Episode #85: So You Hired an Apprentice - Now What?
A Brush with Death
In this episode, host Gabe Schauf chats with Kelly Monroe, Funeral Instructor (and Gabe's co-worker) with the Milwaukee Area Technical College Funeral Service Program, and Dr. Damon de la Cruz, Director of Education with the Frigid Fluid Company, about funeral apprenticeships. Topics include the expectations and responsibilities of both the trainer and trainee, as well as how to make the most of the experience. They discuss common challenges, share valuable insights, and offer practical advice to help both mentors and apprentices succeed in the field. Whether you are new to the profession and...
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A Brush with Death: 5 Minutes on...AP Lazer
A Brush with Death
On "A Brush With Death: 5 Minutes On...," we spend 5 minutes providing listeners with quick insights into various funeral trends, products, events, organizations, and goings-on. In this episode host, Gabe Schauf, is joined by Tony Miller to discuss how funeral homes are using AP Lazer's products in-house to provide families with more opportunities for personalization. About Tony: Tony Miller is a seasoned sales executive with over seven years at AP Lazer, helping funeral professionals expand their services through personalized laser engraving. With a background in business management...
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Episode #84: Funeral Pro Tips: Embalming Edition
A Brush with Death
In this episode, host Gabe Schauf chats with 10 funeral directors and embalmers from around the country to share practical tips and techniques for taking embalming room work to the next level. They’ll cover everything from improving preservation to fine-tuning restoration work, with advice you can use immediately. Guests in this episode include: - Dana Goodell – Iowa Licensed Funeral Director and Sales and Education Director for the Embalmer Supply Company (1:59) ...
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Episode #83: Leili McMurrough
A Brush with Death
In this episode, host Gabe Schauf is joined by Leili McMurrough, a licensed funeral director and President of Worsham College of Mortuary Science, to share her experiences and insights from the profession. Leili is the recipient of the 2024 NFDA Inspiration Award, sponsored by NGL, which honors an exceptional woman who has made significant contributions to funeral service.
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Episode #82: The Sky Is the Limit - Just Find Your Why.
A Brush with Death
In this episode, host Gabe Schauf is joined by Regan Moreland, Funeral Director & Embalmer with Radney Funeral Home and Langley Funeral Home, to discuss her transformative journey into funeral service. She shares how her personal experiences have shaped her career and passion for lifelong learning while inspiring those around her to always remember their "why."
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Episode #81: The Navy Embalmer
A Brush with Death
Happy Veterans Day to all of our military personnel. We are deeply grateful for your service and sacrifice, and we will forever be thankful for your role in keeping our country free. In this episode, host Gabe Schauf is joined by Jennifer Heiselman, Navy Chief Mortician (Retired), who served our country as a Navy Embalmer and Funeral Director. Jennifer spent 24 years both at home and abroad, caring for soldiers killed while on active duty and in combat, and managing the logistics and processes to ensure these fallen heroes were returned home to their families. In this episode, she shares some...
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Episode #80: Spooky Mortuary Stories
A Brush with Death
Have you ever heard something go bump in the night while working at the funeral home? Did you ever have an eerie experience you just couldn’t explain? Do you sometimes wonder if you “not alone”? Regardless of how you may feel about the paranormal, everyone loves a good ghost story. In this episode, host, Gabe Schauf sits down with Duane Hills, Todd Harra, Ben Schmidt, and Jason Engler to hear a couple of spooky mortuary tales.
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A Brush with Death: 5 Minutes on...Ring Ring Marketing
A Brush with Death
On "A Brush With Death: 5 Minutes On...," we spend 5 minutes providing listeners with quick insights into various funeral trends, products, events, organizations, and goings-on. In this episode, host, Gabe Schauf, talks with Welton Hong, founder of Ring Ring Marketing, about what the future of the profession looks like in terms of overall call volume, and what funeral homes can do to prepare. Welton is a leading expert in helping funeral homes convert leads from online directly to the phone line. He’s the author of the book Making Your Phone Ring with Internet Marketing for Funeral Homes and...
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Episode #79: International Convention and Expo Preview 3 - Keynote Speakers
A Brush with Death
The International Convention and Expo is taking place in New Orleans October 20th to the 23rd. To get ready for the event we have 3 convention preview episodes for you to check out. In this final episode before convention, host, Gabe Schauf, is joined by the 2024 International Convention and Expo keynote speakers, Amy Herman and Jason Arday. Amy and Jason will share a little about themselves and their experiences and give an idea of what to expect from their keynote addresses. This episode is sponsored by NGL and Carriage. Learn more about the Learn more about our
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Episode #78: International Convention and Expo Preview 2 - Workshop Presenters
A Brush with Death
The International Convention and Expo is taking place in New Orleans October 20th to the 23rd. To get ready for the event we have 3 convention preview episodes for you to check out. In those episodes, host, Gabe Schauf, is joined by the Innovation Award Finalists, some of the Workshop Presenters, and of course, the Keynote speakers. In this second episode we will hear from 3 of our workshop presenters, Cate Collins, Cort Bluford, and Mandy Stafford. Cate Collins’ presentation, “Ignite the Powerhouse in You”, will take place on Monday and Wednesday from 8am to 9am. Cort...
info_outlineIn May of 2023, the NFDA hosted its latest Future’s Forum, a highly focused, forward-looking session held on an as-needed basis to tackle serious challenges impacting funeral service providers. The goal of Future’s Forum 2023 was to develop new growth and innovation strategies funeral providers could use to overcome current revenue challenges, increasing costs and staffing shortages.
In the spirit of that theme, host, Gabe Schauf is sitting down with Brie Smith, Erica Hill, and David Hernandez Jr to learn how they are looking to the future and modifying and innovating at their funeral homes for the better.
Sponsored by Johnson Consulting Group