the johnny renaissance files

🚨 Funeral directors: this isn’t a trend. It’s a transformation. Just like websites replaced the Yellow Pages…Just like email replaced the fax machine…AI is about to replace every part of your business that refuses to adapt. But here’s the twist—this isn’t about replacing people. It’s about amplifying them. Taking the busy work off their plate so they can be sharper, faster, more human. In this ne...

Everywhere you look, there’s another big-dollar platform promising the world…But when you need them most? It’s 4:30 p.m., you’ve got grieving families calling, and the answer you get is: "We’ll get back to you in 24 hours." I’ve been in this game for nearly a decade. Not one of these companies is truly focused on your sales the way they should be. That’s why I’ve stopped waiting. I’m taking what’s...

Too often, funeral home growth strategies feel like a game of chance—the right timing, the perfect marketing, hoping something sticks. But what if real growth isn’t about luck? It’s about purposeful action. Building trust. Engaging meaningfully. Leaders aren’t just content with surface-level efforts or chasing the next trend. They focus on what truly moves the needle: authentic relationships, stra...

Here’s a Substack-ready draft built from your podcast script, keeping your edge and expanding the ideas for a longer-form read. Stop Waiting. Start Marketing. Some advice in the funeral profession isn’t just wrong — it’s dangerous. It’s the kind of advice you get from someone who’s never had to make payroll with their own marketing plan. Recently, I heard it again: “Just stop marketing. Just wait...

Because if 2025 to 2027 is truly our generation’s Industrial Revolution moment—and I believe it is—then sitting on the sidelines isn’t cautious. It’s reckless. This kind of innovation doesn’t just cut costs or save time. It reshapes your business .It reshapes lives .It reshapes legacies . Take what we’re building right now with AI. Families can begin their funeral plans online—with intention. But...

No real pipeline. No consistent nurturing of leads. No ownership of their pre-need program. That’s where I come in. Over the last 9 years in the funeral profession, and the last 3 working inside the trenches of pre-need sales, I’ve seen the same story play out over and over: 👉 Marketing works.👉 Interest is generated.👉 But there's no system to convert it into meaningful appointments, plans, or p...

Create the Vacuum That Pulls You Forward 🚀 Ever feel like you’re grinding away but not actually moving forward? Here’s the game-changer: create a vacuum that pulls you forward. Mark Zuckerberg figured this out early—Facebook always had 10X the bandwidth they needed, ensuring they never hit a wall. Now, Meta is doubling down on AI infrastructure, making sure they have the space to grow before they...

the ash flash is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Hey everyone, Johnny Renaissance here with some rapid-fire, tactical ways to sharpen your writing, make your content more engaging, and ultimately expand your influence. ### Stories, Stats, and Takeaways: The Three Pillars of Great Writing When crafting content on...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit theashflash.substack.com Check One, Two: A Gym Story and Life Lessons John Ashworth here, a.k.a. Johnny Renaissance. Let me start with a story that hits home on so many levels. At the gym, there's a guy in his mid-80s—a regular. I’m at the gym five days a week on average, year-round, and I’d see him multiple times each week. But recentl...

What’s up, everybody? Johnny Renaissance here, burning the midnight oil on the road in Wisconsin and in search of wisdom. Quick pit stop to drop some unfiltered truth: NEVER hand over control of your marketing. Ever. the ash flash is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Keep in mind—this isn’t a political post; it’s...

record with Riverside Results Rule—No Matter What: Building Your Marketing Plan for 2025 Hello, friends! It’s Johnny Renaissance here—ready to help you crush 2025 with a results-driven marketing mindset. As you sit down to map out your strategy for the new year, I want you to keep one simple truth in mind: results rule—no matter what . The Results-First Mentality Marketing legend David Ogilvy once...

so, I just finished the exercise I’m about to share with you next. it could lead u to believe I’m crazy 🤓and that’s the first lesson in this story: be careful out there.why? because the world is full of “experts” handing out advice they don’t follow themselves. They’ll tell you how to run your small business, how to grow, how to thrive—all while doing the exact opposite in their own lives or havi...

🌍 “This is going to change everything.” That’s what people said about the internet, smartphones, and electricity—and now, we’re saying it about AI. But here’s the thing I’ve been thinking a lot about recently: the everything we’re talking about might be closer than anyone thinks. In my latest podcast episode, Carl Ashworth and I dive deep into the rapid advancements in AI, the skepticism, and the...

I just recorded a new podcast diving deep into what I believe is the secret weapon for funeral homeowners and preneed agents: grassroots, personality-driven marketing. In this episode, I talk about:✅ The importance of preneed planning (and why families need YOU to start the conversation).✅ How funeral homes can compete with corporate giants by leaning into personalization and connection .✅ My t...

if you’re not working on this inside your funeral home, you’re falling behind. i can help you. -john https://www.goldenconsiderations.com/john-c-ashworth click here to learn more about my podcasting software - i love it!! ..and people ask me about it all the time. ### 🌟 What Is Life Asking From You? 🌟 ...on the journey to our inner light, we often ask, "What do I want from life?" but the real tr...

Hey everyone, if you’re not spending at least 30 minutes a day with AI, you’re leaving a powerful life-changing resource untapped… this week, I had an eye-opening moment with AI. by pulling together the content I’ve created over the years—my blogs, LinkedIn, YouTube—it gave me new clarity about my expertise and purpose. it’s like having a sharp assistant help you see the big picture inside the con...

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theashflash.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theashflash.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theashflash.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit theashflash.substack.com what TikTok is teaching us about the the most dangerous number in business...ONE!that's right. the most dangerous number in business is one of anything.in this case, it's one platform replied upon exclusively to generate all or most of your business. i heard a number of these stories yesterday and they remind me...

As each flake bids farewell, our hearts fill with the hope of spring's tender symphony. 🌱 Listen closely to the late February serenade. #SnowMeltsSpringWhispers Stay with me for more heartwarming transitions. 🌤 💦🌷 subscribe for the journey through the seasons here in Wisconsin & beyond… 🌸 What budding dreams are whispering in your ear? Share your springtime inspiration below! ✨👇 This is a pu...

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theashflash.substack.com/subscribe