10. Artisan Crafts in the Age of AI with Host Briana Ottoboni

Host Briana Ottoboni introduces season two of The Trades Show, filmed on location with artisans in San Francisco, and explains why the rise of AI and the return to analog craftsmanship are happening at the same time. She shares her Bay Area background, her first encounter with shoe cobbling that sparked her passion for artisan trades, and her concern about who carries these crafts forward as older generations retire. Briana defines artisan trades as the intersection of fine arts and skilled trades—uniting creativity, aesthetic rigor, technique, and tradition—and recounts how a window of “creative spaciousness” led her to create a high-production “show,” with season one serving as a 10-episode pilot. She outlines a city-by-city vision, season two’s biweekly Thursday release schedule, and the broader ecosystem she’s building, including The Corral artisan jobs board that uses technology and AI to make artisan work more visible, viable, and valued.In this episode, you’ll hear:Briana’s intro into the artisan trades and shoe cobblingThe Why behind The Trades ShowWhy now in the age of AI is the perfect time to revive the artisan tradesHer vision for the showWhat you can expect for Season 2 and beyond👩🏻‍🎨 Where to find Briana Ottoboni:Follow on Instagram: @brianaaugustinaFollow on LinkedIn: @brianaottoboni🛠️ Where to find The Trades Show:Follow on Instagram: @tradesshowFollow on TikTok: @tradesshowSubscribe on YouTube: @tradesshowRead the Substack: https://revivethetrades.substack.comVisit the website: thetradesshowpod.com🎙️Credits:Host & Creator – Briana OttoboniCreative Direction, Filming & Editing – Briana OttoboniOriginal Theme Music – Federico Wanzo, Skane Music📺 In this episode:00:00 AI Meets Craft01:01 Season Two Kickoff01:39 Cobbler Spark03:03 Why Trades Matter04:55 Learning In Portland06:01 Birth Of The Show08:50 Season One Lessons09:28 San Francisco Backdrop11:29 Humanity In Imperfection12:59 Mission And Pathways15:53 Release Schedule16:23 The Corral Jobs Board17:59 Wrap Up And Subscribe18:47 Outro Credits