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Ratchet+Wrench Radio offers four tracks each month that explore the industry's biggest trends, most pressing topics, and the leadership and business management tips and strategies you need to thrive.
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The automotive industry faces a critical technician shortage—but Mike Coley, president of the ASE Education Foundation, is tackling the problem from the ground up. Learn how 2,000 accredited schools across the country are preparing the next wave of skilled professionals, and discover what employers can do to identify and nurture young talent in their own backyard.
With more than 5,000 auto shop fires annually and rising risks from EVs, high-output chargers, changing shop layouts, and aging suppression systems, fire safety has become a moving target. In this episode, Mountain State Fire Protection owner Steve Lockwood joins Christine Schaffran to reveal the overlooked hazards hiding in plain sight, the upgrades that matter, and the must-do inspections every shop should prioritize. If you want to protect your people, property, and profit, this is essential listening.
Ford’s CEO says 5,000 technician jobs are sitting open—and that’s just the beginning. In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Christine Schaffran talks with Repairify’s Chief Transformation Officer, Keith Crerar, about the skills shortage, the rise of ADAS complexity, and the real-world technology helping shops stay ahead. From AI to change management to technician training, Keith breaks down what shop owners must do now to stay competitive—and safe.
At SEMA in Las Vegas, Chris Messer and Mike Jones dive into why your mindset—not your skill set—determines the trajectory of your business. From the power of surrounding yourself with the right people to embracing change in a fast-moving industry, this episode challenges shop owners and leaders to elevate their awareness, rethink their environment, and commit to becoming an even better version of themselves. If you want to shift from fixed to growth mindset—and inspire your team to do the same—this conversation is your starting point.
Long hours, physical strain, financial stress, and the weight of customer expectations—life in the automotive industry can take a toll. But you don’t have to face it alone. In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Margaret Light, a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in supporting automotive professionals explores the critical role of healthy support systems, how to build them, and why vulnerability, connection, and communication are key to resilience both in and out of the shop.
As the year winds down, charitable giving becomes more than a goodwill gesture—it can be a powerful tax-saving strategy for shop owners. CPA and automotive financial advisor Nick Papakyrikos returns to Ratchet+Wrench Radio to explain how to make donations the smart way, from gifting appreciated stock to using donor-advised funds, navigating upcoming 2026 rule changes, and choosing the right timing based on your shop’s financial performance. If you want your generosity to work harder for both your business and your community, you won’t want to miss this discussion.
You don’t need lavish parties or big bonuses to make your team feel valued. In this episode, small business expert Nick Papakryikos talks about meaningful, budget-friendly ways to show appreciation during the holiday season. From catered lunches and “12 Days of Appreciation” countdowns to handwritten notes and extra paid time off, learn how small, sincere gestures can boost morale, strengthen loyalty, and help your business start the new year on the right foot. To learn more, visit Nick Papakyrikos' website.
When it comes to auto repair, trust is everything. In this episode, shop owner Gary Hinendes of Gary’s Automotive Repair shares how taking time to educate customers—especially those who feel intimidated walking into a shop—can transform fear into confidence and first-time visitors into lifelong clients. From listening more than talking to training his team on empathy and transparency, Gary reveals why putting people before profits is the smartest business strategy a shop can make.
In this fifth episode of our Endeavor to Discover series, Endeavor B2B’s Chris Messer, Executive Vice President of the Transportation Group, sits down with Mike Jones, President and CEO of Discover Leadership, and Randy O’Connor, President of D2D Development — also known as the Chief Outcome Officer.
Together, they explore what it means to focus on the outcome — how defining a shared vision, owning your commitments, and celebrating progress can transform your business, your leadership, and your life.
As drivers hold onto their vehicles longer than ever, service complexity continues to rise. In this episode, GM’s Aaron Charbonneau, Director of Dealer Service and Warranty Operations, and Patrick Meissner, Director of Strategic Service Initiatives and Accessories, discuss how technicians and shop owners navigate the growing mix of old and new technologies. From training and parts availability to customer trust and predictive maintenance, they share insights into what it takes to deliver a seamless service experience—no matter the model year.
Today, we’re talking with Dwayne Myers, CEO and co-founder of Dynamic Automotive — recently named America’s Top Small Business of 2025 by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
What started as a one-location repair shop in Frederick County, Maryland, has grown into seven thriving locations, nearly 60 employees, and more than 1,300 five-star reviews — all built on the belief that customers should be treated like family and employees like owners.
We’ll talk with Dwayne about the company’s journey, its people-first culture, and what it takes to build a business that truly endures.
We’re shining a spotlight on an exciting part of the automotive industry — the women who are driving innovation, leadership, and change in the aftermarket.
Joining us is Missy Stephens, Community Engagement Manager for Women in Auto Care, a community of the Auto Care Association. We’ll be talking about their upcoming events at AAPEX 2025 in Las Vegas, including the Women in Auto Care Breakfast and Awards Ceremony, where outstanding women and allies in the industry will be recognized, and the casual evening reception where connections are made and community grows.
If you want to learn more about how women are shaping the future of the aftermarket — and how you can be part of it — you won’t want to miss this conversation.
The countdown is on for one of the biggest events in the automotive world—the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. This year, the energy doesn’t stop at the convention floor. Outside, the roar of engines, the smell of burning rubber, and the adrenaline of live motorsports will take center stage as OPTIMA powers the weeklong OPTIMA Unleashed experience—capped off with SEMA Fest, the ultimate celebration of car culture.
I’m joined by Tom Gattuso, Vice President of Events for the Specialty Equipment Market Association. Tom has been shaping automotive events for more than two decades, and he’s here to give us an inside look at what’s new, what’s exciting, and how SEMA continues to push the limits of innovation, performance, and connection across the industry.
So buckle up—we’re diving into what makes this year’s SEMA Show a full-throttle experience from start to finish!
In Episode 4 of our Endeavor 2 Discover series, Chris Messer, Executive Vice President of Endeavor Business Media’s Transportation Group is joined once again by Mike Jones, President and CEO of Discover Leadership.
Today’s topic is all about the I Will Attitude—what it means to replace words like I think or I’ll try with the confidence of I will. It’s a simple shift in language that can change the way you lead, the way you work, and the way you show up every day.
Meet Robin Reneau—once a single mom who didn’t know how to check a dipstick and went through three broken-down cars in four years. Fast forward to today: she’s the first Black woman mechanic to own an independent repair shop in Georgia, running Rob the Blonde Mechanic, LLC. Robin’s journey from high school dropout to shop owner and community leader is all about resilience, representation, and proving what’s possible when you refuse to shrink yourself.
In today’s episode, we’re diving into one of the biggest challenges shop owners face: cutting through the nonstop noise of media and actually connecting with customers. With so many flashy ads and constant messages hitting us from every direction, how do you make your shop stand out?
The answer might surprise you — it’s not about being the loudest, but about telling a better story. In today’s conversation with Lola Schmidt of Schmidt Auto Care, we’ll explore how to define your brand’s tone, engage with your community, and keep your marketing story alive. By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with practical steps to build a brand that people trust, remember, and come back to. Long live your story!
This week, host Chris Jones sits down with Michael Suttle, chief development officer at Christian Brothers Automotive, to explore how this growing franchise is revolutionizing technician training in the automotive repair industry.
In this episode, Michael shares the exciting details behind Christian Brothers' $12 million investment in a state-of-the-art 14,000-square-foot technology and training center, set to open in 2027. Discover how this facility will help their 315 locations stay ahead of rapidly evolving vehicle technology, particularly in the critical area of advanced driver assistance systems.
In this episode of Ratchet + Wrench Radio, we sit down with Natalie Dixon, PhD, who leads the technology and marketing teams focused on advancing Chemours’ Opteon™ portfolio, to cut through the myths, answer common technician questions and break down what every shop owner needs to know about R-1234yf.
Fear of public speaking affects 75% of Americans, but for automotive shop owners, effective communication isn't optional—it's essential for success.
In this episode of Ratchet and Wrench Radio, host Chris Jones sits down with leadership communications trainer Dave Brown of SDB Leadership to tackle the communication challenges that hold shop owners back.
Whether you're delivering difficult news to a customer, conducting one-on-one meetings with employees, or presenting to a group, Brown reveals why every conversation is essentially a public speaking event. He shares actionable strategies for reframing your mindset, building genuine confidence, and overcoming imposter syndrome.
Brown is the closing keynote speaker at the 2025 Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference.
Chris Messer, executive vice president of the transportation group at Endeavor Business Media—Ratchet+Wrench's parent company, sits down once again with leadership coach Mike Jones of Discover Leadership to tackle the powerful concept of frontline leadership — what it means to lead from the front, why vision and accountability matter, and how every member of a team, regardless of title, has the opportunity to be the leader in their role.
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