The Limitless Leadership Podcast

Josh Parnell
  • 5.0 (55)
  • Management
  • Updated Semiweekly

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. 20h ago

    Ep 166: Why Great Leaders Give People Permission to Fail with Ron Helmer

    In this episode, Josh welcomes Ron Helmer, CEO of Mentor Mentee, to discuss tackling the automotive technician shortage through structured career development and mentorship. Drawing from 22 years in the U.S. Navy, recruiting, and business ownership, Ron explains how clear career pathways help shops improve technician retention, productivity, and long-term success. The conversation also explores authentic leadership, building trust, emotional intelligence, accountability, and creating a culture where people are encouraged to learn, grow, and recover from mistakes. 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 Trust Starts Here 00:45 Podcast Introduction and Guest 04:16 The Mentor Mentee Mission 06:05 Ron's Journey from the Navy to CEO 08:38 Building Safety and Trust as a Leader 12:13 What Great Leadership Looks Like 16:53 Giving People Permission to Fail 21:24 Excuses vs. Explanations 25:31 Leadership Lessons and Mentorship 29:26 How Mentor Mentee Helps Repair Shops 32:58 The Chance and Choice Mindset 35:04 Final Thoughts and Closing     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 166: Why Great Leaders Give People Permission to Fail with Ron Helmer

  2. 2d ago

    Ep 165: Leadership Isn't Talent, It's Daily Practice with Lynne Ghelfi

    In this episode, Josh welcomes Lynne Ghelfi, director of marketing for two major dealerships, John Maxwell–certified coach, trainer, and speaker, and author of No Talent Required: 12 Daily Practices to Build Cultural Trust and Performance. Lynn shares her 15-year journey in the automotive industry, how John Maxwell's servant leadership philosophy shaped her career, and why lasting leadership is built on consistent values—not titles or natural talent. She also discusses her daily leadership habits, the importance of intentional communication, and how anyone can lead through influence, curiosity, and connection. Learn more about Promotive or start your next search at https://www.gopromotive.com. Stop wasting your marketing dollars and connect with Shop Marketing pros at https://www.shopmarketingpros.com.  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 No Talent Required Hook 00:14 Podcast Introduction and Guest 01:51 Sponsor Breaks 03:36 Lynne's Automotive Journey 04:55 Servant Leadership 07:23 Inside No Talent Required 11:12 Hiring for Values Over Talent 14:14 Leading Without a Title 20:54 The Five Daily Leadership Habits 27:22 Curiosity, Connection, and Better Communication 30:43 Bet on Yourself 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 165: Leadership Isn't Talent, It's Daily Practice with Lynne Ghelfi

  3. Jul 15

    Ep 164: You Don't Need More Leads—You Need Better Follow-Up with Jono Long

    In this episode, Josh Parnell and co-host Bobby McGraw interview Jono Long, CEO of Leads Near Me, about his journey from youth ministry to leading a digital marketing agency serving independent auto repair shops. Jono shares how he learned marketing through hands-on experience, eventually selling his first agency before partnering to acquire Leads Near Me. The conversation explores leadership, team culture, coaching, decisive action, and why many shops don't have a marketing problem—they have a customer follow-up problem. Stop wasting your marketing dollars and connect with Shop Marketing pros at https://www.shopmarketingpros.com.  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://integrity1auto.com to learn more about Integrity 1st Car Pros, and https://www.Integrity1Franchise.com to complete the Franchise Fit questionnaire. Optimize Labor. Unlock Capacity. For less than $5 a day per technician, improve absorption rate, increase ELR, and give your techs the career pathway that keeps them engaged and in the bay. Book a demo today!  https://meetings.hubspot.com/jen-grimes/demo-meeting?utm_campaign=41778739-Limitless+Leadership&utm_source=Limited+Leadership&utm_medium=LL+referral&uuid=57616c84-28ec-48d0-9a44-7b64074e5d8c Timestamps 00:00 Youth Pastor to Marketing 00:33 Podcast Welcome and Guests 03:21 Sponsor Break and Backstory 04:59 From Ministry to Agency CEO 11:08 Leadership Lessons and Speed 13:48 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 17:38 What Leads Near Me Does 18:56 Leads vs. Follow-Up Problems 21:05 Building Culture and Psychological Safety 30:21 Coaching and Trusted Advisors 34:17 "Money Loves Speed" 38:15 Creating a Customer Wow Factor 40:18 Final Takeaways and 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 164: You Don't Need More Leads—You Need Better Follow-Up with Jono Long

  4. Jul 9

    Ep 163: The Culture Every Business Owner Wants to Build with Edward Caswell

    In this episode, Josh is with Edward Caswell, owner of Full Throttle Automotive and Fastlane Auto Repair, about building a business centered on faith, servant leadership, and investing in people. Edward shares his journey from school teacher to multi-shop owner, the challenges of expanding during COVID, and the personal transformation that reshaped both his life and leadership. The conversation explores accountability, humility, company culture, mentorship, and why serving others is the foundation of lasting leadership. Stop wasting your marketing dollars and connect with Shop Marketing pros at https://www.shopmarketingpros.com. 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 Podcast Introduction 00:33 Meet Edward Caswell 03:00 From Teacher to Shop Owner 04:58 Growth and Vision Wake-Up Call 06:25 Rock Bottom and Redemption 10:12 What Following Christ Means 14:09 Men's Group and Accountability 18:08 Calling People Up, Not Out 19:43 Leadership Is Serving 22:06 Facility of the Year 24:40 Purpose Builds Culture 26:00 Culture Under Pressure 27:51 Connection Before Process 29:13 Humility and Community 33:00 Servant Leadership in Action 36:46 Mentor Advice and Faith 40:00 Actionable Leadership Growth 40:37 Gratitude and Closing   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 163: The Culture Every Business Owner Wants to Build with Edward Caswell

  5. Jul 7

    Ep 162: How Coachability Turned a Struggling Shop Into a $7M Business with Thomas Andrews

    In this episode, Josh sits down with Thomas Andrews, owner of CDT Automotive and Select Auto Pros, and a coach with Shop Fix Academy. Thomas shares how he built a brand that started as Carolina Diesel Trucks, grew from a one-bay shed into a 15-bay operation, and expanded to a second location. He opens up about leaving a six-figure cybersecurity career, the sacrifices his family made, and the leadership lessons that helped transform a struggling $3 million business into a thriving multi-shop operation. The conversation explores business coaching, accountability, hiring, faith, and why great leaders are willing to go first. 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. Stop wasting your marketing dollars and connect with Shop Marketing pros at https://www.shopmarketingpros.com. Visit https://www.thebeardedbrotherhood.co to grab your grooming essentials from The Bearded Brotherhood. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome and Guest Introduction 00:58 Purpose and Leadership Influence 02:53 Meet Thomas and the Partnership 04:12 From Truck Club to a Business Brand 06:55 Taking the Leap into Entrepreneurship 09:14 Leaving Corporate and Family Sacrifice 12:53 The Grind Season 15:07 Faith, Timing, and Detours 21:35 The Shop Fix Academy Turnaround 25:57 Staying Coachable 28:45 Shop Hackers Breakdown 30:03 Let Go to Grow 33:12 Building an Accountability Culture 33:50 Leadership Means Going First 34:39 Kind vs. Nice Leadership 37:01 Lessons from Aaron Stokes 38:51 The Orange Squeezing Lesson 43:23 Coaching Through Difficult Seasons 44:28 Who Shop Fix Is For 47:02 The Belief-to-Results Ladder 50:09 Closing Thoughts and Next Steps     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 162: How Coachability Turned a Struggling Shop Into a $7M Business with Thomas Andrews

  6. Jul 1

    Ep 161: The Leadership Lessons Behind Building a Trades Business with Evan Richard

