I'm A Car Chick

Shasta Haddock
  • 4.8 (37)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

I'm A Car Chick podcast is your go-to source for genuine, no-holds-barred conversations in the automotive industry. Hosted by Shasta Haddock—an industry veteran who started as a BDC agent in 2014 and now serves as the BDC Director & COO at Epic BDC—this podcast cuts through the noise to deliver real insights and authentic connections. Whether you're on the dealership floor, behind the scenes in BDC, or supporting the industry as a vendor, you'll find valuable, unfiltered interviews and expert advice to help you thrive. Join us, subscribe, and let's light it up together!

  1. The Unfair Advantage: Drew Williams on Branding, Consistency, and the Authenticom Evolution | NADA 2026

    5D AGO

    The Unfair Advantage: Drew Williams on Branding, Consistency, and the Authenticom Evolution | NADA 2026

    Host Shasta Haddock catches up with Drew Williams, Creative Director at Authenticom, for an off-the-cuff deep dive into the power of branding in the automotive industry. Live from NADA 2026, Drew shares his journey from a graphic design student to the mastermind behind Authenticom’s recognizable visual identity. They discuss why brand consistency is the "unfair advantage" for dealers and vendors alike, and how intentional design changes the way people perceive and do business. Drew also highlights the importance of authentic company culture, celebrating the recent promotion of team member Michelle and the genuine love the industry has for the people behind the tech. #ImACarChick #NADA2026 #Authenticom #BrandingStrategy #CreativeDirector #AutoIndustry #VisualIdentity

    18 min
  2. Stop Overpaying: Amberly Allen on Merchant Services, Legal Audits, and Dealer Savings | NADA 2026

    MAR 3

    Stop Overpaying: Amberly Allen on Merchant Services, Legal Audits, and Dealer Savings | NADA 2026

    Host Shasta Haddock wraps up Day 1 at NADA 2026 with a high-impact conversation featuring Amberly Allen, a true automotive industry trailblazer and the force behind Dealer Merchant Services (DMS) powered by Priority. In this episode, Amberly breaks down the "meat and potatoes" of how dealers can stop leaving money on the table through cash discounting and smarter merchant service strategies. She warns about the serious legal audit ramifications and sales tax compliance issues for dealers trying to DIY their payment processing, emphasizing why a trusted partner is essential to avoid massive fines. Whether you are a dealer principal or a department manager, this episode is a wake-up call on reclaiming your bottom line while staying on the right side of the law. #ImACarChick #NADA2026 #AmberlyAllen #MerchantServices #DealerSavings #AutoIndustry #CarDealers

    20 min
  3. The Future of Consumer Choice: Molly Kristick on Marketing, Digital Evolution, & TrueCar | NADA 2026

    FEB 27

    The Future of Consumer Choice: Molly Kristick on Marketing, Digital Evolution, & TrueCar | NADA 2026

    Host Shasta Haddock sits down with Molly Kristick, Vice President of Marketing at TrueCar, live from the Authenticom booth at NADA 2026. Molly shares her incredible journey from selling newspaper ads in "Wheels For You" magazine to leading the marketing strategy for one of the biggest names in digital automotive retail. They discuss the shifting landscape of consumer engagement, the fulfillment of helping car buyers find the right price, and the current "weird game" of LinkedIn networking. Molly dives into how TrueCar frames conversations for consumers and dealers alike, emphasizing the importance of genuine connection over high-pressure "DM pitches" in a digital-first world. #ImACarChick #NADA2026 #MollyKristick #TrueCar #DigitalMarketing #AutoTrends #CarBuying

    18 min
  4. Amazon Data & The "Creepy" Reality of Modern Car Buying: Kelly Ann Sparks-Berger | NADA 2026

    FEB 24

    Amazon Data & The "Creepy" Reality of Modern Car Buying: Kelly Ann Sparks-Berger | NADA 2026

