Shows
iDesign Lab: The Design Podcast with Tiffany & Scott WoolleyThe Design Legacy Behind America’s Most Iconic Furniture Brands: Alex Shuford IIISend us a textA fabric mill, a poker-legend origin story, and a furniture factory that almost never sleeps—until a global shutdown forced the lights off. We invited Alex Schuford III, CEO of Century Furniture and the Rock House Farm Family of Brands, to share how a third-generation leader protects legacy without freezing it in amber. From buying Hancock & Moore and Hickory Chair to keeping nine North Carolina factories humming, Alex opens the playbook on brand autonomy, storytelling, and the small details that separate timeless from forgettable.We dig into the retail lessons that sh...
2025-11-061h 15
Business of Home PodcastThe state of the furniture industry today, with Alex Shuford of Rock House FarmAlex Shuford is the CEO of Rock House Farm, a family of seven furniture brands that includes Century, Hancock & Moore, Hickory Chair and Highland House. Alex is a podcast regular—every year he comes on the show to share his take on the state of the industry. On this episode he chats with host Dennis Scully about why—even with plenty of domestic manufacturing—the tariffs are a disruptor for his business, why he’s excited about the possibilities of Perigold, and what designers need to know about this fall’s High Point Market.This episode is...
2025-09-081h 20
Stage Combat The Podcast"Sean Has Questions for the Union"SEASON 3 Episode Fourteen. "Sean Has Questions For The Union."Synopsis: After hearing the frustrations of listeners about the lack of action by the actors' union in many of the season's workplace stories, Sean goes looking for answers from the union.Special Guest: Abbey Crowley, Business Representative for the Division for Harassment and Discrimination.Special thank you to Abbey Crowley and Gabriela Geselowitz of Actors' Equity Association. Additional thanks to Eddie Pendergraft, Brass Bass and Bret Shuford. If you're being bullied, harassed or you're facing discrimination in a union theatrical production, contact the Act...
2025-01-1448 minStage Combat The Podcast"The 2nd Annual Stage Combat Holiday Special!"SEASON 3 Episode Twelve. "The 2nd Annual Stage Combat Holiday Special!"Synopsis: Sean's reuniting with some of our guests from Season 3 for the holidays to ask probing questions such as "Would you choose The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree or the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree?"Special thank you to Bret Shuford, Brad Bass, Pamela Bob, McKey Carpenter, Kaylin Seckel, Chryssie Whitehead, Alex Griffith and Justin Gerrish. And Ian. Coming up in 2 weeks: Ep 13 "Loving Someone Traumatized By the Industry"At STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON Sean is getting some mental health tips for the hol...
2024-12-1750 minStage Combat The Podcast"The 'F' Word"SEASON 3 Episode Nine. "The 'F' Word"Synopsis: Sean investigates whether there's a problem with using the "family" word in our workplaces.Special thank you to Bret Shuford, Michael McGurk, Nicole Perry, CorBen Williams, Jeanine Bruen, Michael Passaro, Kirsti Carnahan, Greg Roderick, Juliet Lambert Pratt, Mia Scarpa and Frank Mastrone. Stage Combat The Podcast is member supported programming. If you believe in what we are doing, why not support us by becoming a member at STAGE COMBAT AT PATREON?patreon.com/StageCombatThePodcastIt's the companion to Season 3. Listen to bonus content from this epis...
2024-11-0443 minStage Combat The Podcast"How Are We All OK With This?" Part 2SEASON 3 Episode Two. "How Are We All OK With This?" Part 2.Synopsis: Synopsis: Sean continues to explore the problem with toxic stage managers and investigates whether our jobs can physically make us sick.Content warning: strong language.Editing by Alex Griffitt. Mixing and Sound Design by Justin Gerrish.Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC.Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.Special thank you to Pamela Bob, Bret Shuford and Brad Bass for CLAIMING THEIR STORIES and for special contributions from Dr. Alisa Hurwitz, Dr. Brian Tierney, and Ta...
2024-07-2353 minStage Combat The Podcast"How Are We All OK With This?" Part 1SEASON 3 PREMIERE! Episode One. "How Are We All OK With This?" Part 1.Synopsis: One year after telling his own podcast story of trauma while working at one of the country’s most powerful theatres, Sean explores the stories of listeners who responded to his story. First up: there seems to be a problem with toxic stage managers on Broadway.Content warning: Contains strong language.Editing by Alex Griffitt. Mixing and Sound Design by Justin Gerrish.Written and Directed by Sean Hayden for Haywood Productions, LLC.Produced by Haywood Productions, LLC.Specia...
