#039 - Matt Spinniken

Some conversations happen best on the road.We’re back in the car, driving from a collection back to the garden. On the way we talk about the foliage and how the trees have developed this season, the latest on Bonsaigers X, and the Heritage collection: a new part of our website that brings together the work of other artists, read through our style.Two people, one car, and a garden that keeps changing while we’re away.A new episode every Monday.bonsaigers.com

Una città cambia un albero alla volta.Questa settimana parliamo con Francesca Colombo, direttrice culturale di BAM – Biblioteca degli Alberi Milano. Le sue origini e il percorso che l’ha portata a BAM, cosa significa davvero inclusività per un parco aperto a tutti, e come Milano può cambiare un albero alla volta, facendo crescere la cultura dei suoi cittadini.Una conversazione su alberi, cultura e sulla città in cui vogliamo vivere.Ogni lunedì un nuovo episodio.bonsaigers.com

Some trees take decades to grow before anyone finds them.This week we talk with Matt Spinniken (@michigan_yamadori), who collects trees from the wild in Michigan and gives them a second life as bonsai. We cover how he started, how to collect a yamadori responsibly, the slow recovery after collection, and two species he knows well: northern white cedar and larch.A conversation about patience, and about the trees that were there long before us.bonsaigers.com

Questa settimana su Bonsaigers’ Conversations parliamo con Francesco Santini.Francesco ha conosciuto il bonsai in casa, grazie a suo padre, nella campagna vicino a Empoli. Era la passione di suo padre e col tempo è diventata la sua, fino a cambiargli la vita e a diventare il suo lavoro.Oggi è istruttore IBS, ha vinto più volte Arco Bonsai e cura la collezione di Franchi Bonsai. Nel 2024 è stato giudice di Bonsaigers’ X, nella prima edizione in cui abbiamo avuto una giuria, e rappresentava l’Italia.Con lui abbiamo parlato di come tutto è cominciato, delle piante di suo padre che tiene ancora oggi e di cosa vuol dire fare del bonsai il proprio lavoro.Un nuovo episodio ogni lunedì, come sempre, su Spotify, YouTube e Apple Podcasts.

In this official reveal episode of Bonsaigers’ Conversations, we unveil the prizes and the jury behind the one and only Online Bonsai Exhibition!Discover the judges who will evaluate the entries and the prizes awaiting the artists taking part in this unique online event dedicated to the art of bonsai.This is your first official look at what we have in store. The exhibition brings together bonsai enthusiasts, artists, and professionals, celebrating the passion, creativity, and dedication that make our community so special.🌳 The official reveal starts here!And remember, a new episode of Bonsaigers’ Conversations drops every Monday, bringing you more stories, insights, and conversations from the world of bonsai.Don't miss an episode!#Bonsaigers #BonsaigersConversations #OnlineBonsaiExhibition #Bonsai #BonsaiCommunity

In this episode of Bonsaigers Conversations, we sit down with Bjorn Bjornholm, founder of Eisei-en Kyoto and one of the people who have built a unique bridge between the Western and Japanese bonsai worlds.After nine years in Japan, Bjorn returned to the United States, where he opened his own garden in Nashville, Tennessee. Today, after another chapter of his journey, he has moved back to Japan, settling in Kyoto to make a long-held dream a reality: building his own bonsai garden in Japan.We talked about how it all began, the story behind this new project, and what these past months have been like, moving between America and Japan while building a new life and a new garden.Most importantly, we talked about bonsai itself — and how deeply it has changed his life, his work, and the way he sees the world.A conversation about the journey, the challenges of starting over, and the courage to follow a dream wherever it may lead.🎙️ Bonsaigers Conversations🎧 A new episode every Monday.#Bonsaigers #BonsaigersConversations #BjornBjornholm #EiseienKyoto #Bonsai #BonsaiJapan #Kyoto #BonsaiCommunity

