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 year brought an incredible lineup of guests tackling some of the biggest challenges and opportunities in the industry. While we’d never be able to choose a favorite, we let our listeners do it and the numbers don’t lie. Here are the top five most listened to episodes of 2025!

Listen to the Beyond the Wrench Podcast - New episodes every Wednesday!

Top 5 Most-Listened-To Beyond the Wrench Episodes in 2025

1. Leading with Accountability & Influence

In this episode, Dave Anderson, President of Learn to Lead, gives leaders actionable strategies for handling tough situations while earning trust and respect. He shares practical advice on holding even high-performing team members accountable, making confrontation conversational, and avoiding the loss of credibility.

2. Improving Habits as a Flat Rate Technician

Josh Arnold, Team Lead at Subaru of Austin, joins us again for his fifth appearance on Beyond the Wrench. Nearly a year has passed since Josh moved to a new shop out of state, and during that time, he’s made several key changes in both his personal and professional life. In this episode, he shares his experience moving tools, starting fresh, and adopting healthier habits to take better care of both his mind and body as a technician.

3. What Top-Performing Shops Do Differently

Darin Damron, SE Regional Vice President at Jasper Engines & Transmissions, is back to share what he’s seeing from the highest-performing shops. He highlights the common traits these shops share—like their commitment to continuous learning, focus on hiring and keeping the right people, and putting people first. Darin also covers valuable training resources and materials every shop owner and manager should have on their radar.

4. When Service Advisors Put Technicians First, Everyone Wins

Rena Rennebohm, CEO of Empowered Advisor, shares why shops thrive when service advisors put technicians first. With years of experience coaching advisors, Rena explains how stronger collaboration between advisors and technicians leads to better shop culture and performance. She also dives into challenges such as high service advisor turnover, the lack of respect advisors often face, and why she believes nearly 50% of shops are short-staffed at the front.

5. Inside BMW’s Approach to Developing Top Technicians

Gary Uyematsu, National Technician Training Manager at BMW North America, joins us to discuss the continuous learning it takes to succeed as a technician and how BMW approaches technician training. He also highlights some industry disconnects, like career counselors not fully understanding technician careers, along with the unique challenges of teaching and developing today’s technicians.

Popular Beyond the Wrench Episodes By Year

About Beyond the Wrench

Each week, Jay Goninen, Co-Founder & President of WrenchWay, sits down with shop owners, technicians, instructors, and professionals in the automotive, diesel, and collision industries to have them share their stories, experiences, and insights.

Stream Beyond the Wrench wherever you get your podcasts!

Subscribe to the Beyond the Wrench Podcast Mailing List