    In this episode, Evan Richard, founder of ER Plumbing Services shares his journey from selling cars to building a successful plumbing business. Evan shares how he launched ER Plumbing in 2019, the rapid growth that followed the 2021 Houston freeze, and the lessons he's learned about leadership, entrepreneurship, and work-life balance. The conversation explores why skilled trades offer tremendous career opportunities, the importance of mentorship, building customer trust, and creating a business focused on education instead of high-pressure sales. Learn more about Promotive or start your next search at https://www.gopromotive.com. 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. Optimize Labor. Unlock Capacity. For less than $5 a day per technician, improve absorption rate, increase ELR, and give your techs the career pathway that keeps them engaged and in the bay. Book a demo today!  https://meetings.hubspot.com/jen-grimes/demo-meeting?utm_campaign=41778739-Limitless+Leadership&utm_source=Limited+Leadership&utm_medium=LL+referral&uuid=57616c84-28ec-48d0-9a44-7b64074e5d8c Timestamps: 00:00 Commitment Takes Time 00:32 Podcast Introduction 01:05 Meet Evan Richard 03:47 Evan's Origin Story 04:39 Launching ER Plumbing 05:19 Houston Freeze Breakthrough 06:24 Taking the Leap into Entrepreneurship 08:31 Health, Boundaries, and Balance 12:12 Daily Habits for Success 15:30 College vs. Skilled Trades 19:54 Starting a Trade at a Young Age 21:19 Building Wealth Through the Trades 22:47 From Apprentice to Business Owner 23:36 Inside the ER Plumbing Team 24:48 Legacy and Leadership 25:47 A Hands-On Service Model 28:13 Building Trust Without Upselling 31:07 Educating the Customer 32:44 Partnerships and Networking 37:10 Preparation and Mentorship 38:40 Service Area and Business Growth 40:03 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 161: The Leadership Lessons Behind Building a Trades Business with Evan Richard

  7. Jun 25

    Ep 160: Hiring for Culture Changes Everything with Stacey Black and Ethan Whidden

    In this episode, Stacey Black and Ethan Whidden from Promotive join the podcast to share their thoughts on leadership and culture in the automotive industry. Stacy emphasizes the critical importance of aligning new hires with shop culture to ensure long-term retention and positive impact. Ethan speaks to the role strong internal culture and leadership play at Promotive, highlighting the value of vulnerability, support, and real connection among remote teams. Learn more about Promotive or start your next search at https://www.gopromotive.com. Visit https://www.tekmetric.com to book a demo and see how Tekmetric can help you run your shop with more clarity and confidence. Stop managing chaos and start leading with purpose. Visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co to learn more about Limitless Leadership coaching, training, and speaking. Atlantic Automotive is a faith-based, family-owned coalition that partners with, invests in, and grows exceptional auto repair shops across the U.S. by providing technology, capital, and operational support — whether owners want to scale or transition their legacy. If you're interested in partnering, go to https://atlanticautomotivegroup.com/  and fill out the "Start a Conversation" form. Timestamps: 00:00 – What Promotive Stands For: Retention Through Culture 05:10 – Matching Technicians to Shop Culture: The Promotive Process 07:21 – Real-World Shop Cultures: Rigid vs. Artsy 12:55 – Team Retreats & Remote Bonding: Building Internal Culture 25:26 – Stacy’s Story: Facing Cancer and Team Support 36:27 – Advice to Leaders: Make a Difference, Every Day   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 160: Hiring for Culture Changes Everything with Stacey Black and Ethan Whidden

  8. Jun 23

    Ep 159: The Leadership Test Every Owner Faces with Dan Thieken and Ted Cooke

    In this episode, Dan Thieken and Ted Cooke from Kreager Tire and Service share their journey navigating leadership, friendship, and business partnership. Dan reflects on the challenges and rewards of compartmentalizing personal relationships to make tough business decisions, including hiring and even having to let go of family members. Ted discusses the importance of empowering team members to exceed their own expectations and highlights the impact a leader can have by believing in others. Learn more about Promotive or start your next search at https://www.gopromotive.com. Atlantic Automotive is a faith-based, family-owned coalition that partners with, invests in, and grows exceptional auto repair shops across the U.S. by providing technology, capital, and operational support — whether owners want to scale or transition their legacy. If you're interested in partnering, go to https://atlanticautomotivegroup.com/  and fill out the "Start a Conversation" form. Stop wasting your marketing dollars and connect with Shop Marketing pros at https://www.shopmarketingpros.com. Visit https://www.tekmetric.com to book a demo and see how Tekmetric can help you run your shop with more clarity and confidence. Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome: Meet Dan Thieken & Ted Cooke 02:06 – The Early Days: From Colleagues to Friends 03:22 – Reuniting: Taking the Leap to Work Together Again 05:30 – The Challenge of Hiring Friends (and Family!) 10:45 – Stepping Back to Let Others Lead 15:37 – Building Team Camaraderie & Changing Faces 18:19 – Winning Over the Community 19:23 – What True Leadership Means to Ted 20:45 – Growing Talent: Success Stories from the Garage 25:51 – The Best Advice from Mentors 31:23 – Final Wisdom: “Don’t Be a Jerk”   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 159: The Leadership Test Every Owner Faces with Dan Thieken and Ted Cooke
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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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