We’re shining a spotlight on an exciting part of the automotive industry — the women who are driving innovation, leadership, and change in the aftermarket.

Joining us is Missy Stephens, Community Engagement Manager for Women in Auto Care, a community of the Auto Care Association. We’ll be talking about their upcoming events at AAPEX 2025 in Las Vegas, including the Women in Auto Care Breakfast and Awards Ceremony, where outstanding women and allies in the industry will be recognized, and the casual evening reception where connections are made and community grows.

If you want to learn more about how women are shaping the future of the aftermarket — and how you can be part of it — you won’t want to miss this conversation.

The countdown is on for one of the biggest events in the automotive world—the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. This year, the energy doesn’t stop at the convention floor. Outside, the roar of engines, the smell of burning rubber, and the adrenaline of live motorsports will take center stage as OPTIMA powers the weeklong OPTIMA Unleashed experience—capped off with SEMA Fest, the ultimate celebration of car culture.

I’m joined by Tom Gattuso, Vice President of Events for the Specialty Equipment Market Association. Tom has been shaping automotive events for more than two decades, and he’s here to give us an inside look at what’s new, what’s exciting, and how SEMA continues to push the limits of innovation, performance, and connection across the industry.

So buckle up—we’re diving into what makes this year’s SEMA Show a full-throttle experience from start to finish!

In Episode 4 of our Endeavor 2 Discover series, Chris Messer, Executive Vice President of Endeavor Business Media’s Transportation Group is joined once again by Mike Jones, President and CEO of Discover Leadership.

Today’s topic is all about the I Will Attitude—what it means to replace words like I think or I’ll try with the confidence of I will. It’s a simple shift in language that can change the way you lead, the way you work, and the way you show up every day.

Meet Robin Reneau—once a single mom who didn’t know how to check a dipstick and went through three broken-down cars in four years. Fast forward to today: she’s the first Black woman mechanic to own an independent repair shop in Georgia, running Rob the Blonde Mechanic, LLC. Robin’s journey from high school dropout to shop owner and community leader is all about resilience, representation, and proving what’s possible when you refuse to shrink yourself.

In today’s episode, we’re diving into one of the biggest challenges shop owners face: cutting through the nonstop noise of media and actually connecting with customers. With so many flashy ads and constant messages hitting us from every direction, how do you make your shop stand out?

The answer might surprise you — it’s not about being the loudest, but about telling a better story. In today’s conversation with Lola Schmidt of Schmidt Auto Care, we’ll explore how to define your brand’s tone, engage with your community, and keep your marketing story alive. By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with practical steps to build a brand that people trust, remember, and come back to. Long live your story!

This week, host Chris Jones sits down with Michael Suttle, chief development officer at Christian Brothers Automotive, to explore how this growing franchise is revolutionizing technician training in the automotive repair industry.

In this episode, Michael shares the exciting details behind Christian Brothers' $12 million investment in a state-of-the-art 14,000-square-foot technology and training center, set to open in 2027. Discover how this facility will help their 315 locations stay ahead of rapidly evolving vehicle technology, particularly in the critical area of advanced driver assistance systems.

In this episode of Ratchet + Wrench Radio, we sit down with Natalie Dixon, PhD, who leads the technology and marketing teams focused on advancing Chemours’ Opteon™ portfolio, to cut through the myths, answer common technician questions and break down what every shop owner needs to know about R-1234yf.

Fear of public speaking affects 75% of Americans, but for automotive shop owners, effective communication isn't optional—it's essential for success.

In this episode of Ratchet and Wrench Radio, host Chris Jones sits down with leadership communications trainer Dave Brown of SDB Leadership to tackle the communication challenges that hold shop owners back.

Whether you're delivering difficult news to a customer, conducting one-on-one meetings with employees, or presenting to a group, Brown reveals why every conversation is essentially a public speaking event. He shares actionable strategies for reframing your mindset, building genuine confidence, and overcoming imposter syndrome.

Brown is the closing keynote speaker at the 2025 Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference.