Dave Lee, Co-creator of Cardboard Sessions

Today, we’re talking with Dave Lee, the creative engineer and co-creator of Cardboard Sessions, the viral series where paper becomes possibility. In each episode, top-tier artists step into the studio to create unrehearsed sonic magic using fully playable instruments made entirely out of cardboard.Dave on YouTube @cardboardsessions on Instagram From cardboard Stratocasters and Telecasters to full drum kits, Dave and his team turn imagination into reality, documenting the process in stunning behind-the-scenes videos that blend art, science, and pure creative courage.The Spark of Cardboard ChaosDave, where did this idea begin—what first made you look at cardboard and think, “let’s make a snowboard, a guitar, or a pair of Vans out of this”? What was the creative leap from Cardboard Chaos to Cardboard Sessions?Engineering Meets ArtYou’ve built fully playable instruments out of cardboard—something that sounds impossible until people see and hear it. If you’ve ever looked at an everyday object and thought, ‘What if we made this out of cardboard?’—Dave’s probably already done it. Your creative journey—from Cardboard Chaos experiments to collaborations with icons like Tony Hawk, Marcus King, and Keanu Reeves—proves that true innovation often starts with the simplest materials and the boldest questions. I was watching the Cardboard Session with Peter Yorn -- How do you and your team balance the technical precision of engineering with the spontaneity of creative experimentation?The Magic of Unrehearsed MusicEach Cardboard Session is unrehearsed, unfiltered, and full of creative risk. What do you think happens to artists when the normal studio structure disappears and they’re just responding to the moment—with instruments made of paper?Collaboration and Creative FlowYou’ve brought in everyone from ZZ Top to Marcus King to Keanu Reeves. What have you learned about collaboration from these sessions—and how do you create an environment that invites trust, play, and genuine creativity?The Lesson for Creatives EverywhereYour work embodies the idea that creativity thrives on limits and curiosity. What’s your advice for listeners who want to tap into that “build it anyway” mindset—especially when they’re facing doubt or resistance?What’s one takeaway you hope creators remember from your work—about staying inventive, curious, and hands-on in a digital world?Thanks to our sponsor, White Cloud Coffee—fueling creative conversations everywhere. Listeners, enjoy 10% off your first order at whitecloudcoffee.com.And before you go, don’t forget to download your free e-book of Your World of Creativity when you visit mark-stinson.com.