Beyond The First Pencil

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Social media isn’t dead—but it’s definitely not what it used to be. In this episode, we dig into the shifting landscape of social platforms and what it means for car dealers trying to stay visible and relevant. Is organic reach a thing of the past? Are paid ads worth the spend? Tune in as we break down what’s working, what’s not, and how to rethink your social media strategy before wasting another dollar—or minute—online.

Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo - Rick Derringer & The Edgar Winter Group | The Midnight Special

a-ha - Take On Me (Official Video) [4K]

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Kathi: [email protected]
Mike: [email protected]

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In this episode, we dig into one of the most overlooked threats to dealership performance: ego-driven leadership. From plummeting morale to costly turnover and stalled growth, unchecked egos can quietly drain profits and poison culture. We’ll explore how to recognize the signs, shift from control to collaboration, and build a team environment where respect—not ego—drives results.

May 19th: Anniversary of Joy Division’s Ian Curtis’ death

Doc series: American Manhunt: Osama Bin Laden

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Kathi: [email protected]

Mike: [email protected]

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Dealership marketers, buckle up—things are shifting again. A new study reveals that desktop usage is making a surprising comeback, throwing a wrench in mobile-first assumptions. Meanwhile, Meta’s unleashing AI bots on Facebook that want to "befriend" your customers (creepy, right?) Google's latest Business Profile update is cracking down on image uploads, and Instagram’s user experience? Let’s just say... it’s seen better days. In this episode, we unpack what these changes mean, how they could impact your store's digital visibility, and what to do next to stay ahead of the chaos.

Twitter: Breaking The Bird documentary

Cyndi Lauper Doc: Let The Canary Sing

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Kathi: [email protected]

Mike: [email protected]

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Many dealerships pour time and money into chasing likes, comments, and shares — but what happens when all that engagement doesn't move a single unit? In this episode, we unpack the myth that social media popularity equals sales success. Learn why focusing on vanity metrics wastes resources and how to shift your strategy toward real-world results that actually drive dealership profitability.

Then, we talk about how in times of uncertainty, hesitation is more dangerous than a wrong decision. We dive into why true leadership demands decisiveness, how delays can cost the dealership its momentum, and why clear direction — even in imperfect conditions — builds stronger teams and better results.

Music+ segment:

• HBO: White Lotus, The Righteous Gemstones
• Lemmy and Motorhead
• (you are going to want to see this one) Cher and Gregg Allman “Love Me” 
• SOSA Undercover

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Kathi: [email protected]

Mike: [email protected]

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Let’s talk about the scary stuff—aka uncertainty. If you’ve been in the car business for more than a minute, you’ve seen your share of storms. We’ve weathered recessions, inventory shortages, interest rate hikes—you name it. And we’ll get through this round too. But seriously... can someone hit pause on the madness?

Now, here’s something that’s been on Kathi’s radar lately: dealers who desperately need accounting help—cleanups, compliance fixes, the works—but hesitate when it comes time to pay experienced professionals what they’re worth. It's like calling the fire department, then arguing about the water bill.

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Kathi: [email protected]

Mike: [email protected]

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Marketing budgets are getting tighter, but the pressure to bring in leads hasn’t let up. In this episode, we break down how dealerships can stretch their marketing dollars further, cut the fluff, and focus on what actually drives traffic and sales. Whether you’re a GM, GSM, or marketing manager, you’ll pick up real-world tips to boost ROI without blowing the budget.

Lily Ray on Twitter

The Pitt (HBO)

Hacks (HBO)

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Kathi: [email protected]

Mike: [email protected]

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What happens when beloved brands make moves that contradict their core identity? In this episode, we dive into Southwest Airlines’ quiet removal of its “First Bag Flies Free” policy and Elon Musk’s increasingly controversial influence on Tesla. From customer trust to brand erosion, we unpack how decisions at the top can ripple through brand equity—and what it really costs when companies stop honoring what made them iconic in the first place.

Music segment:

Who’s listening to full CDs/Albums? We are! Are you?

New Order Power: Corruption & Lies

Pearl Jam: Ten

Cher & Gregg Allman - Love Me (Old Grey Whistle Test, Nov 15, 1977)

Kathi’s must watch: The Righteous Gemstones

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Kathi: [email protected]

Mike: [email protected]

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We are back from hiatus and Mike’s got a new job!

Kathi shares a story to introduce today’s topic around customer experience.

Mike tells us how one simple relationship turned into four car deals and counting.

He also shares a pretty epic real-time 5 star review story from a dealership non-customer.

Here’s the link to the CD player Kathi got

Becoming Katherine Graham documentary on Amazon Prime

Paradise on Hulu

Blue Monday - New Order

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Kathi: [email protected]

Mike: [email protected]

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This week, we circle back to a subject that is near and dear to us: Google My Business, aka Google Business Profiles. These profiles are super helpful in local SEO/search and adding photos regularly is a best practice. SearchLab has just completed a car dealer study and let’s just say, the industry is losing out on some powerful marketing by ignoring even the simple, easy tactics.

We also discuss the possible merger of Honda and Nissan. Something neither of us could have imagined ten years ago. 

Music segment:

The Pogues Red Roses for Me 40th Anniversary in Dublin (Spider Stacy singing lead) The Pogues live at 3Arena, Dublin, 17 Dec 2024 — 'Dirty Old Town'

Documentary: Phil Collins: Drummer First

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Kathi: [email protected]

Mike: [email protected]

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Instagram's recent decision to remove the ability to search by #hashtags marks the end of an era for social media users. In this episode, we reflect on the impact of losing this once-powerful discovery tool. We also explore a growing trend among tech companies — prioritizing features no one asked for, while phasing out the ones that users rely on most.

Music:

Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s chart dominance in 1984

George Jones and Elvis Costello HBO Special (April 28th, 1981)

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Got a question? Email either of us!

Kathi: [email protected]

Mike: [email protected]