In Episode 56 of BonsaiTime, hosts Kevin, Kelly, and Ryan sit down for an honest and insightful 2025 Year in Review. From the biggest wins and proudest moments to the unexpected challenges and lessons learned, they reflect on everything that shaped the past year — both behind the mic and within the bonsai community.

The conversation doesn’t stop there. The trio also looks ahead to 2026, sharing exciting updates about the future of the podcast, new projects in the works, expanded community outreach efforts, and fresh opportunities to grow together. Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning or just discovered BonsaiTime, this episode offers a transparent look at where we’ve been and an inspiring glimpse at where we’re headed next.

Tune in for laughs, reflections, big announcements, and a renewed vision for the year ahead

Today’s episode is Part Two of my two-part conversation with iconic stand maker Austin Heitzman. If you haven’t listened to Part One yet, I recommend starting there for the full context of our discussion.

In this episode, we dive deeper into the artistry and craftsmanship behind root stands, exploring how experience, experimentation, and perspective shape new ideas. We talk about the relationship between art and livelihood, the importance of maintaining hobbies to fuel creativity, and how Austin’s stand-making classes continue to grow and evolve to meet the needs of modern makers.

It’s an insightful and engaging continuation of the conversation — packed with thoughtful reflections on craftsmanship, creativity, and pushing your work to the next level.

Today’s episode is part one of a two-part conversation. Join Kevin as he sits down with iconic stand maker Austin Heitzman for a deep dive into all things woodworking and stand building, the cultural connections between America and Japan, and how tables and stands function as an artistic medium in their own right. We also explore Austin’s philosophies on art, life, and much more.

The video version is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠coming soon.

Show notes, relevant pictures, and links are ⁠⁠⁠coming soon.

Whether this is your first time listening or you’ve been with us from the very beginning, thank you so much for being part of this amazing community. If you have feedback, ideas, or suggestions, send them our way at ⁠[email protected]⁠—and be sure to subscribe, like, comment, and share the episode to help keep the conversation going. And if you want to hang out with us in real time, join our Discord channel, Bonsai Time Podcast Chat. Let’s jump in… and always remember: Bonsai ON!

See you in the next episode!

Guest Info:

            Austin Heitzman is a standmaker in Portland, OR, USA. Find his website www.austinheitzmanfurniture.com

Sponsor Info:

This episode is sponsored by our co-host via the Kevin Faris moving sale of bonsai pottery, tools, and trees. View these items at In Vivo Bonsai of Columbus, Ohio, USA in-person, or online (shipping available) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠invivobonsai.etsy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.InVivoBonsai.com⁠⁠⁠ and navigate to the consignment ⁠⁠⁠pottery⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠tree⁠⁠⁠ pages.

Mailbag submissions/Community:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NEW BT DISCORD Chat⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BT Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Support the Pod:

Anytime you listen, subscribe, rate us, or share us with friends, you help keep us motivated to keep making episodes for you all! If you want to take it to the next level, you can also help keep the podcast going by donating to us through Spotify or by sponsoring an episode (contact us directly for that). All donations go back into the podcast such as for our web hosting, recording gear expenses, etc.

Podcast Info:

The Bonsai Time Podcast is hosted, edited, & produced by Kevin Faris, Ryan Huston, & Kelly Lui. We expect to post new interviews and reflections monthly! Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and our email [email protected].

Submit questions or pictures for future Bonsai Brainstorm episodes to our email, social media DMs, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Audio editing of this episode and music are by MIDICANCER. Find more music by them on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SoundCloud⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BandCamp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Host info:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ryan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is a former bonsai apprentice of Elandan Gardens and current operator of In Vivo Bonsai nursery and educational operation in Columbus, OH. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kevin ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is a bonsai practitioner/teacher now living in Massachusetts. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kelly⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is a newer bonsai artist volunteering and studying especially in the Los Angeles area.

More Bonsai Projects by Ryan:

Read more about bonsai on his blog and learn more about his educational services ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Find Ryan's online-available bonsai products, seeds, tools, etc. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Each seed kit sold comes with my full 10-year bonsai-from-seed guide.

Find Ryan on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as well if you need more bonsai in your feed.

