The Mortise & Tenon Podcast
Episodes
81 – Coperthwaite on “Wealth, Riches, Treasure”
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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...
80 – Coperthwaite on Nonviolence: A Gentle Revolution
30 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Joshua and Mike interact with Bill Coperthwaite’s vision for how handcraft might better reflect a compassionate view of the world. ...
79 – Coperthwaite on Education/Nurture
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 f...
78 – Coperthwaite on “Work/Bread Labor”
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
77 – Coperthwaite Chapter 2: “Beauty”
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
76 – Coperthwaite Chapter 1 Part 2
21 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Joshua and Mike pick up their discussion of Bill Coperthwaite’s first chapter in A Handmade Life. The discussion meanders through q...
75 – Coperthwaite, Chapter One: “Society by Design / Design by Society”
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Joshua and Mike tackle the first chapter in Bill Coperthwaite’s A Handmade Life: “Society by Design / Design by Society.” This ...
74 – A Handmade Life by Bill Coperthwaite
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast episode, Joshua and Mike begin a new book discussion series. This time, the guys tackle Bill Coperthwaite’s inspirational work A Han...
73 – The Tenth Anniversary Issue
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, the guys discuss their upcoming special publication: The Tenth Anniversary Issue. They’ve poured out untold energy and creative ref...
72 – Working at Scale
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Joshua and Mike explore the pros and cons of working at a larger scale than furniture making. Whether you’re constructing something...
71 – Finding Balance
30 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do you believe it’s healthier to work with your mind or is it better to work with your hands? We hope you said, “Neither.” Why the dichotomy? In...
70 – “Making Hay”
01 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this new episode of the podcast, Joshua and Mike talk about the proverbial practice of making hay while the sun is shining – as soon as the days ...
69 – “Backwoods Chairmakers with Andy Glenn”
20 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this new episode, the guys talk with woodworker and author Andy Glenn, whose new book Backwoods Chairmakers: In Search of the Appalachian Chairmake...
68 – “In Defense of Maintenance”
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Not everything in life needs to be “set it and forget it.” There are all sorts of things that we would do well to tend to – to care for – to p...
67 – Reviving the Mechanical Arts
22 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
John Ruskin once said, “Fine art is that in which the hand, the head, and the heart of man go together.” In this episode, Joshua and Mike discuss ...
66 – Road Trip for Lumber
10 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was recorded on the road back in September, and in it Joshua, Mike, and Eden explain the various ways they’ve sourced lumber in rural M...
65 – “Handworks 2023”
19 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Joshua and Mike reflect on their time at Handworks, quite possibly the single most significant hand-tool woodworking event in the wor...
64 – “Fruitful Seasons of Work”
05 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Our metaphors matter. When we are in the throes of a busy schedule, our culture encourages us to “crank it out” in order that we might emulate the...
63 – A Critique of David Pye
04 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this final episode of their tour through David Pye’s The Nature and Art of Workmanship, Joshua and Mike bring up several of their critiques of Py...
62 – “The Aesthetic Importance of Workmanship, and its Future” Pye Ch 11
04 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Joshua and Mike have finally arrived at the final chapter of David Pye’s The Nature and Art of Workmanship, and it has been quite a ride. What did P...
61 – “Critique of ‘On the Nature of Gothic’” Pye Ch 10
30 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
“Handmade” does not mean “shoddy.” This latest episode of the David Pye mini-series tackles chapter 10 of The Nature and Art of Workmanship in...
60 – “Equivocality” Pye Ch 9
09 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
OK… that’s an ambiguous title. But, be assured that the guys recorded this episode to make it all come clear. In this next installment, Joshua and...
59 – “Durability” Pye Ch 8
06 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Another installment of the “Nature and Art of Workmanship” podcast series. Chapter eight deals with the subject of “durability.” Does precisio...
58 – “Diversity” Pye Ch 7
02 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Joshua and Mike pick up where they left off with David’s Pye classic discussion about the value of craftsmanship in a mechanized ag...
57 – “The Natural Order Reflected in the Work of Man” Pye Ch 6
23 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Another installment in the Nature and Art of Workmanship series. This time Joshua and Mike walk through chapter six which compares human creativity to...
56 – “The Designer’s Power to Communicate His Intentions” Pye Ch 5
17 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Another installment in the Nature and Art of Workmanship series. This time Joshua and Mike discuss the fifth chapter which shows the limits of design....
55 – “Quality in Workmanship” Pye Ch 4
10 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, the guys dive right into the heart of Pye’s vision in this book: identifying and appreciating various qualities of workmanship. Thi...
54 – “Is Anything Done By Hand?” Pye Ch 3
01 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Another installation of Joshua and Mike’s discussion on David Pye’s book The Nature and Art of Workmanship. This time, the guys dive into the thor...
