Keep The Change

If you’ve ever looked around your business and thought, “Why does it feel like we’re working so hard… but something still feels off?” this conversation is for you.

Adam Marburger is one of those rare guys who can talk growth without hype, leadership without ego, and success without pretending the cost doesn’t exist. He’s the CEO of Ascent Dealer Services, a bestselling author, a Brazilian jujitsu black belt, a father, and someone whose faith and character actually show up in real life, not just on a stage.

In this conversation, Adam and I unpack the subtle leadership mistakes that quietly destroy teams, why some organizations scale while others stay stuck, and the mindset shift that changed the trajectory of Adam’s life and business.

We also get into:

•  the leadership habit that quietly destroys culture
•  why trying to do everything yourself will eventually break your company
•  the mindset shift that changed how Adam approaches pressure, competition, and failure
•  how discipline, humility, and even martial arts shaped the way he leads today

And toward the end, Adam shares one piece of advice about forgiveness and purpose that is honestly a game cahnger.

If you lead people, build teams, or care about the kind of impact your life is making…

this conversation will challenge you.

Enjoying the show? Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast players!

• Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/keep-the-change/id1622521488
• Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xcQk7kNGNOnWuZ14aDkWC

Connect with Adam Marburger

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-marburger/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adampmarburger/?hl=en

Connect with Bart Nollenberger:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bart-nollenberger-4949405a/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BartNollenbergerCoaching

If you’ve been around this show for a while, you know I love a good solo episode.

But this week? I get to sit down with one of the most class-act humans I’ve met in this industry, Rob Ruth from Bob Ruth Ford in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania. And I’m telling you… the more conversations we have on Keep The Change, the more I’m convinced this is why I love podcasting. Because you don’t just hear “success.” You get to hear what it’s made of.

In this conversation, Rob and I unpack what it really takes to grow from a small store doing 50–60 cars a month into a high-volume operation selling hundreds… without burning out your people or wrecking your family life.

We talk about:

• Why Rob made it his mission to change the reputation of dealerships by changing the experience for employees and customers
• What “servant leadership” looks like when it’s not a slogan, but a daily practice
• The five levels of leadership (Maxwell) and why people development is the level most leaders never truly reach
• How structure and accountability (daily plans, one-on-ones, team leaders) can produce elite results without “bell to bell” chaos
• Why the future isn’t “get them in the door”… it’s helping people before they ever step in the showroom
• The behind-the-scenes story of how Rob built a massive buy center starting with nothing but his cellphone and Facebook Marketplace 
• A powerful truth about love in business: it’s not a feeling, it’s an action… and it changes everything

If you’re a dealer, a manager, a leader, or even just someone trying to build something that lasts, this episode will challenge you in the best way. It’s one of those conversations that makes you stop and rethink what you’ve been tolerating as “normal”… and what might be possible if you built the right structure and started leading people like they matter.

Enjoying the show? Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast players!

• Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/keep-the-change/id1622521488
• Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xcQk7kNGNOnWuZ14aDkWC

Connect with Rob Ruth

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rob.ruth77/

Connect with Bart Nollenberger:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bart-nollenberger-4949405a/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BartNollenbergerCoaching

What if the biggest thing holding your business back isn’t your strategy… but your culture?

In this episode of Keep The Change, I’m pulling one from the archives with one of my favorite humans on the planet, Euse Mita. He’s the Chairman of Icona Resorts, a former top leader at Half-a-Car, and the kind of leader whose presence just calms the room while still calling you higher.

And here’s what I love about this conversation: it’s not theory. It’s lived. It’s practical. It’s heart-first leadership with real-world proof.

What we get into

We talk about the difference between running a business from your head versus leading from your heart, and why so many companies can’t even explain their culture (because… they don’t actually have one).

Euse breaks down what it looks like to build a mission people can sink their teeth into, not corporate “blah blah,” and why repetition is the foundation of learning (weekly training, not yearly pep talks).

He shares how Icona’s culture is so clear that anyone on the team can explain it, from the GM to the dishwasher, and how that culture has helped their hotels rank #1 in their markets on TripAdvisor because guests don’t just feel served… they feel loved.

