Beyond the Wrench

Live from the 2026 Christian Brothers Automotive (CBA) Mastering the Difference (MTD) Conference, host Jay Goninen is joined by special co-hosts Cameron Giddings of Christian Brothers Automotive and George Arrants of the ASE Education Foundation. Together they sit down with two guests who are shaping the future of the industry. Brandon Steckler , industry trainer, founder of SWAT Training and Diagnostics, and 5th-year MTD instructor, explains how shop culture shapes success on flat rate and why he only teaches the basics. Dan Aldrich , Director of Automotive Technical Training at Christian Brothers Automotive, recaps the biggest takeaways from the CBA series. He covers where he wants to see the industry go and why MTD is one of the most energizing events in the industry. Watch Full Podcast on YouTube About the Episode Host: Jay Goninen, ASE , jgoninen@ase.com Co-Hosts: Cameron Giddings, Christian Brothers Automotive ; George Arrants, ASE Education Foundation Guests: Brandon Steckler, SWAT Training and Diagnostics & Dan Aldrich, CBA Links & Resources Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list Join the ASE Connects Community ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more: ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers (Free trial for shops until 12/31/26) ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free for schools) Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok

Live from the 2026 Christian Brothers Automotive (CBA) Mastering the Difference (MTD) Conference, host Jay Goninen is joined by special co-hosts Cameron Giddings of Christian Brothers Automotive and George Arrants of the ASE Education Foundation. Together they sit down with three guests who are shaping the future of the industry. Greg Lee , Master Tech at CBA Mira Mesa, TX, is one of the first mentors in CBA's new Apprentice Career Tracks (ACT) program. He explains why he starts apprentices on big repairs and how he stays with them through every job. Leah VanWinkle , Service Manager at CBA Knoxville, TN, brings hospitality into the shop. She covers how she manages big technician personalities and protects shop culture. Andrew Fischer , an industry trainer and first-time MTD instructor, covers how he still wrenches full time and teaches from his own mistakes. Watch Full Podcast on YouTube About the Episode Host: Jay Goninen, ASE , jgoninen@ase.com Co-Hosts: Cameron Giddings, Christian Brothers Automotive ; George Arrants, ASE Education Foundation Guests: Greg Lee, Leah VanWinkle, and Andrew Fischer Links & Resources Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list Join the ASE Connects Community ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more: ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers (Free trial for shops until 12/31/26) ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free for schools) Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok

Live from the 2026 Christian Brothers Automotive (CBA) Mastering the Difference (MTD) Conference, host Jay Goninen is joined by special co-hosts Cameron Giddings of Christian Brothers Automotive and George Arrants of the ASE Education Foundation. Together they sit down with three guests who are shaping the future of the industry. Pete Candelaria , Master Technician at CBA and one of the brand's highest-producing techs, shares how he mentors the next generation of technicians while pushing himself to earn ASE World Class status. Caleb DeGarmo , Service Manager at CBA in Gallatin, TN, and the youngest entrant ever into CBA's Future Franchise Leadership Academy (FFLA), explains how the program has fast-tracked his leadership growth. Jerry "G" Truglia , Director of Dorman Training and longtime MTD instructor, reflects on 50+ years in the industry, how vehicle technology has evolved, and why techs must continue to learn every day. Watch Full Podcast on YouTube About the Episode Host: Jay Goninen, ASE , jgoninen@ase.com Co-Hosts: Cameron Giddings, Christian Brothers Automotive ; George Arrants, ASE Education Foundation Guests: Pete Candelaria & Caleb DeGarmo, Christian Brothers Automotive ; Jerry "G" Truglia, Dorman Training Links & Resources Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list Join the ASE Connects Community ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more: ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers (Free trial for shops until 12/31/26) ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free for schools) Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok

John Doonan, President of International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), breaks down why they see themself as the "heartbeat of the auto industry." In this episode, he talks about what makes IMSA's staff and drivers feel like one big family, how IMSA is helping build the next generation of automotive talent through a new career program with ASE, and how strong partnerships with companies keep the series stable. Watch Full Podcast on YouTube About the Episode Host: Jay Goninen, ASE , jgoninen@ase.com Guest: John Doonan, IMSA, Connect with John on LinkedIn Links & Resources Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list Join the ASE Connects Community ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more: ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers (Free trial for shops until 12/31/26) ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free for schools) Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok

Lisa Joseph, Director of ASE Connects Schools at ASE, breaks down how ASE Connects (formerly WrenchWay) is helping schools tap into free industry support, and how completing one quick form now enters schools into the $11k Snap-on giveaway. In this episode, she walks through the online platform, how the back-to-school form connects schools with local shops, and gives a sneak peek at Student Profiles coming very soon. Watch the Full Webinar on Demand Log in or Create an Account to Complete the Back to School Form to Enter the Snap-on Giveaway (Deadline 10/2) About the Episode Host: Jay Goninen, ASE , jgoninen@ase.com Guest: Lisa Joseph, ASE , ljoseph@ase.com Links & Resources Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list About the Back-to-School Giveaway Join the ASE Connects Community ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more: ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers (Free trial for shops until 12/31/26) ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free for schools) Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok

Tyler Gallardo, known online as Ty the Car Guy with nearly 1 million followers, breaks down how he turned a mobile mechanic business into a full-time content career. In this episode, he covers his path into the trade, how he grew his business from the ground up, how his first videos unexpectedly took off, and how he handles negativity in the comments without letting it get to him. Watch the video recording on YouTube About the Episode Host: Jay Goninen, ASE , jgoninen@ase.com Guest: Tyler Gallardo, Ty the Car Guy , ttime.businessinfo@gmail.com Links & Resources Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list Milwaukee Pipeline Sponsor: Jasper Engines & Transmissions Join the ASE Connects Community ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more: ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers (Free trial for shops until 12/31/26) ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free for schools) Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok

Cole Conrad, Senior Vice President of Product Management at Milwaukee Tool, breaks down how Milwaukee Tool's growth into transportation trades wasn't a step-by-step plan—it was patience and instinct, one tool at a time. In this episode, recorded live at Milwaukee Pipeline 2026, Cole covers the shift into automotive as an all-in focus, how the team decides what's worth building next, and why trusting instinct over data was key to bets like the Hammer Chisel tool. Watch the video recording on YouTube About the Episode Host: Jay Goninen, ASE , jgoninen@ase.com Guest: Cole Conrad, Milwaukee Tool , Cole.Conrad@milwaukeetool.com Links & Resources Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list Milwaukee Pipeline Join the ASE Connects Community ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more: ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers (Free trial for shops until 12/31/26) ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free for schools) Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok

Live from the 2026 Milwaukee Pipeline event, Ryan Mack, Group Product Manager, and Tim Schneider, Assistant Product Manager at Milwaukee Tool, join us to unpack how user frustration drives every product they build. In this episode, they cover the design story behind the M18 FUEL STRIKER, how accessories are engineered around real field use, a new grease gun that solves three key frustrations, and their favorite things about the Pipeline event. Watch the video recording on YouTube About the Episode Host: Jay Goninen, ASE , jgoninen@ase.com Guests: Ryan Mack, Milwaukee Tool | Tim Schneider, Milwaukee Tool Links & Resources Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list Milwaukee Pipeline Join the ASE Connects Community ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more: ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers (Free trial for shops until 12/31/26) ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free for schools) Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok

Michael Coley, President of ASE Education Foundation, breaks down the largest workforce grant the Department of Labor has ever awarded in the transportation service industry. In this episode, he covers what qualifies as a registered apprenticeship program, how the $25 million is expected to be allocated as final details are worked out with the DOL, and the goal of funding 6,000 new apprentice technicians over the next four years. Watch the video recording The total cost of the ASE Education Foundation Pay-for-Performance Apprenticeship Program is $25,000,000. $25,000,000 (100%) is funded through a U.S. Department of Labor – Employment and Training Administration grant. About the Episode Host: Jay Goninen, ASE , jgoninen@ase.com Guest: Michael Coley, ASE Education Foundation , mcoley@ase.com Links & Resources Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list Episode Sponsor: Jasper Engines & Transmissions Join ASE's Mailing List to Stay Informed on the Grant Join the ASE Connects Community ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more: ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers (Free trial for shops until 12/31/26) ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free for schools) Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok

Joe Toscano, Founder & CEO of Service Stories, returns to show how his AI platform turns everyday repair orders into ready-to-publish content. In this episode, he covers why he built Service Stories after burning out on social media himself, why voice and AI search are changing how customers find shops, and the growing impact of your shop’s Google Business Profile. Watch the video recording About the Episode Host: Jay Goninen, ASE , jgoninen@ase.com Guest: Joe Toscano, Service Stories , joe@servicestories.com Links & Resources Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list Episode Sponsor: Jasper Engines & Transmissions Join the ASE Connects Community ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more: ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers (Free trial for shops until 12/31/26) ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free for schools) Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok

Stacy Balzer, Founder/CEO of Uplift+Ignite Coaching and Consulting and former Senior Director at Ford Motor Company, breaks down the communication habits that set the best dealerships apart. In this episode, she shares the tools and mindset shifts leaders need to actually connect with their teams and build a culture people want to stay in. Watch the video recording About the Episode Host: Jay Goninen, ASE , jgoninen@ase.com Guest: Stacy Balzer, Uplift+Ignite Coaching and Consulting , upliftplusignite@gmail.com Links & Resources Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list Episode Sponsor: Jasper Engines & Transmissions 2026 Voice of Technician Report Join the ASE Connects Community ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more: ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free!) Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok

Brooke English Guy, General Manager of Coastal Chevrolet Cadillac and Coastal Nissan in Pawleys Island, SC, breaks down how a third-generation family dealership built a culture technicians actually want to stay in. In this episode, she covers how a compressed 3-day work week reshaped technician recruitment and retention, why she hires for humility, hunger, and people skills over experience, and how she grew past early imposter syndrome to thrive in the car business. Watch the video recording Quick note—you may notice some video lag in this episode due to technical difficulties. Thanks for bearing with us, and enjoy! About the Episode Host: Jay Goninen, ASE , jgoninen@ase.com Guest: Brooke English Guy, Coastal Chevrolet Cadillac and Coastal Nissan , brooke@coastalsaves.com Links & Resources Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list Join the ASE Connects Community ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more: ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free!) Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok

Dave Johnson, President and CEO of ASE, sits down with WrenchWay co-founders Jay Goninen and Mark Wilson to break down the news: WrenchWay is officially part of the ASE family. In this episode, they cover why the deal made sense for both sides, what's changing (and staying the same) with the brand and product, and answer some of the questions they've been getting recently—including whether Beyond the Wrench is sticking around. Watch the video recording About the Episode Host: Jay Goninen, WrenchWay , jayg@wrenchway.com Guests: Dave Johnson, ASE , djohnson@ase.com ; Mark Wilson, WrenchWay , mark@wrenchway.com Links & Resources Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list Department of Labor & ASE Education Foundation Initiative: Apprenticeship Program Join the ASE Connects Community ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more: ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free!) Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok

Wayne Brozek, Founder and CEO of WB Global Services, breaks down why the parts department is only as strong as the process behind it. In this episode, he covers how parts and service personalities differ inside a dealership, how a simple audit he performs can expose inventory discrepancies in a shop, and how he applies fractional leadership to help guide dealership teams. Watch the video recording About the Episode Host: Jay Goninen, WrenchWay , jayg@wrenchway.com Guest: Wayne Brozek, WB Global Services , wayne@wbglobalservices.com Links & Resources Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list Join the ASE Connects Community ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more: ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free!) Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok

Trent Broberg, CEO of Fullbay, joins the show to talk about where AI is taking the repair industry. In this episode, Trent breaks down Fullbay's shift from an app to a platform, how AI is changing predictive maintenance and parts identification, and key insights from Fullbay's State of Heavy-Duty Repair Report you won't want to miss. Watch the video recording About the Episode Host: Jay Goninen, WrenchWay , jayg@wrenchway.com Guest: Trent Broberg, Fullbay , trent.broberg@fullbay.com Links & Resources Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list Download The State of Heavy-Duty Repair Report Keep Up with What’s Next at Fullbay. Sign up for Updates Join the ASE Connects Community ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more: ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free!) Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok

Gabe Christian, Owner of Import Performance Auto Repair in Bend, Oregon and seven-time winner of best shop in the city, returns to break down what shop culture actually looks like from the inside. He and Jay get into the daily habits, team dynamics, and small details that make technicians want to show up and stay. Watch the video recording About the Episode Host: Jay Goninen, WrenchWay , jayg@wrenchway.com Guest: Gabe Christian, Import Performance Auto Repair , gabe@importperformanceusa.com Links & Resources Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list Join the ASE Connects Community ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more: ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free!) Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok

Anthony Calhoun is an ASE Master Technician with 25+ years in the industry, CEO of A.W.C. Consulting LLC, and author of “Why Techs Leave and How to Keep Them.” In this episode, Anthony walks through what each role has taught him about where the industry is falling short. He covers the mindset that helped him grow as a young tech, the advice he gives to those coming up now, and what pushed him to write a book and build Apex Tech Nation. Watch the video recording About the Episode Host: Jay Goninen, WrenchWay , jayg@wrenchway.com Guest: Anthony Calhoun, A.W.C. Consulting LLC , awc@awcconsultingservices.com Links & Resources Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list APEX Tech Nation Why Technicians Are Leaving and How to Keep Them Join the ASE Connects Community ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more: ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free!) Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok

Joe Hamilton, President & CEO of Vortex Optics, helped build one of the outdoor industry's most recognized and fiercely loyal brands by treating service as a competitive weapon, not an afterthought. In this episode, Joe unpacks the CARE Movement (Create A Rare Experience), why hiring people who already share your values is the foundation of delivering it, and why being genuinely human is the rarest advantage a business can have in 2026. Watch the video recording About the Episode Host: Jay Goninen, WrenchWay , jayg@wrenchway.com Guest: Joe Hamilton, Vortex Optics , jhamilton@vortexoptics.com Links & Resources Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list Join the ASE Connects Community ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more: ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free!) Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok

Chris Craig—Fixed Ops Curriculum Developer at RockED and content creator with 135,000 followers across platforms—has built his following by saying the things most people are afraid to post. In this episode, he breaks down why showing both sides of every industry argument is slowly shifting the culture, from the ASE certification debate to the 30/30/30 myth, what shops get wrong when hiring new grads, and the financial traps that push young techs out of the trade. Watch the video recording About the Episode Host: Jay Goninen, WrenchWay , jayg@wrenchway.com Guest: Chris Craig, RockED , chris.craig@rocked.us Links & Resources Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list Join the ASE Connects Community ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more: ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free!) Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok

Josh Arnold, Recon Lead Technician at Austin Subaru, is back on the podcast for another honest conversation about life in the trade. He opens up about mentoring apprentices from scratch, what it really took to turn around a struggling recon department, and how public speaking and MPI video have pushed him to grow in ways he didn't expect. Watch the video recording About the Episode Host: Jay Goninen, WrenchWay , jayg@wrenchway.com Guest: Josh Arnold, Austin Subaru, Connect with Josh on LinkedIn Links & Resources Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list Join the ASE Connects Community ASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more: ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & Dealers ASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free!) Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok