Yours For The Making with Robin Johnson

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

Robin Johnson sits down with Paddy Piggott to break down how he went from washing dishes during a recession to opening one of Hastings’ most well known bars.
Paddy shares how he started with no qualifications, worked his way through kitchens and bars, and spotted the opportunity to open the Dragon Bar. He explains the reality of building a venue from an empty 1820 storage unit, digging out the basement by hand, and creating a space that has lasted over 20 years.
This conversation focuses on what it takes to run a bar long term. Paddy talks through staffing challenges, rising costs, regulations, and why the industry is harder now than when he started. He also explains why bars succeed or fail, and why creating the right atmosphere matters more than anything else.
Alongside the business, Paddy shares stories from years behind the bar, the culture of Hastings, and why risk, travel, and experience matter more than playing it safe.

Key Topics Covered
Starting in hospitality with no qualifications during a recession
Working in kitchens and bars and learning through experience
The culture and late night scene at Harper’s in Hastings
Opening the Dragon Bar and finding the right location
Renovating an empty unit and building the bar by hand
Creating a space that attracts loyal customers and strong staff
Managing staff and building a team with personality and energy
The financial reality of running a bar and rising operating costs
Regulations, taxes, and why the industry is harder today
Differences between running a bar and a restaurant
Why atmosphere and experience drive repeat customers
The impact of social media and changing nightlife culture
Lessons from travel, risk taking, and personal growth

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 Paddy Piggott and early career
00:34 Starting work as a dishwasher during a recession
01:31 Harper’s bar and late night culture in Hastings
03:44 Changes in nightlife and social behaviour over time
08:17 Decision to open the Dragon Bar
10:10 Finding the location and securing the lease
12:30 Renovating the space and building the bar
14:05 Designing the bar and creating long lasting features
17:10 Running the kitchen and building a reputation for food
20:10 Staff culture and hiring the right people
26:39 Why opening a bar today is harder than before
28:22 Rising costs and the economics of running a bar
37:26 Buying and rebuilding Fagan’s restaurant
45:19 Why bars are more viable than restaurants
50:13 Social media and changing customer behaviour
52:50 Memorable stories from behind the bar
1:01:05 Advice to his 18 year old self

Robin Johnson reflects on one year of Yours for the Making and the journey behind building his business, Johnson Bespoke.
Starting in his father’s workshop, Robin developed a hands on approach to making from an early age. He went on to study surf science, where he learned critical thinking, before working at Quiksilver and gaining insight into retail and customer behaviour. After a period in teaching design and technology, he made the decision to leave and start his own business.
In this episode, Robin shares the reality of building a creative business from scratch. He talks through early struggles with pricing, inconsistent work, and poor financial management. He explains how losing a major project during COVID forced a reset, and how focusing on joinery and controlling costs allowed the business to recover and grow.
He also reflects on hiring key people, building a skilled team, and setting a clear direction for the company. This is a direct account of building a business through mistakes, pressure, and long term thinking.

Key Topics Covered
One year of podcasting and lessons from creative guests
Early exposure to making and learning through experimentation
Studying surf science and developing critical thinking
Working at Quicksilver and understanding retail behaviour
Teaching design and technology and working in private education
Starting Johnson Bespoke and early business challenges
Financial mistakes and lessons from COVID disruption
Why focusing on joinery improved profitability
Hiring key people and building a strong team
Scaling a creative business and working with global designers
Long term ambition to build a leading joinery company
Personal growth through podcasting and reflection

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 One year of podcasting and purpose of the solo episode
01:14 Early making experiences and learning through experimentation
03:25 Studying surf science and developing critical thinking
07:16 Teaching design and technology and working in schools
12:04 Starting Johnson Bespoke and early struggles
15:15 Taking on major projects and facing COVID disruption
19:04 Financial mistakes and learning to manage numbers
21:41 Hiring Richard Muddyman and scaling the business
26:35 Building high end joinery and working with designers
31:42 Podcast growth and building a personal brand
36:12 Advice to his 18 year old self and mindset