34: Brads Birthday, Dusty Ruins a Joke in Real Time, Bringing Jewelers Together, Client Stories & Unsolicited Advice

38 JCK, Selling Out, Email from Across the Pond & Bonus "Footage"

Episode 38 is here, and somehow we survived Memorial Day weekend with all of our brain cells mostly intact. This week we’re catching up after the holiday chaos, briefly discussing how quickly we’d sell out to the highest bidder (answer: probably faster than we should), and sprinkling in a little JCK Vegas chatter because apparently that’s what responsible jewelry professionals do this time of year. We also read and react to an email from one of our loyal listeners “across the pond” — yes, England itself has officially entered the Bench Jeweler Memes cinematic universe. International fame is clearly moments away. AND… because making questionable decisions is part of the brand, we included some audio from our very first video podcast test run. It’s raw. It’s awkward. It’s probably a mistake. Oh… and if you make it all the way to the VERY end, there may or may not be a surprise song from the upcoming BJ Mandrel album waiting for you. Consider yourself warned. Follow us on Instagram & YouTube @benchjewelermemes // Want to support the page & podcast? https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes [https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes]

Behind the Music: BJ Mandrel & Bench Jeweler Melodies, Vol. 2

This is one of those special episodes — meaning we got together with our good friend “BJ Mandrel” and immediately stopped behaving like responsible adults. If you’re new here, "BJ" is not just a recurring character in our chaos… he’s a real human being, a longtime friend of ours, and yes — he actually worked in our jewelry store for years. He’s also genuinely a musician, which he will remind us of whenever there’s a guitar within 30 feet. Now, about the “music” you’re going to hear in this episode: let’s just say it was created with the cutting-edge technology of “us messing around with AI and pretending we’re a record label.” It’s all in good fun, and if it sounds like a genre that doesn’t exist yet… that’s because it probably shouldn’t. As always, we take absolutely nothing too seriously, including ourselves. Expect questionable business ideas, even more questionable lyrics, and a level of sarcasm that should probably be regulated. If you’re reading this far into the description, congratulations — you’re officially in the inner circle of people who understand that this podcast is mostly just an excuse for friends to hang out and say ridiculous things into microphones. Enjoy the episode. Or don’t. BJ would probably say the mixing is off anyway. Follow us on Instagram & YouTube @benchjewelermemes // Want to support the page & podcast? https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes [https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes]

37 Describing Smells, New Jewelry Store Concept & HOT TAKE: Martin Rapaport is Wrong

Episode 37 is all over the place… in the best possible way. Brad & Dusty kick things off with the usual bench jeweler chaos before diving nose-first into one of the weirdest topics yet: the smells of the jewelry industry. We attempt to describe a scent that every jeweler instantly recognizes… but can never properly explain. Then things get completely out of hand when we brainstorm a new jewelry store concept inspired by “Dick’s Last Resort” — where jewelers finally get to say what they’re REALLY thinking to customers. Brutal honesty? Yes.  Sarcastic? Of course! Nothing is off limits. Eventually, we steer the ship back toward reality and break down comments from Martin Rapaport regarding lab-grown diamonds. We discuss why we (and so many retail jewelers) are tired of being talked down to from the “ivory towers” of the diamond trade. BONUS: Stick around until the end of the episode to hear the brand new BJ Mandrel single, “One Beautiful Week,” officially releasing May 23rd! Follow us on Instagram & YouTube @benchjewelermemes // Want to support the page & podcast? https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes [https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes]

36: Special Guest "Step-Daddy" Ron Joins the Show & We Talk Shop, Continuing Education & Retirement

Episode 36 is a special one! We’re joined by longtime supporter and fellow bench jeweler, Ron — better known around here as “Step-Daddy Ron.” From supporting our nonsense since day one to officially becoming the temporary namesake of our “studio” (yes… welcome to Step-Daddy Ron Studios), Ron was an absolute blast to hang with. We spend the episode talking shop, bench jeweler life, continuing education and jewelry classes, the future of the, retirement, and plenty of random side tangents along the way. Just a fun, laid-back conversation with someone who truly gets the industry — and gets our sense of humor. Honestly one of the most relaxed and enjoyable episodes we’ve done in a while. Grab a drink, pull up a bench chair, and come hang out with us! Follow us on Instagram & YouTube @benchjewelermemes // Want to support the page & podcast? https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes [https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes]

35: Client Interrupts Recording, "Free" Merch(?) & Reading One Star Jeweler Reviews

On this episode, Brad and Dusty dive headfirst into some absolutely unhinged one-star jewelry store reviews… and yeah, it’s as wild as it sounds. We read.  We react. We laugh. But before we get there, we get rudely interrupted by a client who apparently doesn’t realize the shop is CLOSED during recording...LOL  AND — we drop a big announcement on how you can “win” some “free” exclusive merch… but only for this episode!  It’s chaotic. It’s ridiculous. It’s very on brand. Follow us on Instagram & YouTube @benchjewelermemes // Want to support the page & podcast? https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes [https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes]