Best Helen Houston Podcasts (2025)

1
Custom Cowboy Bootmaker Jake Houston on Preserving Knowledge, León Mexico, and Zebra Races 1:46:54

13d ago1:46:54

1:46:54

About a half hour from Reno, there’s a place called Virginia City Nevada, where everything feels like it’s 1859 and the US’s largest silver deposit was just discovered. The bars say saloon and look the part. The cemetery is definitely haunted. And of course there’s a custom hatmaker—who shares a space in one of Virgnia City’s oldest surviving build…

1
Seiji McCarthy is Making Some of the World's Greatest American Bespoke Shoes—In Japan 1:31:00

22d ago1:31:00

1:31:00

Tokyo-based, half-American/half-Japanese Seiji McCarthy discusses his uniquely late path into shoemaking, the development of his vintage-Americana-inspired bespoke line, why he feels more American in Japan, and why it’s sometimes better if your bespoke shoemaker doesn't make your shoes entirely themselves. https://www.seijimccarthy.com/ Support the…

1
Is Turriff Functional Footwear Making the Best-Quality Barefoot Shoe on the Market? 1:38:29

29d ago1:38:29

1:38:29

This week we've got a chat with Andrew Turriff, a Canadian shoemaker who studied at Cordwainer’s Footwear Design program in London, worked for some big sneaker brands, and did pattern work for fellow Canadians Viberg and time in the orthopedic world before deciding to make a zero-drop, anatomical, barefoot shoe with of top-end materials—and also ma…

1
How Tariffs Are Already Impacting the Footwear Industry, with FDRA CEO Matt Priest 46:58

2M ago46:58

46:58

Matt Priest, President and CEO of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America, came on the Shoecast the morning after 104% tariffs on Chinese goods into the US hit in a rapidly-moving-target trade war with the United States and just about every other country. What ARE tariffs? How might tariffs and general uncertainty impact massive shoe bra…

1
Series 4 Episode 7 - Screen Tourism in Scotland 42:59

2M ago42:59

42:59

In our last episode we chatted about the tiny Fife burgh of Culross and how it has come to the world’s attention as a location for the filming of Outlander. We continue the theme in this episode and look at other iconic films and series that have chosen Scotland as their backdrop. From Marvel to Bollywood it seems as if producers just can’t get eno…

1
Series 4 Episode 6 | Culross 49:06

3M ago49:06

49:06

Following on from our previous episode on Royal Burghs we take a visit to one close to home. Spelt Culross but pronounced Coo-Ross, this burgh stands in a 17th C time warp, due to a great storm that caused its residents to abandon it. Rescued and restored by the National Trust for Scotland, a walk through the village now provides an insight into it…

1
Series 4 Episode 5 | Crusing 48:22

3M ago48:22

48:22

In this episode we take to the high seas as we explore the growing demand for luxury cruising. We look at the origins of the cruise industry in transporting mail and passengers and how it developed so that the journey became more important than the destination. Initially the preserve of the rich and famous it has evolved to become accessible to all…

1
All the Shoes & Boots Derek Guy Loves—and a Few He Really Doesn't—From Bespoke to Workboots 1:29:31

3M ago1:29:31

1:29:31

Derek’s an OG forum junkie turned menswear writer for Put This On, mass publications like The New York Times, and his own always-excellent blog Die Workwear!. In the last few years, Derek has become, to many, Menswear Guy on Twitter, where his sharp cultural insights on style and complete lack of brevity break every rule of the platform in such a w…

1
What Opie Way's Justin James Lost in Hurricane Helene—and What He Found 1:17:56

4M ago1:17:56

1:17:56

In 2019, Justin James started Opie Way, a recraftable sneaker brand made right in Asheville North Carolina, USA, using incredibly high quality materials—something that basically didn’t exist previously. Then suddenly, Justin's factory and brand didn't exist. In 2024, Hurricane Helene brought six feet of rampaging water tore through the Opie Way fac…

1
Skateboard Legend Jamie Thomas Goes Inside a 300° Oven To Explain How Skate Shoes are Made 1:12:45

4M ago1:12:45

1:12:45

Jamie Thomas is one of the most revered skateboarders of all time—and also a footwear designer and serial skate shoe brand founder. The release of his latest brand Warsaw seemed as good an excuse as any to have Jamie take me through the history of skate shoes and the sponsorships that arose around them, how and where they're made (and with what mat…

