In this episode of “TimTalks: Automotive Leadership and Beyond,” Tim Cox sits down with Laurie Halter, founder and CEO of Charisma! Communications. Laurie shares her journey through the industry—from her early days at Chrome Data to running her own successful agency—and opens up about leadership, culture, and the powerful rise of women in automotive.

From the importance of sitting “in every chair,” to practical ways we can recruit and support more women in the industry, Laurie’s insights are both inspiring and actionable. 

Their conversation also touches on the challenges and opportunities of AI in automotive, and why listening to dealers is the key to creating real solutions.

Connect with Laurie on LinkedIn and learn more about Charisma! Communications.

[00:00 – 01:30] Introductions
Tim opens the episode and welcomes guest Laurie Halter.

[01:30 – 03:35] Laurie’s Story
Laurie recounts how she entered automotive by chance, her early days at Chrome Data, and launching her own agency in 2003.

[03:35 – 05:45] The Value of Experience
Laurie and Tim discuss why the best dealership leaders have “sat in every chair” and how that empathy shapes their approach.

[05:45 – 09:47] Building a Sorority of Support
Laurie shares how top women leaders are mentoring and empowering the next generation, creating momentum for lasting change.

[09:47 – 13:29] Recruiting Women into Automotive
Exploring barriers like rigid schedules, family balance, and the need for better recruitment strategies, Laurie emphasizes flexibility and recognizing leadership potential everywhere.

[13:29 – 20:55] Culture, Mentorship & Leadership Lessons
Tim shares a personal mentorship story from his early days, and they both reflect on the importance of leaders creating one-on-one support.

[20:55 – 24:56] Advice for Women Entering Automotive
Laurie encourages women to be bold, assertive, confident in their ideas, and to reject labels that diminish their role as leaders.

[24:56 – 29:47] Trends & Opportunities
Laurie discusses her recent AI research, the challenges with solutions being built without dealer input, and the opportunity for tools that truly solve dealership needs.

[29:47 – 31:26] Closing Thoughts
Laurie shares how to connect with her on LinkedIn and through Charisma! Communications, and Tim wraps the episode. 

Excelling Through the 'Yeah Buts' with Evangeline Sutton & Hayden Hicks

The latest TimTalks explores the foundations of exceptional leadership, operational excellence, and servant-minded growth in the automotive world. 

Tim joined Hayden Hicks, who is leading the charge at Jerry Hunt Supercenter with 900 used cars sold monthly, and Evangeline Schultz-Sutton, the dynamic CMO helping scale Clement Auto Group from two to seven rooftops. 

This episode spans personal origins, leadership philosophies, mindset routines, and tactical growth strategies that fuel next-level performance.

Connect with Evangeline and Hayden on LinkedIn.

[00:00 – 02:17] Meet the Guests
Tim introduces the episode and how Evangeline brought Hayden to his attention as a top-performing leader selling 900 used cars per month.

[02:18 – 04:43] Why Hayden Stands Out
Evangeline shares what makes Hayden and the Todd Hunt Auto Group special: leadership through service and consistent results.

[04:44 – 09:47] Hayden’s Journey
Hayden recounts growing up in a family dealership, facing tough times, and developing his drive to lead and serve through those experiences.

[09:48 – 14:14] Daily Culture & Setting the Tone
Tim emphasizes leadership through daily tone-setting, highlighting Hayden’s passion for transformative sales meetings and service-driven culture.

[14:15 – 16:40] Crushing the "Yeah, Buts"
Hayden unpacks how his team is thriving in a tough market by eliminating excuses, sourcing cars nationally, and building customer-first processes.

[16:41 – 20:58] Scaling with Smiles
Evangeline discusses how leadership, vision, and gratitude help her navigate rapid team and dealership expansion.

[20:59 – 24:28] Gratitude as a Leadership Superpower
Tim shares personal reflections and emphasizes the value of starting each day with gratitude as a leadership and culture tool.

[24:29 – 26:48] Advice to a Younger Hayden
Hayden reflects on what he would tell his younger self: embrace gratitude early, aim high, and don’t waste the gift of time.

[26:49 – 28:27] Advice to a Younger Evangeline
Evangeline encourages her past self and fellow millennials to embrace long-term thinking and show up fully every day.

[28:28 – 31:12] Dream Big
Tim reinforces the episode’s core message: don’t stop short—go for “immeasurably more” in your career and personal life.

