Lead by Legendary Example: Jay Jacobson on Leadership, Service & Building a Lasting Legacy
Podcasts > I Am Refocused Podcast
Sunday, August 30, 2026
What does leadership look like when the pressure is real, people are depending on you, and there’s no room for empty words?
On this episode of I Am Refocused Radio, we sit down with Jay Jacobson, LUTCF, CPC, CFSP, founder of Jacobson Professional Staffing, author, educator, entrepreneur, consultant, and longtime leader in the funeral service profession.
With more than four decades of experience, Jay has built a career around serving people during some of life’s most difficult moments while helping organizations strengthen their teams, culture, customer service, and leadership.
His journey includes serving as President of the Iowa Funeral Directors Association, holding a position on the Executive Board of the National Funeral Directors Association, responding in the aftermath of United Airlines Flight 232, and even providing testimony before the United States Senate Committee on Aging.
Today, through Jacobson Professional Staffing, Jay provides staffing, consulting, leadership development, professional training, and practical AI education to funeral homes and businesses across the country. He is also the author of Never Stop Dreaming and Lead by Legendary Example, a book centered on integrity, presence, vision, servant leadership, adaptability, and mentorship.
Jay also brings an entrepreneurial spirit to his work as the founder of Jay’s Cookies, proving that leadership can show up in the boardroom, the classroom, the community, and even around the kitchen table.
In this conversation, we explore leadership under pressure, the lessons learned from decades of serving families, building strong workplace cultures, mentorship, entrepreneurship, navigating change, responsible uses of AI, and why the example we set may become the greatest legacy we leave behind.
https://www.jacobsonprostaff.com/