1
Series 4 Episode 4 - Royal Burgos 41:09

4M ago41:09

41:09

Burgh. It’s the word that never fails to trip up visitors to Scotland. Is it pronounced BURG, or maybe BURROW? No - it’s BURRA. In this episode we talk about these settlements which were first established by David I back in the 12th C. As a result of the trading rights they enjoyed, they prospered and grew and many remain as important towns today. …

1
Series 4 Episode 3 | It’s Different in Scotland 35:23

4M ago35:23

35:23

Prompted by a recent visit to the counties of Southern England, Liz and Helen reflect on their experience of life in England and the ways in which it differs from their well-kent Scottish way of life. While losing your way on a Sunday stroll in Scotland may lead to a longer detour home, with no Right to Roam in England, it may lead to a criminal co…

1
How to Make Your Leather Footwear Last Literally (Possibly) Forever, With Pure Polish's Andy Vaughn 1:11:47

5M ago1:11:47

1:11:47

The idea that well-made, resoable footwear can last almost literally forever is one of its core allures—but it’s a promise that simply won’t come true if it’s not cared for properly. Especially the leather. But what’s the best way to do that? And for different types of leather? Well you’ll know a ton more after my fantastic chat with Andy Vaughn, o…

1
Series 4 Episode 2 | Sanat in Scotland 41:38

5M ago41:38

41:38

We are very excited - just one more sleep till Santa comes. But who is Santa? In this episode we talk about the myths, legends and facts surrounding not just Santa but also Father Christmas and try to work out who’s who! Happy Christmas.

1
Series 4 Episode 1 | We're Back 33:15

5M ago33:15

33:15

Scottish Blethers have had a very busy and different few months but we are back now to our podcasting ‘glory’! In this episode we chat about the past 6 six months and the various things we have been up to. It is great to be back and thank you for sticking with us.

1
Shoecast BONUS Episode Preview: Shop Talk With Brett Viberg & Shuyler Mowe of Nicks Boots 45:17

5M ago45:17

45:17

It's our first-ever BONUS Shoecast episode—in a brand new format called Shop Talk. The idea is simple: -1 moderator (Ben from Stitchdown) -2 guests—this time, Brett Viberg of Viberg Boot, and Shuyler Mowe of Nicks Boots. -3 questions apiece—which can be about absolutely anything, and the other guest MUST answer meaningfully. And boy did it end up b…

1
Holly Henry on the Cowboy Bootmaking Community's Sustaining Power (Also: Saddles) 1:05:48

6M ago1:05:48

1:05:48

I will tell anyone who dares listen that handmade bootmaking—and perhaps specifically, cowboy bootmaking—is the highest form of leatherwork as functional art. And then I started paying attention a bit more to saddlemaking and was like damn ok maybe they’re tied. Parker, Colorado-based custom bootmaker Holly Henry knows a ton about both. Holly grew …

1
Aki Choklat on Building a Shoemaking College Program From Scratch 44:03

6M ago44:03

44:03

In the US, there are schools for everything—of course you can study business, or to become a doctor. But also if you want to be an electrician, or an airplane mechanic—someone can teach you that. And then you’ve got UConn, which has offered an apparently quite intense puppetmaking major, every year since 1964. So why not for shoemaking? Examples do…

1
Vintage King Brian Davis of Wooden Sleepers on Why Everything We Buy Sucks These Days 1:28:58

6M ago1:28:58

1:28:58

Often, vintage clothing and footwear's defining quality IS quality. As in, its actual construction and materials, how well it was made, way back when. In most cases, it wouldn’t even be here today if it wasn’t. The footwear world we explore on this podcast is absolutely the exception, and a beautiful one, to the core rule of the 21st century: most …

1
Brett Viberg is Back on the Shoecast, and He's Bringing Loafers 1:27:37

6M ago1:27:37

1:27:37

15 years ago Viberg was pretty firmly Canada’s most hardcore logging and industrial boot company. Since Brett Viberg took over the reins of the nearly 100-year-old brand from his father Glen, Viberg has in many ways completely changed the high-end, recraftable boot market—most notably with its Service Boot, which became a legitimate game-shifting i…

