Beyond the Wrench

Noah Nelson, Technical Editor at Motor Age Magazine and ASE Master Automobile Technician, is on his way to earning ASE World Class certification and bringing other techs along for the ride. In this episode, he covers how he went from turning wrenches to writing technical articles, the growth mindset driving his pursuit, and how he’s documenting each test to help others prepare. 

Watch the Video Recording on YouTube

About the Episode

• Host: Jay Goninen, ASE, [email protected]
• Guest: Noah Nelson, Motor Age Magazine, [email protected] 

Links & Resources

• Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list
• Episode Sponsor: Jasper Engines & Transmissions
• Watch Noah’s videos on the Vehicle Service and Repair Video Network 

Join the ASE Connects Community

ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more:

• ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers (Free trial for shops until 12/31/26)
• ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free for schools)

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Live from the 2026 Christian Brothers Automotive (CBA) Mastering the Difference (MTD) Conference, host Jay Goninen is joined by special co-hosts Cameron Giddings of Christian Brothers Automotive and George Arrants of the ASE Education Foundation. Together they sit down with two guests who are shaping the future of the industry.

Brandon Steckler, industry trainer, founder of SWAT Training and Diagnostics, and 5th-year MTD instructor, explains how shop culture shapes success on flat rate and why he only teaches the basics. 

Dan Aldrich, Director of Automotive Technical Training at Christian Brothers Automotive, recaps the biggest takeaways from the CBA series. He covers where he wants to see the industry go and why MTD is one of the most energizing events in the industry. 

Watch Full Podcast on YouTube


About the Episode

• Host: Jay Goninen, ASE, [email protected]
• Co-Hosts: Cameron Giddings, Christian Brothers Automotive; George Arrants, ASE Education Foundation 
• Guests: Brandon Steckler, SWAT Training and Diagnostics & Dan Aldrich, CBA

Links & Resources

• Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list

Join the ASE Connects Community

ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more:

• ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers (Free trial for shops until 12/31/26)
• ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free for schools)

Connect with us on social:

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Live from the 2026 Christian Brothers Automotive (CBA) Mastering the Difference (MTD) Conference, host Jay Goninen is joined by special co-hosts Cameron Giddings of Christian Brothers Automotive and George Arrants of the ASE Education Foundation. Together they sit down with three guests who are shaping the future of the industry.

Greg Lee, Master Tech at CBA Mira Mesa, TX, is one of the first mentors in CBA's new Apprentice Career Tracks (ACT) program. He explains why he starts apprentices on big repairs and how he stays with them through every job.

Leah VanWinkle, Service Manager at CBA Knoxville, TN, brings hospitality into the shop. She covers how she manages big technician personalities and protects shop culture.

Andrew Fischer, an industry trainer and first-time MTD instructor, covers how he still wrenches full time and teaches from his own mistakes. 

Watch Full Podcast on YouTube


About the Episode

• Host: Jay Goninen, ASE, [email protected]
• Co-Hosts: Cameron Giddings, Christian Brothers Automotive; George Arrants, ASE Education Foundation 
• Guests: Greg Lee, Leah VanWinkle, and Andrew Fischer

Links & Resources

• Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list

Join the ASE Connects Community

ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more:

• ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers (Free trial for shops until 12/31/26)
• ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free for schools)

Connect with us on social:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• X
• LinkedIn
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Live from the 2026 Christian Brothers Automotive (CBA) Mastering the Difference (MTD) Conference, host Jay Goninen is joined by special co-hosts Cameron Giddings of Christian Brothers Automotive and George Arrants of the ASE Education Foundation. Together they sit down with three guests who are shaping the future of the industry.

Pete Candelaria, Master Technician at CBA and one of the brand's highest-producing techs, shares how he mentors the next generation of technicians while pushing himself to earn ASE World Class status.

Caleb DeGarmo, Service Manager at CBA in Gallatin, TN, and the youngest entrant ever into CBA's Future Franchise Leadership Academy (FFLA), explains how the program has fast-tracked his leadership growth.

Jerry "G" Truglia, Director of Dorman Training and longtime MTD instructor, reflects on 50+ years in the industry, how vehicle technology has evolved, and why techs must continue to learn every day. 

Watch Full Podcast on YouTube


About the Episode

• Host: Jay Goninen, ASE, [email protected]
• Co-Hosts: Cameron Giddings, Christian Brothers Automotive; George Arrants, ASE Education Foundation 
• Guests: Pete Candelaria & Caleb DeGarmo, Christian Brothers Automotive; Jerry "G" Truglia, Dorman Training

Links & Resources

• Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list

Join the ASE Connects Community

ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more:

• ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers (Free trial for shops until 12/31/26)
• ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free for schools)

Connect with us on social:

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John Doonan, President of International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), breaks down why they see themself as the "heartbeat of the auto industry." In this episode, he talks about what makes IMSA's staff and drivers feel like one big family, how IMSA is helping build the next generation of automotive talent through a new career program with ASE, and how strong partnerships with companies keep the series stable.

