Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z

Thanks to our Partners, Pico Technology, Autel, and Independent Wrench JobsWatch Full Video EpisodeMinnesota’s been a pressure cooker lately—and watching people process the same event in completely opposite ways has been… a lot. Matt sits down again with Margaret Light (LMFT, Equilibrium Therapy Services) to talk about why we’re so reactive, how cognitive distortions hijack conversations, and why “how we fight” matters more than the topic. Then we drag all of it into the repair shop—because if you’ve ever tried to explain “it’s not the same problem” to a stressed-out customer, you’ve already lived this episode.Key Topics CoveredWhy two people can watch the same event and walk away with 180° different realitiesThe collapse of shared “ground rules” and the rise of contempt-as-a-personalityCognitive distortions in the wild: all-or-nothing thinking, “shoulds,” rationalization, deflection, confirmation biasHolding multiple truths at once (without your brain blue-screening)Professional standards vs. personal judgment (“should” vs. conduct)Grandiosity: why it feels good and why it burns relationships downHow online reactivity becomes practice—and then leaks into work and homeRepair shop translation: The “same problem / not the same problem” infinite loop. De-escalation without admitting guilt. Curiosity as a tool: “Help me understand what you’re seeing.” Perspective-taking as a discipline (yes, Richard Feynman makes a cameo)Star Wars logic traps: “If you’re not with me, you’re my enemy”… uh… that’s a Sith problemMemorable Quotes (for the description or socials)“If you’re not with me, then you are my enemy.” (and yes, we know… Sith energy)“The first thing I assess isn’t what couples are fighting about—it’s how they’re fighting.”“You do what you practice.” (online included)“One of the hardest things to do is maintain a moderate position in response to something extreme.”“Someone has to do something different—or you’ll just repeat the same statement forever.”The Shop Takeaway (listener-facing)If you work with people—customers, coworkers, leadership—you’re going to deal with different realities. The fix isn’t “win the argument.” The fix is:Clarify the goal of the conversation (support? facts? policy? emotion?)Validate emotion without surrendering standardsReplace “No you’re wrong” with curiosity + explanationKeep integrity: don’t...

Thanks to our Partners, Pico Technology and AutelWatch Full Video EpisodeMatt answers listener emails about oscilloscope aliasing—what it is, whether all scopes can do it, and how it can trick you into diagnosing failures that aren’t real. Using a “pegboard and golf tees” mental model, he explains how a digital storage oscilloscope samples voltage, stores it in memory, and then reconstructs what you see on-screen. The key takeaway: aliasing isn’t magic, it’s math—specifically the relationship between sample rate, timebase, and memory buffer. He also explains why some scopes (especially Snap-on) behave differently than Pico-style workflows, and how misunderstanding that screen-to-buffer relationship can create fake-looking “dropouts.”Who This Episode Is ForAnyone using a handheld/PC-based automotive DSO (Pico, Snap-on, Autel, etc.)Techs chasing intermittent cutouts, crank/cam dropouts, injector events, CAN glitchesAnyone who has ever said: “The waveform looked wrong… but the fix didn’t fix it.”Key Topics CoveredWhat aliasing is (in plain language): the scope fails to accurately reconstruct the waveform you’re testing.Can all oscilloscopes alias? The spicy answer is yes, they all can—especially digital scopes—depending on setup and limitations.Analog vs. digital (audio analogy): Digital sampling is like digital audio—there are “samples,” and reconstruction depends on how well you capture the real signal.The “pegboard model” for DSO operation: Up/down holes = voltage levels (vertical resolution). Left/right holes = time positions (sample points in memory). The scope measures voltage, then “plants a peg” in memory and connects the dots.Vertical resolution vs. time performance: 8-bit can look stair-steppy. 12/16-bit improves vertical accuracy. But most real-world failures come from time-domain limitations (sample rate + memory dynamics)Sample rate vs. buffer size (why scopes “fall apart”): Put too little time on screen → not enough samples to define the signal. Put too much time on screen → scope rejects/skips samples because the buffer can’t hold it all. Either way: the displayed waveform can become fiction.How aliasing creates “phantom dropouts”: Gaps that look like crank sensor dropouts or reluctor issues. Can send you straight into the diagnostic swampWhy Pico changed the game: Early Pico automotive scopes stood out because they brought big memory buffers to real shop problems. Capture longer events accurately, then zoom in for detailSnap-on screen/buffer behavior is different (and people get burned): Snap-on scope often shows a “window” into a buffer (buffer bar flying across). You don’t “zoom in like Pico”; you effectively set detail first, capture the event, then zoom out to find it and return to your detail level. Misunderstanding this is a common cause of “dropouts” that are really aliasing/misuseThe Big TakeawaysAliasing can make a good tech chase a bad story.The waveform on-screen is an interpretation, not a photograph.Know your scope’s strengths: Some are built for speed, some for memory, some for both—but your settings decide your fate.If you’re hunting an intermittent: Your success depends on matching: expected event speed, sample rate, memory depth, the scope’s display/buffer behavior.Practical “In-the-Bay” TipsIf the trace shows perfectly suspicious gaps: question your timebase, question your effective sample rate, verify with a different capture strategy (less time on screen, more sample rate, different scope mode)Don’t trust a dropout unless: it repeats consistently under the same conditions, and you can capture it without stretching timebase beyond what your scope can support.Learn...

