Best Primitive Technology Podcasts (2025)

1
Carving and Whittling with Brian Carver 47:29

2+ y ago47:29

47:29

#038. -- The ability to shape wood with a knife is one of the most elemental skills to have, and plays at least a minor role in the vast majority of other crafts. Sadly, knife skills in general seem to be in decline. . . Though that's something we encourage around here! Brian, from the Carving is Fun channel on Youtube, helps educate and get folks …

1
Bone: Understanding the Material, it's Uses and History with David Constantine 1:29:54

2+ y ago1:29:54

1:29:54

#037. -- In the craft world of the modern age, bone seems to be a rather neglected raw material that is rarely used for much of anything. But that was not always so, and fortunately Dave was willing to come on the podcast and share a little bit of his experience and insight on the craft of working with bones and antlers. Dave is a re-enactor of the…

1
Wool & Spinning with Josefin Waltin 1:00:54

2+ y ago1:00:54

1:00:54

#036. -- How many of you have ever knitted your own garments from wool you processed and spun yourself? Just the thought intimidates me.... and also draws me in wanting to learn more! In one of Josefin Waltin's Youtube videos she shows just that - and since her channel and website showcase a variety of other wool processing and spinning content I r…

1
Explanation (& Ramblings....) 23:59

2+ y ago23:59

23:59

#035. The Folk Craft Revival podcast is back!!!! If you can't tell, I'm excited! I've really missed putting together this podcast -- chatting with guests and getting to know some individuals involved in heritage skills and retaining and reviving the knowledge that was once fairly common. Hopefully you've missed it as much as I have! While I'm looki…

1
Fourth of July and Van life 11:30

4y ago11:30

11:30

On today's podcast I discuss why I haven't put out much content recently, some vanlife likes and dislikes, and give a recipe for a refreshing adult beverage. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soatmos/support

1
Finding Color on Your Local Landscape with Scott Sutton (The Pigment Hunter) 1:31:22

4y ago1:31:22

1:31:22

#034. -- Scott Sutton (aka The Pigment Hunter) joins us to chat about the art of finding color on our local landscape. We discuss how he got involved with making paints and sourcing pigments, his philosophy on sourcing materials and minimizing his personal environmental impact, some of the base methods and tools used to source pigments and process …

1
Foraging, Homesteading and Self Reliance with Jesscy Dean 1:11:48

4y ago1:11:48

1:11:48

#033. This week I’m chatting with Jesscy Dean (aka The Wild Homesteader) about foraging, food preservation, sourcing your own food, and old skills like that in general! Food seems to be the theme of this conversation, and why not? It is THE fundamental skill set that! While a lot of our conversation revolves around food, Jesscy is involved in a num…

1
The John C. Campbell Folk School with Dea Sasso 1:09:35

4+ y ago1:09:35

1:09:35

#032. -- Dea Sasso, a Resident Artist from the John C. Campbell Folk School joins us to chat all about the school, it's history, types of classes it offers, how it has changed her life, and much more! Our conversation centers around learning about the school for those who have never heard of it. The folk school has been a fixture of the local area …

1
Getting Started with Natural Navigation with Tristan Gooley 54:01

4+ y ago54:01

54:01

#031. -- Are you paying attention to the landscape around you? Can you explain the differences and changes you observe? Although it may seem foreign to many of us in the modern world, people around the globe have navigated for centuries using the clues found on the natural landscape around them. In this episode I chat with Tristan Gooley who has ma…

1
Making Charcoal and Biochar with Rebecca Oaks 1:25:08

4+ y ago1:25:08

1:25:08

#030. Rebecca Oaks, author of the book Making Charcoal and Biochar, joins us to discuss charcoal, it's history and uses, traditional methods of making it, what it looks like from a small scale charcoal burners perspective, and suggestions for making some at home. I will be undoubtedly making a few batches this summer-- for use in the garden and the…

1
Primitive Skills and Nature Connection with Sammy Kells 1:02:57

4+ y ago1:02:57

1:02:57

#029. Sammy and I chat about his introduction to primitive/survival skills, what draws him to them, woodworking, traditional southern Appalachian crafts (banjos in particular), ocarinas and more. For Sammy, nature connection is the primary reason behind practicing survival skills, and we chat a bit about that and some of the teaching he has been in…

1
Blacksmithing, Apprenticeships, Pushing your Limits and Becoming Better at your Craft with Sam Ritter 1:10:16

4+ y ago1:10:16

1:10:16

#028. -- In this episode I chat with professional blacksmith Sam Ritter about his journey as a craftsman. We chat about how he got introduced to blacksmithing, what his path was to going full time, why it was important for him to be around and learn from a master smith, becoming better at your craft and pushing your capabilities, his use of modern …