Also, check out some of my video editing work for the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Puget Sound Bonsai Association⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Columbus Bonsai Society⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠'s demonstration archives.

Today’s episode is a special one! Your hosts Ryan Huston and Kevin Faris sat down with Ryan Neil of Bonsai Mirai, just outside Portland, Oregon. We dive into bonsai, life, apprenticeships, family, purpose through the art — and so much more. Enjoy and Bonsai on!

The video version is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠.

Show notes, relevant pictures, and links are ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

See you in the next episode!

Guest Info:

            Ryan Neil is already known by many in the bonsai world for his accomplishments, including serving a 6-year apprenticeship in Japan under the world-famous artist Kimura. He then went on to found his garden and educational operation Bonsai Mirai which for years has done both in-person and live-streamed advanced bonsai education. He is one of the first and biggest players in the bonsai educational subscription content/community scene which has now evolved into an app most recently.

• Bonsai Mirai Website
• Bonsai Mirai YouTube
• Mirai Mobile App on Android and Apple

Sponsor Info:

This episode is sponsored by Chris Meade of the Columbus Bonsai Society and by our co-host via the Kevin Faris moving sale of bonsai pottery, tools, and trees. View these items at In Vivo Bonsai of Columbus, Ohio, USA in-person, or online (shipping available) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠invivobonsai.etsy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.InVivoBonsai.com⁠⁠ and navigate to the consignment ⁠⁠pottery⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠tree⁠⁠ pages.

Mailbag submissions/Community:

⁠⁠⁠⁠NEW BT DISCORD Chat⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠BT Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠

Support the Pod:

Anytime you listen, subscribe, rate us, or share us with friends, you help keep us motivated to keep making episodes for you all! If you want to take it to the next level, you can also help keep the podcast going by donating to us through Spotify or by sponsoring an episode (contact us directly for that). All donations go back into the podcast such as for our web hosting, recording gear expenses, etc.

Podcast Info:

The Bonsai Time Podcast is hosted, edited, & produced by Kevin Faris, Ryan Huston, & Kelly Lui. We expect to post new interviews and reflections monthly! Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and our email [email protected].

Submit questions or pictures for future Bonsai Brainstorm episodes to our email, social media DMs, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Audio editing of this episode and music are by MIDICANCER. Find more music by them on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SoundCloud⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BandCamp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Host info:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ryan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is a former bonsai apprentice of Elandan Gardens and current operator of In Vivo Bonsai nursery and educational operation in Columbus, OH. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kevin ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is a bonsai practitioner/teacher now living in Massachusetts. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kelly⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is a newer bonsai artist volunteering and studying especially in the Los Angeles area.

More Bonsai Projects by Ryan:

Read more about bonsai on his blog and learn more about his educational services ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Find Ryan's online-available bonsai products, seeds, tools, etc. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Each seed kit sold comes with my full 10-year bonsai-from-seed guide.

Find Ryan on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as well if you need more bonsai in your feed.

Also, check out some of my video editing work for the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Puget Sound Bonsai Association⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Columbus Bonsai Society⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠'s demonstration archives.

In today's episode, you’ll find Ryan and Kevin catching up on life and then jumping into the interview with a multi-talented former school teacher, master of rock slabs, forest plantings, and South Carolina yamadori collector - John Geanangel. John shared with us his bonsai origin story, how it led to becoming a headliner artist for the Bonsai in the Blue Ridge convention in 2026, and what you can expect when attending his 3(!) Bald cypress workshops there. We also discussed his methods for bald cypress yamadori collecting and growing from seed.

The video version is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here.

Show notes, relevant pictures, and links are ⁠here⁠.

See you in the next episode!

Guest Info:

            John Geanangel is a bonsai enthusiast passionate about his local scenery and the natives in the South Carolina area. Find more of his work on his Facebook page and YouTube channel, which have lots of great content from previous years of educational efforts and recent tree projects.

