Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z

Thanks to our Partners, Pico Technology, Autel, and Independent Wrench JobsWatch Full Video EpisodeIn this episode, Matt Fanslow reflects on what it really means to be strong. Prompted by the story of a young mother navigating grief, single parenthood, and overwhelming responsibility after the loss of her children’s father to overdose, the conversation explores relapse, recovery, endurance, and the often-misunderstood nature of strength. Matt argues that strength is not having everything under control. Sometimes strength looks like hanging on by your fingertips, asking for help, or simply making it through the day without quitting.From there, the episode ties those ideas back to the automotive repair world, where asking for help is too often seen as weakness instead of wisdom. Whether it is a shop owner trying to keep the doors open, or a technical specialist seeking knowledge and resources to grow, real strength often shows up as humility, persistence, and the willingness to reach out.And because no Matt Fanslow episode stays in one lane forever, the show closes with a delightfully detailed Mount Rushmore discussion on chainsaw brands and models, pulled from Matt’s background around farms, equipment, and forestry gear.What’s Inside This EpisodeMatt talks candidly about relapse and the dangerous myth that a person in recovery “starts over” after a setback. He reflects on the realities of substance use disorder, the deadly risk of returning to former dosage levels after time in recovery, and the heartbreak that addiction leaves behind for families.The larger theme centers on strength: how people often define it incorrectly, and how endurance, survival, and asking for help deserve far more respect than they usually get. That idea then gets applied to repair shops, business struggles, personal growth, and professional development.The episode wraps with a fun listener-driven Mount Rushmore on chainsaws, including discussion of Husqvarna, Stihl, Dolmar, Echo, and a few favorite classic models.Key ThemesStrength is not the same thing as having it all together.Relapse does not erase the work already done in recovery.Asking for help is often an act of strength, not weakness.In repair shops, growth often depends on seeking coaching, resources, and better information.Sometimes surviving a hard season is its own kind of success.Chainsaw opinions are apparently serious business.Memorable PointsMatt pushes back hard on the idea that a relapse means someone is “back to square one.”He frames endurance itself as strength, especially when life feels like barely keeping the plates spinning.He draws a connection between personal struggle and shop life, especially when it comes to pride, survival, and the reluctance to ask for help.He makes the case that the best help is not always somebody handing over the answer, but showing someone how to build skill, access resources, and become more capable the next time.The episode closes with an unexpectedly passionate breakdown of chainsaw brands, legacy models, and why certain saws still hold legendary status.Thanks to our Partner, Pico TechnologyAre you chasing elusive automotive problems? Pico Technology empowers you to see what's really happening. Their PicoScope oscilloscopes transform your diagnostic capabilities. Visit PicoAuto.comThanks to our Partner, AutelFrom drivability diagnostics and TPMS service to ADAS and advanced safety systems, Autel helps technicians follow OEM procedures and repair with confidence. Learn more at Autel.comThanks to our Partner, Independent Wrench JobsIndependent Wrench Jobs is a new, tech-only community to help you find better independent shops—fair dispatch, steady work, real leadership. No games.Built by Technician Find—serving the industry since 2017. Join free at IndependentWrenchJobs.comContact InformationEmail Matt: mattfanslowpodcast@gmail.comDiagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube ChannelThe Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/

Thanks to our Partners, Pico Technology, Autel, and Independent Wrench JobsWatch Full Video EpisodeIn this episode, Matt Fanslow tackles a highly requested topic from listeners: the "Mount Rushmore" of automotive trainers and educators. Wrestling with the definition of a Mount Rushmore—whether it represents the "Best of the Best" or the "Foundational Forefathers"—Matt takes a deep dive into the lineage of automotive instruction. He pays tribute to the "Road Dogs" who laid the groundwork before revealing his personal top four (plus a few tag-teams) and the rising stars to watch in the industry.Key SegmentsA cinematic "RV rescue" intro and a thank you to the sponsors.The Mount Rushmore Dilemma – Matt discusses the difficulty of picking just four names and the internal debate between honoring "foundations" versus "current excellence."Honoring the Foundation (The Road Dogs) – A tribute to the instructors who inspired previous generations:Bill Fulton: Known for secondary ignition analysis and prolific technical writing.Mac VandenBrink: A legendary inventor (Allen scope) and storyteller with a fascinating history in Nazi-occupied Denmark.Norm "Doc" Knell: An energetic personality and founder of influential training companies.Jim Morton: A long-time industry staple who continues to inspire current trainers like Dave Steckler. The Mount Rushmore Reveal: Matt’s definitive top four picks:John Thornton: Cited for his engineering background, strategic presentation style, and relentless drive for improvement.Scot Manna: Recognized for his meticulous "method to the madness" and high-level diagnostic intelligence.Dave Scaler: Celebrated for his "five-minute" diagnostic philosophy and ability to teach complex concepts using basic tools like meters and test lights.The Tag Team (Jim Kemper & Randy Bernklau): Honored alongside Bob Huffman for their pioneering work in emissions and gas analysis.Honorable Mentions & Rising Stars: Trainers who are "cut from the same cloth" and making significant