The Limitless Leadership Podcast

Hosted by Josh Parnell

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158

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Jun 2026

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About the show

The Limitless Leadership Podcast was created to help automotive repair shops learn how to lead, coach, train, and manage people better by sharing proven techniques and thought provoking interviews from industry leaders. The key to sustainable growth and profitability lies in the perfect synergy of leadership and performance, and we're dedicated to helping aspiring leaders in the automotive repair industry tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results. People + Process = Profit.

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June 11, 202643 min

Ep 157: Great Culture Doesn't Happen by Accident with Sam Freeman and Amber Wright

Amber Wright is the VP of Business Development at Tekmetric, and Sam Freeman is the Partnership Manager at Promotive. Today, Josh and Bret talk with the ladies about the role of culture in building high-performing teams, the ongoing challenges and importance of recruiting top talent in the automotive industry, and the need for leaders to embrace growth by stepping into discomfort and letting go of control. Learn more about Promotive or start your next search at https://www.gopromotive.com. Stop wasting your marketing dollars and connect with Shop Marketing pros at https://www.shopmarketingpros.com. Visit https://www.tekmetric.com to book a demo and see how Tekmetric can help you run your shop with more clarity and confidence. Visit Golden Hour Garage at https://www.goldenhourgarage.com to schedule a discovery call - & Own Your Golden Hour. Timestamps: 00:10 – Meet Amber Wright & Sam Freeman 02:12 – Growing Teams, Growing Responsibilities: Leadership at Scale 04:08 – Tackling the Hiring Struggle and Never-Ending Fires 07:11 – How Company Culture Drives Success 13:08 – Most Challenging, Most Rewarding Roles: Embracing the Suck 17:43 – Steps of Faith Over Leaps: Leading Through Fear and Uncertainty 22:18 – Setting Expectations and Holding the Line on Team Standards 28:36 – Why Vendor Relationships Matter at Trade Shows 34:09 – Building an Abundant Community in Automotive 38:08 – Where to Find Tekmetric & Promotive  I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. With a team of leadership coaches, trainers, and speakers, Limitless Leadership helps aspiring leaders tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.For more information, please visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co.

June 9, 202642 min

Ep 156: Patrick Egan’s Secrets to Leading and Marketing in Auto Repair

In this episode, Patrick Egan, founder of Spark Interactive, shares his journey from leading marketing for major automotive software companies to pioneering digital vehicle inspections (DVI) and storytelling-driven marketing. Patrick emphasizes the power of authenticity in business storytelling, highlighting how real, unscripted stories from owners, teams, and customers build connection and trust. He also discusses the importance of culture and leadership by example, urging shop owners to listen to their teams and showcase what truly sets them apart in a competitive industry. Stop managing chaos and start leading with purpose. Visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co to learn more about Limitless Leadership coaching, training, and speaking. Visit https://www.tekmetric.com to book a demo and see how Tekmetric can help you run your shop with more clarity and confidence. Stop wasting your marketing dollars and connect with Shop Marketing pros at https://www.shopmarketingpros.com. Atlantic Automotive is a faith-based, family-owned coalition that partners with, invests in, and grows exceptional auto repair shops across the U.S. by providing technology, capital, and operational support — whether owners want to scale or transition their legacy. If you're interested in partnering, go to https://atlanticautomotivegroup.com/ and fill out the "Start a Conversation" form. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: Meet Patrick Egan of Spark Interactive 01:29 – The Birth of Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVI) 05:57 – Why Most Shops Struggle to Share Their Story 07:49 – What Makes a Story Truly Authentic 11:32 – Beyond the Owner: Highlighting Team & Customers 13:42 – Customer Stories that Build Loyalty 20:05 – Leadership in Action: Leading by Example 26:26 – Standing Out in a Crowded Market 30:06 – Recruiting and Retaining Top Techs through Culture 35:30 – The Best Advice from a Mentor 39:01 – Closing Words: Tell Your Own Story  I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. With a team of leadership coaches, trainers, and speakers, Limitless Leadership helps aspiring leaders tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.For more information, please visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co.

June 3, 202646 min

Ep 155: How to Build an Engaged, Award-Winning Team with Jackie Hoegger

In this episode, Josh and Bret are joined by Jackie Hoegger, CEO of Hoegger Communications, for an inspiring conversation on leadership and organizational culture. Bret emphasizes the importance of authentic relationships over transactions, sharing how her team treats clients like family and the difference this approach makes. She dives into the significance of emotional discipline and creating an environment where employees feel valued, heard, and recognized. Learn more about Promotive or start your next search at https://www.gopromotive.com. Stop managing chaos and start leading with purpose. Visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co to learn more about Limitless Leadership coaching, training, and speaking. Visit https://www.tekmetric.com to book a demo and see how Tekmetric can help you run your shop with more clarity and confidence. Optimize Labor. Unlock Capacity. For less than $5 a day per technician, improve absorption rate, increase ELR, and give your techs the career pathway that keeps them engaged and in the bay. Book a demo today! https://meetings.hubspot.com/jen-grimes/demo-meeting?utm_campaign=41778739-Limitless+Leadership&utm_source=Limited+Leadership&utm_medium=LL+referral&uuid=57616c84-28ec-48d0-9a44-7b64074e5d8c Timestamps: 00:00 – Meet Jackie Hoegger 01:13 – From Retail to CEO 05:47 – Making Clients Family & Leading with Care 09:17 – The Power of Boundaries and Recharging as a Leader 12:54 – Leadership Defined: Emotional Discipline & Empathy 18:32 – Staff Engagement: Daily Check-Ins, Shoutouts & Recognition 24:20 – Rookie Mindset: How Staying Fresh Energizes Your Team 26:05 – Award-Winning Work & Team Achievements 30:50 – Loving What You Do: The Secret to Avoiding Burnout 33:17 – Hiring Wisely: Lessons in Patience & Team Involvement 35:45 – The Best Advice: Kindness, Ego, and Leadership Legacy 39:40 – The Role of Faith, Fear, and Moving Forward 40:40 – Closing & Invitation to Connect  I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. With a team of leadership coaches, trainers, and speakers, Limitless Leadership helps aspiring leaders tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.For more information, please visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co.

May 28, 202650 min

Ep 154: Turn Your Tragedy Into Limitless Leadership with JeanAnn SaintGrace

In this episode, Josh welcomes JeanAnn Saint Grace, coach with Autofix Auto Shop Coaching and host of Shop Talk Her Way. JeanAnn shares her powerful journey through personal tragedy and business ownership, emphasizing the importance of resilience and finding purpose in the face of adversity. The conversation highlights strategies for effective leadership, including authentic recognition of team members and setting healthy boundaries for self-care. Learn more about Promotive or start your next search at https://www.gopromotive.com. Visit https://www.tekmetric.com to book a demo and see how Tekmetric can help you run your shop with more clarity and confidence. Stop managing chaos and start leading with purpose. Visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co to learn more about Limitless Leadership coaching, training, and speaking. Timestamps: 00:00 Balancing personal life and business 06:39 Starting the family business 07:48 Finding our niche and challenges 13:59 Sharing experiences for success 16:58 Shouting out Jeff Compton 20:10 Identifying and addressing business challenges 23:38 Leadership philosophy and employee engagement 25:17 Building a positivity bank 30:11 Inspiring growth and impact 32:28 Discussing self-care and prioritizing yourself 36:42 Rethinking traditional work hours 41:47 Supporting employees during personal challenges 42:47 Importance of employee recognition 45:59 Understanding shop operations and DVIs  I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. With a team of leadership coaches, trainers, and speakers, Limitless Leadership helps aspiring leaders tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.For more information, please visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co.

May 26, 202633 min

Ep 153: Redefining Men’s Leadership in the 21st Century with Andrew O'Brien

In this episode, Josh Parnell and Brett Beitler are joined by Andrew O'Brien, founder of Dad Tribes. Andrew shares his journey from military service to building the fastest-growing global community for fathers, highlighting the importance of brotherhood and combating male isolation. The hosts and Andrew discuss the difference between solitude and isolation, emphasizing the critical need for men to find camaraderie and support. Learn more about Promotive or start your next search at https://www.gopromotive.com. Visit Golden Hour Garage at https://www.goldenhourgarage.com to schedule a discovery call - & Own Your Golden Hour. Stop wasting your marketing dollars and connect with Shop Marketing pros at https://www.shopmarketingpros.com. Visit https://www.tekmetric.com to book a demo and see how Tekmetric can help you run your shop with more clarity and confidence. Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome and Introduction to Andrew O’Brien 00:41 – What is Dad Tribes? A Community for Dads 02:22 – The Inspiration: From Military Brotherhood to Civilian Isolation 04:49 – Rapid Growth: From Facebook Group to Global Movement 08:22 – Breaking Isolation: The Power of Real Connection 10:02 – Solitude vs. Isolation: Why Community Matters 12:47 – Expanding Worldwide: USA, Australia, UK & Beyond 13:07 – Redefining Leadership Among Fathers 16:00 – How to Get Involved with Dad Tribes 19:26 – Life Lessons and Leading by Example  I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. With a team of leadership coaches, trainers, and speakers, Limitless Leadership helps aspiring leaders tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.For more information, please visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co.

May 20, 202649 min

Ep 152: She Grew from Zero to Eight Shops in Four Years?? | Jesse Jackson

In this episode, Josh chats with Jesse Jackson, CEO and founder of Mango Automotive, about her journey in rapidly scaling her company from zero to eight locations in four years. Jesse emphasizes the importance of building a positive and fun workplace culture, even in traditionally challenging industries. The conversation also covers innovative strategies for business growth, including the use of acquisitions and the introduction of a co-op model that enables shop owners to increase their exit multiples when selling. Stop wasting your marketing dollars and connect with Shop Marketing pros at https://www.shopmarketingpros.com. Visit https://www.tekmetric.com to book a demo and see how Tekmetric can help you run your shop with more clarity and confidence. Optimize Labor. Unlock Capacity. For less than $5 a day per technician, improve absorption rate, increase ELR, and give your techs the career pathway that keeps them engaged and in the bay. Book a demo Book a demo with Mentor Mentee today! today! https://meetings.hubspot.com/jen-grimes/demo-meeting?utm_campaign=41778739-Limitless+Leadership&utm_source=Limited+Leadership&utm_medium=LL+referral&uuid=57616c84-28ec-48d0-9a44-7b64074e5d8c Timestamps: 00:00 – Meet Jesse Jackson 00:45 – Scaling Fast: From One Shop to Eight in Four Years 02:57 – Family, Thrills, & Why “Fun” Matters at Work 04:45 – Redefining Shop Culture: Beyond Burnt Coffee and Old Magazines 07:10 – Facing Industry Challenges with Vision and Heart 10:20 – The Power of Acquisitions & Opportunity for Owners 13:16 – Innovating Exits: The Co-Op Model Explained 18:07 – Leadership Lessons: Hire Better, Have Fun, Stay Humble 28:14 – Blind Optimism and Growth Mindsets 38:41 – Delight the Customer: How Mango Makes a Difference 40:11 – The Best Leadership Advice Jesse’s Ever Received 44:02 – Connect with Jesse & the Mango Team  I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. With a team of leadership coaches, trainers, and speakers, Limitless Leadership helps aspiring leaders tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.For more information, please visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co.

May 14, 202639 min

Ep 151: The 4-Day Workweek Changed Their Lives | Erich and Lola Schmidt

In this episode, Josh Parnell sits down with Lola and Erich Schmidt of Schmidt Auto Care to discuss their leadership journey as husband-and-wife shop owners. Lola shares how implementing strong business processes and a four-day workweek transformed their team's engagement and productivity. Erich reflects on the power of investing in staff development and fostering a positive workplace culture, emphasizing how both personal connections and well-planned growth strategies can lead to truly life-changing results for their team. Learn more about Promotive or start your next search at https://www.gopromotive.com. Stop wasting your marketing dollars and connect with Shop Marketing pros at https://www.shopmarketingpros.com. Visit https://www.tekmetric.com to book a demo and see how Tekmetric can help you run your shop with more clarity and confidence. Visit Golden Hour Garage at https://www.goldenhourgarage.com to schedule a discovery call - & Own Your Golden Hour. Timestamps: 00:00 – Meet Lola & Erich Schmidt 01:30 – Operations, Marketing, and Technical Mastery 04:05 – Why Growing Your Team Is Life-Changing 06:03 – Building Connections at Industry Events 10:20 – How a Conversation Became a Career 13:45 – Bringing Lessons from Other Industries into Auto Care 14:35 – Implementing a Four-Day Workweek: Process & Payoff 17:29 – Turning Culture Into Performance 22:17 – Stability, Empowerment & Setting People Free 25:03 – Risk, Rewards, and the Power of Planning 27:25 – The Best Advice Ever Received  I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. With a team of leadership coaches, trainers, and speakers, Limitless Leadership helps aspiring leaders tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.For more information, please visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co.

May 12, 202629 min

Ep 150: Embracing Change in Family Business Leadership | Bill Haas and Sara Fraser

In this episode, Josh Parnell is joined by Bill Haas and Sara Fraser from Auto Ignite Management. Bill Haas shares his journey from technician to industry coach, highlighting the importance of purposeful growth and legacy in business. Sara Fraser discusses her transition into the family business, emphasizing the value of carving out one's own path and the power of "stay interviews" to support employee well-being. Stop managing chaos and start leading with purpose. Visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co to learn more about Limitless Leadership coaching, training, and speaking. Visit https://www.tekmetric.com to book a demo and see how Tekmetric can help you run your shop with more clarity and confidence. Stop wasting your marketing dollars and connect with Shop Marketing pros at https://www.shopmarketingpros.com. Timestamps: 00:00 – Meet Bill and Sara 01:06 – Building Businesses: Lessons from Bill’s Journey 04:16 – Sara Fraser: Six Years Growing a Shop 08:03 – Too Many Hats: How to Coach & Manage Roles 13:44 – Blazing Your Own Path: Rebranding and Identity 17:26 – Defining Leadership: Space to Fail & Learn 18:48 – The Best Advice Ever Received 22:45 – Fostering Creativity & Avoiding Stagnation 25:57 – Connect with Auto Ignite Management  I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. With a team of leadership coaches, trainers, and speakers, Limitless Leadership helps aspiring leaders tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.For more information, please visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co.

May 6, 202647 min

Ep 149: Mastering Servant Leadership with John Firm and Rick White

In this episode, John Firm and Rick White share their experiences from decades in the automotive industry, focusing on leadership growth and the importance of continual training. Rick White emphasizes that true impact as a coach is determined by others, and stresses the value of encouraging and developing team members. John Firm highlights the necessity of grit, resilience, and gratitude in overcoming challenges and maintaining leadership growth. Learn more about Promotive or start your next search at https://www.gopromotive.com. Stop managing chaos and start leading with purpose. Visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co to learn more about Limitless Leadership coaching, training, and speaking. Visit https://www.tekmetric.com to book a demo and see how Tekmetric can help you run your shop with more clarity and confidence. Optimize Labor. Unlock Capacity. For less than $5 a day per technician, improve absorption rate, increase ELR, and give your techs the career pathway that keeps them engaged and in the bay. Book a demo today! https://meetings.hubspot.com/jen-grimes/demo-meeting?utm_campaign=41778739-Limitless+Leadership&utm_source=Limited+Leadership&utm_medium=LL+referral&uuid=57616c84-28ec-48d0-9a44-7b64074e5d8c Timestamps: 00:00 – Meet John Firm & Rick White: 04:10 – Why Impact Is More Than Effort 08:10 – Encouragement, Safe Spaces, and Building Others Up 13:30 – Failing Forward: The Lessons of “Going Through Suck” 17:50 – Comfort Zones vs. Growth Zones: Finding Your Edge 21:04 – Gratitude, Perspective, and Leadership Through Tough Times 27:02 – What Does Real Leadership Mean? 34:00 – Servant Leadership and the Power of Community 38:40 – Final Words: Stop Telling Yourself You Can’t  I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. With a team of leadership coaches, trainers, and speakers, Limitless Leadership helps aspiring leaders tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.For more information, please visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co.

April 30, 202641 min

Ep 148: AVTECC Can Be the Change This Industry Needs with Dave Macholz

In this episode, Dave Macholz, founder and CEO of AVTECC, discusses the transformation of technician certification through a skills-based, performance testing model. He outlines how AVTECC’s pilot programs in four colleges are working to bridge the gap between traditional education and real-world competency. The conversation also explores the resistance to change in the industry, highlighting the need for combining technical proficiency with enduring, “durable” skills to raise both technician and employer standards. Stop managing chaos and start leading with purpose. Visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co to learn more about Limitless Leadership coaching, training, and speaking. Visit Golden Hour Garage at https://www.goldenhourgarage.com to schedule a discovery call - & Own Your Golden Hour. Visit https://www.thebeardedbrotherhood.co to grab your grooming essentials from The Bearded Brotherhood. Stop managing chaos and start leading with purpose. Visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co to learn more about Limitless Leadership coaching, training, and speaking. Optimize Labor. Unlock Capacity. For less than $5 a day per technician, improve absorption rate, increase ELR, and give your techs the career pathway that keeps them engaged and in the bay. Book a demo today! https://meetings.hubspot.com/jen-grimes/demo-meeting?utm_campaign=41778739-Limitless+Leadership&utm_source=Limited+Leadership&utm_medium=LL+referral&uuid=57616c84-28ec-48d0-9a44-7b64074e5d8c Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction & Meet Dave Macholz 01:23 – What AVTECC Is and Why It Matters 03:14 – 4 Pilot Schools Leading the Change 06:29 – Where Tech Education Fails: Real-World Skills Gaps 08:00 – The Vision: Community Colleges as Regional Skill Centers 10:15 – Safety, Accountability & Hands-On Certification 12:03 – New Era: ADAS, EVs, and the Evidence Employers Want 16:06 – Industry Backing and Overcoming Resistance 18:41 – The Roots of Testing: Voluntary Certification and Its Limits 22:07 – The Reality of Shop Pay and Technician Value 28:33 – The Next Step: Training, Practice, and Performance  I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. With a team of leadership coaches, trainers, and speakers, Limitless Leadership helps aspiring leaders tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.For more information, please visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co.