Taming Lightning

About Taming Lightning

Welcome back or welcome to the Taming Lightning Podcast, I'm Percy Echols II. I'm the creator and host of Taming Lightning, as well as emerging Plasma Tech at Pittsburgh Glass Center, where I'm researching and developing a space for exploring Plasma and Neon Light. Taming Lightning Podcast is a series of conversations to help expand our understanding of Plasma and Neon Light - looking beyond it's associations with novelty and sign making, and to explore the potential for Noble Gases as an artistic medium with each guest sharing their unique knowledge and experience.

Publisher

Percy Echols II

Category

arts · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

9 Jul 2017

Latest episode

23 Jan 2025

Latest episodes

66 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   23 Jan 2025

   EP 64: Luminous Phenomena: Rïse Peacock’s Artistic Journey and Curatorial Intersections at CMoG

   Blog: www.taminglightning.net Instagram @taminglightning Support on Patreon.com/taminglightning 💰This episode is sponsored by Corning Museum of Glass! Hello Lightning Tamers, Percy here, this is episode number 64! In today's podcast, I’m excited to welcome Rïse Peacock, an artist, curator, and educator with over a decade of experience in the educational and nonprofit art sectors. Currently the first Curatorial Fellow of Postwar and Contemporary Glass at the Corning Museum of Glass. Rïse approaches curating, teaching, and artmaking from an interdisciplinary perspective, with a specific focus on queer histories, material culture, and luminous phenomena. They have curated notable exhibitions such as Big Mood and the Women Create Biennial in Jamestown, NY. Today, we’ll dive into Rïse’s curatorial work, their artistic journey, and their fascination with light-based art, including the significance of Geissler tubes CMoG's collection. Welcome to the podcast Rïse Peacock! Music Credits Preview - Retro by ONE The opening theme -Taming Lightning by Trav B. Ryan Spoonsor - Good2Go by ONE Credits - Walking by Ras-Hop Episode Time Stamps [0:31] Sponsored by the Corning Museum [1:52] Introducing Rise Peacock [4:13] The Role of a Curatorial Fellow [7:59] Exhibition Development and Artist Advocacy [9:31] Understanding Geissler Tubes [15:09] Historical Significance of Geyser Tubes [19:58] Geissler Tubes and Artistic Practice [24:02] The Intersection of Art and Curation [27:32] Exploring Luminous Phenomena [32:24] Materiality and Light in Art [36:51] Navigating Interdisciplinary Practices [41:36] Curatorial Challenges with Light Works [47:14] Merging Art and Curation [49:50] Dismantling the Curatorial Lore Attachments

2. 

   26 Dec 2024

   EP 63: Understanding the Science Behind the Art of Neon with Dani Kaes

   Blog: www.taminglightning.net Instagram @taminglightning Support on Patreon.com/taminglightning Guest Instagram: @dani.kaes Hello, Lightning Tamers! Percy here, and welcome to episode 63 of the Taming Lightning Podcast. Today, I’m thrilled to chat with “Dani” Kaes, a talented light artist and educator based in Seattle, Washington. With a degree in Biochemistry from the University of Puget Sound, Dani brings a scientific lens to her neon practice. She’s also a passionate educator, deeply committed to open access to information, ensuring the neon community continues to grow and evolve, sharing her knowledge at places like Pilchuck Glass School, the Museum of Neon Art, and the Glass Art Society. In this episode, we’ll take a lightning round of different topics—like how different gases influence the colors we see in neon art, why color theory is such a big part of the process, and nd the science behind vacuum systems and gas mixtures.  We’ll also get into some of the more technical topics like getters (or whatever Dani prefers to call them), Penning mixtures, and ionization efficiency—but don’t worry, Dani has a knack for making it all easy to follow. We’ll also hear how her scientific background has shaped her artistic approach, the questions in neon she’s still curious to explore, and—of course—we’ll talk The Boy, her energetic furball of feline who’s always by her side. So, settle in for a great conversation with someone who’s not just making neon art but also advancing the craft with curiosity, humor, and a scientific edge. Welcome to the podcast, Dani Kaes! Time Stamps [0:28] Introduction to Dani Kays [4:19] Dani's Artistic Journey [7:01] Exploring Color Theory [11:06] The Science of Gases [16:41]Understanding O-Rings [19:17] Getters in Neon Production [22:59] The Impact of Temperature [26:09] Gas Mixtures and Their Effects [31:12] The Boy: Dani's Feline Companion [39:48] Closing Thoughts and Future Episodes Music credits Preview - Retro by ONE The opening theme -Taming Lightning by Trav B. Ryan Credits - Walking by Ras-Hop

3. 

   21 Nov 2024

   EP 62: Bright Ideas: Balancing Art and Career with Jacob Willcox

   Jacob Willcox, a young and experienced neon bender, artist, and educator, shares his illuminating journey balancing creativity and business in the world of neon signage.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

3,812

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.8 / 5

9 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 60 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

59

Social presence

0

YouTube

68

Engagement

85

Contact Taming Lightning

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.