Host Shasta Haddock kicks off Day 2 at NADA 2026 with a high-energy session featuring Michelle Phelps and Thomas Mancuso from Podium. In this episode, Thomas (not Scott!) breaks down the massive shift in dealership technology—moving away from generic, "canned" AI responses to intelligent AI agents that actually understand context. He introduces "Jerry," Podium’s AI agent that lives and interacts in real-time, providing the personalized experience today's car buyers expect. If you’re tired of chat tools that frustrate customers rather than helping them, this conversation on the future of AI-driven communication is a must-watch.

#ImACarChick #NADA2026 #ThomasMancuso #Podium #AIAgents #DealershipTech #CustomerExperience #AutoIndustry

Host Shasta Haddock goes global at NADA 2026 with Matthias Stoever, a visionary joining the show all the way from Hamburg, Germany. Matthias shares his unique perspective on the differences between the European and American automotive markets, the universal challenges of digital transformation, and why data is the international language of success. They discuss the rapid evolution of AI tools in the retail space and why, regardless of where you are in the world, the "human touch" remains the most valuable asset in the car business. Whether you’re curious about international car culture or the future of global auto-tech, this cross-continental conversation is a must-watch.

#ImACarChick #NADA2026 #MatthiasStoever #GlobalAutomotive #AutoTech #DigitalTransformation #InternationalBusiness

Host Shasta Haddock is joined by Heidi McMillen, Chief Revenue Officer at OttoMoto, live from the Authenticom booth at NADA 2026. In this candid and high-energy conversation, Heidi shares what it’s really like to be in charge of the money, the employees, and everything in between. Drawing from her 25 years of experience married to a car dealer, she discusses the versatility required of women in the industry and how OttoMoto is helping dealerships thrive. From "marrying the boss" to "becoming the boss," Heidi delivers a refreshing perspective on leadership, family, and staying sober in the whirlwind of a Las Vegas convention.

#ImACarChick #NADA2026 #HeidiMcMillen #OttoMoto #ChiefRevenueOfficer #WomenInAutomotive #DealerLife

Host Shasta Haddock sits down with Ashley Cavazos, a powerful voice in the automotive industry, live from the floor of NADA 2026. Ashley discusses her mission to empower women and bridge the gap in leadership within dealerships. They dive into the importance of mentorship, building a strong "girl gang" in a male-dominated field, and how intentional leadership can transform dealership culture. Whether you’re an aspiring leader or a seasoned professional looking to diversify your team, Ashley’s insights on empowerment and growth are the blueprint for a more inclusive and successful automotive future.

#ImACarChick #NADA2026 #AshleyCavazos #WomenInAutomotive #Leadership #Empowerment #DealerStrategy #Mentorship

Host Shasta Haddock is joined by the industry’s favorite duo, Fred Lennartz and Lou Ramirez of Car Guy Coffee, live from the floor of NADA 2026. Known as the "Certified Solutionaries," Fred and Lou break down why 2026 is officially the year of collaboration in the automotive world. They discuss moving past the "vendor vs. dealer" stigma, the energy of a record-breaking Las Vegas show, and why the "more beans we brew with, the better" philosophy is the key to driving the industry forward. If you want to hear from two of the most connected guys in the business about where the "authentic love" in automotive is heading, this high-octane episode is a must-watch.

#ImACarChick #NADA2026 #CarGuyCoffee #FredAndLou #Solutionaries #AutomotiveCollaboration #DealerStrategy

Host Shasta Haddock welcomes Courtney Doll from CP Handheld Technologies to the booth at NADA 2026 for a deep dive into the "clean data" side of the dealership. Courtney explains how CP Handheld helps automotive controllers move from manual headaches to seamless, automated inventory reconciliation. They discuss the critical importance of being "audit-ready" for floor plan inspections, how GPS locating systems are saving dealers time and money, and why clean reporting is the secret to a happy CFO. If you’ve ever struggled with month-end closing or floor plan anxiety, Courtney’s insights on empowering controllers through better tech are exactly what you need to hear.

#ImACarChick #NADA2026 #CourtneyDoll #InventoryManagement #FloorPlanAudit #CPHandheld #DealershipOperations

Host Shasta Haddock sits down with Todd Smith, CEO of QoreAI and a lifelong "car guy," live at NADA 2026. Todd shares the pivotal moment in late 2024 when he realized AI agents were about to change everything—moving beyond simple chat to actually "using" computers to fill out forms and navigate sites. They discuss his new book, The Intelligent Dealership, and why the foundation of any AI strategy must be rock-solid data hygiene. Todd breaks down how Authenticom acts as the critical "go-between" for disparate data systems and why dealers who embrace these tools now will lead the industry in the years to come.

#ImACarChick #NADA2026 #ToddSmith #CoreAI #TheIntelligentDealership #AIAgents #AutomotiveData

Host Shasta Haddock is joined by the one and only Michael Cirillo, host of The Dealer Playbook and a leading voice at ASOTU, live from the Authenticom booth at NADA 2026. Despite years of collaboration, this marks Michael’s first official appearance on the I’m a Car Chick podcast. In this candid conversation, Michael challenges the industry to drop the "negative vendor stigma," reminding everyone—from dealership staff to software providers—that "we are all vendors" working toward the same goal. They explore the power of intentionality in branding, the physical toll of a high-energy NADA week, and why the industry moves forward faster when everyone finds a common point of alignment.

#ImACarChick #NADA2026 #MichaelCirillo #TheDealerPlaybook #ASOTU #AutomotiveLeadership #IndustryAlignment

Host Shasta Haddock welcomes back "four-timer" guest Matt Raymond, founder of Bow Tie Auto Solutions, live from the Authenticom booth at NADA 2026. In this high-energy reunion, Matt tackles the biggest misconception in the industry: that you can "set and forget" your BDC. He breaks down why a true partnership beats a standard vendor relationship every time, the importance of "showing up" for your dealers, and how to build a BDC that actually moves the needle on results. Plus, stay tuned for the lowdown on why Matt is trading Facebook for LinkedIn—and where you can find the best dad jokes in automotive.

Host Shasta Haddock welcomes Dimitrius Naylor, the "Equity King" and CEO of Dimitrius Naylor Consulting, to the I’m a Car Chick podcast live from NADA 2026. In this high-velocity episode, Dimitrius breaks down why the service drive is the most underutilized goldmine in the dealership. He dives into the "Service-to-Sales" transition, explaining how to identify high-equity customers and why the "equity" conversation is about more than just a monthly payment—it's about wealth management for the consumer. From fixing broken hand-off processes between fixed ops and sales to the mindset shift required to buy cars effectively from your own backyard, Dimitrius delivers a masterclass in modern dealership profitability.

#ImACarChick #NADA2026 #DimitriusNaylor #ServiceToSales #EquityMining #FixedOps #AutoRetail #DealerStrategy