Episodios

  • Shift #10: Bad apples, leadership, and Kris Seale

    Shift #10: Bad apples, leadership, and Kris Seale
    Jul 3 2025
    Kris Seale, President & CEO of Directors Investment Group, drops in on The Graveyard Shift for a no-fluff, eye-opening conversation about what really makes or breaks workplace culture. The group covers topics like how to build a culture people want to join, why keeping bad apples is risky, and how generational gaps are shaping the workplace. Plus, get the inside scoop on Kris’s life-changing epiphany that might change how you think about leadership.
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    45 m
  • Shift #1: Four guys start a podcast

    Shift #1: Four guys start a podcast
    Mar 10 2025
    Is this thing on? Join Gary Freytag, Jimmy Lucas, Matt Bailey, and Todd Carlson as they attempt to figure out what this podcast is supposed to cover. Do they land on anything definitive? Who has the best jokes? Did Gary actually go to an Ivy League school? We’ll let you be the judge of it all. Tune in to see the behind-the-scenes of naming the podcast and hear all of the names that were left on the cutting room floor. And why they’re staying there.
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    29 m
  • Shift #2: Ketchup packets and dove releases

    Shift #2: Ketchup packets and dove releases
    Mar 12 2025
    Buckle up as Gary, Jimmy, Matt, and Todd dive a little deeper this week and share some of their successes and flops that have come from taking risks. Did any pay off? Did anything go absolutely wrong? Listen now to hear their best stories and discover why releasing doves in Texas during September is a no-go. This episode also pays tribute to the late Doug Manning, a transformative figure in funeral service, whose legacy continues to inspire us to elevate our profession. Tune in to discover how to make every funeral a powerful and healing experience. Heard on this week's episode: “We’re not just going to talk about funerals.” – Gary “I found a blue M&M in the bowl here by the way, so if it happens again, we cancel the podcast.” – Matt “It’s like the C team on the junior high basketball team. It feels like that’s what we are here.” – Jimmy “You’re not a licensed funeral director, but you did go to Harvard.” – Todd
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    40 m
  • Shift #3: Girlfriends, gangs, and ghastly mistakes

    Shift #3: Girlfriends, gangs, and ghastly mistakes
    Mar 27 2025
    Time to get personal…and a little uncomfortable. Join Gary, Jimmy, Matt, and Todd as they share stories about some of their most challenging services and the lessons they've learned from each experience. Tune in now to hear each story and discover how they successfully navigated girlfriends, gangs, and ghastly mistakes.
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    31 m
  • Shift #4: Technology, holograms, and Tom Antram

    Shift #4: Technology, holograms, and Tom Antram
    Apr 10 2025
    Join our normal cast of characters as they welcome their first-ever guest, Tom Antram, President and CEO of French Funerals & Cremations and the current president of Selected Independent Funeral Homes! The crew discusses technology in the profession and how families are responding. They also share their thoughts about AI and how funeral directors should be using it. Get ready for a technological shift…
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    43 m
  • Shift #5: Dead Butterflies and AI

    Shift #5: Dead Butterflies and AI
    Apr 24 2025
    The conversation about AI continues as Gary, Jimmy, Matt, and Todd discuss how to adapt to and use technology as it evolves while still maintaining a personal touch. Tune in to hear about each member's experiences with AI and the ways they've successfully encouraged their staff to embrace new ideas, even when there's a risk of mistakes—or dead butterflies. If you're looking to push the creative boundaries of your business, this episode is for you.
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    44 m
  • Shift #6: Stress, smoked meat, and Dr. Carr

    Shift #6: Stress, smoked meat, and Dr. Carr
    May 9 2025
    In this episode, the guys welcome Dr. Melanie Carr, Director of Sales Development at Funeral Directors Life and published author of Emotional Intelligence for Funeral Directors. Dr. Carr shares stress management strategies, which encourages the crew to share what they’ve tried to relieve stress. Who smokes meat? Who has slept at the funeral home? Who has absolutely no stress whatsoever? Find out in this honest and raw discussion.
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    41 m
  • Shift #7: Training, culture, and Martha Thayer

    Shift #7: Training, culture, and Martha Thayer
    May 22 2025
    On this week’s shift, Martha Thayer, founder and president of Mortuary Training LLC, joins the crew to share her knowledge about the current state of funeral home training, the mad dash to keep up with new regulations, and more. Matt spills the beans on celebrant training, Gary talks about "borrowing" ideas, and Jimmy discusses the importance of personalized training for staff. Plus, find out which crew member has firsthand experience working with Martha (and how it’s going). 👀 Learn more about Martha Thayer’s training programs at www.mortuarytraining.com.
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    46 m