Wrench Turners Podcast

Mr Joshua Taylor
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Automotive

Content for Mechanics to live a happier, healthier, more productive life as a Mechanic. Check YouTube for more content: Wrench Turners Podcast on YouTube. Businesses interested in Sponsoring the show, please reach out to me via Linkedin. Wrench Turners on LinkedIn Remember, Negative Pushes, Positive Pulls, and Always clean your toys before you put them away. j.

  1. 2 days ago

    What It Really Takes to Be a Great Mechanic | Jamie Wright of JLW Diesel

    What separates a good mechanic from a great one? Is it technical knowledge, experience, attitude, leadership, or the willingness to keep learning? On this episode of the Wrench Turners Podcast, host Joshua Taylor sits down with Jamie Wright, owner of GLW Diesel Service and Repairs in Alberta, Canada, to discuss nearly 20 years in the heavy-duty diesel industry and the lessons he's learned along the way. Originally from the United Kingdom, Jamie started his career working on heavy equipment before moving to Canada and progressing through the ranks from technician to shop foreman, shop manager, and eventually business owner. Together, Joshua and Jamie explore the realities of working in the trades, the importance of developing the next generation of technicians, and why becoming a successful mechanic requires much more than knowing how to turn a wrench. In this episode, we discuss: Why attitude, work ethic, and humility matter when developing apprentices The importance of mentorship and strong shop leadership What automotive technicians should know about transitioning into heavy duty diesel Career opportunities beyond traditional truck repair, including industrial engines, generators, and heavy equipment Why continued technical training, particularly in electrical diagnostics and diesel aftertreatment, is essential How shop owners can identify performance challenges and help technicians improve The mental and physical demands of working in the field Why sharing technical knowledge benefits the entire repair industry Making smart investments in tools, training, and career development Protecting your hearing, eyesight, knees, shoulders, and overall health to build a sustainable career Jamie also shares how creating educational repair content has helped him connect with other technicians, solve problems beyond his own shop, and build a community focused on helping one another succeed. Perhaps most importantly, Jamie reminds us that investing in yourself means more than buying expensive tools. It means protecting your body, developing your skills, taking care of your mental health, and surrounding yourself with people who help you grow. Whether you're an apprentice, journeyman technician, shop foreman, service manager, or business owner, this conversation offers practical lessons for building a better career in the automotive and heavy duty repair industries. Episode Chapters 00:00 Meet Jamie Wright of GLW Diesel 02:12 From the UK to Canada's diesel industry 04:49 What apprentices need to learn 14:11 How leadership shapes the next generation 21:57 Automotive vs. heavy duty diesel repair 27:55 Diesel career opportunities and technical training 34:34 The physical and mental challenges of field service 36:52 Learning diagnostics and managing technicians 41:00 Understanding technician performance 45:29 Building a business and sharing knowledge through social media 56:14 Investing in yourself and your career 1:01:36 Protecting your health for a longer career 1:06:35 Closing thoughts and connecting with Jamie Connect with Jamie Wright and GLW Diesel Website: https://glwdieselservice.com Instagram: @jlw.diesel TikTok: @jlw.diesel Facebook: GLW Diesel Service and Repairs Location: Leduc County, Alberta, Canada About the Wrench Turners Podcast The Wrench Turners Podcast is dedicated to improving the life, well-being, and productivity of mechanics. Through conversations with technicians, shop owners, industry leaders, and automotive professionals, we explore the experiences, challenges, and opportunities that shape careers in the repair industry. If you found value in this conversation, please like the video, share your thoughts in the comments, and subscribe to support the show. Keep turning wrenches, keep learning, and keep looking after yourself.

  2. 2 Oct

    Why Good Mechanics Quit Jobs They Still Love - Bobby Beltz on Wrench Turners Podcast