We also go straight into the dealership world and how leaders can create harmony across departments (think: an orchestra, not a bunch of competing sections), why appreciation is a leadership superpower, and why using someone’s name might be one of the simplest culture-builders you’ve forgotten.

And then we go deeper into faith, discipline, and what it looks like to live with a plan, not just for money or health, but spiritually too.

This is the kind of episode you don’t just listen to.

You replay it.

Because it reminds you what leadership is supposed to feel like.

Enjoying the show? Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast players!

• Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/keep-the-change/id1622521488
• Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xcQk7kNGNOnWuZ14aDkWC

Connect with Bart Nollenberger:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bart-nollenberger-4949405a/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BartNollenbergerCoaching

Culture isn’t what’s written on the wall.
It’s what people feel when pressure hits.

In this solo episode of Keep The Change, I go deeper than I usually do. Just a real, honest conversation about what culture actually looks like when it shows up every single day in meetings, in one-on-ones, and in the moments that matter most.

If you think culture is a mission statement, a handbook, or a poster in the breakroom, this episode will challenge you. Because culture doesn’t live at the corporate level. It lives at the manager level. And whether people feel valued, trusted, and motivated has far more to do with leadership behavior than policies or pay plans.

What we talk about in this episode:

• Why culture is not what leaders intend, but what people experience
• How two managers under the same roof can create completely different workplaces
• A real story from my early dealership days that changed how I think about leadership
• What Gallup research reveals about managers and employee engagement
• Why “love at work” isn’t soft, sentimental, or lowering the bar
• What culture scorecards reveal that leaders often don’t see coming
• Why awareness, not skill, is usually the real leadership gap
• How great leaders hold people accountable without crushing trust
• The shift every modern leader must make from boss to coach

This episode is for leaders who genuinely want to grow.
For managers who care about results and people.
And for anyone willing to ask the harder question: “What’s my role in the culture we’re creating?”

If you lead people, this conversation will hit close to home.
And if it resonates, share it with someone who does.

Because culture doesn’t change by accident.
 It changes when leaders choose to grow.

Let’s go. Let’s grow.

Enjoying the show? Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast players!

• Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/keep-the-change/id1622521488
• Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xcQk7kNGNOnWuZ14aDkWC
• Connect with Bart Nollenberger:
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bart-nollenberger-4949405a/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BartNollenbergerCoaching

What if the thing holding your business back isn’t strategy… but communication?

Before you scroll past this episode thinking, “Ahhh, culture stuff isn’t my thing,” hear me out, because what we’re really talking about here is profit, performance, and people actually wanting to work with you.

In this solo episode of Keep the Change, I pull back the curtain on something most leaders avoid until it’s costing them real money: organizational culture. More specifically, I walk through the Cultural Impact Scorecard — a 360°, anonymous assessment that reveals what your team actually experiences every day… not just what leadership thinks is happening.

And trust me, the gap between those two can be expensive.

Here’s what we get into:

• The 10 key culture drivers every dealership and business should be paying attention to
• Why communication and continuous learning are the two most common (and dangerous) breakdowns I see after 40 years in this industry
• Real-world examples of how strong results can hide weak leadership habits
• The Three Cs of Communication (Connect, Convey, Check) — and how they eliminate conflict before it explodes
• Why “we had a sales meeting” is not the same as developing your people
• How personality styles (DISC) silently sabotage teams that otherwise like each other
• And the uncomfortable truth: if your people aren’t growing, your business eventually won’t either

This episode isn’t theory. It’s field-tested. It’s what I’ve seen work — and fail — inside real dealerships, real leadership teams, and real businesses that wanted the next level but couldn’t quite break through.

Schedule your complimentary 15-minute strategy call: https://calendly.com/bartcoach/15min

Enjoying the show? Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast players!

• Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/keep-the-change/id1622521488
• Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xcQk7kNGNOnWuZ14aDkWC

Connect with Bart Nollenberger:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bart-nollenberger-4949405a/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BartNollenbergerCoaching

What if the car business wasn’t just about cars… but about calling, transformation, and legacy?

In this episode of Keep the Change, I finally sit down with someone I’ve been chasing for a while, not because he was hiding, but because he’s been too busy changing lives. Frank Lopes is a 30-year automotive veteran, CEO of Strong30 Automotive, marketing pioneer, leadership coach, and one of the most passionate advocates I know for the people inside the dealership walls.