    In this episode of the I'm a Car Chick podcast, host Shasta Haddock welcomes Kelly Ann Sparks-Berger, Amazon Sale Strategist at Dealer eProcess (DEP), for a deep dive into the evolution of digital marketing in the automotive world. Recorded live from NADA 2026, Kelly Ann explains how Amazon's behavioral data is a game-changer for dealers, allowing them to move away from "blanketed" marketing toward a highly targeted, "sniped" strategy that actually reflects how buyers shop online today. They discuss the "creepy but effective" nature of targeted ads, why relying on old social platforms like Facebook Marketplace is a mistake, and how clean data through partnerships like Authenticom is the secret sauce for proving ROI. If you're tired of "vanity metrics" and want to understand how to actually convert digital leads into sold cars, this is a must-watch.

    18 min
  5. The "Backbone" of Automotive: Jason Tryfon on AI, Data Hygiene, and Doubling Growth | NADA 2026

    FEB 20

    The "Backbone" of Automotive: Jason Tryfon on AI, Data Hygiene, and Doubling Growth | NADA 2026

    Host Shasta Haddock is joined by Jason Tryfon, CEO of Authenticom, for a high-speed deep dive into the digital infrastructure powering the automotive industry. Live from NADA 2026, Jason reveals how Authenticom has evolved from the industry's "best-kept secret" into the essential backbone for hundreds of vendors. They discuss the critical importance of Data Experience Management (DXM), the "no-brainer" value of the free Dealer Vault tool for data hygiene, and how AI is set to transform 2030 retail by processing data dimensions far beyond human capability. Jason also shares a rare look at his "expert" transition into the CEO role, doubling the business in just 24 months while honoring the legacy of founder Steve Cottrell.

    13 min
  6. "I’m Pissed" – NADA’s Mike Stanton & Steve Cottrell on the War for the Dealer Model | NADA 2026

    FEB 17

    "I’m Pissed" – NADA’s Mike Stanton & Steve Cottrell on the War for the Dealer Model | NADA 2026

    Join host Shasta Haddock for a high-stakes episode of the I’m a Car Chick podcast , live from the Authenticom booth at NADA 2026. In this candid sit-down, NADA President Mike Stanton and Authenticom Founder Steve Cottrell  pull no punches regarding the future of the automotive industry. Stanton reveals why he is "pissed" about misguided direct-to-consumer sales efforts and details how NADA is utilizing its legal defense fund to litigate and protect the franchise dealer model. The conversation also dives deep into DealerVault , the collaborative solution designed to keep dealer data secure and compliant. From celebrating legislative wins against FTC overreach to Steve Cottrell’s emotional reflection on stepping aside as CEO , this episode explores why "the basics" of data hygiene and trusted partnerships are the most important tools for innovation. Whether it's fighting for the dealer model or navigating the "new currency" of data , this is a must-watch for any automotive professional looking to win in 2026.

    23 min
  7. Are you listening to the voice of the customer? ft. Kristin Kolodge of JD Power

    12/26/2025

    Are you listening to the voice of the customer? ft. Kristin Kolodge of JD Power

    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. PowerKristin 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.

    44 min
  8. Part 2 - Turning One Video into a Month of Content with Gayle Rogers

    12/18/2025

    Part 2 - Turning One Video into a Month of Content with Gayle Rogers

    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.

    46 min
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4.8
out of 5
37 Ratings

About

I'm A Car Chick podcast is your go-to source for genuine, no-holds-barred conversations in the automotive industry. Hosted by Shasta Haddock—an industry veteran who started as a BDC agent in 2014 and now serves as the BDC Director & COO at Epic BDC—this podcast cuts through the noise to deliver real insights and authentic connections. Whether you're on the dealership floor, behind the scenes in BDC, or supporting the industry as a vendor, you'll find valuable, unfiltered interviews and expert advice to help you thrive. Join us, subscribe, and let's light it up together!

Information

  • Creator
    Shasta Haddock
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    159
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Shasta Haddock
  • Show Website
    I'm A Car Chick