The Limitless Leadership Podcast

In this episode, live from ASTA Expo 2026 in Raleigh, North Carolina, Josh Parnell sits down with technical trainer Brandon Steckler to discuss SWAT Training and Diagnostics and why training is an investment that pays off. Brandon explains how SWAT helps technicians solve diagnostic challenges by identifying gaps in process, tools, and information, then creating customized training plans with service information, diagrams, and step by step guidance. He emphasizes mastering the fundamentals, avoiding shortcuts, and building confidence through intentional practice. The conversation also covers on site training, virtual sessions, waveform and data analysis, and specialized training for technicians at different skill levels. Brandon shares his career journey, the value of coaching, and how investing in training and the right tools can save time and improve diagnostic results.

Visit http://swatdiag.com/limitlessleadership to get $50 off your SWAT training class.

Auto Mastery helps make sure the right customers find you on Google, your team converts those opportunities, and you know exactly what your marketing is producing. Visit https://automastery.com/limitless/ to book a complimentary audit today.

Visit https://www.thebeardedbrotherhood.co to grab your grooming essentials from The Bearded Brotherhood. 

Stop managing chaos and start leading with purpose. Visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co to learn more about Limitless Leadership coaching, training, and speaking. 

Visit https://www.tekmetric.com to book a demo and see how Tekmetric can help you run your shop with more clarity and confidence.

Learn more about Promotive or start your next search at https://www.gopromotive.com. 

Timestamps:

00:00 Training Pays Off
00:15 Podcast Intro and Live Expo Setup
01:49 Sponsor Breaks
03:21 What SWAT Training Does
05:34 Teaching, Not Just Fixing
06:48 Why Techs Avoid Training
10:10 Brandon’s Origin Story
13:19 Sharpen the Axe Mindset
18:40 Sweat the Fundamentals
24:23 How to Work With SWAT
26:24 Custom Battle Plan Workflow
27:41 Money Back Diagnosis
28:32 Waveform and Data Analysis
29:58 Tier One Boot Camp
32:23 Tier Two Sniper Skills
36:28 Virtual Training Sessions
38:36 Trust, Relationships, and ROI
40:47 Buy Back Your Time
45:20 Tools, Delegation, and Momentum
47:07 Websites, Portal, and Contact
48:27 Final Send Off

I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. With a team of leadership coaches, trainers, and speakers, Limitless Leadership helps aspiring leaders tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.

For more information, please visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co.

In this episode recorded live at ASTA Expo 2026, Josh Parnell and Bret Beitler of Limitless Leadership sit down with Adam Rath of Allied Automotive to discuss leadership development, team culture, and business growth. Adam shares how leadership coaching and the Limitless Leadership Blueprint helped him develop his leadership team, strengthen communication, and address the “Peter Principle.” He explains how connecting team decisions to core values helped retain a key leader and create stronger buy in. The conversation also covers putting people before profits, turning conference ideas into action, and Adam’s favorite leadership book, Extreme Ownership.

Auto Mastery helps make sure the right customers find you on Google, your team converts those opportunities, and you know exactly what your marketing is producing. Visit https://automastery.com/limitless/ to book a complimentary audit today.

Visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co to learn more about Limitless Leadership coaching, training, and speaking.

Visit https://www.tekmetric.com to book a demo and see how Tekmetric can help you run your shop with more clarity and confidence.

 Visit https://www.thebeardedbrotherhood.co to grab your grooming essentials from The Bearded Brotherhood. 

