The Maker & The Mix; The Craft Concrete Experience

In Episode 8 of Season 2, "Crafting the Future - Innovations in Concrete," hosts Jeff and Caleb embark on a deep dive into the latest materials and techniques revolutionizing the concrete countertop industry. They revisit the pros and cons of various casting surfaces like melamine, MDO, and more, discussing how each impacts the art of mold making, since Caleb got a new Steel casting tabl...

Season 2, Episode 7: Embracing the Soul of Craft Concrete Are you ready to immerse yourself in a world where authenticity meets artistry? Join Caleb Lawson and Jeff Girard in a captivating conversation that transcends the boundaries of craftsmanship and explores the profound philosophy of working with concrete. In this thought-provoking episode of The Maker & The Mix, Caleb and Jeff peel back...

Season 2, Episode 6: Mastering the Surface: The Conundrum of Casting Tables Join us in Season 2, Episode 6 of "The Maker and the Mix," as Jeff and Caleb delve into the art and science of choosing the perfect casting surfaces for concrete projects. In this insightful conversation, they explore the nuances of working with various materials like melamine, Corian, and laminate, discussing th...

Season 2, Episode 5: Concrete Connections: Crafting Quality and Creativity In this enlightening episode of our podcast, we dive into the fascinating interplay between entertainment and education in the realm of craft concrete. Join us as we explore the nuances of effective communication, the art of engaging an audience, and the importance of a strong foundation in both knowledge and creativity wit...

Season 2, Episode 4: The Perfect Mix - Choosing the Right Concrete Mixer Season 2, Episode 4: The Perfect Mix - Choosing the Right Concrete Mixer Season 2, Episode 4 of 'The Maker & The Mix' takes you on an explorative journey into the world of concrete mixers. Listen in as the hosts dissect the functionalities and applications of different mixer types—from the hand-held varieties to the more subs...

Season 2, Episode 3: Seven Success Tips for the Craft Concrete Artisan Season 2, Episode 3: Seven Success Tips for the Craft Concrete Artisan Join us in Season 2, Episode 3 of 'The Maker & The Mix' for a deep dive into 'Seven Success Tips for the Craft Concrete Artisan'. Caleb and Jeff bring their combined wealth of knowledge to the forefront, offering practical advice and advanced techniques for...

Season 2, Episode 2: Solid Foundations - Building Relationships and Reliability in Craft Concrete Season 2 of 'The Maker & The Mix' continues with Episode 2, a treasure trove of insights for any craft artisan. Jeff and Caleb delve into the nuances of nurturing robust relationships with designers and the critical role of dependable suppliers in the industry. They emphasize the dire cons...

Season 2, Episode 1: New Horizons - A Look Back and the Exciting Road Ahead Season 2, Episode 1: New Horizons - A Look Back and the Exciting Road Ahead Welcome to the inaugural episode of Season 2 of 'The Maker & The Mix'! Join Caleb and Jeff as they kick off the new season with an energetic shop tour, offering a glimpse into the daily grind and the heart of their craft. This episode is a reflecti...

Episode 35: The Strength in Diversity - Casting Methods and Concrete Science Episode 35: The Strength in Diversity - Casting Methods and Concrete Science In the face of technical hiccups, Episode 35 of 'The Maker & The Mix' emerges as a treasure trove of concrete knowledge. Join Caleb and Jeff as they dive into the robust world of casting methods, dissecting the science and application of various...

Episode 36: Crafting Your Path - Business Models and Goals in Concrete Artistry As we close out Season 1 and 2023, Episode 36 of 'The Maker & The Mix' takes a sharp turn towards the business acumen required in the craft concrete artisan industry. Caleb and Jeff delve into the critical analysis of production costs, guiding listeners through the intricacies of material selection and cost...

Episode 34: Global Craftsmanship - Realizing a Client's Vision in Concrete Episode 34: Global Craftsmanship - Realizing a Client's Vision in Concrete In Episode 34 of 'The Maker & The Mix,' hosts Caleb and Jeff recap the thrill and success of the recent full Ultimate Craft Concrete Workshop. This special episode takes listeners behind the scenes of an extraordinary week, where 14 students from div...

Episode 33: Mastering Craft Concrete - The Essence of Authenticity and Consistency Episode 33: Mastering Craft Concrete - The Essence of Authenticity and Consistency In Episode 33 of 'The Maker & The Mix', Caleb and Jeff delve into the essential principles of Authenticity and Consistency in the world of Craft Concrete. Recorded just after Thanksgiving, amidst the successful completion of a full GF...

