Where Does Craftsmanship Fit In A Disposable World | Evan Voyles #479 | The Way I Heard It

I sat down with Evan Voyles—neon sign maker, collector of odd things, and one of the most interesting craftsmen I’ve ever met—and we picked up a conversation we started 10 years ago in a trashed-out workshop in Austin. Back then, I thought he was a guy who bent glass and made signs. Turns out, he’s a guy who bends reality, questions everything, and somehow makes a living doing it. We talk about what craft actually means in a world full of shortcuts, why the best marketing doesn’t feel like marketing, and how something as simple as a neon sign can outlast trends, technology, and maybe even common sense. Along the way, we want into cowboy boots, house fires, seagulls, crows, bad business deals, great stories, and the uncomfortable truth that sometimes losing everything is exactly what you need. Evan doesn’t advertise. He doesn’t chase customers. He lets the work speak first—and if you’re paying attention, it says quite a bit. This is a conversation about making things, breaking things, and figuring out what’s worth keeping. If you’ve ever wondered where craftsmanship fits in a disposable world, this one’s for you. Somebody’s still gotta do it. Watch Evan's episode on my show, Somebody's Gotta Do It: https://youtu.be/vx5L-u_TUvc #podcast #craft #art A Special Thanks To: ZipRecruiter - four out of five people who post a job will find a quality candidate in 24 hours or less. Post a job for FREE at ziprecruiter.com/rowe Our friends at American Giant, making the softest sweatshirts made in America. Get 20% off your first order with code: MIKE https://bit.ly/AGxTWIHI #podcast #art #neon If you like me, and even if you don't, subscribe to my channels and follow me. Much obliged. https://www.youtube.com/@therealmikerowe https://www.youtube.com/@therealmikeroweshorts https://www.youtube.com/@PYSKshow http://instagram.com/mikerowe http://facebook.com/TheRealMikeRowe https://twitter.com/mikeroweworks 00:00 Reconnecting with Evan 11:23 How craft has changed 16:40 Consumer care 21:16 The magic of neon 25:50 The displacement theory 31:27 Evan's rare vest find 38:48 My experience with crows 43:57 Left vs. right handed theory 49:37 The fire that destroyed everything 54:32 Form over function? 01:01:21 Talking poetry 01:05:05 Why Evan doesn’t advertise 01:11:02 Podcast advertising ️ 01:16:38 We made a song