Ratchet+Wrench Radio

Technicians are speaking up—and the message is clear. From pay and career paths to culture and communication, this episode dives into what shop owners must understand (and do differently) to compete for talent in 2026.

Think your shop is just four walls and a lift? Think again. Discover how real estate strategies like sale leasebacks can fuel expansion, boost liquidity, and reshape the way you grow your business.

Between difficult customers, endless to-do lists, and constant problem-solving, it’s easy for shop owners to operate on autopilot. In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Margaret Light explains how simple mindfulness habits can help you slow down, think clearly, and lead more effectively—without adding another task to your day.

AI isn’t replacing your team—but it might be the fastest way to multiply their time. In this episode, Seth Thorson shares how shop owners can move beyond the hype and start building custom AI agents that streamline HR, improve technician documentation, and elevate service writer performance.

What really drives your team to perform at a higher level? In this episode, Mike Mooney breaks down how shop owners and leaders can move beyond surface-level motivation tactics to build genuine buy-in. From aligning personal and company goals to challenging outdated processes and creating a culture of accountability, he shares actionable strategies to help teams stay engaged, adaptable, and committed to long-term success.

From tracking declined services to asking customers how they prefer to be contacted, Keith Mait, Senior Vice President and Auto Leader at Synchrony, outlines practical steps shops can take right now to turn one-time transactions into lasting relationships. He explains why loyalty isn’t a program—it’s a discipline—and how shops that stay connected between visits with timely, relevant communication will win in an increasingly competitive market.

A technician crashes two vehicles and causes $14,000 in damage. Instead of punishment, Louie Sharp chose something different.

In Give Up What You Don’t Need, you’ll hear how one decision—to release revenge and lean into leadership—turned a mistake into an investment and transformed an employee into a production manager.

If you’re holding onto anger, fear, control, comparison, or even yesterday’s success, this episode will challenge you to ask one powerful question: What do I need to give up to grow?

Because sometimes the next level of leadership isn’t about doing more—it’s about finally letting go.

Running a shop doesn’t mean living at work. In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, licensed therapist Margaret Light unpacks the mental load of ownership—and how small mindset shifts can help leaders protect their energy, relationships, and businesses.

Michelle Pippin never planned on joining the automotive industry. A broken timing belt on a remote Alaskan highway changed everything. Now, nearly a decade later, she’s leading a movement to intentionally invite, mentor, and empower women in auto repair—and challenging shop owners to rethink how leadership is built inside their businesses.

What if the part your customer needs is already built, already tested, and already on a truck headed your way? In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Vince Edivan and Shannon Nordstrom unpack the real story behind recycled OEM parts—how they’re sourced, certified, and delivered—and why forward-thinking repair shops are using them to protect margins, reduce cycle times, and offer customers good-better-best options that keep cars (and relationships) on the road.