The Jaded Mechanic Podcast

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In this episode, Jeff sits down with technician-turned-shop-owner Caleb Mac to discuss the challenges of leaving the comfort of employment to build a business from the ground up. Caleb shares his journey from dealership lube technician to opening his own repair shop in rural Minnesota, reflecting on poor mentorship, burnout, ethical repair decisions, and the lessons that shaped his approach to business. The conversation also covers pricing strategies, mobile repair, towing, diagnostics, hiring, and balancing entrepreneurship with family life.

Timestamps
00:00 Discomfort Drives Growth
 00:49 Podcast Introduction and Caleb Returns
 02:03 Opening a New Shop in Minnesota
 03:51 Mobile Repair During Harsh Winters
 05:20 Dealership Lube Bay Challenges
 10:43 Learning Without Mentorship
 13:08 Why Caleb Chose Automotive Repair
 16:27 Fast Learning at a Used Car Dealer
 18:27 Safety Standards and Rust Repairs
 22:20 Burnout, Pay, and Tool Costs
 25:32 Raises, Pay Tracking, and Moving On
 34:06 Bad Coworkers and Comebacks
 38:06 Road Tests and Accountability
 39:53 Coils vs. Spark Plugs Debate
 40:48 Looking Beyond the Misfire
 41:34 Hemi Lifter Failures
 43:47 Ethics of Frame Repairs
 49:34 Launching a Solo Business
 54:30 Pricing and Parts Matrix Strategies
 59:08 The Reality of Mobile Repair
 01:02:11 Finding a Permanent Shop
 01:17:47 Tour of the New Shop
 01:22:23 Adding Towing Services
 01:23:25 Insurance and Business Research
 01:24:19 Buying a Tow Truck
 01:25:19 How Towing Quickly Paid Off
 01:25:47 A Challenging Diagnostic Case
 01:27:14 Using Brandon Steckler's Resources
 01:28:39 Shop Owner vs. Technician Responsibilities
 01:31:58 Building a Family Legacy
 01:32:53 Farmall Restoration Project
 01:35:15 Carburetors vs. EFI Swaps
 01:37:42 Hiring During Slow Seasons
 01:39:26 The Physical Toll of Mobile Repair
 01:42:50 Final Advice and Mindset
 01:45:46 ASCA and Industry Networking
 01:48:09 Canada Stories and Fishing
 01:53:12 Wrap Up and Call to Action

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Need to update your shop systems and software? Try Tekmetric HERE
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Recorded at Tools in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Jeff sits down with Josh Coomes of Auto Shop Therapy and technician Brian Ramsburg to discuss the realities of running a modern repair shop. Brian reflects on more than 18 years in the trade, the challenges of being a solo technician, and why he enjoys variety in his work, while Josh shares his customer-first approach, leadership lessons, and the importance of protecting a shop's reputation. Together, they explore diagnostics, pay plans, hiring, training, and building a culture that values quality over speed.

Timestamps:
00:00 Listen or Become a Liability
 00:35 Tools in Hershey Introduction
 02:37 Brian's Career Journey
 04:18 Owning a Job vs. Owning a Shop
 07:42 Customer Empathy and Service Standards
 09:21 Turning Away Older Vehicles
 14:48 Favorite Types of Repairs
 18:02 Why They Avoid European Vehicles
 19:40 Shop Scheduling and Profitability
 21:56 Technician vs. Owner Priorities
 25:38 Working Relationship Challenges
 28:28 Hiring and Leadership Lessons
 36:20 Mentoring and a Proof-Based Culture
 40:41 Pay Plans and Team Morale
 42:03 The Starter Diagnosis Debate
 45:41 The Stress of Being the Only Technician
 48:50 Quality Control vs. Book Time
 52:40 Shop Standards and Fair Productivity
 55:27 Workflow and Imperfect Data
 58:51 Flat Rate Pressure Stories
 01:05:10 Hiring Through Working Interviews
 01:10:23 Charging Properly to Grow
 01:12:44 Final Advice and Closing

Follow/Subscribe to the show on social media! 
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jeffcompton7
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheJadedMechanic
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091347564232

Like the show? Show your support by using our sponsors. 
 
Need to update your shop systems and software? Try Tekmetric HERE
Launch your tool game to the next level with Launch Tech USA! HERE

In this episode, Jeff is with Josh Forbes of Maxim Muffler in Winnipeg talks about his unconventional path into the automotive industry. What started with constant breakdowns on his first car—a 1993 Ford Tempo—turned into a career built through hands-on learning, apprenticeship experience, and years of navigating different shop environments. Josh shares lessons from dealership life, the importance of shop culture, why employee appreciation matters, and his concerns about the future of right-to-repair legislation.

Timestamps:
00:00 Tools and Debt Lessons
 00:45 Podcast Introduction
 02:44 Shop Schedule and Weather
 03:27 First Cars and Fuel Costs
 08:22 Tempo Breakdowns That Started It All
 12:24 College Training at Fanshawe
 14:17 Choosing the Trade Path
 17:54 Ford Dealer Quick Lane Reality
 24:19 Book Time vs. Real Repairs
 36:41 Why He Left the Dealer
 39:06 Finding the Right Shop
 41:29 The Culture That Changed Everything
 45:21 Appreciation Over Pay
 52:17 How Bad Culture Breaks Technicians
 55:04 Forever Apprentice Mindset
 58:44 Trade Pay Gap Debate
 01:02:19 DIY Repair Horror Stories
 01:07:54 Training Service Writers
 01:16:24 The Right to Repair Fight
 01:21:22 Quality Control Basics
 01:23:46 Training Instead of Punishment
 01:27:35 Oil Leak Case Study
 01:31:46 Recognition and Longevity
 01:37:35 Smart Tool Buying
 01:40:05 Diagnostics, Process, and School
 01:47:00 Wrap Up and Final Thoughts

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TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jeffcompton7
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Like the show? Show your support by using our sponsors
Need to update your shop systems and software? Try Tekmetric HERE
Launch your tool game to the next level with Launch Tech USA! HERE

Recorded at the TOOLS in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Jeff sits down with Canadian shop owners Frank and Margarita Wiebe of 3D Auto to share their first destination training event and the lessons they're bringing back to their shop. They share how the welcoming community helped them build new relationships, the value of technical and service advisor training, and why effective customer communication starts with selling value—not price. The conversation also covers diagnostics, shop processes, professionalism, preventive maintenance, and building a culture focused on continuous learning and integrity.

Timestamps:
00:00 Honesty With Customers
00:46 Meet Frank and Margarita Wiebe
01:42 Road Trip to Hershey
03:39 First Destination Training Event
04:26 Finding Community at TOOLS
06:30 Women's Dinner Experience
08:34 Their Podcast Journey
09:38 Tire Lifting Tips
11:12 Women in the Shop
13:18 Safety and Leadership Lessons
15:09 Favorite Training Sessions
21:11 Hershey Lodge Experience
23:32 Improving Customer Estimates
27:50 Building a Professional Shop Brand
29:48 Training Technicians and Using Lab Scopes
33:41 Battery Testing Best Practices
34:55 Preventive Maintenance Mindset
36:12 Doing Maintenance the Right Way
37:26 Advocating for Customers
39:04 Fleet Maintenance Success Stories
41:41 Why Phone Estimates Don't Work
43:51 Diagnose Before Replacing Parts
46:14 Handling Difficult Customers
51:39 Pricing and Setting Priorities
54:05 Free Services and Due Diligence
01:00:22 Tekmetric Experiences
01:04:13 A/C Season and Fleet Planning
01:06:31 Final Takeaways and Wrap Up

Follow/Subscribe to the show on social media! 
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jeffcompton7
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheJadedMechanic
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091347564232

Like the show? Show your support by using our sponsors.
Need to update your shop systems and software? Try Tekmetric HERE
Launch your tool game to the next level with Launch Tech USA! HERE

Recorded at Tools Pennsylvania 2026, this discussion brings together Jeff with Bryan Pollock, Tonnika Haynes and Braxton Critcher to talk about the realities of growing a podcast and business through social media. They explore why short-form content and reels are essential for reaching new audiences, the downside of viral clips attracting negative comments, and the challenge of balancing attention-grabbing content with long-term brand integrity. The conversation also covers dealing with online criticism, protecting your mental health, and staying focused on helping people make meaningful changes instead of chasing internet arguments.

Timestamps:
00:00 Do You Focus?
01:34 Disc Golf Banter
01:52 Emotional Support Wiener
02:10 Tools PA Roundtable Introduction
02:30 Group Chat Chaos
03:32 Reels Are the Devil
05:05 Why Social Media Matters
06:51 Viral Reels and Online Hate
09:29 Deleting Ignorant Comments
11:01 Rage Bait vs. Clickbait
15:00 Shop Rates and Industry Reality
16:24 Producer Clip Strategy
20:58 Can You Change the Industry?
23:53 Choosing Positivity
29:34 Why Good Content Still Gets Hate
32:42 The "Must Be Nice" Mindset
34:40 Handling Large Audiences
35:53 Protecting Your Peace
36:16 Keyboard Warrior Stories
38:34 Why Viewers Get Angry
41:01 You Can't Save Everyone
42:30 The Highlight Reel Trap
48:24 Stop Complaining—Start Changing

Follow/Subscribe to the show on social media! 
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jeffcompton7
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheJadedMechanic
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091347564232