MBNA Monument Matters – a new podcast produced by the Monument Builders of North America for all things memorialization. MBNA is a 119-year-old association with the mission “to define and promote memorialization in a viable, innovative and diversified way for the membership, and to enhance awareness of memorialization by the general public and remembrance industry.” In that spirit of promoting memorization, the MBNA Marketing Committee is launching this podcast as an extension of our monthly ...
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Monument Builders Of North America MBNA Podcasts
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AI for Monument Builders: Turning Everyday Tasks into Time-Saving Opportunities
18:04
18:04
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In this episode of Monument Matters, host Mike Johns talks with Mike Lannen, digital strategist and founder of Eternity, about how artificial intelligence is reshaping monument businesses. From sales and marketing to customer service and design, AI can streamline repetitive tasks and free up time for what matters most—serving families. Lannen share…
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Facing the Four Horsemen: How Monument Builders Can Respond to Changing Traditions in Memorialization
30:51
30:51
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30:51
In this episode of Monument Matters, host Mike Johns welcomes grief expert Dr. Jason Troyer to explore the cultural shifts reshaping memorialization. Troyer shares his concept of the “Four Horsemen of the Cemetery Apocalypse” — mobility, death denial, loss of religious ritual, and rising cremation — and how these trends impact monument builders. To…
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Honoring Sacrifice: The Story of Ohio Veterans Memorial Park
42:03
42:03
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42:03
This episode of Monument Matters offers monument builders a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the Ohio Veterans Memorial Park. Beyond its role as a place of remembrance, the park provides powerful lessons in vision, community collaboration, and the lasting impact of memorialization. Listeners will gain insight into how large-scale memorial …
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Creating Connections: The MBNA PR Toolkit
27:15
27:15
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27:15
In this episode of Monument Matters, host Mike Johns speaks with Brad Myers and Cristine Bouwkamp about MBNA’s updated PR Toolkit—an essential resource for helping monument builders connect with their communities. This guide goes beyond marketing tips, offering strategies for meaningful engagement, reputation management, crisis communication, and u…
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Protecting Creativity: Copyright and Trademark Insights for Monument Builders
39:28
39:28
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39:28
By Monument Builders of North America MBNA
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Advocacy in Action: Protecting Monument Builders and Families
29:18
29:18
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29:18
In this episode of Monument Matters, host Mike Johns speaks with Ryan Worthington, CM, AICA, and attorney William Stalter about the MBNA Advocacy Council. They discuss common challenges monument builders face with cemeteries, landmark legal cases that shape the industry, and how advocacy helps protect families’ rights to memorialization choices…
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Lessons in Legacy: Navigating Business Acquisitions in the Monument Industry
1:03:02
1:03:02
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1:03:02
Episode 12: In this episode of Monument Matters, host Mike Johns talks with Anthony Minozzi of Travis Monument Group about lessons learned in acquiring and integrating family businesses. From valuing companies to honoring legacy, managing staff, and standardizing processes, Anthony shares candid insights into growth strategies that balance respect,…
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White Bronze Wonders: Preserving America's Zinc Memorials
42:13
42:13
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42:13
Episode 11: In this episode of MBNA Monument Matters, host Mike Johns sits down with Jerry Mascola of Granite City Tool and retired conservator Tom Podnar of McKay Lodge Conservation Laboratory to explore the fascinating history, craftsmanship, and challenges surrounding white bronze—or zinc—memorials. Learn why these 19th-century monuments are con…
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Mastering the Mallet: Mentorship, Memorials, and Monumental Moments
33:38
33:38
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In Episode 10: Go behind the scenes at the 2025 School of Hard Rocks with host Mike Johns and guests Bobby Mattos, Houston Gordon, and Aaron Faehnle. Discover how hands-on stone carving, mentorship, and creative freedom are shaping the next generation of memorialists in this unique, immersive experience like no other in the monument industry. Explo…
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Restoring Honor: How One Monument Company Revived a Forgotten Veterans' Circle
20:38
20:38
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20:38
In this inspiring episode of Monument Matters, host Mike Johns, Jr. speaks with Eric Gunnoe and Eden Griesheimer-Smith of Chillicothe Monument & Hardy Memorials about their Aspire Award-winning project: restoring Soldiers’ Circle, a veterans’ cemetery that hadn’t seen a cleanup since 1928. What began as a local observation turned into a major commu…
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Marking a Legacy: Honoring Timothy Jellow’s Monumental Impact
29:13
29:13
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29:13
In episode #8 of Monument Matters, host Mike Johns speaks with Brandon Billester of the Monument Lettering Center about a remarkable design initiative to honor industry pioneer Timothy Jellow—co-founder of the Spacerite Company and creator of the iconic Modified Roman font. Though Jellow revolutionized monument lettering, his own grave remains unma…
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Preserving Heritage, Inspiring the Future: Inside the Vermont Granite Museum
33:41
33:41
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33:41
In this special episode of Monument Matters, host Mike Johns talks with Scott McLaughlin, Executive Director of the Vermont Granite Museum, as it celebrates its 30th anniversary. Discover how this community-founded museum is preserving Vermont’s granite heritage, reviving local pride, and inspiring a new generation of artists and artisans. Learn ab…
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Strength in Membership: Scott Neal on Industry Growth, Challenges, and MBNA Community
19:05
19:05
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19:05
In episode #6 of Monument Matters, host Mike Johns talks with Scott Neal of Paradise Pictures about how MBNA membership has shaped his career and company success. They explore the value of conventions, peer connections, and industry trends, while reflecting on takeaways from the 2025 Monument Industry Show in Cleveland.…
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Monument Builders in Action: Lessons from the Monument Industry Show Floor
24:36
24:36
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24:36
Episode 5: In this episode of Monument Matters, host Mike Johns talks with Lauri Haines-Allen and Scott Allen of Haines Memorials Ltd in Jefferson, OH about their century-old family business, MBNA membership, and their hands-on experience setting up the 2025 Monument Industry Show. Hear how collaboration, innovation, and relationships continue to s…
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Stronger Together: Community, Growth, and the Future of MBNA
26:42
26:42
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26:42
Episode 4: In this episode of Monument Matters, MBNA President Nathan Lange, CM, AICA, shares how deeper involvement in our association transformed his business and his leadership. From building lasting friendships to navigating challenges alongside fellow members, Nathan reflects on the power of connection and community within MBNA. He also looks …
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Tooling and Carving “Transforming Raw Stone into Lasting Tributes”
1:03:17
1:03:17
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Episode 3 Host: Mike Johns, Jr. CM, AICA, The Johns-Carabelli Co. Semerano Monuments & Flowers Guest 1: Sculptor AC Button II founded Carolina Sculpture Studio in 2003, extending his family's unbroken USA heritage in granite excellence since 1891. Button's work in stone sculpture began with family apprenticeship under his cousin as they worked unde…
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Unveiling the Future of Monument Design at the MBNA Convention
33:52
33:52
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33:52
Episode 1: Mike Johns, Jr. CM, AICA, The Johns-Carabelli Co. Semerano Monuments & Flowers, talks with representatives from the Granite and Marble level sponsors supporting the MBNA Trade Show about what they are planning to exhibit. Episode guests: Paige Lamthi & Mark Gherardi, Buttura and Gherardi Granite Artisans Vaishnavi Ramasamy and Mr. Cannon…
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Cremation Trends and Challenges with Industry Experts
56:54
56:54
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Episode 2: Welcome to the second episode of MBNA's Monument Matters with host Mike Johns, Jr. CM, AICA, The Johns-Carabelli Co. Semerano Monuments & Flowers Today, we are talking about cremation trends with Barbara Kemmis, Executive Director of the Cremation Association of North America, and MBNA member Troy Caldwell, a Certified Memorialist and a …
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