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The Graveyard Shift
Funeral professionals are constantly searching for two things – new ideas to better serve families and a good laugh. Join Todd Carlson, EVP of Sales and Chief Sales Officer at Directors Investment Group, on a wild ride as he engages in genuine and off-the-cuff conversations with 3 accomplished funeral professionals – Matt Bailey, President and Funeral Director at Bailey Family Funeral Homes, Gary Freytag, President and CEO of Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum, and Jimmy Lucas, Owner and Funeral Director at Lucas Funeral Home. Together, they share their takes and valuable insights into the evolving profession with plenty of laughs...Show more
All Episodes
Shift #5: Dead Butterflies and AI
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.
Shift #4: Technology, holograms, and Tom Antram
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…
Shift #3: Girlfriends, gangs, and ghastly mistakes
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.
Shift #2: Ketchup packets and dove releases
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