Ratchet+Wrench Radio

The "I Will" Attitude

In Episode 4 of our Endeavor 2 Discover series, Chris Messer, Executive Vice President of Endeavor Business Media’s Transportation Group is joined once again by Mike Jones, President and CEO of Discover Leadership.
Today’s topic is all about the I Will Attitude—what it means to replace words like I think or I’ll try with the confidence of I will. It’s a simple shift in language that can change the way you lead, the way you work, and the way you show up every day.

Who is Rob the Blonde Mechanic?

Meet Robin Reneau—once a single mom who didn’t know how to check a dipstick and went through three broken-down cars in four years. Fast forward to today: she’s the first Black woman mechanic to own an independent repair shop in Georgia, running Rob the Blonde Mechanic, LLC. Robin’s journey from high school dropout to shop owner and community leader is all about resilience, representation, and proving what’s possible when you refuse to shrink yourself.

Long Live Your Story

In today’s episode, we’re diving into one of the biggest challenges shop owners face: cutting through the nonstop noise of media and actually connecting with customers. With so many flashy ads and constant messages hitting us from every direction, how do you make your shop stand out?
The answer might surprise you — it’s not about being the loudest, but about telling a better story. In today’s conversation with Lola Schmidt of Schmidt Auto Care, we’ll explore how to define your brand’s tone, engage with your community, and keep your marketing story alive. By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with practical steps to build a brand that people trust, remember, and come back to. Long live your story!

Christian Brothers' $12M Investment in Training Excellence

This week, host Chris Jones sits down with Michael Suttle, chief development officer at Christian Brothers Automotive, to explore how this growing franchise is revolutionizing technician training in the automotive repair industry.
In this episode, Michael shares the exciting details behind Christian Brothers' $12 million investment in a state-of-the-art 14,000-square-foot technology and training center, set to open in 2027. Discover how this facility will help their 315 locations stay ahead of rapidly evolving vehicle technology, particularly in the critical area of advanced driver assistance systems.

Tech Talk: R-1234yf in Focus – Regulations, Innovations, and Industry Insights

In this episode of Ratchet + Wrench Radio, we sit down with Natalie Dixon, PhD, who leads the technology and marketing teams focused on advancing Chemours’ Opteon™ portfolio, to cut through the myths, answer common technician questions and break down what every shop owner needs to know about R-1234yf. 

Conquering Your Fear of Speaking: From One-on-Ones to Keynotes

Fear of public speaking affects 75% of Americans, but for automotive shop owners, effective communication isn't optional—it's essential for success.
In this episode of Ratchet and Wrench Radio, host Chris Jones sits down with leadership communications trainer Dave Brown of SDB Leadership to tackle the communication challenges that hold shop owners back.
Whether you're delivering difficult news to a customer, conducting one-on-one meetings with employees, or presenting to a group, Brown reveals why every conversation is essentially a public speaking event. He shares actionable strategies for reframing your mindset, building genuine confidence, and overcoming imposter syndrome.
Brown is the closing keynote speaker at the 2025 Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference.

Lead From the Frontlines

Chris Messer, executive vice president of the transportation group at Endeavor Business Media—Ratchet+Wrench's parent company, sits down once again with leadership coach Mike Jones of Discover Leadership to tackle the powerful concept of frontline leadership — what it means to lead from the front, why vision and accountability matter, and how every member of a team, regardless of title, has the opportunity to be the leader in their role.

Digital Inspections: How DVI and MAP Standards Are Transforming Auto Shop Trust

Join Chris as he sits down with Jeff Cox, President of the Automotive Maintenance and Repair Association, and Andrew Car from SSI to explore the game-changing world of Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVI). Learn how the Motorist Assurance Program (MAP) is setting industry standards for repair recommendations, and discover why shops using visual DVIs see triple the approval rates for their recommendations.
From eliminating "shop speak" to giving customers the tools they need to make informed decisions, this episode reveals how technology is building unprecedented trust between auto shops and their customers. Whether you're a shop owner still using paper inspections or looking to optimize your digital workflow, you'll walk away understanding why pictures truly are worth a thousand words—and potentially thousands in additional revenue.

Tale of Two Shops: The Great Turnaround of 2025

In this episode, Mike Bennett takes us on a deep dive into the auto repair industry's remarkable 2025 journey—from the challenging spring months when consumer confidence plummeted to the record-breaking summer that has shops back on track for projected growth.
This episode explores the economic forces shaping the industry, from tariff impacts to electricity cost surges, and reveals the strategies successful shops are using to build stronger customer relationships while navigating financial uncertainty.
Mike shares valuable insights on how the aging vehicle fleet is creating massive opportunities, with nearly 250 million vehicles over four years old representing the industry's primary market. The conversation covers innovative financing solutions, supply chain strategies, and the critical importance of adapting presentation techniques to serve customers across different economic segments.

The Four Pillars of Success

 In this Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference teaser episode, Kinja Dixon reveals how his doctor's orders and a moment of vanity sparked a transformation that led to international sales awards, early retirement at 34, and becoming a sought-after speaker who's inspired thousands worldwide. Dixon discusses his Four Pillar system (Purpose, Health, Emotions, Knowledge) and why change is happening whether we choose it or not.