53 – "The Workmanship of Risk and the Workmanship of Certainty" Pye Ch 2
26 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The third installment of Joshua and Mike’s walkthrough of David Pye’s The Nature and Art of Workmanship. This time they look at chapter 2 in which...
52 – “Design Proposes. Workmanship Disposes.” Pye Chapter 1
23 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this latest episode, the guys explain the setup to David Pye’s discussion about the value of workmanship. Pye explains that it would be a mistake...
51 – Unpacking David Pye’s “Nature and Art of Workmanship” - Part 1
19 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Joshua and Mike kick off a mini-series chapter-by-chapter walkthrough of David Pye’s classic book The Nature and Art of Workmanship...
50 – Reflections & Resolutions
29 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If any of M&T’s work is worth pausing to reflect on at the close of the year, this year’s would be a prime candidate. Not only has the House By Ha...
49 – Tools, Jigs, & Meaning(s)
07 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Clear distinctions reveal new things about the world. And in a handcraft context, thinking clearly about what exactly a “tool” is or a “machine”...
48 – Raise the Roof
27 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, the guys give an update on the House By Hand project (http://housebyhand.com) – the granite foundation was constructed, the sill sy...
47 – The Apprentices’ Summit
27 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was recorded on the heels of the first annual Apprenticeship Program Summit gathering. Alumni from the first four terms were invited to t...
46 – Thinking Outside the Shop
28 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this new episode of the podcast, Joshua and Mike take up the topic of portable woodworking. They argue that even though modern woodworkers tend to ...
45 – Just the FAQs
21 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The pre-industrial emphasis of M&T never fails to generate puzzlement and questions in an age driven by technology, jigs, and devices. And as Joshua a...
44 – Aristotle on How We Learn New Skills
17 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Joshua and Mike talk about how it is that we learn new skills. They contend that we have to get over a reductive and mechanical way o...
43 – Skill as a Safety Net
19 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Power tools are dangerous. This should not be a controversial statement, but somehow the observation always incites vigorous debate. In this podcast e...
42 – Is Hand-tool-only Woodworking Actually Viable?
07 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Many woodworkers get into hand tools because they are drawn in by the joinery: dovetails, mortises and tenons, etc. As they continue building pieces i...
41 – Making Wooden Planes
18 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
41 – Making Wooden Planes by Mortise & Tenon Magazine
40 – Defining “Craftsmanship”
24 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this latest podcast episode, Joshua and Mike tackle a particularly thorny question head on: What is “craftsmanship,” exactly? While woodworkers...
39 - This Old House
28 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Joshua and Mike don their proverbial tool belts and discuss a restoration project that will occupy the bulk of their focus in 2022 –...
38 – To the Ends of the Earth
07 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the M&T Podcast, Joshua and Mike take a big-picture, global look at pre-industrial handcraft. This was not a region-specific or tim...
37 – Freehand Honing
17 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Joshua and Mike dive into that spirited and controversial arena known and feared by all hand-tool woodworkers… Sharpening. Looking ...
36 – Woodworking in the Metaverse
22 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welp… in this episode, Joshua and Mike lay their cards on the table. In case you still wondered about their thoughts on digitally meditated existenc...
35 – Craft as a Bottomless Pursuit
02 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this new episode, Joshua and Mike talk about how there’s no hope of ever coming to the end of this rabbit hole. As it turns out, handcraft is a b...
34 – Chairs, Controversies, & Issue Eleven
07 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
You might have to take a seat for this one; chairmaking, as it turns out, is quite a controversial thing. The recent issue of M&T (#11) features sever...
33 – Armageddon Life Skills
06 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this (occasionally tongue-in-cheek) episode of the podcast, Mike and Joshua talk about the great “Sedgwick Mobile Internet Crisis of 2021,” and...
32 – Things We Argue About
19 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Joshua and Mike respond to a thoughtful listener’s comments, which inspired a podcast as well as scored a free t-shirt. They discus...
31 – How Do I Learn New Skills?
22 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this new podcast episode, Mike and Joshua talk about the struggle to learn new skills and ways to overcome the hurdles. The journey begins with a r...
30 – Tool Epiphanies
03 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ever had one of those “Eureka” moments in the shop? Maybe while using a new tool or facing a workholding conundrum, you all of the sudden realize ...
29 – Craft as a Daily Practice
10 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Many of us find it hard to get time in the shop. Work is demanding, home repairs pile up, the kids need to be carted to and from extra curriculars. Wh...
28 – Should Work Be Easy?
20 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This question of ends (goals) and means (methods) is an important issue in woodworking discussions. Some swear by hand tools and wouldn’t touch a ta...
