The Limitless Leadership Podcast

Josh Parnell

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.

  1. 14 hr ago

    Ep 186: What If Your Leadership Problem Starts With Your Reactions with Dan Taylor

    In this episode, Josh Parnell welcomes Dan Taylor back to the Limitless Leadership Podcast, now as an official Limitless Leadership coach, to discuss leadership power skills, emotional intelligence, and how thoughts and self-identity shape results at work and home. Dan previews his eight-hour Vision Conference workshop in Kansas City on March 4, “Leadership Power Skills: Fix Your Identity On Success,” explaining how cognition, emotions, cognitive dissonance, and distorted thinking can influence behavior and lead to self-sabotage. He shares practical tools for recognizing thoughts before they spiral into inaccurate feelings and unproductive patterns. The conversation then shifts to employee disengagement, exploring why team members go quiet and how the brain’s fight, flight, freeze, and ignore responses can affect workplace relationships. Dan and Josh discuss how leaders can rebuild safety and trust through open-ended questions, the SBI (situation, observation, impact) feedback model, and consistent one-on-ones. They also emphasize the importance of authenticity, humility, and sincere, specific recognition in strengthening relationships, improving engagement, and helping people feel valued. Auto Mastery helps make sure the right customers find you on Google, your team converts those opportunities, and you know exactly what your marketing is producing. Visit https://automastery.com/limitless/ to book a complimentary audit today. 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. Learn more about Promotive or start your next search at https://www.gopromotive.com. Timestamps: 00:00 Why Identity Matters00:20 Podcast Intro and Guest01:46 Sponsors and Partners03:17 Power Skills and Vision07:31 Workshop Overview Identity08:53 Thoughts Feelings Loop11:36 Identity Examples Lottery14:44 Emotions and Distortions17:56 Ruminating and Disengagement18:44 Turning Flaws to Strengths21:06 Four Steps to Lead27:06 Authenticity Builds Engagement27:40 Why Employees Shut Down28:02 Fight Flight Freeze Ignore30:49 Open Ended Check Ins31:23 SBI Feedback Framework33:12 Trust And One Offs35:44 Restarting One On Ones37:38 Body Language And Humility39:36 Loving Not Liking People42:22 Recognition And Vision Plug43:31 Sincere Specific Affirmations45:38 Final Gratitude And Sendoff 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.

    Ep 186: What If Your Leadership Problem Starts With Your Reactions with Dan Taylor
  2. 2 days ago

    Ep 185: How Are You Leading Your Team While Running on Empty With Bobby McGraw

    In this episode, recorded live at the 2026 ASTA Expo in Raleigh, North Carolina, Josh Parnell sits down with fellow Limitless Leadership coach Bobby McGraw to discuss his session “Running on Empty, Leading a Shop That Never Stops” and why leaders must learn to lead themselves first. Bobby explains how leaders can have limitless potential but limited energy, exploring decision fatigue and why feeling depleted should be treated as an energy issue rather than a character flaw. He introduces the ACT framework of awareness, courage, and tenacity, emphasizing the importance of taking action before confidence arrives and using the “be the buffalo” mindset to face challenges head-on. Bobby also breaks down four key leadership shifts: leading yourself, bringing clarity, building accountability through a conversation ladder of curiosity, concern, and confronting, and multiplying yourself by developing others. He compares effective leaders to Sherpas who guide people toward their goals while helping them grow along the way. The conversation closes with practical lessons on personal growth, small daily habits, and how Limitless Leadership coaching and the Foundational Reset can help leaders build sustainable leadership practices. Auto Mastery helps make sure the right customers find you on Google, your team converts those opportunities, and you know exactly what your marketing is producing. Visit https://automastery.com/limitless/ to book a complimentary audit today. 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. Learn more about Promotive or start your next search at https://www.gopromotive.com. Timestamps: 00:00 Limitless Leadership Intro00:52 Live From ASTA Expo02:06 Meet Bobby McGraw02:15 Sponsor Break03:41 Running On Empty06:18 Decision Fatigue Battery07:18 Awareness Courage Tenacity08:13 Tools And Marketing Sponsors09:26 Courage Before Confidence12:41 Be The Buffalo15:53 Thermostat Leadership18:58 Coaching Whole Person21:29 Personal Growth First22:34 Defining Tenacity24:34 Small Habits Big Wins27:12 Quitters Day Lessons29:16 Running on Empty Shifts33:18 Conversation Ladder38:05 Multiply Through People40:16 Coaching Reset Wrap Up 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.

