True Confessions of a Car Guy

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Before the sales floor, there was a fight to rebuild his life.

Steve Puckett joins John Gavin and Bagi to share his journey through 25 years of addiction, homelessness, and recovery—and how the car business became part of his second chance.

In this episode of True Confessions of a Car Guy, Steve talks about his daughter’s role in his recovery, the faith that helped him keep going, and what it took to start over. Along the way, we get into sales, lessons learned at the dealership, and the showroom stories you’d expect from someone who’s lived the business.

You don’t have to sell cars to connect with this one. At its heart, “Against All Odds” is about family, purpose, and finding a way forward when starting over feels impossible.

Learn more about Steve and his work:
https://theylaughedheworked.com/services

More episodes and everything Car Guy:
https://trueconfessionsofacarguy.com/

Subscribe and join the conversation: What gave you a second chance?

Real Stories. Real People. Real Car Business.
A BAGI Media Production.

If you are a car guy or car girl with similar experiences, contact the show today [email protected]

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What happens when dealership sales slow down and the owner brings in an outside sales guru to turn things around?

Tonight, John and Bagi discuss whether an outside consultant can truly improve a dealership—or whether the real problems usually run deeper. We’ll get into leadership, accountability, sales processes, employee buy-in, morale, and what happens when an outsider walks onto the floor promising results.

Can the right guru bring a fresh perspective and increase sales, or does it create more disruption than improvement?

Join the conversation and share your experience in the comments.

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If you are a car guy or car girl with similar experiences, contact the show today [email protected]

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What are dealerships getting wrong about F&I—and how can they create more value without adding more paperwork, steps, or customer friction?

Jon Stevens of Nexus Automotive Solutions joins John Gavin and BAGI for an honest conversation about today’s F&I department, customer trust, payment sensitivity, product penetration, dealer profitability, and the changing expectations surrounding the finance office.

Jon also introduces us to Nexus Automotive Solutions and EquityPro, including their approach to dealer-owned financial protection products, customer support, identity-theft monitoring, and building stronger long-term relationships between dealerships and their customers.

In this episode:

• What limits F&I performance
• Why customers decline protection products
• Building value without complicating the process
• Protecting dealership profitability
• Creating greater transparency and customer trust
• The future of dealer-owned F&I products

Learn more about Nexus Automotive Solutions:
https://www.nexusautomotivesolutions.com/

Subscribe to True Confessions of a Car Guy for real stories, honest conversations, and an unfiltered look behind the automotive retail business.

If you are a car guy or car girl with similar experiences, contact the show today [email protected]

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This live show will feature:

• Real car-business questions and answers
• Pat’s perspective on dealerships, sales and the automotive industry
• A look at Car Guy Advocate, including a real customer issue John helped resolve
• Honest discussion about trades, financing, add-ons and dealership experiences

No scripts. No corporate talking points. Just real car guys, real questions and straight answers.

If you are a car guy or car girl with similar experiences, contact the show today [email protected]

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John Gavin has something to say… and even Bagi wasn’t prepared for this one.

On this episode of True Confessions of a Car Guy, what starts as another conversation about the automotive business takes an unexpected turn when John reveals something he’s been doing behind the scenes.

Bagi’s reaction?

“I can’t believe you did that.” 😂

What exactly did John do — and why does he believe so strongly in it?

You’ll have to watch to find out.

Plus, John and Bagi get into the realities of today’s car business, the people behind it, and where True Confessions of a Car Guy may be headed next.

🚗 Real stories.
🎙️ Real conversations.
🔥 And this time… some BIG NEWS.

Watch the full episode and tell us what YOU think about John’s decision in the comments.

True Confessions of a Car Guy
Real Stories. Real People. Real Car Business.
A BAGI Media Production

If you are a car guy or car girl with similar experiences, contact the show today [email protected]

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What separates great dealerships from average ones?

This week on True Confessions of a Car Guy, we're joined by automotive executive, coach, entrepreneur, and author Chuck Scalies to discuss his new book, The Velocity of Trust.

Chuck shares nearly four decades of real-world experience helping dealerships improve leadership, customer experience, sales processes, and profitability. We dive into why trust isn't just a buzzword—it's the foundation for sustainable growth in today's automotive industry.

Whether you're a dealer principal, general manager, sales professional, or simply passionate about the car business, this episode is packed with practical insights you can put to work immediately.

The Velocity of Trust on Amazon

🎙 Hosted by: John Gavin
🎬 Produced by: Bagi Media

👍 If you enjoy the show:

• Like this video
• Subscribe to the channel
• Share it with someone in the automotive industry
• Leave a comment with your biggest takeaway

 
If you are a car guy or car girl with similar experiences, contact the show today [email protected]

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🎙️ True Confessions of a Car Guy
#service #dealership #ai #podcast #fixedops #fyp 

Can AI help technicians diagnose vehicles faster without replacing the people who keep our industry moving?

On this episode of True Confessions of a Car Guy, host John Gavin sits down with Shane Beaman, Founder & CEO of ForgePilot, and Matt Stanford to discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming Fixed Operations and the future of automotive service.

Before becoming a technology founder, Shane spent more than 20 years as a master technician, custom builder, and shop owner. That experience inspired him to create ForgePilot—an AI-powered diagnostic platform designed by technicians, for technicians.

Whether you're a technician, service advisor, service manager, dealer principal, or simply passionate about automotive innovation, this episode delivers real-world insight from people building the future.

🌐 Learn more about ForgePilot:
https://forgepilot.pro

👍 If you enjoyed this conversation, please Like, Subscribe, and turn on notifications for more conversations with automotive leaders, innovators, and industry professionals.

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What happens after you leave the car business?

In this episode of True Confessions of a Car Guy, John Gavin sits down with Tangi Griggs to discuss her journey through the automotive industry, the lessons she learned on the showroom floor, and the path that led her to become an author.

Tangi shares stories from her years in the car business, reflects on the experiences that shaped her career, and discusses the inspiration behind her memoir, Calm in Calamity.

📚 Tangi's Book – Calm in Calamity
Learn more or order your copy here:

https://store.bookbaby.com/book/calm-...

🎙️ Hosted by: John Gavin
🎬 Produced by: BAGI Media

👍 If you enjoyed this conversation, please Like, Comment, and Subscribe for more real stories from the automotive industry.


If you are a car guy or car girl with similar experiences, contact the show today [email protected]

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Born Free. Born Car Guy. Roundtable | 1 Year Strong

Welcome to our special Independence Day Roundtable as we celebrate 1 Year Strong with True Confessions of a Car Guy.

Join us for an honest conversation about the automotive industry, dealership life, and the people who have dedicated their careers to the car business. From memorable stories to industry insights, this July 4th special celebrates the freedom, hard work, and entrepreneurial spirit that define automotive professionals across America.

🎙️ Guests
Steve Forrest
Lane Campbell

🎤 Host
John Gavin

🎬 Produced by
BAGI

Thank you to everyone who has supported True Confessions of a Car Guy throughout our first year. Your support has helped build a community where car people can share real stories, real experiences, and real conversations.

We're 1 Year Strong... and we're just getting started.

If you are a car guy or car girl with similar experiences, contact the show today [email protected]

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After decades on the floor and in the GM's chair, Mike "Lado" Ladowitz just walked away from the car business — and he's not holding back. The recently retired General Manager joins True Confessions of a Car Guy to talk war stories from a career spent running a dealership, and what's changed in the business since Lado stepped away. Old school instincts, real experience, no filter.

If you are a car guy or car girl with similar experiences, contact the show today [email protected]