Beat Around The Bench Podcast

Beat Around The Bench Podcast

This is a maker's Podcast about woodworking, good times and general Jack-Assery. The story of these three dates back to WorkBenchCon 2023 where they met and quickly became bestest friends. Since then, their trials and tribulations have been on display on this very Podcast. Jess hails from Tampa Bay, FL and has been a carpenter for over 15 years. (@Jess_BuildIt) Colton calls Houston, TX home. He makes custom cornhole boards (@ColtCrit) Ross comes from Chicago, IL. He makes custom furniture (@RandCDesigns) #woodworking #makers #furniture #carpentry #jackassery #goodtimes #woodwork

Episodes

June 27, 2025 54 mins
  • Ross just returned from a blazing hot New York City vacation where temperatures hit 102 degrees for three days straight making 74 degree Chicago weather feel almost chilly when he got back home
  • Episode title Deep Purple Heart came from listener Lee Drummond of Dusted Knuckle Woodworks who suggested awesome band name wood species combinations and this one was absolutely perfect
  • Colton spotted his neighbor Mo using a completely ins...
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  • The trio dove headfirst into cheese heaven, debating everything from snacking favorites (smoked gouda and sharp cheddar winning) to grilled cheese perfection, with Jess championing pepper jack for turkey sandwiches and everyone agreeing fake American cheese rules for grilled cheese.
  • Colton shared major life updates from his move to the countryside outside Houston, complete with deer rescues, flooded shop plans, and last-minute p...
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May 30, 2025 113 mins
  • The guys kicked things off with an epic potato discussion where Ross shared his genius combo of mashed potatoes with Gruyere cheese and tzatziki sauce while Colton described his wild Aloha Slut Potato creation on the griddle
  • Ross got himself a brand new GMC Sierra 1500 truck and the crew dove deep into vehicle upgrades including tonneau covers bed extenders and roof racks with plenty of practical tips for truck owners
  • Shop organi...
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May 23, 2025 125 mins
  • The gang kicked off with a mouth-watering breakfast food challenge, debating favorites from Waffle House concoctions (Jess's infamous "slop on a plate") to fancy Eggs Benedict, with Ross revealing breakfast restaurants are cash cows due to cheap ingredients and high margins.
  • Colton shared updates on his uncle's DIY sawmill project and his camper shell paint job at his father-in-law's auto body shop, noting ...
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May 16, 2025 93 mins


  • The Boys dive into their favorite chicken recipes - from beer can chicken with lime juice tricks to perfectly crispy chicken parm - before jumping into their latest woodworking projects and workshop adventures.

  • Ross shares his creative repair solution for a customer's sentimental checkerboard, using wood glue mixed with sawdust and stain to fill gaps while preserving the original character made by the customer's fath...

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May 9, 2025 109 mins


  • The guys kick things off with donut preferences, where Ross introduces the Italian "Bambaloni" with dipping sauces, Colton reveals his love for what he grew up calling "bear claws" (actually apple fritters), and Jess champions sour cream cake donuts and Bavarian cream Long Johns.

  • Colton dishes about his house adventures, detailing plans for his pier and beam home's crawl space improvements, including ...

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May 2, 2025 94 mins


  • The boys welcome the dynamic duo Leigh and Mush from Storytellers Tavern Podcast, who've been recording maker community shenanigans at events where the best stories happen between 1-4 AM (what happens at the campfire doesn't always stay at the campfire)!

  • Leigh and Mush run school makerspaces where kids from preschool through high school get their hands dirty with everything from power tools to lasers—their philosophy...

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April 18, 2025 120 mins

EPISODE 100: PADUK AT THE DISCO

  • The woodworking trio celebrates their milestone 100th episode with personal updates and a nostalgic look back at how the podcast has changed their lives, from building meaningful connections in the maker community to weathering personal storms together
  • Jess shares stories from his chaotic construction business—including a ceiling nearly collapsing—while showing off his brand new "Beast" t...
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April 11, 2025 102 mins

  • Duo Episode Alert! Jess and Colt take the reins without Ross this week, reminiscing about past woodworking trivia questions while Colt shares his latest home renovation adventures with floors and stairs.
  • Mind-Blowing 3D Printing Factory Tour! Jess takes us behind the scenes at Florida's largest 3D printing facility, featuring 25-foot robot arms that can extend fully while carrying 750 pounds with mind-boggling precision.
  • Wood...
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April 4, 2025 107 mins

Soup, Shop Talk, Scribing, and Whiskey Wisdom!

This week, we're diving into a delicious food segment, catching up on shop projects, nerding out over tools, and taking a sip of whiskey knowledge. If you're a woodworker or DIY enthusiast, you'll love this episode!

  • Soup's On! Jess kicks us off with a mouth-watering discussion about homemade soups, from a rich beef stew to the exotic New Orleans-style Yakamine. Fuel u...

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March 28, 2025 107 mins
  • Pizza Toppings Debate: The hosts discuss their favorite pizza toppings and styles, including Chicago deep dish, tavern-style thin crust, and unique combinations like Hawaiian with jalapeños. Ross shares his spicy buffalo sauce drizzle preference, while Jess favors Italian sausage, mushrooms, and black olives.

  • Woodworking Projects: Ross delivers a custom tub table but faces challenges with epoxy and stain compatibility. He also p...

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March 19, 2025 73 mins

Episode 96: Guns, Rosewood, and Game-Changing Announcements

  • Reuben Wars – The crew dives deep into the art of sandwich-making, debating the perfect Reuben. From marble rye to Swiss cheese and the great Thousand Island vs. spicy mustard showdown, no detail is left untouched.

  • Colton Goes Full-Time – An unexpected job shake-up pushes Colton back into running Colt Crit full-time. He breaks down the challenges, the opportunities, and ...

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March 14, 2025 104 mins
  • Prime Rib Showdown – The crew debates the best way to cook prime rib, with sides ranging from classic baked potatoes to balsamic Brussels sprouts. Someone suggests shredding prime rib for grilled cheese, which might be either a stroke of genius or a crime against steak.
  • Woodshop Drama – Colton spills the details on a co-worker quitting mid-write-up. It’s the kind of workplace drama that makes sanding wood seem like a peaceful es...
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  • Season 3, Baby! – The crew kicks off a new season, somehow still uncanceled, despite their best efforts. With 94 episodes down, they’re basically the Joe Rogan Experience of woodworking—minus the UFC tangents.


    • WorkbenchCon Recap – Colton and Ross return from WorkbenchCon 2025, where networking was hot, the whiskey was flowing, and the attendance… well, let’s just say it was "exclusive" this year. Also, Jess wasn’t ...

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    February 21, 2025 92 mins

    In this week’s episode we prep for workbench con

    • Jess gets tuned up under the stairs
    • Colton is in the Misery Business
    • Ross Goes from Ski Slopes to New Hopes


    #workbenchcon #miserybusiness #skislopes #customfurniture #woodworking #makerspodcast

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    February 14, 2025 105 mins

    In this week’s episode we get all up in your small business

    • Jess rejoins the frey
    • Colton gets butt hurt about his feels
    • Ross plays guitar in the tubby time 


    #smallbusiness #allthefeels #guitar #customwoodwork #makerspodcast #businessbuilding

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    February 7, 2025 102 mins

    In this week’s episode we dove deep into pricing and profitability

    • Jess kicks it off with how to float a furniture business
    • Colton plays speed racer in an ambulance 
    • Ross see’s if the olive is worth the squeeze


    #pricing #woodworking #furniture #custommade #ambulance #olive #makerspodcast


    zoo.dev/text-to-cad

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    January 31, 2025 102 mins

    In this week’s episode we navigate customer expectations and technical difficulties

    - Colton is backed up in his pack out

    - Jess has to scale a building to build inside

    - Ross has delivery nightmares, but it’s all for naught


    #finishing #carpentry #customfurniture #customerservice #makerspodcast

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    January 24, 2025 105 mins

    In this week’s episode we put our knowledge up for debate

    • Jess gets groovy with some gypsum 
    • Colton focuses on getting as much trim as he can
    • Ross is burning the candle so he can burn some rubber! 


    #makerspodcast #drywall #trimwork #consolebuild #customfurniture

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    January 17, 2025 112 mins

    In this week’s episode we fight the revolutions in a circular motion

    • Jess gets a visit from the Magical Tool Fairy 
    • Colton tries tickling someone else’s ivories 
    • Ross is having trouble coping on the fly 


    #makerspodcast #newtools #onsitework #remotework #woodworking

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