The Concrete Podcast

How do you turn an ordinary concrete countertop, table, or slab into something extraordinary? Brandon and Jon explore the art of acid etching custom designs into concrete, sharing creative possibilities and insights from the workshop. Along the way, they pull back the curtain on the unpredictable, occasionally ridiculous reality of being a concrete artisan, where making beautiful things rarely goes according to plan.

There's also some good news for makers: AR glass fiber is now available as an add-on in the Kodiak Pro store, giving craftspeople another essential material to add to their concrete-making toolkit. And because no conversation is complete without a little humility, the guys wander into the wonderfully undignified world of at-home medical tests.

It's a conversation about craftsmanship, creative problem-solving, embracing the chaos, and learning to laugh at the things life throws your way.

Build better. Keep learning. And never lose your sense of humor.

#ConcretePodcast #AcidEtching #ConcreteCountertops #KodiakPro #ConcreteArt #Craftsmanship #CreativeEntrepreneurship

After a long hiatus, The Concrete Podcast is back.

This week, Brandon and Jon get into the lessons that usually cost concrete makers time, money, or both.

We talk through the nuances of sealer application and why seemingly small decisions can change the outcome of a finished piece. We also discuss commercial projects, the hidden risks buried inside commercial contracts, and why taking the biggest job in the room is not always the smartest move.

Then we get into something every maker eventually has to learn: how to communicate value.

When a customer can scroll through TikTok or Instagram and find someone making a concrete sink in 30 seconds, how do you explain why your work costs more?

The answer is not just better marketing. It is better materials, better processes, experience, consistency, and knowing how to create something that will perform long after the video ends.

That philosophy is at the heart of why we developed Kodiak Pro products for professional makers who want more control, reliability, and confidence in their concrete.

If you make concrete for a living, or you are trying to build a business around your craft, this conversation is for you.

#ConcretePodcast #ConcreteDesign #CreativeBusiness #MakerBusiness #Craftsmanship #Entrepreneurship #Storytelling #BusinessGrowth #PersonalGrowth #KodiakPro

Every great concrete piece begins long before the mix is poured. It begins with a form that can hold the pressure, protect the design, and give the maker the confidence to create something worth remembering.

This week on The Concrete Podcast, Brandon Gore and Jon Schuler sit down with Gabriel Duckett, owner of Designer Concrete Supplies in the UK, experienced concrete artisan, and European distributor of Kodiak Pro products.

Gabriel shares practical lessons on formwork bracing, including what to consider, what to watch for, and the common mistakes that can turn an ambitious project into an expensive lesson. For makers building complex concrete sinks, furniture, bathtubs, planters, and architectural pieces, this conversation offers the kind of hard-earned insight that can save time, reduce risk, and improve the finished result.

The conversation also introduces Boost, the newest product from Kodiak Pro. Boost is a concentrated nanoparticle liquid designed to improve the performance, durability, and color development of concrete mixes.

Better materials do not replace craftsmanship. They give skilled craftspeople more control over the outcome.

Join us for an honest conversation with a phenomenal concrete artisan about stronger forms, better mixes, and the small decisions that separate ordinary concrete from exceptional work.

#ConcretePodcast #ConcreteArtisan #ConcreteDesign #ConcreteFurniture #ConcreteSinks #MakerCommunity #CreativeBusiness #Storytelling #PersonalGrowth #KodiakPro

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, explaining why respirable crystalline silica is the real hazard, why many manufacturers blur the conversation, and why reducing long-term exposure is one of the smartest investments you can make in your health and your business.

Next, they break down proper concrete sealer application, highlighting practical techniques and common mistakes that can make or break the final result.

Finally, they explore one of the most important lessons in craftsmanship: calibrating expectations. What separates authentic character from poor workmanship? When should you embrace a tiny pinhole, and when is it a sign that something went wrong? Understanding that difference can change the way you evaluate every countertop, sink, or furniture piece you create.

Whether you're a DIY maker or an experienced fabricator, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you produce cleaner casts, make smarter material choices, and build better concrete with confidence.

#ConcreteCountertops 
#GFRC
 #DecorativeConcrete
 #ConcreteFurniture
 #ConcreteSinks
 #ConcreteSealer
 #KodiakPro
 #ConcretePodcast

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 and SCC GFRC, when larger equipment becomes financially viable, how to get started with more modest equipment, and the production bottlenecks that often hold shops back from growth. Joe also shares practical insights on workflow, efficiency, and making equipment investments that actually improve profitability.

We also discuss ICT Protect and ICT Fusion, when to use each sealer, how to select the right system for different applications, and the steps makers can take to reduce callbacks while improving long-term performance.

Whether you're creating concrete sinks, countertops, furniture, architectural concrete, or decorative concrete products, this episode is packed with real-world lessons that can help you improve quality, increase efficiency, and build a stronger business.

Follow The Concrete Podcast for more conversations about concrete fabrication, craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, personal growth, and creating a better life through making.

#ConcretePodcast #GFRC #ConcreteCountertops #ConcreteFurniture #DecorativeConcrete #ConcreteArtisan #SmallBusinessGrowth #Craftsmanship #Entrepreneurship #MakerMovement

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, refining systems, and chasing better results one project at a time.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How to handle concrete wastewater and washout systems in a small shop

• Cleaning buckets and managing dirty concrete water efficiently

• Concrete countertop templating tips and common mistakes to avoid

• Joe's dialed-in GFRC spray face coat recipe

• Preferred microfiber rollers for applying concrete sealer

• Concrete tile installation methods and adhesives we trust

• When and why to torch ICT Sealer for maximum durability and performance

We also talk about the upcoming Hero's Quest Workshop, happening June 8-10 at Joe's shop in Napa, California. If you're looking to sharpen your skills, improve your process, and connect with serious makers and artisans, this workshop is built for you.

Whether you're just getting started with concrete countertops or refining advanced GFRC techniques, this episode is packed with practical insight to help you create stronger work, avoid costly mistakes, and grow with confidence.

#ConcretePodcast #gfrc #concretecountertops #kodiakpro #ConcreteArtisan #Craftsmanship #MakerMovement #CreativeEntrepreneur #SelfDevelopment #ConcreteDesign

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 ghosting and fibers truly showing on the surface.

We break down what causes problem fibers to appear, including poor fiber selection, weak mix design, low flow, and improper casting techniques. We also cover practical ways to reduce ghosting while keeping the strength that makes GFRC such a powerful system.

You will learn:

• Why some fiber ghosting should be expected in GFRC countertops and sinks


• The difference between ghosting and exposed fibers


• How fiber type changes surface quality


• Why plasticizer load and flowability matter


• How mold material affects finish quality


• Better placement and consolidation techniques for cleaner casts


• How to balance beauty and strength in decorative concrete

If you want smoother results, fewer defects, and a healthier understanding of the material, this episode will help you work with concrete instead of fighting it.

Kodiak Pro Maker Mix and RADmix were built for makers who want strength, flow, and professional finishes without the guesswork.

#GFRC #ConcreteCountertops #DIYConcrete #DecorativeConcrete #ConcreteSinks #MakerMix #Craftsmanship #ConcretePodcast #SmallBusiness #Makers

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 want fewer recasts and better results, this is your roadmap.

#ConcreteCountertops

#GFRC

#MakersMovement

#Craftsmanship

#CreativeEntrepreneur

#BuildYourBrand

#SelfDevelopment

#EntrepreneurMindset

#CreativeBusiness

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 we learn together.

From there, the conversation moves into real questions coming from the decorative concrete world.

They break down the difference between true patina and sealer failure, why white concrete countertop samples can look completely different depending on exposure, and why professional grade mixes outperform DIY bagged materials.

Brandon also explains his method for casting seamless waterfall concrete countertops using SCC GFRC and why proper mix design is critical for success.

The episode also includes an update to Kodiak Pro Maker Mix. After refining one of the raw materials with the manufacturer, the mix now delivers improved flowability and consistency, along with updated guidance for water and TBP plasticizer.

If you work with concrete countertops, concrete sinks, or decorative concrete furniture, this episode offers practical insights to help you avoid costly mistakes and produce better results.

Because in the end, the goal is not just better concrete.

It is a stronger community of makers.

#concretecountertops
#GFRCcountertops
#decorativeconcrete
#concretecountertopmix
#DIYconcretecountertops
#concretecountertopsealer
#GFRCmixdesign
#concretefurniture
#kodiakpro
#makermix

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, including sealer failure, cracking, pinholes, and GFRC troubleshooting, and explain how real expert support can diagnose and solve issues in minutes instead of weeks.

You’ll also discover why cheap concrete materials often cost more in the long run, how proper guidance protects your time and confidence, and how professional makers build predictable, repeatable results.

Because confidence doesn’t come from experimenting alone. It comes from proven systems and people who stand behind them.

When you choose the right materials and the right support, you stop guessing. You start building with certainty.

#ConcreteCountertops
#GFRC
#StoryBrand
#MakerMindset
#CreativeEntrepreneur
#Craftsmanship
#PersonalGrowth
#EntrepreneurMindset
#SelfDevelopment
#CreativeBusiness