waves today:Pedro de la TorreKeith PerkinsScott ShottonRandy Dillman (Pico Technology)Justin MorganMike BrancatoMatt invites listeners to share their own Mount Rushmore picks via email and social media.Featured Names & CompaniesLinder Technical Services (Reference to Mac VandenBrink)Coda (Exhaust gas analyzers mentioned during the Jim Kemper segment)MEA (Mechanics Education Association)"It’s important to know the lineage—how the tree’s roots grew—to appreciate where we are now."Thanks to our Partner, Pico TechnologyAre you chasing elusive automotive problems? Pico Technology empowers you to see what's really happening. Their PicoScope oscilloscopes transform your diagnostic capabilities. Visit PicoAuto.comThanks to our Partner, AutelFrom drivability diagnostics and TPMS service to ADAS and advanced safety systems, Autel helps technicians follow OEM procedures and repair with confidence. Learn more at Autel.comThanks to our Partner, Independent Wrench JobsIndependent Wrench Jobs is a new, tech-only community to help you find better independent shops—fair dispatch, steady work, real leadership. No games.Built by Technician Find—serving the industry since 2017. Join free at IndependentWrenchJobs.comContact InformationEmail Matt: mattfanslowpodcast@gmail.comDiagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube ChannelThe Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/

Thanks to our Partners, Pico Technology, Autel, and Independent Wrench JobsWatch Full Video EpisodeMatt opens with a run of classic Chuck Norris jokes, partly as a tribute and partly to explain the inspiration behind the now-familiar Scot Manna Facts. What starts as a funny origin story turns into something more meaningful: a reflection on Scot Manna’s influence, the odd mix of ego and generosity that often sits behind teaching, and the growing need to develop the next wave of instructors in the automotive repair industry.Using a moment from Deadpool and Wolverine as a springboard, Matt explores the need for validation, why some people are drawn to the front of the room, and why the industry cannot afford to wait around hoping great educators just magically appear. If the best future trainers are still in the bays today, how do we help them get found, get encouraged, and get started?This episode is funny, personal, and more serious than it first appears.Show NotesChuck Norris jokes may have been the spark, but this episode is really about how ideas evolve, how mentors matter, and how a profession passes knowledge forward.Matt talks about the roots of Scot Manna Facts, tracing them back to Chuck Norris one-liners and the old Jimmy Kimmel “Sorry, we ran out of time for Matt Damon” bit. From there, he shares why Scot Manna means so much to him personally, not just as a respected figure in the industry, but as a major influence and mentor.That leads into a bigger thought: why do people teach? Is it ego? Validation? A need to be seen? A desire to contribute? Maybe some combination of all of it. Matt uses Deadpool’s desire to join the Avengers as a surprisingly good analogy for the emotional pull behind presenting, teaching, and wanting your voice to matter.But the most important part of the episode is the concern underneath all of it. The current instructor pool is aging. The industry has talented people in the bays right now with real experience, real ideas, and real value to offer. The problem is not that those people do not exist. The problem is that there is no clear path for many of them to get from the shop floor to the classroom.Matt talks through possible ways forward, including tech talks, mentorship, early presenting opportunities, case study development, support from training companies, and the possibility of more intentional “train the trainer” efforts. In other words, if the industry wants better educators tomorrow, it has to start building them today.In this episodeA tribute to Chuck Norris and the joke format that inspired Scot Manna FactsThe origin story behind the Friday Scot Manna Facts postsWhy Scot Manna has been such an important mentor and influenceHow a Deadpool and Wolverine moment sparked a thought about training and validationThe difference between wanting attention and wanting to contributeWhy the automotive training world needs new voices from the baysHow tech talks and guided speaking opportunities can help develop future instructorsWhy mentorship and active encouragement matter more than waiting for people to “just step up”Key TakeawayThe next great automotive instructors are probably already out there turning wrenches, running tests, building case studies, and solving tough problems. The challenge is not finding whether they exist. The challenge is creating a path that helps them share what they know.Thanks to our Partner, Pico TechnologyAre you chasing elusive automotive problems? Pico Technology empowers you to see what's really happening. Their PicoScope oscilloscopes transform your diagnostic capabilities. Visit PicoAuto.comThanks to our Partner, AutelFrom drivability diagnostics and TPMS service to ADAS and advanced safety systems, Autel helps technicians follow OEM procedures and repair with confidence. Learn more at Autel.comThanks to our Partner, Independent Wrench JobsIndependent Wrench Jobs is a new, tech-only community to help you find better independent shops—fair dispatch, steady work, real leadership. No games.Built by Technician Find—serving the industry since 2017. Join free at IndependentWrenchJobs.comContact InformationEmail Matt: mattfanslowpodcast@gmail.comDiagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube ChannelThe Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/