Bonsaigers Conversations – Episode 35 | Michael HagedornIn Episode 35 of Bonsaigers Conversations, we sit down with Michael Hagedorn to explore his journey through the world of bonsai — from how it all began to his experiences in Japan and the path that led him to become one of the most respected bonsai artists and educators in North America.Michael shares stories about his time in Japan, the lessons and experiences that shaped his approach to bonsai, and how those influences have evolved within the North American bonsai community.We also talk about life at his bonsai garden, how he manages his work and teaching, and some of the lesser-known and more personal episodes from his career. Along the way, we explore the connections — and sometimes the differences — between Japanese bonsai culture and the developing bonsai scene in North America.A conversation about bonsai, travel, education, culture, and the people and experiences that shape an artist's journey.🎙️ Bonsaigers Conversations – Episode 35🌿 Guest: Michael HagedornNew episodes every Monday.Watch and listen on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.Subscribe, follow, and join us for the next conversation.#BonsaigersConversations #MichaelHagedorn #Bonsai #BonsaiArt #BonsaiJapan #NorthAmericanBonsai #BonsaiCulture #BonsaiArtist #BonsaiCommunity

BONSAIGERS' CONVERSATION — EPISODIO 34In questo episodio di Bonsaigers' Conversation incontriamo Moritz Mantero, presidente di Orticolario e della storica Mantero Seta di Como, in un luogo speciale: Villa Erba, nel suggestivo Golfo dei Platani, il giardino giapponese all'interno della villa.Una conversazione dedicata a Orticolario, alla sua nascita e alla visione che negli anni ha portato questo progetto a diventare uno degli appuntamenti più importanti dedicati alla cultura del verde, del paesaggio e della natura sul territorio.Con Moritz Mantero parliamo di come è nata l'idea di Orticolario, delle persone e delle realtà che hanno contribuito a farlo crescere e del rapporto tra natura, cultura, design e territorio. Ma soprattutto, riflettiamo sulla volontà di costruire a Como e in Lombardia un vero polo di riferimento per la natura e il paesaggio, capace di coinvolgere professionisti, appassionati, creativi e pubblico.Un incontro tra passato e futuro, tra la storia di una famiglia profondamente legata a Como e una visione contemporanea del rapporto con la natura.🎙️ Bonsaigers' Conversation — Episodio 34 con Moritz ManteroGuarda e ascolta l'episodio su YouTube, Spotify e Apple Podcasts.Un nuovo episodio di Bonsaigers' Conversation ogni lunedì.

In this episode of Bonsaigers' Conversations, we take you behind the scenes of Bonsaigers' X, our annual online bonsai exhibition, now reaching its sixth edition.What started as an idea to bring bonsai enthusiasts together in a new and accessible way has grown into a yearly project that connects artists, enthusiasts and bonsai lovers from all over the world.In this episode, Loris Diotti and Davide Tosetti, the two founders of Bonsaigers, talk about the story behind the project, the ideas and principles that shaped the format, and how the exhibition works.We also take a closer look at the sixth edition: the rules, the format, the details, the changes and all the little things you need to know before taking part.If you have ever wondered how Bonsaigers Online is organised, why we created this format, or what makes each edition different, this is the episode for you.🎙️ Bonsaigers Conversations — Episode 33🌱 Bonsaigers Online — 6th Edition🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple PodcastsA new episode of Bonsaigers Conversations every Monday.Follow the podcast and join us as we continue exploring the world of bonsai, the people behind it, and the ideas that are shaping its future.

BONSAIGERS CONVERSATION #32 — GIOVANNI MOROFor the 32nd episode of Bonsaigers Conversation, we sat down with Giovanni Moro, Founder & CEO of Unimatic, the Milan-based independent watch brand he built from the ground up.We talked about how Unimatic started, Giovanni’s journey into watchmaking, the evolution of the company, and what the future holds for the brand.Over the years, Unimatic has collaborated with some of the most unexpected and exciting names across design, fashion, culture and entertainment — from Automobili Amos, South Park and SpongeBob to MoMA and more.We also talked about our own collaboration and the story behind Bonsaigers X Unimatic.A conversation about watches, design, entrepreneurship, collaborations and the process of building a truly independent brand from Milan.Bonsaigers Conversation #32 — Giovanni MoroA new episode every Monday.🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube🎧 Also available on Apple Podcasts#Bonsaigers #BonsaigersConversation #GiovanniMoro #Unimatic #Watches #IndependentWatches #Milan #Design #Entrepreneurship #MadeInItaly