{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Plain Talk: The Smoked Beekeeper (254)","description":"Jim Tew is back from a long drive through Michigan\u2019s autumn beauty\u2014and while the leaves have changed, his thoughts haven\u2019t strayed far from bees or smoke. In this week\u2019s Honey Bee Obscura, Jim explores one of beekeeping\u2019s oldest tools\u2014the smoker\u2014and how this essential companion has become both a help and a health concern. From his makeshift recording spot at his daughter\u2019s home to a chat with a firefighter friend, Jim dives into the effects of smoke on both beekeepers and bees. He reflects on his own lifelong asthma and how smoke exposure impacts his breathing, raising questions every beekeeper might consider but few discuss openly. Listeners will learn how Jim has experimented with different fuels\u2014pine needles, wheat straw, and his favorite cedar shavings\u2014and the tradeoffs between convenience, toxicity, and effectiveness. He also shares his practical two-can smoker system that keeps fuel dry and ready while reducing waste and cleanup. If you\u2019ve ever wondered how something so simple could still be indispensable\u2014or whether it\u2019s time to rethink the smoke in your beekeeping life\u2014this episode is pure Jim Tew: reflective, honest, and unmistakably practical. ______________________  Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. Betterbee\u2019s mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer&amp;nbsp;service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com ______________________ Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Music: Heart &amp;amp; Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott Cartoons by:&amp;nbsp;John Martin (Beezwax Comics) Copyright \u00a9 2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC  ","author_name":"Honey Bee Obscura Podcast","author_url":"https:\/\/www.honeybeeobscura.com","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/38725740\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/194542280"}