[31:13 – 31:57] Final Advice for New Leaders
Hayden gives a final charge to new managers: serve others, level up, and lead with professionalism and purpose.

[31:58 – 33:00] Closing Remarks
Tim thanks his guests and teases a possible follow-up episode to uncover Hayden’s secret to sourcing 900+ cars/month.

Challenging Ego and Creating Empathy with April Simmons

Tim sits down with industry powerhouse, April Simmons, to explore her journey from loan officer to digital retailing pioneer to operations leader at Horne Auto Group.

April shares candid stories of breaking barriers as a woman in automotive, building successful internet departments, and discovering her “second mountain”—a mission to empower others.

From resilience to reinvention, this TimTalks episode has actionable insights for anyone looking to grow in the auto industry.

Connect with April on LinkedIn.

[00:00 – 01:04] Opening & Guest Introduction
Tim introduces the episode and welcomes long-time friend and automotive leader April Simmons.

[01:04 – 02:31] A Decade of Partnership
April reflects on meeting Tim in 2016 and their early work together to bring CarNow into Earnhardt.

[02:31 – 03:57] Taking Risks as a Thought Leader
April and Tim recall navigating early challenges of introducing new tech into traditional dealerships.

[03:57 – 05:02] April’s Automotive Origin Story
From a Nebraska bank loan officer to the Arizona car scene, April shares her path to the auto industry.

[05:02 – 07:22] Early Lessons & Adapting
April discusses her evolution with technology, from banking systems to the dawn of digital retailing.

[07:22 – 09:04] Entering Retail Automotive & Breaking Barriers
April shares her journey into finance and her determination to rise in a male-dominated industry.

[09:04 – 12:03] Building Internet Departments & Learning Marketing
April explains how she learned internet sales and marketing by leveraging vendor insights and curiosity.

[12:03 – 13:29] The Secret Sauce: Communication
April’s success formula: apply proven retail principles while evolving communication methods.

[13:29 – 17:21] Women in Automotive: Opportunity & Obstacles
Tim and April explore how women dominate when given the chance, and what holds the industry back from greater inclusivity.

[17:21 – 22:10] Retaining Women & Evolving Culture
April stresses retention and the need for leadership to evolve beyond historic toxic norms.

[22:10 – 26:08] Treat People How You Wish To Be Treated
A powerful discussion on breaking cycles and building better, healthier leadership environments.

[26:08 – 31:22] From Survival to Joy
April opens up about transitioning from survival mode to a values-driven life and leadership journey.

[31:22 – 36:08] The Call to Empower
April outlines her calling to be the “foundation of others’ evolution,” teaching and empowering without boundaries.

[36:08 – 37:43] Continuous Improvement
April shares her word of the year: Kaizen. She gives insight into how small daily actions fuel growth and clarity.

[37:43 – 37:54] Closing Remarks
Tim and April wrap the episode with gratitude, encouragement, and a commitment to always get better together.

On the latest “TimTalks,” Roger Hendon shares how he transformed Valdosta Toyota from a low-performing store to a top closer by building champions. 

Discover how empowering his team, establishing expectations, and leading with humility broke decades-old records. Learn Roger’s step-by-step strategy for dealership success, the power of belief, and what it takes to create a team that manages itself. 

Connect with Roger on LinkedIn. 

Tim sat down with five standout students and Elgie Bright, the heart behind Northwood University’s automotive program. 

Meet Colin, Katrina, Julia, Chase, and Brooke. From global experiences to major internships and career goals, these future leaders share how Northwood empowers them to thrive.

Packed with inspiration, insights, and lessons, this episode shares a front-row seat to the next generation of changemakers.

Connect with Elgie Bright on LinkedIn, and explore Northwood University’s Automotive Marketing & Management program. 

[00:00 – 01:27] Opening Remarks
Tim kicks off the episode by highlighting a recent visit to Northwood University and introduces the episode’s focus on spotlighting outstanding students.

[01:27 – 02:21] Meet Elgie Bright
Tim introduces Elgie Bright, department chair at Northwood and a seasoned automotive leader, praising his dedication to students and the industry.

[02:21 – 04:18] Introducing the Students
Five standout students—Colin, Katrina, Julia, Chase, and Brooke—introduce themselves, their studies, and post-grad plans. 

[04:18 – 06:54] Education Meets Opportunity
The students elaborate on their ambitions, highlighting the dual BBA/MBA track, leadership opportunities, and career plans. 

[06:54 – 08:45] Colin's Passion
Colin shares a compelling vision of his future, including his dream of becoming a trainer and mentor. 

[08:45 – 12:10] The Buffalo Mentality
Colin discusses staying grounded, visualizing long-term success, and charging through adversity like a buffalo. 

[12:10 – 14:55] Katrina’s Experience
Katrina shares her experiences in Sri Lanka and organizing the Northwood Auto Show.

[14:55 – 18:57] Julia’s Ambitions
Julia shares her openness to opportunity, balancing OEM internships and PR roles. 

[18:57 – 21:04] Chase's Journey
Chase describes his transformation from a high school part-timer to a committed automotive professional.

[21:04 – 23:37] Brooke’s Reflections
Brooke reflects on her personal growth, lessons from peers and mentors, and her upcoming full-time role at MEMA.

[23:37 – 25:55] Leadership Defined by Impact
Tim reinforces that great leaders are measured not by what they do, but by their impact on others. He credits Elgie with shaping future leaders.

[25:55 – 27:15] Why Northwood?
Students offer advice to prospective Northwood applicants, emphasizing opportunity, tools, and access.

[27:15 – 32:29] Building Future Leaders Together
Elgie discusses the transformative impact of the university and its industry ties. He emphasizes student potential and thanks Tim for investing time.

[32:29 – 35:35] Final Thoughts
Tim closes with heartfelt encouragement to embrace the present. He encourages listeners to follow the show, support Northwood, and keep learning together.

Tim sits down with Kyle Mountsier, COO and co-founder of ASOTU, to explore the journey from retail automotive to purpose-driven leadership. 

Kyle shares powerful stories of culture transformation, the origins of ASOTU, and how creating an environment where people see the best in themselves can change everything. 

From personal faith to professional breakthroughs, this conversation unpacks what it means to lead with intention, build empowered teams, and reflect the true heart of the automotive industry. 

Connect with Kyle on LinkedIn. 

[00:00 – 01:22] Guest Introductions Tim welcomes Kyle back to the podcast, reflecting on Kyle's previous appearance and the journey since leaving retail three and a half years ago. 

[01:22 – 03:12] Visionary Leadership Kyle recounts his transition from dealership life to co-founding ASOTU, sparked by early career experiences and a desire to reshape the industry’s reputation. 

[03:12 – 06:03] Mission-Defining Moments Kyle shares the story of his mentor, Aaron Hill, and the pivotal moments that drove him to pursue automotive as a career with purpose and integrity. 

[06:03 – 07:11] Faith as a Leadership Foundation Tim and Kyle explore how faith and values can inform leadership styles and shape individuals’ missions. 

[07:11 – 10:47] Inside ASOTU Culture Kyle discusses recent milestones, team culture, and how their internal environment encourages personal and professional growth. 

[10:47 – 14:03] Encouragement, Leadership, and Legacy Tim reflects on personal losses and life lessons, highlighting the importance of pouring into others and leading with authenticity. 

[14:03 – 17:37] Empowering Industry Transformation Kyle and Tim discuss how creating empowering environments leads to better outcomes in business and life. 

[17:37 – 23:34] How to Break Mediocrity They dive into the tension between profitability and purpose, sharing real-world examples of high-performing, people-focused dealerships. 

[23:34 – 26:17] Crisis, Resilience, and Opportunity Tim reflects on past industry disruptions, how dealers have adapted, and what separates those who thrive from those who falter. 

[26:17 – 29:33] Living with Intention and Leading with Love Tim and Kyle get philosophical as they discuss fear, faith, and the power of living and leading intentionally and lovingly. 

[29:33 – 31:23] Final Thoughts Kyle and Tim close, encouraging leaders to love their people more than their profits, live fully in the present, and be the impact they want to see. 

In a TimTalks first, Kyle Disher, founder of RevDojo, demonstrates a live, impromptu mystery shop, highlighting the exchange’s strengths and areas to improve. 

Throughout the conversation, Tim and Kyle dive into what’s working—and what’s not—in dealership sales today. We learn what separates average dealerships from the exceptional and how small process improvements can lead to big wins. 

From mystery shopping 7,000+ stores a month to why calendar invites can double your show rate, don’t miss one of the most dynamic trainers in the automotive industry. 

Connect with Kyle on LinkedIn and access free RevDojo resources. 

[00:00 – 02:31] Intro & Guest Introduction 

Tim introduces Kyle Disher as one of the most dynamic trainers in the automotive space. 