• John Geanangel's Facebook
• John's YouTube
• John's Bald Cypress Workshops for Bonsai in the Blue Ridge 2026
• Storm-damaged flat top bald cypress
• Bald cypress care and refinement
• American Bonsai Society's Bonsai in the Blue Ridge 2026 Convention Info

Sponsor Info:

This episode is sponsored by our co-host via the Kevin Faris moving sale of bonsai pottery, tools, and trees. View these items at In Vivo Bonsai of Columbus, Ohio, USA in-person, or online (shipping available) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠invivobonsai.etsy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠, or go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.InVivoBonsai.com⁠ and navigate to the consignment ⁠pottery⁠ and ⁠tree⁠ pages.

Mailbag submissions/Community:

⁠⁠⁠NEW BT DISCORD Chat⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠BT Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠

Support the Pod:

Anytime you listen, subscribe, rate us, or share us with friends, you help keep us motivated to keep making episodes for you all! If you want to take it to the next level, you can also help keep the podcast going by donating to us through Spotify or by sponsoring an episode (contact us directly for that). All donations go back into the podcast such as for our web hosting, recording gear expenses, etc.

Podcast Info:

The Bonsai Time Podcast is hosted, edited, & produced by Kevin Faris, Ryan Huston, & Kelly Lui. We expect to post new interviews and reflections monthly! Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠, our ⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠, and our email [email protected].

Submit questions or pictures for future Bonsai Brainstorm episodes to our email, social media DMs, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Music by MIDICANCER. Find more music by them on ⁠⁠⁠⁠SoundCloud⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠BandCamp⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Host info:

⁠⁠⁠⁠Ryan⁠⁠⁠⁠ is a former bonsai apprentice of Elandan Gardens and current operator of In Vivo Bonsai nursery and educational operation in Columbus, OH. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Kevin ⁠⁠⁠⁠is a bonsai practitioner/teacher now living in Massachusetts. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Kelly⁠⁠⁠⁠ is a newer bonsai artist volunteering and studying especially in the Los Angeles area.

More Bonsai Projects by Ryan:

Read more about bonsai on his blog and learn more about his educational services ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Find Ryan's online-available bonsai products, seeds, tools, etc. ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠. Each seed kit sold comes with my full 10-year bonsai-from-seed guide.

Find Ryan on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok ⁠⁠⁠⁠as well if you need more bonsai in your feed.

Also, check out some of my video editing work for the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Puget Sound Bonsai Association⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Columbus Bonsai Society⁠⁠⁠⁠'s demonstration archives.

In this episode of the Bonsai Time Podcast, Kevin and Ryan sit down with Robert Baran, one of the world’s most respected bonsai historians and researchers. Robert shares the stories behind decades of archived bonsai knowledge and how he built MagiMiniland into a global resource for miniature tree history. The conversation explores how bonsai traveled across cultures, how early masters shaped the art, and why preserving bonsai history is more important than ever. You’ll hear Robert reflect on his personal journey, his passion for research, and the untold stories that shaped the bonsai world. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who loves bonsai, history, and the deeper meaning behind miniature trees.

The video version is ⁠⁠⁠⁠here.

Show notes, relevant pictures, and links are here.

See you in the next episode!

Guest Info:

Robert Baran is the bonsai historian and researcher behind the most comprehensive publicly available bonsai archive linked below, which he is continually adding to. See the links below for his various projects.

• MagiMiniland.org
• Robert also has a YouTube channel with a few interviews.
• Robert's various books and book contributions can be found here.

Sponsor Info:

This episode is sponsored by our co-host via the Kevin Faris moving sale of bonsai pottery, tools, and trees. View these items at In Vivo Bonsai of Columbus, Ohio, USA in-person, or online (shipping available) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠invivobonsai.etsy.com⁠⁠⁠, or go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.InVivoBonsai.com and navigate to the consignment pottery and tree pages.

For Etsy sales, there is currently a 10% off Black Friday/Cyber Monday deal with the code CYBER25.

Mailbag submissions/Community:

⁠⁠NEW BT DISCORD Chat⁠⁠

⁠⁠BT Facebook Group⁠⁠

Support the Pod:

Anytime you listen, subscribe, rate us, or share us with friends, you help keep us motivated to keep making episodes for you all! If you want to take it to the next level, you can also help keep the podcast going by donating to us through Spotify or by sponsoring an episode (contact us directly for that). All donations go back into the podcast such as for our web hosting, recording gear expenses, etc.

