Tales of a Red Clay Rambler: A pottery and ceramic art podcast

Tales of a Red Clay Rambler: A pottery and ceramic art podcast

Author: Ben Carter Language: English Episodes: 100
There’s a particular kind of conversation that happens when hands are busy with clay-something about the tactile, physical nature of the work seems to loosen stories and ideas. That’s the space Tales of a Red Clay Rambler: A pottery and ceramic art podcast occupies each week. Host Ben Carter doesn’t just discuss finished pieces; he gets into the gritty, beautiful, and often surprising realities of a life shaped by ceramics. You’ll hear from potters throwing functional ware in remote studios, sculptors tackling large-scale installations, and designers pushing the material into new realms. These dialogues explore more than technique; they delve into the motivations, challenges, and personal histories that fuel a creative practice. The podcast moves seamlessly from the practicalities of running a studio to deeper reflections on culture, society, and what it means to build a life around art. It feels less like an interview and more like pulling up a stool in a shared workspace. Whether you’re a seasoned artist, a hobbyist with clay under your nails, or simply curious about the hands behind the objects we live with, these stories connect the humble material of earth and water to the vast human experience of making.
Episodes
565: Sam Briegel on the connection between the vessel and the body [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:58
Sam Briegel layers slip cast, printed, and painted fabric patterns on elegant porcelain forms. In our interview we talk about the vessel as a metaphor for the body, the challenges of working with halloysite clays, and ho…
564: More than a Maker: Mike Griffin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:51
This week on the podcast we return to our series More than a Maker, which focuses on the intersection of mental health and creativity. Today's guest Mike Griffin is based in Naples, NY where he has dual careers as a golf…
563: Erin Lambers on setting up a business for the long haul [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:29
After starting her career as a wholesale potter Erin Lambers moved back to her home town and bought a ceramic supply store. In our interview we talk about her philosophy of blending education and sales, the practical asp…
562: Lisa Naples on embracing change in Grounded in Gold [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:14
After many years as a functional potter Lisa Naples has embraced figurative and nonobjective sculpture. In our interview we discuss how she anthropomorphizes animals to show shifting relationships and identities, as well…
561: Beth Lo and Julia Galloway on their approach to narrative [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:18
Beth Lo and Julia Galloway are artists and educators that have helped shape ceramic education at the University of Montana. In our interview we talk about their approach to narrative, moving between bodies of work, and t…
560: David Eichelberger on working with intention [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:17
David Eichelberger's career has included time as a studio potter, professor, designer, and community educator. Today we focus on his personal studio practice hand-building serving platters and his role as designer for Tw…
559: Wayne Higby and Benjamin Evans on Alfred ceramic history [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:51
Wayne Higby and Benjamin Evans co-curated the retrospective History: A Legacy in Motion, Alfred Ceramic Art 1900 – 2025, which showcases twenty-six artists that have taught ceramics at Alfred University. In our interview…
558: Aysha Peltz on stretching the boundaries of porcelain [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:35
Aysha Peltz stretches and darts porcelain into volumetric forms, which she then enhances with glazes that pool and break off high points. In today's interview we talk about pushing porcelain to its limits, learning to se…
557: Josh Copus on creative entrepreneurship [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:47
Josh Copus's career started in ceramics with a focus on functional pottery made with wild North Carolina clays and wood firing. In recent years his creativity has evolved into many forms of entrepreneurship, including ho…
556: David MacDonald on the Pan-African aesthetics in his work [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:35
This week we have a special two-part interview with renowned artist and educator David MacDonald. His large functional vessels are carved with intricate patterns that highlight and celebrate African heritage. For part tw…