The Black Pondo Podcast

Lee Bonsai
  • 5.0 (16)
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The Black Pondo Podcast

An informal Podcast hosted by Jeremiah Lee, with the goal of satisfying an endless curiosity about all things Bonsai through chatting with and interviewing some incredible members of the Bonsai community.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    #24 Nao Tokutake of Tokutake Bonsai

    In this episode I caught up with Nao Tokutake, a Bonsai practitioner and container maker based in Portland, OR.  Nao has been one of my favorite Bonsai pot makers in the US for a while now.  However, after getting the opportunity to pick his brain about his Bonsai pot making process and philosophy I'm even more of a fan of his work!  His dedication and passion to improve his craft seem second to none.  I really enjoyed hearing how he is studying the classic Chinese and Japanese potters while adapting and innovating in his own studio here in the States.   Instagram: Tokutakebonsai  ebsite: www.tokutakebonsai.com

    1h 32m

  2. 5 DAYS AGO

    #23 Andrew Robson of Rakuyo Bonsai

    In this episode, I caught up with the one and only Andrew Robson, a Bonsai pro and organizer of the Pacific Bonsai Expo based in the Portland Oregon area who specializes in Deciduous Bonsai. We dive into topics, like when deadwood is appropriate, container colors, and the magic of native deciduous species. We talk about collecting versus container growing trunks and Andrew shares some expert tips on and his love for Beeches. I ask Andrew who he thinks is the Deciduous GOAT, what’s on the horizon for his Bonsai plans in 2025 and a whole lot more.    Instagram: @rakuyo_bonsai Website: rakuyobonsai.com Youtube: www.youtube.com/rakuyobonsai

    1h 59m
  3. Episode #22 Aarin Packard & The Pacific Bonsai Museum

    12/13/2024

    Episode #22 Aarin Packard & The Pacific Bonsai Museum

    In this episode of the Black Pondo Podcast, we’re taking you on a journey to the Pacific Bonsai Museum in Federal Way, Washington! I had the amazing opportunity to tour this gem with the one and only Aarin Packard, the museum’s powerhouse curator. From the breathtaking bonsai trees to the rich history that surrounds them, the museum completely blew me away. Aarin shared incredible insights about his life as a curator, what fuels his passion for bonsai, and the kind of things he daydreams about while surrounded by centuries-old trees. After soaking in all the bonsai wisdom, we capped off the day by absolutely demolishing sushi at a local all-you-can-eat spot. It was a sushi feast for the ages. Tune in to hear all about this unforgettable experience on this episode of the Black Pondo Podcast!   Aarin Packard's Instagram: pacificbonsai

    1h 31m

  4. 11/03/2024

    Episode #21 Pacific Bonsai Expo Interviews Part 2-Adam Toth, Richard Kearney, Bob Pressler, Matt Walker, Will Kerns and Jose Gonzalez

    Interviews from the 2024 Pacific Bonsai Expo Part 2 Adam Toth Timestamp: 0:30 sec  Instagram: adam.jp.bon Adam Toth is a Bonsai professional located in the Bay Area of CA.  He was an apprentice under Taiga Urushibata at Taisho-En where he obtained his professional certificate in Shohin Bonsai.  Adam worked on several of the Bonsai in the PBE this year.       Richard Kearney  Timestamp: 10:15 Instagram: richardkearney.nz Richard Kearney is a Bonsai pot maker based in New Zealand with a unique 3D printing inspired approach.  His design strategy and mold making techniques are fascinating, creating some absolutely stunning results.     Robert Pressler  Timestamp: 32:10 Instagram: Kimurabonsai  Website: www.kimurabonsai.com  Robert Pressler is the owner of Kimura Bonsai nursery a staple Bonsai nursery in Southern California.  He has showed trees at both of the Pacific Bonsai Expo events and is also the president of California Bonsai Society.    Matthew Walker Timestamp: 55:18  Instagram:  bonchibonsai  Website: www.bonchibonsai.com  Matthew is a long time student of Boon and the owner of Bonchi Bonsai located in Northern CA.  He is a Bonsai artist, collector and grower.  He has vended and shown at the PBE, known for his impressive Sierra Junipers and ultra soft annealed copper wire. Also, a long time personal friend and collecting buddy.       Will Kerns Timestamp: 1:17:00 Instagram: willkernsbonsai Will Kerns displayed an epic XL Rocky Mountain Juniper at this year's PBE which he drove out from Colorado with Todd Schlafer.  Previously he has studied with Harold Sasaki, Jerry Morris, Todd Schlafer and Ryan Neil.    Jose Gonzalez  Timestamp: 1:32:06 Instagram: jmgarcia451b Jose currently lives in Chicago and studies under Boon.  He is a long time friend of Matthew Walker and displayed a powerful XL pomegranate at this year's PBE.

