Joshua and Mike interact with Bill Coperthwaite’s vision for how handcraft might better reflect a compassionate view of the world. Rather than seeking to dominate or impose our wills on our world, we would do better to “cultivate a reverence for all things” – to work with the nature of our materials, instead of against it. And what if the design could somehow reflect our values? What does the design of our homes “say” about what we value? What chair designs might make woodworking accessible to everyone? How is the notion of “living by ideals” in need of recovery? Listen in on this episode to see what the guys have to say about Bill’s chapter.

    1h 4m
  3. 79 – Coperthwaite on Education/Nurture

    12/04/2025

    79 – Coperthwaite on Education/Nurture

    In this episode, the guys tackle Bill Coperthwaite’s discussions about education – the kind that stifles us, and the kind that is conducive to a fulfilling life of engagement. Bill, as he is won’t to do, seeks to breaks down barriers and facilitate cooperation in his vision for a “handmade life.” Joshua and Mike appreciated so much in his take even if he seems to overreach at times. As a counter, the guys agreed that mentorship is important and that sometimes we don’t have the oomph to follow through on hard things. In times such as those, our souls need a spanking. Cultivating self-discipline is an important part of education. Listen in on Joshua and Mike interacting with Bill’s musings.

    1h 1m
  4. 78 – Coperthwaite on “Work/Bread Labor”

    10/21/2025

    78 – Coperthwaite on “Work/Bread Labor”

    In this episode, the guys discuss Bill Coperthwaite’s chapter on labor: the goodness of it, the exploitation of it, and some of his ideas about how it can be improved. This is an idealistic vision that Joshua and Mike both resonate with and critique. Prepare to have your hackles raised. No matter where you’re coming from, you are sure to be offended by at least a few things in this episode.

    53 min
  5. 77 – Coperthwaite Chapter 2: “Beauty”

    09/17/2025

    77 – Coperthwaite Chapter 2: “Beauty”

    In this episode, Joshua and Mike tackle Bill Coperthwaite’s discussion of beauty. The focus of this chapter is relatively narrow, zeroing in on the intangible aspects of beauty such as the production context: Who made this? Under what circumstances was it made? Etc. Coperthwaite argues that the process of deepening your knowledge of a thing enriches your sense of its beauty (or ugliness, as the case may be). When we fill our lives with things that are truly beautiful instead of only superficially so, the stuff we use on a daily basis becomes that much more meaningful. So meaningful, that we might even find ourselves apologizing to a broken teacup.

    49 min
  6. 76 – Coperthwaite Chapter 1 Part 2

    08/21/2025

    76 – Coperthwaite Chapter 1 Part 2

    In this episode, Joshua and Mike pick up their discussion of Bill Coperthwaite’s first chapter in A Handmade Life. The discussion meanders through questions of the value of expertise, being an apprentice who is preparing to one day be a master, and blending the best of human cultures.

    38 min
  7. 75 – Coperthwaite, Chapter One: “Society by Design / Design by Society”

    08/14/2025

    75 – Coperthwaite, Chapter One: “Society by Design / Design by Society”

    In this episode, Joshua and Mike tackle the first chapter in Bill Coperthwaite’s A Handmade Life: “Society by Design / Design by Society.” This chapter is worked through section by section, explaining and interacting with Bill’s relentless call to deliberately reorient our lives toward the best and most beautiful ends. This “democratic” call is for everyone to participate in self-reflection and purposeful action. The guys made it through the first half of the chapter, which ends with an intriguing critique of electric can openers, of which Bill said he “can’t think of anything more ridiculous.” This is technology criticism in action.

    1h 3m
  8. 74 – A Handmade Life by Bill Coperthwaite

    07/16/2025

    74 – A Handmade Life by Bill Coperthwaite

    In this podcast episode, Joshua and Mike begin a new book discussion series. This time, the guys tackle Bill Coperthwaite’s inspirational work A Handmade Life: In Search of Simplicity. As is evidenced by the way Coperthwaite’s name continually resurfaces at M&T, this book has proven to be deeply foundational in the thought and vision of this publication. Just as they did with their podcast series on David Pye’s The Nature and Art of Workmanship, Joshua and Mike will be working through this book, chapter-by-chapter, summarizing his ideas and offering their own reflections (and occasional pushback) along the way. Bill Coperthwaite was a true visionary, but one who was firmly grounded in living out what he believed. The book is not to be overlooked or easily dismissed. Join the guys as they crack into this rich work.

    48 min
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About

Podcast by Mortise & Tenon Magazine

Information

  • Creator
    Mortise & Tenon Magazine
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    81
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    The Mortise & Tenon Podcast

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