Robin Johnson speaks with Oliver Chalk, a self taught wood turner who rebuilt his career during the pandemic by following curiosity rather than a fixed plan. Starting with climbing holds and basic tools, Oliver moved into large scale sculptural woodwork, developing his own techniques through repetition and failure. He explains why surface, texture, and emotional response drive his work, how investing in the right tools changed his trajectory, and why process matters more than outcome when building a creative career.

Key Topics Covered

• Learning wood turning without formal training
• Building skill through experimentation and repetition
• Importance of investing in professional tools and maintaining them
• Developing a recognisable style through surface and texture
• Working with large scale timber and physical challenges
• Using natural materials for sustainability and longevity
• Creative philosophy focused on process and self expression
• Balancing risk, safety, and creativity in the workshop
• Why failure drives progress and skill development

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Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction to Oliver Chalk and his wood turning work

00:46 Pandemic career shift and early experimentation

02:11 Learning wood turning through trial and error

06:57 Discovering surface texture and creative direction

09:30 Investing in tools and committing to the craft

10:10 Working with large scale timber and safety awareness

18:09 Moving from turning to sculptural carving techniques

22:49 Creative philosophy and finding purpose through making

29:21 Creativity as problem solving and pushing limits

34:23 Process over product and emotional connection to work

39:27 Exhibitions, galleries, and building a career

53:27 Advice on failure and continuous improvement

Robin Johnson speaks with Ben Goldsmith from Design Woodcraft Ltd about building a timber and furniture business without a clear plan. Ben started with no tools, no strategy, and no formal direction, then grew the company through consistent work and curiosity. The conversation focuses on how the business developed into a sustainable operation, milling its own timber, tracking carbon impact, and working with high profile hospitality clients. This episode gives a grounded view of how a creative business can grow through action rather than planning, and where that approach creates both opportunity and limitations.

Key Topics Covered:

• Starting a business with no plan or formal training
• Moving from kitchen work into woodworking and furniture making
• How Design Woodcraft Ltd grew through trial and consistency
• Building a sustainable timber supply chain from log to finished product
• Milling timber, air drying processes, and cost advantages
• Carbon tracking and creating low impact furniture products
• Working with hospitality clients and high end restaurants
• Why word of mouth growth limits scale
• The challenge of marketing a craft based business
• Creating recurring revenue through maintenance services
• Plans to expand workshop capacity and increase turnover

Enjoying the show?

Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction to Ben Goldsmith and Design Woodcraft Ltd

02:47 Starting with no tools and no clear plan

07:52 Years of operating without strategy or structure

14:27 Carbon tracking and sustainability in furniture production

23:01 Milling timber and cost advantages

26:00 Full control of supply chain from log to product

29:54 Limits of word of mouth growth

37:23 Creating a recurring revenue service model

41:03 Challenges with marketing and content

1:00:49 Advice on creativity and exploration

Robin Johnson speaks with Paul Drake from JDO Ltd, a global branding agency working with brands such as Dove and Shell, to break down how branding actually works. This conversation focuses on emotional response, visual identity, and why strong brands win attention and trust. Paul explains how design influences perception, how storytelling drives value, and why consistency matters more than originality in many cases. They also examine the real impact of AI on creative industries, from branding and product design to customer experience.

Key Topics Covered

• How global brands build emotional connection through design
• Why branding is about psychology not just visuals
• The role of storytelling in premium product positioning
• How distinctive shapes and visual cues drive brand recognition
• Case study of luxury packaging and high value products
• The real process behind building a brand identity
• How AI is changing branding, design, and creative work
• Practical use of AI in engineering, product development, and training
• The balance between human creativity and automation
• Career advice for entering branding, design, and creative industries

Enjoying the show?

Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction to Paul Drake and global branding work

01:11 How branding projects begin and how agencies build brand identity

02:05 Career path into branding and design industry

03:00 Emotional response and how brands influence perception

05:12 Why storytelling drives value in creative work

07:33 Brand consistency and why it builds long term trust

10:39 Visual cues, shapes, and consumer behaviour

12:36 Case study of Mermaid gin and packaging design success

16:30 Building a global branding agency and creative partnerships

19:43 What makes a product visually distinctive

23:06 Designing furniture and creating a recognisable style

27:04 The economics of design, production, and scalability

31:58 CAD, CNC, and technical challenges in manufacturing

36:41 AI in design and the future of creative industries

41:55 Automation, jobs, and the future of work

44:34 Can AI replace creativity and brand thinking

49:03 Limits of AI in product design and real world application

53:05 AI in engineering and medical innovation

57:08 Technology as a tool to extend human capability

1:03:08 Human interaction versus automation in daily life

1:10:21 How to get into branding and design careers

1:28:15 Advice for younger self and building confidence