Ratchet+Wrench Radio
Ratchet+Wrench Radio offers four tracks each month that explore the industry's biggest trends, most pressing topics, and the leadership and business management tips and strategies you need to thrive.
Episodes
SEMA is big enough to be overwhelming—especially if you're trying to squeeze everything into four days. So, what should independent shop owners actually see and do? Tom Gattuso, vice president of events for SEMA, joins us to break down the show floor, education, technology, networking, and the experiences shop owners won't want to miss.
R-1234yf is already in the service bays, but is your shop ready to make the most of the opportunity? Natalie Dixon of Chemours explores what shops need to know about R-1234yf service, the potential to retrofit eligible R-134a vehicles, and the importance of proper procedures and preventing refrigerant cross-contamination. Plus, learn what Chemours has planned for AAPEX, including a chance to win an R-1234yf recovery, recycle and re...
AAPEX can be overwhelming for any shop owner — thousands of exhibitors, hundreds of education sessions, new technology, networking opportunities and plenty to see on the show floor. So how can independent shop owners make the most of their time in Las Vegas? In this episode, we preview AAPEX 2026 with Mark Bogdansky and look at how owners can approach the show with a plan, find education and resources that address their busin...
Finding technicians is hard. Keeping them is even harder. This episode explores why the most successful shops are shifting their focus from recruiting alone to creating careers employees don't want to leave.
Every shop owner has wondered why a technician really left. Was it the pay? The culture? The workload? Or something they never heard about? After nearly three decades recruiting technicians, Joe Henry has heard the stories candidates don't tell their employers. He joins Ratchet+Wrench Radio to reveal the red flags that drive technicians away, what today's candidates actually want and how shops can become employers technicians recom...
Many shop owners set out to build a business but end up building themselves a job. Chris Knuth knows that trap firsthand. In The Owner's Manual, he shares the lessons he learned moving from technician to shop owner to entrepreneur and investor — and explains why the biggest obstacle to a shop running without its owner may be the owner himself. In this episode, Knuth breaks down the mindset shifts, systems and leadership pract...
Training shouldn't end when the class does. Ellie Pentland of Throttle Muscle shares how repair shop owners can build more effective training programs by setting clear goals, keeping employees focused and following up consistently.
Your parking lot is full. Your sales look good. So why does it feel like your shop isn’t moving forward? Jim Saeli explains how owners can spot the difference between activity and real growth, identify the bottlenecks holding their shops back and build the systems, teams and habits needed to reach the next level.
As more electric vehicles hit the road, they're reshaping more than repair procedures—they're changing how disabled vehicles reach your shop in the first place. Jeff Wiener, COO of Nation Safe Drivers, joins the podcast to explain why most EV roadside calls aren't caused by mechanical failures, why flatbed towing is becoming increasingly important, and how repair shops can prepare for a future where energy management, rather ...
Giving back can do more than support a good cause—it can also strengthen your shop's reputation and deepen customer loyalty. In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Christine Schaffran talks with Adam Sutton, CEO of DX3 Brands and RNR Tire Express, about how shop owners can turn community involvement into a strategic advantage by creating meaningful, authentic connections in their local markets.
"Run it like you own it" has become a common phrase in independent repair shops, but what does it actually mean? In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Bill Snow of Rad Air in Strongsville, Ohio, unpacks why giving managers responsibility without authority, expectations without training, and accountability without clear boundaries often sets them up to fail. From promoting top technicians into leadership roles to teaching financi...
Finding the right part has long been one of the biggest friction points in the repair process. Multiple searches, outdated systems, phone calls and inconsistent data can slow down repairs and create uncertainty. United Recyclers Group CEO Kristi Werner joins Ratchet+Wrench Radio to discuss the launch of Auto Part Search — a new platform designed to make finding and purchasing recycled OEM parts faster, easier and more reliabl...
Selling a shop isn't just a transaction—it's a transition. For many owners, their business represents decades of sacrifice, identity, relationships, and purpose. In this episode, Scott Anderson, president and COO of GreatWater 360 Auto Care, shares what shop owners should expect emotionally when considering an exit, how they can prepare themselves and their teams, and what life can look like on the other side.
A fender bender that turns into a financial crisis? It's happening more often than many drivers realize. On this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Dr. Blaire O'Neal, author of Totaled: The Real Cost of Vehicle Loss, explores why moderate collisions increasingly result in total losses. From advanced vehicle technology and parts pricing to insurance thresholds and consumer awareness, O'Neal explains the economic forces changing the fu...
The technician shortage isn't just a pipeline problem—it's a workplace challenge. While more students are pursuing skilled trades than in recent years, many independent shops are still struggling to hire and keep young technicians. Drawing on findings from the latest technician supply and demand report from TechForce Foundation, Jennifer Maher explains why Gen Z is rethinking traditional career paths, what today's technicians...
Fleet vehicles can't make money when they're sitting in a shop. In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Dan Autey, head of automotive aftermarket at Stryten Energy, breaks down the growing complexity of today's vehicle electrical systems, why battery health is becoming critical to fleet uptime, and how shops can position themselves as trusted fleet partners. From start-stop technology and advanced battery systems to technician tra...
Why do employees stay at a company for 25, 40, even 50 years? In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Josh Wilber discusses the hiring and retention lessons behind Grote Industries’ 125-year legacy. From identifying future leaders and navigating generational shifts to avoiding costly hiring compromises, Wilber shares practical strategies shop owners can use right now to build stronger teams, improve retention, and create a w...
Giving back can do more than support a good cause—it can also strengthen your shop's reputation and deepen customer loyalty. In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Christine Schaffran talks with Adam Sutton, CEO of DX3 Brands and RNR Tire Express, about how shop owners can turn community involvement into a strategic advantage by creating meaningful, authentic connections in their local markets.
Congress recently advanced legislation addressing Right to Repair, but the final language looks much different than what independent repair advocates originally sought. Bill Hanvey, president and CEO of the Auto Care Association, joins Ratchet+Wrench Radio to explain what made it into the bill, what was left out, what happens next, and how shop owners can help shape the future of vehicle data access and consumer choice.
In the final episode of Financial Future of Independent Auto Repair, CPA Nick Papakyrikos connects the dots between profitability, shop valuation, and long-term wealth creation. From the “Rule of 130” to the power of a “second bite of the apple,” Nick breaks down how shop owners can turn a successful business into generational wealth—while avoiding the mistakes that leave too much risk tied up in one a...
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