Podcast Info:

The Bonsai Time Podcast is hosted, edited, & produced by Kevin Faris, Ryan Huston, & Kelly Lui. We expect to post new interviews and reflections monthly! Find us on ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠, our ⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠, and our email [email protected].

Submit questions or pictures for future Bonsai Brainstorm episodes to our email, social media DMs, or ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.

Music by MIDICANCER. Find more music by them on ⁠⁠⁠SoundCloud⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠BandCamp⁠⁠⁠.

Host info:

⁠⁠⁠Ryan⁠⁠⁠ is a former bonsai apprentice of Elandan Gardens and current operator of In Vivo Bonsai nursery and educational operation in Columbus, OH. ⁠⁠⁠Kevin ⁠⁠⁠is a bonsai practitioner/teacher now Living in Massachusetts. ⁠⁠⁠Kelly⁠⁠⁠ is a newer bonsai artist volunteering and studying especially in the Los Angeles area.

More Bonsai Projects by Ryan:

Read more about bonsai on his blog and learn more about his educational services ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.

Find Ryan's online-available bonsai products, seeds, tools, etc. ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠. Each seed kit sold comes with my full 10-year bonsai-from-seed guide.

Find Ryan on ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠TikTok ⁠⁠⁠as well if you need more bonsai in your feed.

Also, check out some of my video editing work for the ⁠⁠⁠Puget Sound Bonsai Association⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Columbus Bonsai Society⁠⁠⁠'s demonstration archives.

In this episode, Kevin, Kelly, and Ryan share their recent experiences attending the 2025 US National Bonsai Exhibition and share their tips that will help you navigate and get the most out of attending this or other similar bonsai conventions.

The video version is ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠.

Show notes, relevant pictures, and links are here.

See you in the next episode!

Sponsor Info:This episode is sponsored by (me!) In Vivo Bonsai of Columbus, Ohio, USA. Find me in person, online offerings at ⁠⁠⁠invivobonsai.etsy.com⁠⁠⁠, or go to ⁠⁠⁠www.InVivoBonsai.com⁠ ⁠⁠to see upcoming events, educational materials, and more.

Mailbag submissions/Community:

⁠NEW BT DISCORD Chat⁠

⁠BT Facebook Group⁠

Support the Pod:

Anytime you listen, subscribe, rate us, or share us with friends, you help keep us motivated to keep making episodes for you all! If you want to take it to the next level, you can also help keep the podcast going by donating to us through Spotify or by sponsoring an episode (contact us directly for that). All donations go back into the podcast such as for our web hosting, recording gear expenses, etc.

Podcast Info:

The Bonsai Time Podcast is hosted, edited, & produced by Kevin Faris, Ryan Huston, & Kelly Lui. We expect to post new interviews and reflections monthly! Find us on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠, our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠, and our email [email protected].

Submit questions or pictures for future Bonsai Brainstorm episodes to our email, social media DMs, or ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

Music by MIDICANCER. Find more music by them on ⁠⁠SoundCloud⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠BandCamp⁠⁠.

Host info:

⁠⁠Ryan⁠⁠ is a former bonsai apprentice of Elandan Gardens and current operator of In Vivo Bonsai nursery and educational operation in Columbus, OH. ⁠⁠Kevin ⁠⁠is a bonsai student and local leader of many years now moving to Maryland. ⁠⁠Kelly⁠⁠ is a newer bonsai artist volunteering and studying especially in the Los Angeles area.

More Bonsai Projects by Ryan:

Read more about bonsai on his blog and learn more about his educational services ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

Find Ryan's online-available bonsai products, seeds, tools, etc. ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. Each seed kit sold comes with my full 10-year bonsai-from-seed guide.

Find Ryan on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠TikTok ⁠⁠as well if you need more bonsai in your feed.

Also, check out some of my video editing work for the ⁠⁠Puget Sound Bonsai Association⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Columbus Bonsai Society⁠⁠'s demonstration archives.

In this episode, catch up on what's new with Ryan, Kevin, and Kelly with our new intro segments "What's Growing On" and "Bonsai Bulletin."

