Beyond the Wrench
Jay Goninen
How can automotive and diesel shops run a better business and be more profitable? How can we make the aftermarket and dealerships more attractive to younger generations? Each week, Jay Goninen, Co-Founder & President of WrenchWay, will sit down with shop owners, technicians, instructors, and professionals in the automotive and diesel industries to have them share their stories and insights. We’ll dive deep into what’s going on in shops and dealerships and what we can do to help drive the industry forward.
The Beyond the Wrench Podcast is powered by WrenchWay.
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Top 10 Beyond the Wrench Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Beyond the Wrench episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Beyond the Wrench for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Beyond the Wrench episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Best of 2024: Shop Leadership & Management Advice (Replay)
Beyond the Wrench
12/25/24 • 61 min
To kick off the holiday season, we thought it’d be fun to reshare an exciting episode from earlier this year. In this episode throwback, John Spence, one of the top business experts in the world, author, CEO, and speaker, offers key leadership and management advice. He covers the elements of a good culture, the importance of caring for your people, and the impact that keeping toxic high-performing people can have on your business.
View the video podcast on YouTube
About Our Guest:
John Spence
CEO, John Spence LLC
[email protected]
About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122
WrenchWay Resources:
Salary Comparison Tool - See pay information for automotive, diesel, and collision technicians near you at wrenchway.com/pay.
Technicians & Students - Looking for the best shops or dealerships to work at? Check out wrenchway.com/shops.
Shops & Dealerships - Want to find quality technicians, connect with schools, and support the auto and diesel industry? Learn about WrenchWay Top Shop Memberships.
Auto, Diesel, or Tech Ed Instructors - Need help getting resources for your program and connecting with industry? We have free solutions for you on WrenchWay.
Connect with us on social:
1 Listener
Building True Leadership in the Shop
Beyond the Wrench
02/26/25 • 55 min
Chris Craig, Fixed Operations Content Owner at RockED, shares insights from his new white paper and upcoming book on technician training and leadership. He discusses the difference between an appointed leader and a true leader, understanding younger generations, and how to balance multiple personalities in the shop. Chris also highlights the importance of communication and provides tips for young technicians aspiring to be in managerial roles.
View White Paper - Wired For Success: Amplifying Technician Skills
Join the Book Waitlist - “Becoming a Better Service Professional” by Chris Craig
Check out the full video version of the podcast on YouTube!
About Our Guests:
Chris Craig
Fixed Operations Content Owner, RockED
[email protected]
Sponsor:
National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122
WrenchWay Resources:
For Technicians & Students
- Compare & Explore Technician Pay: View salary information for automotive, diesel, and collision technicians near you at wrenchway.com/pay.
- Find Your Ideal Shop or Dealership: Looking for the best places to work? Discover and research the best shop or dealership for you at wrenchway.com/shops.
For Shops & Dealerships
- Hire Top Talent & Assist Schools: Connect with skilled technicians, engage with schools, and help elevate the auto and diesel industry with WrenchWay Top Shop Memberships.
For Auto, Diesel, & CTE Instructors:
- Support Your Program & Connect with Industry: Get resources and equipment for your program and grow your industry partnerships with WrenchWay's free solutions for schools.
Connect with us on social:
1 Listener
2025 Voice of Technician Survey Results
Beyond the Wrench
12/18/24 • 62 min
Leaders from WrenchWay and ASE dive into the findings of the 2025 Voice of Technician Report. We discuss what technicians want from employers, preferred work schedules, desired pay structures, and more. We also compare the results with last year’s survey and share our thoughts on some surprising stats!
Download the 2025 Voice of Technician Report
About Our Guests:
George Arrants
Vice President, ASE Education Foundation
[email protected]
Matthew Shepanek
Vice President of Credential Testing Programs, ASE
[email protected]
Mark Wilson
Co-Founder & CEO, WrenchWay
[email protected]
About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122
WrenchWay Resources:
Salary Comparison Tool - See pay information for automotive, diesel, and collision technicians near you at wrenchway.com/pay.
Technicians & Students - Looking for the best shops or dealerships to work at? Check out wrenchway.com/shops.
Shops & Dealerships - Want to find quality technicians, connect with schools, and support the auto and diesel industry? Learn about WrenchWay Top Shop Memberships.
Auto, Diesel, or Tech Ed Instructors - Need help getting resources for your program and connecting with industry? We have free solutions for you on WrenchWay.
Connect with us on social:
1 Listener
The Walser Way: Part 1
Beyond the Wrench
01/29/25 • 65 min
For the first time, we took the Beyond the Wrench Podcast live on social media with our friends at Walser Automotive Group. In this episode, we explore how Walser has earned its reputation as one of the nation’s top dealership employers. We dive into their “People Strategy,” how they engage technicians in community recruitment, and how they create clear career paths for technicians.
Stay tuned—part two goes live next week!
Can't Wait? Check out the full live version of the podcast on YouTube!
About Our Guests:
Sherry Schultz
Chief Human Resources Officer
Lindsey Trett
Director of Talent Acquisition
Jon Olstad
Technician Production Manager
Rick Dotte
Heavy Line Technician
Sponsor:
National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122
WrenchWay Resources:
For Technicians & Students
- Compare & Explore Technician Pay: View salary information for automotive, diesel, and collision technicians near you at wrenchway.com/pay.
- Find Your Ideal Shop or Dealership: Looking for the best places to work? Discover and research the best shop or dealership for you at wrenchway.com/shops.
For Shops & Dealerships
- Hire Top Talent & Assist Schools: Connect with skilled technicians, engage with schools, and help elevate the auto and diesel industry with WrenchWay Top Shop Memberships.
For Auto, Diesel, & CTE Instructors:
- Support Your Program & Connect with Industry: Get resources and equipment for your program and grow your industry partnerships with WrenchWay's free solutions for schools.
Connect with us on social:
1 Listener
The Value of a Technician ft. Josh Arnold, Toyota of Corvallis
Beyond the Wrench
10/19/22 • 57 min
In this week’s episode of Beyond the Wrench, we are joined by Josh Arnold, Master Technician, Toyota of Corvallis. Josh walks us through a tool he created to track his hours, the importance of paving a career path, and advice for young technicians.
Resources:
Download the free WrenchWay app in the App Store or on Google Play:
- App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id1534587616
- Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wrenchway.insiders
About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122
About Our Guest:
Josh Arnold
Master Technician, Toyota of Corvallis
[email protected]
Sponsor:
Founded in 2015, Diesel Laptops originally set out to help clients with their diagnostic tool needs. Since then they have expanded into a full service shop efficiency solution company offering diagnostic tools, diesel technician training, repair information, parts lookup tools, and more! If Diesel Laptops would be a solution you would like to add to your shop, check out diesellaptops.com to learn more.
Like the Beyond the Wrench podcast? Be sure to follow & rate us — whether on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!
WrenchWay Resources:
For Technicians & Students
- Compare & Explore Technician Pay: View salary information for automotive, diesel, and collision technicians near you at wrenchway.com/pay.
- Find Your Ideal Shop or Dealership: Looking for the best places to work? Discover and research the best shop or dealership for you at wrenchway.com/shops.
For Shops & Dealerships
- Hire Top Talent & Assist Schools: Connect with skilled technicians, engage with schools, and help elevate the auto and diesel industry with WrenchWay Top Shop Memberships.
For Auto, Diesel, & CTE Instructors:
- Support Your Program & Connect with Industry: Get resources and equipment for your program and grow your industry partnerships with WrenchWay's free solutions for schools.
Connect with us on social:
How Walser Supports & Empowers Technicians
Beyond the Wrench
07/31/24 • 62 min
Derek Thompson, an ASE World Class Toyota Technician at Walser Toyota, walks us through how Walser has prioritized their technicians, the expansion of their new shop, and how Derek has maintained his most important tool—his body—throughout his years as a technician.
View the video podcast on YouTube
About Our Guest:
Derek Thompson
ASE World Class Toyota Technician, Walser Toyota
[email protected]
About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122
WrenchWay Resources:
Technician Compensation Tool - See automotive, diesel, and collision technician compensation in your area at wrenchway.com/pay.
Technicians & Students - Looking for the best shops to work at? Check out wrenchway.com/shops.
Shops & Dealerships - Want to find quality technicians and support the industry? Learn about WrenchWay Shop Memberships.
Instructors - Need help getting resources and connecting with industry? We have free resources for your program.
Connect with us on social:
Growing Your Own ft. Lindsey Trett, Walser Automotive Group
Beyond the Wrench
12/14/22 • 58 min
If a shop isn’t growing its own technicians, turnover and retention will continue to be a huge problem in the automotive industry.
Lindsey Trett, Director of Talent Acquisitions of Walser Automotive Group, shares her expertise on how shops can grow their own technicians by creating a solid career path.
(1:50) Guest Background
(13:51) Senior Leadership Needs to Believe in the Shop
(16:46) Growing Your Own Technicians and Creating a Career Path
(25:01) How to Get Real Feedback From Technicians
(30:15) Adapting to the New Way Technicians Learn
(35:12) Career Growth and the Emerging Leader Program
(48:15) Handling Technicians Fear When First Starting at a New Shop
(53:38) Gauging the Culture of a Good Shop
Resources:
Watch Lindsey Trett's session of TechMission 2022
Learn more about WrenchWay’s $1,000 Monthly Giveaway
Download the free WrenchWay mobile app:
App Store
Google Play
About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122
About Our Guest:
Lindsey Trett
Director of Talent Acquisitions, Walser Automotive Group
[email protected]
Sponsor:
Are you okay paying a bunch of added fees for credit card processing? How about waiting for hours or days for a call back from tech support at your payment processor?
Wind River Financial is not okay with it either. In fact, a desire to get rid of the empty promises of the payments industry is one of the reasons this merchant services company was formed back in 1999.
Now, over two decades later, family-owned Wind River continues to thrive by bringing integrity, transparent pricing, and a higher standard of service to its customers.
They’ve been serving the automotive industry for over 20 years and would love the opportunity to serve you too. Give them a call at 833-274-5875 or visit windriverfinancial.com.
Like the Beyond the Wrench podcast? Be sure to follow & rate us — whether on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!
Connect with us on social:
Insurance for Independent Shops ft. Robert Steele, IGO Benefits
Beyond the Wrench
03/08/23 • 66 min
Purchasing insurance is a complex need that the average shop owner doesn’t know enough about in order to make informed decisions.
Tune into this week’s episode as Robert Steele, Founder & CEO of IGO Benefits, shares stories of his time in the NFL, talks about how he got a woman out of $600,000 in medical debt, and how he is helping shops make better insurance decisions.
(2:29) Robert’s Background
(14:55) Life Check-in Moment
(21:09) Worthy of Your Signature & Time
(32:47) Helping Independent Shops with Insurance
(47:02) Medical Debt
Resources:
Help us reach 1,000 Schools on WrenchWay. Refer a school by emailing [email protected] or checking out our website.
Check out our roundtable, Best Practices for Working with Schools.
Download the free WrenchWay mobile app:
App Store
Google Play
About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122
About Our Guest:
Robert Steele
Founder & CEO, IGO Benefits
[email protected]
Sponsor:
OK. Your customer’s engine or transmission has failed. But now is not the time for them to trade their vehicle – not without a working engine or transmission. Besides, would they have kept their vehicle another 3-5 years if their engine or transmission had not let them down?
If you answered “yes” then Jasper Engines and Transmissions is your choice to give your customer’s vehicle new life and many thousands of miles of enjoyable driving performance.
When considering the high cost of a new or newer used vehicle, there’s a pretty good case to be made for replacing a drive train component that has failed or is delivering poor performance – rather than trading their car, truck, van or SUV. Install a quality re-manufactured JASPER product for less than your customer would have to invest in a new vehicle or a newer used vehicle.
Check out their website at jasperengines.com to learn more about the money-saving value of JASPER.
Connect with us on social:
02/08/23 • 63 min
When setting a goal, the path to achieving it can be a daunting task that can often derail the outcome. In this episode, Darin Damron, SE Regional Vice President at Jasper Engines & Transmissions, breaks down goal setting, mind mapping, and explains the positive journey of achieving goals.
(2:13) Goal Importance
(8:38) Mind Mapping
(18:54) Power of “Your Why”
(27:03) Positive Mindset
(41:51) Building Relationships & Legacy
Resources:
Learn more about WrenchWay’s $1,000 Monthly Giveaway
Download the free WrenchWay mobile app:
App Store
Google Play
Darin's last Beyond the Wrench episode: How Technicians Can Develop Strong Habits
About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122
About Our Guest:
Darin Damron
SE Regional Vice President, Jasper Engines & Transmissions
[email protected]
Sponsor:
OK. Your customer’s engine or transmission has failed. But now is not the time for them to trade their vehicle – not without a working engine or transmission. Besides, would they have kept their vehicle another 3-5 years if their engine or transmission had not let them down?
If you answered “yes” then Jasper Engines and Transmissions is your choice to give your customer’s vehicle new life and many thousands of miles of enjoyable driving performance.
When considering the high cost of a new or newer used vehicle, there’s a pretty good case to be made for replacing a drive train component that has failed or is delivering poor performance – rather than trading their car, truck, van or SUV. Install a quality re-manufactured JASPER product for less than your customer would have to invest in a new vehicle or a newer used vehicle.
Check out their website at jasperengines.com to learn more about the money-saving value of JASPER.
Connect with us on social:
04/20/21 • 26 min
Like the Beyond the Wrench podcast? Be sure to follow & rate us — whether on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts!
This week, Mark Wilson, Co-Founder & CEO of WrenchWay, joins us again to discuss what’s new with WrenchWay. We discuss the new School Connect tool that allows schools to connect with local shops, and the new activity tracker that allows shops to always be recruiting.
About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co- Founder & President, WrenchWay [email protected] | 608.716.2122
About Our Guest:
Mark Wilson
Co-Founder & CEO, WrenchWay
[email protected]
Connect with us on social:
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FAQ
How many episodes does Beyond the Wrench have?
Beyond the Wrench currently has 259 episodes available.
What topics does Beyond the Wrench cover?
The podcast is about Leisure, Automotive Industry, Podcasts, Automotive, Business and Careers.
What is the most popular episode on Beyond the Wrench?
The episode title 'Best of 2024: Shop Leadership & Management Advice (Replay)' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Beyond the Wrench?
The average episode length on Beyond the Wrench is 58 minutes.
How often are episodes of Beyond the Wrench released?
Episodes of Beyond the Wrench are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of Beyond the Wrench?
The first episode of Beyond the Wrench was released on Mar 19, 2020.
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