    Ep 185: How Are You Leading Your Team While Running on Empty With Bobby McGraw
  3. 21 Oct

    Ep 184: How to Lead Under Pressure Without Losing Your Team with David Boyd

    In this episode, live from the 2026 ASTA Expo, Josh Parnell sits down with David Boyd, founder and CEO of Call Inbound, to discuss leadership, trust, and communication. David explains how lessons from aviation, including planning, prioritization, stress management, and preparing for contingencies, can help leaders build a clear vision and execute more effectively. He also introduces Call Inbound’s communication platform and its tools for call recording, integrations, AI powered training, and coaching. The conversation explores how leaders build trust through genuine relationships, consistent actions, availability, and servant leadership. David shares lessons from his mentor, Jeff Matt, and reflects on how his own example inspired his son to seek meaningful relationships with other men. They also discuss core values, owning mistakes, handling stress, and leading both at work and at home. Auto Mastery helps make sure the right customers find you on Google, your team converts those opportunities, and you know exactly what your marketing is producing. Visit https://automastery.com/limitless/ to book a complimentary audit today. 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. Learn more about Promotive or start your next search at https://www.gopromotive.com.  Timestamps: 00:00 Warm Welcome 00:16 Podcast Intro 00:49 Live at ASTA Expo 01:13 Meet David Boyd 02:59 Sponsor Break 04:27 David’s Leadership Origins 05:15 Pilot Lessons for Leaders 07:36 The Vision and Flight Plan Framework 10:37 Tools and Sponsor Break 11:51 Vision, Mission, and Purpose 12:34 What Is Call Inbound? 14:42 Building Trust With Customers 19:06 Defining Leadership Today 22:02 Servant Leadership in Action 24:31 A Smile Builds Connection 24:45 Lead by Example 27:07 Core Values in Action 27:40 Mentor Spotlight: Jeff Matt 29:42 A Son Learns by Watching 33:55 The MAWL Parenting Framework 37:31 Stress, Fairness, and Owning Mistakes 40:02 Negotiation: Getting to No 43:52 Contact and Closing Thoughts 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.

    Ep 184: How to Lead Under Pressure Without Losing Your Team with David Boyd
  4. 15 Oct

    Ep 183: Turn Your Diagnostic Problems Into Training Opportunities with Brandon Steckler

    In this episode, live from ASTA Expo 2026 in Raleigh, North Carolina, Josh Parnell sits down with technical trainer Brandon Steckler to discuss SWAT Training and Diagnostics and why training is an investment that pays off. Brandon explains how SWAT helps technicians solve diagnostic challenges by identifying gaps in process, tools, and information, then creating customized training plans with service information, diagrams, and step by step guidance. He emphasizes mastering the fundamentals, avoiding shortcuts, and building confidence through intentional practice. The conversation also covers on site training, virtual sessions, waveform and data analysis, and specialized training for technicians at different skill levels. Brandon shares his career journey, the value of coaching, and how investing in training and the right tools can save time and improve diagnostic results. Visit http://swatdiag.com/limitlessleadership to get $50 off your SWAT training class. Auto Mastery helps make sure the right customers find you on Google, your team converts those opportunities, and you know exactly what your marketing is producing. Visit https://automastery.com/limitless/ to book a complimentary audit today. 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.  Visit https://www.tekmetric.com to book a demo and see how Tekmetric can help you run your shop with more clarity and confidence. Learn more about Promotive or start your next search at https://www.gopromotive.com.  Timestamps: 00:00 Training Pays Off00:15 Podcast Intro and Live Expo Setup01:49 Sponsor Breaks03:21 What SWAT Training Does05:34 Teaching, Not Just Fixing06:48 Why Techs Avoid Training10:10 Brandon’s Origin Story13:19 Sharpen the Axe Mindset18:40 Sweat the Fundamentals24:23 How to Work With SWAT26:24 Custom Battle Plan Workflow27:41 Money Back Diagnosis28:32 Waveform and Data Analysis29:58 Tier One Boot Camp32:23 Tier Two Sniper Skills36:28 Virtual Training Sessions38:36 Trust, Relationships, and ROI40:47 Buy Back Your Time45:20 Tools, Delegation, and Momentum47:07 Websites, Portal, and Contact48:27 Final Send Off 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.

