The Concrete Podcast

What makes one concrete mix safer than another? How soon should you trust a sealer? And what should "perfect" concrete actually look like? In this episode of The Concrete Podcast, Brandon Gore and Jon Schuler tackle three conversations every concrete countertop maker, GFRC fabricator, and decorative concrete artisan should hear. First, they separate fact from fiction around crystalline silica, exp...

When does it make sense to invest in spray-up GFRC equipment? And when can smaller equipment get you the same result? In this episode of The Concrete Podcast, Joe Bates of SC Fabrication shares his experience with spray-up GFRC, production efficiency, equipment upgrades, business growth, and the realities of scaling a concrete fabrication shop. We talk about the differences between spray-up GFRC a...

This week on The Concrete Podcast, concrete artisan Joe Bates of SC Fabrication in Napa, California shares GFRC spray techniques, concrete countertop templating tips, ICT Sealer torching methods, concrete tile installation advice, and shop workflow strategies for makers and craftspeople. Joe is one of those rare craftsmen who has earned his knowledge through years in the shop, solving problems, re...

Chocolate chip cookies have chocolate chips. Nobody is shocked when they show up on the surface. GFRC works the same way. In this episode, we talk about the material reality of fiber reinforced concrete and why some fiber ghosting is a natural part of SCC GFRC. A slight shadow or hint of fiber can be the honest signature of the material, not a defect. But there is a difference between natural ghos...

You are trying to build something that lasts. But the questions keep showing up. When do you seal?
 Why did the sealer fail? 
Is "food safe" real? 
How do you fix a bad finish? In this episode, we answer real questions from real makers and show what actually works. Learn how to avoid costly mistakes, improve your finishes, and build with confidence using the right materials and process. If you wan...

Concrete is a craft best learned shoulder to shoulder. In this episode of The Concrete Podcast, Brandon Gore and Jon Schuler announce the upcoming Concrete Heroes Quest workshop in Napa, California, a three day hands on training for makers working with concrete countertops, GFRC, and decorative concrete. The goal is simple: bring the concrete community together, because we get better faster when w...

Every maker faces the moment when something goes wrong. The sealer fails. The mix won’t flow. Cracks appear. And you need answers now, not guesswork. In this episode, you’ll learn why technical support is one of the most valuable assets behind every successful concrete maker, and why who you buy from matters more than what you buy. We break down the most common concrete countertop problems, includ...

If you love concrete but feel stuck turning skill into a sustainable business, this episode is your roadmap. In the first Concrete Podcast of 2026, we break down the real business of concrete countertops, GFRC, DIY concrete, and concrete sinks, from pricing and tools to marketing, risk, and long-term growth. This is not theory or hype, it’s lived experience, the mistakes, near misses, and hard les...

This one feels like the end of a long day in the shop. Tools put away, lights still warm, and a moment to look back before stepping forward. In the final Concrete Podcast of 2025, Jon and Brandon slow things down with a little gratitude for the makers, craftsmen, and artisans who have carried this craft forward, some for years, some just finding their footing. If you have ever mixed a batch late a...

Some days in the shop call you to level up, not just in your craft but in the person you’re becoming. This episode walks with you through the practical wins that help you get there. Brandon and Jon break down how to set paddles on a vertical shaft mixer so your fiber reinforced mixes behave the way you need for concrete countertops and sinks. You’ll hear different approaches to mounting a floating...

This week’s Thanksgiving episode offers a calm place to settle in and reconnect with the work you love. You step into the story as the maker who wants richer color, cleaner surfaces, and more control over every pour. The challenge is simple. You want your pieces to look the way you imagine them, but small mistakes and unclear methods can get in the way. In this conversation, you get clear, straigh...

You can walk into Menards, grab a few bags of “concrete countertop mix,” and think you’re saving money. But are you? This week on The Concrete Podcast, Brandon and Jon break down the real cost of DIY concrete countertops - from what those hardware store mixes truly cost per square foot, to how they stack up against professional-grade materials like Kodiak Pro’s Maker Mix. They unpack why DIY-grade...