Thanks to our Partners, Pico Technology, Autel, and Independent Wrench JobsWatch Full Video EpisodeIn this episode, Matt recaps his trip to VISION 2026 in Kansas City. What starts as a simple event recap turns into a reflection on why conferences like VISION matter so much: the training, the conversations, the hallway discussions, the tools, the friendships, and the people pushing the industry forward.Matt talks about recording with Carm Capriotto, bouncing between classes with friends, teaching hands-on PicoScope and key programming classes, and sitting in on standout sessions covering EEPROM work, AI for shop management, and lab scope strategy.He also highlights the Tech Talks session, where several presenters stepped up and delivered impressive case studies, tool insights, and even a strong last-minute presentation. This episode is part recap, part appreciation, and part reminder that the real value of events like VISION is not just the information. It is the people.In this episode, Matt discusses:His trip to VISION 2026 in Kansas CityConnecting with friends including Bryn Klein and Carlos MercadoRecording with Carm Capriotto about his NAPA Insights articleHow that article builds on ideas about relationships, communication, and lessons from marriage counselingSitting in on the EEPROM / used module programming class with Mike Christofferson, Ira Waldman, Tim Iezzi, Chris Farley, and KaiSeth Thorson’s class on using AI and large language models for shop managementTeaching an all-day hands-on PicoScope class with Scott ShottenHelp from Keith DeFazio and Brandon Steckler during the Pico classThe packed AESwave booth at the trade showTeaching an essential key cutting and programming class with Andrew SextonWhy he has come around on the value of Lishi toolsThe Tech Talks session and the presenters who stood outJoe Glass and his case studiesMike Blacconiere's diagnostic process and presentation on the MT Pro lab scopeTrevor from AutoNerdz stepping in on short notice and delivering a strong presentationWhy Tech Talks is such a valuable entry point for future presentersJerry Holcomb’s recognition and legacy within VISIONWhy VISION remains one of the best places for training, networking, and reconnecting with people in the industryPeople mentioned in this episode:Carm CapriottoBrin KleinCarlos MercadoTanner BrandtMike ChristoffersonIra WaldmanTim IezziChris FarleyKaimana HolokahiSeth ThorsonMichael BeckerScott ShottonKeith DeFazioBrandon StecklerAndrew SextonKirk HollandPedro de la TorreJoe GlassMike BlacconaireTrevor from AutoNerdzJerry HolcombTools and topics mentioned:PicoScopeLab scopesEEPROM and used module programmingAI and large language models in shop managementKey cutting and programmingLishi toolsMT Pro lab scopeDiagnostic processTechnical trainingNetworking in the automotive repair industryKey takeaway:VISION is never just about the classes. It is about sharpening skills, seeing tools used in real-world contexts, learning from smart people, and reconnecting with the kinds of people who make this industry better.https://visionkc.com/Sponsors:Pico TechnologyAutelIndependent Wrench JobsThanks to our Partner, Pico TechnologyAre you chasing elusive automotive problems? Pico Technology empowers you to see what's really happening. Their PicoScope oscilloscopes transform your diagnostic capabilities. Visit PicoAuto.comThanks to our Partner, AutelFrom drivability diagnostics and TPMS service to ADAS and advanced safety systems, Autel helps technicians follow OEM procedures and repair with confidence. Learn more at Autel.comThanks to our Partner, Independent Wrench JobsIndependent Wrench Jobs is a new, tech-only community to help you find better independent shops—fair dispatch, steady work, real leadership. No games.Built by Technician Find—serving the industry since 2017. Join free at IndependentWrenchJobs.comContact InformationEmail Matt: mattfanslowpodcast@gmail.comDiagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube ChannelThe Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/

Thanks to our Partners, Pico Technology, Autel, and Independent Wrench JobsWatch Full Video EpisodeMatt opens with a home-repair “birthday gift” project that spirals from a simple bathroom refresh into a full-blown floor/toilet/subfloor/plumbing/trim/electrical ordeal. What starts as a kind gesture turns into a week-long marathon of improvisation, problem-solving, and unexpected complications.From there, he ties the experience directly into life in the repair shop: helping someone out, taking on a difficult job, making an exception, or trying to do the right thing can sometimes backfire in spectacular fashion. But the real point of the episode is deeper than the saying “no good deed goes unpunished.” Matt argues that the phrase feels true mostly because of bias, we remember the painful, sideways jobs and forget the many times helping people went just fine.The takeaway: keep doing the good deeds. The occasional disaster isn’t punishment for being helpful; it’s just part of the game, and our brains are wired to remember the bad outcomes more vividly.Key Topics CoveredA “simple” bathroom repair that became a major renovationHidden damage and how small symptoms often point to bigger problemsImprovisation and mechanical aptitude outside your normal fieldHow this mirrors difficult jobs in automotive repairThe “charity case” / exception job that turns into a nightmareBias, memory, and why bad outcomes stick harder than good onesWhy you should still help people when it makes senseMain TakeawaysSmall problems often hide bigger ones. (At home and in the shop.)Doing the right thing can get messy — that doesn’t make it wrong.We remember painful exceptions more than routine wins.Bias can distort how we judge “helping people.”Keep helping when you can. The bad outcomes are memorable, but they are not the whole story.Notable Moments / Discussion HighlightsMatt’s “cheap labor” role in a birthday bathroom remodelDiscovering a corroded toilet flange and badly rotted floorReinforcing unsupported bathtub flooring and rebuilding structurePlumbing improvisation under a new vanityUpgrading to GFCI in a bathroom that didn’t have oneThe repair-shop analogy: the customer who arrives after multiple failed attempts elsewhereMaking exceptions (like customer-supplied parts) and regretting the one time it blows upWhy “no good deed goes unpunished” feels true — because bad outcomes are easier to rememberClosing encouragement to keep doing good work and helping peopleQuotes / Lines Worth Pulling“No good deed goes unpunished.” (episode theme / setup)“I make it up as I go.” (great humility + problem-solving angle)“More importantly, it doesn’t leak.”