Best Auto Recruiting Podcasts (2025)

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A new way to get funding for your manufacturing business! Scott Peper from Mobilization Funding 33:02

Play Pause

3h ago33:02

33:02

Send us a text The money game when it comes to funding your industrial business just got a bit easier. Scott Peper, founder and CEO of Mobilization Funding, joined us to discuss his journey from sales in the medical device industry to founding Mobilization Funding, which provides working capital loans to manufacturers and commercial contractors. Sc…

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From Wrenches to Wealth: Building a Business That Outlives You 51:42

6d ago51:42

51:42

In this powerful episode of The Gearbox Podcast, Jimmy Purdy sits down with financial advisor and exit strategist Matt DiFrancesco to talk about the one thing most shop owners never plan for—what happens after the grind. Matt shares insider strategies on how blue-collar business owners can transform from being trapped in their business to leading i…

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Brent Sadler from the Heritage Foundation on rebuilding US shipbuilding and revitalizing our Navy 35:38

11d ago35:38

35:38

Send us a text Talk about a vital subject! Our host Jim Vinoski interviews Brent Sadler, a retired US Navy Captain and senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, about the sorry state of American shipbuilding and the US Navy's needs. Sadler highlights the US Navy's shortage of ships, emphasizing the need for 575 ships to counter threats fro…

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Killing the Old You: Growth, Grit, and Getting Coached with Brent Kilmer 1:01:32

19d ago1:01:32

1:01:32

In this powerful milestone episode, Jimmy sits down with Brent Kilmer — owner of Velocity Tire & Auto and coach with Repair Shop of Tomorrow — for a raw and inspiring deep dive into what it really takes to grow as a shop owner and leader. From battling resistance to coaching, to learning when to let go of bad habits (and bad employees), Brent share…

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Michael Goerlich from Raven Concealment Systems on growing a small Rust Belt manufacturing business 47:43

19d ago47:43

47:43

Send us a text It's always a treat to hear from folks who are building new American manufacturing businesses. So chatting with Michael Goerlich, who makes gun holsters just outside of Cleveland, was great fun. Michael, owner of Raven Concealment Systems and president of Threshold Strategic Consulting, discussed his journey from a failed college stu…

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Author Zach Hanson on the immense value of learning trade skills for yourself! 36:00

27d ago36:00

36:00

By Jim Vinoski

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In the wake of the Charlie Kirk assassination, Mike Becker and Jim Vinoski discuss their differences 40:12

1M ago40:12

40:12

Send us a text Jim Vinoski hosts Mike Becker in the aftermath of the assassination of Charlie Kirk to set the example that people with opposing views can address their differences rationally and respectfully. Mike, a consultant at Becker Quality Improvements, shares his background in food safety and continuous improvement, highlighting issues like …

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Scott MacKenzie from Industrial Talk on making manufacturing cool again! 38:33

1M ago38:33

38:33

Send us a text What a great show it made to have as our guest the one and only Scott MacKenzie, manufacturing advocate and industry commentator extraordinaire! Scott is managing director of Industrial Talk Media, and he shared his journey from starting an industrial maintenance company to launching a media platform. He emphasized the importance of …

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Angie Simon and Maria Ford discuss the Heavy Metal Summer Experience, introducing youth to trades 35:40

2M ago35:40

35:40

Send us a text Anyone in industry knows the harsh reality of the skilled trades gap. Every affected business needs to be involved in bringing more of our youth into careers in the trades. Want a great example? That's exactly why we invited Angie Simon, co-founder of the Heavy Metal Summer Experience, and Maria Ford, President of Commercial and Indu…

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From Wrenches to Wealth: Rethinking Auto Repair with Charlie Zlatkos 1:06:45

2M ago1:06:45

1:06:45

In this episode, Jimmy sits down with Charlie Zlatkoz of Pleasant Car Care to talk about the journey from technician to shop owner—and why that leap requires a totally different mindset. They dive into the concept of "auto hospitality," fixing process bottlenecks, hiring the right team, and the power of saying yes to customers. Whether you're runni…

