Best ASOTU Podcasts (2025)

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What Auto Investment Really Does to American Communities with Drew Ferguson | The Merge 2025 10:46

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5d ago10:46

10:46

Send us a text Recorded live at the Alliance for Automotive Innovation's The Merge 2025, this episode features Drew Ferguson, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis, sharing a deeply personal view of what automotive investment really means for American communities. From his hometown of West Point, Georgia—once dev…

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The Fight for America’s Auto Future with Congresswoman Debbie Dingell | The Merge 2025 9:09

6d ago9:09

9:09

Send us a text Recorded live at Merge 2025, this episode of Auto Collabs features Congresswoman Debbie Dingell of Michigan, a lifelong advocate for the auto industry and someone whose personal and professional history is deeply tied to it. From growing up with “Body by Fisher” in her blood to working more than three decades in and around automotive…

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Inside Mercedes-Benz’s Biggest Product Push Ever with North American CEO Jason Hoff | The Merge 2025 5:42

6d ago5:42

5:42

Send us a text Recorded live at the Alliance for Automotive Innovation's the Merge 2025, this episode of Auto Collabs features Jason Hoff, CEO of Mercedes-Benz North America, sharing a clear look at where the brand is headed—and what that means for dealers. Hoff outlines the largest product launch cycle in Mercedes-Benz history, with nearly 40 mode…

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China Is the Only Story That Matters Right Now with Michael Dunne | The Merge 2025 9:01

7d ago9:01

9:01

Send us a text Recorded live at the Alliance for Automotive Innovation's the Merge 2025, this episode features Michael Dunne, one of the most respected global analysts on the Chinese auto industry. From his vantage point tracking China for decades, Dunne delivers a blunt assessment: the biggest issue facing the auto industry today isn’t EVs, autono…

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Why The Auto Industry Can’t Afford to Keep Reinventing Software with Jeff Walker | The Merge 2025 15:30

8d ago15:30

15:30

Send us a text Recorded live at Merge 2025, this episode of Auto Collabs features Jeff Walker, Chief Commercial Officer of SDVerse, unpacking one of the most important—but least understood—shifts happening inside modern vehicles: the move to truly software-defined architectures. Jeff explains why SDVerse was created by GM, Magna, and Wipro, and how…

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Senator Bernie Moreno on The Real State of the Auto Industry | The Merge 2025 4:22

9d ago4:22

4:22

Send us a text Recorded live at the Alliance for Automotive Innovation's The Merge 2025, this candid conversation with Senator Bernie Moreno offers a clear look at how quickly sentiment in the auto industry has shifted. Just eight months ago at the New York Auto Show, many in the room were worried about the direction of the market, from economic un…

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Why Auto Is Using Less Than 10% of Its Data with Jason Tryfon 26:22

14d ago26:22

26:22

Send us a text If your dealership tech stack feels broken, Jason says there’s a reason—and the fix starts way upstream. In this episode, the crew sits down with Jason Tryfon, long-time automotive tech operator and now one of the leaders at Authenticom, the data connectivity company quietly powering huge chunks of the auto ecosystem. Jason walks thr…

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Why Communities Are Choosing Their Own Energy Future with Cara Renee 9:25

14d ago9:25

9:25

Send us a text Clean power is only half the story; affordability and access are the real battleground. Clean Power Alliance is reshaping how Southern California thinks about energy—not just by supplying cleaner power, but by redefining what a community-driven utility can look like. In this conversation, Kara Renée explains how a nonprofit energy pr…

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Inside the Most Anticipated Comeback in the Auto Industry with Ryan Decker of Scout Motors 10:25

14d ago10:25

10:25

Send us a text This might be the definitive reboot in modern automotive. In this conversation, Ryan Decker pulls back the curtain on how Scout is shaping one of the most anticipated returns to market in modern history. From a hallway conversation to a full factory, two show vehicles, a new platform, and an entirely new sales model, Ryan explains ho…

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What Auto Retail Can Learn From Casinos About Guest Experience 9:22

15d ago9:22

9:22

Send us a text Most people think casinos and car dealerships live in different worlds. Until you hear Sal Scheri talk about guest experience. As COO of Agua Caliente Casinos, Sal lays out exactly why customers will drive past multiple competitors just to get to a place that consistently delivers a better feeling — and why most businesses still unde…

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How Better Data Could Transform the Entire Dealership Experience with Paul Hilton 7:54

