Be Differential

In this Thursday Pit Stop, we take a closer look at Route 66, America’s legendary highway, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026. Before I join The Drive Home to drive a 1967 Pontiac GTO from Tulsa, OK to Detroit, MI, we explore the history, culture, and automotive legacy of the Mother Road.

From its beginnings in 1926, stretching nearly 2,500 miles across eight states, Route 66 has shaped American road trips, car culture, and small-town communities. We dive into its iconic stops, classic diners, motels, and roadside attractions — including famous spots like the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, TX — and examine how this road quietly documented life and mobility in a changing America.

Join me as we reflect on the evolution of Route 66, its impact on the automotive world, and what it means to drive a piece of history today. Whether you’re a car enthusiast, a road trip lover, or curious about the stories behind America’s highways, this episode offers fun facts, history, and perspective from behind the wheel of a classic GTO.

Few drivers have left a mark on American road racing like Tommy Kendall. A multiple-time Trans-Am champion and one of the most dominant sports-car racers of his era, Kendall joins The BeDifferential Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about what it really takes to build a lasting career in motorsport.

We talk about what first pulled him into racing, the mentors who shaped his competitive mindset, and the pivotal moments that defined his path — including the legendary 11-race win streak in 1997. Tommy opens up about handling pressure at a young age, navigating injuries and setbacks, and why sports-car and Trans-Am racing always felt like home.

Now a respected broadcaster and voice of the sport, Kendall also shares how motorsport culture has evolved, what excites him about the future of U.S. road racing, and how veteran voices can help make the sport more accessible to women and younger generations.

Whether you’re a longtime racing fan or someone curious about how to break into motorsport, this episode offers rare perspective from someone who’s lived it — on and off the track.

Kickoff 2026 with the BeDifferential Podcast! In this special first episode of the year host, Eva Gregory reflects on the lessons, challenges, and wins from 2025 while giving a glimpse into what’s ahead. She introduces the Thursday Pit Stop, a new mini-episode series designed to share quick insights, reflections, and behind-the-scenes lessons from her decade in the automotive and motorsport world. From career takeaways to personal reflections, this episode sets the tone for a year of growth, curiosity, and action. Here’s to a year of BEing Differential.

In this episode of The BeDifferential Podcast, we sit down with Chelsea Giffin—Motorsport Business Professional, IMSA paddock veteran, Team Manager, performance driving coach, and pastry chef (yes, really!)—for an honest, behind-the-scenes look at life inside professional sports car racing.

Chelsea shares how she broke into the motorsport world and climbed her way through roles such as fueller, tire technician, spotter, and team manager, revealing which roles pushed her the most and what a race-weekend “day in the life” actually looks like.

We explore the realities of leading a team under pressure, managing logistics and personalities, and mentoring the next generation entering IMSA and North American motorsports. Chelsea offers invaluable advice for young people trying to enter the paddock—and candid insights into what separates the high-performing teams from those that struggle.

Beyond the racetrack, Chelsea opens up about her entrepreneurial projects, micro-bakery, coaching background, and how creativity and business ownership unexpectedly complement the intensity of motorsport life. We also discuss work–life balance, burnout, passion, and the importance of building spaces where more women and diverse talent feel welcome in paddock operations.

We close with her thoughts on the future of IMSA, industry trends that excite her most, and where she sees opportunities for innovation behind the scenes.

Whether you're dreaming of working in motorsports, fascinated by team operations, or passionate about uplifting new voices in racing, this conversation is filled with real stories, practical insights, and inspiration from someone who’s lived every angle of the paddock.

In this episode of The BeDifferential Podcast, Julie Giese—one of motorsport’s most respected executives—shares the journey that led her from a dairy farm in Colby, Wisconsin, to shaping some of NASCAR’s most ambitious modern events. Julie reflects on the work ethic forged in her early years, the moment she realized motorsports was where she wanted to build her career, and how those foundations continue to guide her leadership in high-pressure environments.

We dive into her experience leading major properties like Phoenix Raceway and the groundbreaking Chicago Street Race—an event that exceeded expectations and redefined what a NASCAR weekend could look like. Julie breaks down what fueled the event’s success, how she balances community impact with fan experience, and the lessons she’s carrying forward as the race pauses for strategic refinement in 2026.

Throughout the conversation, Julie offers insight into what “authentic leadership” means to her, the misconceptions people often have about leading large-scale events, and the trends she’s watching as NASCAR continues to evolve. She also shares stories about key mentors who shaped her journey, how she supports the next generation of industry leaders, and the legacy she hopes to leave behind.

This episode is a candid look at grit, vision, community, and the intentional leadership behind some of NASCAR’s most transformative moments.

From karting in Australia to competing across Europe, GT racing, and the W Series, Caitlin Wood has built a career defined by courage, adaptability, and determination. In this episode, she shares the pivotal moments that shaped her path, the challenges of moving between racing categories, and the lessons learned through both pressure and perseverance.

We also explore her work as a mentor and role model, the importance of STEM in motorsport, and how she uses storytelling and media to make the sport more accessible. Caitlin opens up about misconceptions in racing, the future trends that excite her, and what being “different” truly means in a sport that demands constant evolution.

Go behind the pit wall with Anja Kempermann, Team Coordinator at Porsche Penske Motorsport, whose nearly 30-year career in motorsport has been defined by precision, teamwork, and adaptability. From coordinating global logistics to managing the rhythm of race week, Anja offers a rare glimpse into what it takes to keep one of racing’s most iconic teams performing at its peak.

She shares how she fosters a supportive, positive, and efficient atmosphere across the team, what it takes to stay composed under pressure, and how the world of motorsport operations continues to evolve. Through her experience, Anja reflects on building a lasting career as a woman in racing—and how resilience and calm in chaos keep a team moving forward on and off the track.

ABB E-mobility’s Rebecca Vollmann sits at the intersection of innovation and accessibility — engineering the future of public charging while helping shape the next generation of STEM leaders.

In this episode, Rebecca joins The BeDifferential Podcast to share how her unconventional path into engineering began with limited access to STEM education, and how that experience fuels her mission to make the field more inclusive. She opens up about mentorship through SAE, the lessons learned from bridging technology and people, and what excites her most about the future of electric mobility.

From redefining car culture to rethinking how we build opportunity, Rebecca’s story reminds us that the most powerful connections — whether electric or human — are the ones that keep us all moving forward.

From go-karts in New York to instructing at ProFormance and DirtFish, Jack Ramie has turned his passion for driving into a career that blends racing, coaching, and storytelling. In this episode, we dive into Jack’s journey — from discovering that motorsport could be more than a hobby, to shaping the next generation of drivers, to creating Cascade Edge Motorsport, a platform highlighting the people and stories that make motorsport come alive.

Jack shares what he wishes every new performance driver knew before hitting the track, the lessons rally and road racing have taught him about control and focus, and the moments that made him rethink his approach to racing and teaching. We also explore how his generation is reshaping motorsport culture, why vulnerability and failure are becoming essential parts of the conversation, and the advice he carries through every lap.

Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast, a budding driver, or just curious about the human side of motorsport, Jack’s insight offers guidance, inspiration, and a behind-the-scenes look at the sport’s evolving landscape.

Tune in to hear:

How Jack turned a hobby into a full-time career in driving and coaching

The most rewarding moments of teaching and mentoring students

Stories from the track that challenged him, inspired him, and reshaped his perspective

What’s next for motorsport’s next wave of storytellers