    Bobby Beltz didn’t leave because he stopped loving the work. He left because everything surrounding the work slowly stole the joy from it. In this episode of the Wrench Turners Podcast, Bobby shares what dealership life was really like, from flat rate pressure and favouritism to unsafe decisions, bureaucracy, burnout, and the lack of teamwork inside the shop. But this isn’t simply an argument against flat rate or the automotive industry. It’s a conversation about why the same technician can struggle under one leader and thrive under another. We also explore why fleet work gave Bobby the stability he was looking for, what trade schools aren’t telling future technicians, and why leaving a bad shop doesn’t always mean leaving the trade. Maybe the work isn’t the problem. Maybe it’s the shop, the system, or the leader you’re working for. If you’re a technician questioning your future in the industry, watch this conversation before deciding what comes next. Subscribe to the Wrench Turners Podcast for more honest conversations about helping mechanics live happier, healthier, and more productive lives. Negative pushes. Positive pulls. God Bless j. Follow Bobby ⚠️ Disclaimer: I’m a licensed mechanic. That doesn’t mean I know what I’m doing, whether it’s fixing things or filming things. Do your own due diligence. Listen to The Wrench Turners Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ScwRP0DFMtDsp83JxPhPK?si=26aeb4be65da45eb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjoshuataylor/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjtaylor/ Chapters 00:00 Why Technicians Quit 01:48 Bureaucracy Stole the Joy 06:22 Leadership and Safety 12:06 Bobby’s Automotive Beginning 14:55 The First-Year Reality 21:21 Flat Rate and Favouritism 27:08 The Industry’s Broken Promise 32:28 Why Fleet Work Wins 39:18 Safety Over Productivity 45:14 Hope for Burned-Out Technicians

  3. 18 Sept

    Flat Rate Is Costing Mechanics More Than Money - Bryan Collins on Wrench Turners Podcast

    Flat rate teaches technicians to treat every minute like money. But what happens when that thinking follows you home? Bryan Collins is a BMW Shop Foreman at Braman Miami and a former Lexus technician with more than 15 years in automotive. He shares the early mistakes most technicians are afraid to admit, how a supportive shop helped him learn instead of quit, and why he left Lexus to pursue a greater technical challenge with BMW. We discuss why technicians need processes, what it takes to move into leadership, how to motivate people who want different things, and why aspiring leaders should begin doing the next job before receiving the title. Bryan’s final message may be the most important: flat rate can program technicians to see every doctor’s appointment, family responsibility and hour away from the shop as lost income. Learning to mentally clock out matters just as much as being productive at work. If you’re a technician, apprentice, shop foreman or service leader, this conversation is for you. Subscribe to the Wrench Turners Podcast for honest conversations designed to help mechanics live happier, healthier, and more productive lives. Negative Pushes. Positive Pulls. God Bless j. Follow Bryan https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-collins-743893b1/ ⚠️ Disclaimer: I’m a licensed mechanic. That doesn’t mean I know what I’m doing, whether it’s fixing things or filming things. Do your own due diligence. Listen to The Wrench Turners Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ScwRP0DFMtDsp83JxPhPK?si=26aeb4be65da45eb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjoshuataylor/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjtaylor/ Chapters 0:00 Meet Bryan Collins 2:19 Choosing The Trade 8:34 First Year Mistakes 14:41 Mentorship Builds Technicians 19:40 Why Bryan Chose BMW 23:46 Becoming A Team Leader 27:19 Leading Different Personalities 30:57 Understanding Dealership Business 41:14 Foreman Leadership Challenges 45:30 Escaping Flat Rate Thinking

  4. 11 Sept

    The Automotive Industry Is Bigger Than The Bay | Jacki Lutz on Wrench Turners Podcast

    There’s more to automotive than the bay. A lot of technicians spend their careers seeing pieces of this industry. The repair. The RO. The part. The customer concern. The comeback. The warranty line. The job in front of them. But automotive is a lot bigger than what we see from inside the shop. In this episode of The Wrench Turners Podcast, I’m joined by Jacki Lutz, Content Director at the Auto Care Association and host of Auto Care On Air, for a conversation about the bigger world surrounding technicians, service advisors, parts people, shop foremen, and fixed ops leaders. Jacki brings a perspective that a lot of dealership technicians don’t always get to hear. The aftermarket isn’t just parts. It’s training, education, content, marketing, technology, e-commerce, community, leadership, and opportunity. We talk about how employee-generated content can help shops build real trust, why personal branding matters more than people think, how simple social media guardrails can give employees freedom instead of fear, and why AI should support the human side of the business instead of replacing it. We also get into parts e-commerce, the importance of product detail, the difference between franchise and independent marketing, and why professional development matters for anyone who wants to grow beyond the job they’re currently doing. This episode is for the technician who knows there’s more out there. It’s for the advisor trying to communicate better. It’s for the parts person who wants to understand the digital side of the business. It’s for the foreman, manager, or fixed ops leader trying to build a team that can grow. Because your career can be bigger than the bay too. Negative pushes. Positive pulls. God Bless. j. Follow Jacki https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackilutz/ Check out Auto Care On Air https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@autocareorg⁩ Check out Auto Care Association https://www.linkedin.com/company/autocareorg/ https://www.autocare.org/ ⚠️ Disclaimer: I’m a licensed mechanic. That doesn’t mean I know what I’m doing, whether it’s fixing things or filming things. Do your own due diligence. Listen to The Wrench Turners Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ScwRP0DFMtDsp83JxPhPK?si=26aeb4be65da45eb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjoshuataylor/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjtaylor/ Chapters 00:00 Soft Skills Matter 01:33 Meet Jacki Lutz 02:22 Finding Automotive 09:27 Leadership Changes Careers 10:48 Employee Content Works 17:59 Simple Social Guardrails 22:41 Better Parts E-Commerce 24:48 Marketing The Shop 26:22 AI Needs Humanity 28:23 Invest In Yourself

  5. 4 Sept

    Documentation isn't PAPERWORK, it's PROFIT. Better notes build better careers Wrench Turners Podcast

    Everyone complains about paperwork. The best technicians, advisors, and managers understand something different: documentation isn't paperwork... It's profit. In this episode of the Wrench Turners Podcast, Justin Gonzalez shares his journey from Apple and Lexus to leading warranty support for a growing RV manufacturer. Along the way, he learned that documenting repairs, telling better stories, and proving your value doesn't just improve warranty approvals. It can change your entire career. We discuss: • Why documentation is one of the highest ROI skills in the industry • How selling service starts with understanding the product • The mistakes shops make with onboarding • Lessons from rebuilding a struggling Jaguar Land Rover service department during COVID • How to present your value when asking for a raise • The realities of warranty administration across 24 dealerships • Why taking a moment to reset can make you a better technician and teammate Whether you're a technician, service advisor, foreman, warranty administrator, or service manager, this episode will change how you think about the notes you write every day. Negative Pushes. Positive Pulls. God Bless. j. Follow Justin https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinremotevans/ ⚠️ Disclaimer: I’m a licensed mechanic. That doesn’t mean I know what I’m doing, whether it’s fixing things or filming things. Do your own due diligence. Listen to The Wrench Turners Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ScwRP0DFMtDsp83JxPhPK?si=26aeb4be65da45eb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjoshuataylor/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjtaylor/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:14 Why Automotive? 05:51 Learning The Product 11:28 Onboarding Matters 16:28 Warranty Career Journey 27:50 Documentation Creates Value 38:06 Warranty Mistakes 48:13 Mental Health Matters 53:48 Final Thoughts

  6. 28 Aug

    What Service Managers DON'T know about PROFIT - Pete Fisher CFO on Wrench Turners Podcast

    What’s the biggest expense inside a dealership? According to CFO Pete Fisher, it’s people. Not because people are the problem, but because payroll, compensation, benefits, and personnel costs make up one of the largest pieces of the dealership P&L. In this episode of Wrench Turners Podcast, Pete breaks down dealership finances in a way service managers, fixed ops directors, advisors, and technicians can actually use. We talk about month-end pressure, open ROs, payroll, comp plans, forecasts, gross profit, expenses, and why service advisors need to understand that their job is sales, not order-taking. The biggest takeaway is simple: if expenses are too high, you only have two real options. Cut, or sell more. And in a service department, selling more starts with increasing hours per RO, growing gross profit, and building a team that understands how the business actually works. This is a tactical conversation for anyone in fixed ops who wants to understand the numbers behind the store. The Wrench Turners Podcast is about improving the life, well-being, and productivity of mechanics everywhere. Negative Pushes Positive Pulls God Bless j. Follow Pete https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-robinson-1b216b370/ ⚠️ Disclaimer: I’m a licensed mechanic. That doesn’t mean I know what I’m doing, whether it’s fixing things or filming things. Do your own due diligence. Listen to The Wrench Turners Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ScwRP0DFMtDsp83JxPhPK?si=26aeb4be65da45eb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjoshuataylor/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjtaylor/ Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:47 Getting Into Automotive 03:43 Accounting Office Reality 07:15 Month-End Pressure 09:16 Tracking Open ROs 15:47 Payroll Problems 19:12 Do Hard Things 22:18 People Matter Most 29:51 Comp Plans Explained 35:06 Reading The P&L

  7. 21 Aug

    why dealerships lose their best technicians and how to keep them - Nicholas Martin on WTP

    What happens when a dealership develops an exceptional technician but gives them nowhere to go next? Nicholas Martin began his automotive career pushing a broom, cleaning tools, and learning from every technician in the workshop. He eventually became a Mercedes-Benz Certified Diagnostic Technician before moving into OEM technical support and dealer advisory, helping dealerships solve difficult technical and business problems across Australia. In this episode, Nicholas explains why dealerships often lose their best technicians and what leaders can do to keep them. The answer isn’t always more money. Experienced technicians need meaningful progression, greater responsibility, continued development, and opportunities to use their knowledge beyond producing hours in a service bay. Joshua and Nicholas also discuss apprenticeship, mentorship, advanced diagnostics, technical documentation, customer trust, OEM support cases, and the value of using a whiteboard to work through complicated vehicle problems. Nicholas closes with an important reminder for every technician: nobody will advocate for your career more strongly than you will. This conversation is for technicians, shop foremen, service managers, fixed operations leaders, dealer principals, and anyone responsible for developing and retaining automotive talent. Subscribe to the Wrench Turners Podcast for more conversations designed to help technicians live happier, healthier, and more productive lives. Follow Nicholas https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-martin-3779b4249/ ⚠️ Disclaimer: I’m a licensed mechanic. That doesn’t mean I know what I’m doing, whether it’s fixing things or filming things. Do your own due diligence. Listen to The Wrench Turners Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ScwRP0DFMtDsp83JxPhPK?si=26aeb4be65da45eb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjoshuataylor/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjtaylor/ Chapters 00:00 From Apprentice to Advisor 02:31 Falling in Love With Cars 07:38 Learning the Workshop 11:48 Becoming a Diagnostic Technician 16:10 Physics Behind Better Diagnostics 22:48 Why Top Technicians Leave 27:55 Communicating With Technical Support 32:21 Technical Decisions, Business Consequences 42:41 Whiteboarding Difficult Diagnoses 46:58 Advocate for Your Career

  8. 14 Aug

    He wanted to quit, so he became world #2 - Jamie Robinson on Wrench Turners Podcast

    Jamie Robinson almost left the trade in his first year. He hated it. He felt like he wasn’t good enough. He wanted out. Then everything changed. Jamie found the right people. He asked for help. He chased the hard jobs. He learned diagnostics. He got better one day at a time. Years later, he won the UK skills contest and went to Seoul to compete for Hyundai on the world stage. He finished second in the world. This episode is about what happens when a young tech is almost pushed out of the trade, but keeps going anyway. We talk about bad first years, shop culture, mentors, foremen, apprentices, diagnostics, and why the best techs slow down before they speed up. Jamie's best advice is simple: Don't be too proud to seek guidance. The Wrench Turners Podcast is about improving the life, well-being, and productivity of mechanics everywhere. Negative Pushes Positive Pulls God Bless j. Follow Jamie https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-robinson-1b216b370/ ⚠️ Disclaimer: I’m a licensed mechanic. That doesn’t mean I know what I’m doing, whether it’s fixing things or filming things. Do your own due diligence. Listen to The Wrench Turners Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ScwRP0DFMtDsp83JxPhPK?si=26aeb4be65da45eb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjoshuataylor/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjtaylor/ Chapters 00:00 Meet Jamie Robinson 00:53 First Year Was Brutal 03:39 Building Or Bullying 04:42 Protecting Young Apprentices 09:33 From Tires To World #2 15:30 Slow Down To Win 18:28 Diagnose Before Touching Cars 23:21 Notes Get Techs Paid 28:29 Using Pain As Fuel 37:12 Seek Guidance

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About

Content for Mechanics to live a happier, healthier, more productive life as a Mechanic. Check YouTube for more content: Wrench Turners Podcast on YouTube. Businesses interested in Sponsoring the show, please reach out to me via Linkedin. Wrench Turners on LinkedIn Remember, Negative Pushes, Positive Pulls, and Always clean your toys before you put them away. j.

Information

  • Creator
    Mr Joshua Taylor
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    209
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Mr Joshua Taylor
  • Show Website
    Wrench Turners Podcast

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