2024-07-2342 minBusiness of Home PodcastWhere Alex Shuford of Rock House Farm sees the next big opportunityWhen Alex Shuford-CEO of Rock House Farm, the family of brands that includes Century, Hickory Chair, and Highland House-was on the podcast last year, he was optimistic about 2024. Halfway through the year, his optimism remains intact, and once the smoke clears from the elections in the fall, he thinks the combination of pent-up demand and a generational wealth shift will lead to significant opportunity for the industry next year and beyond.On this episode of the show, Shuford engages in a wide-ranging conversation about where the home industry might be heading next. He speaks with host Dennis...
2024-07-1558 min
Furniture Industry NewsLogistics Surges and Gen-Z Workforce: Navigating the New Furniture LandscapeLogistics Trends and Analysis:The logistics sector saw significant growth, particularly in transportation prices and warehouse utilization.Amazon expanded its U.S. distribution network by 16 million square feet, competing with Walmart in delivery services.Gen-Z's Impact on the Workforce:Gen-Z prefers trade skills and vocational training over traditional college degrees.Businesses in the furniture industry should offer flexible, entrepreneurial work environments to attract this generation.Emphasizing technology integration and ethical practices can help retain Gen-Z employees.Market Trends and Insights:Alex Shuford III from Century Furniture discussed balancing trend...
2024-06-0821 minFurniture Industry NewsLogistics Surges and Gen-Z Workforce: Navigating the New Furniture LandscapeLogistics Trends and Analysis:The logistics sector saw significant growth, particularly in transportation prices and warehouse utilization.Amazon expanded its U.S. distribution network by 16 million square feet, competing with Walmart in delivery services.Gen-Z's Impact on the Workforce:Gen-Z prefers trade skills and vocational training over traditional college degrees.Businesses in the furniture industry should offer flexible, entrepreneurial work environments to attract this generation.Emphasizing technology integration and ethical practices can help retain Gen-Z employees.Market Trends and Insights:Alex Shuford III from Century Furniture discussed balancing trend...
2024-06-0821 minBusiness of Home PodcastThe state of the home industry with Alex Shuford of Rock House FarmThe last time Alex Shuford—CEO of Rock House Farm, the family of brands that includes Century, Hickory Chair and Highland House—was on the podcast, it was 2021, and the industry was riding high on the home boom while grappling with out-of-control lead times. Now, the situation is reversed: Lead times are far better, but demand has cooled.On this episode of the show, Shuford gives a comprehensive look at the state of the home industry. He speaks with host Dennis Scully about the shifting balance of power between retailers and designers, leadership lessons from the pandemic, and w...
2023-08-071h 14
A Scary Home CompanionPiranha SolutionSend us a textA woman, an Emissary, sits in shackles. A shaman, her father, faces her. Can he save her soul, or her life? Or this is a trap, a sinister aspect of a horrific master plan? After following the journey of the Cray family for years, it all comes to a head.The episode was edited and produced by Jeff Davidsonand featured the music:Indian landmark - MessagesPrimal Shaman - Alex MasonDickel's Dream - Dave Shuford, Margot Bianca, and PigeonsAbyssal tides collapse ashore...
2023-02-2745 min
The Chairish PodcastHow To Deal With Delays, Disruptions and EruptionsSupply chain disruptions are rampant, shipping costs have skyrocketed, inflation is on the rise, delivery dates keep being extended, and nerves are frayed.As the pandemic continues to upend the design business, how do you handle the frustrations and disappointment of clients, vendors, staff, artisans, and colleagues? Four industry veterans—designer Frank Ponterio, furniture executive Alex Shuford III, vintage dealer Margaret Schwartz, and fabric and rug company head Chad Stark—talk about how to deliver bad news without undermining trust; why clarity, communication, and patience are crucial; and what they foresee for the year ahead. Host...
2021-12-2945 minThe Chairish PodcastHow To Deal With Delays, Disruptions and EruptionsSupply chain disruptions are rampant, shipping costs have skyrocketed, inflation is on the rise, delivery dates keep being extended, and nerves are frayed.As the pandemic continues to upend the design business, how do you handle the frustrations and disappointment of clients, vendors, staff, artisans, and colleagues? Four industry veterans—designer Frank Ponterio, furniture executive Alex Shuford III, vintage dealer Margaret Schwartz, and fabric and rug company head Chad Stark—talk about how to deliver bad news without undermining trust; why clarity, communication, and patience are crucial; and what they foresee for the year ahead....
2021-12-2945 minBusiness of Home PodcastAlex Shuford of Rock House Farm on the war for the future of furnitureThe last two years have been a rollercoaster for Alex Shuford. His company—Rock House Farm, a group of furniture brands ranging from Century to Highland House to Hickory Chair—went from losing eighty percent of its business at the outbreak of COVID to a boom that has seen it struggle to keep up with demand. At the moment, catching up with his own backorders is the biggest thing on Shuford’s plate, but he also has his finger on the pulse of the broader furniture industry too. In this episode of the podcast, Shuford chats with host Dennis Scully...
2021-12-131h 08
Design Between the LinesEpisode #310: Alex Shuford IIIPresident and CEO of Century Furniture, Alex Shuford III, sits with John to deliver insight into his career journey as well as his family business which operates 8 factories and employs over 1500 in the United States. Their discussion ranges from the significance of thoughtful design to the uncertainties of a COVID impacted landscape and the tenets of good leadership.
2021-09-1338 min
Cardboard CultureCardboard Culture Show #26 with Alex @alexacollectsFor tonight's episode we are very pleased to feature another Women of the Hobby guest. Shout out to Sam Shuford as were boring your tagline. She hails all the way from the Land Down Under, is an avid card collector like the rest of us. Has we would say a very solid pc of footy aka soccer & NBA cards. And!! she gets to work at a hobby shop. Please welcome Alex @alexacollects to the show all the way from Melbourne, Australia.
2021-07-211h 18
Women of The HobbyWomen of The Hobby Ep.18 | Mia Hamm, More Soccer, & PSA NewsWelcome to the 18th episode of Women of The Hobby! We were able to talk with Alex from @alexacollects! We were so excited to talk with her about the recent Mia Hamm sale, being a USWNT collector herself, along with more soccer chat and our thoughts on the PSA/Collectors Holding news. Hope everyone enjoys!
If you would like to enter the giveaway mentioned at the beginning, please tag two people on this post to enter: https://www.instagram.com/p/CQuN10EgaPS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
As mentioned at the beginning, if you...
2021-07-0337 minWomen of The HobbyWomen of The Hobby Ep.2 | alexacollectsWelcome to the second episode of Women of The Hobby! @alexacollects is our second guest of the series. Watch now to learn about her journey in #thehobby, collecting cards in Australia, working at a card shop, and experiences as a female in #sportscards! Checkout Alex’s Content - IG: @alexacollects. Please like, subscribe, comment AND share with friends! :) Thank you all for the support.
2021-03-2332 min
Tell Me Something Good About RetailAlex Shuford on How to Manage Expectations When it Comes to Customer Service [Episode 314]This episode is devoted to managing customer service expectations. Learn how to succeed with customers and create a last business on this episode of Tell Me Something Good About Retail.
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Key Links
Alex Shuford LinkedIn
RHF Investments
Field Agent: https://www.fieldagent.net/
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Customers Teach Us Lessons
You just have to watch for the moments.
Don’t React in Anger
Choosing to be compassionate towards an angry customer can deflect a bad situation.
Put Yourself in the Consumer’s...
2020-01-0339 min
On the Record with Furniture TodayAlex Shuford describes growing up in this CenturyIn a wide ranging conversation with Furniture Today’s Bill McLoughlin, Century CEO Alex Shuford reveals why growing up fighting with siblings is good business training, the responsibility that comes with leadership and how he plans to avoid the third-generation curse.
Sponsored by STORIS.
2019-07-2943 min
The Ready Room: A Star Trek PodcastKurtzman’s Five-Year MissionThe Expansion of Star Trek. When CBS announced in November 2015 that Star Trek would return to television, we all celebrated the light at the end of the tunnel. The fallow years were coming to an end and, soon, the voyages of our future selves would continue where they belong: on the small screen. But details were scarce, and it took some time before we knew what to expect. Almost three years later, we find ourselves in a similar position—only this time what may be coming our way is not just a new series or movie, but a...
2018-07-161h 43
The Ready Room: A Star Trek PodcastKurtzman’s Five-Year MissionThe Expansion of Star Trek. When CBS announced in November 2015 that Star Trek would return to television, we all celebrated the light at the end of the tunnel. The fallow years were coming to an end and, soon, the voyages of our future selves would continue where they belong: on the small screen. But details were scarce, and it took some time before we knew what to expect. Almost three years later, we find ourselves in a similar position—only this time what may be coming our way is not just a new series or movie, but a...
2018-07-161h 43
The Ready Room: A Star Trek Podcast215: The Edge of DiscoveryStar Trek: Discovery Latest Details and Summer Con Preview. We’re just two months away from the launch of Star Trek’s seventh venture onto the small screen: Discovery. As summer heats up and convention season kicks into gear, news about the series, images from the set, and interviews with creators are bringing us new details and stirring the pot of speculation more feverishly than ever. In this episode of The Ready Room, C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek get together to discuss some of the latest tidbits, including an ancient Klingon secret, a unique (or as Alex...
2017-07-171h 42
The Ready Room: A Star Trek Podcast215: The Edge of DiscoveryStar Trek: Discovery Latest Details and Summer Con Preview. We’re just two months away from the launch of Star Trek’s seventh venture onto the small screen: Discovery. As summer heats up and convention season kicks into gear, news about the series, images from the set, and interviews with creators are bringing us new details and stirring the pot of speculation more feverishly than ever. In this episode of The Ready Room, C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek get together to discuss some of the latest tidbits, including an ancient Klingon secret, a unique (or a...
2017-07-171h 42