Root Simple Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Ericmaxxing on the GardenFork Podcast Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

I’m on the always inspiring Garden Fork podcast this week talking with “East Coast Eric” about my adventures in 3D printing, woodworking disasters, and a really useful note taking program called Obsidian. If you subscribe to Eric’s podcast you get to hear an update on my Little Free Blockbuster Library.

**137 Corona Crisis With Johnny of Granola Shotgun** Mar 30, 2020
Show notes

Johnny’s bulk grain. Image: Granola Shotgun.

Johnny Sanphillippo of the blog Granola Shotgun dropped by the Root Simple podcast today to talk about a lifestyle that’s proving useful in our troubled times. I decided to put this podcast out quickly so please excuse the less than ideal audio on my end. During our conversation we discuss Johnny’s most recent blog post, “Recipes for Disaster,” which covers his tips and tricks for living frugally and being prepared for a crisis.

If you’d like to leave a question for the Root Simple Podcast please call (213) 537-2591 or send an email to rootsimple@gmail.com. You can subscribe to our podcast in the iTunes store and on Stitcher. Closing theme music by Dr. Frankenstein. A downloadable version of this podcast is here.

**136 Garden Fundamentals with Robert Pavlis** Dec 11, 2019
Show notes

On this 136th episode of the Root Simple podcast we talk to author and gardening expert Robert Pavlis about how to improve your soil, how to start seedlings in the winter, how to take care of houseplants and much more.

Robert Pavlis lives on 6 acres of land that he has developed into a large private garden he calls Aspen Grove Gardens that contains around 3,000 perennials, grasses, shrubs and trees in southern Ontario, Canada. He is a Master Gardener, speaker and author on gardening subjects with a background in chemistry and biochemistry. Normally I go over questions with guests before we begin but Robert and I just started talking so we’ll join the conversation mid-stream as Robert is telling me about his upcoming book *Soil Science for Gardeners*. During the podcast we talk about:

Soil science for home gardeners

The problems with soil tests

Soil prep for native plants

Fungi inoculation products

How to open up compacted soil

Sources for organic material

Ugh, landscape fabric

Cardboard in the garden

Hügelkultur

Winter sowing

Baggie technique

LED lights

How to water houseplants

You can find Robert at: GardenFundamentals.com, GardenMyths.com on YouTube and via the Garden Fundamentals Facebook Group.

Also–subscribe to Bike Talk!

If you’d like to leave a question for the Root Simple Podcast please call (213) 537-2591 or send an email to rootsimple@gmail.com. You can subscribe to our podcast in the iTunes store and on Stitcher. Closing theme music by Dr. Frankenstein. A downloadable version of this podcast is here.

**135 Larry Korn: Rest in Revolution** Nov 20, 2019
Show notes

Root Simple reader Pat just informed me of the passing of Larry Korn, who was a guest on our podcast in October of 2015. Larry was probably best known as the translator of Masanobu Fukuoka’s *One Straw Revolution* but that underestimates what he did in his life. Larry, almost single highhandedly, is responsible for bringing Fukuoka’s revolutionary ideas to the rest of the world. A few people have told me that Larry’s words in this interview changed their lives and so, in his honor, I thought I would repeat the episode.

Larry authored an autobiography *One-Straw Revolutionary*. In this interview we talk about Larry’s experience living on Fukuoka’s farm and we delve deep into Fukuoka’s natural farming philosophy. During the discussion we cover how natural farming is similar to indigenous agriculture and how it’s different than permaculture. We also talk about the mystical experience that changed Fukuoka’s life. Larry’s website is onestrawrevolution.net.

If you want to leave a question for the Root Simple Podcast please call (213) 537-2591 or send an email to rootsimple@gmail.com. You can subscribe to our podcast in the iTunes store and on Stitcher. The theme music is by Dr. Frankenstein. A downloadable version of this podcast is here.

**134 Eric of Garden Fork on Mental Decluttering, Washing Machine Repair and More!** Oct 02, 2019
Show notes

On the 134th episode of the podcast we talk to DIYer, YouTuber and podcaster Eric Rochow of Garden Fork TV on some eclectic DIY notions and projects including why he’s quitting beekeeping, mental decluttering, washing machine repair, print making and more.ing,

Watch Garden Fork on Youtube and subscribe to the Garden Fork Podcast. You can also find Garden Fork on Patreon.

Eric’s DIY T-shirt video which includes a tour of Sunset Park Brooklyn

Why Eric’s giving up beekeeping!

Mental decluttering

Washington Post Inspired Life column

Don’t Give Up signs

Laura Kampf You Tube

Steve’s Small Engine Saloon

Video of Steve fixing $50 generator

Eric’s Washing machine repair video

Minimalist podcast

Lino block printing and stencils

If you’d like to leave a question for the Root Simple Podcast please call (213) 537-2591 or send an email to rootsimple@gmail.com. You can subscribe to our podcast in the iTunes store and on Stitcher. Closing theme music by Dr. Frankenstein. A downloadable version of this podcast is here.

**133 Trees of Power with Akiva Silver** Sep 18, 2019
Show notes

On this 133rd episode of the Root Simple podcast Kelly and I talk to Akiva Silver of Twisted Tree Farm, described in his author bio as a “homestead, nut orchard and nursery located in Spencer, New York where he grows around 20,000 trees a year using practices that go beyond organic.” Akiva’s background is in “foraging, wilderness survival and primitive skills.” He is also the author of *Trees of Power: Ten Essential Arboreal Allies* (Amazon, library) just published by Chelsea Green. In our conversation we discuss how trees could replace a lot of the staple crops in our diet. During the podcast we also rap about:

J. Russel Smith *Tree Crops* (Free download on Archive.org)

Kat Anderson *Tending the Wild*

Mulch, soil and water

Processing acorns

Exotics vs. natives – should we learn to love the invasives?

Tree of heaven!

Coppicing and pollarding

Arborist fails and #arboristfails

How to plant trees

If you’d like to leave a question for the Root Simple Podcast please call (213) 537-2591 or send an email to rootsimple@gmail.com. You can subscribe to our podcast in the iTunes store and on Stitcher. Closing theme music by Dr. Frankenstein. A downloadable version of this podcast is here.

**132 Legalize It! A Conversation with Beekeeper Max Wong** Aug 09, 2019
Show notes

Photos: Jacob Dickinson

On this bee-centric episode of the podcast I talk with fellow “backwards” beekeeper Max Wong, in front of a live audience at a meeting of the Long Beach Beekeepers, about her techniques as well as her role in the successful efforts to legalize beekeeping in Santa Monica and Los Angeles. During the podcast Max mentions:

Max’s list of beekeeping supplies

Beekeeping posts on Max’s blog

Kirk Anderson

Charles Martin Simon’s Principles of Beekeeping Backwards

L.A. Honey Supply

Honey Love

Red Bird Restaurant

If you’d like to leave a question for the Root Simple Podcast please call (213) 537-2591 or send an email to rootsimple@gmail.com. You can subscribe to our podcast in the iTunes store and on Stitcher. Closing theme music by Dr. Frankenstein. A downloadable version of this podcast is here.

Pollinators and Power Jun 03, 2019

Show notes

Beekeeper and activist Terry Oxford has a great new podcast called Pollinators and Power. The premiere episode features Professor Dave Goulson of Sussex University. Goulson is the founder of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and author of many books on native pollinators including A Sting in the Tale, A Buzz in the Meadow, Bee Quest and The Garden Jungle. You can read a transcript of the conversation and subscribe to the podcast using your favorite app.

Terry Oxford was a guest on episodes 107 and 109 of the Root Simple Podcast.