Best Auto Sales Training Podcasts (2026)

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Health Insurance Shakeup for 2026: ACA Subsidies, Association Plans, and the HRA Strategy Shop Owners Need to Know [E203] 27:31

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3h ago27:31

27:31

Thanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked File Health insurance premiums keep climbing — but 2026 could bring the biggest shakeup in years. In this episode of Business by the Numbers, Hunt Demarest, CPA with Paar Melis & Associates, breaks down what’s happening in the small-business health insurance landscape after recent ACA subsidy changes — an…

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"A 2025 Year in Review" - The Real Lessons of 2025 and Why 2026 Demands More 28:51

1d ago28:51

28:51

What if the reason things didn’t click in 2025 has less to do with your tools and more to do with your willingness to change? In this solo year in review episode, I’m slowing things down to reflect on what 2025 actually taught us. Not the highlight reel. The real stuff. The hard conversations, the uncomfortable growth, the moments where leadership,…

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Does Training Actually Pay Off? What Shop Owners Get Wrong About Technician Development [E202] 30:42

1d ago30:42

30:42

Thanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked File Training might be the most misunderstood investment in the auto-repair industry — and one of the most expensive when done wrong. In this week’s episode of Business by the Numbers, Hunt Demarest, CPA with Paar Melis & Associates, sits down with David Boyes, President of Today’s Class, to unpack why so…

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"Kickstart Your Wealth Engine" - How a Kia GM Built $10M in Real Estate While Running a Store | Tustin Ulrich, GM at Roper Kia 41:32

10d ago41:32

41:32

What if your success today could quietly sabotage your future, unless you build a plan beyond the next car deal? In this episode of The Dealer Playbook, I sit down with Tustin Ulrich, General Manager of Roper Kia (one of the most dominant Kia stores in Missouri) and founder of The 1% Effect, a real estate investor concierge designed specifically fo…

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End-of-Year Tax Traps: The Deductions, Deadlines & Mistakes That Cost Shop Owners Thousands [E201] 30:23

8d ago30:23

30:23

Thanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked File Are you leaving money on the table before the tax year closes? In this end-of-year episode of Business by the Numbers, Hunt Demarest, CPA with Paar Melis & Associates, walks through the essential tax moves shop owners must make before December 31st and the costly assumptions that lead many to overpay…

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"The ‘Pull, Not Push’ Strategy" - How Authentic Community Investment Drives Real Store Traffic | Ashley Brockhurst, Charlesglen Toyota 37:49

17d ago37:49

37:49

What happens when precision from aviation meets creativity in automotive marketing? In this episode, Ashley Brockhurst, Director of Marketing and Health & Safety at Charlesglen Toyota in Calgary, Alberta — “Alberta’s Celebration Destination” — shares how her dealership’s community-first philosophy is redefining what automotive retail can look like.…

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The Road to 200: How to Double Your Sales, Profit, and Net Income [E200] 35:54

23d ago35:54

35:54

Thanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked File What would it take to double your shop’s success? I.e., 200% of your current sales, gross profit, and net profit? In this special 200th episode of Business by the Numbers, Hunt Demarest, CPA at Paar Melis & Associates, breaks down the math, mindset, and milestones behind scaling your shop’s numbers w…

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“Hospitality First” — The Signature 2.0 Experience That’s Changing How Guests Buy Cars | JB Burnett, GM at Preston Auto | Multi-Store Operator 49:26

24d ago49:26

49:26

What happens when a dealer group bets big on hospitality, culture, and process, instead of pressure, price, and tradition? Today, multi-store operator JB Burnett joins me to unpack the launch of his brand new Ford Signature 2.0 store, the first of its kind in the world, and why the guest experience is now his most powerful competitive advantage. We…

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Stop Paying Taxes You Don’t Owe: The Tax-Free Way to Reward Your Team [E199] 16:22

27d ago16:22

16:22

Thanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked File Are you rewarding your team, or paying extra taxes to do it? Could a few words on your payroll save you thousands a year? In this episode, Hunt Demarest, CPA with Paar, Melis & Associates, explains why the difference between an allowance and a reimbursement could save both you and your employees thou…

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"Viral for the Right Reasons" - What Dealers Can Learn from Lange & Fetter’s Social Media Strategy | Noella Salter, Marketing Manager at Lange & Fetter Ford 53:25

1M ago53:25

53:25

If you’ve ever wondered how a small-town Ford store ends up going mega-viral, builds a loyal community, and turns everyday dealership life into must-watch content… this episode is for you. Today I’m joined by the brilliant, hilarious, and wildly creative Noella Salter, the marketing manager behind Lang & Fetter Ford’s social media presence that the…

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Stop Letting the Dealer Decide Your Finances — Leasing vs Buying Explained [E198] 20:01

1M ago20:01

20:01

Thanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked File Should you lease or buy your next vehicle or piece of shop equipment? In this episode, Hunt Demarest, CPA with Paar Melis and Associates, walks through the real-world math behind leases and loans, from tax deductions to depreciation traps, so you can make decisions based on dollars and sense, not dea…

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“Every Crisis Is Free Profit” — How to Turn Disruption in the Industry Into Opportunity | Nir Bashan, founder of The Creator Mindset 36:33

1M ago36:33

36:33

What if your biggest dealership problems aren’t “market problems”… but creativity problems? In this episode of The Dealer Playbook, Michael sits down with Nir Bashan, world-renowned creativity expert, founder & CEO of The Creator Mindset, LLC, Clio Award winner, and Emmy-nominated former Hollywood/advertising executive to show car dealers how to us…

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10 Actions to Increase Your Bookings in the Next 7 Days 28:17

1M ago28:17

28:17

Want bookings to jump this week without burning cash on guesswork? Davy teamed up with Mike Karlen and Dustin Jackson to map out fast, practical moves any detailing business can deploy today. We start with the lowest‑friction wins: reaching out to existing customers by text or phone, reactivating relationships that already trust your quality, and m…

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Why 2026 Will Redefine Auto Repair: Inside the Industry’s Biggest Shifts, Struggles, and Opportunities [E197] 23:04

1M ago23:04

23:04

Thanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked File What if the biggest problems facing auto repair shops today aren’t what you think they are? And what if the future of the industry is being shaped right now, quietly, behind the scenes, by the conversations shop owners aren’t having? In this episode, Hunt Demarest sits down with Chris Jones, the edit…

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“Use the Equity, Not the Gut” Where the Data Says Your Car Will Sell Next | Yolanda Biswah, President of Canadian Black Book (CBB) 26:29

2M ago26:29

26:29

How should Canadian dealers REALLY be using data to price, appraise, and move inventory in 2025? In this episode of The Dealer Playbook, Michael sits down with Yolanda Bishwah, President of Canadian Black Book (CBB), the data backbone behind used vehicle valuations and residual forecasts for OEMs, lenders, and retailers across the country. With 65+…

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Customer Acquisition Cost vs. Lifetime Value: The Math That Decides If Your Shop's Advertising is Working [E196] [E196] 26:41

2M ago26:41

26:41

Thanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked File How much does it really cost your shop to win a new customer, and is it worth it? Most shop owners don’t realize they’re spending hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars just to bring in a single new face, and in some cases, they’re losing money on every “win.” In this episode, Hunt Demarest, CPA wi…

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“Luxury Isn’t About Price” How to Deliver Premium Experiences That Raise Gross | Marion Cain, Founder of ACE & Creator of Kharisma Mastery 35:11

2M ago35:11

35:11

Guest Marion Cain (ACE founder; creator of Kharisma Mastery) breaks down a science-based playbook for dealership sales and F&I teams to own the room, deliver luxury touchpoints (on any brand), and turn trust into revenue. We cover the first 90 seconds, nonverbal cues, “portable stories,” True Cost of Ownership framing, and how to use GPT/AI to tail…

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Stop Guessing Your Ad Budget! Why Most Auto Shops Overspend and Undergrow [E195] 27:53

2M ago27:53

27:53

Thanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked File “How much should I actually spend on advertising?” In this week’s episode of Business by the Numbers, Hunt Demarest, CPA with Paar Melis & Associates, tackles one of the most misunderstood questions in the auto repair world. You’ve probably heard the “3–6% rule” a hundred times, but Hunt pulls back t…

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“Extremes Get Clicks”: What 3,000 Pros Just Told Us About AI vs. Google | Marcus Sheridan, Author of Endless Customers | Ep. 684 1:02:04

2M ago1:02:04

1:02:04

AI vs. Google isn’t theoretical anymore; your buyers are already switching how they search. In this episode, Marcus Sheridan (author of They Ask, You Answer and Endless Customers) shares fresh data from ~3,000 pros on how often they now use ChatGPT instead of Google, what that means for SEO, content, and lead gen, and how car dealerships can pivot …

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Set Boundaries With Clients! Service Advisor Tips 25:09

2M ago25:09

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Thanks to our sponsor WorldPac and the WorldPac Training Institute (WTI)! TOUCH HERE for the latest in auto parts distribution and HERE to explore training programs that can take your career to the next level. In this episode, Michael Doherty hosts his final Autofix AdvisorCast and shares heartfelt reflections on the evolution of customer expectati…

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Your $200 Labor Rate Means Nothing: What Really Matters in Auto Shop Profitability [E194] 21:28

2M ago21:28

21:28

Thanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked File In this episode of Business by the Numbers, Hunt Demarest of Paarmelis & Associates breaks down one of the most misunderstood metrics in the automotive repair world: effective labor rate. Many shop owners chase “higher door rates,” but as Hunt reveals, that number often has little to do with your act…

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“Curiosity Beats Fear Every Time”: How Dealers Are Future-Proofing Their Teams for AI and Electrification | Sebrina Westbrooke, Program Manager at Georgian College | Ep. 683 27:09

2M ago27:09

27:09

Curiosity beats fear in modern retail automotive. In this episode of The Dealer Playbook, Michael Cirillo sits down with Sebrina Westbrooke, Program Manager at Georgian College’s Automotive Business School of Canada and lead for the Canadian Dealer Academy, to unpack how car dealerships are future-proofing leadership teams for AI, electrification, …

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The "We Over Me" Mindset in Auto Repair 21:38

2M ago21:38

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Thanks to our sponsor WorldPac and the WorldPac Training Institute (WTI)! TOUCH HERE for the latest in auto parts distribution and HERE to explore training programs that can take your career to the next level. In this episode, host Michael Doherty dives into the power of selfless teamwork in building an unstoppable shop culture. Michael shares pers…

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ERTC Audits Are Here: What Every Shop Owner Needs to Know in 2025 [E193] 30:34

2M ago30:34

30:34

Thanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked File After years of waiting, many shop owners are discovering that their long-anticipated Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) checks may never come — and worse, some are facing IRS audits they didn’t see coming. In this week’s episode of Business by the Numbers, Hunt Demarest, CPA at Paar Melis & Associa…

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Alex Lawrence: The Playbook for Selling EVs in a Volatile Market | Car Sales | Ep. 682 44:27

2M ago44:27

44:27

There’s something special about people who build where no blueprint exists. My guest today, Alex Lawrence, is one of those people. He’s a tech veteran, tenured professor, and serial entrepreneur who co-founded EV Auto, one of the first dealership groups in the U.S. dedicated entirely to used EVs and plug-in hybrids. But what really stands out about…

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Why Patience and Communication Matter for Service Advisors 22:29

3M ago22:29

22:29

Thanks to our sponsor WorldPac and the WorldPac Training Institute (WTI)! TOUCH HERE for the latest in auto parts distribution and HERE to explore training programs that can take your career to the next level. In this episode, Michael Doherty breaks down the concept of “client guided sales” and how it transforms the traditional sales approach for s…

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Profit or Time? The Tradeoff Every Shop Owner Gets Wrong [E192] 24:34

3M ago24:34

24:34

Thanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked File Every shop owner knows the feeling — the harder you work, the less time you seem to have. But what if you could have both? In this week’s Business by the Numbers, Hunt Demerast, CPA, explores the hidden link between profit and time — and why the goal isn’t working harder, but working smarter. From un…

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Tara Willis: How to Build a Culture That Sells Cars | Car Sales | Ep. 681 27:20

2M ago27:20

27:20

What makes someone dream of being in the car business, and then actually make it happen? In this episode, I sit down with Tara Willis, a seasoned automotive professional who turned her childhood love for cars into a 20-year career working with major automotive brands like BMW, Subaru, Nissan, and Infiniti. Tara now leads product marketing and incen…

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Mindset is EVERYTHING for Service Advisors! 18:50

3M ago18:50

18:50

Thanks to our sponsor WorldPac and the WorldPac Training Institute (WTI)! TOUCH HERE for the latest in auto parts distribution and HERE to explore training programs that can take your career to the next level. In this episode, Michael Doherty dives into the essentials of maintaining a healthy, positive mindset as a service advisor. He emphasizes th…

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The $5,000 Parts Problem: Why Every Auto Shop Loses Money Without Knowing It [E191] 23:53

3M ago23:53

23:53

Thanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked File Ever been charged for someone else’s part? Or failed to get a credit on a return you were sure you’d handled? You’re not alone—and those small leaks could be costing your auto shop thousands each month. This week, Hunt Demerast breaks down how to uncover where your money is really going, how to recon…

4M ago33:13

33:13

What happens when passion meets purpose? Carlos' journey from car-loving teenager to professional detailer reveals the transformative power of following your calling. Carlos' detailing story begins with his uncle's influence – a barber who kept his cars immaculate. This early exposure sparked a lifelong passion that eventually became a business wit…