Ratchet+Wrench Radio

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.

Fire Safety 2.0: The Risks Your Shop Can’t Afford to Ignore

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.

Bridging the Technician Gap: How Shops Can Adapt to the Industry’s Biggest Disruption

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.

Mind Your Business

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.

The Power of Support: Building Strong Connections for Mental Health in the Automotive Industry

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.