1
141 Discovering Beauty in the Finest Details | Kerim Miskavi 16:43

7M ago16:43

16:43

In this episode, Longitude fellow Jessica Shi from Rice University narrates remarks from Kerim Miskavi, Architect and Founder of MAS Architecture Studio in Istanbul. See transcript at: https://longitude.site/discovering-beauty-in-the-finest-details/ We hope you enjoy our episodes and share them with friends. This podcast is a production of Longitud…

1
140 The Elegance of Formulation | Luay Nakhleh 25:01

7M ago25:01

25:01

In this episode, Longitude fellow Helen Citino from Rice University narrates remarks from Luay Nakhleh, Dean of Engineering at Rice University. See transcript at: https://longitude.site/the-elegance-of-formulation/ We hope you enjoy our episodes and share them with friends. This podcast is a production of Longitude.site, a 501(c)3 nonprofit charita…

1
139 Making Complex Ideas Accessible to All | Linda Welzenbach Fries 15:08

7M ago15:08

15:08

In this episode, Longitude fellow Evalyn Navarro from University of St Thomas narrates remarks from Linda Welzenbach Fries, Science Writer and Geoscientist at Rice University. See transcript at: https://longitude.site/making-complex-ideas-accessible-to-all/ We hope you enjoy our episodes and share them with friends. This podcast is a production of …

1
138 The Beauty of Streamlined Solutions | Viren Desai 17:48

8M ago17:48

17:48

In this episode, Longitude fellow Lipi Gandhi from Rice University Jones Graduate School of Business narrates remarks from Viren Desai, Founder and Principal at OptiQuant Analytics. See transcript at: https://longitude.site/the-beauty-of-streamlined-solutions/ We hope you enjoy our episodes and share them with friends. This podcast is a production …

1
137 Bridging Explorations Across Fields | Brandon Dugan 20:40

8M ago20:40

20:40

In this episode, Longitude fellow Zehra Karakilic from Radboud University in the Netherlands narrates remarks from Brandon Dugan, Professor at Colorado School of Mines. See transcript at: https://longitude.site/bridging-explorations-across-fields/ We hope you enjoy our episodes and share them with friends. This podcast is a production of Longitude.…

1
Brian The Bootmaker May Actually Be Mister Rogers 1:20:40

8M ago1:20:40

1:20:40

To be honest I didn’t think I’d ever get Brian the Bootmaker on this show—he doesn’t do many interviews at all, and for whatever reason I was, quite frankly, kind of afraid to ask him. Which in hindsight is insane because he’s about as sweet and genuine and fantastic to talk to as people come. Working out of the central Los Angeles workshop he firs…

1
136 Unveiling Hidden Wonders in Data and Nature | Peter Denton 20:41

8M ago20:41

20:41

In this episode, Longitude fellow Joanna McDonald, a recent graduate of Rice University, narrates remarks from Peter Denton, Associate Physicist at Brookhaven National Laboratory. See transcript at: https://longitude.site/unveiling-hidden-wonders-in-data-and-nature/ We hope you enjoy our episodes and share them with friends. This podcast is a produ…

1
135 Where Form Meets Function | Brett Phaneuf 16:16

8M ago16:16

16:16

In this episode, Longitude fellow Tony Zhou narrates remarks from Brett Phaneuf, President of Submergence Group LLC in the U.K. See transcript at: https://longitude.site/where-form-meets-function/ We hope you enjoy our episodes and share them with friends. This podcast is a production of Longitude.site, a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization, …

1
134 Trailer - Series 18 | Beauty in Our Work and in Our Fields 7:36

8M ago7:36

7:36

In this episode, Longitude fellows Joanna McDonald, Helen Citino, and Lipi Gandhi introduce our new series that will be showcasing what professionals in science, engineering, and other fields consider beautiful in their work. When we describe something as beautiful, it often reflects our deep appreciation and value for it. So, join us as we embark …

1
Molly Monahan, The Motorcycle Mechanic Turned Garlic Farmer Turned Small-Town Cobbler 51:15

9M ago51:15

51:15

When you grow up in a shoe repair shop directly next door to your actual house, it's hard to not catch the cobbling bug. But oh did Molly Monahan try to resist. After learning how to repair motorcycles and doing some farming for a bit, Molly one day told her mother "we're opening the shop back up!" and immediately put mom back to work making leathe…