15d ago7:54

7:54

Send us a text If you’ve ever wondered why some dealers win online and others don’t, it often comes down to one thing: who has better data. JATO might not be a household name for most people in automotive retail—but quietly, for 40 years, they’ve been the data backbone behind the industry’s biggest decisions. In this conversation, Head of Retail Pa…

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Inside Honda’s Zero-Fatality Plan for 2050 with Brian Bautsch 6:38

16d ago6:38

6:38

Send us a text The biggest safety challenge Honda is tackling isn’t autonomy—it’s the way people actually drive. Honda has one of the boldest safety targets in the industry: zero traffic fatalities by 2050. It’s ambitious, but when you hear Brian Bautsch, Director of Safety Strategy, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., explain the three-part strategy b…

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The Simple Device That Gives Any Car Autopilot with Will Bright 9:07

16d ago9:07

9:07

Send us a text Autonomy isn’t the future of new cars—it might be the future of used cars too. A friend’s death pushed Will Bright to ask one question: Why don’t most cars on the road have the safety tech that could save lives? What he uncovered was staggering—road fatalities up 50% over the past decade, only 10% of vehicles equipped with modern ped…

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The Personal Aircraft You Can Fly With No License: Inside Pivotal’s Helix with Cal Cruickshank 9:45

19d ago9:45

9:45

Send us a text This exclusive interview series from Automobility LA at the LA Auto Show is brought to you by Cars Commerce. Most people still think flying cars are science fiction. Pivotal is already delivering them — and you don’t even need a pilot’s license to fly one. In one of the most future-forward conversations of the LA Auto Show series, we…

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Why Electric Boats Make More Sense Than Electric Cars with Mitch Lee 7:33

19d ago7:33

7:33

Send us a text Everyone argues about electric cars — meanwhile, electric boats quietly solve problems the auto industry hasn’t touched. In this episode, we sit down with Mitch Lee, co-founder and CEO of Arc Boats, a company reshaping an industry most people assumed would be the last to electrify. Gas boats are famously loud, maintenance-heavy, unre…

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The New Way Consumers Shop for Cars (And What Dealers Must Do Next with Amie Lindaas 10:47

20d ago10:47

10:47

Send us a text The car-buying journey has officially changed and it's nothing to do with dealers. It's because consumers are using AI long before they ever walk onto a lot. Live from Automobility LA, we sit down with Amie Lindaas, Director of Research and Insights at Cars Commerce, to uncover the truth about how consumers are actually shopping in 2…

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Why Dealers Need Orchestrated AI, Not More Point Solutions with Marianne Johnson and David Foutz 10:18

20d ago10:18

10:18

Send us a text The biggest mistake dealers make with AI? Treating it like a tool, not an ecosystem. Recorded live at Automobility LA, this conversation with Marianne Johnson (EVP & Chief Product Officer, Cox Automotive) and David Foutz (VP of Enterprise Client Management) cuts straight through the noise surrounding AI. Instead of buzzwords, they fo…

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How Real-Time Data Is Reshaping Product Planning and Retail Decisions with Luis Brizuela 9:01

21d ago9:01

9:01

Send us a text This exclusive interview series from Automobility LA at the LA Auto Show is brought to you by Cars Commerce. Everyone talks about electrification — but very few understand the data, speed, and intelligence driving it. JATO sits right at the center. Recorded live at Automobility LA, this episode features Luis Brizuela, Director of the…

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A Smarter Way to Build Charging Infrastructure for Fleets and AVs with Brett Hauser 9:48

21d ago9:48

9:48

Send us a text This exclusive interview series from Automobility LA at the LA Auto Show is brought to you by Cars Commerce. Everyone talks about EV adoption — but almost no one understands the brutal reality of actually powering the fleets that need to drive it. In this episode from the LA Auto Show, we sit down with Brett Hauser, Chairman & CEO of…

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Why Auto Shows Still Matter with Andy Steinhauser 10:53

22d ago10:53

10:53

Send us a text This exclusive interview series from Automobility LA at the LA Auto Show is brought to you by Cars Commerce. Auto shows aren’t dying — they’re evolving. And according to someone who runs LA’s, they may be more important to the industry now than at any point in the last decade. Recorded live at the LA Auto Show, this episode goes behi…