Most of us got into this trade for freedom - to build with our hands, chase an idea, and create something that’ll outlast us. But somewhere along the way, that freedom can slip through our fingers, traded for long nights, wasted hours, and frustration over mix issues that steal our flow. In this week’s episode of The Concrete Podcast, Brandon and Jon sit down after hosting another powerful Ramm-Cr...

Most makers want their work to look authentic, but too often GFRC ends up looking like plastic instead of stone. That disconnect leaves artisans frustrated and searching for answers. In this episode of The Concrete Podcast, we unpack why that happens, how to avoid it, and what it takes to get your concrete to look and feel the way it should. We’ll also walk through the bigger question every DIYer...

Every maker knows the sinking feeling of getting a call about a chip in a concrete piece you poured your heart into. This week on The Concrete Podcast, we focus on how to bring damaged countertops and sinks back to life - and why a solid repair is about more than just patching concrete. It’s about protecting your reputation, honoring your craft, and proving to clients that you stand behind your wo...

Most makers carry a quiet frustration - they want their work to be lighter, stronger, and more refined, but the materials and methods they’ve been handed keep them stuck in the old way of doing things. This week we pull back the curtain on GFRC, a material that changes the game for concrete countertops, sinks, and furniture. You’ll hear how GFRC stands apart from traditional mixes, why it matters...

On this episode of The Concrete Podcast, Brandon and Jon are joined by Joe Bates of SC Fabrication in Napa, California - an artisan whose work speaks louder than words and whose values run just as deep as his craftsmanship. Together, they unpack the five biggest countertop trends of 2025, where concrete not only holds its ground but leads the charge in form, function, and feeling. If you’re a conc...

Most people think success is about strategy. But more often than not, it’s about character. In this heartfelt episode of The Concrete Podcast, Brandon and Jon sit down for a raw, real conversation about the moments that test your integrity - and define your legacy. When a client comes to you after working with another maker, it’s easy to chase the win. But doing right by others, even when it costs...

Most of us got into this line of work because we love making things with our hands. The process, the freedom, the satisfaction of seeing something real take shape. But there’s a quiet question that keeps tapping us on the shoulder - what’s it all for if we’re not present to enjoy the life we’re building? In this episode of The Concrete Podcast, we pull over and take a hard look at the map. It’s no...

You’ve seen them - the sleek concrete sinks with that elegant ramp, clean lines, and seamless drainage. But how do you actually build one that not only looks stunning but functions like a dream? In this episode of The Concrete Podcast, we walk you through the entire process of making a concrete ramp sink - from building a precision form, creating a clean slot-drain, to making smart plumbing connec...

What if the only thing standing between your idea and a stunning concrete masterpiece was the mold? In this rich and reflective episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on one of the most-requested topics from makers, artisans, and dreamers alike—mold making for concrete sinks, countertops, furniture, and tile. Guided by years of experience and a storyteller's heart, we walk you through the real st...

Ever feel like you're meant to build something bigger—but don't know where to start? In this episode, we lay the foundation. From the tactile rhythm of polishing concrete to the mindset shifts that separate the hesitant from the bold, we guide you through the essentials every maker needs to grow their craft and their confidence. We’ll walk you through dry diamond polishing pads—what they are, how...

After a few weeks away, BG and Jon are back—reconnecting, reflecting, and laying it all out. They talk through the postponed Hero’s Quest Workshop, unexpected hiccups with ICT Fusion Sealer, and what happens when you hit concrete with a torch (spoiler: sometimes it’s useful, sometimes it’s chaos). You’ll get practical torch tips, care advice for sealed surfaces, and real-world lessons from two guy...

What if the road to success wasn’t about chasing more—but about creating better? This week on the show, Brandon and Jon sit down with Joren Smith of Elements Concrete, a craftsman rooted in Maine and inspired by an extraordinary neighbor from Cape Cod—Hiram Ball, a pioneering force in GFRC and a sculptor with soul. In this introspective and inspiring conversation, Joren walks us through the early...

What if the material you choose could shape more than just your next concrete piece—but your entire outlook on the craft? In this episode of The Concrete Podcast, Joe Bates returns fresh off his trip to Japan, bringing with him a lens of precision, patience, and possibility. We unpack the heart of GFRC—what it is, which fibers are best, and why it’s become the go-to for serious makers who care abo...