Claim OwnershipThe David Spisak Show
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© 2025 The David Spisak Show
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What happens when you get access to uncommon conversations with people who achieved the highest levels of success? Join David Spisak as he brings you inside the room where success stories are told by the people who lived them so that you can achieve your definition of success at an accelerated pace.
242 Episodes
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What if the most profitable opportunity in your entire dealership isn’t something new… but something you’ve been driving past every single day? In this episode, David Spisak sits down with Todd Cooperider, the founder of Esoteric Detail, one of the most respected names in automotive preservation to unpack a quiet revolution happening inside modern retail automotive… one that most dealers won’t notice until their competitors are already cashing the checks. Todd’s story isn’t just impressive, i...
There’s something about Thanksgiving that slows the world down in a way almost nothing else does. For one day, the noise drops. The pace eases. And we’re reminded sometimes gently, sometimes by contrast of what actually matters. In this episode, I sat down alone with a microphone and a heart full of gratitude… the kind that comes from years of hard chapters, unexpected blessings, and the people who showed up when life didn’t make it easy. I talk about the early years I barely remember, the st...
Most people think the revolution in automotive is “AI.” But what if the real disruption, the one that will separate the next decade’s winners from everyone else, is something far quieter? What if it’s the moment your systems start making decisions faster than your people can understand them? That’s the conversation I sat down for with Marianne Johnson, Chief Product Officer at Cox Automotive, live from the Presidio Group Tech Summit at the Denver Art Museum. And in a day full of big ideas, he...
What if the future of automotive innovation wasn’t 20 years away, but sitting right around the corner? At The Presidio Group Tech Summit, I sat down with Pearl Percy, Chief Development Officer at JM Group, for a conversation that perfectly captures where our industry is heading. Surrounded by art and innovation at the Denver Art Museum, we dug into what’s really driving progress in automotive, and spoiler alert it’s not just about technology. Pearl brings a rare mix of strategy, humility, and...
Ever wonder what it actually takes to go from selling used cars in Chico, California, to running one of the top Audi dealerships in the nation? In this episode, I sit down with Brandon Hale, Executive General Manager of Fletcher Jones Audi, to unpack a 25-year journey that’s as gritty as it is inspiring. Brandon’s story isn’t your typical “worked hard and made it” tale. It’s a real-world masterclass in how loyalty, hospitality, and relentless consistency can transform an 18-year-old kid with ...
What if the secret to building a $9-billion company wasn’t strategy or capital—but character? In this episode, I sit down with Bill Cariss, President and CEO of Holman Growth Ventures, to explore how one of the most respected names in automotive quietly reinvented itself for the future, without losing the soul that built it. We talk about the kind of leadership you can’t fake… the moves that kept Holman relevant when others stalled… and a few behind-the-scenes moments that will make you rethi...
Ever notice how some of the biggest breakthroughs come from the most overlooked corners of the business? That’s exactly where today’s conversation goes. In this episode, I sit down with Jim Roche, founder and CEO of WarrCloud, a company that quietly built one of the most transformative innovations in fixed ops, and took seven years to bring it to life. We talk about what it really takes to stick with an idea when everyone else moves on. About the difference between chasing the next shiny thin...
In this episode, I’m joined by Jason Stein, Managing Director at The Presidio Group and host of Cars & Culture on SiriusXM. Together, we pull back the curtain on the third annual Presidio Auto Tech Summit, one of the most exclusive gatherings in the industry, where innovation meets capital and real deals get done. Jason shares what makes this event unlike anything else in automotive, including 58 C-suite leaders, 45 investors, and some of the most forward-thinking innovators shaping what ...
In this episode, my guest is Dave Rogers, the Director of Fixed Operations at Piazza Auto Group in Pennsylvania. And let me tell you, this one’s a masterclass in earning your stripes in the automotive world. We go back to 1982, when Dave borrowed $300 from his grandmother to buy his first set of tools from Sears. From that moment, his journey through the retail auto business has been nothing short of remarkable, marked by long hours, setbacks, and second chances that shaped him into one of th...
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: most dealers are unknowingly killing their own used car sales. I know that sounds dramatic. But stick with me, because if your used volume has flatlined, if it’s swinging up and down but never meeting your expectations, it’s probably not the market that’s holding you back. It’s the invisible limits you’ve placed on your own operation. In this episode, I’m breaking down: The hidden “restriction tax” that’s costing your store sales every single month (without you...
What happens when a kid who once felt invincible, who made more than his fair share of bad decisions, finds himself leading one of the largest auto groups in the country? That’s the story of Joshua Potts, CEO and Director of Dealership Operations at Mac Haik Auto Group. And let me tell you, it’s not the kind of story you’d expect. In this conversation, Josh opens up about: Growing up with almost nothing and stumbling into the car business.The turning points that shaped him into a leader peopl...
In this episode I sit down with my longtime friend and industry powerhouse, Don Reese. For nearly 40 years, Don has been shaping the automotive landscape—partnering with giants, leading bold transformations, and now serving as CEO of the automotive sector at Franchise Equity Partners. Together, we rewind the tape back to the late ’80s, tracing Don’s unlikely entry into the business and the pivotal decision that changed his trajectory forever. You’ll hear stories of working alongside legends l...
Most people think great leadership comes down to charisma. The loudest voice in the room. The rockstar personality. But what if I told you that kind of leadership might actually be dangerous? In this solo episode, I unpack Jim Collins’ timeless lessons from Good to Great—and how they apply to the real-world challenges leaders face today. We dive into: Why charisma can cover up deeper organizational weaknessesThe real difference between leading with personality vs. leading with principleWhy ch...
What if the future of your dealership wasn’t about selling more EVs—but about understanding where the real opportunity in EVs actually is? In this episode my guest is Jimmy Douglas, Founder and CEO of Plug, the first wholesale platform built specifically for pre-owned EVs. Jimmy’s career has taken him from Tesla during some of its most intense years, to now building a company that’s changing how dealers buy and sell used EVs. We cover: Why most dealers still hesitate to touch used EVs—and the...
What happens when you put culture, technology, and pure hard work into the same room? You get a story like Jeremy Beaver’s. In this episode, I sit down with Jeremy, CEO of the Del Grande Dealer Group (DGDG), one of the most innovative and people-first dealership groups in the country. We talk about how a kid making cold calls from a phone book grew into a leader shaping one of the most forward-thinking retail automotive organizations in the U.S. You’ll hear Jeremy open up about: Why failure h...
In this episode my guests are Steve Greenfield from Automotive Ventures, Chip Perry, industry icon and former Autotrader CEO, and Dom Pope, founder of Sell My Ride. We dive into how dealers can win in the used car market at a time when acquiring the right inventory feels harder than ever. You’ll hear how Dom’s unique approach to vehicle acquisition caught the attention of Steve and Chip, why they believe it’s different from anything the industry has seen, and what it means for the future of r...
In this episode, my guest is Angelo Mendola, President & COO of Priority Payment Systems Local — a guy whose business success is rooted in something far more powerful than just numbers or technology. Angelo’s journey starts in a Brooklyn restaurant at 14 years old, where he learned that the real magic in business isn’t in the “menu,” it’s in listening — finding out what people truly want and making sure they walk away happier than when they came in. That same mindset carried him from mort...
In this episode, I sit down with Rob Stettler—founder, president, and the driving force behind Clear Car Concepts. From wrenching on lawnmowers in freezing Amish country as a second grader… to running one of the largest automotive accessory install operations in the U.S., Rob’s story is anything but ordinary. We talk about the quiet power of consistency, what it’s really like to go six years in business without making a dime, and why sometimes the best salesperson… is no salesperson at all. Y...
In this episode, my guest is Rich Sands, CEO of STELLA Automotive AI—a company I’ve had my eye on for a while now. Not just because they were one of the first to embrace AI in their name, but because they’re actually delivering results in an industry full of overpromises. We cover a lot of ground in this one. Rich shares how growing up in Detroit and walking on to a college football team shaped his relentless mindset, and how those same leadership lessons—what he calls “11 as One”—are being a...
In this episode, I’m joined by John Fitzpatrick, the CEO and Co-Founder of Force Marketing—a company that’s quietly reshaping how some of the largest auto groups in automotive think about marketing, customer lifetime value, and fixed ops growth. But here’s the twist: This isn’t just a business episode. John shares how Force Marketing got its start, how buying a 30+ year-old company (GSM) changed their trajectory, and what most dealers are still missing when it comes to retention, fixed ops, a...
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