“It’s not because it’s a good deed. It was just going to happen eventually anyway.”“It lines up with our biases, and gives us a reason to complain.”Thanks to our Partner, Pico TechnologyAre you chasing elusive automotive problems? Pico Technology empowers you to see what's really happening. Their PicoScope oscilloscopes transform your diagnostic capabilities. Visit PicoAuto.comThanks to our Partner, AutelFrom drivability diagnostics and TPMS service to ADAS and advanced safety systems, Autel helps technicians follow OEM procedures and repair with confidence. Learn more at Autel.comThanks to our Partner, Independent Wrench JobsIndependent Wrench Jobs is a new, tech-only community to help you find better independent shops—fair dispatch, steady work, real leadership. No games.Built by Technician Find—serving the industry since 2017. Join free at IndependentWrenchJobs.comContact InformationEmail Matt: mattfanslowpodcast@gmail.comDiagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube ChannelThe Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/

Thanks to our Partners, Pico Technology and AutelWatch Full Video EpisodeMatt answers listener emails about oscilloscope aliasing—what it is, whether all scopes can do it, and how it can trick you into diagnosing failures that aren’t real. Using a “pegboard and golf tees” mental model, he explains how a digital storage oscilloscope samples voltage, stores it in memory, and then reconstructs what you see on-screen. The key takeaway: aliasing isn’t magic, it’s math—specifically the relationship between sample rate, timebase, and memory buffer. He also explains why some scopes (especially Snap-on) behave differently than Pico-style workflows, and how misunderstanding that screen-to-buffer relationship can create fake-looking “dropouts.”Who This Episode Is ForAnyone using a handheld/PC-based automotive DSO (Pico, Snap-on, Autel, etc.)Techs chasing intermittent cutouts, crank/cam dropouts, injector events, CAN glitchesAnyone who has ever said: “The waveform looked wrong… but the fix didn’t fix it.”Key Topics CoveredWhat aliasing is (in plain language): the scope fails to accurately reconstruct the waveform you’re testing.Can all oscilloscopes alias? The spicy answer is yes, they all can—especially digital scopes—depending on setup and limitations.Analog vs. digital (audio analogy): Digital sampling is like digital audio—there are “samples,” and reconstruction depends on how well you capture the real signal.The “pegboard model” for DSO operation: Up/down holes = voltage levels (vertical resolution). Left/right holes = time positions (sample points in memory). The scope measures voltage, then “plants a peg” in memory and connects the dots.Vertical resolution vs. time performance: 8-bit can look stair-steppy. 12/16-bit improves vertical accuracy. But most real-world failures come from time-domain limitations (sample rate + memory dynamics)Sample rate vs. buffer size (why scopes “fall apart”): Put too little time on screen → not enough samples to define the signal. Put too much time on screen → scope rejects/skips samples because the buffer can’t hold it all. Either way: the displayed waveform can become fiction.How aliasing creates “phantom dropouts”: Gaps that look like crank sensor dropouts or reluctor issues. Can send you straight into the diagnostic swampWhy Pico changed the game: Early Pico automotive scopes stood out because they brought big memory buffers to real shop problems. Capture longer events accurately, then zoom in for detailSnap-on screen/buffer behavior is different (and people get burned): Snap-on scope often shows a “window” into a buffer (buffer bar flying across). You don’t “zoom in like Pico”; you effectively set detail first, capture the event, then zoom out to find it and return to your detail level. Misunderstanding this is a common cause of “dropouts” that are really aliasing/misuseThe Big TakeawaysAliasing can make a good tech chase a bad story.The waveform on-screen is an interpretation, not a photograph.Know your scope’s strengths: Some are built for speed, some for memory, some for both—but your settings decide your fate.If you’re hunting an intermittent: Your success depends on matching: expected event speed, sample rate, memory depth, the scope’s display/buffer behavior.Practical “In-the-Bay” TipsIf the trace shows perfectly suspicious gaps: question your timebase, question your effective sample rate, verify with a different capture strategy (less time on screen, more sample rate, different scope mode)Don’t trust a dropout unless: it repeats consistently under the same conditions, and you can capture it without stretching timebase beyond what your scope can support.Learn your platform’s workflow: Pico-style: capture longer, freeze, zoom in. Snap-on-style: capture detail first, trigger/freeze, then zoom out to locate the eventMentioned / Referenced (People + Tools)Pico TechnologyAutelOlder scope references: Fluke 90-series, TektronixTraining/class voices mentioned: Harvey Chan, John Thornton, Scott Manna, Tim Iezzi, Ira Waldman, Scott ShottenThanks to our Partner, Pico TechnologyAre you chasing elusive automotive problems? Pico Technology empowers you to see what's really happening. Their PicoScope oscilloscopes transform your diagnostic capabilities. Pinpoint faults in sensors, wiring, and components with unmatched accuracy. Visit PicoAuto.com and revolutionize your diagnostics today!Thanks to our Partner, AutelFrom drivability diagnostics and TPMS service to ADAS and advanced safety systems, Autel helps technicians follow OEM procedures and repair with confidence. Learn more at Autel.comContact InformationEmail Matt: mattfanslowpodcast@gmail.comDiagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube ChannelThe Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/