Episode 32: Celebrating Craftsmanship and Community Episode 32: Celebrating Craftsmanship and Community In this episode of "The Maker & The Mix," we reflect on the monumental successes we've witnessed recently. From the ambitious 160 square foot coffee bar that stands as a testament to skill and perseverance to our completely booked workshops, we are riding a high wave of craft concrete excellence...

Episode 31: Halloween Spooks & Concrete Realities In this Halloween edition of "The Maker & The Mix," we start with a bit of a scare as Caleb remarks on the unusually deep timbre of Jeff's voice. It turns out to be a mere trick of the connection, not a pact with the supernatural. Once the technical phantoms are banished, we get into the meat of the episode: managing client ex...

Episode 30 Description Episode 30: The Criterion of Concrete Testing - Trust but Verify In the vast realm of craft concrete, merely stating that a material undergoes testing is not sufficient. It's the evidence, the shared results, and the transparency that truly matter. Join us in this episode of "The Maker & The Mix" as we delve deep into the authentic essence of testing. We shed light on the si...

Episode 29: Concrete Clarity – The Anatomy of GFRC, UHPC, and Beyond Join Jeff and Caleb in Episode 29 of "The Maker & The Mix" as they illuminate the intricacies of GFRC, UHPC, and other concrete mixes. Embark on a journey that traces the roots, defines the jargon, and uncovers the unmatched prowess of CCI's "New GFRC". With video demonstrations and rich illustrations,...

Journey with us in this episode of "The Maker and the Mix" as Jeff and Caleb pull back the curtain, exposing the intricate science and robust testing that underpins CCI's reputation in the concrete craft world. At the heart of CCI's ethos lies a profound commitment to results and a relentless pursuit of precision. We don't just teach you to mix and pour; we imbue artisans wit...

Episode 27: The Journey of Dylan Myers – Commercial Craft, Pitfalls & A Decade in the Game Hold onto your seats; this episode of "The Maker & The Mix" ain't for the faint-hearted. Warning: this episode contains explicit language. Jeff and Caleb sit down with the raw, unfiltered force of nature that is Dylan Myers of Dylan Myers Design. Dubbed the undisputed king of commercial craft concrete, Dylan...

In this captivating installment of "The Maker and the Mix," Caleb and Jeff sit down with CCI alumna, Dian Mullis of Pro Concrete Countertops, based in Minnesota. Dian shares her profound journey, shifting gears from a white-collar engineer to a blue-collar concrete artisan. From precise equations to tactile craftsmanship, her path was marked with unexpected turns and instances like tripp...

In this episode of "The Maker & The Mix", we're joined by Montreal's premier craft concrete artisan, Jason Johnston of Béton Johnstone Architectural. Delve into Jason's transformative journey, where he emphasizes the pivotal role of comprehensive training and its lasting impact on his craft. The story is compelling: From owning a skate shop, and realizing that "waiti...

In this episode of "The Maker and The Mix," Jeff Girard and Caleb Lawson tackle the essence of what makes CCI's Ultimate course a foundational cornerstone for anyone in the craft concrete industry. Discover why the course is designed not just to teach you finishes, but to instill a deep-rooted understanding of the material and process. Caleb reflects on his decade-long journey under...

Episode 23: Striking the Perfect Balance—Fiber, Fluidity, and Engineered Confidence In Episode 23, Jeff and Caleb explore the intricate balance between fiber loads and fluidity in concrete mixes, a topic that is both crucial and timely for the industry. They begin by discussing Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC), designed by Victor Li for their toughness rather than peak strength, setting th...

Episode 22: Unveiling the Truth—Alpha Products' Strength and the Ethics of Context In this enlightening episode, Jeff and Caleb don't hold back. First on the agenda is the critical issue of context manipulation—how taking statements out of context for competitive advantage isn't just misleading, but downright unethical. They set the record straight and clear the air. Then, the conversa...

In Episode 21 of The Maker and the Mix Podcast , hosts Jeff Girard and Caleb Lawson delve deep into the realm of wisdom and purpose in business, drawing inspiration from the insightful principles of ancient literature. The episode transcends the surface-level chatter, offering a profound perspective on the art of staying in the infinite game of entrepreneurship. Embracing the wisdom of avoiding fu...

Dive deep with Jeff and Caleb in this engaging episode of "The Maker & The Mix" as we dissect and redefine the terms that often cloud the narrative in our niche concrete industry. Beginning with the essence of Omega and Ovation, we reestablish these products not merely as sealers, but as "Clear, Extremely Hard Micro-Coatings," drawing a clear line in the sand against the ba...