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You Won’t Get Rich on Mobile Service — But You’ll Lose Without It with Joe Castelino, Ephraim Barcelo and Cody Collins 19:06

22d ago19:06

19:06

Send us a text This exclusive interview series from Automobility LA at the LA Auto Show is brought to you by Cars Commerce. The next battle for customer loyalty won’t be won in the service drive… but in their driveway. Recorded live at the LA Auto Show, this roundtable pulls together three very different perspectives with one shared problem: the cu…

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Inside Honda’s Olympic Strategy with Jennifer Symington 7:30

23d ago7:30

7:30

Send us a text This exclusive interview series from Automobility LA at the LA Auto Show is brought to you by Cars Commerce. LA28 is coming, and Honda plans to be at the center of it. Here’s how. Recorded live at the LA Auto Show, this conversation dives into one of Honda’s biggest brand moments in decades: its multi-year partnership with the LA28 O…

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Automobility LA: Why Every Car Shopper Is Overwhelmed Right Now with Jennifer Newman 11:13

23d ago11:13

11:13

Send us a text This exclusive interview series from Automobility LA at the LA Auto Show is brought to you by Cars Commerce. Car buyers are experiencing more than just stress. They’re panicking. Cars.com Editor-in-Chief Jenni Newman joins us with a front-row view of the fear, confusion, and pressure buyers are carrying into showrooms today. She expl…

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What’s Really Breaking Trust Between OEMs and Dealers From Someone Who's Lived Both Sides with Igor Skinder 41:17

1M ago41:17

41:17

Send us a text Igor Skinder has seen every side of the car business—and he still believes people matter more than the metal. Today’s guest is Igor “Iggy” Skinder, a self-proclaimed car guy who somehow manages to be both physically imposing and one of the sweetest, most grounded humans in the room. Born in former Yugoslavia, Igor grew up three hours…

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Why Most ‘Guest Experience’ Programs Fail... and What Actually Works 28:52

2M ago28:52

28:52

Send us a text This former teacher used simple, repeatable hospitality—not buzzwords—to scale and auto group. Today’s guest, Adam Gaedke helped steer a dealership group through hyper-growth, an ESOP transition, and a full-blown culture shift rooted in hospitality. Starting as a salesperson, Adam rode the wave from one store to 18 in 18 months, sat …

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Stop Guessing, Start Testing with Derek Hansen 26:16

2M ago26:16

26:16

Send us a text If your appraisals still start with a sharpie on a worksheet, this one’s for you. Derek Hansen has lived in the deep end of dealer data—Manheim to vAuto—helping thousands of rooftops translate live market signals into real-world inventory wins. In this conversation with Paul and Kyle, he walks through the three-legged stool every mod…

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The Data That Stops Wasted Follow-Ups (and Saves Your BDC) with Kristine Lentz 27:46

2M ago27:46

27:46

Send us a text What if one number could cut burnout, fix your follow-up, and turn “lost” leads into lifetime service customers? Kristine Lentz from Urban Science joins Auto Collabs for her first-ever podcast—and promptly makes everyone smile while talking about the least smiley topic in retail: customer defection. From starting in support to leadin…

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“I Wouldn’t Buy a Car From Me” (This GM Helped Ford Redesign the Showroom) with JB Burnett 29:29

2M ago29:29

29:29

Send us a text Apple Store energy meets Ford retail as JB Burnett builds a concierge dealership that actually fits how people buy. Today’s guest, JB Burnett (GM at Preston Automotive Group), went from serving tables at 20 to running his first dealership at 23. He’s now opening what Ford calls the world’s first Signature 2.0 facility—a wide-open, co…

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Outcomes vs Attribution: We're Measuring The Wrong Thing with Michael Kraut 31:25

3M ago31:25

31:25

Send us a text Streaming is splintered, AI is the new TV guide, and last-click is dead—Michael Kraut lays out the dealer playbook for what’s next. Auto Collabs history: our first ever in-studio guest! Experian’s Michael Kraut sits down with Paul to map the new media reality—where streaming splinters attention, Yahoo and Amazon quietly re-emerge as …

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Auto Shows Are Quietly Driving ROI (But Dealers Aren’t Paying Attention) with Jennifer Morand 26:01

4M ago26:01

26:01

Send us a text Auto shows aren’t dead—they’re just getting started, and Jennifer Morand is helping to rewrite the playbook. On this episode of Auto Collabs, the crew welcomes Jennifer Morand—the incoming chairwoman of the Automotive Experience Alliance (AEA) and powerhouse behind the Chicago Auto Show. She’s on a mission to make auto shows more tha…

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This One Stat Explains Why Customers Still Hate Buying Cars with David Thomas 27:01

4M ago27:01

27:01

Send us a text What if the real reason car buyers feel frustrated has nothing to do with price? David Thomas has spent decades shaping how consumers understand and experience buying a car—from the early days of Autoblog to his current role unpacking research at CDK Global. In this episode, David joins Michael and Paul to talk about the hidden frict…

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The Reason Your Dealership Tech Stack Sucks (It’s Not What You Think) with Nick Askew 32:05

4M ago32:05

32:05

Send us a text AI isn’t coming for your job—it’s coming for your to-do list. When Nick Askew first plugged AI into his daily marketing work, it was like flipping a switch—from a grind to a productivity cheat code. In this episode, Nick sits down with Kyle (while Paul and Michael cheer from the sidelines) to unpack why that moment in late 2023 marke…

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Why Customers Don't Trust Mechanics (And How to Fix It) with Curtis Gardner 23:31

4M ago23:31

23:31

Send us a text The technician who turned oil changes into master certifications—and negativity into a movement of positivity. Curtis Gardner isn’t your typical technician. Starting out with oil changes after high school, Curtis worked his way up to Toyota master certification before taking on the German-engineering challenge at Audi. But what makes…

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The AI Reality Check Every Automotive Vendor Needs with Laurie Halter 26:30

4M ago26:30

26:30

Send us a text From hype to hesitation—Laurie Halter reveals what dealerships really think about AI in the service drive. Laurie Halter isn’t just a PR veteran with her finger on the industry’s pulse—she’s now bringing hard data to the AI conversation in fixed ops. In this episode, she joins Paul, Kyle, and Michael to unpack her latest independent …

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Why the Next Big Auto Story Won’t Start on Social Media with Jamie Butters 25:42

4M ago25:42

25:42

Send us a text From Kentucky minivan launches to Tokyo auto shows to the Wall Street Journal—Jamie Butters has been shaping automotive news for decades, and now he’s taking that storytelling to an even bigger stage. In this episode, Paul J Daly sits down with veteran automotive journalist Jamie Butters, fresh off his transition from Automotive News…

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Bots Don’t Buy Cars: Owen Moon on Streaming, Fraud & Fixing Ads 10:00

5M ago10:00

10:00

In this candid and engaging episode of ASOTU Unscripted, host Errol D. Bomar sits down with Owen Moon—veteran marketer, agency founder, and now co-founder of a new venture in streaming advertising. As lunch buzzes around them, Owen shares his 25-year journey through automotive marketing, from his early days embedded in dealership trenches to buildi…

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Selling With Soul: Steve's Journey from Medical to Automotive 15:21

5M ago15:21

15:21

In this vibrant and heartfelt ASOTU Unscripted episode, Errol Bomar sits down with Steve Roessler, better known as “Live with Drive.” Steve takes us on a compelling journey from engineering and medical sales to pioneering CRM engagement in the auto industry as Chief Evangelist at DriveCentric. His story is rooted in adaptability, family inspiration…

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The #1 Thing Dealers Want from Vendors: Communication, Not More Tech with Tina Cuatto 23:27

5M ago23:27

23:27

Send us a text In an industry chasing the next big thing, Tina Cuatto says the real game changer is simple: better vendor communication. AI, vibe coding, and endless vendor promises—dealers are being told the future is already here. But is it? Tina Cuatto from DealerOn joins the Auto Collabs crew to cut through the noise and get real about where th…

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The $500 Trust Policy: Bill Vaughn’s People-First Playbook 9:36

5M ago9:36

9:36

In this energizing edition of ASOTU Unscripted, host Errol Bomar sits down with Bill Vaughn, a recently appointed dealership leader only 90 days into his new role. Bill brings a grounded, refreshingly candid perspective to the conversation, sharing his unlikely start in automotive and how learning to prioritize people over process completely transf…

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How To Be Your Own CDP with Nick Askew 32:51

5M ago32:51

32:51

Send us a text When your side hustle is building AI that builds companies, you're officially in "mad scientist" territory—in the best way. Nick Askew of Space Auto returns to Auto Collabs and proves once again why he's the dealer tech world's resident mad scientist. In this episode, Nick talks about building an experimental AI-powered company that …

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How a Booth Gig Became a Business: Enrique Gago’s Auto Story 13:16

5M ago13:16

13:16

In this episode of ASOTU Unscripted, host Errol Bomar sits down with Enrique Gago of Gago Brothers Automotive to talk about transformation, resilience, and rediscovering purpose through reinvention. Enrique opens up about how he unexpectedly entered the automotive industry—thanks to a favor for his then-girlfriend (now wife)—and how that moment spa…

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Nobody Asked... But Recycled Metals Built Your Car with John Sacco 35:22

5M ago35:22

35:22

Send us a text John Sacco reveals how recycled metals are the unsung heroes fueling everything from hospitals to highways, and yes—even your car. John Sacco, owner of Sierra Machinery International, joins Paul J Daly, Kyle Mountsier, and Michael Cirillo to unpack the surprisingly central role of recycled metals in modern life. With his signature fo…

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Training AI To Fix The Little Things with Sanjay Varnwal 25:06

6M ago25:06

25:06

Send us a text This episode of Auto Collabs gets seriously smart as Paul, Kyle, and Michael welcome Sanjay Varnwal, founder of Spyne. With a background that includes time at Amazon and deep roots in AI-driven product development, Sanjay shares his journey from general e-commerce merchandising to building ultra-specialized solutions for the auto ind…

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1% Better Every Day: Gavin Reeves’ Blueprint for Automotive Impact 4:31

6M ago4:31

4:31

In this inspiring episode of ASOTU Unscripted, host Errol Bomar sits down with 23-year-old rising star Gavin Reeves, who shares his rapid ascent through the automotive industry. Starting at just 18 as a porter, Gavin moved through roles in BMW product education, service tech, and sales before landing in a Center Performance role—all driven by his c…

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Why Customer Loyalty Starts with Smarter Tech with Thuy Adomitis 25:14

6M ago25:14

25:14

Send us a text Thuy Adomitis didn’t plan on joining the auto industry—until a grueling 14-hour car-buying ordeal sparked a career that’s now reshaping how dealerships communicate. In this episode, Thuy shares her journey from that fateful purchase to leading sales at Mia Labs, where she’s helping dealers replace “Franken-systems” with AI agents tha…

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27 Years In: How John Osborne Sees the Future of Automotive with One Price, One Story 9:26

6M ago9:26

9:26

In this episode of ASOTU Unscripted, Errol Bomar welcomes John Osborne, Executive Manager at Williamsburg Ford, to reflect on 27 years in the automotive industry and the key inflection points that shaped his approach to leadership, customer experience, and innovation. From entering the industry after time in the Army and firefighting school, to pio…

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From Stay At Home Mom to Automotive Powerhouse: Judi Anderson's Story 12:28

6M ago12:28

12:28

In this heartfelt episode of ASOTU Unscripted, host Errol Bomar welcomes back Judi Anderson—attending her fourth consecutive ASOTUCON—to explore the personal journey that led her to become a pillar of customer experience in the automotive space. From roller-skating carhop to corporate marketer to a role built just for her, Judy shares how empathy, …

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She Bought Three Cars From Me—Here’s Why with Landon Garside 8:26

6M ago8:26

8:26

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of ASOTU Unscripted, host Errol Bomar sits down with Landon Garside, a former high school drumline teacher turned automotive professional and now marketing strategist. Landon shares how personal transitions—including a divorce and career burnout—led him into the automotive industry by what seemed like chance.…

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From Cleaning Bathrooms to Owning A Dealership with Lou Cannata 10:50

6M ago10:50

10:50

In this heartfelt and unscripted episode of ASOTU Unscripted, host Errol Bomar sits down with Lou Cannata, a second-generation dealer principal and founder of Level 5 Leadership Coaching & Consulting. Lou shares the deeply personal and professional journey that shaped his leadership—starting from cleaning bathrooms in his family’s dealership to ste…

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Leading From Eye Level with Kielan Whitner 9:43

6M ago9:43

9:43

In this ASOTU CON 2025 session, Paul J Daly sits down with Kielan Whitner of Townsend Nissan to explore what it really means to lead from "eye level." A former Syracuse football player and public accountant, Kielan breaks down how he transitioned into the auto industry and climbed the ranks to General Manager in just seven years. His approach? Lead…