Rocky France vs. ThePurist — Who's Actually Doing the Interview?

What happens when two decorative concrete contractors sit down tointerview each other?

Apparently, Rocky France decides he's the interviewer. 😂

In this episode, Rick and Rocky turn the tables on each other—and Rockyends up asking Rick almost as many questions as Rick asks him. The result isone of the most unexpected, funny, and personal conversations we've had.

We dig into Rick's journey through the concrete industry and howthat path eventually led him to the American Society of Concrete Contractors(ASCC).

But then things get weird...

🥊 High school and college wrestling
🦵 Tearing an MCL—and the unexpected thing that helped Rick recover
💃 How ballroom dancing helped save his leg, improve his physical health,and build confidence
🥋 The surprising connection between dancing and martial arts
🏗️ Rocky's start as a concrete finisher
🏢 Pouring massive square-footage slabs before eventually discoveringdecorative concrete
🎨 And a debate that gets surprisingly philosophical:

What actually is art?

Rocky believes much of decorative concrete is art.

Rick... isn't so sure.

The two go head-to-head over what separates decorative concrete from trueartistic expression—and what it really means to call yourself an artist.

And throughout the conversation, Rocky keeps discovering things aboutRick's life and career that leave him saying, essentially:

“Wait... YOU did WHAT?” 😂

Most importantly, we talk about the ASCC and why it has becomesuch an important organization for people working in the concrete industry.

This episode has laughter, wrestling, dancing, injuries, concrete,art, philosophy, career stories, and a whole lot of surprises.

Two contractors. Two interviews. One conversation that went somewhereneither of us expected.

🎧 Tune in to Rick &Rocky Show — and find out who actually interviewed whom.

FROM A SMALL WISCONSIN FARM TO THE BIG LEAGUES OF SALES

What happens when a kid from small-town Wisconsin grows up working hardon a farm, makes it all the way to professional football, and eventually findshimself running a career in the world of big business?

Meet Jesse Wendt.

Jesse is a manufacturer's representative working on 100% commission,representing multiple companies and product lines. But what does that actuallymean? How do you make a living when your paycheck depends entirely on thebusiness you create? And how do you juggle representing multiple companies atthe same time?

Rick sits down with Jesse to pull back the curtain on the world ofmanufacturer's reps—and the answer is more complicated and fascinating than youmight think.

But this conversation goes way beyond sales.

Jesse grew up on a farm in small-town Wisconsin, learned the value ofhard work early, and took that work ethic all the way to professionalfootball. Today, he lives in Ohio and operates in a completely differentworld—one of manufacturers, customers, relationships, negotiations and sales.

It's a story about where you come from, where hard work can take you,and what happens when you carry the lessons of small-town America into thecorporate world.

Hard work. Confidence. Determination. Failure. Success. Football. Sales.

This one has a little bit of everything.

Listen to Jesse Wendt tell the story of how he went from working on afarm in Wisconsin to making his living selling for multiple manufacturers—andwhat he learned along the way.

What does it take to walk away from the security of corporate America and bet everything on yourself?

In one of our most personal and entertaining episodes yet, Brian Mills joins Rick Lobdell for an honest conversation about friendship, career changes, entrepreneurship, and the people who shape our lives.

Brian shares his journey from climbing the ladder at a multi-billion-dollar corporation to making the life-changing decision to leave it all behind and build his own decorative concrete business. Along the way, Rick tells the absolutely hilarious story of his own disastrous interview with the very same company—a reminder that humility will always take you further than ego.

The laughs don't stop there.

Rick and Brian take a trip down memory lane, swapping unforgettable stories about the incredible team they worked with, the friendships that have lasted for years, and the lessons learned from both success and failure. Then they dive into the realities of being self-employed—the freedom, the challenges, and why neither of them would have it any other way.

Then the conversation takes an inspiring turn.

Jenna Mills joins the show to talk about life with the man affectionately known as the Concrete Yedi, while sharing her passion for the Women's Association of Concrete Professionals (WACP), where she serves as Marketing Director.

Together, we discuss the importance of creating opportunities for women in the concrete industry, the progress that's been made, and the work that still lies ahead. Rick also shares memorable stories from attending a WACP retreat, including eye-opening conversations about the challenges many women have faced while building successful careers in construction and corporate America.

This episode has it all:

• 😂 Laugh-out-loud stories
• 💼 Career-changing decisions
• 🤝 Lifelong friendships
• 🏗️ Entrepreneurship and business lessons
• ❤️ Honest conversations about supporting women in our industry

Whether you're an entrepreneur, a concrete contractor, a corporate professional, or simply someone looking for inspiration, this episode will make you laugh, make you think, and remind you why the people in this industry make it so special.

Don't miss this one—it may be one of our best conversations yet.

What starts as a conversation about polyaspartics quickly turns into one of the funniest, most entertaining episodes we've recorded.

Join Hudson Cox and Rick Lobdell as they kick things off by diving into Hudson's journey into decorative concrete, why he chose to specialize in flake flooring, and how a little mentoring helped shape his path in the industry.

From there...the conversation goes completely off the rails—in the best possible way.

We swap hilarious stories about hiring and firing employees, share lessons learned the hard way, and even use a game of pool as the perfect metaphor for treating people with respect and building lasting relationships in our industry. You'll laugh, you'll probably nod your head in agreement, and you might even pick up a few ideas you can use in your own business.

Then comes the main event...

🥊 The Great Polyaspartic Debate!

Should polyaspartics be used indoors? Outdoors? Everywhere? Nowhere? We tackle one of the industry's hottest topics with strong opinions, good humor, and plenty of friendly debate. Whether you agree with us or not, you'll definitely be entertained.

If you enjoy industry conversations that don't take themselves too seriously, this episode is packed with laughs, honest opinions, great stories, and the kind of banter that feels like hanging out with friends after a long day on the job.

👀 And whatever you do...don't stop listening when the conversation wraps up. There's a hidden Easter egg at the very end of the episode that you won't want to miss!

🚨 SCOTT BRENING🚨

What happens when you put Scott Brening of Superior Innovations Inc. and Marshalltown in a room with Rick Lobdell, a few cocktails, and absolutely no filter?

You get one of the funniest episodes we've ever recorded.

Join us as we celebrate everything that's great about the decorative concrete industry—while hilariously poking fun at ourselves, our friends, and some of the quirky things that make this business unlike any other. From unforgettable jobsite stories to behind-the-scenes moments with some of the industry's biggest personalities, there's never a dull moment.

The laughs keep coming as the drinks keep flowing, the stories get bigger, and yes...the tequila shots start making appearances. 🍹😂

Whether you've been in concrete for 30 years or you're just getting started, this episode is packed with the kind of camaraderie, storytelling, and good-natured humor that makes this industry feel like family.

So grab your favorite drink, kick back, and join us for a podcast full of laughs, outrageous stories, and a toast to the best industry around.

🥃 Warning: Side effects may include uncontrollable laughter, a sudden craving for tequila, and an even greater appreciation for the incredible people in decorative concrete.

An Unforgettable Conversation with Isaiah MilbournSome stories stay with you long after the conversation ends.In this episode, Captain T and the Purist sit down with one of the brightest young talents in decorative concrete, Isaiah Milbourn. While many people know Isaiah as a hardworking craftsman with a promising future, few know the road he traveled to get here.Isaiah opens up about a childhood spent in the foster care system, the challenges that shaped him, and the determination it took to build a life beyond the limitations others expected for him. His story is one of resilience, perseverance, and finding purpose when the odds seem stacked against you.The conversation explores how concrete became more than a career—it became an opportunity, a community, and a path toward a different future. Along the way, the Purist discovers something that surprises him: the unique brotherhood within the concrete industry, where competitors become teammates, labor is traded freely, and people show up when others need help crossing the finish line.It's a heartfelt discussion filled with laughter, hard truths, unexpected lessons, and a reminder that success is rarely a solo journey.And because some traditions simply can't be ignored, there may also be a little good-natured ribbing aimed at Josh Whitfield.Isaiah Milbourn hasn't just entered the decorative concrete industry—he's erupted onto the scene. His talent is undeniable, his work ethic is relentless, and his story is one that deserves to be heard.This is an episode about overcoming adversity, finding your place, and discovering the people who help you get there.#concrete #decorativeconcrete #decocretetv #decocrete #heartfelt

This episode is packed with insight, innovation, and serious passion for the resinous flooring industry. Rick sits down with Eagle Kianes and Christopher Land to talk about the launch of something the industry has never seen before — The Golden Pour Awards. Eagle, co-founder of the competition, breaks down how this brand-new awards program is shining a spotlight on the absolute best resinous flooring projects from across the industry.From creativity and craftsmanship to the future of decorative flooring, this conversation dives deep into what it takes to stand out at the highest level. If you’re a contractor, artist, installer, or just obsessed with next-level flooring systems, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.Submissions are officially OPEN, so now is your chance to showcase your work and compete against some of the best in the business.Check out The Golden Pour Awards for submission details and competition info. Good luck to everyone entering!https://www.thegoldenpourawards.com/

Over the last two episodes, I’ve had the chance to sit down with contractors who refuse to be boxed in—and this one might be the most creative yet. Richard and Jenna of Forged Ingrain don’t just work with concrete—they bring wood, metal, paint, and imagination together to create true, multi-medium art.In this episode, we dive deep into what it really means to live an artistic life—balancing creativity with the pressures of family, business, and everything in between. They pull back the curtain on their incredible 2026 Smackdown piece, breaking down how they brought an iconic cartoon, The Simpsons, living room to life in a way that only they could.It’s a conversation full of insight, honesty, and plenty of laughs—and a reminder that art doesn’t have limits, only possibilities. Don’t miss this one.