The Bonsai That Survived Hiroshima — and What It Teaches Us, Ep 45

I. Episode Summary & Links

In this episode, Kevin, Kelly, and Ryan discuss how we can better preserve history through our bonsai and elevate them into an ambassador role between cultures and places. Kevin was specifically thinking about the famous Yamaki White Pine Bonsai that survived an atomic bomb and was later gifted by Japan to the US National Bonsai Museum. This tree has a powerful presence for all those who visit it. Likewise, Kevin compared it to his recent visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum in Japan and the powerful impression that place leaves on visitors as well.

The YouTube version of Episode 45 is here!

The podcast version of Episode 45 is here!⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sponsor Info: 

This episode is sponsored by the Waterfront Botanical Gardens 3rd Annual Bonsai Weekend in Louisville, Kentucky. Details at BonsaiWeekend.com. Come visit Kentucky's newest botanic garden and see what's growing with the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society. The show will feature guest judge Owen Reich, bonsai workshops, demonstrations, cultural activities, food and drink, koi fish on display from the Louisville Koi Society, and an expanded selection of vendors for all your bonsai needs. I'll be there too, and I hope to see you there May 30th-June 1st. Tickets are on sale now at ⁠BonsaiWeekend.com⁠.

Support the Pod:

            Anytime you listen, subscribe, rate us, or share us with friends you help keep us motivated to keep making episodes for you all! If you want to take it to the next level, you can also help keep the podcast going by donating to us by sponsoring an episode (contact us directly for that). All donations go back into the podcast such as for our web hosting, recording gear expenses, etc.

See the relevant images and links from this episode below.

Cheryl Manning's Bonsai Journey: California to Japan, Naka Protégé to Sensei, Ep 43-44

I. Episode Summary & Links

In this two-part series, Kelly sat down with Cheryl Manning in California for a wide-ranging interview. See episode 43 for Part 1 which focused on Cheryl's time in bonsai as an apprentice in Japan and how she got started in the professional scene. Episode 44/Part 2 focuses more on her time as a student of the California bonsai greats like John Naka and Harry Hirao especially reflecting on after returning from her apprenticeship. 

The YouTube version of Episode 43 is here!⁠

The podcast version of Episode 43 is here!

The YouTube version of Episode 44 is here!

The podcast version of Episode 44 is here!⁠

Guest Info:

⁠This episode features Cheryl Manning, an accomplished bonsai professional artist and writer. Find more of her work on her website, ⁠BetterBonsai.com⁠.⁠⁠⁠

Sponsor Info: 

This episode is sponsored by (me!) In Vivo Bonsai of Columbus, Ohio. Find me in person, at ⁠invivobonsai.etsy.com⁠, or go to ⁠⁠https://www.InVivoBonsai.com⁠/ ⁠to see upcoming events, expanding online offerings, educational materials, and more.

Support the Pod:

            Anytime you listen, subscribe, rate us, or share us with friends you help keep us motivated to keep making episodes for you all! If you want to take it to the next level, you can also help keep the podcast going by donating to us by sponsoring an episode (contact us directly for that). All donations go back into the podcast such as for our web hosting, recording gear expenses, etc.

See the relevant images and links from this episode below.

Ohara Ikebana (Japanese Flower Display) History and Demonstration - Ep 41-42

I. Episode Summary & Links

This episode is broken down into a two-part series. In this first episode, Joe Rotella explains the history of Ohara Ikebana which is one of the more prominent forms of Japanese flower arrangements. In the second episode, Kamo-sensei narrates and demonstrates, composing 5 Ohara Ikebana. Joe and other members of Central Ohio Ohara Ikebana hosted this event at the Yosoko Center in Columbus, Ohio to share the art of Ikebana with the public and to host a Japanese master named Kamo-sensei who demonstrates the art of Ikebana in the next video.

