The Director's Playbook - TopPodcast.com

Latest Episodes:

Funeral home marketing strategies with Kasi Welch Baker May 07, 2026

Show notes

Funeral home marketing looks different today than it did 20 years ago. With so much change, you may feel overwhelmed. But you aren’t alone. In this episode of The Director’s Playbook, Kasi shares her expertise on modern funeral home marketing and tips for digital adaptation. From strengthening your website and offering online arrangements to investing in community relationships and pet services, learn practical ways to stay present, relevant, and accessible to today’s families. About Kasi Welch Baker: Kasi Welch Baker is the Owner and Funeral Director at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory, Yellow Rose Cremation, and Companions Pet Cremation Services. She is also on the Board of Directors at Directors Investment Group. Connect with Kasi here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kasi-welch-baker-7a4006bb/ Learn more about Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory here: https://npwelch.com/ Learn more about Yellow Rose Cremation here: https://www.yellowrosecremation.com/ Learn more about Companions Pet Cremation Services here: https://www.companionspetcremation.com/ About the podcast: It’s no secret that being a funeral professional is more challenging than ever. Between meeting families' changing needs and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of funeral service, you need proven strategies you can rely on to grow your business. Join us as we share insights and solutions on how you can improve your care for families and increase your market share. Whether you're pursuing growth, aiming to reduce stress, or striving to stay on top of industry trends, The Director's Playbook offers the tools to help you thrive. Have a topic you want to hear on the podcast? Share your ideas and feedback with us here: https://share.hsforms.com/1pq5NVjTdR6-5m5Pm4_Xy4w2d2nt Find more episodes here: https://www.fdl.co/podcasts

Hospitality in funeral service with Tracey Brumley Apr 23, 2026

Show notes

What do families remember most about a funeral home? Usually, it’s the way you made them feel. And that’s where hospitality comes in. In this episode, host Paul Lovelace sits down with Tracey Brumley to talk about what true hospitality looks like in funeral service. Tracey shares how to elevate your service without overcomplicating your operations through intentional training, gathering feedback, and more. For practical insights to elevate your service, tune in to this episode of The Director’s Playbook! About Tracey Brumley: Tracey Brumley is the Event Center Manager and Executive Administrator of Funeral Operations at Spring Grove Funeral Homes. Connect with Tracey here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traceybrumley/ Learn more about Spring Grove here: https://www.springgrove.org/ About the podcast: It’s no secret that being a funeral professional is more challenging than ever. Between meeting families' changing needs and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of funeral service, you need proven strategies you can rely on to grow your business. Join us as we share insights and solutions on how you can improve your care for families and increase your market share. Whether you're pursuing growth, aiming to reduce stress, or striving to stay on top of industry trends, The Director's Playbook offers the tools to help you thrive. Have a topic you want to hear on the podcast? Share your ideas and feedback with us here: https://share.hsforms.com/1pq5NVjTdR6-5m5Pm4_Xy4w2d2nt Find more episodes here: https://www.fdl.co/podcasts

Funeral home finances with Ian Seekins Apr 09, 2026

Show notes

Are you overlooking numbers that can make or break your business? Host Paul Lovelace welcomes Ian Seekins to the podcast to tackle funeral home financials. Ian shares the financial metrics every funeral home owner should track, why these numbers matter, and how they impact your funeral home. If you’re looking to better understand or improve your finances, this episode is for you! About Ian Seekins: With over a decade of experience in the financial industry, Ian Seekins serves as the Director of Funeral Home Lending at Funeral Directors Life (FDL). Learn more about FDL’s lending services here: https://www.fdl.co/financial/mortgage-lending Have a lending or financial question for Ian? Contact him here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/ian-seekins/fdlending About the podcast: It’s no secret that being a funeral professional is more challenging than ever. Between meeting families' changing needs and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of funeral service, you need proven strategies you can rely on to grow your business. Join us as we share insights and solutions on how you can improve your care for families and increase your market share. Whether you're pursuing growth, aiming to reduce stress, or striving to stay on top of industry trends, The Director's Playbook offers the tools to help you thrive. Have a topic you want to hear on the podcast? Share your ideas and feedback with us here: https://share.hsforms.com/1pq5NVjTdR6-5m5Pm4_Xy4w2d2nt Find more episodes here: https://www.fdl.co/podcasts

Natural organic reduction with Katrina Spade Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

Natural organic reduction is more than a trend. And with consumer demand growing, it’s crucial for funeral professionals to be proactive. In this episode, host Paul Lovelace sits down with Katrina Spade to unpack the science, ceremony, and consumer demand behind natural organic reduction. To learn about how natural organic reduction works, the value it provides to families, and where funeral homes fit into the equation, tune in to this episode of The Director’s Playbook! About Katrina Spade: Katrina Spade is the Founder and CEO of Recompose, the world’s first human composting company. Since 2011, Katrina has worked to bring the human composting process to the world. Connect with Katrina here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-spade-37047439/ Learn more about Recompose here: https://recompose.life/ About the podcast: It’s no secret that being a funeral professional is more challenging than ever. Between meeting families' changing needs and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of funeral service, you need proven strategies you can rely on to grow your business. Join us as we share insights and solutions on how you can improve your care for families and increase your market share. Whether you're pursuing growth, aiming to reduce stress, or striving to stay on top of industry trends, The Director's Playbook offers the tools to help you thrive. Have a topic you want to hear on the podcast? Share your ideas and feedback with us here: https://share.hsforms.com/1pq5NVjTdR6-5m5Pm4_Xy4w2d2nt Find more episodes here: https://www.fdl.co/podcasts

