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Description
Collaboration through connection.
Hosted by Paul J Daly, Kyle Mountsier, and Michael Cirillo, Auto Collabs is your connect point to the human side of the retail automotive industry: what motivates its leaders, how they navigate change, and what keeps them pushing forward. It’s beyond-the-business-card conversations with real people powering dealerships, technology platforms, and everything in between.
From the team behind the More Than Cars movement, this podcast is built on one big belief: thriving people create thriving businesses. With candid conversations, industry insight, and just enough unfiltered banter to keep things interesting, Auto Collabs delivers authentic stories that inspire real collaboration.
// Auto Collabs is produced by Automotive State of the Union (ASOTU). Learn more at https://www.asotu.com
177 Episodes
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Send us a text Auto shows aren’t dead—they’re just getting started, and Jennifer Morand is helping to rewrite the playbook. On this episode of Auto Collabs, the crew welcomes Jennifer Morand—the incoming chairwoman of the Automotive Experience Alliance (AEA) and powerhouse behind the Chicago Auto Show. She’s on a mission to make auto shows more than just shiny cars on display—instead, she’s building immersive, data-backed experiences that matter. Think ride-and-drives, EV demo tracks, overl...
Send us a text What if the real reason car buyers feel frustrated has nothing to do with price? David Thomas has spent decades shaping how consumers understand and experience buying a car—from the early days of Autoblog to his current role unpacking research at CDK Global. In this episode, David joins Michael and Paul to talk about the hidden frictions of automotive retail and the disconnects that most dealers don’t even know they have. He also breaks down why Gen Z wants more in-person e...
Send us a text AI isn’t coming for your job—it’s coming for your to-do list. When Nick Askew first plugged AI into his daily marketing work, it was like flipping a switch—from a grind to a productivity cheat code. In this episode, Nick sits down with Kyle (while Paul and Michael cheer from the sidelines) to unpack why that moment in late 2023 marked a true before-and-after for how work gets done in the auto industry. They dig into how AI went from a party trick to a power tool almost overni...
Send us a text The technician who turned oil changes into master certifications—and negativity into a movement of positivity. Curtis Gardner isn’t your typical technician. Starting out with oil changes after high school, Curtis worked his way up to Toyota master certification before taking on the German-engineering challenge at Audi. But what makes his story stand out isn’t just his technical chops—it’s his decision to flip the technician narrative from negativity and burnout to optimism, e...
Send us a text From hype to hesitation—Laurie Halter reveals what dealerships really think about AI in the service drive. Laurie Halter isn’t just a PR veteran with her finger on the industry’s pulse—she’s now bringing hard data to the AI conversation in fixed ops. In this episode, she joins Paul, Kyle, and Michael to unpack her latest independent research report, a deep dive into how AI is (and isn’t) being adopted in dealership service departments. From vendor hype to dealer hesitation, L...
Send us a text From Kentucky minivan launches to Tokyo auto shows to the Wall Street Journal—Jamie Butters has been shaping automotive news for decades, and now he’s taking that storytelling to an even bigger stage. In this episode, Paul J Daly sits down with veteran automotive journalist Jamie Butters, fresh off his transition from Automotive News to the Wall Street Journal. Jamie recounts his path from covering Toyota’s first U.S.-built Sienna in the late ’90s to reporting on the industry...
Send us a text In an industry chasing the next big thing, Tina Cuatto says the real game changer is simple: better vendor communication. AI, vibe coding, and endless vendor promises—dealers are being told the future is already here. But is it? Tina Cuatto from DealerOn joins the Auto Collabs crew to cut through the noise and get real about where the industry is headed. From her front-row seat leading teams through the Synchro acquisition, she shares why flashy tech isn’t enough—and why clea...
Send us a text When your side hustle is building AI that builds companies, you're officially in "mad scientist" territory—in the best way. Nick Askew of Space Auto returns to Auto Collabs and proves once again why he's the dealer tech world's resident mad scientist. In this episode, Nick talks about building an experimental AI-powered company that literally builds other companies—from code to communication to sales and support. Yep, it's as wild as it sounds, and yes, it’s already live. Oh,...
Send us a text John Sacco reveals how recycled metals are the unsung heroes fueling everything from hospitals to highways, and yes—even your car. John Sacco, owner of Sierra Machinery International, joins Paul J Daly, Kyle Mountsier, and Michael Cirillo to unpack the surprisingly central role of recycled metals in modern life. With his signature food-and-wine finesse, John dives into the art of recycling—from molten aluminum forklifts on Toyota’s factory floors to copper’s critical role in ...
