Ratchet+Wrench Radio

Hosted by Ratchet+Wrench

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Episodes

494

Latest episode

Oct 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

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.

September 9, 2026Episode 19820 min

Why EV Towing Is Changing Everything for Repair Shops

As more electric vehicles hit the road, they're reshaping more than repair procedures—they're changing how disabled vehicles reach your shop in the first place. Jeff Wiener, COO of Nation Safe Drivers, joins the podcast to explain why most EV roadside calls aren't caused by mechanical failures, why flatbed towing is becoming increasingly important, and how repair shops can prepare for a future where energy management, rather than broken parts, is driving roadside assistance.

September 2, 2026Episode 19623 min

From Giving Back to Getting Ahead: How Smart Shops Turn Community Impact Into Growth

Giving back can do more than support a good cause—it can also strengthen your shop's reputation and deepen customer loyalty. In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Christine Schaffran talks with Adam Sutton, CEO of DX3 Brands and RNR Tire Express, about how shop owners can turn community involvement into a strategic advantage by creating meaningful, authentic connections in their local markets.

August 26, 2026Episode 19025 min

Run It Like You Own It? Why That Mindset Fails Managers

"Run it like you own it" has become a common phrase in independent repair shops, but what does it actually mean? In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Bill Snow of Rad Air in Strongsville, Ohio, unpacks why giving managers responsibility without authority, expectations without training, and accountability without clear boundaries often sets them up to fail. From promoting top technicians into leadership roles to teaching financial literacy and building effective SOPs, Snow shares practical strategies for developing confident managers who can truly lead. If you've ever handed someone the keys to the shop and hoped for the best, this conversation offers a better roadmap.