Then ~4:01, dive into a talk on how and why to grow or display moss with your bonsai, including its beneficial effects on horticulture and aesthetics. Kevin Faris was the presenting artist for this recorded Columbus Bonsai Society meeting. We hope you learn something new and can share this with those you know who are planning to display their first show tree sometime.

The video version (with powerpoint images and example trees) is ⁠⁠⁠here.

Show notes, relevant pictures, and links are coming soon.

See you in the next episode!

Guest Info:Kevin Faris is a born-and-raised Oregon boy turned bonsai artist. He was one of the founding members of the Bonsai Time Podcast in addition to his work at Faris Landscape and Design and his occasional bonsai teaching gigs. He is now based in Western MA, USA.

Kevin NHK Japanese Television segment

Kevin's Bonsai Pots for Sale through In Vivo BonsaiSponsor Info:This episode is sponsored by (me!) In Vivo Bonsai of Columbus, Ohio, USA. Find me in person, online offerings at ⁠⁠invivobonsai.etsy.com⁠⁠, or go to ⁠⁠www.InVivoBonsai.com⁠ ⁠to see upcoming events, educational materials, and more.

Mailbag submissions/Community:

NEW BT DISCORD Chat

BT Facebook Group

Support the Pod:

Anytime you listen, subscribe, rate us, or share us with friends, you help keep us motivated to keep making episodes for you all! If you want to take it to the next level, you can also help keep the podcast going by donating to us through Spotify or by sponsoring an episode (contact us directly for that). All donations go back into the podcast such as for our web hosting, recording gear expenses, etc.

Podcast Info:

The Bonsai Time Podcast is hosted, edited, & produced by Kevin Faris, Ryan Huston, & Kelly Lui. We expect to post new interviews and reflections monthly! Find us on ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, our ⁠website⁠, and our email [email protected].

Submit questions or pictures for future Bonsai Brainstorm episodes to our email, social media DMs, or ⁠here⁠.

Music by MIDICANCER. Find more music by them on ⁠SoundCloud⁠ and ⁠BandCamp⁠.

Host info:

⁠Ryan⁠ is a former bonsai apprentice of Elandan Gardens and current operator of In Vivo Bonsai nursery and educational operation in Columbus, OH. ⁠Kevin ⁠is a bonsai student and local leader of many years now moving to Maryland. ⁠Kelly⁠ is a newer bonsai artist volunteering and studying especially in the Los Angeles area.

More Bonsai Projects by Ryan:

Read more about bonsai on his blog and learn more about his educational services ⁠here⁠.

Find Ryan's online-available bonsai products, seeds, tools, etc. ⁠here⁠. Each seed kit sold comes with my full 10-year bonsai-from-seed guide.

Find Ryan on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠, and ⁠TikTok ⁠as well if you need more bonsai in your feed.

Also, check out some of my video editing work for the ⁠Puget Sound Bonsai Association⁠ and ⁠Columbus Bonsai Society⁠'s demonstration archives.

In this episode, catch up on what's new with Ryan, Kevin, and Kelly before diving into a talk on how to wire branches for bonsai styling. Rob Hoffman was the presenting artist for this recorded Columbus Bonsai Society meeting. We hope you learn something new and can share this with those you know who are learning how to wire bonsai.

The video version (with whiteboard drawings) is ⁠⁠here.

Show notes, relevant pictures, and links are here.

See you in the next episode!

Sponsor Info:

This episode is sponsored by the Columbus Bonsai Society 53rd Annual Bonsai Show, July 19-20, 2025 in Columbus, OH, USA. Details at ColumbusBonsai.org. We have 7 different bonsai workshops there - including from Rob and Ryan - as well as great raffle trees, exhibit trees, and tons of vendors.

Guest Info:

Rob Hoffman of Yume-en Bonsai in Marysville, OH. You can also find him traveling to regional bonsai shows, such as the upcoming US National Bonsai Exhibit.

Support the Pod:

Anytime you listen, subscribe, rate us, or share us with friends, you help keep us motivated to keep making episodes for you all! If you want to take it to the next level, you can also help keep the podcast going by donating to us through Spotify or by sponsoring an episode (contact us directly for that). All donations go back into the podcast such as for our web hosting, recording gear expenses, etc.