Send us a text This episode of Auto Collabs gets seriously smart as Paul, Kyle, and Michael welcome Sanjay Varnwal, founder of Spyne. With a background that includes time at Amazon and deep roots in AI-driven product development, Sanjay shares his journey from general e-commerce merchandising to building ultra-specialized solutions for the auto industry. His company’s obsession with perfection—like making sure side mirrors don’t vanish in digital photos—isn’t just nerdy, it’s the kind of tech...
Send us a text Thuy Adomitis didn’t plan on joining the auto industry—until a grueling 14-hour car-buying ordeal sparked a career that’s now reshaping how dealerships communicate. In this episode, Thuy shares her journey from that fateful purchase to leading sales at Mia Labs, where she’s helping dealers replace “Franken-systems” with AI agents that never sleep and never miss a call. The conversation dives into how Mia’s voice AI is transforming dealership operations by handling everything ...
Send us a text Jade Terreberry brings her data-driven hustle and people-first mindset to the table. The Auto Collabs crew sits down with Jade Terreberry—formerly of commercial real estate lending and dealership operations, now leading analytics and insights at Cox Automotive. With her roots planted firmly in the car world (thanks to a dad who spent 40 years winning national Honda sales contests), Jade shares how her love for data and love for people collided to shape her journey back into a...
Send us a text Greg Uland returns to Auto Collabs with a timely look at how Reynolds & Reynolds is helping dealers prepare for a more efficient, tech-driven future. Greg Uland, VP of Marketing at Reynolds & Reynolds, joins Paul, Kyle, and Michael for a summer check-in ahead of the company’s Amplify conference this August. With record registration already locked in, Greg shares how the event is evolving into a hub for collaboration—not just among current Reynolds users, but across OE...
Send us a text Kaylee Felio, better known in the industry as "The Parts Girl," brings her unique flavor of grit, smarts, and systems thinking to this Auto Collabs episode. Starting her career as a Subway manager and now pushing toward the CEO seat at PartsEdge, Kaylee's story is a testament to the unconventional paths that lead to real leadership in auto. She's not just making waves with her content and the PartsEdge Podcast—she’s redefining what it means to lead from the fixed ops side of th...
Send us a text Shane Wilson, the brain behind Connected Dealer Services (CDS), joins the crew to talk about how billions of data points, a deep background in consumer electronics, and a passion for keeping cyclists safe from autonomous vehicles are reshaping dealership service retention strategies. The conversation kicks off with Shane’s winding path through the automotive tech world—from remote starts to launching a connected solution for dealerships that’s more than just GPS tracking. At ...
Send us a text Adam Marburger redefines F&I leadership with a servant’s heart and a black belt mindset. In this episode of Auto Collabs, Paul J Daly, Kyle Mountsier, and Michael Cirillo sit down with Adam Marburger, President and CEO of Ascent Dealer Services, to delve into his unconventional journey through the automotive industry. Starting as a porter, Adam's ascent to a top-tier F&I leader is a testament to his dedication and innovative approach. His new book, The Servant Leading...
Send us a text Attention-grabbing creativity, franchise fatigue, and the art of brand-building in the modern age. Glenn Lundy isn’t just a podcaster or speaker—he’s a professional attention architect who’s been helping auto dealers think differently for years. With thousands of episodes under his belt and a heart for growth (and a growing family, literally), Glenn joins Paul, Kyle, and Michael to riff on why the rules of attention have changed and how creative thinking can outperform a fat ...
Send us a text Alain Nana-Sinkam’s automotive career began with a childhood passion—organizing Matchbox cars into a meticulously curated dealership on his bedroom floor. That early fascination evolved into a dynamic career spanning retail, finance, and tech, culminating in his leadership role at TrueCar, where he’s redefining how consumers and dealers connect in the digital age. In this episode, Alain joins Paul, Kyle, and Michael to discuss the evolving landscape of car buying. He emphasiz...
Send us a text Chad Graves, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Reunion Marketing, joins the Auto Collabs crew to talk shop about what really moves the needle in automotive marketing. With over a decade of experience guiding digital strategy for dealerships across the country, Chad breaks down how his team is pushing past surface-level metrics to deliver true business outcomes. Spoiler: it’s not about the flashiest dashboards—it’s about asking the right questions and making sure your SEO ...
Send us a text Carol Marshall unpacks how culture, trust, and hospitality can supercharge your dealership. In this episode, Paul, Kyle, and Michael sit down once again with the ever-insightful Carol Marshall, COO of ActivEngage, to talk about the power of intentional hiring and world-class hospitality. Carol shares the secret sauce behind her company’s team-building approach—spoiler alert: it involves “hiring for attitude,” a heat-packed conference room, and a pair of brown shorts. Drawing ...
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