Tree Talk

The value of veneer, working with wood waste and creating furniture with a chainsaw are just a few topics that the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) investigates in the latest season of award-winning podcast, Words on Wood. Co-hosted by journalist Oli Stratford and long-time producer Evi Hall, the fourth series deftly probes the intersection between forestry, design and education.

The vital link between these disciplines and its scope for future generations is at the heart of the show. The first new episode, in particular, hones in on how creative newcomers are experimenting with veneer in playful ways. Rio Kobayashi and Jorge Penadés, two contemporary designers of the moment, feature together with Cathy Lynn Danzer of timber manufacturer Danzer.

This potent formula of combining varied views and voices from across the board underpins each episode. The second, for instance, explores the need for a more robust and dedicated timber curriculum for design students with educator Kenn Busch, structural engineer Hanif Kara and architect Izaskun Chinchilla Moreno. In addition, the mini-instalments ‘Making Shorts’ offer listeners bite-size insights into a multitude of techniques for designing and building with timber. Each case study spotlights the processes behind fascinating projects, with a view to share knowledge and inspire collaborations that will ultimately future-proof our forests.

Words on Wood fourth season launched on 14th December 2023, with episodes released weekly. Listen and subscribe to Words on Wood on Apple podcasts, Spotify and on americanhardwood.org.