Be Differential

In this Thursday Pitstop, Eva unpacks a question she’s hearing more and more across the automotive and motorsports space: How do brands actually stand out right now?

In a landscape shaped by rapid tech shifts, evolving consumer expectations, and constant digital noise, the brands making real impact aren’t the loudest — they’re the most consistent. From Ford Racing’s community-driven storytelling to the rise of community-first marketing, next-gen engagement, and more honest conversations around EV adoption, this episode explores what meaningful brand leadership really looks like today.

This short-form conversation is about long-term thinking, authentic connection, and building something that lasts — whether you’re a brand, a builder, or someone trying to make your mark in the industry.

In this episode of The BeDifferential Podcast, Nick Ellis, Executive Director of the RPM Foundation, shares how RPM is turning classic car restoration into a movement that’s about people, skills, and legacy—not just vehicles. We dive into the urgent need to preserve traditional craftsmanship as many master artisans age out of the industry and explore how RPM’s hands-on apprenticeship program is shaping the next generation of restoration professionals.

Nick explains why restoration teaches lessons you won’t find in any classroom, the risks the collector car world faces if we don’t invest in these skills, and how mentorship and storytelling are central to keeping this craft alive. From connecting with young people who didn’t grow up around cars to balancing historic techniques with modern tools, this conversation sheds light on how preserving restoration skills is also about preserving culture, history, and identity.

Whether you’re a collector, enthusiast, or simply curious about the intersection of craft, legacy, and mentorship, Nick’s insights show why investing in the next generation of restorers matters—for cars and for the people who bring them to life.

Learn more about RPM: https://www.rpm.foundation

January in motorsports feels like a sprint — Daytona sets the tone, inboxes explode, calendars fill, and it seems like the season is already in full gear.

But February? That’s when reality hits. Budgets tighten, travel ramps up, timelines get compressed, and the work shifts from planning to execution. Suddenly, momentum isn’t enough — sustainability becomes the real challenge.

In this Thursday Pitstop episode of the BeDifferential Podcast, we break down how teams, brands, and individuals can survive and thrive once the green flag waves. You’ll hear why feeling “behind” often isn’t true, how to prioritize clarity over busyness, and why pacing yourself matters more than ever in a long, demanding season.

Whether you’re building a career, managing partnerships, leading a small team, or wearing multiple hats, this episode is a reminder that busy doesn’t always mean effective — and that endurance thinking still wins when the calendar fills up.

Momentum is energizing.

Sustainability is what gets you to the finish.

What does it really take to become a professional race car driver — especially if you didn’t start young?

In this episode of The BeDifferential Podcast, host Eva Gregory sits down with Nick DeLucia, founder of Rex Racing, to break down the realities of motorsports careers, driver development, sponsorship, and sustainable racing.

Nick shares how he entered motorsports later than most, why he built Rex Racing to fill a major industry gap, and what aspiring drivers actually need to succeed — beyond talent alone. From mindset and race strategy to sponsorship acquisition and financial sustainability, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the truths most drivers don’t hear.

You’ll learn:

What separates drivers who advance from those who plateau

The biggest misconceptions about motorsports sponsorship

How to fund a racing career realistically

Why mindset, branding, and partner value matter as much as lap times

The skills every aspiring driver should build off the track

How to create long-term success in a competitive racing industry

Whether you’re an aspiring driver, motorsports fan, or industry professional, this episode offers honest insight into what it takes to build a meaningful and sustainable career in racing.

Learn More about Rex Racing on instagram at @rex_racing1

The Rolex 24 at Daytona isn’t just the season opener — it’s a reminder.

In this Thursday Pitstop episode of the BeDifferential Podcast, we pause on what this year’s Rolex 24 continues to reinforce about endurance racing and the motorsports industry as a whole. Beyond the results, Daytona consistently exposes the things that matter most: preparation, adaptability, alignment, and the ability to stay disciplined when conditions change.

This episode reflects on Porsche Penske’s continued success, the impact of weather and extended cautions, and why endurance racing never lets teams hide — eventually, everything you’ve prepared for shows up on track. But more importantly, it connects those lessons to the broader realities many of us are navigating right now: shifting budgets, evolving roles, long-term partnerships, and career sustainability in motorsports and automotive.

From building a career to leading a team or representing a brand, endurance racing offers a powerful framework for long-term growth. It rewards consistency over flash, systems over ego, and teams over individuals.

If you’re navigating a pivot, feeling stretched thin, or questioning whether steady progress still matters — this episode is your reminder that endurance thinking still wins.

What happens when the version of yourself that once felt safe no longer fits?

In this deeply reflective episode of The BeDifferential Podcast, host Eva Gregory sits down with Kristen Angelica Montgomery to explore identity, reinvention, and what it truly means to begin again — especially when the timing doesn’t look “typical.”

Kristen opens up about navigating major life pivots, rebuilding her sense of self, and the quiet (and sometimes uncomfortable) realization that she had outgrown a version of herself she once thought was “enough.” She shares what ultimately gave her permission to pursue racing in her mid-30s, how she learned to trust herself amid uncertainty, and the assumptions she had to unlearn about what was “out of reach” — particularly as a woman entering motorsport later in life.

Together, Eva and Kristen talk candidly about stepping into a traditionally male-dominated space, the moments when simply showing up feels like a form of resistance, and the unexpected gifts that come with being new — curiosity, presence, and intuition. Kristen also reflects on how creativity and storytelling weave into her racing journey, and when she realized her voice mattered, even if it didn’t sound like anyone else’s.

This conversation goes beyond racing. It’s about mental and emotional resilience, protecting your energy while chasing big dreams, redefining success in the present moment, and honoring where you are — not where you think you “should” be.

If you’ve ever felt caught between who you’ve been and who you’re becoming, wondered if it’s “too late” to start something new, or needed reassurance that your path doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s — this episode is for you.

Follow Kristen’s journey on Instagram @kristenangelica, and learn more about Foxtecca, her sponsor at https://foxxtecca.com/

Being differential isn’t about arriving; It’s about choosing yourself, again and again.

Breaking into motorsports doesn’t have to mean breaking yourself. In this episode of the Thursday pitstop, host Eva shares personal insights from her own journey navigating burnout, overcommitment, and the pressure to constantly say yes. She discusses the realities of early careers, financial challenges, and the tension between ambition and sustainability — and offers practical perspective on how to be dependable without sacrificing your well-being.

Whether you are a student, intern, or early career professional in motorsports or automotive, this episode provides honest conversation, validation, and takeaways to help you set boundaries plan, intentionally, and approach your career with both focus and resilience.

In this episode of The BeDifferential Podcast, we sit down with artist Samantha Zimmermann—whose hyper-realistic automotive paintings are so precise they’re often mistaken for photographs—to explore the intersection of art, engineering, and motorsport history.

Growing up in a family immersed in creativity, Samantha shares how that early environment shaped both her artistic eye and her deep connection to racing. From sketching horses as a young artist to discovering a defining moment at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, we trace the path that led her to make motorsport art her life’s work.

Samantha walks us through her creative process in detail—from selecting reference images to building layers of oil paint—and explains why oil became her “happy place” for storytelling and realism. We dive into the artistic decisions behind composing racing scenes filled with motion, emotion, and historical context, as well as her enduring fascination with the machines, liveries, and culture of 1970s and ’80s racing.

She also reflects on creative growing pains, lessons learned the hard way, and how mentors like fellow artist Kelly Telfer helped shape her career. For emerging artists hoping to turn passion into a profession—especially in niche spaces like automotive and motorsport art—Samantha offers candid advice and encouragement.

We wrap with a look at what she’s working on now, plus a fun hypothetical: if Samantha were to design her own race-car livery, what story would it tell?

You can find more of Samantha’s work on Instagram at @zimmy_arts or visit her website at samanthazimmermannart.com.

In this episode of The BeDifferential Podcast, host, Eva Gregory shares her top lessons from nearly a decade in the automotive and motorsport industries, giving listeners a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to succeed. From managing high-pressure events, unexpected challenges, and operational chaos to building authentic, lasting brand partnerships, Eva breaks down the strategies and mindsets that have shaped her career.

Listeners will gain practical insights into adaptability, communication, expectation management, and credibility — essential skills for anyone navigating operations, sponsorships, or leadership roles in automotive and motorsport. Eva also shares memorable anecdotes, including high-stakes moments that tested her problem-solving and leadership under pressure.

Perfect for those already in motorsports, automotive professionals, aspiring industry leaders, and entrepreneurs, this mini episode delivers actionable lessons and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in fast-paced, competitive environments. Tune in to learn how preparation, honesty, and collaboration can transform challenges into opportunities — and why real-world experience matters.

What does it really look like to break into motorsports when you’re still in school and figuring it out as you go?

In this episode of The BeDifferential Podcast, we sit down with Brooke Williams, an IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship team intern with Gradient Racing, to talk candidly about navigating the early stages of a motorsports career — without having all the answers yet.

Brooke shares how she first discovered motorsports as a viable career path, how she balanced college coursework with gaining real-world experience, and the steps she took to land an internship in one of the most competitive paddocks in racing. We dive into what race weekends look like behind the scenes, the responsibilities that surprised her most, and the moments where she felt out of her depth — and what those experiences taught her.

This conversation also explores the importance of asking questions in high-pressure environments, building relationships with mentors and allies, and following up after race weekends to stay connected in a fast-moving industry. Brooke reflects on what success looks like at this stage of her journey, the barriers students still face when trying to break into motorsports, and why hearing stories from people still in it matters just as much as learning from industry veterans.

If you’re a student who loves racing but isn’t sure you’re “qualified enough,” this episode is for you. Brooke’s story is a reminder that you don’t have to have everything figured out — you just have to start.

Because being differential isn’t about arriving fully formed — it’s about showing up, learning loudly, and growing in real time.