Driven by Intelligence

Durran Cage
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🎙 Driven by Intelligence Hosted by Durran Cage This isn’t just another car podcast. This is where leadership meets innovation and the automotive industry gets real. Driven by Intelligence is a high-impact conversation series with dealership owners, general managers, entrepreneurs, and disruptors who are changing the way we lead, sell, serve, and scale. We unpack the strategies behind: 🚗 Record-breaking automotive sales 🤖 Real-world applications of AI, CRM, and video 💡 Emotional intelligence and leadership development 📈 Culture shifts that drive retention, growth, and legacy Whether you’re leading a team, building a brand, or just starting out—this show will challenge how you think, lead, and win. Tune in. Lock in. Let’s evolve the industry—together. Win every day. Gratitude.

  1. 21h ago

    Take the Cape Off: Burnout, Boundaries & AI with Damon Lester | Driven by Intelligence

    Send us Fan Mail Leaders: when's the last time someone checked on you? We sat down with Damon Lester, former dealer principal, bestselling author of Taking the Cape Off, and founder of FutureAxis AI, for a real conversation about the capes we wear as leaders. Being the fixer, the people pleaser, the one everybody depends on. We talked about burnout, grief, setting boundaries with your phone, and then where AI is taking our industry: governance, protecting your data, picking one problem at a time, and why every store needs a content creator. Damon, thank you for this one, brother. Get Damon's book, Taking the Cape Off Signed copy: https://checkout.takecapeoff.com/b/9B65kEc3bbm98530dXc3m02 Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GGW2499P Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/taking-the-cape-off-damon-lester/1149208933 Audiobook, narrated by Damon: https://www.audible.com/pd/Taking-the-Cape-Off-Audiobook/B0H9SXH55F Connect with Damon Leadership, keynotes and workshops: https://takecapeoff.com AI governance and readiness: https://futureaxisai.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlester/ Book Damon to speak: bookings@takecapeoff.com Chapters 0:00 You never know what someone's going through 0:28 Durran and Damon Lester 2:05 Damon's story and Taking the Cape Off 5:12 Everyone is going through something 6:36 The capes we wear 9:53 Losing a parent and not slowing down 10:55 When a leader says "I'm burnt out" 12:51 It's okay to not be okay 14:07 Grief, bereavement and going back to work 17:06 Grief when your income is on the line 18:40 How leaders stay ahead of burnout 19:36 Boundaries and being overly accessible 24:30 Notifications, social media and Do Not Disturb 29:20 Where AI is going in 2027 31:55 AI governance: protect your data 33:21 The real cost of AI tools 36:47 Keep communication in the CRM 39:31 One problem, one tool at a time 41:43 Why every store needs a content creator 47:28 Data transparency regulation is coming 48:31 Checking in on each other Check on the dependable one today. Gratitude.

  2. 1d ago

    Culture Over Clout: Building Brands That Actually Connect | Driven by Intelligence ft. Jeane

    Send us Fan Mail In this Driven by Intelligence episode, Durran Cage sits down with the brilliant Jeane Reitelbach — a culture-shaping force, video visionary, and co-founder of Engage Women in Automotive. Jeane doesn’t just talk about branding and leadership. She lives it. This episode dives deep into: Why brand isn’t what you say — it’s what your culture proves. How video builds real trust (and why most people are using it wrong). The role of AI, authenticity, and feminine energy in reshaping our industry. And the goofy, geeky side of Jeane’s love for LLMs and intelligent tech. Whether you lead a dealership, brand, or movement — or you’re just trying to grow without losing who you are — this conversation will speak to you. 🎙️ This is not your typical automotive talk. It’s heart, humor, and hard truths with a purpose. 👇 Watch now, and let us know in the comments: What’s one way you’ve built culture before content? Connect with Jeane here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanreitelbach/ #podcasts #podcast #auto #dealership #automotive #marketing #branding

    Culture Over Clout: Building Brands That Actually Connect | Driven by Intelligence ft. Jeane

  3. Oct 18

    Driven by Intelligence: Why Dealers Are Overspending on Google ft. Justin Friend

    Send us Fan Mail Opportunities flat. Walk-in traffic down. "Where should I spend my money? Who should I cut?" On this episode of Driven by Intelligence, Coach Cage sits down with Justin Friend of Proficy Digital, a 26-year automotive marketing veteran, to break down where shoppers are really spending their time and how dealers can stop reacting and start predicting. In this conversation: 🎯 Why almost 70% of shoppers prefer video to start their research 📺 The channels most dealers are missing: YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest, streaming TV, and streaming audio 🔮 Predictive advertising explained simply: knowing it will rain in two weeks beats knowing it rained yesterday 🛣️ The 4 stages of the buyer journey: awareness, consideration, intent, and urgency 🏠 Why your "About Us" page and your why buy matter more than your next lease special 🔧 Marketing your service department, and why sending an oil change ad to your homepage loses the customer 🤖 AI creative: where it helps and where it can hurt your brand ⚡ Lightning round: where dealers overspend, where they underspend, and where automotive marketing will be in 3 years "Don't just roll over before the game has begun." If your Septembers are "always like that," this one's for you. 🔗 Connect with Justin Friend, Vice President at Proficy Digital Proficy Digital: https://proficydigital.com LinkedIn:   / justin-d-friend  Email: justin.friend@proficydigital.com 🔗 Connect with Coach Cage Cage Automotive: https://cageautomotive.com video4victory.com LinkedIn: Durran Cage Email: durran@cageautomotive.com #youtube #podcast #business #automotive

