In this episode of Yours For The Making, host Robin Johnson sits down with custom motorcycle builder and creative powerhouse Tom Simpson, the founder of Foundry Motor Co.

Based in Chichester, Tom has spent the last 15 years handcrafting some of the UK’s most admired custom bikes - from oily-rag Triumphs to retro-futurist cafe racers that wouldn’t look out of place in Blade Runner.

Tom shares how he went from blacksmithing ornamental railings to TIG-welding speedo brackets in a custom bike workshop, and why everything changed when he opened the new Foundry Coffee Lounge, a destination café and creative hub for bikers, builders, and vintage vehicle lovers.

Whether you’re into custom motorcycle building, metalwork, TIG welding, or you’re dreaming of launching a brand around your passion - this episode is packed with insights, stories, and laughs from one of the UK’s most thoughtful makers.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Tom built a business out of custom bikes (without a business plan)
• Why hand-filing aluminium and TIG welding are his therapy
• The inspiration behind Foundry’s signature “streamliner-meets-cafe-racer” style
• What goes into creating a social space for bikers & makers
• The real economics (and emotional drive) behind working solo vs scaling up
• Why new bikes can’t match the charm of vintage machines
• Tools, mishaps, coffee machines, old trucks, and everything in between

Key Moments:

0:00 - Introduction: Tom Simpson and Foundry Motor Co

0:25 - First Motorcycle Experiences and Early Passion

2:30 - Transition from Sales to Motorcycle Building

4:35 - How Foundry Motor Co Began

7:15 - New Workshop and Coffee Shop Location

11:02 - Design Philosophy and Bike Inspiration

15:03 - Workshop Tools and Metalworking Techniques

20:37 - Personal Motorcycle and Riding Experiences

22:42 - Goodwood Revival and Automotive Passion

24:36 - Design Inspiration and Bike Building Process

29:29 - Custom Motorcycle Scene Evolution

34:32 - Working on Motorcycles and Challenges

40:16 - Family and Passing on Mechanical Knowledge

42:54 - Early Motorcycle Memories

47:14 - Old vs New Motorcycles

49:23 - Future Plans for Foundry Motor Co

54:10 - Motorcycle Community and Networking

55:27 - Advice for Young Motorcycle Enthusiasts

Enjoying the show?

Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson - founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on shows such as The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

In this episode of Yours For The Making, host Robin Johnson sits down with the self-proclaimed “ply guy” - Zac Matheou, founder of Lycan Design, and a master craftsman known for his impeccable plywood cabinetry and honest takes on life as a solo maker.

Zach shares the story of his winding path into the world of bespoke joinery - from helping his dad in a pine furniture factory to a special effects career and eventually founding his own workshop. With over 11 years of hands-on experience, Zach opens up about everything from the realities of running a business alone, the beauty of hand-drawn designs, tool brand snobbery, pricing struggles, sustainability, and why he’s still not quite sure how he got here.

If you're a cabinetmaker, independent designer, joiner, or creative entrepreneur — especially one trying to balance quality craftsmanship with business growth — this is a masterclass in real-world making.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why Zac left special effects to build kitchens from scratch
• How he built Lycan Design as a one-man, family-first business
• What it’s really like being a solo maker in a social media world
• The challenges of pricing bespoke work fairly
• Why he refuses to compromise on quality - even at his own expense
• His thoughts on plywood trends, tool snobbery, and the IKEA effect
• The future of British joinery and the skills gap crisis
• How sustainability and simplicity drive his entire process

This episode is a must-listen for:

Woodworkers and furniture makers, independent craftspeople and designers, creative entrepreneurs, Architecture and design studio collaborators, fans of high-quality joinery and British craftsmanship and anyone building a values-led, purpose-driven making business

Key Moments:

0:00 - Introduction to Makers and Craftsmanship

0:54 - Meet Robin Johnson and Zac Matheou

1:19 - Zac's Plywood Expertise

2:09 - 11 Years of Working with Plywood

3:03 - Challenges of Running a One-Man Business

6:30 - Zac's Family Background in Furniture

9:02 - Career Journey in Special Effects

10:33 - Workshop Evolution

11:36 - Challenges of Workshop Transitions

13:07 - Lessons Learned in Craftsmanship

15:08 - Attention to Detail in Woodworking

22:38 - Relationships with Architects and Designers

24:38 - Social Media Trends in Woodworking

32:33 - Tools and Technology in Craftsmanship

38:30 - Design and Manufacturing Process

41:42 - Plywood Supply Challenges

48:09 - Waste Reduction and Material Optimisation

54:27 - Apprenticeships and Trade Skills

1:08:37 - Spray Finishing Techniques

1:16:45 - Pricing and Value in Custom Furniture

1:22:37 - Advice for Aspiring Craftsmen

1:28:25 - Future Plans and Business Goals for Lycan Design

Enjoying the show?

Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson - founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on shows such as The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and...

In this raw and powerful episode of Yours For The Making, Robin Johnson sits down with Ed Lofts, seven-time world kickboxing champion, gym owner, complex trauma specialist, and all-around explorer of physical, mental, emotional, and financial growth.

Ed opens up about his transformative journey from martial arts prodigy to trauma therapy advocate, exploring how early life abuse shaped his worldview, how helping his mother heal from lifelong shame became a personal milestone, and why real growth means finding the edges of your comfort zone.

You'll hear candid insights into the realities of CTE in combat sports, how unprocessed trauma holds people back, and why men in particular need better tools to process emotions. Plus, how Ed's mentors shaped his philosophy, what true freedom looks like, and why “slowing down” is the most underrated tool for self-discovery.

Whether you're into self-improvement, psychology, martial arts, or just navigating the modern challenges of fatherhood, business, and emotional well-being, this episode delivers heavyweight insight.

In this episode, Robin Johnson and Ed Lofts discuss:

• Emotional trauma, childhood abuse & recovery
• Martial arts and mindset development
• CTE, brain health & the fight industry’s hidden cost
• Exploring the four edges: physical, mental, emotional & financial
• Men’s mental health, therapy stigma, and breaking generational cycles
• Parenting, reflection, and subconscious patterns
• Mentorship vs. manipulation in personal growth
• How to build resilience and redefine masculinity
• How slowing down helps you speed up growth
• Financial freedom and reframing the money narrative

KEY MOMENTS:

0:00 - Introduction to Ed Lofts: Martial Arts Champion & Explorer

0:05 - The Explorer's Mindset: Pushing Personal Boundaries

3:30 - From Martial Arts to Enlightenment: Ed's Early Journey

5:10 - Mentorship and the Importance of Finding the Right Guides

9:20 - Movement, Performance, and Working with Ido Portal

13:00 - Brain Trauma in Combat Sports: A Critical Health Concern

16:50 - Complex Trauma: Understanding Emotional Healing

22:30 - The Impact of Childhood Experiences on Adult Behavior

27:15 - Financial Freedom and Personal Growth

32:40 - Navigating Emotional Challenges and Seeking Help

38:20 - Parenting, Presence, and Inner Child Work

44:50 - The Four Pillars of Personal Development

50:30 - Transitioning from Martial Arts to Trauma Therapy

55:45 - Building a Platform for Personal Growth and Education

1:01:30 - One Key Piece of Advice for Personal Transformation

This podcast is for:

Those interested in trauma recovery and personal development, Men exploring emotional health and mindset, Martial artists, combat sports athletes, and trainers, Entrepreneurs, fathers, and purpose-driven leaders, Listeners seeking holistic tools for personal reinvention, Fans of Gabor Maté, Tim Fletcher, Ido Portal, and The School of Life

Enjoying the show?

Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson - founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on shows such as The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we...