Forest to Frame

Russ
  • 4.0 (4)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Forest to Frame is the podcast where forest restoration meets the future of sustainable building. Hosted by Russ Vaagen, this series uncovers how cutting-edge science, collaboration, and next-gen sawmilling are transforming the way we manage our forests—and how we build with wood. Each episode explores how the byproducts of forest restoration—often seen as waste—are fueling a new era of mass timber construction. Think cross-laminated timber, Glulam, and other innovative building materials that are not only strong and beautiful but reduce wildfire risk, support local economies, and redefine sustainability. You'll hear from the builders, land stewards, scientists, and innovators leading this movement—people who are reshaping the future of our forests, our communities, and the spaces we live in. This isn’t just a podcast about trees. It’s about what’s possible when restoration and construction work hand-in-hand. Subscribe now and join the movement—from Forest to Frame.

  1. 11/04/2025

    Big Changes at Vaagen Timbers

    In Episode 21 of Forest To Frame, Russ Vaagen shares some significant updates regarding the future of Bog and Timbers. Facing a challenging market for mass timber and construction, Russ discusses the decision to sell Vaagen Timbers to Vaagen Brothers Lumber.  Tune in for insights on the evolving landscape of the forest industry and the steps being taken to adapt to current market challenges. TIMESTAMPS [00:01:48] Business transition in mass timber. [00:06:11] Restoring forests at scale. [00:09:42] Writing a book. QUOTES "We're going to work to restore our forests at scale and build the infrastructure to support it.""We want to turn the smoke in our air into the buildings of the future.""Even though we didn't succeed, you know, from a financial metric, we are leaving behind a history and a series of structures and stories and great things." SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS Russ Vaagen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russvaagen/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russ.vaagen/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-vaagen-9246729/ WEBSITE Vaagen Timbers, LLC: https://vaagentimbers.com/

    10 min

  2. 10/07/2025

    A New Era for American Forests with Hilary Franz

    In Episode 20 of Forest To Frame, Russ Vaagen interviews Hilary Franz, former Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands and now CEO of American Forests, as she shares her journey from managing millions of acres of public lands to leading one of the nation’s oldest conservation organizations. Tune in to learn more about Hilary’s insights and the future of forest restoration efforts. TIMESTAMPS [00:01:41] Public lands management in Washington. [00:06:04] Sustainable forest management benefits schools. [00:08:30] Government efficiency and accountability. [00:12:54] Overcoming fear of failure. [00:17:35] Collaborative forest management efforts. [00:22:18] Forest health and restoration. [00:25:23] Listen, learn, then lead. [00:29:40] Engaging beyond political divides. [00:35:02] Forest restoration and wildfire response. [00:38:10] Forest management perspectives. [00:43:10] America's forest threats today. [00:45:48] National wildfire response strategies. [00:50:00] Active management of national forests. [00:53:04] Seedling nurseries and reforestation. QUOTES "We have the ability to grow and utilize and be stewards of the land while we're building our schools from products that we created right here in the state." -Russ Vaagen"Our forests don't play politics, and we should play politics with our forests." -Hilary Franz"The amazing thing about our forests is they are resilient and they reforest themselves." -Russ Vaagen SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS Russ Vaagen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russvaagen/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russ.vaagen/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-vaagen-9246729/ Hilary Franz Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HilarySMFranz/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hilaryfranz/?hl=en  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilary-franz/  WEBSITE Vaagen Timbers, LLC: https://vaagentimbers.com/ American Forests: https://www.americanforests.org/

    55 min

  3. 09/30/2025

    What's Wrong with Our Firefighting

    In Episode 19 of Forest To Frame, Russ Vaagen dives deep into the pressing issues surrounding wildfires and firefighting in the Intermountain West. As we transition into the fall season, the impact of wildfires continues to linger, affecting air quality and community health. Tune in for an insightful look at the impacts of wildfires and the ongoing efforts of firefighting crews in the region. TIMESTAMPS [00:01:02] Wildfire and firefighting challenges. [00:04:43] Wildfire management and private land. [00:09:08] Firefighting practices and accountability. [00:12:57] Forest restoration and wildfire management. [00:17:05] Forest management challenges. QUOTES “The incentive to restore our forests while still maintaining a firefighting force that actually pays more than your job to restore the forest, I think, is a perverse incentive.”"The forests need our help. They don't need us to help burn it down." SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS Russ Vaagen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russvaagen/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russ.vaagen/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-vaagen-9246729/ WEBSITE Vaagen Timbers, LLC: https://vaagentimbers.com/

    18 min

  4. 09/23/2025

    Forests, Commerce, and Conservation

    In Episode 18 of Forest To Frame, Russ Vaagen interviews Brian Luoma, former CEO of the Westervelt Company. With over 30 years of experience in the forest industry, Brian shares his insights on sustainable forestry, conservation, and the evolution of the softwood lumber market. Tune in to gain valuable perspectives on the future of the forest industry and the importance of sustainable practices in creating beautiful spaces. TIMESTAMPS [00:01:02] Brian Luoma's career journey. [00:07:41] Sustainable forestry and conservation. [00:08:37] Historical impact of paper bags. [00:15:42] Demand creation in the lumber industry. [00:19:01] Industry collaboration for wood promotion. [00:22:02] Sustainable forest management awareness. [00:26:58] Incremental demand for wood products. [00:28:46] Podcast subscription benefits. QUOTES "I can just say what's on my mind and give my own opinion and I don't have to worry so much about what affiliations you're going to think about that." -Brian Luoma"That shows you the continuity of a family-held company that's really committed to sustainability and longevity." -Brian Luoma"You could, you know, ride off into the sunset, but they're important to you and your contributions are going to be felt for years to come." -Russ Vaagen SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS Russ Vaagen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russvaagen/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russ.vaagen/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-vaagen-9246729/ Brian Luoma LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-luoma-38a50310/  WEBSITE Vaagen Timbers, LLC: https://vaagentimbers.com/

