Episodes 286
Avg. Duration 19m
Activity Highly Active
Since Jan 2021
Latest Episode Jun 2026

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Publishing Details

Schedule
Weekly
Format
Episodic
Consistency
100%
Hosting
rss.libsyn.com

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About This Podcast

The weekly podcast exploring the joys, challenges, and curiosities of keeping honey bees. Hosted by Dr. Jim Tew and produced by Jeff Ott, Honey Bee Obscura delivers short, focused conversations that dive into the details of beekeeping—from practical how-tos to quirky observations. Perfect for learning something new on the way to the apiary, at home, or wherever your bees take you.

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Recent Episodes

Plain Talk: Tall Grass In The Bee Yard (287)

Jun 11, 2026 20m Transcript

In this reflective episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Dr. Jim Tew walks back to his bee yard after several days of rain and immediately confronts a familiar challenge: grass and weeds that have grown well…

Plain Talk: Five Nice Hives (286)

Jun 04, 2026 21m Transcript

In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew heads into the bee yard to check on five package colonies installed earlier in the spring. What begins as a routine inspection quickly becomes a reminder…

A Novice Teaches Beekeeping (285)

May 28, 2026 16m Transcript

Jim Tew welcomes his grandson, Will Laditka, back to Honey Bee Obscura for a candid conversation about the realities of learning beekeeping as a young beginner. Will reflects on losing his first…

The Wayward Swarm, Part 4 (284)

May 21, 2026 15m Transcript

In this final installment of the "Wayward Swarm" saga, Dr. Jim Tew and Jason Ferrell return to the colony that has caused more trouble, worry, and excitement than either expected. After multiple…

The Wayward Swarm, Part 3 (283)

May 14, 2026 17m Transcript

In this third installment of The Wayward Swarm, Jim Tew returns to the now-infamous swarm hanging high in a tree after days of cold rain and falling temperatures. Joined by longtime beekeeper friend…

Plain Talk: The Wayward Swarm, Part 2 (282)

May 07, 2026 17m Transcript

In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew delivers a candid, field-side reflection on the challenges—and realities—of swarm management when conditions, equipment, and personal limitations don't…

Plain Talk: Packages and Swarms (281)

Apr 30, 2026 17m Transcript

In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew brings listeners along for a raw, unfiltered walk through his apiary during one of beekeeping's most unpredictable seasons. After expecting significant…

Installing Packaged Bees with Anne Frey, Part 2 (280)

Apr 23, 2026 18m Transcript

Jim Tew and Anne Frey return for Part 2 of their discussion on honey bee packages, continuing a practical and often humorous look at the realities of installing packages and managing queens in the…

Installing Packaged Bees with Anne Frey, Part 1 (279)

Apr 16, 2026 19m Transcript

Package bee installation is one of the most common ways new beekeepers start a colony, and in this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew is joined by Anne Frey of Betterbee to share practical,…

Plain Talk: Seeing The Light (278)

Apr 09, 2026 19m

In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew reflects on the contrast between light and darkness—both in beekeeping and in life. Recorded in the bee yard on a meaningful personal day, Jim shares a…

Nucs & Wax Production with Anne Frey (277)

Apr 02, 2026 23m Transcript

In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew is joined by Anne Frey for a wide-ranging discussion on nucleus colonies, wax production, and the practical realities of working with smaller hives. The…

Plain Talk: BSI - Bee Scene Investigation (276)

Mar 26, 2026 16m Transcript

In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew takes listeners into the bee yard for what he calls a "bee scene investigation"—a hands-on look at two colonies that failed over winter and what can (and…

Plain Talk: Old Hives, New Bees (275)

Mar 19, 2026 20m Transcript

What does it really mean to put new bees into old equipment—and what does that decision say about how we keep bees? In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Dr. Jim Tew takes a broader, more reflective…

Plain Talk: Tri-County (274)

Mar 12, 2026 19m Transcript

In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew reflects on attending a recent Tri-County beekeeping meeting—one he helped organize years ago while working at the OSU Research Center in Wooster, Ohio.…

Plain Talk: Late Winter Robbing (273)

Mar 05, 2026 16m Transcript

On a cold, soggy walk back to the bee yard, Jim reflects on an uncomfortable but important topic: robbing. With temperatures hovering around 40°F and only a hint of flight activity, he begins to…

Georgia Winter Visit with Anne Frey (272)

Feb 26, 2026 20m Transcript

This week on Honey Bee Obscura, Jim and Anne take listeners south — to Georgia — for a mid-winter comparison of beekeeping realities. Anne recently visited beekeeping friends near the Atlanta…

Plain Talk: Miracle Bees (271)

Feb 19, 2026 17m

In this reflective winter walk-through, Jim Tew returns to the bee yard expecting discouraging losses—but instead finds surprising signs of life. Colonies he believed were gone are flying, cleansing,…

Package Bees with Anne Frey (270)

Feb 12, 2026 23m

In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew welcomes Anne Frey to explore the practical and often uncertain process of preparing for spring package bees. Together, they discuss one of the most…

Plain Talk: A Cold Bee Yard (269)

Feb 05, 2026 16m

Winter doesn't always offer tidy lessons, and in this Plain Talk episode, Jim Tew takes listeners with him into a brutally cold Ohio bee yard. Standing among hives buried in snow after weeks of…

Plain Talk: Hive Tops and Winter Thoughts (268)

Jan 29, 2026 19m

In this Plain Talk episode, Jim Tew records from his shop as a major winter storm approaches, using the moment to reflect on beekeeping, weather, and long-term planning. He shares a personal story…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Honey Bee Obscura Podcast have?

Honey Bee Obscura Podcast has published 286 episodes since January 2021, covering topics in Hobbies, Leisure.

Is Honey Bee Obscura Podcast still active?

Honey Bee Obscura Podcast is currently highly active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 19m.

How do I contact Honey Bee Obscura Podcast for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Honey Bee Obscura Podcast, including email and social media links.

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