Thanks to our Partner, Pico TechnologyWatch Full Video EpisodeMatt uses the movie Mr. Baseball (Tom Selleck as Jack, an aging Yankees player traded to Japan) as an analogy for life in the automotive repair world—especially for veteran mechanical/technical specialists whose bodies start breaking down and whose production (and pay) can drop as a result. The core theme: your role can evolve from “hour-cranker” to leader/mentor, but that requires radical honesty, ego-checking, and intentional changes—from physical maintenance to skill expansion to management systems that properly reward wisdom.Key points & takeawaysThe “Mr. Baseball” analogyJack believes he’ll dominate, but reality shows a hole in his swing and a body that’s not keeping up.His old talent used to hide the problem—until it doesn’t.The turnaround begins when he accepts reality, retrains, and recommits.Auto repair parallel: age vs. mileageIt’s not always “age”—it’s the mileage, injuries, wear, and accumulated strain.As bodies degrade (knees, backs, shoulders, hips, neck), production drops, and pay plans tied heavily to output can punish experience.Ego check: redefining valueWhen you can’t “crank hours” like you used to, value doesn’t disappear—it changes.Veterans often become natural leaders even if they don’t recognize or accept it.Leadership, mentoring, and stabilizing the team have real economic value—if the organization is willing to see it.Management responsibilityShops can’t afford to “cast blind eyes” to what veterans contribute beyond billed hours.The goal is optimizing the whole organization (the unit), not just individual output.If compensation and structure ignore mentoring/leadership value, the industry risks driving out the people who make everyone else better.Action steps for the veteran specialistTake care of the body: whatever works—massage, chiro, yoga, tai chi, mobility work, sleep/mattress upgrades, recovery habits.Expand skill sets into areas that are less physically taxing but high value (systems, diagnostics, workflow support, training others).Be honest and matter-of-fact about your limitations and your value—ask for role adjustments when needed.Culture shiftChecking egos at the door isn’t weakness—it’s how you stay in the game longer.The best teams rally when leaders own their shortcomings and recommit—same in the shop.Memorable lines / quotables“It isn’t the age… it’s the mileage.”“You’ve been getting away with it because talent covered it—until it didn’t.”“Awareness sucks… but it’s the job.”“The unit matters—the entire organization being productive, valuable, and profitable.”Listener challenges Identify your “hole in the swing”: what used to be easy that you’re now compensating for?Write down 3 ways you add value that aren’t billed hours (mentoring, process improvement, comebacks prevented, training).Pick one body-maintenance habit you’ll commit to for 30 days.Resources mentionedMovie: Mr. Baseball (Tom Selleck)AudienceVeteran mechanical specialists and technical specialistsShop owners/managers designing pay plans and rolesYounger specialists who want to understand the long gameThanks to our Partner, Pico TechnologyAre you chasing elusive automotive problems? Pico Technology empowers you to see what's really happening. Their PicoScope oscilloscopes transform your diagnostic capabilities. Pinpoint faults in sensors, wiring, and components with unmatched accuracy. Visit PicoAuto.com and revolutionize your diagnostics today!Contact InformationEmail Matt: mattfanslowpodcast@gmail.comDiagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube ChannelSubscribe & Review: Loved this episode? Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and SpotifyThe Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/

Thanks to our Partner, Pico TechnologyWatch Full Video EpisodeComebacks. Rechecks. Catastrophic parts failures. The stuff that makes everyone’s stomach drop. Matt makes the case that a big part of management’s day-to-day job is not “policing people,” but acting like an investigator—leading with genuine curiosity to figure out what actually happened and what should change.Using Dr. W. Edwards Deming’s framework, Matt breaks problems into two buckets:Common cause: Variation that’s built into the system (processes, tools, training, information flow, software, vendors, documentation, workflow chaos, etc.). These problems are repeatable—and if you don’t change the system, they’ll happen again.Special cause: A true one-off—rare, hard to predict, not systemic. Sometimes the correct response is support, not a giant policy overhaul.The goal: build trust, reduce fear, and improve the shop over time through “constancy of purpose”—not knee-jerk blame.Key Talking Points & Takeaways1) Management’s role when things go wrongBe an investigator, not a prosecutor.Start with: What happened? Why did it happen? What made it easier to fail than succeed?2) Deming’s lens: common cause vs. special causeMost problems are common-cause (system-driven), not “someone screwed up.”Mislabeling causes creates chaos:Treating common-cause problems like special-cause ones = scapegoating, fear, repeated failures.Treating special-cause problems like common-cause ones = overcorrecting, unnecessary rules, wasted effort.3) Examples of common-cause “system” failures (shop edition)Torque wrench out of calibration.Scan tool software out of date / tooling gaps.No real shop management system (handwritten tickets, misreads, manual re-entry).Process interruptions / constant context switching.Cheap unknown parts sources creating avoidable risk.Lack of SOPs, training, or accessible info.4) What a real special-cause looks likeA normally reliable part fails unexpectedly (the one “bad water pump” out of hundreds).A rare freak mistake by a trusted specialist with no obvious systemic trigger.Response: support the person, document it, monitor trends—don’t build policy off a unicorn.5) The trust factorWhen leadership doesn’t jump straight