This isn’t a tactical “sell more cars” conversation.

This is a real, unfiltered discussion about transformation of mindset, leadership, faith, and purpose.

Frank takes us from sweeping floors as the son of Portuguese immigrants to working side-by-side with Gary Vaynerchuk in the earliest days of digital media… and then through failure, bankruptcy, redemption, and a renewed mission to transform 10,000 lives (and then realizing that number was thinking way too small).

We also unpack:

• Why “Thank God for the car business” is more than a slogan, it’s a declaration
• How Frank’s immigrant upbringing shaped generations of opportunity
• The leadership lesson behind asking “Why so low?” (even after selling 47 cars in a month)
• What Gary Vaynerchuk challenged Frank to do and why saying no still haunts him
• Why past results have nothing to do with your future
• How real leaders stop managing frustration and start transforming people
• The power of one-on-one leadership as the ultimate growth multiplier
• Why the ceiling you’re staring at is probably made of paper

This episode is deep. It’s emotional. It’s practical. And it’s one of those conversations that doesn’t just motivate you, it reorients you.

Enjoying the show? Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast players!

• Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/keep-the-change/id1622521488
• Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xcQk7kNGNOnWuZ14aDkWC

Connect with Frank Lopes

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankjlopes/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getmorefrank/?hl=en

Connect with Bart Nollenberger:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bart-nollenberger-4949405a/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BartNollenbergerCoaching

There’s a moment every leader faces, when waiting is no longer an option.
No excuses. No blaming the market. No hiding behind “I’m not ready.”
You either step up… or your habits step in for you.

In this solo episode of Keep the Change, I share one of the most powerful leadership lessons of my life, through a story I watched unfold up close. It’s the story of my mom, who at 59 years old was suddenly thrust into leadership she didn’t ask for, in an industry on the brink of collapse. What happened next didn’t just save a business, it revealed how leadership habits quietly shape culture, and how culture always shows up in profits.

In this episode, we unpack:

• Why pressure doesn’t create character, it reveals habits
• How awareness (not action) is the real starting point of change
• The subtle leadership habits that quietly shape culture, for better or worse
• Why asking beats telling and listening builds trust faster than authority ever will
• The difference between intention, decision, and commitment (and why most leaders stop too soon)
• How coaching conversations unlock ownership instead of defensiveness
• Why developing people is the strongest predictor of long-term performance
• And the hard truth every leader needs to hear: culture isn’t what you intend—it’s what your people experience

If you’re leading a team, running a business, or feeling the weight of responsibility heavier than ever, this episode will challenge how you think about habits, communication, accountability, and growth.

Because when leadership becomes unavoidable, the only thing you can fall back on…
 is who you’ve already become.

Enjoying the show? Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast players!

• Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/keep-the-change/id1622521488
• Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xcQk7kNGNOnWuZ14aDkWC
• Connect with Bart Nollenberger:
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bart-nollenberger-4949405a/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BartNollenbergerCoaching

What happens when a kid who grew up homeless, digging through dumpsters for survival, becomes one of the most respected leaders in the automotive industry?

This episode isn’t just a conversation, it’s a reminder that your past doesn’t get to vote on your future.

On this episode of Keep the Change, I sit down with Ed Roberts, and fair warning…this one goes deep. Real deep.

What we unpack in this episode:

Ed’s story is raw, honest, and powerful, but it’s not just about where he came from. It’s about how he thinks, why he leads the way he does, and what elite leadership actually looks like when it’s done with humility, empathy, and intention.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll hear:

• How Ed went from sleeping in a car to becoming COO and General Manager of Bozard Ford Lincoln, leading explosive growth in a small-town market
• The concept of “Mile One” why progress isn’t about giant leaps, but about taking the next achievable step
• Why great leaders don’t just hold people accountable, they align expectations, earn commitment, and build trust
• The difference between entitled, co-existing, and opportunistic team members (and how to actually lead each one)
• Why empathy, one-on-ones, and listening without agenda are no longer optional for leaders
• How Ed’s book Mile One and his coaching work are creating “starfish moments”—changing lives one person at a time

There’s faith. There’s grit. There’s leadership wisdom you can apply immediately, whether you’re running a dealership, leading a team, or just trying to become a better version of yourself.

This is one of those episodes where you’ll probably pause, rewind, and say, “Man… I needed that.”

If you’ve ever felt underestimated, stuck, or unsure of your next step—this conversation will meet you right where you are and challenge you to move forward.

Enjoying the show? Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast players!

• Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/keep-the-change/id1622521488
• Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xcQk7kNGNOnWuZ14aDkWC

Connect with Ed Roberts

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-roberts-00948b36/

Connect with Bart Nollenberger:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bart-nollenberger-4949405a/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BartNollenbergerCoaching

What if the questions you’re asking are actually holding people back instead of moving them forward?

I sat down with my friend Dan Nicholas, one of the most quietly influential humans I know, and what unfolded wasn’t just a podcast… it was a masterclass in leadership, listening, faith, and real transformation.

Dan is the kind of guy who can walk into a room, whether it’s a boardroom, a restaurant, or a recovery meeting, and make every single person feel seen. I’ve watched him lift people who were at their lowest and speak life into CEOs, business owners, and world-class leaders with the exact same heart. And in this conversation, you get to experience why.

We unpack a frustrating (and honestly eye-opening) call Dan had right before recording, one of those conversations where someone talks at you, not with you, and use it as a springboard to talk about something every leader, salesperson, coach, and human needs to hear:

The difference between asking “why” and asking better questions.

In this episode, we get into:

• Why “why” questions often create defensiveness instead of growth
• How tone and curiosity can instantly change the direction of a conversation
• The shift from motivation to true transformation (and why it matters)
• How great leaders build trust without power plays or posturing
• Journaling, gratitude, and the power of “I am” statements
• Leading with the fruit of the Spirit, not pressure, ego, or fear
• How faith, discipline, and obedience unlock purpose in business and life
• The idea of “dream vampires” and how to stop letting them steal your calling
• Why listening, really listening, is the most underrated leadership skill there is

This isn’t theory. It’s lived experience.

We talk sales, leadership, recovery, faith, failure, purpose, and what it actually looks like to help people move forward without shaming them for where they’ve been. If you’re tired of surface-level motivation and ready for conversations that actually change how you show up, with your team, your clients, your family, and yourself, this one’s for you.

Enjoying the show? Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast players!

• Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/keep-the-change/id1622521488
• Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xcQk7kNGNOnWuZ14aDkWC

Connect with Bart Nollenberger:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bart-nollenberger-4949405a/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BartNollenbergerCoaching

What if the way you lead at work didn’t cost you your soul at home?

That’s the question that kept coming up for me in this conversation with Joel Manby. And honestly, it’s one of the most meaningful conversations I’ve had on Keep the Change.

Joel’s resume is impressive on paper. Harvard. General Motors. Saturn. CEO of Saab North America at 34. Chairman and CEO of Herschend Enterprises, the company behind brands like Silver Dollar City and Dollywood. But this episode isn’t about titles. It’s about the moment when success stopped being enough and significance started to matter.

In this episode, Joel and I talk about what it really looks like to lead with love without losing results. We dig into his journey from growing up poor in Michigan, to navigating toxic corporate cultures, to discovering a radically different way of leading that actually produced better employee engagement, higher customer satisfaction, and stronger long-term returns.

We talk about Saturn and what made it different. We talk about failure, including a painful startup collapse that left Joel questioning everything. We talk about the phone call that changed his life, when Jack Herschend invited him into a company that believed people came first, not last. And yes, we talk about Undercover Boss, the letters that poured in afterward, and why that experience pushed Joel to write Love Works.

 If you’re a leader who’s tired of choosing between results and relationships, this episode is for you. If you’ve ever felt that tension between who you are at home and who work seems to require you to be, this conversation will hit close to home. And if you believe there has to be a better way to lead without becoming someone you don’t recognize, you’ll want to hear every minute of this one. 

Enjoying the show? Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast players!

• Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/keep-the-change/id1622521488
• Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xcQk7kNGNOnWuZ14aDkWC

Connect with Joel Manby

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-manby-3850b911b/

Connect with Bart Nollenberger:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bart-nollenberger-4949405a/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BartNollenbergerCoaching