[02:31 – 05:23] Kyle’s Start 

Kyle shares his journey from Montgomery Ward appliance sales to selling and managing car sales at 19. 

[05:23 – 08:27] The Birth of RevDojo 

Kyle describes how webinar trainings evolved into a platform with mystery shops, recorded webinars, and data insights. 

[08:27 – 10:01] Common Dealer Mistakes 

Kyle identifies three critical mistakes most dealers make and the impact of correcting them. 

[10:01 – 12:36] How to Coach Change 

Tim and Kyle explore dealer leadership buy-in and the importance of following up mystery shops with actionable coaching. 

[12:36 – 17:21] The Value of Inspection 

Kyle shares an example of applying a Formula 1 mindset—careful inspection for incremental gains. 

[17:21 – 23:03] Why Aggressive Follow-up Works 

Kyle reveals most dealers only call twice in five days. He urges listeners to use their tools with urgency. 

[23:03 – 25:03] Turning Missed Opportunities into Wins 

Tim and Kyle explore how weekly mystery shop reviews as sales meetings can drive accountability and performance. 

[25:03 – 27:08] Trustworthy Teams 

Tim and Kyle chat about the importance of building a sales team that you’d trust with your closest family. 

[27:08 – 33:13] LIVE Mystery Shop 

A live cold call to a Chevy dealer in Dallas reveals why even well-meaning salespeople often miss the appointment. 

[33:13 – 36:31] Tools, Templates, and Free Resources for Dealers 

Kyle walks through free resources and processes that help dealers get immediate wins—like calendar invites and call guides. 

[36:31 – 37:46] Closing Thoughts 

Tim wraps with a reminder that no one is smarter than everyone—and implementation is everything. 

In the latest episode of TimTalks, Glenn Pasch joins Tim to discuss his new book, “The Road to Sold,” the evolution of digital retailing, and how leadership drives lasting change in automotive. 

From his journey into the industry to powerful lessons in process and customer experience, this is a must-watch for anyone in automotive. 

Connect with Glenn on LinkedIn, and order “The Road to Sold” today. 

[00:00–01:34] Intro & Guest Introduction Tim opens the episode and introduces leadership coach and automotive expert Glenn Pasch. 

[01:35–06:27] Glenn’s Journey into Automotive Glenn recounts his start in hospitality and acting, how his brother Brian introduced him to digital marketing, and their eventual partnership in founding PCG. 

[06:28–09:11] How Glenn Met Tim Tim shares a memory of how PCG recognized CarNow early on, giving them a platform at NADA before they had a booth. 

[09:12–14:02] Thinking Outside the Box Glenn explains how PCG’s vendor research reports became an unexpected marketing tool and a trusted resource for dealers and vendors. 

[14:03–16:30] Launching “The Road to Sold” Glenn introduces his new book, inspired by conversations with Tim. The book emphasizes the need for conversations, not just leads, to drive digital retail success. 

[16:31–18:29] Why Conversation Matters The discussion shifts to how most dealerships chase leads rather than serve people, and why it’s time to evolve the digital sales process. 

[18:30–22:26] Treating Online Customers Like In-Person Guests Glenn advocates for mirroring in-store service online and eliminating friction to meet customer expectations. 

[22:27–23:02] Leadership's Role in Change They reflect on how leadership determines whether process changes succeed or fail—and why consistency and accountability are key. 

[23:03–25:47] From Training to Execution Glenn details the difference between dealerships that talk about change and those that live it daily. 

[25:48–29:34] Breaking Old Habits & Market Myths Tim and Glenn debunk excuses like “my market is different” and challenge leaders to rethink credit assumptions and embrace process consistency. 

[29:35–31:29] Adopting Tech with Intentionality They discuss how technology like AI should be thoughtfully implemented, and that customers want faster—not necessarily fully digital—car buying experiences. 

[31:30–34:36] Closing Thoughts Tim and Glenn wrap up with leadership insights and encourage listeners to evaluate their own commitment to process improvement. 

Ben Hadley, CEO & co-founder of Auto Genius, joined Tim for the latest episode of “Tim Talks: Leadership and Beyond.” From building a brand that can’t be measured by metrics to empowering teams with creativity and purpose, don’t miss the dynamic conversation on driving success. 

Ben shares his journey through tech, leadership, and launching game-changing strategies. Discover how community, culture, and long-term thinking are reshaping the future of automotive retail. 

Connect with Ben on LinkedIn, and follow Auto Genius. 

[00:00–01:12] Welcoming Ben Tim welcomes guest Ben Hadley, praising his expertise in automotive software and leadership. 

[01:13–02:11] Ben & Auto Genius Ben humbly reflects on the name of his company, Auto Genius, crediting his co-founders as the true geniuses. 

[02:12–06:14] Ben’s Automotive Journey Ben shares his unconventional path into automotive tech. Initially rejected by Dealer.com, he persisted until landing a sales role and rising to Director of Sales. 

[06:15–07:51] Ben’s Entrepreneurial Journey He details his journey helping scale companies and learning from industry trends before launching his own consulting firm. 

[07:52–13:21] Flipping the Script  Ben explains how building a community of top automotive marketers preceded the creation of his product—flipping the typical “product-market-fit” approach. 

[13:22–16:34] Supporting Marketing Departments Tim and Ben highlight the under-resourced dealership marketing departments, leading to the founding idea behind Auto Genius—solving problems like slow websites. 

[16:35–18:08] Metrics Aren’t the Full Story Ben criticizes the industry's over-reliance on short-term metrics and urges leaders to focus on long-term value and customer happiness. 

[18:09–21:18] The ROI of Culture They discuss how true dealership leadership means empowering employees, not just enforcing metrics. Great leaders create culture, not control. 

[21:19–23:36] The Waggle Dance Ben uses a bee analogy to illustrate how allowing experimentation leads to breakthroughs. 

[23:37–27:06] Why Build Local They explore how car dealers can build local brand equity where identity goes beyond metrics. 

[27:07–30:31] There’s No Metric for Brand Tim recaps Ben’s powerful takeaway: Your brand does not have a metric. Creating meaningful customer and employee experiences builds brand loyalty that numbers can’t always capture. 

In this episode, Tim sits down with Danny Zaslavsky to explore personal resilience, leadership, and innovation in the automotive world. From growing up as a Ukrainian immigrant to building a tech-driven dealership and co-founding VINCUE, Danny shares how purpose and culture have guided his journey. 

Connect with Danny on LinkedIn. 

[00:00–01:03] Welcome Danny 

Tim introduces Danny Zaslavsky, founder of VINCUE, setting the stage for a conversation on leadership, innovation, and growth in automotive. 

[01:04–02:27] VINCUE’s Rise 

Danny’s presence at industry events like NADA is highlighted, leading to a deeper dive into his personal story and the birth of VINCUE. 

[02:27–04:13] Early Lessons 

Danny recounts growing up in Kansas City, learning English, and being raised in a close family. 

[04:13–06:07] Entering the Business 

His dad moved from shoe repair to car sales, and by 14, Danny was selling cars, discovering a love for business and technology. 

[06:07–07:49] Early Innovation 

Danny recalls how a young tech whiz built them software that evolved into VinSolutions—an early moment that shaped his future. 

[07:49–12:03] Scaling Challenges 

After his father’s stroke, Danny had to take over. This challenge became the spark that led to VINCUE’s formation. 

[12:03–14:08] Turning Loss into Leadership 

Personal loss deepened Danny’s drive to build something meaningful, turning pain into purpose. 

[14:08–15:28] Vision and Innovation 

He reflects on how adversity fuels innovation and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who share your vision. 

[15:28–18:25] Traits of Success 

Tim and Danny discuss how top dealer groups lead with humility, consistency, and servant leadership. 

[18:25–20:33] CarNow x VINCUE 

They explain why VINCUE and CarNow partnered: to simplify workflows and better align with today’s connected consumer journey. 

[20:33–22:08] Reducing Overload 

The two reflect on how the integration aims to streamline the experience for both staff and shoppers. 

[22:08–24:15] Removing Ego 

Danny shares how VINCUE delivers consistent, data-backed appraisals, eliminating guesswork and ego. 

[24:15–26:24] Leveraging AI 

VINCUE’s platform adapts to each dealership’s market strengths, using machine learning to optimize pricing and inventory flow. 

[26:24–30:11] Aligning for Growth 

Danny emphasizes the power of aligning service and sales, helping customers while improving internal dealership collaboration. 

[30:11–31:56] Staying Innovative 

Danny shares how staying hands-on keeps him innovative, crediting Tim’s leadership as inspiration. 

[31:56–33:19] Closing Thoughts 

The episode ends with a message of gratitude and resilience, reminding us that we get better together, one day at a time.