to blame, the team feels safer.Psychological safety improves communication, honesty, and long-term quality.Practical “Investigator” Questions for Comebacks/RechecksWhat changed (tools, parts source, workflow, staffing, interruptions, information)?Was the process followed—and if not, why was it hard to follow?Was the right info available at the right time?Was the equipment accurate and current?Is this repeatable (system) or truly rare (special cause)?What system change makes the “right way” easier and the mistake harder?Mentioned / ReferencedDr. W. Edwards DemingCommon cause vs. special cause variationDeming’s 14 Points“Constancy of purpose”Social media’s tendency to supercharge blame and hot takesListener Call-to-ActionMatt wants your thoughts and stories:Have you seen a shop handle a comeback well?What system fixes reduced repeat issues?Where does blame creep in—and how do you fight it?Contact InformationEmail Matt: mattfanslowpodcast@gmail.comDiagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube ChannelSubscribe & Review: Loved this episode? Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and SpotifyThe Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech Training and Pico TechnologyWatch Full Video EpisodeEpisode summaryMatt Fanslow pulls a lesson from an unexpected place: a Parkway Drive studio story involving Killswitch Engage’s Adam D. The band tried to force a new sound—clean vocals mixed with screams—and it just wasn’t working. The fix? Stop trying to be a different band and lean into what already fits.Matt ties that directly into shop life: not every shop needs to work on every vehicle type or take every job, and not every person needs to be great at every kind of work. Whether it’s building around strong mechanical specialists, strong technical specialists, or choosing a narrower service lane, specializing on purpose can be the difference between surviving and thriving.What you’ll hear in this episodeWhy the “do everything” mindset can quietly punish shops (and people)A real example of pivoting back to core strengths (and winning bigger because of it)The difference between mechanical specialists and technical specialists—and why both are hard to findWhy “I can buy the tools” doesn’t automatically equal “we can do the work well”Checking ego at the door: success doesn’t require being everything to everyoneA nod to “reverse benchmarking”: build your identity around what others don’t do wellKey takeaways (shop + career)Specialization isn’t weakness. It can be the most rational way to deliver consistent quality.Tools and information don’t replace capability. They support it—if the people and processes are there.Staffing reality matters. If you don’t have the right mechanical specialist or technical specialist, forcing the work in-house can be painful.You can evolve later. Being “not that shop” today doesn’t mean “never”—it can mean “not yet.”Identity beats imitation. Trying to match someone else’s “genre” can pull you away from what you’re actually great at.Bands / people / references mentionedParkway Drive (story + recommendation)Killswitch Engage (Matt’s favorite band)Adam D (KSE) and his influence in the studio momentHoward Jones / Jesse Leach (KSE vocalist history)Slipknot (clean vs scream evolution reference)Tour mentions: Summer of Loud (as described), plus bands like The Devil Wears Prada, I Prevail, Beartooth (as mentioned)Sports analogy: Tampa Bay Buccaneers run-heavy approach (and leaning into strengths)Quoteable moments“We are the diamonds that choose to stay coal.”“Maybe we’re not the shop to do everything.”“I can buy all these tools… but maybe my personnel…”“Sometimes drilling down and focusing on what we’re really good at is the better move.”“Reverse benchmarking… build around what everyone else doesn’t do very well.”Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech TrainingNAPA Autotech’s team of ASE Master Certified Instructors are conducting over 1,200 classes covering 28 automotive topics. To see a selection, go to napaautotech.com for more details.Thanks to our Partner, Pico TechnologyAre you chasing elusive automotive problems? Pico Technology empowers you to see what's really happening. Their PicoScope oscilloscopes transform your diagnostic capabilities. Pinpoint faults in sensors, wiring, and components with unmatched accuracy. Visit PicoAuto.com and revolutionize your diagnostics today!Contact InformationEmail Matt: mattfanslowpodcast@gmail.comDiagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube ChannelSubscribe & Review: Loved this episode? Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and SpotifyThe Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech Training and Pico TechnologyWatch Full Video EpisodeIn this episode, Matt shares a post he wrote after seeing yet another wave of “Who’s the most affordable?” questions in a local community group. He breaks down the hidden cost of chasing the lowest price, explains the local multiplier effect, and uses behavioral economics and game theory to show why short-term savings can create long-term pain—especially in auto repair. Matt also makes the case for educating employees on how small businesses really work, why ethical profit matters, and how small choices can preserve local options for your future self.Key themesWhy “most affordable” has become the default question in local recommendation threadsThe idea that every purchase has two prices: the invoice amount and the impact on the local systemLocal businesses as a “local multiplier”: wages, suppliers, sponsorships, taxes, and reinvestment staying nearbyThe trap of short-term savings: hyperbolic discounting, loss leaders, and loss aversionAuto repair reality check: low prices can shift costs into warranty travel, time loss, and future headachesGame theory framing: a repeated prisoner’s dilemma—individual “defections” (price-chasing) add up to fewer local optionsThe skilled-trade value problem: cars depreciate while homes/buildings appreciate, shaping perceived worth of the work“Profits aren’t evil”: ethical profit as doing what you said you’d do, for what you said you’d do it forThe case for educating employees on business economics so they understand pricing, margins, and sustainabilityPractical compassion: offering to cover card swipe fees and understanding why local goods can cost moreMemorable lines“Every purchase has two prices: the number on the invoice, and the impact on the system you live inside.”“The long-term consequences are invisible… until they’re painful and hard to reverse.”“Time—by far our most valuable asset.”“Residents and local businesses behave a lot like a repeated prisoner’s dilemma.”“Profits aren’t evil. I believe in ethical profit.”Audience takeawayIf you always optimize for the cheapest option, you may “win” today but collectively lose tomorrow: fewer trusted local providers, fewer skilled jobs, and less community resilience—especially in specialized services like auto repair.Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech TrainingNAPA Autotech’s team of ASE Master Certified Instructors are conducting over 1,200 classes covering 28 automotive topics. To see a selection, go to napaautotech.com for more details.Thanks to our Partner, Pico TechnologyAre you chasing elusive automotive problems? Pico Technology empowers you to see what's really happening. Their PicoScope oscilloscopes transform your diagnostic capabilities. Pinpoint faults in sensors, wiring, and components with unmatched accuracy. Visit PicoAuto.com and revolutionize your diagnostics today! Contact InformationEmail Matt: mattfanslowpodcast@gmail.comDiagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube ChannelSubscribe & Review: Loved this episode? Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and SpotifyThe Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech Training and Pico TechnologyWatch Full Video EpisodeIn this episode, Matt uses The Matrix—especially the line “there is no spoon”—as a metaphor for the invisible cages we build in our own minds. He connects the film to social constructs, substance use disorder, self-limiting beliefs, and the hard, messy reality of change.Matt unpacks what it really means to “take the red pill”: leaving the comfort of your personal matrix, enduring an initial season of discomfort or even suffering, and slowly rebuilding your ability to cope, grow, and demand better—from yourself, your relationships, and your career.Key Topics Covered“There is no spoon” and social constructsThe Matrix as a metaphor for our personal belief systems, not just a sci-fi simulation.How ideas like “I can’t,” “they won’t let me,” and “this is just how it is” form our own private matrix.Money as a clear example of a social construct: it only works because we all agree it has value.Substance use disorder & the red/blue pill choiceReframing the Matrix pods and simulation as a stand-in for addiction and coping mechanisms.Drugs (or other coping tools) as a “cure” that works incredibly well… until the bill comes due.The “red pill” as the decision to leave a destructive coping mechanism and face reality.Why life often gets worse at first when someone chooses recovery—gray, flat, painful—before it gets better.Atrophy, discomfort, and rebuilding capacityNeo’s physical atrophy as a metaphor for emotional and coping atrophy after long-term use.Many people aren’t using to “get high” anymore—they’re using just to feel normal.Relearning how to feel feelings at full intensity without a chemical buffer.Self-imposed limits and hidden capacityThe Matrix training scenes: bending the rules as a metaphor for challenging self-imposed limits.The “70% wall” idea from Navy SEAL training—quitting when there’s still gas left in the tank.How often we defeat ourselves before we even truly try.The Kung Fu (David Carradine) lessonFlashback scene with the “acid pool” that turns out to be water.Believing in the danger so completely that you fail before you start.How often we do the same thing with exams, careers, and life decisions.Technicians, tests, and career ceilings“I’ll never pass A6” / “I’ll never get that cert” as a self-fulfilling prophecy.Questioning whether your limits are real, or chosen.Practical self-inquiry: What can I do to change this belief? What actions can I take?Relationships, work, and what we tolerateStaying in unhealthy relationships (romantic, friends, employers, clients) because “this is the best I can do.”Starting with your own role: being a better spouse, friend, or employee and expecting better treatment in return.The trap where employers say, “If they acted like good employees, I’d treat them well,” and employees say, “If they treated me well, I’d act like a good employee”—and nothing changes.Dutch Silverstein’s perspectiveIt’s important to treat people the way you want to be treated.But for sure: never treat someone the way you don’t want to be treated.Taking the red pill in real lifeThe “red pill” as a choice, not a daily supplement.Expecting the initial result of that choice to feel worse before it feels better.Trading “struggle a little now” to avoid “struggle a lot later.”Asking: What does your matrix look like? What rules can you bend—or break?Pull Quotes“What if the Matrix is nothing more than our own personal social construct?”“Drugs are a cure. They work really, really well—there’s just a severe price to pay.”“Many of us are hitting the wall long before we actually hit the wall.”“How many times do we have ourselves beat before we even give an honest effort?”“The Matrix is the cage you’ve built for yourself—and you might need to take the red pill to get out of it.”Mentions & Shout-OutsMovies & Shows:The MatrixKung Fu (with David Carradine)People & Ideas:Dutch Silverstein and his take on how we treat others.ASE testing (A6 electrical and beyond).Navy SEAL training “wall” analogy.Automotive Repair Podcast Network Shows:A show featuring Craig O’Neill (don’t tell him Matt said anything nice).Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest.Marketing content with Brian and Kim Walker.The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton.Connect with MattEmail: mattfanslopodcast@gmail.comFacebook Messenger / DMs: Matt FanslowCall to Action:Ask yourself: What does my matrix look like?Where are you bending spoons, and where are you still convinced the acid is real? And if you know you’re in a matrix—what’s your next “red pill” choice?Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech TrainingNAPA Autotech’s team of ASE Master Certified Instructors are conducting over 1,200 classes covering 28 automotive topics. To see a selection, go to napaautotech.com for more details.Thanks to our Partner, Pico TechnologyAre you chasing elusive automotive problems? Pico Technology empowers you to see what's really happening. Their PicoScope oscilloscopes transform your diagnostic capabilities. Pinpoint faults in sensors, wiring, and components with unmatched accuracy. Visit PicoAuto.com and revolutionize your diagnostics today! Contact InformationEmail Matt: mattfanslowpodcast@gmail.comDiagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube Channel Subscribe & Review: Loved this episode? Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and SpotifyThe Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech Training and Pico TechnologyWatch Full Video EpisodeIn this episode of Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z, Matt Fanslow uses a famous Michael Jordan quote, a heartbreaking Minnesota Vikings loss, and a rant from Jeff Compton of The Jaded Mechanic Podcast to dig into a big question:When did we get so impatient with young people—and what is it costing our industry?Matt reflects on how we treat new, entry-level mechanical and technical specialists in our shops, how “common sense” isn’t actually common, and why our own backgrounds make it easy to forget what it’s like to start from zero. He draws parallels between sports, restaurants, and auto repair, and makes the case that if we want to “grow our own,” we must build patience and structure into our businesses.Along the way, he talks about failure as a prerequisite for greatness—using Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Muhammad Ali, and even win–loss records and batting averages to remind us that the “greats” failed a lot before anyone called them great.Highlights & Topics CoveredMichael Jordan’s failure quote and what it really says about successA recent Vikings–Bears game:JJ McCarthy’s rough day, clutch fourth-quarter drive, andHow special teams and defense actually lost the gameThe internet meltdown: instant calls to replace a young quarterback who’s essentially still a rookieA short video rant from Jeff Compton (The Jaded Mechanic Podcast) about having patience with young peopleThe core question: When did we get so impatient—and were we always this way?Generational shifts in handling criticism, shame, and feedbackWhy “common sense” isn’t common:How background, upbringing, and exposure shape what feels obviousGrowing up around farms, equipment, and shops vs. growing up with screensHomemakers, latchkey kids, and how changing family structures change what kids bring into the workplaceThe reality of today’s entry-level hire:No mechanical backgroundDoesn’t know a hex from a Torx… yetThe shop’s responsibility if you want to “grow your own”:Structuring the business to shoulder an apprentice who isn’t producing much at firstDefining basic expectations (showing up, being on time, not repeating the same mistake endlessly)Skill decay and repetition:Lab scopes, training classes, and how fast proficiency fades without regular useHow we criticize: sharp scalpel vs. rusty spoon; cutting people apart vs. building them upRemembering that apprentices didn’t choose their childhood or start point—but are choosing this careerThe sports angle on failure and greatness:Michael Jordan getting cut from his high school teamPat Riley’s quote about last shot vs. “save my life” shot (MJ vs. Larry Bird)Muhammad Ali’s losses, UFC careers, and the obsession with “perfect records”Baseball batting averages: greatness at 30% successA teaser for a future episode: how this profession can play a role in the “war on young men”Key TakeawaysFailure is part of greatness. The people we call “the greatest” in sports failed repeatedly. Expecting perfection from a first-year tech is delusional.Common sense is built, not born. What feels obvious to you probably came from years of exposure, mistakes, and stories you grew up around. Your apprentice didn’t get that same download.If you want to grow your own, structure for it. Shops that bring in entry-level mechanical/technical specialists need systems and expectations that allow for low productivity at first while they learn.Criticism should develop, not destroy. How you deliver feedback—tone, timing, and intent—matters just as much as the content. You can correct without crushing.Patience is a strategic advantage. In a world short on technicians, the shops that can be patient, teach well, and retain younger people will win long-term.Connect with MattHave an episode idea, question, or feedback?📧 Email: MattFanslowPodcast@gmail.com💬 Direct messages via Facebook are welcome and appreciated.Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech TrainingNAPA Autotech’s team of ASE Master Certified Instructors are conducting over 1,200 classes covering 28 automotive topics. To see a selection, go to napaautotech.com for more details.Thanks to our Partner, Pico TechnologyAre you chasing elusive automotive problems? Pico Technology empowers you to see what's really happening. Their PicoScope oscilloscopes transform your diagnostic capabilities. Pinpoint faults in sensors, wiring, and components with unmatched accuracy. Visit PicoAuto.com and revolutionize your diagnostics today! Contact InformationEmail Matt: mattfanslowpodcast@gmail.comDiagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube Channel Subscribe & Review: Loved this episode? Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and SpotifyThe Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/