Bonsai Builders Podcast

Matthew Gelacio is an up and coming star artist based out of San Diego who balances a full time job in Japanese garden design with amazing development as a bonsai artist. In this episode, we get to hear more about his journey, the unique skillset he is building, and the teachings that have been instilled him from Japanese roots.

In this episode, we sit down with Sylvia and Howard Smith—the dynamic duo known as The Bonsai Smiths—who are setting the standard for bonsai excellence in the Dallas area. We discuss the incredible balancing act of managing medical careers, parenthood, and a deep dedication to the art of bonsai! Sylvia and Howard reflect on their early days taking intensives with Boon over 20 years ago, how they’ve consistently honed their skills, and their vision for integrating bonsai into their long-term future.

In this episode, the tables turn as Jeremiah Lee from The Black Pondo Podcast interviews me! We dive into my daily practice, what's keeping me busy in the bonsai world right now, and his exciting dream of starting his very own club. If you haven't checked out his show yet, be sure to give it a listen and a follow. He creates amazing content, and you can find it right here on whichever platform you're using to listen today!

In this episode, Addison is joined by Mark Britton, a world class footwear designer who has worked with some of your favorite brands. Mark breaks down his design process in his career and how he brings that same intensity to his burgeoning bonsai practice. They close out talking about Mark's experience as a Vice President of the Santa Barbara club and what the club means to him.

In this episode, we peek into the mind of a true bonsai builder, Peter Tea. After studying in Japan under Mr. Tanaka at Aichien Nursery, Peter now runs one of the premier bonsai practices in the U.S. out of Auburn, California. During our interview, he breaks down the thought processes that drive his daily practice and help him cultivate award-winning Pacific Bonsai Expo trees alongside his clients. We also explore his core inspirations in bonsai and how they continue to fuel his drive to create masterpiece trees.

In this episode, SoCal-based bonsai professional Julian Tsai dives into the deeper philosophy behind the bonsai ecosystem. We explore the main pillars of the art form, discussing why technique and cultivation are so deeply interconnected. Julian also shares his perspective on the concept of wabi-sabi and its significance to bonsai culture in Japan. Finally, we look back at Julian's early years as a professional and discuss the impact he's making on the Southern California bonsai scene.

In this episode, Randy takes us back 5+ decades to the start of his Bonsai journey and gives some illuminating advice for how to develop a niche and push the science of bonsai forward. He also lays out the ins and outs of collecting in the swamp was super fun to discuss. Randy wrote THE book on Cypress Bonsai and doesn't disappoint in this invigorating episode.

Mike Pistello comes on the show to talk about his path to a Pacific Bonsai Expo winning hobbyist and what his definition of true mastery is in bonsai.

In this episode, Bjorn and Addison dive into what the move back to Japan means for Bjorn's bonsai practice. They chat about how this change impacts his tree design as well as the structure of his business. It wouldn't be a bonsai builders episode if they didn't also talk about learning and how a targeted trip to Japan can help a hobbyist level up.

Water is the foundation of bonsai and is the most common way we interact with our plants. In this episode, Addison dives deep into municipal water treatment practices with Eric Forrester of Calgon Carbon. He has worked as a Chemical Engineer for the past 10+ years and has a wealth of experience to draw from. Their interdisciplinary discuss seeks to reveal more behind the intricacies of watering bonsai.