If you listened to the Bonsai Builders Podcast: How do you Apply Design Principles to Bonsai with Ryan Neil then you’re well aware that Ryan and the crew fully hijacked Addison’s initial attempt at that podcast. As per usual, self-awareness and restraint are not always strong points for the Mirai team, so Ryan and the crew had to backtrack and take a second stab for the sake of Addison and his goals with Bonsai Builders. However, the conversation that was had during the hijacking was also a worthy discussion of bonsai as a lifestyle and bonsai as it is practiced Miraistyle. Do forgive the long-winded answers and know there were no Addison’s harmed in the recording of this episode. If you haven’t heard Bonsai Builders, please check out Addison and his project at the link above. But for now, sit back, relax, and enjoy the discussion about Bonsai Camp at Mirai and the lifestyle bonsai affords Ryan and his team. Cheers!

What is the future of a tree? Are we a part of that tree’s future? Does the destiny of a bonsai artist manifest or is it predetermined? Josh Vanderplate is exploring these and many other questions in his research. Ryan and Josh sat down to discuss some of these seemingly innocuous questions and in the process teased out some very profound connections to bonsai, life, and human purpose. What seemed like a quiet Sunday chat left much to be discussed and more to be contemplated. Buckle up for a deep dive into the soul of the bonsai pursuit. Enjoy!

Long-term student and friend of Mirai, Sam Tan, was in the garden for a week of collaborative study. Anytime Sam is around there is guaranteed thought provoking discussion. But when you combine Sam’s curiosity and analytical mind with the quirky crew at Mirai, the discussion turned into something entirely different. In this episode of Asymmetry Ryan, Brock, Brandon, and Addison, join Sam in a discussion of the bonsai practice, bonsai history, and a brainstorm session on how we continue elevating the level of bonsai in North America. It’s filled with the usual amount of good vibes and off beat comments, while also diving deep into the ongoing saga of exploring a bonsai identity that references and respects history while charting a new course forward. Enjoy!