We Rock

In this episode, we talk about the flood of AI-generated ads showing up across social media, websites, and business marketing. AI has made it easier than ever to create content, but there is a downside: a lot of it is starting to look and sound exactly the same. We discuss why so many AI ads feel generic, why businesses are falling into the same visual and writing patterns, and how relying too muc...

In this special episode of the We Rock Podcast, we sit down with Lee Cockerell, former Executive Vice President of Operations for Walt Disney World Resort, to talk leadership, customer service, culture, and what it means to truly care for people. Lee shares lessons from Disney, Marriott, and a lifetime of leadership, and we dig into how those principles apply inside a monument shop — where familie...

 In Episode 53, we cover everything from space nerds and flat-earthers to stolen bronze vases, Facebook forum advice, and the danger of bad rigging. The main focus is education in the monument industry — knowing your equipment, asking better questions, attending workshops, and understanding that experience matters when safety is on the line. Knowledge is power, and in this business, it might also...

Tony discusses his experience at the Savanah Banana Baseball game. Talks about the impact of the hospitality industry and how it can improve how we take care of families. 

Running a business isn’t just about growth—it’s about navigating everything that comes with it. In this episode, we talk about the reality behind the scenes: tax season frustrations, the true cost of expansion, and the ongoing challenge of finding and keeping good employees. From opening a second location to dealing with no-shows and tough hiring decisions, this is an honest look at what it really...

In this episode, we break down our biggest takeaways from the recent monument industry convention—what stood out, what actually matters, and what we’re bringing back to our own shops. We get into: The value of hands-on education and learning from other builders Practical ideas you can apply immediately in your business Where the industry is headed (and where it’s falling short) How AI is already b...

 Season 4, Episode 50 is a special one—we traveled to Texas A&M School of Law in Fort Worth to sit down with Professor Glynn Lunney for a plain-English conversation about copyright in the monument industry.  We cover where copyright came from (printing press → modern law), what “substantial similarity” really means (and why there’s no safe “10% rule”), how independent creation works, and why d...

Fresh off a trip to Baltimore, we break down what the experience really taught us—about conventions, craftsmanship, and the people who still take pride in doing things the right way. But the conversation doesn’t stop there. We dig into the growing frustrations monument builders are facing with cemeteries: shifting rules, weekend demands, power struggles, and the fallout caused by shortcuts taken b...

Recorded live on the convention floor in Baltimore, this episode of the We Rock Podcast drops you into the heart of the Mid-Atlantic Convention. We talk with monument builders, suppliers, and industry leaders about why conventions still matter, what you really gain by showing up, and how relationships drive this industry forward. From booth setup chaos and winter weather to new technology, educati...

 In this episode of the We Rock Podcast , we’re joined by Nate Gingrich of Gingrich Memorials to break down the upcoming Mid-Atlantic Monument Convention in Baltimore. We talk booth sellouts, why conventions still matter, how education and vendors actually drive value, and what a well-run show looks like. We also dive into AI in monument shops, digital memorialization, NFC tags, QR codes, and why...

 In “Where Are Your Brochures?” the guys dive into a surprisingly heated topic: why the monument world hasn’t let go of brochures yet. After a real customer email sparks the discussion, Austin and Tony explore how brochures can unintentionally restrict design, confuse families, and box in memorial creativity. They compare the old days of mailing obituaries and print packets to today’s reality wher...

Episode 45 is here, which obviously means two things: the Lord’s caliber… and that other guy whose name seems to “trump” every conversation. 😏 Austin and Tony kick things off with real-estate chaos: new investments, new LLCs, and a fancy Latin company name that definitely means “stonecutter”… unless it secretly translates to “rice” and becomes the world’s most accidental Chinese-tattoo story. Fro...

 Tony’s buying dirt, we're packing for Baltimore, and somehow we manage to cover everything from shop design to Aggie dog memorials. Between talk of real estate, convention plans, and day-to-day monument life, this episode is proof that even when the conversation drifts, it always lands back on the rock. 

In this episode, we tiptoe around the ever-touchy subject of pricing — not by handing out our secret formulas, but by talking through the realities that shape what things cost and why. Consider it more of a scenic detour than a behind-the-scenes tour. From there, we take aim at a growing trend on social media: companies promising nationwide headstone cleaning and restoration services. Sounds impre...

In this episode of We Rock: Stone & Story , we’re joined by our good friend Mr. Jeremiah Allhands , owner of B&S Memorials. We talk about what it’s like to start a monument shop from the ground up with no family legacy or built-in ties to the industry—just vision, grit, and determination. Along the way, Tony shares his thoughts on a new product he discovered called U-Mask-It from Professio...

 After some much-needed time away, we’re back in the shop — and back on the mic. In this laid-back episode, we swap vacation stories, catch up on the latest industry news, and talk tools (both the shiny new ones and the old standbys we can’t live without). No big agenda, just a couple of monument guys shaking the sand out of our shoes and getting back to business. 

🎙️ In this episode of We Rock , we unpack the recent SMBA convention, upcoming Memorial Designer educational sessions, and our trip to Houston where the Rangers took on the Astros.  We talk shop, strategy, and stadium snacks — all while trying not to get consolidated ourselves. If you've ever wondered what headstones, hotel breakfasts, and hostile baseball environments have in common… you’re...

Broadcasting live from the 2025 SMBA Convention, this episode is what happens when you put two monument guys behind mics with zero supervision. Austin and Tony are joined by special guests Jonathan Benson and Nick Ortiz for a no-holds-barred conversation on convention chaos, design drama, and whatever else we could fit in before the hotel kicked us out. It's part industry insight, part comedy...

 In this episode, we talk all things SMBA as we gear up for the upcoming convention in San Antonio. From hotel plans to industry happenings, we’ve got the latest scoop. Plus, someone’s invented a brand-new clamp for setting monuments—and we may have had too much fun coming up with names for it. Tune in for laughs, updates, and a little inside baseball from the monument world. 

 In this episode of We Rock , we dig into the headaches of working with difficult cemeteries—those plot blockers who seem more committed to saying "no" than to helping families. We share the workarounds, the wins, and the WTF moments we've had trying to navigate overregulation, under communication, and power-tripping gatekeepers. Plus, we wade into the copyright controversy making w...

 In this episode of We Rock , we tiptoe through the minefield of monument design copyright drama—the kind that’s been setting Facebook groups ablaze with spicy comment threads and passive-aggressive comments. We’re not lawyers, we don’t play them on TV, and we’re not naming names—so if you think we’re talking about you… that’s on you. We break down the difference between inspiration and imitation,...

In this episode, we recap Tony's trip to Hard Rocks.  Also sprinkle in a little tariff talk and get easily distracted by the baseball games we are watching.

In this episode we recap our trip to Monucon and highlight our experiences there.  We also dive into some recent issues each of us have had to deal with when it comes to dealing with difficult cemeteries.

We are live from the one and only MONUCON!!!!  In this episode we sit down and go over our experience at what we would call the monument show of all monument shows.  We also hear from a few great friends of ours such as the "Don" Joe Cassara, Tanner Lewis, & Ian Aiello.  

**ALERT** Be listening for a great offer only for our listeners!!!  Later in the episode we have a code for 50% off your registration for MONUCON!!!  This is only for We Rock listeners, and we appreciate the opportunity to pass on the savings to our audience. Joe joins us today to give us an update on the upcoming MONUCON convention.