    1h 43m
  5. Episode #20 Pacific Bonsai Expo Interviews Part 1- Jeff Stern, Sam Tan, Mike-o Macasio, John Kim

    10/31/2024

    Episode #20 Pacific Bonsai Expo Interviews Part 1- Jeff Stern, Sam Tan, Mike-o Macasio, John Kim

    Jeff Stern Time Stamp, interview starts at: 0:40 secs Find out more about Jeff at Star Bonsai on Facebook Winner of 3 awards at the 2024 Pacific Bonsai Expo and 3 awards at the 2022 Pacific Bonsai expo.  In this episode I catch up with Jeff about his history in Bonsai, thoughts on his trees, his recent move from California to Utah, the history of his collection, working with Peter Tea and more.    Sam Tan Time Stamp: 42:20 minutes  Instagram: Samtanbonsai  Sam Tan is a California Bay Area Bonsai Enthusiast who was a presenter and exhibitor at this year's Pacific Bonsai Expo.  In this episode Sam and I chatted about his Sierra Juniper entry in this year's show. Sam gave me his background in Bonsai, we chat about what classifies something as the Bunjin style and he filled me in on his new Bonsai garden.    Mike-o Siquig Macasio  Time Stamp: 52:57 minutes  Instagram: alohabonsai   Mike is the president of the Utah Bonsai club.  I caught up with Mike to get his thoughts on this year's Expo, spoke about the Utah club, some concepts he's learned from Peter Tea and more.     John Kim owner of Joshua Roth Bonsai Tools Time Stamp: 1:04:55  Website: Joshuaroth.com  John is the owner of Joshua Roth Tools and one of the awards sponsors for this years PBE.  I got to dig in about Joshua Roth tools and get John's opinions on the Expo

    1h 13m
  6. Episode #19 Vince Lee - Satoyama Bonsai

    09/29/2024

    Episode #19 Vince Lee - Satoyama Bonsai

    Last Wednesday I went into the forest to a secret location to meet a wise Monk and check out his Yamadori collection.  He taught me about finding happiness and filfilment, we ate pizza and recorded a podcast. It was a great day!  Episode #19 Vince Lee - Satoyama Bonsai Instagram: Satoyama81

    58 min

  7. 09/15/2024

    Episode #18 Catching up w/ Jonas Dupuich about the Pacific Bonsai Expo

    In this episode I got to catch up with Jonas Dupuich, a friend I originally met through the Bay Island Bonsai club around 2010. Jonas is a Bonsai teacher, author, blogger, professional and organizer of the Pacific Bonsai Expo.  The majority of the episode I was able to pick his brain about the upcoming  Pacific Bonsai Expo Oct. 26-27, 2024.  https://pacificbonsaiexpo.org The PBE is the one Bonsai thing I look forward to most and occurs only every other year.  It's easily the best Bonsai show on the West Coast and this year's event will be something truly special.  You don't want to miss it!  Other topics discussed include the band weezer, shade cloth, native oaks for bonsai, redwoods, Bonsai appreciation over assasination, judging, 3d printing ceramic molds, auctions, watering, grafting, airlayering with cement and a whole lot more. Hope you enjoy, thanks for listening!  You can find out more about Jonas on his website at www.bonsaitonight.com

    2h 2m

  8. 08/10/2024

    Episode #17 Sierra Juniper Journal Session #2

    Journal session on Sierra Juniper- Juniperus Grandis

    48 min
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5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

An informal Podcast hosted by Jeremiah Lee, with the goal of satisfying an endless curiosity about all things Bonsai through chatting with and interviewing some incredible members of the Bonsai community.

Information

  • Creator
    Lee Bonsai
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2023 Lee Bonsai
  • Show Website
    The Black Pondo Podcast

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