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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 his story stand out isn’t just his technical chops—it’s his decision to flip the technician narrative from negativity and burnout to optimism, efficiency, and human connection.

In this conversation, Curtis shares how video inspections transformed not just his customer relationships, but his own career. From becoming “the guy” customers now ask for by name, to creating content that shines a positive light on technicians, Curtis is redefining what it means to thrive in fixed ops. If you’ve ever wondered how to solve the so-called technician shortage, why techs need self-leadership, or how tool organization can actually change shop efficiency, this is the episode for you.

Takeaways:

0:00 The hats don’t fit—but this episode does

1:00 Meet the first technician ever on Auto Collabs

2:15 From Legos to master-certified Toyota tech

3:40 Why Curtis started sharing technician content online

5:07 Video inspections: the tool that changed everything

7:20 How customers react when they finally see under their car

8:50 Becoming “my guy”: when customers start asking for you by name

10:15 Why Curtis makes Zen videos inside Audi hoods

11:45 Self-leadership: the hidden skill every tech needs

13:55 Is the technician shortage real—or just perception?

15:20 Why management isn’t always the best next step for master techs

17:00 Curtis’s vision for the service shop of the future

19:10 3D printing a better way to organize tools

21:15 The human connection that technology can’t replace

Connect with Curtis Gardner on https://www.linkedin.com/in/techgnarr/

Learn more about Techgnarr at https://stan.store/techgnarr

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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 research report, a deep dive into how AI is (and isn’t) being adopted in dealership service departments. From vendor hype to dealer hesitation, Laurie’s findings cut through the noise and spotlight a glaring gap between what’s being built and what’s actually needed on the ground.

The crew explores the report’s surprising revelations, including which AI tools dealerships are most likely to adopt first, why predictive maintenance is still a distant goal, and how smarter technology could help tackle the industry’s massive technician shortage. Laurie also shares why independent, neutral research matters now more than ever, and how early collaboration between vendors and dealers will determine AI’s real impact on customer experience.

Get the report here: https://charismacommunications.com/reports/ai-in-the-service-drive/

Takeaways:

00:00 – The PR Pro Who Turned AI Researcher

02:15 – Why Deep-Dive Research Is Missing in Auto

04:55 – The Disconnect Between Dealers and Vendors

06:45 – Inside the “AI in the Service Drive” Report

08:09 – Vendors Think Dealers Are Ready—They’re Not

09:32 – Outbound Texting: The First Step in AI Adoption

13:14 – AI as a Solution to the Technician Shortage

15:38 – Who’s Reading This Report First (Hint: It’s Not Who You Think)

18:07 – AI Adoption Has to Start at the Top

19:24 – Customer Experience Is the Real AI Litmus Test

20:48 – What Laurie Might Research Next

Connect with Laurie Halter at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-halter-1255b6/

Learn more about Charisma! Communications at https://www.charismacommunications.com

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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 to the Wall Street Journal. Jamie recounts his path from covering Toyota’s first U.S.-built Sienna in the late ’90s to reporting on the industry’s most pivotal bankruptcies, technological leaps, and retail shifts. He shares what it’s like to learn the business from the manufacturing floor up, why hybrid tech’s “overnight” success took decades, and how the view changes when you go from niche trade coverage to a global financial publication.

The conversation digs into the future of journalism in an AI-driven world—why algorithms can’t replace relationships, why trust is the most valuable currency in news, and why every retail automotive pro should read beyond industry headlines. From geopolitical EV battles to dealer lot realities, Jamie explains how the Wall Street Journal will bring broader context to the business of selling cars, and why that matters now more than ever.

Takeaways:

0:00 – Why Automotive Needs Real Journalists, Not Just Headlines

0:56 – Why Jamie Butters’ Move to the Wall Street Journal Matters for Retail Auto

3:26 – From Kentucky to Tokyo: Learning the Industry Through Toyota’s Lens

4:07 – Seeing Hybrids Before the World Was Ready

5:48 – Why You Can’t Legislate Technology Adoption Overnight

8:55 – The Financial Crisis Years: Inside GM and Chrysler Bankruptcies

13:45 – Why Every Automotive Career Should Start with Industry Awareness

14:19 – Dealers Need Global Context, Not Just Local News

16:21 – The Value of Competing News Sources in a Polarized World

17:28 – AI Can Summarize Facts, But It Can’t Build Trust

19:30 – How Human Journalists Will Remain Essential in the AI Era

21:21 – What Jamie Will Cover Next at the Wall Street Journal

Connect with Jamie Butters at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-butters-909ba45/

Read The Wall Street Journal at https://www.wsj.com

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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 the industry is headed. From her front-row seat leading teams through the Synchro acquisition, she shares why flashy tech isn’t enough—and why clear, consistent vendor communication might be the real innovation dealers are craving.

In this conversation, Tina tackles the pressure AI is putting on product teams, the hidden dangers of moving too fast without guardrails, and how DealerOn’s Marketplace is giving dealers more control in a world where vendor alignment often feels impossible. Plus, you’ll hear Michael’s hilarious story about a DealerOn after-party that perfectly sums up the industry’s “all in—or watching from the sidelines” approach to new ideas.

Takeaways

00:00 – Why Dealers Can’t Afford to Take Summers Off Anymore

02:21 – Inside the Synchro Acquisition: What It Really Takes to Merge Teams

04:51 – AI Is Moving Fast—But Are Dealers Ready for It?

07:25 – Why AI Needs to Be More Than Just Chatbots in Auto

09:22 – The Tug-of-War Between Excitement and Fear Around AI

10:49 – The Security Risks Nobody’s Talking About With AI in Dealerships

12:10 – Michael’s DealerOn After-Party Story That Explains the Industry Perfectly

14:11 – How to Get Rural Dealers to Actually Adopt New Tech

15:53 – DealerOn’s Marketplace: Why Collaboration Beats Building Walls

17:57 – The Hidden Problem Tanking Dealer Websites (and How to Fix It)

18:36 – The #1 Thing Dealers Want From Vendors—And It’s Not More Tech

20:34 – The One Question Every Dealer Should Ask Before Choosing a Vendor

Connect with Tina Cuatto at https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-cuatto-5b567587/

Learn more about DealerOn at https://www.dealeron.com

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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 literally builds other companies—from code to communication to sales and support. Yep, it's as wild as it sounds, and yes, it’s already live. Oh, and the AI project manager is named after his dog.

But this episode isn’t just AI wizardry for fun—Nick breaks down why understanding the foundations of software architecture and data integration is now essential for anyone hoping to stay competitive in the automotive retail space. From agentic systems to CDPs, and what happens when you give your AI vision, Nick reminds us that dealers don’t have to wait for vendors to catch up. You’ve already got the data—you just need to learn how to use it.

Takeaways

0:00 This Interview Will Change How You Think About Work

2:41 He Built an AI That Builds Companies—Here’s What Happened

6:00 The Most Dangerous Shift in Tech Isn’t What You Think

8:58 White Collar Jobs Are Disappearing Faster Than Anyone Admits

10:06 Why Most Developers Won’t Have Jobs in 5 Years

12:58 The One Skill That Will Protect You From AI Disruption

14:45 You’re Not Just a Manager—You’re Now a Tech Leader

16:23 The Real Reason AI Won’t Make You Smarter

18:57 Why DIY Apps Fail (Even With AI on Your Side)

20:36 We’re Not Ready for How Fast This Is Moving

21:04 This Is What Being Your Own CDP Actually Looks Like

28:03 You Don’t Need a Vendor—You Just Need Your Own Data

Connect with Nick Askew at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-askew/

Learn more about Space Auto at https://space.auto/

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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 food-and-wine finesse, John dives into the art of recycling—from molten aluminum forklifts on Toyota’s factory floors to copper’s critical role in electrification—while keeping it casually riveting.

They take us behind the scenes of Repurposed Season 3, where John partners with Toyota to spotlight green manufacturing at its finest. His passion—to change the face of an industry often dismissed as “garbage”—shines when he reminds us: you can’t build a single American-made vehicle today without recycled aluminum. Expect insights on Kaizen manufacturing, international standardization, EV battery waste, and why nobody’s asking the right questions—until now.

0:00 – Why recycled metals matter more than you think

0:45 – How fine dining and recycling connect

2:18 – How to land a Toyota docuseries deal

4:05 – How Toyota makes aluminum manufacturing green

7:30 – Why Toyota standardizes cylinder heads worldwide

14:21 – Why recycled metals may be greener than EVs

16:15 – Why EVs aren’t as recyclable as you think

17:45 – How Toyota stays green without going full EV

19:34 – Why rare earths are a big problem for EVs

20:25 – How EV batteries are creating a recycling bottleneck

22:00 – Why copper demand is exploding with EV growth

23:30 – How electrification affects everything—from lawnmowers to golf courses

Connect with John Sacco at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-sacco-8a8a1b10/

Learn more about Re:purposed at https://therepurposedseries.com/

⭐️ Love the podcast? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your LinkedIn or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally!

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This episode of Auto Collabs gets seriously smart as Paul, Kyle, and Michael welcome Sanjay Varnwal, founder of Spyne. With a background that includes time at Amazon and deep roots in AI-driven product development, Sanjay shares his journey from general e-commerce merchandising to building ultra-specialized solutions for the auto industry. His company’s obsession with perfection—like making sure side mirrors don’t vanish in digital photos—isn’t just nerdy, it’s the kind of tech precision that can radically improve dealer efficiency and customer experience.

Sanjay also breaks down the evolution of agentic AI—technology that doesn't just talk, but acts on behalf of dealers to optimize pricing, image performance, and even ad budgets. It’s the next level of automation, where your digital teammate gets smarter (and more autonomous) over time. Whether you're deep in the tech weeds or just trying to understand how AI can lighten the load in your dealership, this convo offers sharp insights and a clear look at what’s next.

Takeaways:

0:00 – 🎙️ Intro banter: Meta Ray-Bans, Weezer dreams & Wiggles hype

1:48 – 💡 Introducing Sanjay Varnwal from Spyne

2:28 – 🤖 Sanjay’s first AI experience at Amazon Go

3:39 – 🧠 How AI’s been around long before 2022

5:02 – 🎥 The evolution of AI in media and merchandising

7:40 – 🔄 How AI is changing human behavior and productivity

9:45 – 🚗 Why Spyne focused on auto merchandising

11:30 – 🛠️ From general e-commerce to auto-specific solutions

13:05 – 📸 Solving hard problems: lighting, stabilization & studio-quality images

15:46 – 🪞 The vanishing mirror problem and how Spyne fixed it

17:40 – 🧑‍💻 Building an AI-powered teammate for dealers

19:04 – 🧭 What is agentic AI and why it matters

20:25 – 📊 Real-time merchandising optimization and ad performance

21:01 – ⚙️ Letting AI handle repeatable, data-driven tasks

21:40 – 🙌 Final thoughts and future of AI in automotive

Connect with Sanjay Varnwal at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjaykv/

Learn more about Spyne at https://www.spyne.ai

⭐️ Love the podcast? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your LinkedIn or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally!

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Thuy Adomitis didn’t plan on joining the auto industry—until a grueling 14-hour car-buying ordeal sparked a career that’s now reshaping how dealerships communicate. In this episode, Thuy shares her journey from that fateful purchase to leading sales at Mia Labs, where she’s helping dealers replace “Franken-systems” with AI agents that never sleep and never miss a call.

The conversation dives into how Mia’s voice AI is transforming dealership operations by handling everything from inbound sales inquiries to service scheduling and parts availability checks. Thuy explains how this technology not only reduces customer acquisition costs but also boosts lifetime value by keeping customers engaged throughout their ownership journey. Plus, she offers insights into the future of AI in automotive retail and how it can empower staff to focus on high-value tasks.

Takeaways

0:00 – Intro with Paul J Daly, Kyle Mountsier, and Michael Cirillo

3:21 – Thuy recounts her 14-hour car-buying experience that led her into the auto industry

8:31 – The inception of Mia Labs and its mission to streamline dealership communication

11:23 – Addressing the "Franken-system" problem in dealerships with integrated AI solutions

15:12 – Enhancing customer retention and reducing acquisition costs through AI-driven communication

21:34 – Future developments at Mia Labs, including AI applications in parts departments

Connect with Thuy Adomitis at https://www.linkedin.com/in/thuy-adomitis

Learn more about Mia Labs at https://www.mia.inc

⭐️ Love the podcast? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your LinkedIn or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally!

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