The Institute’s Leading Edge Podcast

211 - It's Not Just Oil: Understanding Modern Lubricants & Service Recommendations July 8, 2026 - 01:00:14 Show Summary: Modern engine oil is far more than a viscosity rating. Jim Cokonis and Nick Pope explain why manufacturer specifications additives and certifications matter just as much as the oil weight. They break down how oil life monitoring systems actually work why using the wrong lubr...

210 - Ask Cecil & Lucas The 5 C's of Effective Vehicle Diagnosis & Repair Documentation July 1, 2026 - 00:59:46 Show Summary: Strong repair order documentation protects the customer the technician and the shop while improving efficiency and profitability. Cecil Bullard and Lucas Underwood explain the Five Cs of repair documentation and why every repair order should tell a complete story fr...

209 - The Real Story of Growing an Independent Auto Repair Shop with Andy Severein June 24th, 2026 - 01:00:41 Show Summary: Andy Severein shares how Andrew's Auto grew from a single shop into a thriving multi shop operation through coaching leadership and a commitment to continuous improvement. Jennifer Hulbert explains how understanding financials improving repair order value and developing manag...

208 - A Technician Crisis or a Productivity Problem? Ask Me Anything with Cecil and David June 10, 2026 - 00:55:43 Show Summary: Cecil Bullard and David Roman discuss whether the industry's biggest challenge is finding technicians or improving productivity. They explore why shop owners often keep struggling employees too long and how clear expectations make difficult staffing decisions easier. The...

207 - You Can't Wrench and Run the Business Forever: A Shop Owners Turning Point June 3rd, 2026 - 00:49:01 Show Summary: Nathan Geransky shares his journey from running an automotive shop on his acreage to moving into a commercial location. Years of long hours and limited financial insight pushed him to seek coaching and change how he operated the business. By improving labor rates margins and sys...

206 - Part 2: Using AI in Your Shop to Increase Performance May 20th, 2026 - 00:56:24 Show Summary: John Seitzer returns to break down how automotive shops can use agentic AI to improve efficiency and save time. He explains the difference between basic AI tools and systems that can actively perform work inside your computer. The conversation covers organizing files, creating customer drop off enve...

205 - The Diagnostic Fee Debate: Ask Me Anything with Cecil Bullard and Lucas Underwood May 13, 2026 - 00:56:50 Show Summary: Lucas Underwood and Cecil Bullard explain why diagnostic testing should never be treated as free work. They discuss how weak pay systems and poor communication have lowered the value of technicians across the industry. The conversation compares automotive testing to the med...

204 - Part 1: Using AI in Your Shop to Increase Performance May 6th, 2026 - 00:59:50 Show Summary: Artificial intelligence is reshaping how auto repair shops operate in practical ways. Jonathan Seitzer shares how AI can improve communication analyze data and save time on daily tasks. He explains a simple framework of rent it feed it and put it to work to help shop owners get started. AI is positio...

203 - The Future of Shop Training Is Personalized and Daily April 22, 2026 - 00:53:43 Show Summary: Daily training keeps shop teams sharp and improving without disrupting workflow. Short mobile lessons build technical knowledge communication and consistency across roles. Data and gamification drive engagement while revealing skill gaps. Strong training habits lead to better performance stronger cu...

202 - Building a Diesel Shop the Right Way With David Shaefer April 15, 2026 - 00:58:22 Show Summary: David Shaefer shares how he built Cold Front Diesel from side work into a full time operation. He credits his upbringing in his father’s shop for shaping his desire for ownership and freedom. His time in the Marine Corps helped him develop strong leadership skills and a focus on running the busine...

201 - From Technician to Shop Owner: Building Success Through Training and Integrity April 15, 2026 - 00:58:22 Show Summary: Roberto Ibarra shares his journey from studying automotive technology in Mexico to building a successful repair shop in California. He explains how continuous education and a passion for electrical diagnostics shaped his career. Roberto discusses starting a business during t...

200 - Live with Wayne Marshall & Lucas Underwood: Culture and Hard Conversations April 14, 2026 - 00:57:08 Show Summary: This conversation explores the challenges business owners face when leadership culture and direction are unclear. It shows how a lack of vision and poor communication can make problems feel overwhelming. Real examples highlight how integrity accountability and honesty help o...

199 - The Tax Credit Most Shop Owners Miss (And How to Claim It) April 8, 2026 - 00:56:05 Show Summary: This episode explains how shop owners can use the R and D tax credit to recover significant money. Derek VanNess breaks down recent tax changes that allow credits from past years and shows how common shop activities qualify. He explains that labor and process improvement drive the credit, not eq...

198 - Overcoming Set Back to Go From Farm Kid to Shop Owner April 8, 2026 - 00:58:14 Show Summary: Peter Bailey shares his path from farm life to owning Limitless Garage in Iowa. Early setbacks redirected him from the military and law enforcement into automotive. He built skills through hands on work and formal training while learning leadership in a fast paced shop. His focus on culture and peopl...

197 - Mastering Shop Communication: Turning Every Call Into Opportunity April 2, 2026 - 00:54:03 Show Summary: Great communication drives shop success. This conversation shows how call tracking and AI improve performance and consistency. Real examples highlight how better language and tone increase trust and conversions. Coaching becomes easier when teams review calls together. Shops that train co...

196 - Building Modern Collision By Putting Quality Before Cost April 1, 2026 - 00:54:54 Show Summary: Micah Storm shares how he grew up in the family business and built the mechanical side alongside collision repair. He explains how he and his brother took over the shop and later expanded into the building next door. The conversation covers insurance challenges customer education and why quality m...

195 - The Questions Every Auto Repair Shop Owner Should Be Asking March 13, 2026 - 00:53:14 Show Summary: Entrepreneurial drive can turn destructive when shop owners chase ideas without discipline. Impulsive spending and constant pivots create stress at home and in the business. Stability comes from personal responsibility and honest self reflection. Counseling and trusted advisors help owners slo...

194 - The Strategy in Succession: The Story of Oswald Service & Repair February 25, 2026 - 00:57:04 Show Summary: This episode shares how Oswald Service and Repair grew from a 1939 service station into a multi location shop in Idaho Falls. It breaks down the realities of family succession and the damage caused by unclear roles and rushed promotions. The conversation highlights why outside expe...

193 - Ask Me Anything: Why Most Shops Aren't as Profitable as They Think February 18, 2026 - 00:58:05 Show Summary: If your shop shows strong net profit but your bank account feels empty this episode explains why. It defines the gap between paper profit and real cash flow and outlines debt service coverage current ratio and two turnkey rates that reveal true break even. The conversation exposes hi...

191 - Ask Me Anything: How to Set a Labor Rate That Actually Reflects Your Value February 11, 2026 - 01:05:37 Show Summary: This AMA explains how to price labor fairly and profitably. Lucas and Cecil break down why book time often misses real world steps and shop friction. They argue shops should charge for full value, not fear being the highest priced option. The episode covers building confident...

192 - Standing at the Crossroads featuring Brian Bates, EAS Tire and Auto February 9, 2025 - 01:42:25   Show Summary: Service, leadership, and purpose sit at the center of Brian Bates’ journey. A military veteran and president of EAS Tire and Auto in Denver, Brian shares how his path from technician to multi-location owner was shaped by mentorship, values-based leadership, and a deep belief that b...

190 -Ask Me Anything: What Your P&L Is Really Telling You: Reading Your P&L Without the BS February 04, 2026 - 01:02:24   Show Summary: Cecil Bullard and Eric Joern break down why most shop P&Ls are confusing unreliable and overloaded with noise. They explain how inconsistent accounting practices distort margins and decision making, and why clean consistent structure matters more than...

189 - Standing at the Crossroads featuring Jason Brennan, Fine Tune Auto January 27, 2025 - 01:19:04   Show Summary: Curiosity turned into craftsmanship, and craftsmanship turned into leadership. Jason Brennan, owner of Fine Tune Automotive with three locations across Illinois and Northwest Indiana, shares how a lifelong habit of taking things apart evolved into building a scalable, people-centere...

188 - How Your Auto Repair Shop Can Use AI to Turbo Charge Your Business January 21, 2026 - 00:59:31 Show Summary: Brand strategist Ernie Harker shows auto repair shop owners how AI can quickly produce professional marketing content without expensive designers or long turnaround times. He explains how large language models and image generation work, then demonstrates building a custom GPT trained...

187 - Standing at the Crossroads featuring Eric Henley, H-Tek Auto January 17, 2025 - 01:40:22   Show Summary: Built on relationships, accountability, and a deep respect for people, Eric Henley, owner of H Tech Auto Care in Tennessee, shares how his lifelong passion for the automotive industry evolved into a purpose-driven business and culture. From dealership master technician to shop owner, Eric...