Timestamps:

00:00 Gratitude and Growth
00:30 Podcast Intro at ASTA
01:07 Meet Adam and Brett
02:11 Sponsor Break
03:47 Adam’s Origin Story
05:58 Why Leadership Coaching
09:48 Scott’s Breakthrough
12:41 Core Values Keep Talent
18:38 Buy In and EOS Wins
23:42 Defining Leadership
26:20 Conference Ideas to Execution
28:23 IDS Decision Process
29:20 Team Buy In Culture
32:10 Quarterly State Updates
35:42 Foundational Reset Framework
39:04 Seek to Understand
41:36 August Breakthrough Results
46:25 People Before Profits
48:58 Leadership Book Picks
51:17 Retention and Recruiting Edge
52:39 Closing Thanks and Farewell

I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. With a team of leadership coaches, trainers, and speakers, Limitless Leadership helps aspiring leaders tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.

For more information, please visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co.

In this episode, recorded live at the 2026 ASTA Expo in Raleigh, NC, Josh Parnell sits down with Michael Rosenberger, CEO of ShopFix Academy and a two-shop owner in Dallas with 30 years of experience in the automotive repair industry. Michael shares his journey from ShopFix member to coach to CEO, including how ShopFix training helped him rapidly increase sales during a cash crisis. He also discusses the leadership challenges that followed the tragic death of ShopFix founder Aaron Stokes and what it meant to step up during a difficult season. Michael breaks down his “Profit Pitfalls” session, explaining how profitability is shaped by daily decisions and how common pitfalls often come down to leadership, discipline, and accountability. He shares why advisors should be held accountable for gross profit per hour, pricing, and turning marketing efforts into car count, while owners need to maintain consistent financial rhythms. Michael also defines leadership as doing the right things when no one is watching and shares Aaron Stokes’ powerful mantra: “I will lend you confidence at 0% interest forever.”

Auto Mastery helps make sure the right customers find you on Google, your team converts those opportunities, and you know exactly what your marketing is producing. Visit https://automastery.com/limitless/ to book a complimentary audit today.

Stop managing chaos and start leading with purpose. Visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co to learn more about Limitless Leadership coaching, training, and speaking.

Visit https://www.tekmetric.com to book a demo and see how Tekmetric can help you run your shop with more clarity and confidence.

Learn more about Promotive or start your next search at https://www.gopromotive.com.

Timestamps:

00:00 Pressure Reveals Leaders
00:30 Podcast Liftoff Intro
01:03 Live Expo Guest Intro
01:57 Sponsor Break Hiring Marketing
03:27 Michael Background ShopFix
04:26 From Broke to Breakthrough
06:23 Stepping Up After Tragedy
10:04 Sponsor Break Shop Tools
12:37 Profit Pitfalls Accountability
14:46 Fear Avoiding Hard Talks
16:19 Owner Rhythms Discipline
19:04 Fix Owner Fix Shop
19:44 Connect With ShopFix
20:32 Leadership Rapid Fire
21:34 Lending Confidence Quote
23:10 Closing Thanks Signoff
 

I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. With a team of leadership coaches, trainers, and speakers, Limitless Leadership helps aspiring leaders tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.

For more information, please visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co.

Live from ASTA Expo 2026, Josh Parnell sits down with Lola Schmidt of Schmidt Auto Care and J'anvieu Parnell, founder of Limitless Ladies, to talk about self leadership, identity, relationships, and leading with purpose. J'anvieu Parnell shares her journey from counseling to creating a community where women can support and encourage one another. Lola offers practical advice for working with a spouse, including setting boundaries, defining roles, creating separate workspaces, and knowing when to seek outside help. They also reflect on the Refuge women’s retreat in Montana, choosing faith over fear, staying connected intentionally, and taking the first step toward purpose. The episode also includes details about an upcoming two day leadership training at Schmidt Auto Care on April 9 and 10, 2027.

Visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co to learn more about Limitless Leadership coaching, training, and speaking.

Visit https://www.thebeardedbrotherhood.co to grab your grooming essentials from The Bearded Brotherhood. 

Timestamps:

00:00 Lead Yourself First
00:17 Podcast Intro
00:50 Live at ASTA Expo
02:39 Meet Lauralee Schmidt
03:25 Limitless Leadership Sponsor
04:11 Genevieve and Limitless Ladies
05:02 Behind the Scenes Struggles
07:20 Self Care and Empty Cup
09:04 Bearded Brotherhood Sponsor
10:05 Working With Your Spouse
12:57 Boundaries and Respect Styles
14:56 Join Limitless Ladies
15:50 Women Supporting Women
17:42 Montana Refuge Retreat
19:46 Mountains Sparked the Vision
21:12 Faith Over Fear
22:00 Purpose Fuels Discipline
23:35 Serving Others Daily
24:32 Just Take the Step
25:19 Culture and Leading Teams
26:51 Staying Connected After Retreat
28:12 Building Safe Community
28:57 Intentional Friendship
29:36 Springboro Leadership Training
31:35 Defining Real Leadership
33:15 Lola in Two Words
34:45 Worth the Hard Journey
35:10 Calls to Action and Sign Off

I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. With a team of leadership coaches, trainers, and speakers, Limitless Leadership helps aspiring leaders tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.

For more information, please visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co.

In this episode, Josh Parnell sits down with Amy P. Kelly, USA Today best-selling author and VP of consulting for Jon Gordon’s companies, to discuss purpose-driven leadership, workplace culture, and why difficult conversations don’t have to be difficult. Amy shares her story and explains how the “P” in her name represents purpose, including how people can discover their purpose through serving others, recognizing patterns, identifying strengths, and paying attention to what brings fulfillment. She also discusses her book Work Is Personal and challenges the idea that leadership and business should not be personal, sharing an HR-informed framework for creating workplaces that attract and retain great people. Amy and Josh then explore her co-authored book Difficult Conversations Don’t Have to Be Difficult, covering the importance of preparation, practice, reducing defensiveness, choosing a small ego and big mission mindset, and addressing issues proactively instead of relying on repair. The conversation closes with leadership lessons about teamwork, shared success, and putting the mission ahead of the individual.

Auto Mastery helps make sure the right customers find you on Google, your team converts those opportunities, and you know exactly what your marketing is producing. Visit https://automastery.com/limitless/ to book a complimentary audit today.

Stop managing chaos and start leading with purpose. Visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co to learn more about Limitless Leadership coaching, training, and speaking.

Visit https://www.tekmetric.com to book a demo and see how Tekmetric can help you run your shop with more clarity and confidence.

Learn more about Promotive or start your next search at https://www.gopromotive.com.

Timestamps:

00:00 What Makes a Leader
00:45 Welcome and Guest Intro
02:27 Sponsors and Partners
03:55 Amy P Story and Purpose
09:21 Finding Your Purpose
12:52 Work Is Personal Book
18:27 Difficult Conversations Framework
26:04 Preparation Over Repair
30:52 Mechanics and Leadership Lessons
34:10 Rapid Fire Leadership Questions
38:15 Final Thanks and Sendoff

I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. With a team of leadership coaches, trainers, and speakers, Limitless Leadership helps aspiring leaders tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.

For more information, please visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co.

In this episode, Josh Parnell sits down with Jay Warida, co founder and CEO of Carvis, to discuss AI, automotive repair, and the future of shop operations. Jay shares his background as a mechanical engineer and data scientist at Ford and GM, and explains why AI should be an ally for repair shops. He breaks down how Carvis helps service advisors create customer friendly estimates, improve repair order language, handle objections, and streamline the sales process. He also shares how Carvis entered the automotive industry, grew to more than 150 shops, and continues to build its tools around customer feedback. The conversation closes with Jay’s leadership lessons on taking action, staying aligned with your mission, accountability, and thinking long term.

Auto Mastery helps make sure the right customers find you on Google, your team converts those opportunities, and you know exactly what your marketing is producing. Visit https://automastery.com/limitless/ to book a complimentary audit today.

Stop managing chaos and start leading with purpose. Visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co to learn more about Limitless Leadership coaching, training, and speaking. 

Visit https://www.tekmetric.com to book a demo and see how Tekmetric can help you run your shop with more clarity and confidence.

Learn more about Promotive or start your next search at https://www.gopromotive.com. 

Timestamps:

00:00 AI Assistant Teaser
00:28 Podcast Intro and Welcome
01:01 Meet Jay and Carvis
01:57 Sponsor Break
03:25 Jay’s Background in Auto and Data
05:01 AI as an Ally, Not an Enemy
07:02 Carvis Mission for Shops
07:37 Sponsor Break
08:46 How Carvis Entered the Industry
11:11 What Carvis Does for Advisors
12:56 Sales Mode and Objections
14:59 Customer Feedback and New Agent
16:34 How to Contact Carvis
17:14 Leadership and Company Culture
20:25 Taking Action Over Fear
22:44 Best Mentor Advice
24:02 Closing Thanks and Call to Action

I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. With a team of leadership coaches, trainers, and speakers, Limitless Leadership helps aspiring leaders tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.

For more information, please visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co.

In this episode, Josh Parnell sits down with Uwe Kleinschmidt, founder of AutoTech IQ, to talk about AI-powered digital inspections, customer education, AI search, reviews, transparency, and what leadership looks like in an increasingly AI-driven industry. AI isn't just changing how auto repair shops operate. It's changing how customers find you, evaluate you, and decide whether they trust you. One idea stood out: Transparency is the new trust. And leaders can't afford to simply use AI. They need to become AI validators—curious enough to experiment, learn, and know when the technology is actually helping.

Auto Mastery helps make sure the right customers find you on Google, your team converts those opportunities, and you know exactly what your marketing is producing. Visit https://automastery.com/limitless/ to book a complimentary audit today.

Stop managing chaos and start leading with purpose. Visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co to learn more about Limitless Leadership coaching, training, and speaking. 

Visit https://www.tekmetric.com to book a demo and see how Tekmetric can help you run your shop with more clarity and confidence.

Learn more about Promotive or start your next search at https://www.gopromotive.com. 

Timestamps:

00:00 Big Ideas
00:25 Intro & Guest Welcome
02:24 Sponsor Break
03:52 Uwe’s Story & Mission
07:06 Sponsor Break
08:19 TechAID IQ Explained
11:21 Faster Inspections with ProView
13:22 DVI, UX & AI Search
17:48 Trust & Reviews
26:23 Transparency Builds Trust
29:56 Becoming AI Validators
34:40 AI & Leadership
41:38 Best Advice
43:31 Wrap-Up & Farewell

I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. With a team of leadership coaches, trainers, and speakers, Limitless Leadership helps aspiring leaders tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.

For more information, please visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co.

In this episode, Josh Parnell interviews former NASCAR driver and Safeway Driving CEO Brad Coleman about the near-crash that changed his life and sparked his passion for road safety. Brad shares his journey from racing to driver education, how a Nationwide Insurance simulator helped him understand the dangers of distracted driving, and how his family eventually took over Safeway Driving.

Brad also explains the idea of “slowing down to speed up,” Safeway’s approach to driver education and safety, and why strong leadership comes down to keeping your word, listening, taking action, and owning accountability.

Auto Mastery helps make sure the right customers find you on Google, your team converts those opportunities, and you know exactly what your marketing is producing. Visit https://automastery.com/limitless/ to book a complimentary audit today.

Visit https://www.thebeardedbrotherhood.co to grab your grooming essentials from The Bearded Brotherhood. 

Stop managing chaos and start leading with purpose. Visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co to learn more about Limitless Leadership coaching, training, and speaking. 

Visit https://www.tekmetric.com to book a demo and see how Tekmetric can help you run your shop with more clarity and confidence.

Learn more about Promotive or start your next search at https://www.gopromotive.com. 

