"Probably the most asked question I get is – 'Why don't you have a podcast?' - well, I do now!" proclaims J Schwanke, host of the public broadcasting (PBS) television show J Schwanke's Life in Bloom.
Behind the Bloom is the title of J's weekly podcast, the topic of which is, naturally, flowers – just like his TV show. Behind the Bloom podcast can be found on most podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple, Podcast Index, Overcast, YouTube, Podcast Addict, Castro, Castbox, Podchaser, Deezer, Player FM, Goodpods, and Truefans. The podcast is made possible by the generosity of CalFlowers.
© J Schwanke's Life in Bloom
"My podcast will provide good advice for enjoying cut flowers - such as using cold water when arranging – as well as using the little packet of flower food – known as a sachet in the industry (so fancy) – to your best advantage," remarked J. "Plus, we'll be revisiting every episode of Life in Bloom, from the beginning. There are so many fun stories that happen in the planning, filming, and reactions to the show - especially from the audience point of view!"
Enter RJ Pole, producer and co-host of the podcast "Birds of a Feather Talk Together." Pole, a fan of J Schwanke's Life in Bloom along with his wife Amanda, contacted J and asked the question that so many have - where's the podcast?
"I told RJ there were many reasons I had not started a podcast – chief among them was how to do it – and he proposed collaborating, since he knows the ins and outs of podcast production and the podcast world," recalled J. "So he offered to produce it and I asked if he, as a fan of the show, would co-host with me. Having the fan perspective in the driver's seat, so to speak, is so helpful – it brings a dimension to the podcast that I would not otherwise be able to provide - I'm just too close to the content to do it effectively."
© J Schwanke's Life in Bloom
"RJ comes up with questions that would not occur to me, that I think the show's audience wonders about too," continues J. "Even ideas that are 'old hat' to me – such as keeping fruit away from flowers (the ethylene from fruit ages flowers more quickly) – are probably revelations not only to RJ, but to consumers at large – and great information to share."
The first two episodes of Behind the Bloom podcast were released on September 1, 2025. Look for a new episode on a weekly basis, typically on Mondays, or sometimes, a day or so earlier. Episodes of J Schwanke's Life in Bloom that are topics of the individual podcast will also be premiering on YouTube at the same time. "People have requested the show be available on YouTube for years, so the timing seemed right to release episodes of the TV show there – watch the show, then listen to the corresponding Behind the Bloom podcast for more of the story," enthused J.
Find Behind the Bloom podcast on uBloom.com or your favorite podcast platform at the link here.
J Schwanke's Life in Bloom is presented and distributed by American Public Television. Check local public television and Create TV listings to find out when J Schwanke's Life in Bloom airs in your area. The show is also available to stream for free via www.uBloom.com/LifeInBloom and the PBS App.
