Beyond the Wrench

From Technician to Filmmaker Spreading Positivity

Keith Smith, writer and visual storyteller of Straight Up Living, shares how he turned his ability to speak “technician” into spreading positivity in the automotive industry through his short film “From Bay Floors to Backroads.” In this episode, Keith walks us through his career as a technician, how he dove into filmmaking, and why he

2026-01-07T07:46:26-06:00Beyond the Wrench|

What’s Ahead for WrenchWay in 2026

Mark Wilson, Co-Founder & CEO of WrenchWay, joins us to recap 2025 and share what’s ahead for WrenchWay in 2026. They discuss the growing partnership with ASE and the launch of ASE Connects, efforts to collect better technician data, and key wins and losses from the past year. Watch the Full Episode  Show Notes

2025-12-31T06:49:29-06:00Beyond the Wrench|

How Racing Legends Inspire Future Technicians

Steve Johnson and Larry Dixon Jr., legendary drag racers, join us to share their paths in racing and how they’re helping inspire the next generation of automotive enthusiasts and technicians. During the episode, Steve and Larry share their racing journeys, why everyone in life needs mentors, and how the BAT-man Scholarship supports future technicians. Watch

2025-12-17T08:26:36-06:00Beyond the Wrench|

Top 5 Most-Viewed Beyond the Wrench Episodes of 2025

2025 came and went in a flash—and what’s even crazier, we celebrated FIVE YEARS of the Beyond the Wrench podcast! We couldn’t have done it without our listeners. Your plays, follows, ratings, reviews, and support are what keep this podcast growing and help us bring meaningful conversations to the automotive, diesel, and collision communities. This

2025-12-11T09:29:00-06:00Beyond the Wrench, News|

Proactively Growing the Industry’s Technician Pipeline

Lew Olivier, Director of Outreach at the MN State Transportation Center of Excellence, joins us to discuss growing the next generation of technicians. Lew explains how events like Nitro-X spark student interest in technical careers, what shops can do as a first step to get involved with schools, and how small actions today can have

2025-12-10T08:39:47-06:00Beyond the Wrench|

Raising the Standards & Respect for the Repair Industry

Ryan Kooiman, Director of Training at Standard Motor Products, joins us to talk about banding together to raise the professional standards in the repair industry. He covers the balance between technical curiosity and shop profitability, the importance of credentials like ASEs, and why mentorship is better for the industry than making young techs learn “the

2025-12-03T09:37:28-06:00Beyond the Wrench|

Taking Technical Skills Beyond the Bay

John Melendez, Owner of JDM Collision, discusses the immense value of carrying technical skills into management and other industry roles. He covers his evolution from technician to industry leader, the lasting impact of effective mentorship on the next generation, and how leveraging certifications directly drives higher pay. Watch the Full Episode  Show Notes About

2025-11-26T09:42:33-06:00Beyond the Wrench|

Building Trust Between Shops & Customers

Marc Poulsen, National Accounts Manager, shares how AutoNet TV helps shops build trust with customers and why it’s essential. Learn why showcasing ASE-certified technicians matters, the public’s misconceptions about the technician role, and the challenges of explaining maintenance and complex repairs to customers. Note: We experienced a small technical issue during recording that caused a

Building Future Technicians with Tom Wood University

Bill Demaree and Aaron Blount join us to share how Tom Wood University brings high school students into the dealership for hands-on automotive learning. They discuss the “why” behind the program, the importance of ownership support in building a marketplace of future technicians, and how they structure the curriculum to prepare students for real-world success

2025-11-12T08:46:39-06:00Beyond the Wrench|

Who Is Jay Goninen? The Man Behind Beyond the Wrench

In this special episode, the tables turn as Beyond the Wrench host Jay Goninen takes the hot seat! Guest host and longtime friend Josh Arnold, a technician himself, interviews Jay about his roots in the family auto shop, the journey to co-founding WrenchWay, and his favorite memories from the last five years of hosting Beyond

2025-11-05T08:55:11-06:00Beyond the Wrench|
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