Be Differential

Be Differential
  • 5.0 (7)
  • AUTOMOTIVE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Discover the stories and insights driving change in the automotive and motorsport industries. The BeDifferential Podcast highlights trailblazers, untold stories, and pathways into this exciting world, with a focus on empowering women and the next generation. Join us for inspiring conversations with industry leaders, racers, and visionaries breaking barriers and redefining what’s possible. Fuel your passion for cars, motorsport, and innovation—subscribe now and be part of the movement.

  1. 1D AGO

    Thursday Pit Stop Momentum Over Moments

    In this Thursday Pit Stop, we’re shifting the conversation from visibility to velocity. Women’s History Month creates moments—but real progress is built in what happens after. This episode explores the difference between celebrating inclusion and structurally embedding it into the fabric of motorsport and automotive:     •    How initiatives like Girls on Track are creating early, intentional entry points tied directly to the future of the industry     •    Why increasing female representation in governance—stewards, technical roles, and regulatory bodies—is changing how decisions get made     •    And the real question every organization should be asking right now: what do your April budgets say about your priorities? Because momentum isn’t a headline—it’s something you can measure. Across infrastructure, pipelines, leadership, and policy, women aren’t waiting to be included. They’re actively shaping what this industry becomes next. This isn’t about the moment. It’s about what we build from it.

    8 min

  2. 4D AGO

    Operation Motorsport with Tiffany Lodder

    Tiffany Lodder has built a career at the intersection of motorsport and service — but her work goes far beyond the traditional boundaries of racing. As the co-founder of Operation Motorsport, Tiffany has helped create a pathway for military veterans to find renewed purpose, community, and opportunity through motorsport. In this conversation, we explore how racing — often seen purely as competition — can become a powerful platform for impact. Tiffany shares what first drew her into the motorsport world and the moment she realized its potential to serve something bigger. We dive into the gap she identified between the veteran community and the racing industry, and how Operation Motorsport was built to bridge it. We also unpack why the high-performance, fast-paced nature of motorsport uniquely resonates with veterans, and what success truly looks like within the program — from employment to confidence to connection. This episode also challenges the industry at large — asking how motorsport can better embrace its role as a platform for social impact, and what meaningful inclusion really looks like beyond surface-level representation. For anyone looking to build something different — especially women carving out nontraditional paths — Tiffany offers a powerful perspective on resilience, purpose, and leading with intention. Because sometimes, the most important work happening in motorsport isn’t just about who finishes first — it’s about who gets to be part of the race in the first place.

    41 min

  3. MAR 24

    Two Worlds One Drive with Sonya Lloyd

    What does it look like to operate at a high level — in two entirely different worlds? Sonya Lloyd is both a world championship motorcycle racer and a participant in Siemens’ Technical Marketing Leadership Development Program — a combination that challenges the idea that you have to choose between passion and profession. In this episode, we explore how Sonya navigates the intersection of motorsport and technical leadership, and what it takes to perform at an elite level in both. From the discipline required on the track to the precision needed in corporate environments, Sonya shares how these experiences inform and strengthen each other. We dive into her journey into motorcycle racing, what kept her committed through the toughest moments, and how she simultaneously built a path within Siemens. Along the way, we unpack how preparation, pressure, and failure show up across both arenas — and what it means to deliver when the stakes are high. This conversation also explores the power of storytelling — from translating complex technical ideas into meaningful narratives, to communicating performance and purpose in motorsport. Sonya reflects on how her technical background shapes the way she understands machinery and engineering, and how racing has influenced how she shows up as a communicator and leader. We also talk about visibility — why it matters for women in both motorsport and technical leadership — and how organizations can better support individuals pursuing nontraditional, dual-career paths. At its core, this episode is about expanding what’s possible. About rejecting the idea that you have to choose one version of yourself. And about building a life that fully reflects both passion and practicality. Because sometimes, being differential means refusing to pick just one lane — and having the courage to excel in both.

    30 min

  4. MAR 19

    Thursday Pit Stop: Leadership Without Loudness

    This week’s Pit Stop explores a different kind of leadership — one that doesn’t rely on volume, but on impact. For decades, leadership in motorsport has been defined by command-and-control environments. But behind the scenes, a shift has been happening. One shaped by strategic thinking, cultural influence, and long-term vision. We look at leaders like Claire Williams, who navigated financial and organizational complexity at Williams Racing with transparency and resilience. Susie Wolff, who is now shaping the future of driver development and opportunity through her leadership at F1 Academy. And Jessica Hawkins, whose presence within Aston Martin represents more than a role — it’s a shift in how leadership and influence show up inside elite team environments. Because leadership isn’t just about who speaks the loudest.
It’s about who moves systems, shapes culture, and creates pathways forward. And increasingly, that leadership is being redefined.