1
Jess Wootten on Making Boots in an Australian Gold Rush Town, and Blake Rapid Misconceptions 51:41

9M ago51:41

51:41

This episode's chat is with Jess Wootten of…Wootten! The Ballarat, Australia boots and shoes and leathergoods maker that is doing some very interesting work. We covered how Jess somewhat tripped into a family tradition of bootmaking, ran down what Wootten's making in Ballarat and how, some common misconceptions about the Blake/Rapid (aka McKay welt…

1
Caswell's Kevin Wilson on How to Start a One-Man Boot Brand—and Bringing Back US Manufacturing 58:35

10M ago58:35

58:35

“The only way I learned was making many mistakes and losing a shit ton of money in the process” is how Kevin Wilson neatly sums up the never-simple process of getting Caswell Boot Company off the ground. In the past five years since saying "I'm going to start a boot company!", Kevin's stared down a failed Kickstarter attempt, his original US-based …

1
Shoebag!!! Best Boots to Travel With, Shoe Books, Wood Soles, and P'Zones 1:16:03

10M ago1:16:03

1:16:03

Ben and Ticho once again dip into the Shoebag to answer listener questions—and tap in some special experts along the way—including: how to size boots to match orthotic inserts? What are some of the best brands for Women’s GYW shoes? Our thoughts on revolutionary new sole materials? Initial footwear “hard pass” that you eventually learned to love? H…

1
Flora Knight on Guthrie, Oklahoma's Cowboy Bootmaking Lineage and That Time She Tried to Tan Her Own Leather 1:02:52

10M ago1:02:52

1:02:52

She was born in Canada and grew up in New Zealand, but few people could possibly seem more at home making bespoke cowboy boots in Guthrie, Oklahoma than Flora Knight. Learning the craft from two of the historic western city's best teachers imaginable—bootmaking legends Lisa Sorrell and Ray Dorwart—certainly didn't hurt things. Neither did her other…

1
Tokyo Boot Scene—Japan's Incredible Footwear City 1:29:24

10M ago1:29:24

1:29:24

Phil Kalas of the Full Grain Podcast takes over the Shoecast this week to interview Ben about his recent trip to boots-and-shoes mecca Tokyo—expect a deep-dive into city's astounding footwear scene, why and how it exists, plus a preview of five upcoming feature videos that'll be coming out before too long. Support the Shoecast, get full bonus episo…

1
Behind The Scenes of Footwear Development With White's Boots President Eric Kinney & Jason from Division Road 52:39

11M ago52:39

52:39

In long-overdue returns to the Shoecast, White’s Boots President Eric Kinney and Division Road’s Jason Pecarich sat down to pull back the curtain on what it’s really like to develop new footwear products, getting into every twist and turn on past collaborative makeups as well as some forthcoming never-before-seen construction + style combos. We als…

1
Custom Shoemaker Amara Hark-Weber on Why She Makes a Different Pair Every Single Time 1:07:43

11M ago1:07:43

1:07:43

Amara Hark-Weber surely must be one of the most delightful people in this world—which anyone could likely tell just from looking at the remarkably unique and creative boots and shoes the Twin Cities, Minnesota-based custom maker creates. This episode, Amara fought through a cold to discuss why she makes EVERY pair different from the previous, the i…

1
Series 3 Episode 13 | Scots in America 28:10

1y ago28:10

28:10

In this episode we look at some of the features of the Scottish character that have enabled Scots to survive and prosper. We look in particular at the Scots who helped found the United States of America and who thrived as bankers, industrialists, politicians, judges, inventors and artists …… to name but a few. Emigrants celebrated their Scottish he…

1
Chisos Founder Will Roman on How Cowboy Boots Will Save Us All 45:26

1y ago45:26

45:26

For the closeout episode of Shoecast season 11, Ben sits down with Will Roman, founder of Chisos Boots, a young and growing brand out of Austin, Texas that offers one of the best values in a legitimately well made, well designed cowboy boot. They cover how Chisos in some ways started with a lemonade stand, how Will ended up in León Mexico and fell …

1
Series 3 Episode 12 | Scottish Icons and identity 40:26

1y ago40:26

40:26

In this episode we explore the shared culture, languages and traditions that give the Scots their strong sense of national identity. We look at some of the icons that are associated with Scotland worldwide and ask whether they are still relevant today. Here’s tae us, wha’s like us? Damn few an’ their a’ died!…