Thanks to our Partners, Pico Technology and AutelWatch Full Video EpisodeA random YouTube Shorts interview turns into a surprisingly sharp lesson in leadership. Matt shares a story from Rob McElhenney about working with Danny DeVito—and how DeVito’s humility and audience-awareness reveal something shop owners and managers can use immediately: collaboration beats ego, and if you want to reach a demographic (customers or employees), you’d better listen to them. Process matters. Culture matters. And the best people in any field tend to be the most open to input.Matt talks about:Rob McElhenney (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Wrexham co-owner, Ryan Reynolds connection)Working with Danny DeVito (also Taxi, Twins)The key moment: DeVito asks Rob what to say during an improv gap because:DeVito knows what’s funny to his generationBut Rob knows what’s funny to the target audienceSo DeVito wants direction to serve the project, not his egoThe Big TakeawaysProcess matters more than outcomeThe “how” shapes culture, quality, retention, and long-term success.Great collaboration can be surprising—but it shouldn’t beEven top-tier people can be genuinely curious about your perspective.If you’re targeting a demographic, listen to that demographicMarketing, messaging, shop vibe, even hiring… all improve when you seek input from the group you want to attract.Openness is a leadership signalApproachable leadership reduces fear of dismissal/condescension and increases idea-sharing.Ego-check is good business“What’s best for the shop?” beats “what do I prefer?”Retention + recruiting bonusWhen employees feel heard and respected, they stay—and they tell others.Memorable Lines“You hired me to be the old guy… but you’re not going for my generation.”“Be a leader, not a dictator.”“Lesson number one: pay attention to YouTube Shorts… don’t just mindlessly scroll.”Thanks to our Partner, Pico...

Thanks to our Partner, Pico TechnologyWatch Full Video EpisodeMatt uses the movie Mr. Baseball (Tom Selleck as Jack, an aging Yankees player traded to Japan) as an analogy for life in the automotive repair world—especially for veteran mechanical/technical specialists whose bodies start breaking down and whose production (and pay) can drop as a result. The core theme: your role can evolve from “hour-cranker” to leader/mentor, but that requires radical honesty, ego-checking, and intentional changes—from physical maintenance to skill expansion to management systems that properly reward wisdom.Key points & takeawaysThe “Mr. Baseball” analogyJack believes he’ll dominate, but reality shows a hole in his swing and a body that’s not keeping up.His old talent used to hide the problem—until it doesn’t.The turnaround begins when he accepts reality, retrains, and recommits.Auto repair parallel: age vs. mileageIt’s not always “age”—it’s the mileage, injuries, wear, and accumulated strain.As bodies degrade (knees, backs, shoulders, hips, neck), production drops, and pay plans tied heavily to output can punish experience.Ego check: redefining valueWhen you can’t “crank hours” like you used to, value doesn’t disappear—it changes.Veterans often become natural leaders even if they don’t recognize or accept it.Leadership, mentoring, and stabilizing the team have real economic value—if the organization is willing to see it.Management responsibilityShops can’t afford to “cast blind eyes” to what veterans contribute beyond billed hours.The goal is optimizing the whole organization (the unit), not just individual output.If compensation and structure ignore mentoring/leadership value, the industry risks driving out the people who make everyone else better.Action steps for the veteran specialistTake care of the body: whatever works—massage, chiro, yoga, tai chi, mobility work, sleep/mattress upgrades, recovery habits.Expand skill sets into areas that are less physically taxing but high value (systems, diagnostics, workflow support, training others).Be honest and matter-of-fact about your limitations and your value—ask for role adjustments when needed.Culture shiftChecking egos at the door isn’t weakness—it’s how...

Thanks to our Partner, Pico TechnologyWatch Full Video EpisodeMatt goes down a rabbit hole on the science of bubbles and comes back with something surprisingly practical: cavitation is a major source of cooling-system component damage, especially in and around water pumps. The “bad guy” isn’t the bubble forming—it’s the bubble collapsing, releasing intense localized energy, micro-jetting, and shock waves that pit and erode metal surfaces over time. The takeaway: approach cooling-system maintenance as anti-cavitation prevention, not just “keep it from overheating.”Key topics coveredWhy cavitation damage is often misattributed to electrolysis (and what’s actually happening)The real destruction mechanism:Bubble collapse → extreme localized heat (doesn’t “cook” the system, but signals energy density)Micro-jet stream through the collapsing bubble “donut” → pitting/erosionShock wave effects (ties into why ultrasonic cleaning works)How bubbles form even in a pressurized cooling systemLocalized low-pressure zones behind an impeller bladePressure drops along surfaces and restrictions (design or contamination-caused)Why “radiator cap” is a misleading nameBetter term: degassing capIt maintains system pressure (key to preventing local boiling) and “burps” gas/vapor outCoolant chemistry isn’t just freeze/boil protectionThe inhibitor package forms a protective barrier on internal surfaces that absorbs cavitation attackOver time that protection depletes → cavitation damage shows upWater quality matters more than most people thinkMinerals/impurities can create deposits → restrictions → pressure drop zones → bubblesContamination can also become nucleation points for bubble formationDistilled/RO water or properly formulated premix is the safer play“Universal coolant” skepticismUse proper coolant type for the application—chemistry and inhibitor packages matterPractical takeaways for shopsStart treating cooling-system service as evidence-based preventionTesting and inspection that should be part of regular maintenance:Degassing cap pressure test (rated pressure matters)Coolant concentration (ideally with a refractometer/hydro refractometer)li...

