training, grabbing a beer and talking shop,"
he says. "That's where the idea started. I
wanted the podcast conversations to be just a
couple of people sitting around talking about
our life in this field—no scripts or Q&A."
Even self-produced podcasts come with
expenses, such as travel costs, equipment, and
hosting platform fees. Joe set up a Patreon
account where those who donate (known as
Patrons) can hear bonus episodes and then
take twenty-question quizzes toward an ISA
Certified Arborist CEU. Joe writes and grades
the quizzes, then submits the CEU reports
to ISA. "I hope to generate enough financial
support through sponsors and Patrons to help
fund travel to conferences so I can record
more guests," Joe says. "Even with that, I
still spend a lot of my own money to keep
this thing rolling, but it is worth it to me."
Some of the conversations that stick with
Joe most include his talk with Racine,
Wisconsin City Forester Matt Koepnick.
"This was great nerding out on how we
both use tree inventory software, and Matt
had an interesting example of how Racine
handles reforestation efforts," Joe says. "I
also enjoyed talking with PlanIT Geo CEO
and Founder Ian Hanou about inventory
and canopy analysis. Oregon Department
of Forestry Urban and Community Forestry
Assistance Program Manager Scott Altenhoff
had great knowledge and experience to share
about administering tree preservation ordi-
nances and reviewing construction plans.
And the recent conversation with Vertical
Services Tree Care Professionals Owner
Brandon Dobnick was a fun 'life path' type
of episode, with a bunch of good laughs."
Joe also highlights Episode 6: Elected Officials
and Urban Forestry, in which he presents
audio excerpts from a Wilmette City Council
meeting as he, elected officials, and staff
addressed (and supported) the tree ordinance
Joe had put extensive work into. Another
episode Joe is proud of is Episode 18, Arbor
Day Special, in which he plays real (but
anonymized) voice mail messages to demon-
strate some of what municipal foresters deal
with in the course of their work week.
What are Joe's biggest dreams and goals for
the podcast? "I want listeners to walk away
learning something new or hearing a different
perspective in ways that translate to what
they are doing professionally. Our group of
municipal folks are relatively small compared
to the entire tree care industry, but what we
do really helps drive the industry as a whole
through our public education and outreach
in community forestry, which drives what
residents expect from their private contrac-
tors. We can have an outsized impact on
how trees are cared for, in all settings."
"I want listeners to
walk away learning
something new or
hearing a different
perspective in ways
that translate to
what they are doing
professionally."
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