Episodes

  • Episode 45 - Dave Rogers Just AMBUSHED Steve Shaw with ChatGPT — You Won't Believe What Happened

    Episode 45 - Dave Rogers Just AMBUSHED Steve Shaw with ChatGPT — You Won't Believe What Happened
    May 26 2026
    Episode 45 is the sequel — and the rematch — to Episode 42. This time the tables turn: Dave Rogers puts Steve Shaw head-to-head with ChatGPT. Dave skips the training questions and instead hits Steve with the real-world fixed operations scenarios from Steve's days running stores and consulting on service drives across the country. Steve has to take off his trainer hat, put his fixed ops director hat back on, and answer in the moment — no notes, no script. Then ChatGPT runs the same scenarios and the answers are compared side-by-side.
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    26 mins
  • Episode 44 - The $100K Career Nobody Tells High Schoolers About (And It's at Your Local Dealership)

    Episode 44 - The $100K Career Nobody Tells High Schoolers About (And It's at Your Local Dealership)
    May 21 2026
    Steve Shaw and Dave Rogers celebrate the career service advisor — the often-overlooked professional whose dedication keeps customers safe and dealerships profitable. This episode makes the case that a young person can build an above-average income, raise a family, and enjoy a meaningful life as a career service advisor — no four-year degree required.
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    30 mins
  • Episode 43 - Why Your CDJR Dealership Will NEVER Be a Luxury Brand (Until You Fix This One Thing)

    Episode 43 - Why Your CDJR Dealership Will NEVER Be a Luxury Brand (Until You Fix This One Thing)
    May 18 2026
    Steve Shaw and Dave Rogers tackle one of the most underrated challenges in the modern dealership: what happens when a high-volume domestic or import store suddenly decides it wants to play in the luxury sandbox? The case study hits close to home. Steve walks us through his own Jeep Grand Wagoneer experience at a Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram dealership — where a $100,000+ luxury SUV gets serviced in the same chaotic drive as a $25,000 Compass, a leased Cherokee, and a twelve-year-old Wrangler with three brake jobs in arrears. The mismatch isn't just uncomfortable — it's costing dealerships real money, real CSI, and real luxury customers.
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    29 mins
  • Episode 42 - AI vs 30 Year Fixed Ops Expert: The Results Will SHOCK You

    Episode 42 - AI vs 30 Year Fixed Ops Expert: The Results Will SHOCK You
    May 14 2026
    In Episode 42, we put 30+ years of fixed operations expertise on trial against the most advanced AI on the planet. Steve Shaw asked Claude to generate ten of the toughest, most revealing questions a fixed ops expert could face — then handed the mic to Dave Rogers and let him answer them cold. We then compared Claude's AI-generated answers side-by-side with Dave's real-world, dealership-tested responses. Key talking points covered in this episode: • Claude (AI) generates 10+ expert-level fixed ops questions • Dave Rogers answers cold — no prep, no script • Side-by-side comparison: AI answers vs. expert answers • Where AI surprises us — and where it falls flat • Why the future belongs to experts who know how to use AI
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    29 mins
  • Episode 41 - Service Writing Fundamentals with Tyler Smit

    Episode 41 - Service Writing Fundamentals with Tyler Smit
    May 12 2026
    Dave Rogers and Steve Shaw sit down with service advisor Tyler Smith — an experienced young man who ends up schooling both of them on how to write service in 2026. The kicker: the fundamentals Tyler swears by today are the same fundamentals that drove top-performing service drives back in 1987. Key talking points covered in this episode: • Preparation for the appointment • Reviewing the repair orders before the customer arrives • Proper menu presentation • Why having a manager working the drive is non-negotiable
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    27 mins
  • Episode 40 - Watched a Dealership Lose $50K Because They Skipped ONE Step

    Episode 40 - Watched a Dealership Lose $50K Because They Skipped ONE Step
    May 6 2026
    In this powerful episode, Steve Shaw and Dave Rogers dive deep into the importance of having solid processes in your fixed operations department. They break down: What exactly is a process? Why every successful operation needs them How to start with the end in mind The critical role of accountability Steve and Dave use a compelling analogy: flying an airplane. Just like pilots rely on checklists to ensure safety and consistency, your service department needs proven processes and strict adherence to them. No more guessing — results come from repeatable systems!
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    29 mins
  • Episode 39 - Used Car Reconditioning – Profit Center or Expense?

    Episode 39 - Used Car Reconditioning – Profit Center or Expense?
    May 4 2026
    Steve Shaw and Dave Rogers tackle one of the hottest topics in fixed operations today: Should used car reconditioning be treated as a profit center or just a necessary expense? They break down the real pros and cons of each approach and deliver practical strategies including: · The power of a dedicated used car technician team · Why a 24–48-hour recon turnaround is a game-changer · The case for an after-hours recon center · How proper reconditioning impacts speed-to-market, gross profit, and customer satisfaction. Whether you’re a fixed ops director, used car manager, or dealer principal, this episode gives you the framework to turn your reconditioning operation from a cost center into a true profit driver. Listen now for straight-talk strategies that can add serious dollars to your bottom line.
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    30 mins
  • Episode 38 - Warranty Expert Reveals: The #1 Mistake Dealers Make

    Episode 38 - Warranty Expert Reveals: The #1 Mistake Dealers Make
    Apr 29 2026
    Dave Rogers and Steve Shaw sit down with Janet Hayworth from Rainmaker Warranty Services for a deep dive into the evolving world of warranty claims and reimbursement for new car dealers. Manufacturers are tightening their belts — and if your dealership isn't keeping up, you're leaving money on the table (or worse, facing an audit). Janet breaks down exactly what's changing, what's being demanded, and how to stay ahead of it all.
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    31 mins