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Filip Aronshtein from Dirac on how automated digital work instructions can supercharge your ops 33:44

2M ago33:44

33:44

Send us a text How can work process automation help your manufacturing team? That's exactly what Filip Aronshtein joined us to talk about. He's co-founder and CEO of Dirac, a company that automates digital work instructions for manufacturers. Dirac's platform generates 3D animated assembly instructions from CAD files, improving efficiency and reduc…

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Andre Marino of Schneider Electric talks industrial automation 36:45

2M ago36:45

36:45

Send us a text With factory tech being all the rage in manufacturing these days, it was a treat to get some insights from a global expert. Andre Moreno, Senior Vice President of Industrial Automation at Schneider Electric, joined us to discuss his company's extensive experience and offerings in industrial automation and its focus on power generatio…

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Practice, Progress, and People: Redefining Leadership in the Shop 1:04:51

2M ago1:04:51

1:04:51

In this episode, Jimmy Purdy sits down with leadership coach Josh Parnell of Limitless Leadership to unpack what it really takes to grow as a leader—both in the shop and in life. From mastering communication and the power of one-on-ones, to balancing recognition with accountability, Josh shares practical strategies that drive team engagement, impro…

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Episode 169: Shep Hickey on the manufacturing and workforce landscape 47:02

2M ago47:02

47:02

Send us a text Shep Hickey founded Bryzos, a metals trading platform, and he hosts the podcast "Irregardless." Shep shares his journey from steel distribution to digital trade, emphasizing the need for efficient systems and technology. He discusses the importance of team building, focusing on aptitude and adaptability. He highlights the significanc…

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Author Paul Tice brings us good news about regulations, ESG, and the Endangerment Finding 41:49

3M ago41:49

41:49

Send us a text Paul Tice, author of *The Race to Zero: How ESG Investing Will Crater the Global Financial System,* recently wrote an article about the Trump administration's plan to do away with the EPA's Obama-era Endangerment Finding that classed CO2 as a pollutant. He joined us to dive into that excellent news as well as other heartening develop…

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Felipe on Rilla: Turning Conversations Into CRM Gold 36:40

3M ago36:40

36:40

In this episode, Felipe shares how his AI-powered tool seamlessly integrates with CRMs to capture, analyze, and leverage real customer conversations. From recording interactions to providing actionable insights, Felipe explains how advisors and sales teams can boost productivity, strengthen client relationships, and make data-driven decisions—all w…

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Jim Belosic from SendCutSend on modern tech revolutionizing manufacturing 34:41

3M ago34:41

34:41

Send us a text One of the most amazing categories of story out there is where huge tech leaps in manufacturing completely reshape how we make things. That's why this chat with Jim Belosic, founder of SendCutSend, is so riveting. Jim Belosic discussed his journey from graphic design to manufacturing. He highlighted the company's innovative approach,…

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Faith, Grit & Five Bays: How JJ Scaled a Small Shop into a Powerhouse 39:11

3M ago39:11

39:11

What happens when a former Wall Street financier-turned-school teacher opens a five-bay auto shop in a small Maryland town? You get JJ — a powerhouse of faith, grit, and strategy. In this episode, JJ shares how he transformed his shop from grinding $40K months into a $450K+ monthly revenue engine — all without a massive facility or a big-city advan…

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Lawrence Reed talks free markets, liberty, character, and the best business policies 39:22

3M ago39:22

39:22

Send us a text Lawrence Reed, President Emeritus of the Foundation for Economic Education, about his journey and insights on free markets and business policies. Larry credits his father's common sense and anti-communist sentiments for his advocacy of liberty. He discusses his roles at the Mackinac Center and FEE, emphasizing the importance of free …

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Merrin Muxlow on investment casting, metal, and American manufacturing 41:40

3M ago41:40

41:40

Send us a text It's always a good show when we talk about metal. So it was pure awesome having Merrin Muxlow, who leads partnerships for the Investment Casting Institute, join us to tell us about the world of metal casting. Merrin discusses the importance of investment casting in various industries, including aerospace and heavy machinery, and high…

