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.
ASE & WrenchWay Partner to Enhance School Assist
Beyond the Wrench
11/13/24 • 63 min
In this recorded webinar, Jay Goninen and Mark Wilson, Co-Founders of WrenchWay, are joined by ASE President & CEO, Dave Johnson, to announce a new partnership with School Assist, the online platform that connects schools with industry. They discuss new product features, the growth of School Assist, and the progressive ASE and WrenchWay partnership.
Referenced Materials:
- School Assist
- Webinar Slides
- Press Release: ASE & WrenchWay Join Forces to Reduce Technician Shortage
- ASE Education Foundation Field Manager Map
- Upcoming Webinar: 2024 Voice of Technician Survey
About Our Guests:
Dave Johnson
President & CEO, National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (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:
Bonus Episode: Best Practices for Working with Schools
Beyond the Wrench
09/01/23 • 58 min
Shops know the importance of working with local schools, and schools need support from industry—yet there is a disconnect. During this bonus episode, we dive into how shops can better grow their relationships with schools, the benefits of working with schools early on, and the importance of setting the right expectations for young technicians.
(5:58) How Industry Currently Supports Schools
(10:44) Positive Impact of Working with Schools
(21:45) #1 Tip for Shops: Show Up
(32:43) Setting a Career Path for Young Techs
(40:14) Choosing the Right Techs as Mentors
(43:34) Communication Between Shops & Schools
Resources:
Register to Attend WrenchWay's TechMission Local Events
WrenchWay's Free Solutions for 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 Guests:
Lindsey Trett
Director of Talent Acquisition, Walser Automotive Group
[email protected]
Brad Walker
Automotive Department Chair & Professor of Automotive Technology, Oklahoma City Community College
[email protected]
Tara Topel
Owner, Topel’s Service Center
[email protected]
Randy Golding
Automotive Instructor, West-MEC
[email protected]
Connect with us on social:
Tool & Career Advice for Young Technicians
Beyond the Wrench
11/29/23 • 66 min
We are proud to welcome Daniel Diaz, Service Technician at Braman BMW Miami (and rising TikTok star)! In this episode, Daniel offers advice to young technicians on purchasing tools, encourages all technicians to keep learning, and emphasizes the importance of finding the right shop management and support as a new technician.
(1:27) Tool Organization for Efficiency
(12:51) Keeping Up with Technology & EV
(30:45) Having the Right Shop Support
(34:32) Shopping Smart for Tools
(43:50) Always Keep Learning
Resources:
Sign up for Free for WrenchWay - Online Community for Automotive & Diesel Professionals
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:
Daniel Diaz
Service Technician, Braman BMW Miami
Follow on TikTok
Sponsor:
Universal Technical Institute: a place that provides opportunity for passion to become purpose. For training to lead toward a career. For over 55 years, UTI’s family of schools has helped students pursue their passion in exciting fields like transportation, skilled trades and energy. There’s a reason why students choose us and top brands hire our graduates. Reputation and commitment. Our relationships with some of the world’s most recognizable brands allow students to gain specific knowledge.
As a student, you’ll train how the industry does. Learning from instructors with real world-experience and training hands-on with industry tools and equipment in the lab. We’re committed to your success – that’s why we’re making $15 million in scholarships and grants available this year alone to those who qualify.
It’s time to invest in you. Get started today at uti.edu!
Disclaimer: UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary. Financial aid, scholarships and grants are available to those who qualify. Awards vary due to specific conditions, criteria and state.
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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!
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Bridging the Auto & Truck Skills Gap
Beyond the Wrench
10/23/24 • 62 min
Brent Kindred, Vice President of The Wisconsin Automobile & Truck Dealers Association (WATDA) Foundation, addresses the status of the technician shortage and stresses the importance of industry involvement with schools to help fill the gap. He shares how the WATDA Foundation provides scholarships and summer camps for middle school students to ignite interest in auto and diesel careers.
View the video podcast on YouTube
About Our Guest:
Brent Kindred
Vice President, WATDA Foundation
[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:
The Art of Teaching & Nurturing Technician Talent
Beyond the Wrench
10/04/23 • 61 min
Brandon Steckler, Technical Editor at Motor Age Magazine, takes us on a unique voyage through his automotive career. Moving from a technician role to becoming an instructor and eventually an author has provided Brandon with valuable industry insights. In this episode, he covers how to enhance our technician certification system, ways to gain a deeper understanding of younger technicians, and discusses the significant shortage of educators.
(4:48) Teaching in the U.K.
(15:22) U.S. Certifications vs. U.K. Certifications
(37:24) Correcting the Instructor Shortage
(48:39) Patience With Young Technicians
Resources:
WrenchWay's Free Solutions for High Schools & Post-Secondary Programs
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:
Brandon Steckler
Technical Editor, Motor Age Magazine
[email protected]
Sponsor:
Since 2015, Fullbay has made life easier for pretty much everyone who works in commercial diesel repair shops. Techs are more efficient and productive, parts managers can keep an eye on inventory, and owners can see exactly what’s going on in the shop at any given time—from just about anywhere.
What does all that mean? Well, Fullbay’s improved workflow leads to more vehicles being worked on—which means more revenue for your shop. And that revenue is easier than ever to collect; you can send estimates with the click of a button.
Shop customers also tend to be big fans of Fullbay—and not just because features like Fullbay Payments and Fleet Payments make it easy for them to settle up. They can authorize work, receive text message updates as work proceeds, and reach out to the shop with questions through their own portal.
Want to learn more about Fullbay? Head to Fullbay.com/wrenchway!
Connect with us on social:
Strategies for Small Business Empowerment
Beyond the Wrench
12/06/23 • 64 min
Don’t miss Lisa McClease-Kelly’s unique advice for small businesses in this week’s episode of Beyond the Wrench. As Co-Owner of Network In Action Oregon and Kelly's Automotive, and with a background in nonprofits, Lisa offers a different perspective on ways shops can serve their community and staff. She also offers some other business advice on how shops can relay their values to their employees, tips on handling bad hires, and so much more!
(5:45) Supporting Nonprofits
(16:35) Small Business Coaching
(22:23) Identifying & Communicating Values as Owners
(25:48) Angel Fund
(51:16) Handling Bad Hires
(01:00:03) Communication Advice
Resources:
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:
Lisa McClease-Kelly
Co-Owner of Network In Action Oregon and Kelly's Automotive
Connect on LinkedIn
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:
The Story of Big Brand Tire & Service
Beyond the Wrench
11/20/24 • 60 min
Matt Eckman, COO, and Sara Presutto, HR Director of Big Brand Tire & Service, discuss how the company has grown to 230 locations while prioritizing customer service and employee care. Big Brand promotes from within, as seen in Matt’s journey from tire tech to COO. Learn about their referral program, how the company’s vision drives growth, and how management stays connected across locations through their “How’s it Going” assessment.
View the view version of the podcast on YouTube
About Our Guests:
Matt Eckman
COO, Big Brand Tire & Service
[email protected]
Sara Presutto
HR Director, Big Brand Tire & Service
[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:
Building Student Connections in Talent Acquisition
Beyond the Wrench
10/16/24 • 68 min
Nick Stafford, Talent Acquisition Lead at JX Truck Center, strives to serve each person he meets in their career journey. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships with students during the recruitment process, explains why the traditional “hard sell” recruiting approach is outdated, and shares insights on the growing number of sponsored students.
View the video podcast on YouTube
About Our Guest:
Nick Stafford
Talent Acquisition Lead, JX Truck Center
[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:
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FAQ
How many episodes does Beyond the Wrench have?
Beyond the Wrench currently has 243 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 'Building a Network to Support Automotive Programs ft. Scott Norman, Pittsburg State University' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Beyond the Wrench?
The average episode length on Beyond the Wrench is 57 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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