27 – A Tour of the M&T Headquarters
29 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Take a walk with Mike and Joshua around the M&T headquarters and the rest of Joshua’s property. They provide a tour of many features: the blacksmith...
26 – How Many Tools Do We Really Need?
08 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this latest podcast episode, Joshua and Mike discuss the sweet spot between bare-knuckled minimalism and cupidinous hoarderism (also known as Tool ...
25 – The Value of Batch Production
17 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast episode, Mike and Joshua discussing the value of batch production as they reflect on their recent experience building Boxed Sets for I...
24 – Our Tools Shape Us
01 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Joshua and Mike discuss the idea that “we shape our tools, and thereafter our tools shape us” – the very theme that runs throug...
23 – Blacksmithing for Woodworkers
04 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the latest episode of the podcast, hosts Joshua Klein and Mike Updegraff explore their early explorations into blacksmithing. They talk about their...
22 – How to Examine Antique Furniture
16 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we tackle the question of “how” one approaches studying a handmade object to learn from it. There aren’t too many tools (all of...
21 – Saving Historic Windows
30 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In our most recent podcast episode, we decided to do things a little different: We recorded the entire episode while working. As we reglazed historic ...
20 – Working Wood Outside
26 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The summer has been about working outside for both of us, so we thought we’d talk about ways we’ve enjoyed doing just that. We have a deep passion...
19 - Engagement with the World
01 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In our most recent episode of the Mortise & Tenon Podcast, we spent time discussing how to make the most out of this social distance isolation most of...
18 – Issue Eight!
02 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We recorded this episode of the podcast last Friday as Issue Eight was uploading to the printer – and at rural Maine internet speeds, there was plen...
17 – Another Work is Possible
23 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this installment of the podcast, Joshua and I discuss the newly released video documentary and book that share the same name – "Another Work Is P...
16 – A Handmade Christmas
04 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of our podcast, Mike and I discuss our handmade Christmas gifts. This time of the year is a great excuse to get into the shop. We’ve...
15 – Workshop, Timber Frame, and Issue Seven
01 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is all about filling you in on our incredibly intense summer. Between the workshop with our six students, Issue Seven shipping out, and o...
14 - Tool Marks Tell Stories
25 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of our podcast was recorded on the road yesterday as we headed back home from Portland, Maine. Fortified by delicious caffeine after a wh...
13 - The Case for Hand Tools at Fine Woodworking Live
06 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder what ancient tool marks, a Swedish chair shop, Söetsu Yanagi, computer coders, spoon carving, philosophers, and communal singing have in ...
12 – “The Radical Efficiency of Green Woodworking”
22 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Mike discusses his article “A Tale of Two Trees: The Radical Efficiency of Green Woodworking” in upcoming Issue Six. Mike present...
11 - "The Furniture Making of Jonathan Fisher"
28 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This new episode of our podcast is focused on Joshua’s new book about the furniture making of Jonathan Fisher, a Maine furniture maker working durin...
10 - “Barriers to Woodworking” with Jim McConnell
03 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Mike and Joshua talk with content editor, Jim McConnell, about common barriers to hand-tool woodworking. We discuss things like acces...
09 - Perfection in Woodworking with Jim McConnell
15 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
During Jim’s visit a few weeks ago, we recorded this new episode in which we further explore the topic of Jim’s article from Issue Three: “On Pe...
08 - A New (Old) Way of Working Wood
05 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This new episode of our podcast was recorded after two weeks of traveling to meet inspiring craftspeople of many different specialties. Mike and I sha...
07 - The Creation of Issue Four
24 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Because Mike and I just finished Issue Four, we dedicated this episode to discussing what it’s like to produce the magazine, what’s featured in th...
06 - Setting Up a Hand-tool Workshop
02 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We had lots to talk about today. On the magazine front, pre-orders for Issue Four opened yesterday, and we’ve been releasing the Table of Contents f...
05 - Why Make Things with Your Hands featuring Ben Strano
12 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of our podcast is the first to feature a guest. Since our friend, Ben Strano of Fine Woodworking, was up in our neck of the woods this we...
04 - Sourcing Lumber
21 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 4 of our podcast is centered around sourcing lumber for furniture making. In reality, Mike and I both source our wood from all sorts of places...
03 - Beginning Your Hand-tool Journey
01 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This time, Mike and I tackled one of the most common discussions we have with readers: how to get started on the hand-tool route. What change of minds...
02 - Tradition & Innovation in Woodworking
17 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Mike and Joshua discuss the relationship between tradition and innovation in today's woodworking culture. This topic is near to their...
01 - "With Saw, Plane & Chisel", Our New Timber Frame Shop, and What is a "Fore Plane"?
03 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
New book in our store: Zach Dillinger's "With Saw, Plane & Chisel" as well as new stickers. We discuss our new 200-year-old hand-hewn workshop build ...