The Jaded Mechanic Podcast

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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

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TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jeffcompton7
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheJadedMechanic
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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
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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

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 Compton sits down with Kansas technician Eric Schoenberger of Holt Motor Company. Having grown up around Chrysler dealerships alongside his father, a veteran drivability and transmission specialist, Eric shares his experiences in dealer life and why he ultimately transitioned to the independent repair world. The conversation explores flat-rate frustrations, warranty and recall work, shop politics, diagnostic strategies, transmission repairs, evolving technology, and the value of ongoing training. Eric also discusses how independent shops offer less stress, and a different approach to customer service and technician growth.

Timestamps:
00:00 Podcast Welcome and Holiday
00:45 Kansas Guest and Vision Talk
01:30 Shop Intro and Dealer Roots
06:03 Family Influence and Career Path
08:12 Flat Rate and Recall Frustrations
17:25 Favorite Dealer Work and Transmissions
23:03 PT Cruiser Love-Hate Jobs
25:35 Diagnostics and Techline Support
27:49 Dealer Life and Shop Politics
32:37 Misfires, Burnt Valves, and Borescopes
36:31 Pentastar Problems and Tips
41:26 Diesel Disasters
44:04 Recall Work Realities
49:21 Hybrid Battery Discussion
52:37 Leaving the Dealer World
55:47 Advisors, DVI, and Communication
01:01:38 Training Great Advisors
01:08:35 Transmission Service Debate
01:14:38 Moving to Independent Shops
01:16:27 Learning Through Service Information
01:18:46 Oddball Repairs and Old Mopars
01:27:05 Caravan Rear A/C Repairs
01:33:05 Training Events and Mentors
01:38:49 Shop Culture and Dispatching
01:40:44 A/C Diagnostics and Leak Testing
01:47:37 Parts Support Challenges
01:54:02 Technician Pay and Flat Rate
01:56:23 Gravy Work vs. Diagnostics
02:02:27 Independent Shop Mindset
02:12:28 Training and Networking
02:20:06 Final Thanks 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

In this Jaded Mechanic Podcast episode, Jeff sits down with Canadian technician Daniel Whitey to discuss his journey through the automotive trade. Daniel shares how a Chrysler co-op program at Centennial College led to an apprenticeship, dealership experience, and eventually a move into fleet maintenance. They discuss the realities of flat rate pay, mentorship, shop culture, tool investments, diagnostics, and why Daniel ultimately chose the stability of a straight-time fleet position. The conversation also explores technician mental health, career development, and advice for new technicians entering the industry.

Timestamps
00:00 Welcome 
00:51 Meet Daniel Whitey
03:48 Career Origins and Licensing
09:09 Centennial Chrysler Co-op
10:58 Chrysler Dealer Experience
21:30 Mentorship and Flat Rate Life
35:12 Diagnostic War Stories
42:04 Hybrids and EV Discussion
44:15 Leaving Chrysler
50:46 Transition to Hyundai
56:45 Hyundai Challenges
01:01:34 Fleet Shop Life and Benefits
01:08:38 Daily Fleet Pressures
01:18:53 Leaving Dealerships Gracefully
01:21:11 Saturday Flat Rate Grind
01:25:35 Recall Day Stories
01:35:46 Advice for New Technicians
01:46:44 Licensing and Competency
01:52:37 Mental Health and Closing Thoughts

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 in Hershey, PA, Jeff Compton features Cody Kirkenester of Fadely’s Auto Masters. After 15 years as a technician and shop foreman, Cody transitioned into the service advisor and shop manager role. He shares his journey into the automotive industry, the training culture that helped shape his career, and a memorable diagnostic breakthrough using a lab scope. Cody also discusses mentoring technicians, managing customer relationships, parts quality challenges, AI in the shop, and one of his fears.

Timestamps
00:00 Meet Cody Kirkenester
00:56 From Tech to Advisor
02:27 Early Car Obsession
04:25 School and First Shops
07:40 Joining Faidley’s Auto
08:33 Training Culture
12:31 Diagnostic Breakthrough
15:08 Corvettes and Specialty Cars
20:16 Team Development and Mentoring
28:09 Moving Into Management
38:45 Challenges of Being a Service Advisor
47:51 Parts Quality Issues
51:43 Recruiting Young Talent
55:55 Scopes and AI Tools
58:44 Succession Planning
01:01:20 Legacy and Leadership
01:07:41 Wrap Up and Next Steps

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