Timestamps:

00:00 Near-Miss Wake-Up Call
00:31 Podcast Intro
01:05 Meet Brad Coleman
01:43 Sponsor Breaks
03:16 From NASCAR to Driver Education
04:00 The Simulator That Sparked Change
07:02 Slowing Down to Speed Up
09:16 The Reality of Texting and Driving
11:33 Distracted Driving Curriculum
13:15 Leadership Means Owning It
18:43 Franchise Standards and Buy-In
24:39 Mentor Advice on Failure
27:37 Message to Franchisees
30:35 Just Drive: Final Advice
31:33 Wrap Up and Farewell

I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. With a team of leadership coaches, trainers, and speakers, Limitless Leadership helps aspiring leaders tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.

For more information, please visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co.

In this episode, Josh Parnell is with Joe Flammer, Account Executive at Broadly and former auto repair marketing professional, about leading through change, embracing feedback, and developing self-awareness. Joe shares how Broadly's evolution into AI-powered tools is helping small businesses improve customer communication and workflow automation, while reflecting on lessons from coaching, faith, and personal growth. The conversation explores navigating uncertainty, overcoming blind spots, emotional regulation, and why intentional leadership starts with knowing yourself.

Auto Mastery helps make sure the right customers find you on Google, your team converts those opportunities, and you know exactly what your marketing is producing. Visit https://automastery.com/limitless/ to book a complimentary audit today.

Visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co to learn more about Limitless Leadership coaching, training, and speaking.

Visit https://www.tekmetric.com to book a demo and see how Tekmetric can help you run your shop with more clarity and confidence.

 Visit https://www.thebeardedbrotherhood.co to grab your grooming essentials from The Bearded Brotherhood. 

Timestamps:

00:00 Know Yourself First
00:37 Podcast Welcome
01:10 Meet Joe Flammer
02:10 Sponsor Break
03:40 Joe's Journey to Broadly
06:05 Career Path in Automotive Marketing
09:12 Navigating Change with Confidence
10:24 Faith Over Fear
15:42 The Best Leadership Advice Joe Received
17:41 Understanding Blind Spots
20:07 Emotional Regulation in Leadership
22:16 Defining Leadership
24:38 Truth Tellers and T-Groups
30:46 Receiving Feedback Without Taking It Personally
33:35 Where to Connect and Closing Remarks

I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. With a team of leadership coaches, trainers, and speakers, Limitless Leadership helps aspiring leaders tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.

For more information, please visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co.

In this episode, Josh Parnell welcomes Christian Mosley of Auto Mastery to discuss why generating leads is only the beginning of growing an independent auto repair shop. Christian explains how websites, SEO, and Google Ads can bring in potential customers, but shops still need to answer the phone, remove unnecessary friction, and confidently ask for the appointment.

Drawing from his experience as a former shop owner, Christian explains how call recordings, transcripts, and data can reveal missed opportunities, capacity problems, and weaknesses in the customer experience. He also shares leadership lessons around one-on-ones, the 1-3-1 problem-solving method, and the importance of inspecting what you expect.

Learn more about Promotive or start your next search at https://www.gopromotive.com.

Stop managing chaos and start leading with purpose. Visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co to learn more about Limitless Leadership coaching, training, and speaking.

Visit https://www.tekmetric.com to book a demo and see how Tekmetric can help you run your shop with more clarity and confidence.

Optimize Labor. Unlock Capacity. For less than $5 a day per technician, improve absorption rate, increase ELR, and give

your techs the career pathway that keeps them engaged and in the bay. Book a demo today! 

https://meetings.hubspot.com/jen-grimes/demo-meeting?utm_campaign=41778739-Limitless+Leadership&utm_source=Limited+Leadership&utm_medium=LL+referral&uuid=57616c84-28ec-48d0-9a44-7b64074e5d8c

Timestamps:

00:00 Lead Generation Reality Check

I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. With a team of leadership coaches, trainers, and speakers, Limitless Leadership helps aspiring leaders tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.

For more information, please visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co.