Dart Alonge

Between the Cracks

Society EN ↓ 4 episodes

Stories steeped in the details. Hosted by Dart Alonge, it’s a journey into the on the ground corners of teaware, the history of artisans with some myth busting, and the quiet rituals that make tea more than just a drink. Listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at the teaware business — from sourcing pots to navigating tea cities — alongside conversations with artists who shape the pots, cups, and tools we use. And sometimes, the journey takes side quests into the wider world of tea: stories of farmers, brewing traditions, and the way a simple leaf connects us across cultures. It’s not about hyp...

Author

Dart Alonge

Episodes

designing a wood fired teaboat 14.12.2025 36:12

What started as a simple question “Why do we even need a tea boat?” turned into a deep conversation about design, craft, and daily tea practice. In this episode, Jonathan and Dart sit down to talk through the process of designing prototype tea boats : from wet tea setups and drainage, to kiln challenges, material choices, and the quiet decisions that shape how tea is actually experienced. Along...

Northwest Tea Fest BTS, honest chats, and reality of the small teapot business 04.10.2025 31:19

This episode of Between the Cracks is a heartfelt one. What began as a chance to be together for the Northwest Tea Fest turned into something deeper — a conversation with two of my closest friends in the teaware world: Mark Mohler of Sanguine Teapots and Jonathan Steele of Jonathan Steele Studio . Both are incredibly skilled makers, dedicated to the craft of small teapots. Together, we talk...

the best city for teapots in all of China 26.09.2025 31:07

On this trip Between the Cracks , we dive into Jianshui — the teaware city that’s captured our hearts. Known for its silky-smooth finish and neutral clay, Jianshui pottery stands apart for its artistry, its innovation, and the culture that surrounds it. From carved inlays filled with colored clays to studios pushing tradition in new directions, this is the most fun and exciting pottery town we’ve...

silky teapots, weird city, and just learning to wood fire 19.09.2025 31:29

From our spring teaware sourcing trip, Qinzhou is full of contradictions — silky smooth, consistent teapots from a city whose culture feels almost too strange to believe.