1
Fish Leather and Ancestral Skills with Janey Chang 1:28:04

4+ y ago1:28:04

1:28:04

#027. Janey joins us to do a quick dive into how to tan fish leather using tea leaves (or other tannin sources). We also chat about her introduction to fish skin tanning and ancestral skills in general, why she loves ancestral skills, oil tanned fish leather, natural dyes, teaching others and nature connection. I loved the enthusiasm that Janey bro…

1
12/12/2020 SpaceX, Sports Economy VS COVID, and Guppy Whales? 57:50

4+ y ago57:50

57:50

In this episode we talk about the week that was. SpaceX takes another leap in our journey to the great beyond. What the heck is a Guppy Whale? We also discuss the economical impact the pandemic has had on sports. Are mandatory vaccinations a thing? We weigh in on the possibility. All this and more!

1
12/05/2020: Health Updates, COVID Fears and Conspiracies 1:01:10

4+ y ago1:01:10

1:01:10

It’s been a hot minute since we last recorded! We appreciate the patience while we try and figure out our rhythm. In this episode, I give a quick update on my health situation. Afterwards, we go round and round the world discussing everything from COVID fears and conspiracies, to the Tyson vs Jones matchup, the stars above and beyond! Sit tight, en…

1
Fleece Rugs, Sheep, Heritage, and the Shetland Islands with Helen Hart 1:29:29

4+ y ago1:29:29

1:29:29

#026. -- In this episode I chat with Helen about some of the traditional crafts she's involved with, how she became involved in them, and what draws her to them. We talk about keeping sheep, natural dyes, fair isle knitting, burning peat, the fleece rugs she makes, and so much more! Like many of us she is a dabbler in many traditional crafts, with …

1
Home Butchery and Using the Unusual Bits with Jake Levin 1:38:29

4+ y ago1:38:29

1:38:29

#025. Do you raise and butcher your own livestock? Process the game animals you hunt? Regardless, this time of year would have been the traditional butchering season in northern latitudes and just about every rural family would have been processing their yearly meat in addition to putting up their harvest for the winter. Many of us no longer raise,…

1
Blacksmithing with Vern Barker 1:01:45

4+ y ago1:01:45

1:01:45

#024. In this conversation we discuss getting started in blacksmithing, what you'll need, where to find tools, what to look for before buying, general guidelines for smithing, etc. We also cover some suggested resources and Vern's experiences teaching blacksmithing. Fun conversation! Links to resources mentioned can be found at: folkcraftrevival.co…

1
An Overview of Flintknapping with Mike Cook 1:32:15

5y ago1:32:15

1:32:15

#023. This week we're talking flintknapping-- learning about making and using stone arrowheads and knives. We discuss the knapping from a high level perspective, with a little bit of how-to and the principles involved, a bit of considerations for using your stone blades and tips, things to keep in mind when getting started, etc. I consider flintkna…

1
Exploring the History, Archaeology, and Construction of Throwing Sticks with Michael Frank 1:21:53

5y ago1:21:53

1:21:53

#022. In this episode we delve into throwing sticks (rabbit sticks, boomerangs, whatever you wish to call them) and how to make and use them. Michael is also an archaeologist by education so we discuss some of the historical and archaeological examples from around the world. Throwing sticks are perhaps one of our earliest hunting tools and it is al…

1
A Beginners Guide to Scrimshaw with Rich Williams 1:28:59

5y ago1:28:59

1:28:59

#021. -- In this episode we talk through the principles of scrimshaw and how it is done, from prepping your work piece to tools needed, techniques used, legality issues, and so much more. We also discuss the history of scrimshaw as a nautical art and how it has progressed through history to the present day. If you're curious about trying scrimshaw,…

1
Building and Designing Rocket Stoves with Tom Mills 1:18:59

5y ago1:18:59

1:18:59

#020. -- Could you use a cooking source that heats up quickly, uses very little fuel that is easily gathered from your landscape, and is something you can build with a minimal amount of time, cost, or skill? A rocket stove just may be the answer! In this episode I talk with Tom Mills (from the GreenShortz DIY Youtube channel) about his experience i…

1
Willow Chair Making with Justin Roberts 1:31:15

5y ago1:31:15

1:31:15

#019. -- You know those old-time rustic bent willow chairs? I think of them as being a product of the Great Depression, others think of them as being emblematic of gypsies. Regardless, they are one of the mostly forgotten folk crafts of our past.... And today we're talking about how to make one with Justin Roberts of Walk the Willow! I've been curi…

