Ratchet+Wrench Radio

Hosted by Ratchet+Wrench

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Episodes

497

Latest episode

Nov 2026

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About the show

Ratchet+Wrench Radio offers four tracks each month that explore the industry's biggest trends, most pressing topics, and the leadership and business management tips and strategies you need to thrive.

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60 recent

November 11, 2026Episode 20423 min

When Is Enough Enough?

Every shop owner wants a healthy, profitable business. But does that always mean adding more employees, opening more locations and chasing higher gross profit? Kendall Warnock, owner of A1 Automotive, with three locations in Lincoln and Seward, Nebraska, joins Christine Schaffran to explore the harder question: When is enough actually enough? They’ll discuss the risk-reward equation behind growth, the personal motivations that can drive owners to keep pushing and how to determine whether the next step is truly worth taking.

November 4, 2026Episode 21133 min

Building the Future of Automotive Service: Jay Goninen Talks Everything ASE

The automotive service industry continues to face questions about technician recruitment, workforce development, and the skills shops will need in the years ahead. Jay Goninen’s move from WrenchWay to ASE brings a new perspective to those challenges. In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Goninen discusses his transition, ASE Connects, a Department of Labor grant, and how ASE is preparing for its 55th anniversary and the future of automotive service.

October 28, 2026Episode 20920 min

SEMA 2026: A Shop Owner’s Guide to the Show

SEMA is big enough to be overwhelming—especially if you're trying to squeeze everything into four days. So, what should independent shop owners actually see and do? Tom Gattuso, vice president of events for SEMA, joins us to break down the show floor, education, technology, networking, and the experiences shop owners won't want to miss.

October 23, 2026Episode 2109 min

R-1234yf Refrigerant: A/C Service Opportunities and Retrofit Potential

R-1234yf is already in the service bays, but is your shop ready to make the most of the opportunity? Natalie Dixon of Chemours explores what shops need to know about R-1234yf service, the potential to retrofit eligible R-134a vehicles, and the importance of proper procedures and preventing refrigerant cross-contamination. Plus, learn what Chemours has planned for AAPEX, including a chance to win an R-1234yf recovery, recycle and recharge machine and Opteon™ YF refrigerant.

October 21, 2026Episode 20517 min

The Independent Shop Owner’s Guide to AAPEX 2026

AAPEX can be overwhelming for any shop owner — thousands of exhibitors, hundreds of education sessions, new technology, networking opportunities and plenty to see on the show floor. So how can independent shop owners make the most of their time in Las Vegas? In this episode, we preview AAPEX 2026 with Mark Bogdansky and look at how owners can approach the show with a plan, find education and resources that address their business needs, and come home with ideas they can actually put to work.

October 14, 2026Episode 20320 min

Beyond the Hire: Building Career Paths That Keep Great Technicians

Finding technicians is hard. Keeping them is even harder. This episode explores why the most successful shops are shifting their focus from recruiting alone to creating careers employees don't want to leave.

October 7, 2026Episode 20220 min

What Recruiters Hear That Shop Owners Never Do

Every shop owner has wondered why a technician really left. Was it the pay? The culture? The workload? Or something they never heard about? After nearly three decades recruiting technicians, Joe Henry has heard the stories candidates don't tell their employers. He joins Ratchet+Wrench Radio to reveal the red flags that drive technicians away, what today's candidates actually want and how shops can become employers technicians recommend instead of leave.

September 30, 2026Episode 20123 min

From Shop Owner to Entrepreneur: Building a Business That Thrives Without You

Many shop owners set out to build a business but end up building themselves a job. Chris Knuth knows that trap firsthand. In The Owner's Manual, he shares the lessons he learned moving from technician to shop owner to entrepreneur and investor — and explains why the biggest obstacle to a shop running without its owner may be the owner himself. In this episode, Knuth breaks down the mindset shifts, systems and leadership practices that can help shop owners stop being the bottleneck and start building a business that can thrive without them.

September 23, 2026Episode 20024 min

Building a Training Program That Actually Works

Training shouldn't end when the class does. Ellie Pentland of Throttle Muscle shares how repair shop owners can build more effective training programs by setting clear goals, keeping employees focused and following up consistently.

September 16, 2026Episode 19919 min

Why Good Shops Stop Growing

Your parking lot is full. Your sales look good. So why does it feel like your shop isn’t moving forward? Jim Saeli explains how owners can spot the difference between activity and real growth, identify the bottlenecks holding their shops back and build the systems, teams and habits needed to reach the next level.