Ratchet+Wrench Radio

Margin Under Pressure: How Surcharging Helps Shops Fight Rising Costs

Tariffs, inflation, and rising labor costs are putting real pressure on shop margins right now—and I know a lot of shop owners are asking how to recover those costs without upsetting customers. In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, I sit down with payments expert Randy Motos to break down surcharging: what it is, how it works, what the compliance rules really are, and why “freedom of choice” at checkout is becoming a go-to strategy for shops looking to offset credit card fees while protecting customer trust.

Skating to Where the Puck Is Going: Why the Aftermarket’s Future Depends on Education and Leadership

Recorded live from the AAPEX show floor, Northwood University president Kent MacDonald sits down with editorial director Chris Jones to discuss what Wayne Gretzky’s famous advice means for the automotive aftermarket—and why leadership, entrepreneurship, and education have never mattered more.

Beyond the Bays: Why Shop Owners Must Understand Their Numbers to Protect Profits

Full bays don’t always mean healthy profits. In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, host Christine Schaffran sits down with Hunt Demarest, CPA, partner at Paar, Melis & Associates, and author of Beyond the Bays, to unpack why so many shop owners feel busy but broke—and what they can do about it. From cash vs. profit confusion to overlooked financial fundamentals, Hunt explains how better understanding your numbers can change the trajectory of your business.

What 2025 Taught Us About the Aftermarket—And What Comes Next

What really drove aftermarket performance in 2025—and what signals should shop owners be paying attention to now? In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Auto Care Association senior director of market intelligence Mike Chung breaks down the data behind tariffs, inflation, supply chain shifts, and changing consumer purchasing habits. From parts buying to tire trends, Mike explains what the numbers reveal—and how they point to what’s coming in 2026.

Fight Forward

What if the biggest thing holding you back isn’t your goals—but how you’re framing them?
On this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Chris Messer, vice president of transportation at Endeavor Business Media, sits down with Mike Jones, president of Discover Leadership, alongside editorial director Chris Jones for a powerful conversation on fighting forward. From personal growth to shop performance, they unpack why focusing on what you want—rather than what you’re trying to avoid—can change your results, your culture, and your leadership impact.
If you want a mindset shift that leads to real, lasting change, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

The Overlooked Goldmine: What Auto Shop Owners With Silent Partners Don’t Realize About Exit Planning and Tax-Free Gains

Silent partners can be a powerful asset—or a costly blind spot—when it’s time to sell an auto repair business. In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, host Christine Schaffran sits down with Nick Papakyrikos, CPA, to uncover how smart exit planning, clear agreements, and the right tax structure can turn a future sale into a largely tax-free payday.

From Food Stamps to Small Business of the Year: The Relentless Leadership of Kendall Warnock

Fifteen years ago, Kendall Warnock was a technician with a dream, five T-shirts, and a shop name chosen to land at the front of a phone book. Today, he leads one of Lincoln, Nebraska’s most respected repair facilities and has been named Small Business of the Year. Now he’s bringing his hard-won leadership lessons — built through grit, humility, and nonstop self-development — to Ratchet+Wrench readers as an online columnist in 2026. In this episode, we talk about his journey, his mindset, and why he believes helping others is his true calling.

A Century in Motion: The Veenstra Legacy at 100 Years

For 100 years, Veenstra’s Garage has served its Michigan community through depressions, relocations, sweeping industry change, and four generations of leadership. In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Editor Christine Schaffran sits down with Mike and Jason Veenstra to talk about legacy, modern challenges, the transition from father to son, and what it really takes to keep a shop thriving for a century.

Meet Ratchet+Wrench’s Newest Columnist, Katie French

Katie French’s journey from a Power Wheels–obsessed kid to AAPEX Service Advisor of the Year is anything but ordinary. Now, as she joins Ratchet+Wrench Magazine as an online columnist in 2026, she’s bringing real-world experience, raw honesty, and a deep passion for elevating shop culture. On this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, editor Christine Schaffran sits down with Katie to talk about her early days in the industry, her mission to amplify overlooked voices, and what shop owners can expect from her upcoming columns.

Building the Next Generation: How ASE Foundation Standards Are Shaping Tomorrow's Technicians

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.