    29 min

  5. 09/09/2025

    Softwood Lumber Promotion

    Episode 17 of Forest To Frame, Russ Vaagen explores the vital role of the wood industry in sustainable building, highlighting his partnership with WoodWorks to educate architects and engineers on mass timber and light-frame construction. Tune in to learn more about the future of forestry and construction! TIMESTAMPS [00:01:04] Mass timber and light stick framing. [00:08:18] Wood checkoff program benefits. [00:10:16] Promoting renewable wood products. [00:13:38] Mass timber projects and resources. QUOTES "The higher the value of wood, the more wood we're going to be using; it's going to drive that whole market development.""We can build these amazing buildings, and we can do it with this renewable product that's very sustainable." SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS Russ Vaagen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russvaagen/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russ.vaagen/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-vaagen-9246729/ WEBSITE Vaagen Timbers, LLC: https://vaagentimbers.com/

    16 min

  6. 08/26/2025

    Mass Timber Schools

    In episode 16 of Forest To Frame, Russ Vaagen dives into the world of mass timber schools, with a special focus on Washington State. Discover the benefits of using locally sourced wood in school construction, including its positive impact on student learning environments. Tune in to learn about the potential of mass timber in shaping the future of educational spaces. TIMESTAMPS [00:00:51] Mass timber schools in Washington. [00:05:36] Local supply and mass timber. [00:10:04] Mass timber in school construction. [00:13:20] Mass timber infrastructure development. QUOTES "We have these forests that were put in trust to the state to manage those forests, cut the trees, sell the trees, the logs, material, and use those sales, those proceeds to fund school construction and schools in general in the state of Washington.""I want a fair competitive landscape that everyone can do well at, but we need to develop this mass timber infrastructure in the US in a big way because the market's growing." SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS Russ Vaagen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russvaagen/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russ.vaagen/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-vaagen-9246729/ WEBSITE Vaagen Timbers, LLC: https://vaagentimbers.com/

    15 min

  7. 08/19/2025

    Canadian Tarrifs

    In episode 14 of Forest To Frame, Russ Vaagen highlights the challenges U.S. companies face, including unfair competition due to Canadian government support and the complexities of the U.S. Forest Service's management of timber resources.  Tune in for insights on how these developments impact the future of the forest industry. TIMESTAMPS [00:01:48] New tariffs on mass timber. [00:07:26] Canadian wood's market advantage. [00:10:43] Mass timber market challenges. QUOTES "I want competitively priced mass timber. And I want everybody to be playing on a somewhat level playing field.""We have been getting unfairly treated because there's been a long dispute on lumber trade between the US and Canada." SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS Russ Vaagen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russvaagen/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russ.vaagen/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-vaagen-9246729/ WEBSITE Vaagen Timbers, LLC: https://vaagentimbers.com/

    13 min

  8. 07/29/2025

    AI with Cooper Simson of Martell Ventures

    In episode 14 of Forest To Frame, Russ Vaagen interviews Cooper Simson, the portfolio manager for Dan Martell's AI Venture Studio, Martell Ventures as he shares insights on evaluating AI-focused businesses, the importance of aligning interests with founders, and how Martell Ventures supports startups in scaling their operations.  Tune in to learn more about Cooper's background and his role in shaping the future of the forest industry. TIMESTAMPS [00:03:16] AI-focused data centers with timber. [00:06:40] Voice interaction in AI tools. [00:09:44] AI's impact on business growth. [00:12:12] Raising capital for growth. [00:15:23] AI's impact on construction processes. [00:21:15] Bridging the AI knowledge gap. [00:23:58] AI tools for business improvement. [00:26:46] AI's patient nature for learning. QUOTES "I think that one thing that I think is, a real big opportunity is getting the people that are so smart about AI and how to implement it with people like myself and others that are like, doing really big things in an old way." -Russ Vaagen "It'll be eye-opening because you'll be getting questions about your business that you've never had before." -Cooper Simson"The beautiful thing about AI is it's patient. It won't judge you." -Cooper Simson SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS Russ Vaagen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russvaagen/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russ.vaagen/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-vaagen-9246729/ Cooper Simson Email: cooper@danmartell.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coop_doggydog/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cooper-simson-896957 WEBSITE Vaagen Timbers, LLC: https://vaagentimbers.com/

    29 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Forest to Frame is the podcast where forest restoration meets the future of sustainable building. Hosted by Russ Vaagen, this series uncovers how cutting-edge science, collaboration, and next-gen sawmilling are transforming the way we manage our forests—and how we build with wood. Each episode explores how the byproducts of forest restoration—often seen as waste—are fueling a new era of mass timber construction. Think cross-laminated timber, Glulam, and other innovative building materials that are not only strong and beautiful but reduce wildfire risk, support local economies, and redefine sustainability. You'll hear from the builders, land stewards, scientists, and innovators leading this movement—people who are reshaping the future of our forests, our communities, and the spaces we live in. This isn’t just a podcast about trees. It’s about what’s possible when restoration and construction work hand-in-hand. Subscribe now and join the movement—from Forest to Frame.

Information

  • Creator
    Russ
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Forest to Frame
  • Show Website
    Forest to Frame