    Ep 183: Turn Your Diagnostic Problems Into Training Opportunities with Brandon Steckler
  5. 13 Oct

    Ep 182: How Better Leadership Created Record Breaking Growth with Adam Rath

    In this episode recorded live at ASTA Expo 2026, Josh Parnell and Bret Beitler of Limitless Leadership sit down with Adam Rath of Allied Automotive to discuss leadership development, team culture, and business growth. Adam shares how leadership coaching and the Limitless Leadership Blueprint helped him develop his leadership team, strengthen communication, and address the “Peter Principle.” He explains how connecting team decisions to core values helped retain a key leader and create stronger buy in. The conversation also covers putting people before profits, turning conference ideas into action, and Adam’s favorite leadership book, Extreme Ownership. Auto Mastery helps make sure the right customers find you on Google, your team converts those opportunities, and you know exactly what your marketing is producing. Visit https://automastery.com/limitless/ to book a complimentary audit today. 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.  Visit https://www.thebeardedbrotherhood.co to grab your grooming essentials from The Bearded Brotherhood.  Timestamps: 00:00 Gratitude and Growth00:30 Podcast Intro at ASTA01:07 Meet Adam and Brett02:11 Sponsor Break03:47 Adam’s Origin Story05:58 Why Leadership Coaching09:48 Scott’s Breakthrough12:41 Core Values Keep Talent18:38 Buy In and EOS Wins23:42 Defining Leadership26:20 Conference Ideas to Execution28:23 IDS Decision Process29:20 Team Buy In Culture32:10 Quarterly State Updates35:42 Foundational Reset Framework39:04 Seek to Understand41:36 August Breakthrough Results46:25 People Before Profits48:58 Leadership Book Picks51:17 Retention and Recruiting Edge52:39 Closing Thanks and Farewell 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.

    Ep 182: How Better Leadership Created Record Breaking Growth with Adam Rath
  6. 7 Oct

    Ep 181: Your Profit Problem Might Actually Be a Leadership Problem with Michael Rosenberger

    In this episode, recorded live at the 2026 ASTA Expo in Raleigh, NC, Josh Parnell sits down with Michael Rosenberger, CEO of ShopFix Academy and a two-shop owner in Dallas with 30 years of experience in the automotive repair industry. Michael shares his journey from ShopFix member to coach to CEO, including how ShopFix training helped him rapidly increase sales during a cash crisis. He also discusses the leadership challenges that followed the tragic death of ShopFix founder Aaron Stokes and what it meant to step up during a difficult season. Michael breaks down his “Profit Pitfalls” session, explaining how profitability is shaped by daily decisions and how common pitfalls often come down to leadership, discipline, and accountability. He shares why advisors should be held accountable for gross profit per hour, pricing, and turning marketing efforts into car count, while owners need to maintain consistent financial rhythms. Michael also defines leadership as doing the right things when no one is watching and shares Aaron Stokes’ powerful mantra: “I will lend you confidence at 0% interest forever.” Auto Mastery helps make sure the right customers find you on Google, your team converts those opportunities, and you know exactly what your marketing is producing. Visit https://automastery.com/limitless/ to book a complimentary audit today. 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. Learn more about Promotive or start your next search at https://www.gopromotive.com. Timestamps: 00:00 Pressure Reveals Leaders00:30 Podcast Liftoff Intro01:03 Live Expo Guest Intro01:57 Sponsor Break Hiring Marketing03:27 Michael Background ShopFix04:26 From Broke to Breakthrough06:23 Stepping Up After Tragedy10:04 Sponsor Break Shop Tools12:37 Profit Pitfalls Accountability14:46 Fear Avoiding Hard Talks16:19 Owner Rhythms Discipline19:04 Fix Owner Fix Shop19:44 Connect With ShopFix20:32 Leadership Rapid Fire21:34 Lending Confidence Quote23:10 Closing Thanks Signoff  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.

