Ratchet+Wrench Radio

Motivation That Moves the Shop Forward

What really drives your team to perform at a higher level? In this episode, Mike Mooney breaks down how shop owners and leaders can move beyond surface-level motivation tactics to build genuine buy-in. From aligning personal and company goals to challenging outdated processes and creating a culture of accountability, he shares actionable strategies to help teams stay engaged, adaptable, and committed to long-term success.
 

From Transactions to Trust

From tracking declined services to asking customers how they prefer to be contacted, Keith Mait, Senior Vice President and Auto Leader at Synchrony, outlines practical steps shops can take right now to turn one-time transactions into lasting relationships. He explains why loyalty isn’t a program—it’s a discipline—and how shops that stay connected between visits with timely, relevant communication will win in an increasingly competitive market.

Give Up What You Don’t Need

A technician crashes two vehicles and causes $14,000 in damage. Instead of punishment, Louie Sharp chose something different.
In Give Up What You Don’t Need, you’ll hear how one decision—to release revenge and lean into leadership—turned a mistake into an investment and transformed an employee into a production manager.
If you’re holding onto anger, fear, control, comparison, or even yesterday’s success, this episode will challenge you to ask one powerful question: What do I need to give up to grow?
Because sometimes the next level of leadership isn’t about doing more—it’s about finally letting go.
 

Work-Life Balance Isn’t a Luxury—It’s a Leadership Skill

Running a shop doesn’t mean living at work. In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, licensed therapist Margaret Light unpacks the mental load of ownership—and how small mindset shifts can help leaders protect their energy, relationships, and businesses.

From “Office Lady” to Industry Advocate: Michelle Pippin on Building Confident Women Leaders in Auto Repair

Michelle Pippin never planned on joining the automotive industry. A broken timing belt on a remote Alaskan highway changed everything. Now, nearly a decade later, she’s leading a movement to intentionally invite, mentor, and empower women in auto repair—and challenging shop owners to rethink how leadership is built inside their businesses.

Recycled, Reliable, Ready: Why Smart Shops Are Turning to Recycled OEM Parts

What if the part your customer needs is already built, already tested, and already on a truck headed your way? In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Vince Edivan and Shannon Nordstrom unpack the real story behind recycled OEM parts—how they’re sourced, certified, and delivered—and why forward-thinking repair shops are using them to protect margins, reduce cycle times, and offer customers good-better-best options that keep cars (and relationships) on the road.

Carrying the Torch: Tonnika Haynes on Leading Brown’s Automotive Into the Next Generation

What happens when your dad hands you the keys to the shop—and the responsibility—before you’re old enough to vote? In this candid conversation, Tonnika Haynes opens up about legacy, leadership, letting go, and why sometimes the best training is being pushed off the boat and told to swim.

Old School, New Speed: Why Two-Way Radios Still Belong in the Modern Auto Repair Shop

Cell phones, texts, shop software—auto repair shops have no shortage of ways to communicate. But are they actually slowing you down? In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, two-way radio expert Stew McClintic talks about why “push-to-talk” technology is still one of the fastest, simplest tools shops can use to improve workflow.

From First Visit to Forever Customer

Customer retention doesn’t happen by accident. In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, business consultant John Waters explains why trust is the real currency of the auto repair industry—and how shop owners can create exceptional experiences that keep customers coming back and referring others.

Fearless to Courageous

He built 14 stores. Then he sold 10 of them—one by one—during one of the toughest economic downturns in modern history.
In Fearless to Courageous, James Baxter reveals the sleepless nights, payroll fears, and hard leadership decisions that reshaped his company—and why focusing on four strong stores made him more profitable than ever before.
If you’re an entrepreneur navigating growth, succession, or tough calls about the future of your business, this episode delivers real-world insight on vision, culture, and the courage it takes to right the ship.