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From Wrenches to Algorithms: How AI is Redefining Auto Repair 28:24

3M ago28:24

28:24

In this episode of The Gearbox Podcast, Jimmy Purdy sits down with Josh Overlander, Director of Business Development at Detect Auto, to explore how data and AI are revolutionizing the way independent repair shops do business. From identifying lost revenue opportunities to measuring real technician productivity in real time, Josh shares how Detect A…

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Author Jeff Leimbach on his book about the decline of US manufacturing - and what to do about it 37:16

3M ago37:16

37:16

Send us a text So, this dude sends me a copy of his book... then pesters me relentlessly to read it. And I'm really glad he did. Jeff Leimbach's *Broken Supply Chains: How Financial Engineering Hollowed American Manufacturing and the Complex Journey to Resilience* absolutely nails the main factors that drove so much of American industry overseas. S…

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Talent on Tap: Brian Rhodes’ Blueprint for Recruiting Rockstar Techs & Advisors 48:31

4M ago48:31

48:31

In this episode, Jimmy sits down with Brian Rhodes, founder of Auto Shop Recruiting and a 20-year veteran of talent acquisition, to crack the code on hiring techs and advisors in a market where “Help Wanted” banners are everywhere. Brian explains why the old “post-and-pray” ad doesn’t work anymore—and how independent shops can compete head-to-head …

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From $25,000 TO 20 Million- A business journey 1:10:45

4M ago1:10:45

1:10:45

By Jimmy Purdy

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Ed Marsh on driving revenue growth with the right sales process for manufacturers 40:08

4M ago40:08

40:08

Send us a text What a great bunch of know-how Ed Marsh, founder of Ed Marsh Consulting, brings us in this episode! He discusses the importance of revenue growth in manufacturing and emphasizes the need for a systematic approach similar to manufacturing's continuous improvement, focusing on integrated steps and prioritizing efficiency. Ed highlights…

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Bootstrapped & Booming: Elijah’s Journey From Pole-Barn Startup to High-Growth Auto Shop 1:01:06

4M ago1:01:06

1:01:06

Whether you’re a one-man shop dreaming bigger, or a multi-bay owner stuck in neutral, Elijah’s hard-won lessons on pricing, scheduling, and customer trust will help you shift from survival mode to booming business. Tune in to learn how a pole-barn passion project became a high-growth auto-repair force—and why your location, lift count, or local eco…

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Patrick Anderson on the flagging EV transition, auto prices, tariffs, and the economy 44:37

4M ago44:37

44:37

Send us a text What a treat it was to have Patrick Anderson, founder of Anderson Economic Group, join us to discuss the economic impact of electric vehicle (EV) costs and tariffs on the automotive industry! Patrick always brings fresh, informed insights backed with oodles of research. Patrick highlighted that EVs are more expensive than traditional…

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Business strategy guru Peter McDonald talks about the ups and downs of our CPG companies 36:35

4M ago36:35

36:35

Send us a text Consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies as a whole have not been doing well lately. They're the ones that make your foods and beverages as well as other daily use items like toiletries and cleaning supplies. But there are winners and losers in the mix. Peter McDonald, founding partner at McDonald's Strategy Partners, joined us to do …

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Mike Rowe discusses his new partnership with PureTalk to bring military vets to the skilled trades 38:59

5M ago38:59

38:59

Send us a text The inimitable Mike Rowe joined us to talk about his passion for promoting skilled trades, highlighting the significant increase in open positions from 2.3 million in 2009 to 7.6 million today. We chatted about his new partnership with PureTalk, a wireless company, to support veterans transitioning into trades. All that and a whole l…

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The cost of knowing where to hit it- with Oscar Gomez 44:45

5M ago44:45

44:45

In this episode, Jimmy Purdy from Shift’n Gears Auto Repair sits down with Oscar Gomez, founder of Master Automotive Training, for a no-filter conversation about diagnostics, technician training, and the realities of modern auto repair. From network code nightmares to crank-no-start mysteries, they dive into why proper testing matters, how to charg…

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Our host Jim Vinoski on the nonexistent rule about rich countries always being service economies 13:42

5M ago13:42

13:42

Send us a text "Manufacturing jobs aren't coming back to America, because rich nations are always service economies." Wrong on all counts! Our esteemed host explains why this oft-repeated statement is flat-out false, and what has really led to the decline of much of American industry. We're already reshoring, and we can cement that trend and accele…

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"Burn It Down or Build It Back” – with Lola Schmidt 1:08:05

5M ago1:08:05

1:08:05

In this brutally honest episode, Jimmy Purdy and Lola pull no punches as they unpack the real chaos behind the scenes in auto repair — and spoiler alert: it's not the techs or the customers. From the constant battle with unreliable parts suppliers to the identity crisis of techs-turned-owners who'd rather rebuild a transmission than sell an oil cha…

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Noel Joyce on his open-source adaptive mountain bike design 37:24

5M ago37:24

37:24

Send us a text Noel Joyce, an assistant professor at NYU Shanghai, discussed his open-source adaptive quad mountain bike design. After a mountain biking accident left him a wheelchair user for 20 years, Joyce pursued industrial design. He designed a bike to address the limitations of existing adaptive bikes, which often break down and are cost-proh…

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Live & unedited- Gear head Radio! 46:30

6M ago46:30

46:30

Back by popular demand, Another live version of our local call in radio show.By Jimmy Purdy

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Matt Horine on Veryable's on-demand labor app for manufacturing and warehousing 32:57

6M ago32:57

32:57

Send us a text Matt is Head of Reindustrialization at Veryable. We featured them in our early days, when the company's CEO, Mike Kinder, joined us for our Episode 11. Now, with reindustrialization happening in real time, Matt is here to tell how Veryable is uniquely suited to helping supply chain companies with their labor needs as they grapple wit…

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Clay Martin gives us all the lowdown on hiring skilled workers from Puerto Rico 31:18

6M ago31:18

31:18

Send us a text Peace Corps veteran Clay Martin found his calling, and he's now founded company #2 that's focused on helping industry employers find skilled workers who want to come here from Puerto Rico. In case you weren't previously aware, that is a territory of the United States, so the people there can come here with no red tape and no immigrat…

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Isaac Orr joins us once again to talk about how renewable energy makes electricity more expensive 36:45

6M ago36:45

36:45

Send us a text One half of the Energy Bad Boys came back on the show to discuss our electric grids and the good, the bad, and the ugly about them. Isaac Orr and Mitch Rolling published a Substack last month telling how my home state of Michigan's insane energy policies will likely shut down the last remaining iron mine in the Upper Peninsula, the T…

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Cutting Ties, Finding Peace: Nate Winston’s Journey to Independent Success 33:36

6M ago33:36

33:36

Nate Winston returns to the podcast one year after a dramatic business split — and he’s not the same guy. In this raw and reflective conversation, Nate opens up about the emotional toll of walking away from a 20-year friendship and 16-year partnership, the legal chaos that followed, and how he's found peace building his own shop from the ground up.…

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Chris Merida on all the latest in manufacturing recruiting 31:30

6M ago31:30

31:30

Send us a text Chris is with Global Search Network and is Senior Talent Acquisition Leader for Consumer Packaged Goods North America. So he is right there on the front lines of today's tough recruiting game. Chris joined us to share valuable insights on what he sees every day that can help you no matter what part you're playing: hiring manager, HR,…

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From the Bays to the Big Picture with Josh Rainwater 1:08:46

7M ago1:08:46

1:08:46

In this episode, Jimmy sits down with shop owner Josh Rainwater, who’s in the thick of a serious growth phase — and not holding back. Josh talks about what it means to go all in on your business, pushing through those brutal weeks where quitting sounds tempting, and the strategy behind hiring to free himself up from the bay and the front desk. If y…

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Episode 153 - Jim Vinoski explains how over-regulation is the #1 problem for US manufacturing 11:33

7M ago11:33

11:33

Send us a text Right on cue, all the major media outlets are chiming in on how "manufacturing jobs aren't coming back," with claims that deindustrialization is somehow just a natural and wonderful thing for a wealthy economy. Nonsense. Your host with the most, Jim Vinoski, takes apart the "evidence" for those claims piece by piece, and then points …

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Special Edition! Join Leigh-Ann and Jimmy Purdy live on Gear head radio! 47:21

7M ago47:21

47:21

A local, live call in radio show, featuring Leigh-Ann Purdy of Shift'n gears auto repair.By Jimmy Purdy

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Rory Francis Comiskey on how advanced manufacturing technology enables reshoring 37:24

7M ago37:24

37:24

Send us a text Rory has a stellar career's worth of know-how and insights, and he came guns-a-blazin' to fill us in on everything the wise manufacturing leader, executive, or owner needs to know to compete in today's marketplace. Here are the highlights. Chapters: 00:00 - introduction 03:00 - Rory's first day inside a factory 05:15 - the colossal i…

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Why Private Equity is Betting Big on Auto Repair – with Jim Parker 55:47

7M ago55:47

55:47

Private equity firms are flocking to the auto repair industry like never before—but why? In this episode, Jimmy Purdy sits down with industry expert Jim Parker to break down the boom in shop acquisitions, what makes auto repair recession-resistant, and how COVID put the spotlight on blue-collar businesses. Plus, they dive into a shocking stat: 40% …

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Martha Njolomole talks about gratitude for the blessings of liberty and capitalism 28:50

7M ago28:50

28:50

Send us a text Martha is an economist with the Center of the American Experiment in Minneapolis, and she did a video a few months ago for PragerU about growing up in Malawi and how very different her life was there versus since she came to America for school then work. I saw the video right as I was first starting with my now routine message about …

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Breaking Point: When Too Many Cars Becomes a Problem! with Josh Coomes 1:06:32

7M ago1:06:32

1:06:32

We sit down with Josh Coomes, who is in his second year of running his auto repair shop. We dive deep into the challenges of managing car count, marketing strategies, and the struggle of balancing growth with efficiency. Josh and Jimmy discuss the tipping point where too much work can actually hurt a shop, the importance of processes, and whether d…

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Special Edition Live & Unfiltered with Gear Head Radio! 47:11

8M ago47:11

47:11

Gear up for a special edition of The Gear Box Podcast! 🎙️🔧 This time, I’m bringing you along for a Saturday morning like no other—live from the airwaves of Gear Head Radio! It’s a call-in radio show where we talk cars, repairs, industry insights, and everything in between—unfiltered and in real-time. Get ready for live questions, expert advice, and…

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Dan Meyer talks about everything you need to know to start with second-chance hiring 29:53

8M ago29:53

29:53

Send us a text For Episode 150, we wanted something really meaningful. Dan Meyer brought it. Say you're in manufacturing and you can't find enough people to do the jobs you need done on your factory floor. (Sound familiar?) Here's a thought: there is a whole class of people who are desperate for jobs, but because of a past bad decision, they're loc…

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Revolutionizing Repair Estimates with Brandon Jones of Hub Shop Solutions 42:42

8M ago42:42

42:42

In this episode of The Gearbox Podcast, we sit down with Brandon Jones, a former shop owner, coach, and leadership mentor, who is on a mission to change the way repair shops estimate jobs. Brandon has just launched Hub Shop Solutions, a groundbreaking company that provides a team of remote estimators, allowing service advisors to focus on what trul…

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Ed McGinnis with CURIO on how to make our nuclear waste into new fuel - and more! 41:18

8M ago41:18

41:18

Send us a text Episode 149 features longtime leader from the Department of Energy and now CEO of CURIO Ed McGinnis talking about safely and profitably reprocessing all the "waste" nuclear fuel we have collecting at our many nuclear reactor sites across the country. It turns out most of it can be made into new fuel, and what remains - 3-4% - can be …