    Driven by Intelligence: Why Dealers Are Overspending on Google ft. Justin Friend

  4. Sep 24

    Back to Basics That Scale: Tier-4 Marketing, Video, & Fixed Ops | Driven by Intelligence w/ JT

    Send us Fan Mail This year feels weird. Retail can still win. Today’s playbook is simple. Back to basics that scale. Tier-4 Marketing. Market to your team. Onboard right. Coach weekly. Train the HOW, not just the WHAT. Then stack the tools. Video that sells. Real SEO (beyond AI fluff). Switch strategy to save deals. Fixed Ops in the mix. JT breaks it down. I take notes. You get the blueprint. Guest:JT (Jonathan Thompson) — amg.team • xdc.team LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-thompson-marketing/ Follow Cage + Work with us: https://video4victory.com/

  5. Sep 17

    Culture Over Clout: Building Brands That Actually Connect | Driven by Intelligence ft. Jeane

    Send us Fan Mail In this Driven by Intelligence episode, Durran Cage sits down with the brilliant Jeane Reitelbach — a culture-shaping force, video visionary, and co-founder of Engage Women in Automotive. Jeane doesn’t just talk about branding and leadership. She lives it. This episode dives deep into: Why brand isn’t what you say — it’s what your culture proves. How video builds real trust (and why most people are using it wrong). The role of AI, authenticity, and feminine energy in reshaping our industry. And the goofy, geeky side of Jeane’s love for LLMs and intelligent tech. Whether you lead a dealership, brand, or movement — or you’re just trying to grow without losing who you are — this conversation will speak to you. 🎙️ This is not your typical automotive talk. It’s heart, humor, and hard truths with a purpose. 👇 Watch now, and let us know in the comments: What’s one way you’ve built culture before content? Connect with Jeane here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanreitelbach/

  6. Sep 10

    Math, Not Feelings: How Smart Dealers Evaluate Lead Sources

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode you'll learn: How to evaluate your marketing partners using Lead Source ROI When it's time to cut a vendor—and when it isn't The hidden trap of judging lead quality without understanding cost per sale The two CRM metrics every leadership team should inspect every Monday Why contact rate and appointment-setting rate reveal your biggest opportunities How after-hours leads are impacting dealership performance Why coaching your team often produces a bigger ROI than replacing your vendors One of the biggest takeaways: Before spending another dollar—or cutting another vendor—inspect your process first. The best dealerships don't guess. They measure. They coach. They improve. Key Performance Benchmarks ✅ Contact Rate: 70%+ ✅ Contact-to-Appointment Rate: 40%+ ✅ Inspect vendor ROI weekly—not quarterly ✅ Track after-hours opportunities separately If this episode brought value, please: Like the video Subscribe for more dealership leadership, AI, CRM, and marketing insights Share this episode with your GM, marketing manager, or internet director

  7. Sep 3

    Driven by Intelligence:Why the Best Leaders Don't See Other People as Competition (ft. Malik Braner)

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Driven By Intelligence, I'm joined by Malik Braner for a conversation on leadership, relationships, growth, and why the best people in automotive don't operate from a scarcity mindset. Malik has built a reputation for helping dealerships and leaders elevate their performance, and in this conversation, we dive into the habits, mindset, and strategies that create long-term success. Let us know your biggest takeaway in the comments. 💬 Comment "DRIVEN" and tell us what's one lesson that's helped you grow as a leader. Connect with Durran Cage 🌐 [www.CageAutomotive.com](http://www.CageAutomotive.com) Video4Victory website: https://video4victory.com/ 🎥 YouTube: @CoachCage 💼 LinkedIn: Coach Cage 📸 Instagram: @CoachCage Connect with Malik Braner 🔗 LinkedIn: @Malik Braner 📸 Instagram: @MalikBraner

  8. Aug 27

    From Lawnmower Hustle to Automotive Leadership – Rasean Comeaux on Purpose, People & Power Moves

    Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to go from cutting lawns for $20 to leading high-performing dealership teams with purpose and vision? In this powerful episode of Driven by Intelligence, Rasean Comeaux shares his journey—from growing up in a military family, navigating leadership early, to declaring (out loud) that he’d become a General Manager in five years... and doing it. We talk emotional intelligence, modern dealership culture, authentic connection through video, and why you are your first investment. 🔥 Plus, hear how a simple personalized video sparked our connection and reminded us that it’s not always about pitching—it’s about people. This is leadership, legacy, and leveling up—delivered straight from the heart. 👉 Connect with Rasean on LinkedIn: raseancomeaux

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About

🎙 Driven by Intelligence Hosted by Durran Cage This isn’t just another car podcast. This is where leadership meets innovation and the automotive industry gets real. Driven by Intelligence is a high-impact conversation series with dealership owners, general managers, entrepreneurs, and disruptors who are changing the way we lead, sell, serve, and scale. We unpack the strategies behind: 🚗 Record-breaking automotive sales 🤖 Real-world applications of AI, CRM, and video 💡 Emotional intelligence and leadership development 📈 Culture shifts that drive retention, growth, and legacy Whether you’re leading a team, building a brand, or just starting out—this show will challenge how you think, lead, and win. Tune in. Lock in. Let’s evolve the industry—together. Win every day. Gratitude.

Information

  • Creator
    Durran Cage
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Driven by Intelligence
  • Show Website
    Driven by Intelligence