Podcast Info:

The Bonsai Time Podcast is hosted, edited, & produced by Kevin Faris, Ryan Huston, & Kelly Lui. We expect to post new interviews and reflections monthly! Find us on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, our website, and our email [email protected].

Submit questions or pictures for future Bonsai Brainstorm episodes to our email, social media DMs, or here.

Music by MIDICANCER. Find more music by them on SoundCloud and BandCamp.

Host info:

Ryan is a former bonsai apprentice of Elandan Gardens and current operator of In Vivo Bonsai nursery and educational operation in Columbus, OH. Kevin is a bonsai student and local leader of many years now moving to Maryland. Kelly is a newer bonsai artist volunteering and studying especially in the Los Angeles area.

More Bonsai Projects by Ryan:

Read more about bonsai on his blog and learn more about his educational services here.

Find Ryan's online-available bonsai products, seeds, tools, etc. here. Each seed kit sold comes with my full 10-year bonsai-from-seed guide.

Find Ryan on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok as well if you need more bonsai in your feed.

Also, check out some of my video editing work for the Puget Sound Bonsai Association and Columbus Bonsai Society's demonstration archives.

In this episode, Kevin, Kelly, and Ryan sat down with Megan Bibelhauser of the Waterfront Botanical Garden and Russel Stevens of Twisted Nature Bonsai in Louisville, Kentucky. Among other things, in Part 1 we discussed how the Waterfront Botanical Garden was founded only 5 years ago and their major events. Then in Part 2, we focused on their new bonsai training program, bonsai collection, and Japanese garden that is under construction.

The video version of Part 1 is ⁠⁠here.

The video version of Part 2 is here.

Show notes, relevant pictures, and links are here.

See you in the next episode!

Sponsor Info:

This episode is sponsored by the Waterfront Botanical Gardens 3rd Annual Bonsai Weekend in Louisville, Kentucky. Details at BonsaiWeekend.com. Come visit Kentucky's newest botanic garden and see what's growing with the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society. The show will feature guest judge Owen Reich, bonsai workshops, demonstrations, cultural activities, food and drink, koi fish on display from the Louisville Koi Society, and an expanded selection of vendors for all your bonsai needs. I'll be there too, and I hope to see you there May 30th-June 1st. Tickets are on sale now at BonsaiWeekend.com.

Guest Info:

Megan Bibelhauser can be found at the Waterfront Botanical Gardens in Louisville, KY, USA.

Russel Stevens can be found at Twisted Nature Bonsai and at the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society.

Support the Pod:

Anytime you listen, subscribe, rate us, or share us with friends you help keep us motivated to keep making episodes for you all! If you want to take it to the next level, you can also help keep the podcast going by donating to us through Spotify or by sponsoring an episode (contact us directly for that). All donations go back into the podcast such as for our web hosting, recording gear expenses, etc.

Podcast Info:

The Bonsai Time Podcast is hosted, edited, & produced by Kevin Faris, Ryan Huston, & Kelly Lui. We expect to post new interviews and reflections monthly! Find us on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, our website, and our email [email protected].

Submit questions or pictures for future Bonsai Brainstorm episodes to our email, social media DMs, or here.

Music by MIDICANCER. Find more music by them on SoundCloud and BandCamp.

Host info:

Ryan is a former bonsai apprentice of Elandan Gardens and current operator of In Vivo Bonsai nursery and educational operation in Columbus, OH. Kevin is a bonsai student and local leader of many years now moving to Maryland. Kelly is a newer bonsai artist volunteering and studying especially in the Los Angeles area.

More Bonsai Projects by Ryan:

Read more about bonsai on his blog and learn more about his educational services here.

Find Ryan's online-available bonsai products, seeds, tools, etc. here. Each seed kit sold comes with my full 10-year bonsai-from-seed guide.

Find Ryan on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok as well if you need more bonsai in your feed.

Also, check out some of my video editing work for the Puget Sound Bonsai Association and Columbus Bonsai Society's demonstration archives.