Watch Full Podcast on YouTube


About the Episode

• Host: Jay Goninen, ASE, [email protected]
• Guest: John Doonan, IMSA, Connect with John on LinkedIn

Links & Resources

• Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list

Join the ASE Connects Community

ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more:

• ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers (Free trial for shops until 12/31/26)
• ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free for schools)

Connect with us on social:

• Facebook
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Lisa Joseph, Director of ASE Connects Schools at ASE, breaks down how ASE Connects (formerly WrenchWay) is helping schools tap into free industry support, and how completing one quick form now enters schools into the $11k Snap-on giveaway. In this episode, she walks through the online platform, how the back-to-school form connects schools with local shops, and gives a sneak peek at Student Profiles coming very soon.

Watch the Full Webinar on Demand

Log in or Create an Account to Complete the Back to School Form to Enter the Snap-on Giveaway (Deadline 10/2)

About the Episode

• Host: Jay Goninen, ASE, [email protected]
• Guest: Lisa Joseph, ASE, [email protected]

Links & Resources

• Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list
• About the Back-to-School Giveaway

Join the ASE Connects Community

ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more:

• ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers (Free trial for shops until 12/31/26)
• ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free for schools)

Connect with us on social:

• Facebook
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Tyler Gallardo, known online as Ty the Car Guy with nearly 1 million followers, breaks down how he turned a mobile mechanic business into a full-time content career. In this episode, he covers his path into the trade, how he grew his business from the ground up, how his first videos unexpectedly took off, and how he handles negativity in the comments without letting it get to him.

Watch the video recording on YouTube

About the Episode

• Host: Jay Goninen, ASE, [email protected]
• Guest: Tyler Gallardo, Ty the Car Guy, [email protected]

Links & Resources

• Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list
• Milwaukee Pipeline
• Sponsor: Jasper Engines & Transmissions

Join the ASE Connects Community

ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more:

• ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers (Free trial for shops until 12/31/26)
• ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free for schools)

Connect with us on social:

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Cole Conrad, Senior Vice President of Product Management at Milwaukee Tool, breaks down how Milwaukee Tool's growth into transportation trades wasn't a step-by-step plan—it was patience and instinct, one tool at a time. In this episode, recorded live at Milwaukee Pipeline 2026, Cole covers the shift into automotive as an all-in focus, how the team decides what's worth building next, and why trusting instinct over data was key to bets like the Hammer Chisel tool.

Watch the video recording on YouTube

About the Episode

• Host: Jay Goninen, ASE, [email protected]
• Guest: Cole Conrad, Milwaukee Tool, [email protected]

Links & Resources

• Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list
• Milwaukee Pipeline

Join the ASE Connects Community

ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more:

• ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers (Free trial for shops until 12/31/26)
• ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free for schools)

Connect with us on social:

• Facebook
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Live from the 2026 Milwaukee Pipeline event, Ryan Mack, Group Product Manager, and Tim Schneider, Assistant Product Manager at Milwaukee Tool, join us to unpack how user frustration drives every product they build. In this episode, they cover the design story behind the M18 FUEL STRIKER, how accessories are engineered around real field use, a new grease gun that solves three key frustrations, and their favorite things about the Pipeline event.

Watch the video recording on YouTube

About the Episode

• Host: Jay Goninen, ASE, [email protected]
• Guests: Ryan Mack, Milwaukee Tool | Tim Schneider, Milwaukee Tool

Links & Resources

• Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list
• Milwaukee Pipeline

Join the ASE Connects Community

ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more:

• ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers (Free trial for shops until 12/31/26)
• ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free for schools)

Connect with us on social:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• X
• LinkedIn
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• TikTok

Michael Coley, President of ASE Education Foundation, breaks down the largest workforce grant the Department of Labor has ever awarded in the transportation service industry. In this episode, he covers what qualifies as a registered apprenticeship program, how the $25 million is expected to be allocated as final details are worked out with the DOL, and the goal of funding 6,000 new apprentice technicians over the next four years.

Watch the video recording

The total cost of the ASE Education Foundation Pay-for-Performance Apprenticeship Program is $25,000,000. $25,000,000 (100%) is funded through a U.S. Department of Labor – Employment and Training Administration grant.

About the Episode

• Host: Jay Goninen, ASE, [email protected]
• Guest: Michael Coley, ASE Education Foundation, [email protected]

Links & Resources

• Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list
• Episode Sponsor: Jasper Engines & Transmissions
• Join ASE's Mailing List to Stay Informed on the Grant

Join the ASE Connects Community

ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more:

• ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers (Free trial for shops until 12/31/26)
• ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free for schools)

Connect with us on social:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• X
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• TikTok