1
Yurt Building, Coppicing, and Green Woodworking with Alex Cole 1:34:17

5y ago1:34:17

1:34:17

#018. We talk about a variety of fun topics in this episode including yurt building (and touch on some other traditional/natural building techniques), managing a coppiced hardwood forest, English green woodworking, and traditional lime wash and lime production in the UK. Alex and his wife run Little Foot Yurts which produces handmade yurts from cop…

1
Locating Wild Clay: Finding, Processing, and Testing Clay for Pottery with Andy Ward 1:25:34

5y ago1:25:34

1:25:34

#017- If you're interested in making your own pottery you first need to know how to find and process the clay that is local to your area. In this episode we're discussing how to find and identify local wild clays for making your own handmade pottery. We also dive into how to refine and purify that clay, as well as temper it and test it. Andy does a…

1
We Are Back! WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE! 56:24

5y ago56:24

56:24

I’ve been on a major hiatus and have finally returned! For those of you who didn’t know, I was diagnosed with colon cancer in April 2019. I tried resuming the podcast while I was undergoing treatment but my health took a turn for the worse. You will hear all about it, and my road to recovery. Thank you to everyone who gave me your support. It gave …

1
Rug Braiding (....& a bit of Rug Hooking) with Dianne Tobias 1:22:41

5y ago1:22:41

1:22:41

#016- Rug Braiding, that unique American craft developed as a way of turning scrap cloth into something useful. . . and gorgeous too! Learn about the craft of making traditional braided rugs as well as the art form it has evolved into. In this episode we discuss the origins of braided rugs, how they're made, how the craft has evolved, and getting s…

1
Pole Lathes, Production Work, and What is "Craft"? with Jarrod Dahl 1:16:43

5y ago1:16:43

1:16:43

#015. We talk about the construction and use of pole lathes, compare them with modern electric lathes and discuss what drew Jarrod to pole lathes to begin with and why he chose to focus on turning rather than other traditional crafts. This was a fun conversation that also delved a little into the philosophical realm as we talk about the reasons for…

1
Fundamentals of Wet Felting with Rosemary Wells 1:20:15

5y ago1:20:15

1:20:15

#014. Want to learn to felt? Have wool and need something to do with it? Consider trying felting! In this episode of the Folk Craft Revival podcast we discuss the basic method and theory behind wet felting wool as a way to create hats, boots, mittens, vests, rugs, etc. I was introduced to felting last fall when I took a class from Rosemary and made…

1
Updates on all things Soatmos 31:10

5y ago31:10

31:10

Steve discusses the new website, a body butter recipe, and being fired from jobs. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soatmos/support

1
Dry Stone Walls with Bryce Hollingsworth 1:26:23

5+ y ago1:26:23

1:26:23

#013 - Today we're talking construction, dry stone construction! Dry stone masonry is an age old craft, we have examples of it going back centuries.... amazingly you can still find a lot of it intact too! If you're like me, the first examples that pop into mind are the stone walls found throughout the UK and the new england states here in the U.S. …

1
Introduction to Human Powered Machines with Tamara Dean 1:11:56

5+ y ago1:11:56

1:11:56

#012- Thanks for tuning in! This week we're chatting about human powered machinery and tools with Tamara Dean, author of The Human Powered Home. Her book definitely got my gears going on useful things I could make to help out around the place, and it presented material in a way that made creating or modifying these machines very approachable! If yo…

1
Native American Flutes with Charlie Mato-Toyela (Blue Bear Flutes) 1:18:26

5+ y ago1:18:26

1:18:26

#011- We talk craft, work ethic, music, perfectionism.... and a little bit about flutes too! Charlie Mato-Toyela from Blue Bear Flutes joins the podcast in this episode to discuss Native American flute making. If you're interested in the principles of flute making and what it means to be a flute maker this episode is a great one! . . . For that mat…

1
Where did my mic go? 22:21

5+ y ago22:21

22:21

Steve Rambling about audio, organization, and community involvement and value. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soatmos/support

1
Fingerweaving basics and history with Kris Daman 1:02:04

5+ y ago1:02:04

1:02:04

#010 - We discuss basic fingerweaving methods and what was most commonly made using this method. In addition, we talk about the some of the history surrounding fingerwoven materials (primarily belts and sashes) and what native materials were utilized in North America pre-contact and during colonial times. Most importantly, this sounds like a projec…

1
Trip to Carolina's and Super Bowl LIV 21:54

5+ y ago21:54

21:54

We discuss my recent trip to the Carolina's to search for some land, Super Bowl Liv, and do a product review. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soatmos/support