Thanks to our Partner, Pico TechnologyWatch Full Video EpisodeComebacks. Rechecks. Catastrophic parts failures. The stuff that makes everyone’s stomach drop. Matt makes the case that a big part of management’s day-to-day job is not “policing people,” but acting like an investigator—leading with genuine curiosity to figure out what actually happened and what should change.Using Dr. W. Edwards Deming’s framework, Matt breaks problems into two buckets:Common cause: Variation that’s built into the system (processes, tools, training, information flow, software, vendors, documentation, workflow chaos, etc.). These problems are repeatable—and if you don’t change the system, they’ll happen again.Special cause: A true one-off—rare, hard to predict, not systemic. Sometimes the correct response is support, not a giant policy overhaul.The goal: build trust, reduce fear, and improve the shop over time through “constancy of purpose”—not knee-jerk blame.Key Talking Points & Takeaways1) Management’s role when things go wrongBe an investigator, not a prosecutor.Start with: What happened? Why did it happen? What made it easier to fail than succeed?2) Deming’s lens: common cause vs. special causeMost problems are common-cause (system-driven), not “someone screwed up.”Mislabeling causes creates chaos:Treating common-cause problems like special-cause ones = scapegoating, fear, repeated failures.Treating special-cause problems like common-cause ones = overcorrecting, unnecessary rules, wasted effort.3) Examples of common-cause “system” failures (shop edition)Torque wrench out of calibration.Scan tool software out of date / tooling gaps.No real shop management system (handwritten tickets, misreads, manual re-entry).Process interruptions / constant context switching.Cheap unknown parts sources creating avoidable risk.Lack of SOPs, training, or accessible info.4) What a real special-cause looks likeA normally reliable part fails unexpectedly (the one “bad water pump” out of hundreds).A rare freak mistake by a trusted specialist with no obvious systemic trigger.Response: support the person, document it, monitor trends—don’t build policy off a unicorn.5) The trust factorli...

Thanks to our Partner, Pico TechnologyWatch Full Video EpisodeThis episode uses professional wrestling’s “part-time performer” phenomenon—stars who leave, come back, and instantly get the spotlight—to explore something that happens in auto repair, too:When a specialist has a reputation that brings cars through the door, the right move is to lean into it—not resent it.Key Talking Points & Takeaways1) The Seth Rollins Quote Sets the Tone“If you’re not learning, then you’re stagnant… and the business isn’t progressing.”Matt frames growth as a requirement—not a nice-to-have—for both the individual specialist and the shop.2) Wrestling 101: “Protecting the Business” vs. “Understanding the Draw”Matt revisits early WrestleMania and the idea of kayfabe (protecting the illusion) to explain a bigger concept:The “outsider celebrity” (like Mr. T back then) wasn’t about pride—it was about bringing eyes and money.Selling offense (“selling” = making it look like it hurts) is part of making the other person look legitimate.3) The Modern Version: The Part-Time Star ProblemMatt runs through the familiar cycle:A star goes to Hollywood or appears occasionally (Rock, Cena, Undertaker, Lesnar, Goldberg).They return and get major wins/titles.The full-time grinders feel slighted—until they see the business reason:Those names are draws. Draws bring revenue.4) The Auto Repair Translation: The Specialist Who Brings Work InHere’s the pivot:In shops, you sometimes have that person:the alignment specialistthe drivability/diagnostics specialistthe transmission/differential rebuilderthe ADAS/calibration personthe accessory/TPMS/trailer/camper personCustomers don’t just ask for the shop… they ask for that specialist by name.Matt’s point: Don’t let ego or envy sabotage something that helps everyone.5) “Lean Into It” (Instead of Getting Weird About It)Matt argues you should:Promote that specialist more, not less.Treat their reputation as an asset to the entire shop.Recognize what it actually

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech Training and Pico TechnologyWatch Full Video EpisodeEpisode summaryMatt Fanslow pulls a lesson from an unexpected place: a Parkway Drive studio story involving Killswitch Engage’s Adam D. The band tried to force a new sound—clean vocals mixed with screams—and it just wasn’t working. The fix? Stop trying to be a different band and lean into what already fits.Matt ties that directly into shop life: not every shop needs to work on every vehicle type or take every job, and not every person needs to be great at every kind of work. Whether it’s building around strong mechanical specialists, strong technical specialists, or choosing a narrower service lane, specializing on purpose can be the difference between surviving and thriving.What you’ll hear in this episodeWhy the “do everything” mindset can quietly punish shops (and people)A real example of pivoting back to core strengths (and winning bigger because of it)The difference between mechanical specialists and technical specialists—and why both are hard to findWhy “I can buy the tools” doesn’t automatically equal “we can do the work well”Checking ego at the door: success doesn’t require being everything to everyoneA nod to “reverse benchmarking”: build your identity around what others don’t do wellKey takeaways (shop + career)Specialization isn’t weakness. It can be the most rational way to deliver consistent quality.Tools and information don’t replace capability. They support it—if the people and processes are there.Staffing reality matters. If you don’t have the right mechanical specialist or technical specialist, forcing the work in-house can be painful.You can evolve later. Being “not that shop” today doesn’t mean “never”—it can mean “not yet.”Identity beats imitation. Trying to match someone else’s “genre” can pull you away from what you’re actually great at.Bands / people / references mentionedParkway Drive (story + recommendation)Killswitch Engage (Matt’s favorite band)Adam D (KSE) and his influence in the studio momentHoward Jones / Jesse Leach (KSE vocalist history)Slipknot (clean vs scream evolution reference)Tour mentions: Summer of Loud (as described), plus bands like The Devil Wears Prada, I Prevail, Beartooth (as mentioned)Sports analogy: Tampa Bay Buccaneers run-heavy approach (and leaning into...