    Ep 181: Your Profit Problem Might Actually Be a Leadership Problem with Michael Rosenberger
  7. 1 Oct

    Ep 180: You Can’t Lead Others Until You Lead Yourself with J'anvieu Parnell and Lola Schmidt

    Live from ASTA Expo 2026, Josh Parnell sits down with Lola Schmidt of Schmidt Auto Care and J'anvieu Parnell, founder of Limitless Ladies, to talk about self leadership, identity, relationships, and leading with purpose. J'anvieu Parnell shares her journey from counseling to creating a community where women can support and encourage one another. Lola offers practical advice for working with a spouse, including setting boundaries, defining roles, creating separate workspaces, and knowing when to seek outside help. They also reflect on the Refuge women’s retreat in Montana, choosing faith over fear, staying connected intentionally, and taking the first step toward purpose. The episode also includes details about an upcoming two day leadership training at Schmidt Auto Care on April 9 and 10, 2027. Visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co to learn more about Limitless Leadership coaching, training, and speaking. Visit https://www.thebeardedbrotherhood.co to grab your grooming essentials from The Bearded Brotherhood.  Timestamps: 00:00 Lead Yourself First00:17 Podcast Intro00:50 Live at ASTA Expo02:39 Meet Lauralee Schmidt03:25 Limitless Leadership Sponsor04:11 Genevieve and Limitless Ladies05:02 Behind the Scenes Struggles07:20 Self Care and Empty Cup09:04 Bearded Brotherhood Sponsor10:05 Working With Your Spouse12:57 Boundaries and Respect Styles14:56 Join Limitless Ladies15:50 Women Supporting Women17:42 Montana Refuge Retreat19:46 Mountains Sparked the Vision21:12 Faith Over Fear22:00 Purpose Fuels Discipline23:35 Serving Others Daily24:32 Just Take the Step25:19 Culture and Leading Teams26:51 Staying Connected After Retreat28:12 Building Safe Community28:57 Intentional Friendship29:36 Springboro Leadership Training31:35 Defining Real Leadership33:15 Lola in Two Words34:45 Worth the Hard Journey35:10 Calls to Action and Sign Off 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.

    Ep 180: You Can’t Lead Others Until You Lead Yourself with J'anvieu Parnell and Lola Schmidt
  8. 23 Sept

    Ep 179: The Leadership Secret to Better Difficult Conversations with Amy P. Kelly

    In this episode, Josh Parnell sits down with Amy P. Kelly, USA Today best-selling author and VP of consulting for Jon Gordon’s companies, to discuss purpose-driven leadership, workplace culture, and why difficult conversations don’t have to be difficult. Amy shares her story and explains how the “P” in her name represents purpose, including how people can discover their purpose through serving others, recognizing patterns, identifying strengths, and paying attention to what brings fulfillment. She also discusses her book Work Is Personal and challenges the idea that leadership and business should not be personal, sharing an HR-informed framework for creating workplaces that attract and retain great people. Amy and Josh then explore her co-authored book Difficult Conversations Don’t Have to Be Difficult, covering the importance of preparation, practice, reducing defensiveness, choosing a small ego and big mission mindset, and addressing issues proactively instead of relying on repair. The conversation closes with leadership lessons about teamwork, shared success, and putting the mission ahead of the individual. Auto Mastery helps make sure the right customers find you on Google, your team converts those opportunities, and you know exactly what your marketing is producing. Visit https://automastery.com/limitless/ to book a complimentary audit today. 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. Learn more about Promotive or start your next search at https://www.gopromotive.com. Timestamps: 00:00 What Makes a Leader00:45 Welcome and Guest Intro02:27 Sponsors and Partners03:55 Amy P Story and Purpose09:21 Finding Your Purpose12:52 Work Is Personal Book18:27 Difficult Conversations Framework26:04 Preparation Over Repair30:52 Mechanics and Leadership Lessons34:10 Rapid Fire Leadership Questions38:15 Final Thanks and Sendoff 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.

    Ep 179: The Leadership Secret to Better Difficult Conversations with Amy P. Kelly

About

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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