Cindy Barlow, Director of Industry Relations at WyoTech, joins us to talk about how, as an industry, we’ve neglected training young and entry-level technicians. In this episode, she discusses how shops can better support and develop young talent, why early exposure helps students decide if the industry is the right fit, and how fundamentals, soft
Jessica Weaver, Auto Body Collision Technology Instructor at Dakota County Technical College, shares how adapting to different learning styles, using visuals, and hands-on play can make a real impact in the collision repair classroom. She explains what it means to truly meet students where they’re at, how she keeps up with rapidly changing vehicle technology
Jeff DeCarlis, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Alliant Power, joins us live from HDAW in Texas to share a major announcement: Alliant Power has acquired Capital Reman. In this episode, Jeff walks through the strategy behind the move, how the team is being integrated, and how the new distribution model delivers a “total
Renee Crisler, Owner and Founder of the Reilly Crisler Jumpstart Memorial Fund, joins us to share how she turned the loss of her son into a mission to help other “Reillys” explore careers in the skilled trades. She shares Reilly’s story, the purpose behind the fund, what Draft Day looks like, and how others can
Eric Wagner, automotive professional, joins the podcast to talk about why the auto industry must shift from a numbers-driven mindset to a true people business in order to attract and retain our talent. Throughout the episode, Eric discusses the role leadership plays in attracting and retaining technicians, why managers need to truly know their people,
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
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
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 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
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