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech Training and Pico TechnologyWatch Full Video EpisodeMatt digs into listener-submitted questions—starting with a deceptively simple one that “freaks him out”: what’s the most misunderstood concept in auto repair? From there, the episode becomes a guided tour through the gray area between knowing what’s true and knowing what’s useful.He revisits a frequent offender in the misinformation world: catalytic converter diagnostics, particularly the old “switch rate” concept, and why it’s fundamentally flawed, even when it appears convincing on a scan tool. From there, Matt zooms out into bigger “how-the-universe-works” territory—magnetism, electric fields, and why some of the most fascinating truths about energy flow will probably never help you fix a car (but are still worth thinking about).The back half of the episode shifts into personal updates (family health), a few fun holiday questions (favorite Christmas movies), an unexpectedly intense movie rant (Thor’s Endgame arc), and a grounded-but-honest take on the future of EVs and hybrids.Topics CoveredThe hardest balance in teaching and learning: accuracy vs. applicabilityWhy most misinformation in training/resources is usually unintentionalCatalytic converter misconceptions:Why “post-cat O2 switch rate” is a bad diagnostic foundationWhy scan tool graphs can mislead you even when they “look right”What really matters before condemning a converter (fuel control, exhaust leaks, sensor accuracy, updates, airflow modeling inputs)Why OEM catalyst monitoring relies on oxygen storage capacity (OSC)—and why it’s not the same as true conversion efficiencyA brief detour into physics for the curious:Magnetism as an effect tied to moving charge (and why special relativity can explain part of it)The “energy comes from the field” idea—and why it’s fascinating even if it doesn’t help bay workEGR follow-up: throttling losses, flame speed, and thermal efficiencyPersonal Q&A: updates on Matt’s dad’s recovery and implanted defibrillator; Danielle’s long recovery arcHoliday lightning round: favorite Christmas moviesMovie plot that frustrates Matt most: Thor from Ragnarok → Endgame (and why “Fat Thor” was mishandled)EV future: energy density limits, why hybrids may remain the practical middle ground, and where hydrogen might fitKey Takeaways“What looks true” on a scan tool isn’t always what the monitor is actually judging.Catalyst diagnostics are more systems-based...

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech Training and Pico TechnologyWatch Full Video EpisodeIn this episode, Matt shares a post he wrote after seeing yet another wave of “Who’s the most affordable?” questions in a local community group. He breaks down the hidden cost of chasing the lowest price, explains the local multiplier effect, and uses behavioral economics and game theory to show why short-term savings can create long-term pain—especially in auto repair. Matt also makes the case for educating employees on how small businesses really work, why ethical profit matters, and how small choices can preserve local options for your future self.Key themesWhy “most affordable” has become the default question in local recommendation threadsThe idea that every purchase has two prices: the invoice amount and the impact on the local systemLocal businesses as a “local multiplier”: wages, suppliers, sponsorships, taxes, and reinvestment staying nearbyThe trap of short-term savings: hyperbolic discounting, loss leaders, and loss aversionAuto repair reality check: low prices can shift costs into warranty travel, time loss, and future headachesGame theory framing: a repeated prisoner’s dilemma—individual “defections” (price-chasing) add up to fewer local optionsThe skilled-trade value problem: cars depreciate while homes/buildings appreciate, shaping perceived worth of the work“Profits aren’t evil”: ethical profit as doing what you said you’d do, for what you said you’d do it forThe case for educating employees on business economics so they understand pricing, margins, and sustainabilityPractical compassion: offering to cover card swipe fees and understanding why local goods can cost moreMemorable lines“Every purchase has two prices: the number on the invoice, and the impact on the system you live inside.”“The long-term consequences are invisible… until they’re painful and hard to reverse.”“Time—by far our most valuable asset.”“Residents and local businesses behave a lot like a repeated prisoner’s dilemma.”“Profits aren’t evil. I believe in ethical profit.”Audience takeawayIf you always optimize for the cheapest option, you may “win” today but collectively lose tomorrow: fewer trusted local providers, fewer skilled jobs, and less community resilience—especially in specialized services like auto repair.Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech TrainingNAPA Autotech’s team of ASE Master Certified Instructors are conducting over 1,200 classes

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech Training and Pico TechnologyWatch Full Video EpisodeIn this episode, Matt shares a personal Thanksgiving story that turned into a real medical emergency. A long-time family friend suddenly becomes unresponsive at the dinner table, and Matt walks through the moment he had to decide whether to act, despite not being “formally” current on CPR.He talks candidly about what it felt like to drag her to the floor, check for breathing, make the call to start chest compressions, hear ribs crack—and then watch her come back. From there, he connects the experience to life in an automotive shop: CPR and first-aid readiness, AEDs, fire extinguishers, panic, freezing, and why “somebody will know what to do” is not a plan.It’s a conversation about preparedness, stress, and how our greatest weapon really is the thought we choose when everything suddenly goes sideways.Episode HighlightsOpening with the quote: “Our greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.”Matt fighting a cold and joking about his “Nat King Cole” voice.Thanksgiving at his parents’ house: Family and close friends gathered, including a 75-year-old family friend (“Jane”) who’s been part of the family’s holidays for years.Jane says she’s really dizzy; Matt gets up to escort her to the living room.Her chin suddenly drops to her chest, she becomes unresponsive, cold, and clammy.The decision point:Matt checks for airway, tries to feel for a pulse, listens for breathing—only hears gurgling.Admits he doesn’t fully trust his own ability to feel a pulse with his heart pounding.The mental calculus: If you can’t be sure, what else is there to do but chest compressions?Starting chest compressions:Dragging her to the floor and focusing completely on her while the rest of the room “disappears.”Locking his elbows, using the beat of “Stayin’ Alive” as a guide.First compression: feeling and hearing the sternum/ribs crack—and taking that as feedback that he’s at the right depth.Before the second compression, her eyes fly open and she lets out a sound.The immediate emotional whiplash:First feeling isn’t relief, but anger and self-doubt: “Did I just overreact?” “Did I crack her ribs for nothing?” “Was this some dramatic hero move I didn’t need to make?”Reorienting to the reality that she was unresponsive and now is awake, talking, and oriented.EMS arrives:Very low blood pressure at the house (around 70/40).Hooked up to a 4-lead, showing atrial fibrillation with PVCs.Matt nerds out on...

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech Training and Pico TechnologyWatch Full Video EpisodeIn this episode, Matt uses The Matrix—especially the line “there is no spoon”—as a metaphor for the invisible cages we build in our own minds. He connects the film to social constructs, substance use disorder, self-limiting beliefs, and the hard, messy reality of change.Matt unpacks what it really means to “take the red pill”: leaving the comfort of your personal matrix, enduring an initial season of discomfort or even suffering, and slowly rebuilding your ability to cope, grow, and demand better—from yourself, your relationships, and your career.Key Topics Covered“There is no spoon” and social constructsThe Matrix as a metaphor for our personal belief systems, not just a sci-fi simulation.How ideas like “I can’t,” “they won’t let me,” and “this is just how it is” form our own private matrix.Money as a clear example of a social construct: it only works because we all agree it has value.Substance use disorder & the red/blue pill choiceReframing the Matrix pods and simulation as a stand-in for addiction and coping mechanisms.Drugs (or other coping tools) as a “cure” that works incredibly well… until the bill comes due.The “red pill” as the decision to leave a destructive coping mechanism and face reality.Why life often gets worse at first when someone chooses recovery—gray, flat, painful—before it gets better.Atrophy, discomfort, and rebuilding capacityNeo’s physical atrophy as a metaphor for emotional and coping atrophy after long-term use.Many people aren’t using to “get high” anymore—they’re using just to feel normal.Relearning how to feel feelings at full intensity without a chemical buffer.Self-imposed limits and hidden capacityThe Matrix training scenes: bending the rules as a metaphor for challenging self-imposed limits.The “70% wall” idea from Navy SEAL training—quitting when there’s still gas left in the tank.How often we defeat ourselves before we even truly try.The Kung Fu (David Carradine) lessonFlashback scene with the “acid pool” that turns out to be water.Believing in the danger so completely that you fail before you start.How often we do the same thing with exams, careers, and life decisions.Technicians, tests, and career ceilings“I’ll never pass A6” / “I’ll never get that cert” as a self-fulfilling prophecy.Questioning whether your limits are real, or chosen.Practical self-inquiry: What can I do to change this belief? What actions can I take?Relationships, work, and what we tolerateStaying in unhealthy relationships (romantic, friends, employers, clients) because “this is the best I can do.”Starting with your own role: being a better spouse, friend, or employee and expecting better treatment in return.The trap where employers say, “If they acted like good employees, I’d treat them well,” and employees say, “If they treated me well, I’d act like a good employee”—and nothing changes.Dutch Silverstein’s perspectiveIt’s important to treat people the way you want to be treated.But for sure: never treat someone the way you don’t want to be treated.Taking the red pill in real lifeThe “red pill” as a choice, not a daily supplement.Expecting the initial result of that choice to feel worse before it feels...

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech Training and Pico TechnologyWatch Full Video EpisodeIn this episode, Matt takes a relationship quote and flips it into a perspective shift for shop owners, managers, and specialists: instead of obsessing over “finding the right” customers, employees, or employers, focus on becoming the right shop and the right person—over and over again. He explores how this mindset applies to attracting younger clients, building a place top technical and mechanical specialists want to work, and evolving with changes like EVs, culture, and work–life balance.Key Talking PointsThe quote that kicked it off: “Love isn’t about fate and magic bracelets and destiny. It’s about finding someone you can stand to be around for 10 minutes at a time,” and the idea that it’s less about finding the one and more about becoming the right one again and again.Translating relationship advice into shop life:Stop fixating on “finding the right clients,” “the right shop,” “the right boss,” or “the right employee.”Shift the focus to becoming the right shop, manager, owner, or employee.Becoming the right shop for your current and future clients:Many shops are currently tailored to an older clientele (boomers) and have great rapport with them.Younger clients often care deeply about your why—your purpose, values, and what you stand for.Start projecting an image and message that resonates with the clients you’ll need in the future, not just the ones you serve today.Becoming the right employer:Think about the types of technical specialists and mechanical specialists you’d love to attract.What are they after now, and what will they value most in the near future (purpose, time off, culture, tools, training, environment)?Make tangible changes in the shop that align with those values and make sure those changes are visible.Creative ways to “show, not tell” as an employer:Hosting training classes in your shop so other shops’ staff and owners can see your facility.Letting others experience climate control, lighting, equipment, computers at every bay, etc.Letting your current team’s honest feedback become a powerful, organic recruiting message.Culture vs. pure production:As shops hit their production targets more consistently, culture starts to matter more.High-output but toxic people can drag down the overall environment.Sometimes the right fit is someone who might produce a little less but makes the team function better and reduces animosity.What it means to be the right employee:Contributing to ethical profit and strong production.Being a good teammate who doesn’t undermine the system.Helping with what the shop needs: clients, employees, reputation, and growth.Being able to demonstrate your value beyond hours billed—teamwork, leadership, culture.Evolving with technology and the market (EV example):Understanding your shop’s stance on EVs and being able to discuss it intelligently.Looking at the local EV car park, investment needs, safety, and training.Positioning the shop to succeed ethically and profitably as the car parc changes.Seeing the shop as an ecosystem:Front of house, back of house, management, and employees as symbiotic systems.Shared goals: profit, stability, and long-term perpetuation of

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech Training and Pico TechnologyWatch Full Video EpisodeIn this episode of Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z, Matt Fanslow uses a famous Michael Jordan quote, a heartbreaking Minnesota Vikings loss, and a rant from Jeff Compton of The Jaded Mechanic Podcast to dig into a big question:When did we get so impatient with young people—and what is it costing our industry?Matt reflects on how we treat new, entry-level mechanical and technical specialists in our shops, how “common sense” isn’t actually common, and why our own backgrounds make it easy to forget what it’s like to start from zero. He draws parallels between sports, restaurants, and auto repair, and makes the case that if we want to “grow our own,” we must build patience and structure into our businesses.Along the way, he talks about failure as a prerequisite for greatness—using Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Muhammad Ali, and even win–loss records and batting averages to remind us that the “greats” failed a lot before anyone called them great.Highlights & Topics CoveredMichael Jordan’s failure quote and what it really says about successA recent Vikings–Bears game:JJ McCarthy’s rough day, clutch fourth-quarter drive, andHow special teams and defense actually lost the gameThe internet meltdown: instant calls to replace a young quarterback who’s essentially still a rookieA short video rant from Jeff Compton (The Jaded Mechanic Podcast) about having patience with young peopleThe core question: When did we get so impatient—and were we always this way?Generational shifts in handling criticism, shame, and feedbackWhy “common sense” isn’t common:How background, upbringing, and exposure shape what feels obviousGrowing up around farms, equipment, and shops vs. growing up with screensHomemakers, latchkey kids, and how changing family structures change what kids bring into the workplaceThe reality of today’s entry-level hire:No mechanical backgroundDoesn’t know a hex from a Torx… yetThe shop’s responsibility if you want to “grow your own”:Structuring the business to shoulder an apprentice who isn’t producing much at firstDefining basic expectations (showing up, being on time, not repeating the same mistake endlessly)Skill decay and repetition:Lab scopes, training classes, and how fast proficiency fades without regular useHow we criticize: sharp scalpel vs. rusty spoon; cutting people apart vs. building them upRemembering that apprentices didn’t choose their childhood or start point—but are choosing this careerThe sports angle on failure and greatness:Michael Jordan getting cut from his high school teamPat Riley’s quote about last shot vs. “save my life” shot (MJ vs. Larry Bird)Muhammad Ali’s losses, UFC careers, and the obsession with “perfect records”Baseball batting averages: greatness at 30% successA teaser for a future episode: how this profession can play a role in the “war on young men”Key TakeawaysFailure is part of greatness. The people we call “the greatest” in sports failed repeatedly. Expecting perfection from a first-year tech is delusional.Common sense is built, not born. What feels obvious to you probably came from years of exposure, mistakes, and stories you grew up around. Your apprentice didn’t get that same download.If you want to grow your own, structure for it. Shops that bring in entry-level mechanical/technical...

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech Training and Pico TechnologyWatch Full Video EpisodeWe unpack what “boundaries” actually are—and aren’t—in shops and life. Margaret draws clear lines between rules vs. boundaries, protective vs. containing boundaries, and gives scripts you can use with customers, colleagues, and leadership. Matt adds his trademark honesty (and jokes) about self-regulation, “saying it like it is,” and swapping “but” for “and.”Sponsor shoutoutsNAPA AutoTech Training — Apprentice pathways, Tech Update, Service Advisor, and EV Ready week-long hands-on training. Details: napaautotech.comPico Technology (PicoScope) — Turn a PC into a powerful diagnostic scope. Guided tests, EV kit, faster fault-finding. Details: picoauto.comKey ideas & takeawaysRules vs. Boundaries: Rule: “You’re not allowed to yell at me.” (trying to control others)Boundary: “If you yell at me, I will leave the room.” (what I will do)Two Types of Boundaries:Protective: Guard yourself from others’ behavior (leave the room, pause the call).Containing: Guard others from your behavior (take a break before you escalate).Simple Shop ScriptsAdvisor to escalated customer: “I’m happy to help and if the yelling continues, I’ll have to ask you to leave. I’m happy to help when we’re calm.”Advisor protecting self: “If voices rise, I’m going to step to the break room for five minutes and then return to help.”Employee to manager (after-hours texts): “I’ll handle this when I’m back at work.” (Boundary = your response, not their texting.)Use “and,” not “but.”“I hear you overslept and I need you here on time.”Removes the “disqualifier” feel of but, holds two truths at once, reduces power struggles.Broken-record technique for heatRepeat your boundary + offer: “I’m happy to help, and if the yelling continues, I’ll need you to leave.”Professionalism ≠ light switchContainment and communication are skills that need coaching, not just warnings. Managers can (and should) teach, not only discipline.Reasonable ExpectationsSome things are rules of employment (e.g., start times). People can be upset and the expectation still stands.Curiosity FirstLead with, “Are you open to feedback?” “Tell me what would work better.” You can hear it without agreeing to change your decision.Culture Over ChaosWe don’t need reality-TV drama in a professional shop. Boundaries + coaching = fewer blowups, better results.Practical Playbook - Train mechanical specialists and technical specialists to:Spot their escalation early (breathing break, lap around the building).State boundaries in first-person (“I will…”) not second-person commandments.Swap but → and in feedback and estimates.Train advisors on three phrases:“I want to help, and we’ll...

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech Training and Pico TechnologyWatch Full Video EpisodeMatt Fanslow opens with “Resistance is futile” and tackles a common belief: “Resistance always makes current go down.” He walks through why that’s mostly—but not always—true, and shows how electric motors (especially starters) can draw more current when unwanted resistance slows them down by reducing counter-EMF. Along the way he ties Ohm’s Law to real diagnostics, shares a Rust Belt cable-smoker story, and closes with a heartfelt reminder about seeking help for the “stuff” we all carry.Key TopicsThe “always/never” trap in electrical claimsOhm’s Law in real life: fixed voltage vs. changing conditionsWhy motors misbehave: counter-EMF as dynamic “resistance”Starter example: inrush current, RPM drop → current riseHigh-resistance cables that increase current (and make heat)Where the energy goes: heat in brushes/cables vs. mechanical workInstantaneous truth of Ohm’s Law: accurate at a moment in time, not across changing dynamicsPractical tell-tales: slow crank + rising amps + hot/smoking cablesMental health note: removing stigma and getting professional helpPractical TakeawaysMotors are dynamic loads. If RPM drops (binding, poor supply, worn pump), counter-EMF falls and current can increase even as “resistance in the circuit” rises.Heat = the clue. Elevated current with slow rotation often means energy’s being dumped as heat (cables glowing, insulation softening, brushes cooking).Measure what matters. Combine voltage drop, current measurement, and temperature/thermal observation under load to find where the power is going.Interpret Ohm’s Law correctly. It holds at an instant; across changing conditions, re-evaluate with the values at that moment.Case Study HighlightChevy Suburban (late ’80s/early ’90s): Slow crank, ~400 A draw when ~150 A expected; braided negative cable glows red under a 10–20 s crank. Root cause: high-resistance path + reduced counter-EMF → higher current and wasted power as heat.Tools & Concepts MentionedCurrent probe / ammeterVoltage drop testingStarter relative compression patternsCounter-EMF (a.k.a. back-EMF)Old-school VAT-style analyzer (Snap-on digital variant)Quotes / Moments“It’s rare we can say always or never.”“Ohm’s Law isn’t broken—it’s instantaneous.”“If it isn’t turning it into work, it’s turning it into heat.”Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech TrainingNAPA Autotech’s team of ASE Master Certified Instructors are conducting over 1,200 classes covering 28 automotive topics. To see a selection, go to napaautotech.com for more details.Thanks to our Partner, Pico TechnologyAre you chasing elusive automotive problems? Pico Technology empowers you to see what's really happening. Their PicoScope oscilloscopes transform your diagnostic capabilities. Pinpoint faults in sensors, wiring, and components with unmatched accuracy....

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech Training and Pico TechnologyWatch Full Video EpisodeMatt riffs on a surprisingly quiet moment from Rocky—the late-night scene where Rocky admits he can’t beat Apollo and Adrian simply asks, “What do we do?” From that question, Matt draws a blueprint for technicians and shop owners: set realistic, self-assigned wins and stack them. Instead of living and dying by big, binary outcomes (“fixed/not fixed,” “hit benchmark/missed benchmark”), build momentum with attainable goals that compound into competence, confidence, and better shop results.Big Ideas“What do we do?” beats “You can do it!” Swapping empty hype for practical next steps creates traction.Redefine winning: Rocky doesn’t win the fight; he wins by “going the distance.” Translate that to your day: hit achievable targets that move you forward.Stack small, durable improvements: The path to 40+ billed hours or top-quartile shop productivity runs through many smaller, consistent wins.Perfection limits joy: Ambition is good; impossible standards starve you of pride and progress.Benchmarks aren’t commandments: Continuous improvement may matter more than someone else’s KPI.Practical Takeaways for TechsScope reps, not scope heroics: Use the oscilloscope on easy cars and routine checks—pair voltage with time until it’s second nature, then add a second channel and a low-amp probe where it makes sense.Thermal imager habits: Pull it out on brake inspections, wheel-bearing complaints, and on known-good vehicles to calibrate your eye for “normal.”Micro-goals to build hours: If you’re billing ~20 hrs/week, aim for 25 (≈+1 hr/day). Then 30. Ask: Where can I reclaim two hours? (economy of motion, fewer tool trips, better setup).Practical Takeaways for Shop Owners/LeadsAim for +10–15% improvements first: If techs are ~60% productive, target 70%, not 100% overnight. Design the system to enable the next step.Design wins into the week: Encourage daily scope/thermal reps, short debriefs, and “wins boards” that recognize process improvements—not just hero fixes.Coach with the Adrian question: When someone says, “I can’t hit that,” respond with: “What do we do?” Identify the next two concrete actions.Memorable Lines“We can define our own successes—it doesn’t have to be everyone else’s.”“Set wins somewhere earlier in the process, not only at the final repair.”“I hope you’re proud of yourself—and that you let yourself feel it.”Chapter Guide Cold open & sponsors — NAPA Auto Tech Training, Pico TechnologyWhy Rocky still hits — the “What do we do?” sceneDefining ‘going the distance’ at workTech micro-wins — scope reps, thermal habits, pairing voltage & currentShop micro-wins — stepwise productivity goals, system design > pep talksPerfection vs. pride — making room to feel accomplishedThanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech TrainingNAPA Autotech’s team of ASE Master Certified Instructors are conducting over 1,200 classes covering 28 automotive topics. To see a selection, go to

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech Training and Pico TechnologyWatch Full Video EpisodeMatt wrestles with a lifelong pattern of shame, defensiveness, and downplaying wins—and how naming it (out loud) is helping him show up better at work and at home. This one’s part confessional, part field guide: practical, unglamorous steps for accepting compliments, advocating for your value, and being safer to confront in relationships.Content note: brief, heartfelt discussion of infant loss (the story of Matt’s son, Benjamin).Why listenIf you instinctively swat away compliments or feel “pride” is off-limits, this gives language—and a few reps—to shift that.Shops, teams, and families run better when we replace shame/stonewalling with honesty and curiosity.HighlightsThe “shame tank”: how early patterns trained Matt to equate mistakes with identity (“I did something dumb” → “I am dumb”) and how that fueled resentment cycles with employers and loved ones.Stonewall → spill → reset → repeat: the loop that forms when you won’t self-advocate until pressure boils over.Compliment deflection ≠ humility: jokes like “you need to get out more” felt safe, but quietly devalued real wins.Owning value without arrogance: learning to state what you bring to the table without feeling like your mouth is on fire.Two proud moments (finally named):Benjamin’s birth: staying present, stopping futile interventions, and making sure mom and family had time with him. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/episode/overcoming-the-loss-of-a-child-finding-a-silver-lining-e035Post-divorce boundaries: noticing red flags early and exiting a relationship kindly (growth in real life, not theory).Professional growth he’ll actually own: the podcast, teaching, equipment dev/beta, EEPROM/board-level work, and expanding beyond “just drivability.”Result of doing the work: markedly better conversations with his boss; marriage moving from “fine” to genuinely “great.”Practical takeawaysLanguage swap: “I did something dumb” ≠ “I am dumb.” Keep identity out of error statements.Three-beat compliment drill: Hear it → pause → say “thank you” → full stop. (Joke later if you must.)Mini inventory: keep a running note of 3 specific things you did well this week; read it before hard conversations.Advocacy prep: write a one-page “value brief” before comp talks: outcomes, examples, and how they helped the shop/client.Repair the feedback channel: agree with your partner/teammate on a critique ritual (time, signal word, and goal).Get a spotter: a counselor/therapist helps reveal blind spots faster than white-knuckling it alone.People & mentionsBob (AAPEX episode—“shame tank” origin point in prior convo) https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/episode/exploring-relationships-health-and-personal-growth-with-bob-heipp-e109Equilibrium Therapy Services — Margaret Light (Minnesota)

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech Training and Pico TechnologyWatch Full Video EpisodeLive from “pre-ASTA,” Matt sits down with two “industry nobodies” (his words) who… are anything but. The trio gets honest about what makes training worth the time and money—and what ruins it. They dig into presenter prep (yes, 40 hours for a 4-hour class), class vetting, sponsor pressure, why a sexy scope trick isn’t always the right first move, and how to bring new voices onto the stage without burning attendees. They also share practical advice for first-timers at training expos so you learn more and regret less.What we coverWhy one weak class can poison a whole event—and how to prevent itThe difference between a presenter and an educatorBrandon’s CTI “boot camp” lessons: pacing, body language, audience interactionTeaching your experience vs. reading someone else’s slidesThe “pico math channel” vs. relative compression—start simple, earn the complexityReal-world prep: building a class, flow, case study sourcing, time costs no one seesSponsor dynamics: class quality vs. class quantityVetting ideas: short audition decks, Zoom mini-presentations, real Q&APathways for new trainers: Techs Informing Techs, vision-style tech talks, co-teaching/mentorshipFeedback that helps: beyond Scantron; what to write so organizers can actAttendee playbook: note-taking, pacing yourself, lobby networking, post-event reviewQuick takeawaysFor trainersIf you didn’t write the class, make it your own—prep until you could answer questions without the deck.Lead with the right test, not the flashiest one. Wow factor is not a learning objective.Ask a veteran to review your flow. Co-teach if you can.For event organizersDon’t let sponsorship replace standards. Vet instructors with a 10–15 slide audition + live Q&A.Reward quality: fewer tracks > more mediocre tracks.Follow up for feedback after the event; invite longer-form comments.For attendeesBring a notebook/app, a highlighter, and capture 3 “do-this-Monday” items per session.Don’t try to copy every slide—listen for the why and the decision tree.Network on purpose. Introduce yourself. Follow up a week later as you review notes.Notable moments/quotes“Teaching is the fun part—I’d do that for free. You’re really paying for the prep.” — Brandon“You can’t preach ‘training matters’ and then short-change the delivery.” — Matt“We need an on-ramp for new presenters—safe reps before three-hour sets.” — Matt“Start with the test that answers the question fastest.” — BobShout-outs & mentionsMobilityWorks — Bob’s focus on vehicles modified for physically disabled drivers/passengersCTI/Worldpac instructor boot camp (presenter craft)Techs Informing Techs / vision-style tech talks — great first stage repsPico Technology concepts referenced (math channels, relative compression)Who this episode helpsTechs deciding whether to spend the time/money to travel for trainingNew and aspiring trainers looking for the right entry pathOrganizers who want higher attendee retention and better word-of-mouthCall to actionBeen to a class that changed your workflow—or wasted your time? Send Matt what made the difference and why.If you’re an aspiring presenter with a killer case study, draft a 10-slide mini and reach out—let’s get you reps at a tech-talk format.Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech...

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech Training and Pico TechnologyWatch Full Video EpisodeLive(ish) from ASTA 2025 in Raleigh, I “borrow” a guest from a Keith Perkins immobilizer class: Mike Maleski of PSK Automotive and Rosedale Technical College. We dig into the business of keys/immobilizers—what drew him in, locksmith gatekeeping, where OE tools beat aftermarket for workflow, flat-rate incentives (hello, Cobra Effect), cloning/EEPROM realities, and teaching diagnostics to the next generation. Also: yinzer linguistics, Applebee’s barters, and Tibbe-key kryptonite.Mike Maleski — Owner/tech at PSK Automotive (Pittsburgh, PA) and instructor at Rosedale Technical College.Topics we hitGetting into keys: margins, ROI, and focusing the service lineLocksmith gatekeeping → locksmiths moving into module programmingMarket realities: dense dealer competition vs. being “the only game in town”Inventory truth: FCC IDs, chip types, look-alikes that aren’tAftermarket vs. OE: when GM/Volvo VIDA and other OE paths are faster/cleanerCutting machines: Dolphin starts; Triton support/updates; Tibbe/Jag quirksCloning & EEPROM: freeing used key slots (e.g., BMW), virginizing/clone vs. dealer orderService mix & referrals: “different, not better,” building two-way trustPay plans & culture: misaligned incentives, base-plus-performance sanityWages vs. geography: think cost-of-living ratios, not raw dollarsTeaching at Rosedale: bench → car, lightbulb moments, ScannerDanner lineageQuotes“OE software isn’t always about coverage; sometimes it’s about friction.”“Flat rate isn’t evil; misaligned incentives are.”“You can stock 200 keys and still not have the right one.”TakeawaysAdding keys/immobilizer? Plan inventory, price subs, know your dealer landscape, lean OE when it reduces rework.Build referral networks; you won’t go broke sending work to the right specialist.Audit incentives in your pay plan.In teaching/mentoring, bridge breadboards to the messy reality of in-car faults early.Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech TrainingNAPA Autotech’s team of ASE Master Certified Instructors are conducting over 1,200 classes covering 28 automotive topics. To see a selection, go to napaautotech.com for more details.Thanks to our Partner, Pico TechnologyAre you chasing elusive automotive problems? Pico Technology empowers you to see what's really happening. Their PicoScope oscilloscopes transform your diagnostic capabilities. Pinpoint faults in sensors, wiring, and components with unmatched accuracy. Visit PicoAuto.com and revolutionize your diagnostics today! Contact InformationEmail Matt: mattfanslowpodcast@gmail.comDiagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube Channel Subscribe & Review: Loved this episode? Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and SpotifyThe Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/a