The YouTube version of Episode 41 (Ikebana History) is here!⁠

The podcast version of Episode 41 (Ikebana History) is here!

The shortened, narration-only YouTube version of Episode 42 (Ikebana Demonstration) is here!

The shortened, narration-only podcast version of Episode 42 (Ikebana Demonstration) is here!⁠

The full-length YouTube version of Episode 42 (Ikebana Demonstration) is here.

Guest Info:

⁠These episodes feature Joe Rotella, president of Central Ohio Ohara Ikebena (COOI) and Kamo sensei. Find more about Joe and COOI at the links below.

• ⁠COOI Website⁠⁠
• COOI Instagram
• ⁠⁠COOI Facebook 
• Joe Rotella - CreateNCraft⁠, Ikebana Workshops⁠⁠⁠

Sponsor Info: 

This episode is sponsored by (me!) In Vivo Bonsai of Columbus, Ohio. Find me in person, at ⁠invivobonsai.etsy.com⁠, or go to ⁠⁠https://www.InVivoBonsai.com⁠/ ⁠to see upcoming events, expanding online offerings, educational materials, and more.

Support the Pod:

            Anytime you listen, subscribe, rate us, or share us with friends you help keep us motivated to keep making episodes for you all! If you want to take it to the next level, you can also help keep the podcast going by donating to us by sponsoring an episode (contact us directly for that). All donations go back into the podcast such as for our web hosting, recording gear expenses, etc.

See the relevant images and links from this episode below.

Growing Forward: Bonsai and Podcast Goals for 2025 - Ep 40

I. Episode Summary & Links

Kevin, Ryan, and Kelly sat down to look forward to another new year of doing bonsai and podcasting. We discussed potential new resolutions and directions for our bonsai lives and the podcast although not our plans all can be made public yet. Kevin also posited some potential trends from other forms of art that he hopes may one day be adopted in bonsai. Enjoy the episode and let us know, what is your bonsai resolution for the year?

The YouTube version of Episode 40 is here!⁠

The podcast version of Episode 40 is here!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Sponsor Info: 

This episode is sponsored by (me!) In Vivo Bonsai of Columbus, Ohio. Find me in person, at ⁠invivobonsai.etsy.com⁠, or go to ⁠⁠https://www.InVivoBonsai.com⁠/ ⁠to see upcoming events, expanding online offerings, educational materials, and more.

Support the Pod:

            Anytime you listen, subscribe, rate us, or share us with friends you help keep us motivated to keep making episodes for you all! If you want to take it to the next level, you can also help keep the podcast going by donating to us by sponsoring an episode (contact us directly for that). All donations go back into the podcast such as for our web hosting, recording gear expenses, etc.

See the relevant images and links from this episode below.

Branches of Insight: Bonsai Milestones and Lessons of 2024 - Ep 39

I. Episode Summary & Links

Ryan, Kelly, and Kevin sat down to reflect on our past year in bonsai. What goals have we set out in our bonsai lives and where do we stand on meeting them? We also unpacked other milestones from our last year in bonsai such as taking and leading new workshops, caring for public collection bonsai, attending bonsai shows, and new trees and folks we’ve enjoyed meeting along the way!

The YouTube version of Episode 39 is here!⁠

The podcast version of Episode 39 is here!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Sponsor Info: 

This episode is sponsored by (me!) In Vivo Bonsai of Columbus, Ohio. Find me in person, at ⁠invivobonsai.etsy.com⁠, or go to ⁠⁠https://www.InVivoBonsai.com⁠/ ⁠to see upcoming events, expanding online offerings, educational materials, and more.

Support the Pod:

            Anytime you listen, subscribe, rate us, or share us with friends you help keep us motivated to keep making episodes for you all! If you want to take it to the next level, you can also help keep the podcast going by donating to us by sponsoring an episode (contact us directly for that). All donations go back into the podcast such as for our web hosting, recording gear expenses, etc.

See the relevant images and links from this episode below.