1
Traditional Winter Camping with Kielyn Marrone 1:15:32

5+ y ago1:15:32

1:15:32

#009- Woven snowshoes, wool clothing, canvas tents with stoves, toboggans-- the old school equipment used by trappers in the forests of the northern United States and Canada. In this episode we discuss winter camping and expeditions done in a traditional manner! Since it's winter, why not discuss winter and ways to enjoy it more thoroughly? Kielyn …

1
Show outline and personal goals 31:13

5+ y ago31:13

31:13

In this episode Steve outlines the shows format a little bit more, and discusses personal goals in regards to land procurement and some plans for the land. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soatmos/support

1
Self sufficiency outlined 8:49

5+ y ago8:49

8:49

In the episode I divulge a little more about myself and my passions and detail what it means to be self sufficient. I discuss homesteading as a means of being self sufficient. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soatmos/support

1
Getting Started in Wildlife Tracking with Casey McFarland 1:19:55

5+ y ago1:19:55

1:19:55

008- I had a great chat with Casey McFarland about the why's of wildlife tracking, getting started with tracking, connection with place, and overall getting to know and interact with the natural world. Casey has several decades of tracking experience, is co-author of several field guides/tracking books and is the current president of Cyber Tracker …

1
Introduction of myself and preliminary channel outline (subject to change a little) 13:17

5+ y ago13:17

13:17

Me discussing some of the things we'll cover on the podcast including biodigester, natural living, and alternative energy. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soatmos/support

1
Steve Of All Trades Master Of Some (Trailer) 0:38

5+ y ago0:38

0:38

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soatmos/support

1
Integrating Traditional Skills Into Modern Life with Neal Ritter 1:30:04

5+ y ago1:30:04

1:30:04

#007- What traditional skills and crafts are actually useful in modern life? In this episode we discuss the integration of traditional skills into modern life with Neal Ritter (who was kind enough to to come on and share his philosophy with us). I really enjoy his all around holistic and positive outlook on things. We discuss subsistence living, wh…

1
Knowledge Vs Experience 29:42

5+ y ago29:42

29:42

#006- Some of my recent thoughts and reflections on knowledge vs experience. The difference between having an intellectual understanding of how something works or is done, and having DONE it before and what a difference that can make.By Daniel Howell

1
Weaving With Willow-- Making Willow Baskets With Nick LaHaise 1:53:00

5+ y ago1:53:00

1:53:00

#005. Learn to weave with willow! Nick LaHaise from Hearth Folk School joins us to discuss weaving willow baskets. We cover everything from harvesting willow to handle attachment. This episode provides a great introduction to willow weaving for beginners and is a great refresher for those who have dabbled with weaving in the past. Check out the lin…

1
Bark Tanning Rabbit Hides & Other Small Furs 1:20:51

5+ y ago1:20:51

1:20:51

004- Learn to tan without chemicals! Jessie Watson Brown from the Oak and Smoke Tannery joins us to discuss bark tanning furs and teach us some of the ins and outs of traditional bark tanning. If you raise rabbits for meat, hunt small game, or know anyone else who hunts this episode is an essential tool in learning how to utilize the fur! Warning: …

1
Traditional Mead Making-- Brewing Mead Using Wild Yeast with Jereme Zimmerman 57:57

5+ y ago57:57

57:57

#003- Learn how to make mead using traditional methods! Mead is one of the simplest alcoholic beverages to make, and is perhaps one of the oldest as well. In this episode Jereme Zimmerman, author of Make Mead Like a Viking, joins us to discuss mead making using wild yeast and limited kitchen equipment. We go through the process from start to finish…

1
Making and Using a Bow Drill Fire Set with Donny Dust 1:17:52

5+ y ago1:17:52

1:17:52

#002- Have you ever wondered how to start a fire without modern materials? Do you want to develop the skill of making a fire by friction? Listen in to learn methods, tips, and techniques from primitive skills practitioner and wilderness survival instructor Donny Dust as he teaches us how to make and use a bow drill fire set! Making and using fire i…

1
Welcome to Folk Craft Revival! 24:25

5+ y ago24:25

24:25

#001- A podcast for traditional skills enthusiasts! Do you love to learn new skills? Exploring our past? Work with your hands to create what you use? Welcome! Join Daniel Howell (the host) as he talks about his history with traditional skills and crafts and discusses the upcoming focus of the Folk Craft Revival Podcast. If you want hands on actiona…

1
MMA EPISODE 8: LIFE CHANGES FOR EVERYONE! 20:04

6y ago20:04

20:04

In this episode I give everyone a quick update on my health. Many of you know by now back in April I was diagnosed with colon cancer. Thanks to the highly trained medical staff as well as the rock solid support you all gave me during my time of need I have mustered enough energy to put out a new episode! We take a shorty walk down what was UFC 239.…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Primitive Technology Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen