In this episode of I’m a Car Chick, Shasta sits down with Kristin Kolodge, Vice President and Head of Auto Benchmarking and Mobility Development at J.D. Power — a woman whose work quite literally shapes the global automotive industry.
Kristin oversees the world’s most influential vehicle quality and customer experience studies, including the Initial Quality Study (IQS), APEAL, VDS, and TXI, along with J.D. Power’s future mobility research. If you’ve ever seen a commercial where a manufacturer bragged about “J.D. Power Awards”… yep. That’s her world.
Together, we unpack the why behind the data — and what dealerships, OEMs, consumers, and even EV skeptics need to know.
In this episode, we dive into:
● How Kristin went from mechanical engineering to running global benchmarking at J.D. Power
● What today’s vehicle quality landscape actually looks like (and what’s changing fast)
● Why customer expectations are rising faster than manufacturers can keep up
● The difference between initial quality, long-term dependability, and tech experience
● The truth about EV satisfaction, charging frustrations, and adoption roadblocks
● Practical insights for dealers on improving customer trust and communication
● How future mobility trends will reshape the car biz over the next decade

This episode is the ultimate blend of data, strategy, consumer psychology, and real-world dealership impact — told through the lens of one of the most influential women in the automotive industry.

Connect with Kristin Kolodge on LinkedIn:
👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-kolodge/

Kristin Kolodge
Vice President & Head of Auto Benchmarking and Mobility Development, J.D. Power
Kristin Kolodge leads all global vehicle quality research at J.D. Power, including the industry-defining Initial Quality Study (IQS), APEAL Study, Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), and Tech Experience Index (TXI). She also oversees mobility development initiatives, creating future-focused solutions for OEMs navigating the evolving landscape of electrification, autonomy, safety, and consumer behavior.
Kristin holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan Technological University and a master’s degree in engineering management from the University of Michigan.
Her work influences manufacturers, dealerships, and consumers worldwide — shaping decisions across product development, quality improvement, and customer experience.

Subscribe to I’m a Car Chick on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify — and leave a review to support women’s voices in the car biz.

In Part 2 of Shasta’s conversation with Gayle Rogers of The Atomic Agency, they go from theory to step-by-step execution.
If Part 1 was the why, this is the how. Gayle walks through exactly how he uses long-form video, AI, and a simple system to help businesses create consistent, local, authority-building content without needing a full production team.

In this episode, they cover:
● The tech stack Gayle recommends for recording and repurposing content (hello, Riverside)
● How to turn one conversation into transcripts, topics, and a full content calendar
● Using tools like ChatGPT to pull out brand pillars, personas, and StoryBrand-style messaging
● Why unscripted, conversational videos often outperform stiff, teleprompter content
● How dealers can build a searchable library of video and image assets (cars, features, people)
● SEO lessons from naming his company “The Atomic Agency” and outranking massive competitors
● Why you can’t wait for “perfect” content — you just need to start
● The surprising power of personal posts (fantasy football, anyone?) and human moments in building your brand

Part 2 is a practical masterclass in content and authority-building for dealerships, vendors, and anyone trying to stand out online without burning out.

In this episode of I’m a Car Chick, Shasta sits down with Gayle Rogers, founder of The Atomic Agency, to talk about what real marketing looks like for dealerships in 2025 and beyond.
Gayle has worn all the hats — agency, OEM, and in-dealership marketing — and he breaks down how those experiences shaped his approach to helping stores stop “doing ads” and start actually showing up in their communities.

In Part 1, we talk about:
● How Gayle got his start in automotive at J. Walter Thompson in Detroit
● What he learned moving between OEM, agency, and dealership roles
● Why you’ll never outspend the big players, but you can out-local them
● A real estate case study that led to his philosophy on local content and interviews
● How dealers can become the local experts instead of just the place that sells cars
● Using community-focused content (not “look at us” charity posts) to build trust
● Where AI fits in — and why it still needs a human face in front of it

This episode is packed with practical ideas for dealers, marketers, and vendors who want to move beyond generic ads and build real relationships with the people they serve.

In this inspiring episode of I’m a Car Chick, Shasta sits down with Dara Koenig — author, coach, speaker, and all-around champion for women chasing purpose and growth.
Dara’s career has spanned every corner of empowerment — from corporate marketing and recruiting to launching a nonprofit uplifting women, career coaching, and publishing her devotional series. Through every chapter, her focus has remained the same: helping others rise.
Together, Shasta and Dara talk about:

●Turning purpose into impact 💡
●The importance of women supporting women
●What it means to “be the change” in business and in life
●How social media can be used as a force for connection and positivity
●Lessons Dara has learned as an author, coach, and creator

Dara’s passion for people shines through every word — and her reminder that fulfillment comes from helping others will leave you inspired long after the episode ends.

Guest Bio:
Dara Koenig
Author | Coach | Social Media Maven

Coach, author, and speaker Dara Koenig is dedicated to empowering others and helping fellow women reach their goals. For as long as she can remember, Dara has been focused on people—spending the better part of her career helping others.
From working with large-scale companies to market their services, hiring employees for their dream jobs, launching a nonprofit to uplift women, career coaching, and publishing a devotional series, Dara has worked in every facet of helping others reach new heights and wouldn’t have it any other way.
The more people she’s helping, the more fulfilled Dara feels. Bringing people together is her passion, and making them happier than they were when they arrived is her mission. Living by the saying “be the change you want to see in the world,” Dara strives to help others view life through that same empowering lens.

Just a quick message from your host!

What happens when a Wall Street finance pro jumps into the world of automotive tech? 🚗💡 In this episode of the I’m a Car Chick Podcast, host Shasta Haddock sits down with Lauren Langston, President & CEO of Tekmetric, to talk about leadership, innovation, and how technology is reshaping the auto repair industry.

From startup strategy and AI to technician burnout and independent shop growth, Lauren shares her journey from investing in software to leading a company that’s changing the game for repair shops everywhere. If you’re passionate about tech, business, or cars — this one’s a must-listen. 🔧🔥

In Part 2 of Shasta’s conversation with Tracey Fields, Chief Experience Officer at Premier Automotive Group, we explore a defining chapter in both her career and the company’s history: Hurricane Katrina.
Tracey shares her firsthand experience of how Katrina impacted New Orleans, the community, and Premier Auto Group—and the leadership lessons that emerged in the aftermath. Nearly 30 years into her career, she reflects on how the business has evolved and how resilience shaped her perspective on growth, culture, and service.

We cover:
● What Katrina taught her about crisis leadership and recovery 🌊
● The impact on the automotive community in New Orleans
● How Premier rebuilt stronger and more community-focused
● The shifts she’s seen in the car business over three decades

This powerful episode is about more than cars—it’s about resilience, leadership under pressure, and the importance of building organizations that can withstand change.

In this episode of I’m a Car Chick, Shasta sits down with Tracey Fields, Chief Experience Officer at Premier Automotive Group. With nearly 30 years in the industry, Tracey has been instrumental in shaping Premier into a nationally recognized dealership network with over 35 locations.
Tracey’s leadership is centered on one thing: creating an experience that sets dealerships apart. From facility design and acquisitions to culture-building and online reputation, her work proves that customer experience and employee satisfaction go hand in hand.
We dive into:

● What “customer experience” really means in today’s car business 🚘
● How leadership and culture fuel long-term success
● Why investing in people—not just processes—drives growth
● The story behind launching Premier Women in Leadership and why visibility for women in the industry matters

This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation with Tracey—packed with wisdom on leadership, dealership growth, and building a people-first culture.