The Modern Woodcarver

This episode reveals how the finest artists turn their craft into thriving careers through passion, critique, and relentless growth. Imagine turning a childhood fascination into a full-time, successful art form. Alec Lacoste, a renowned woodcarver and author, shares how he’s navigated the challenges of mastering realistic sculpture, building a business, and handling criticism with grace. From his...

Discover the secret to turning your woodcarving hobby into a thriving community and small business—without flashy marketing or a big budget. Steve Hunter, a seasoned carver with 28 years of experience and a passionate YouTube creator, reveals how genuine sharing and strategic quality tools built his network, confidence, and even led to sales at local art shows. In this episode, you'll uncover...

Discover how Pat Coffey’s 37-year journey into caricature woodcarving transforms simple wood into lively, humorous characters bursting with personality. From a rookie experimenting in basements with dog figures in 1989 to a seasoned artist whose work has captivated audiences at the International Association of Woodcarvers, Pat’s story reveals the secrets behind creating carvings full of storytelli...

Most woodcarvers chase a story—they want each piece to feel alive, full of personality and character. Ray Pertt's whimsical, gritty style does just that, matching intricate drawings with carvings that seem to tell their own tales. But how does he bring such life to wood? And what if your work feels flat or stiff, missing that dynamic punch? Ray reveals his secret to unlocking movement and pers...

On todays episode of The Modern Woodcarver Podcast, I sit down with Jerry McNulty, aka The Whistling Whittler, he offers a fresh, spirited perspective that makes the craft approachable and fun for everyone—beginners and pros alike. In this episode, Jerry shares the surprising story of how a woodworking hobby sparked a creative renaissance, transforming him into a community-inspiring artist known f...

Most woodcarvers don’t realize how much craftsmanship, innovation, and family legacy shape their tools—until they hear the story behind Badger State Blades. Ashton and Libby share how a simple comment about aging toolmakers inspired a new generational wave of handcrafted knives that are transforming the craft. In this episode, you’ll discover how their company evolved from a family breakfast remar...

Most woodcarvers spend years trying to unlock the secrets of their craft—Blake Lundsford reveals how you can accelerate your progress by embracing community, learning from others, and leveraging online resources. If you've ever felt that carving is a solitary, frustrating pursuit, this episode will change your perspective. Blake shares his journey from novice to influential community builder,...

Explore the art of developing a unique woodcarving style with David Young, whose background in math inspires his colorful, geometric creations. Discover how a simple whittling session sparked his journey from hobbyist to author and content creator. This episode offers insights into crafting a signature style, using bold colors, and visualizing shapes to enhance your carvings. Perfect for beginners...

Unlock the secrets behind Abigail’s extraordinary versatility in wood carving—from hyper-realistic animal sculptures to bold chainsaw masterpieces. How does she juggle such diverse styles, tools, and scales? And what lessons can her journey teach aspiring carvers about pushing boundaries without burning out? Most carvers stick to one style, one tool, one scale—Abigail challenges all of that. She r...

Join us on the Modern Woodcarver Podcast as we sit down with Josh Arroyo, a talented woodcarver specializing in character carvings. Discover how Josh's journey began with a simple gift of a knife and evolved into a passion for creating expressive, personality-filled pieces. In this episode, Josh shares his experiences, from the challenges of working with different woods to the joy of crafting...

Discover how a simple soap carving hobby evolved into a thriving craft that’s inspired thousands — and how you can turn your passion into a creative therapy. When Dan Gallagher started carving soap in third grade, he never imagined it would lead to a unique career in stylized golf ball characters and realistic animal sculptures. From his first polar bear out of Ivory soap to his intricate Star Tre...

Most artful woodworkers challenge our notions of function — Jeff Baenen’s sculptural boxes are not just storage, they’re flowing, organic masterpieces that redefine craftsmanship. In this episode, Jeff shares how he transforms traditional woodworking into breathtaking sculptures, blending precision joinery with an artistic movement rooted in nature and architecture. Discover how a 20-year journey...

Unlock the secrets behind one of the most expressive, energetic styles in wood carving—bold caricatures with exaggerated open mouths that breathe life into every piece. Rod Gatlin, a master of storytelling through carving, shares his journey from a hobbyist to a renowned artist, revealing how embracing playful exaggeration and experimentation transformed his work—and can do the same for you. In th...

In this episode of The Modern Woodcarver Podcast , I sit down with Marika and Sara — the creative force behind Estrapalla Woodworking — to talk about their journey from passionate makers to building a recognizable and growing woodworking brand. Over the years, they’ve developed a bold, layered style that continues to evolve — most recently through their exotic wooden sculpted butterflies that have...

In this episode of the Modern Woodcarver Podcast , I sit down with woodcarver Tom Par to talk about the art of character carving and what it takes to bring personality to life in wood. Tom’s work is instantly recognizable for its expressive faces, playful style, and strong sense of character. We talk about how he developed his carving style, what inspires his work, and the process of turning a sim...

In this episode of The Modern Woodcarver Podcast , I sit down with character carver Jonathan Creason to talk about bringing personality to life in wood. Jonathan is known for his expressive character-style carvings packed with incredible detail and emotion. We dive into how he developed his carving style, his approach to capturing lifelike expressions, and the intentional cuts that turn a simple b...

In Episode 3 of The Modern Woodcarver Podcast, I’m joined by Noah Head , the artist behind WhittlersGreen and his unmistakable collection of Sasquatch carvings. Noah’s Bigfoot pieces are instantly recognizable — full of personality, character, and a style that stands out the moment you see them. But developing a signature look like that doesn’t happen overnight. In this episode, we talk about: How...

In this episode of the Modern Woodcarver Podcast, I sit down with woodcarver Cody Bonham , the artist behind Block & Knife . What started as a shared passion for carving eventually turned into a friendship, and in this conversation we talk about the journey from carvers to friends. Cody is known for his instantly recognizable ghost carvings, but behind the work is a deeper story about developi...

In this episode of The Modern Woodcarver Podcast, I’m breaking down five of the most common mistakes beginner woodcarvers make — and more importantly, how to avoid them. When I first started carving, I made just about every mistake in the book. From choosing the wrong wood to rushing projects and getting frustrated with slow progress, I learned the hard way that carving is a craft built on patienc...

In this very first episode of The Modern Woodcarver , I share the story of how my woodcarving journey began — with a simple wood spirit carved from a block of mahogany and a YouTube tutorial. What started as curiosity quickly became something much deeper. Woodcarving has brought me joy, focus, and a creative outlet that challenges me to slow down, reflect, and grow. It’s taught me patience. It’s t...