Robbie Hulme and the future of funeral service Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

What keeps most funeral home owners up at night? According to guest Robbie Hume, three concerns stand out: technology, succession planning, and staffing. In this episode, Robbie and host Paul Lovelace unpack each concern and share practical insights. From embracing digital tools to preparing for transition, this conversation offers clarity in an increasingly complex landscape. If you’re thinking about the future of your firm, you’ll find this episode both encouraging and actionable. About Robbie Hulme: Robbie Hulme is the CEO and Founder of Impact Funeral Partners. Before launching his company in 2020, he spent years working for a national preneed provider, building meaningful relationships and finding his passion for service and growth. Connect with Robbie here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbiehulme/ Learn more about Impact Funeral Partners here: https://www.impactfuneral.com/ About the podcast: It’s no secret that being a funeral professional is more challenging than ever. Between meeting families' changing needs and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of funeral service, you need proven strategies you can rely on to grow your business. Join us as we share insights and solutions on how you can improve your care for families and increase your market share. Whether you're pursuing growth, aiming to reduce stress, or striving to stay on top of industry trends, The Director's Playbook offers the tools to help you thrive. Have a topic you want to hear on the podcast? Share your ideas and feedback with us here: https://share.hsforms.com/1pq5NVjTdR6-5m5Pm4_Xy4w2d2nt Find more episodes here: https://www.fdl.co/podcasts

Matt Bailey on adapting to change Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

It’s no secret that families' preferences are changing. The question is: How are you adapting to that change? In this episode of The Director’s Playbook, host Paul Lovelace and Matt Bailey talk about how to educate “no‑service” families, use celebrant‑led services to create meaning, and use technology to extend your reach. Matt also shares how you can drive referrals and grow market share through surveys, customer satisfaction scores, and attention to detail. About Matt Bailey: Matt Bailey is a sixth-generation funeral director, Certified Celebrant, and the President & Owner of Bailey Family Funeral Homes. He has served on the boards of the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA), the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association, the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service, and others. Matt was also named the Funeral Director of the Year by American Funeral Director Magazine in 2021 and co-hosts The Graveyard Shift podcast. Learn more about Matt here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattbaileycfsp/ Learn more about Bailey Family Funeral Homes here: https://www.baileycares.com/ Learn more about The Graveyard Shift podcast here: https://www.passare.com/passare-podcasts Learn more about celebrant training here: https://www.insightbooks.com/

Miki Tufto and funeral service trends Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

Feeling the pressure of consolidation, staffing shortages, and families' changing preferences? Host Paul Lovelace sits down with Miki Tufto to unpack the major shifts shaping the funeral profession. They discuss alternative burial methods, succession planning, the growing role of women in the profession, and what these trends mean for your funeral home. For practical strategies and valuable takeaways, tune in to this episode of The Director’s Playbook! About Miki Tufto: As the Executive Director at the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association, Miki Tufto works side by side with funeral homes across Minnesota. Miki has over 20 years of experience in association leadership and management, bringing a valuable perspective to the conversation. Connect with Miki here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikitufto/ Learn more about the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association here: https://www.mnfuneral.org/ About the podcast: It’s no secret that being a funeral professional is more challenging than ever. Between meeting families' changing needs and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of funeral service, you need proven strategies you can rely on to grow your business. Join us as we share insights and solutions on how you can improve your care for families and increase your market share. Whether you're pursuing growth, aiming to reduce stress, or striving to stay on top of industry trends, The Director's Playbook offers the tools to help you thrive. Have a topic you want to hear on the podcast? Share your ideas and feedback with us here: https://share.hsforms.com/1pq5NVjTdR6-5m5Pm4_Xy4w2d2nt Find more episodes here: https://www.fdl.co/podcasts

Rob Paterkiewicz on independent funeral homes Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

What does it take for an independently owned funeral home to not only survive? But to thrive, too? Host Paul Lovelace welcomes Rob Paterkiewicz to the podcast for a conversation on independent funeral homes and the challenges they face. From staffing and retention to culture and business opportunities, Rob shares insights that will help you overcome obstacles and strengthen your business. If you’re looking to better support your staff or position your funeral home for long-term success, tune in to this episode! About Rob Paterkiewicz: Rob Paterkiewicz is the Executive Director and CEO at Selected Independent Funeral Homes. With over 30 years of experience in management and leadership, Rob brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the podcast. Connect with Rob here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paterkiewicz/ Learn more about Selected Independent Funeral Homes here: https://www.selectedfuneralhomes.org/

Chris Johnson on embracing challenges Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

What if every obstacle you faced in your funeral home was a growth opportunity? Host Paul Lovelace welcomes Chris Johnson for a thought-provoking episode of The Director’s Playbook. The two talk about servant leadership, having an abundance mentality, and the importance of viewing challenges as opportunities. For new ways to grow your business, tune in! About Chris Johnson: Chris Johnson is the Co-Founder and CEO at Sepio Guard. With over a decade of experience serving funeral homes and families, Chris brings practical, real-world insight into how to support families in their most vulnerable moments.

Bob Gordon on innovative service Dec 23, 2025

Show notes

What happens when a 130-year-old cemetery combines innovation with tradition and legacy? In this episode, host Paul Lovelace welcomes Bob Gordon to the podcast. The two discuss the importance of understanding consumers' needs, innovative approaches to service, and future trends that focus on personalization and community engagement. About Bob Gordon: Bob Gordon is a fourth-generation funeral director with more than 45 years of experience in the profession. Bob is the President and CEO of Cypress Lawn Cemetery Association and is the current President of The International Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association ICCFA (https://iccfa.com/).

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