1
Exploring What "Handmade" Truly Means With Leatherworker and Bootmaker Bob Henderson 1:09:20

1y ago1:09:20

1:09:20

For the penultimate episode of the 11th season of the Stitchdown Shoecast, I’m quite excited indeed to be chatting with the just ridiculously talented man they call Bob Henderson. Bob is the operations manager at Popov Leather, the bustling leathergoods workshop over yonder in British Columbia, Canada—and over the last few years has been sucked up …

1
Series 3 Episode 11 | Scottish Castles 35:11

1y ago35:11

35:11

As much a part of the landscape as our hills and glens, Scottish Castles come in all shapes and sizes. From the blockbuster military strongholds to the quirky fairytale creations, this week’s chat focuses on some of our favourite castles and why you should visit.

1
Fritz Sr. and Jr. of Seidel Tanning on the Art, Science, and Challenges of Making Leather 1:03:46

1y ago1:03:46

1:03:46

This time Ben sits down with two, count ‘em TWO Fritz Seidels: Fritz Jr. and Fritz Sr., who every day are continuing on the tradition of the four-generation, 79-year-old Siedel Tanning Corp in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In addition to getting the lowdown on some longtime Seidel favorite leathers and overlooked gems, we get into Seidel’s history and flui…

1
133 Houston's Memorial Park | Shellye Arnold 22:50

1y ago22:50

22:50

In this episode, Longitude fellow Roxanna Mendez speaks with Shellye Arnold, president and CEO of Memorial Park Conservancy about the large-scale transformations at Houston’s Memorial Park and the master planning processes that are bringing them to fruition. See transcript at https://longitude.site/houstons-memorial-park/ We hope you enjoy our epis…

1
Shoe Care Essentials, How Many Boots is Too Many, Brands We Want Back...It's The Shoebag!! 1:24:38

1y ago1:24:38

1:24:38

Before he bolts for a very important trip to the bread store, Ticho is back in the leather-smelly homestead for perhaps our most comprehensive Shoebag episode ever, in which we discuss what shoe care products are essential and which you don't really need, brands we'd love to see restored to their former glory, what to wear with Red Wings (vague hin…

1
132 Engineering and Creative Mindset | Helen Little 23:02

1y ago23:02

23:02

In this episode, Longitude fellow Louis Noel speaks with Helen Little, a mechanical engineer at Axiom Space, about how her artistic background enriches her diverse engineering endeavors and vice versa. See transcript at https://longitude.site/engineering-and-creative-mindset/ We hope you enjoy our episodes and share them with friends. This podcast …

1
Series 3 Episode 10 | Easter in Scotland 41:33

1y ago41:33

41:33

The days are getting longer (if not warmer!) and colour is appearing in the garden. The dawn chorus wakens us in the morning and eggs are everywhere! It’s Easter - a time of religious observance for some and fun traditions and feasting for others. We look at some of the traditions associated with celebrating Easter in Scotland.…

1
131 Biology Beyond Earth | Graham Peers 23:49

1y ago23:49

23:49

In this episode, Longitude fellow Maria Rodriguez speaks with Graham Peers, professor of biology at Colorado State University, about his unique research projects, including approaches to removing toxic materials from the lunar soil to enable plant growth. See transcript at https://longitude.site/biology-beyond-earth/ We hope you enjoy our episodes …

1
130 Approaches To Fueling Scientific Creativity | Jacob Beckham 24:02

1y ago24:02

24:02

In this episode, Longitude fellow Louis Noel speaks with Jacob Beckham, post-doctoral associate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology his path in academia, communicating science, and leveraging creativity. See transcript at https://longitude.site/approaches-to-fueling-scientific-creativity/ We hope you enjoy our episodes and share them with …

1
Bespoke Shoemaker Sebastian Tarek on West-End Outwork and Judging the World's Greatest Shoemaking Competition 56:52

1y ago56:52

56:52

When London (by way of Australia) bespoke shoemaker Sebastian Tarek began making shoes in high school, his grandmother let him in on a little secret: he had been preceded in his journey by 18 generations of family cordwainers. After years of schooling—including at the famed Cordwainers College in Hackney, London—he eventually ended up settling into…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Helen Houston Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide