Makers of the USA

About Topsl Farm 83-acre woodland farm and retreat in Waldoboro, Maine Originally established in 1936 as a working farm and family sanctuary Now hosts retreats, weddings, culinary experiences, and glamping stays Built around intentional experiences, nature, and connection Sarah’s Journey Grew up on a farm in rural Maine, initially resisted that lifestyle Built a career in marketing and entrepreneu...

Episode Overview In this episode, Kristan sits down with Patrick Stone, lead singer of Hairball, to talk about the craft behind performance — not just music, but transformation, confidence, and connection. What starts as a conversation about 80s hair-band culture quickly becomes a deeper discussion about purpose, creativity, and what it means to make people feel something through live music. What...

Episode Highlights: * Why so many successful entrepreneurs still feel stuck or unfulfilled * The danger of hiding behind titles, success, or “having it all together” * How fear shows up differently for leaders and founders * Why storytelling doesn’t have to be dramatic to be powerful * The six-question framework Josh uses to uncover authentic personal brands * How podcasts and media appearances ca...

Guest: 🧍‍♂️ Steven White — Co-Founder & Creative Director, [Different Regard](https://differentregard.com) 📍 Location: Howard Street, Baltimore, Maryland Highlights: * Steven’s journey from finance to fashion — and how narcolepsy changed his path * Founding story of Different Regard (2010–2011) and building an in-house factory by 2013 * Transition from T-shirts to fully tailored suits and small-...

Episode Notes: Makers of the USA with Elise Marie Designs In this episode of Makers of the USA , host Kristan Vermeulen welcomes Elise Marie Designs , a Maine-based jewelry artist whose work blends sustainability, elegance, and storytelling. Elise opens up about her journey as a designer, how nature and the Maine coastline inspire her collections, and what it takes to build a thriving creative bus...

Key Topics Covered: The Spark Behind Origin USA Pete talks about how he saw an opportunity—and responsibility—to bring manufacturing back to America, starting with jiu-jitsu gis. Manufacturing in Maine The commitment to American supply chains and reviving long-lost skills in the state of Maine. Resilience & Risk Why Pete bet everything he had—literally—to get his business off the ground and why he...

Hats, Hustle, and Heritage: How John Brubaker Wears Every Role with Purpose In a world where reinvention is often just a buzzword, John Brubaker is living proof that you can evolve without losing the core of who you are. Known to many as Coach Bru, a celebrated author, speaker, and performance coach, Brubaker has turned his passion for leadership into bestselling books and transformative programs....

Meet Jen Dean: Photographer, dark alchemist, and guide for personal transformation The healing power of boudoir photography What is “dark alchemy”? Jen explains the process of facing shadow to reveal the light Reclaiming identity through vulnerability and embodiment Jen’s personal journey: how she came to this work and why it matters The importance of self-love in a culture that profits from insec...

Episode Title: Building Strength, Inside and Out: The Journey of Evan Amell and EA Fitness Guest: Evan Amell, Owner of EA Fitness & Performance Podcast: Makers of the USA Episode Summary: In this inspiring episode of Makers of the USA , host Evan Amell, the young entrepreneur behind EA Fitness & Performance, shares his remarkable journey from athlete to fitness coach and business owner. From overc...

Podcast Notes: Olagunju Busola Dorcas – Fashion, Storytelling, and Community Impact** Episode Overview: In this episode, we speak with Olagunju Busola Dorcas, a Maine-based fashion designer originally from Nigeria. Olagunju shares her inspiring journey from studying project management in Maine to following her true passion for fashion. Alongside her design work, she supports refugees as they settl...

In this episode, host Kristan Vermeulen sits down with Bobby Miller, a highly experienced asset developer in Maine, to discuss the current state of the housing market, the lack of inventory, and the development landscape throughout the state. Bobby shares his journey from his upbringing in Camden to becoming a key player in Maine’s real estate scene. Key Topics Covered: The Housing Crisis in Maine...

Treading New Paths: Jax & Bard’s Shoemaking Mastery In the heart of Gray, Maine, a small town known for its scenic beauty and quiet charm, a unique brand has emerged, one that combines age-old shoemaking traditions with modern sensibilities. That brand is Jax & Bard , a name synonymous with high-quality, handcrafted footwear. Whether you’re a connoisseur of custom shoes or simply someone who value...

Rogue Life Maine: A Story of Craftsmanship, Community, and Passion In the heart of Maine , where the rugged coastline meets vast forests and small towns built on hard work, a brand was born — a brand that would eventually redefine the world of fitness equipment and inspire a lifestyle grounded in strength, resilience, and pride. This is the story of Rogue Life Maine . The Beginning: A Vision Takes...

Jordia Benjamin, recognized in MaineBiz's "40 Under 40," is a prominent figure in the arts community. As the Executive Director of Indigo Arts Alliance, she focuses on supporting artists of color and fostering cultural representation. Benjamin's leadership emphasizes collaboration, creativity, and community engagement. Her work has significantly impacted the Maine arts landscape, promoting diversi...

[00:02:56] Organ building craftsmanship. [00:03:58] Organ building and inspiration. [00:10:37] Knowing music for organ building. [00:14:22] Perfect facility for craft. [00:20:53] The cost of organs. [00:21:43] Organ building as mechanical design. [00:27:11] Moon and farming practices. [00:30:43] Two temperaments in organs. [00:38:15] Organ pipes collapsing over time. [00:40:21] Organ builders and...

[00:02:12] Meditation and spirituality. [00:06:52] Eye-opening experiences in Colombia. [00:08:03] Colorful nature in Colombia. [00:12:24] Incorporating nature in glass art. [00:16:00] Artistic inspiration from family. [00:19:59] Getting into meditation. [00:25:38] Challenging glass projects. [00:29:38] Changing creative direction [00:34:21] Seattle becoming a glassblowing center. [00:36:10] Passi...

[00:02:45] David Seery's artistic journey. [00:05:28] Selling milk at age seven. [00:08:00] Land investments in North America. [00:12:55] The elephant trailer. [00:18:03] How long does it typically take you to make a piece? [00:21:20] Dealing with pandemic challenges. [00:25:02] Wine making. [00:28:18] New stories wind their way. David Syre's artistic practice is deeply rooted in spirituality, wit...

[00:04:13] High school challenges and dyslexia. [00:09:23] Intriguing lifestyle at the country club. [00:13:38] Reconsidering life and taking risks. [00:18:40] Learning to sharpen knives. [00:19:13] Knife sharpening journey. [00:23:20] Science of steel and knives. [00:28:25] Making your own steel. [00:32:41] Making Japanese steel replica. [00:36:02] Understanding steel and challenges. [00:39:15] O...

[00:02:13] Exploring Seattle's local makers. [00:05:22] The history behind London Bridge Studios. [00:08:01] The London Bridge sound. [00:12:31] Rock and roll influence. [00:16:29] Local musicians in Washington. [00:19:13] Recording and releasing music. [00:22:10] Painting and creativity in music. [00:26:58] Painting as therapeutic during pandemic. [00:30:11] A spontaneous trip to Seattle.   The p...

"I think our craft is just fun, partying. It's about playing music that we love with people that we love. I feel like a place called home is kind of the best representation of what we do, because I think we are a family. No matter whether anybody's here or not, we are going to be just laughing our asses off having a great time smiling at what everybody's doing. It feels like home every time that w...

"Most of our theme is maps and charts, we are map and chart people. So wherever that little corner of the world is special to you or to somebody you love or somebody wants to give well wishes to, we can pinpoint it down to a street address or we can design an entire country from an actual nautical chart, graphic, map topo, aerial map, aeronautical map, anything that's close to your heart," said Ja...

"Our craft is making snowboards with Winterstick snowboards. Winterstick is the oldest snowboard company in the world. It was started in 1972 by Dimitrije Milovich out in Salt Lake City and for the last 23 years, we've run our business out of Maine. I came on about six and a half years ago and I've always been a lifelong snowboarder. I've based my whole education and life around snowboarding. Some...

"My craft is hand hewing, which is basically turning a log into a square beam using only an axe. It's a craft that's been around for thousands of years. Most of the old homes and barns and structures throughout New England were timber framed, and those beams were hewn just with an axe. So it's a craft that is not common anymore. But you can still learn about it through books or YouTube videos. And...

" I define myself as a leather art wear designer so which means that I make one-of-a-kind pieces of art fashion using recycled leather. How I got into that -- long funny story but it really came down to my friend asking me in his driveway if I wanted to sew leather jackets together. My experience sewing before that was minimal. I had a sewing machine. My mom got me from Walmart and knew how to do...

"I guess in my particular case, the wood sculpture would be more of a definition of what I do. A traditional wood carver uses chisels and gouges only that are very specific. I've found that using some electric tools and sanding, I can sometimes bring the piece to the point that I like. So I'm more of a wood sculptor than I am a wood carver so to speak. A traditionalist would be a wood carver, I'm...