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Shift #38: Viral videos and Victor M. Sweeney
August 20, 2026
"Why chase the fame? Just do something real."
How does a small-town mortician from middle-of-nowhere Minnesota end up with 50 million YouTube views without even trying?!
In this episode, Victor M. Sweeney joins to talk about accidental fame, turning down reality TV, and why "just doing something real" beats trying to “go viral” every time. The guys dig into crafting an authentic public image, the trap of being an order-taker, and what it really means to show up for families, even when it's inconvenient.
Fair warning: Victor's take on inconvenience will stick with you long after the episode ends.
About Victor M. Sweeney:
Victor M. Sweeney is an undertaker in a small town in Northwest Minnesota. While he goes about every aspect of the funeral business as it touches the lives of the families he serves, his wife and four children patiently await his return and shake their heads when duty calls him away again. He represents the profession worldwide, authoring a book, “Now Departing,” and amassing some 50M views on YouTube. He doesn’t have free time, but he likes to read when he’s able. Find him at Death And with Victor M. Sweeney.
About the podcast:
The Graveyard Shift is a podcast by Passare and features:
Todd Carlson, Chief Sales Officer at Directors Investment Group
Matt Bailey from Bailey Family Funeral Homes in Connecticut
Gary Freytag from Spring Grove in Ohio
Jimmy Lucas from Lucas Funerals and Cremations in Texas
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