Best Michael Cirillo Podcasts (2025)

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

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6h 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

3d 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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Why Dealers Need Orchestrated AI, Not More Point Solutions with Marianne Johnson and David Foutz 10:18

1d 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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The New Way Consumers Shop for Cars (And What Dealers Must Do Next with Amie Lindaas 10:47

1d 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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How Real-Time Data Is Reshaping Product Planning and Retail Decisions with Luis Brizuela 9:01

2d 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

2d 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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You Won’t Get Rich on Mobile Service — But You’ll Lose Without It with Joe Castelino, Ephraim Barcelo and Cody Collins 19:06

3d 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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Why Auto Shows Still Matter with Andy Steinhauser 10:53

3d 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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"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

6d 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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Automobility LA: Why Every Car Shopper Is Overwhelmed Right Now with Jennifer Newman 11:13

4d 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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Inside Honda’s Olympic Strategy with Jennifer Symington 7:30

4d 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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“Every Crisis Is Free Profit” — How to Turn Disruption in the Industry Into Opportunity | Nir Bashan, founder of The Creator Mindset 36:33

13d 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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What’s Really Breaking Trust Between OEMs and Dealers From Someone Who's Lived Both Sides with Igor Skinder 41:17

15d 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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“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

20d 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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“Luxury Isn’t About Price” How to Deliver Premium Experiences That Raise Gross | Marion Cain, Founder of ACE & Creator of Kharisma Mastery 35:11

27d 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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Why Most ‘Guest Experience’ Programs Fail... and What Actually Works 28:52

29d 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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“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

1M 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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Stop Guessing, Start Testing with Derek Hansen 26:16

1M 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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“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

1M 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 Data That Stops Wasted Follow-Ups (and Saves Your BDC) with Kristine Lentz 27:46

1M 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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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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“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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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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Outcomes vs Attribution: We're Measuring The Wrong Thing with Michael Kraut 31:25

2M 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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Jean-Pierre Lacroix: The Most Underrated Tool For Selling More Cars | Car Sales | Ep 680 33:40

2M ago33:40

33:40

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E67: Struggles & Strides with with Michael Cirillo 1:09:32

2M ago1:09:32

1:09:32

In Episode 67 of Answers from the Stairs, Michael Cirillo brings depth, humor, and vulnerability to a conversation that hits on what many don’t talk about enough—the messy middle between success and struggle. From breaking out of the “cookie-cutter” mold to navigating fatherhood, business, and personal growth, Michael shares the real stories behind…

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Brad Gelber: How New York’s Largest Auto Group Dominates Social Media | Car Sales | Ep. 679 31:51

2M ago31:51

31:51

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Michael Cirillo: The Biggest Problem In Retail Auto and How To Solve It | Leadership | Ep. 678 30:44

3M ago30:44

30:44

Most people assume the biggest problem in retail auto is inventory, rates, or competition. But every time I walk into a dealership, I see something else at the core of the struggle. It isn’t obvious on the surface, but you can feel it in the turnover, the burnout, the “busy but not fulfilled” pace that too many teams are stuck in. We love to talk a…

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E66: Cycles to Success with with Luke Williford 58:01

3M ago58:01

58:01

In Episode 66 of Answers from the Stairs, entrepreneur and thought leader Luke Williford shares the real story behind success—the cycles of failure, growth, relationship-building, and relentless faith it takes to get there. From starting small to thinking big, Luke’s journey is a masterclass in how to embrace the process and trust the path. Minute …

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Jimmy Douglas: Why 49% of Car Dealers Struggle to Sell EVs | Car Sales | Ep.677 35:15

3M ago35:15

35:15

In this episode my guest is Jimmy Douglas, founder and CEO of Plug and former Tesla exec. Jimmy’s one of the sharpest voices in the pre-owned EV market, and he’s here to break down what most dealers are missing, and what a small group is quietly getting right. We talk about why nearly half of dealers still won’t touch used EVs, what it actually tak…

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

3M 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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Ondar Tarlow: Activate More Car Buyers with VIP Events | Car Sales | Ep. 676 44:16

3M ago44:16

44:16

In this episode my guest is Ondar Tarlow, a marketing strategist with more than 20 years of experience working with brands like Fastlane Drive, Pacific Premier Bank, and the LA Chargers. He’s built a career on creating events and campaigns that actually move people—sometimes literally into showrooms. We dig into the big question dealers wrestle wit…

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E65: Driving Success with Patty Tremonti 51:29

3M ago51:29

51:29

In this empowering episode of Answers from the Stairs, Patty Tremonti shares her journey of leadership, service, and personal transformation. From building bridges through collaboration to leading with compassion and conviction, Patty offers insight into what it means to truly drive success—not just in business, but in life. Minute Markers: 00:00 I…

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

3M 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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Shasta Haddock: How to Convert Social Media Leads Into Car Sales | Business Development | Ep. 675 31:44

3M ago31:44

31:44

In this episode, my guest is Shasta Haddock, Chief Operations Officer at Epic BDC and host of I'm A Car Chick Podcast. With over a decade in automotive, she’s built high-performing BDC teams and even created the industry’s first elite response team that turns social media traffic into real showroom appointments. We get into some very real challenge…

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

3M 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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Janis Showers: The Most Overlooked Profit Center in Your Dealership | BDC | Ep. 674 33:45

4M ago33:45

33:45

In this episode my guest is Janis Showers, founder of The Car Girls, who has spent more than 25 years helping dealerships turn phone calls and customer conversations into lasting relationships and profit. We dig into why the simplest interaction—the phone call—is still one of the biggest stumbling blocks in 2025, and what that says about the way de…

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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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E64: More Than Muscle with Hany Rambod 48:41

4M ago48:41

48:41

In this powerful episode of Answers from the Stairs, world-renowned coach and fitness expert Hany Rambod joins the conversation to talk about what it really takes to grow—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Known for training champions, Hany opens up about the science behind performance, the complexity of relationships, and the crossroads we …

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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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Ep. 673 - Why Your Dealership Experience Is Worth More Than You Think, with Megan McDowell 26:05

4M ago26:05

26:05

In this episode, my guest is Megan McDowell, Vice President of Operations at TrueCar. Megan’s career started on the sales floor at Lexus of Austin and took her all the way to the executive table without leaving the automotive industry. We dig into what she learned from those bell-to-bell dealership days that gave her an edge in leadership, and how …

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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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Ep. 672 - If you believe AI will replace your job… you’re right 23:37

4M ago23:37

23:37

Let’s just be real. The ground has shifted—and it’s not just a ripple. It’s a full-blown seismic shift under every industry, every role, every business model. In this episode, I’m unpacking what that actually means for those of us in the retail auto world and beyond as we navigate artificial intelligence. You’ve seen the AI overviews show up before…

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E63: The Call to Ownership with Ryan Michler 43:28

4M ago43:28

43:28

In this powerful episode of Answers from the Stairs, Ryan Michler—founder of Order of Man—joins the conversation to explore what it truly means to lead yourself, your family, and your mission with clarity and conviction. From personal lessons to practical solutions, Ryan shares how embracing sovereignty and responsibility can transform the way men …

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Ep. 671 - The Secret Car Sales Strategy Your Competitors Don't Know About 23:32

4M ago23:32

23:32

We’re throwing it back to one of the most practical and actionable episodes of MC on the Mic—and for good reason. This strategy is so simple, it almost feels too good to be true. But it's exactly the kind of innovative (not inventive) move that the top 1% in sales and service swear by. In this solo episode, I break down a three-step framework that …

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

4M 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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Ep. 670 - GET OUT of the Customer's Way, for crying out loud! with Gary Graves 26:33

5M ago26:33

26:33

In this episode, my guest is Gary Graves, the kind of guy who can build a SaaS platform by day and grade a dirt road by night. One foot in the tech world, the other in the real one. Equal parts futurist and hands-on problem solver, he's spent years collecting and analyzing the conversations dealerships have with their customers—and the insights he’…

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Ep. 669 - Why Tires Might Be Your Dealership’s Most Overlooked Goldmine, with David Pulla 25:53

5M ago25:53

25:53

In this episode, my guest is David Pulla, President of Dynamic Tire, one of Canada’s largest tire distributors. We dive into a part of the business that most dealers overlook—tires—and explore how they’re not just rubber on a rim, but one of the most practical tools for increasing retention, profitability, and service traffic. We talk about how dea…

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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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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…