
Episode #152
#152 "I Make", Take and Collaborate with Jimmy DiResta
Jimmy DiResta has spent decades building things other people only imagine. Furniture. TV shows. A life that doesn't sit still. In this episode, we get past the shop tour and into what actually shaped him. We talk New York, the city that built his eye for craft and his tolerance for hustle. We talk Hollywood, and what it's like to make things for an industry built on illusion. We talk about how he approaches a problem, any problem, whether it's a broken hinge or a broken plan. And we get into the parts of his life that don't show up in a highlight reel: his hobbies, friends, family, and picking up pottery as a beginner all over again. This one isn't about tools. It's about how a maker keeps making, decade after decade, without losing the parts of himself that got him here. Most people stop learning new crafts once they've mastered one. Jimmy hasn't. This conversation is a case study in staying a beginner on purpose. What we get into Growing up in and around New York, and how the city and early years shaped his work ethic Hollywood: building for the screen, and what the industry taught him about craft His approach to problem-solving, on set and in the shop Starting pottery as a total beginner, and what it's like to be bad at something new again 00:00 Introduction to Jimmy DiResta 02:34 The Art of Making and Teaching 04:52 Crafts and Changing Times 07:40 Timeless Design Elements 10:32 Manufacturing History and Local Craftsmanship 13:21 Reflections on High School and Early Influences 19:14 From High School to Making Toys 22:04 From Art School to Graphic Design 23:03 Early Experiences in Advertising 23:28 Learning the Craft from Family 24:27 Transitioning to Toy Design 25:47 The Evolution of Problem Solving 28:01 Understanding the Nature of Props and Products 29:59 The Balance of Temporary and Permanent Creations 31:46 The Pressure of Client Work 33:46 Confidence in Problem Solving 37:00 The Joy of Troubleshooting 38:48 Memorable Moments with Howard Stern 41:20 Maker Style F-Marry-Kill 43:31 Collaboration in the Maker Community 46:16 Exploring Pottery as a New Medium 47:22 Embracing Mistakes in Craftsmanship 51:05 The Zen of Pottery and Creative Space 53:23 Gifts from You, Gifts to Me 54:17 The Value of Content as a Legacy 58:16 Interacting with Fans and Community Influence 01:07:24 Parting Thoughts on Positivity and Gratitude Connect with Product Fields: Follow the podcast for more inspiring stories Join the conversation on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/mastering-agility Contact us for trades or sponsorships If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and share it with someone who needs to hear it! Connect with our guest: Jimmy DiResta https://www.youtube.com/user/jimmydiresta/ https://www.instagram.com/jimmydiresta/ https://www.instagram.com/makingfunshow/ https://www.joinmakersmob.com/diresta/ https://jimmydiresta.com/ https://imakeny.com/ https://direstaedc.com/ Check out our sponsors: https://www.xebia.com https://www.wiserbees.com https://www.jointinsights.com https://www.productfields.com