    8 min

  5. MAR 12

    Thursday Pit Stop: Changing the Pipeline

    Industries don’t evolve accidentally — they evolve when someone builds new pathways in. In this week’s Thursday Pitstop, we’re looking at how women have helped reshape the motorsports talent pipeline by creating new points of entry into the industry. From organizations like Women in Motorsports North America building mentorship networks, scholarships, and career development opportunities, to the launch of F1 Academy addressing long-standing gaps in the driver development ladder, these initiatives represent more than visibility. They’re structural interventions designed to expand access and opportunity. We’ll also look at how leaders like Lyn St. James have turned personal success into long-term impact through programs that mentor and financially support the next generation of drivers. Because when access expands, the talent pool expands. And when the talent pool expands, the entire industry becomes stronger. Women haven’t just entered motorsports — in many cases, they’ve widened the gates. 🎙 Thursday Pitstop episodes are short reflections from the BeDifferential Podcast exploring the systems, people, and ideas shaping the future of motorsports.

    13 min

  6. MAR 10

    Racer on Demand with Amanda Van Den Elzen

    What if there was a platform that made it easier for racers to make meaningful connections with fans, sell merch without inventory or overhead, and grow into paid partnerships at the same time? That’s the vision behind Racer on Demand, and its founder Amanda Van Den Elzen joins The BeDifferential Podcast to explain how it’s changing the game. Amanda shares the story of her path into motorsports, the challenges she overcame in a male-dominated industry, and the lessons learned along the way. She dives into trends in digital engagement, sponsorship, and talent development, plus success stories that prove the platform’s impact. This episode is for anyone curious about where motorsports marketing is headed — and how meaningful connections are making sponsorships more accessible for the next generation of drivers. Learn more here: https://racerondemand.us

    45 min

  7. MAR 5

    Thursday Pit Stop: Invisible Infrastructure

    Not every influence in motorsport happens on the podium. In this week’s Thursday Pitstop, we explore the invisible infrastructure that keeps the motorsport and automotive industries running — governance, operations, ownership, and the leadership systems that shape the future of the sport. While drivers and race results often take the spotlight, the industry itself depends on an intricate network of decision-makers, organizers, and operators who build the framework behind every race weekend. This episode highlights the women who have helped architect those systems. From Michèle Mouton’s leadership with the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission to Connie Nyholm’s stewardship of Virginia International Raceway, we look at how women have shaped the rules, facilities, and operational structures that sustain the sport. We also explore the often-unseen leadership roles across race control, technical compliance, event logistics, sanctioning bodies, and marketing partnerships — positions that ensure the motorsport ecosystem continues to evolve. Because the true impact on an industry isn’t always the most visible. Sometimes it’s structural. And women have been shaping that structure for decades.

    10 min

  8. MAR 3

    Inside Leadership at Penske Entertainment with Allison Melangton

    In this episode of The BeDifferential Podcast, I sit down with Allison Melangton to explore the experiences, pivotal decisions, and leadership principles that shaped her remarkable career across global sporting events and the motorsports industry. Allison shares how she first found her way into this world, the early moments that helped define her path, and the turning points that revealed the impact she could have — not just operationally, but culturally. We dive into her leadership philosophy, how it has evolved through decades of experience, and what it means to lead with clarity, trust, and purpose in high-stakes environments. We also unpack what makes Penske Entertainment such a unique force within motorsports — from its role in shaping the future of racing to the opportunities it creates across the industry — and why Allison is energized by where things are headed. As part of the conversation, we discuss the importance of community and advocacy through Women in Motorsports North America, and the tangible progress being made to expand access and representation. This episode offers a thoughtful look at credibility, mentorship, and the responsibility of opening doors — along with Allison’s perspective on what gives her optimism about the future of motorsports, from emerging talent to innovation and culture. Whether you’re building a career in racing, leading a team, or simply passionate about the sport, this conversation is filled with insight and inspiration.

    28 min
See All (112)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Discover the stories and insights driving change in the automotive and motorsport industries. The BeDifferential Podcast highlights trailblazers, untold stories, and pathways into this exciting world, with a focus on empowering women and the next generation. Join us for inspiring conversations with industry leaders, racers, and visionaries breaking barriers and redefining what’s possible. Fuel your passion for cars, motorsport, and innovation—subscribe now and be part of the movement.

Information

  • Creator
    Be Differential
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    112
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Be Differential
  • Show Website
    Be Differential

You Might Also Like