Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z

Thanks to our Partners, Pico Technology, Autel, and Independent Wrench Jobs
Watch Full Video Episode
In this wide-ranging "mailbag" style episode, Matt Fanslow dives into a mix of technical, professional, and lifestyle questions from listeners. The conversation moves from the intimidating complexity of quantum physics and why it makes discussing "basic" electricity difficult, to practical advice on commercial versus consumer lawn equipment. Matt also tackles the controversial topic of flat-rate pay plans and the importance of ethical systems in the shop, before wrapping up with some lighter notes on AI, mental health resources, and a controversial "Mount Rushmore" of musical bands.
Key Topics and Highlights
1. The Struggle with "Basic" Electricity & Quantum Physics
Matt addresses why he often avoids "fundamental" electricity discussions. He argues that what we call "fundamentals" are often inaccurate "gimmicks."
The Reality of Particles: Particles aren't just little spheres; they are perturbations of quantum fields.
The Double Slit Experiment: Matt explains the particle wave duality and how electrons create an interference pattern rather than simple columns.
Applicability vs. Truth: While "water analogies" work 99% of the time for fixing taillights, they fail to explain phenomena like inductive misfire or signal ringing. Matt wrestles with balancing "useful" information with the complex truth.
2. The Great Lawnmower Debate: Buy Once, Cry Once
Responding to listener interest, Matt breaks down the difference between consumer and commercial mowing equipment.
Cut Quality: Commercial mowers (Toro, Exmark, Scag) have higher blade tip speeds and better lift, resulting in a cleaner cut and natural striping.
Hydrostatics & Power: The ability to handle inclines and zero-turn response time is significantly better in commercial units.
The "Real" Answer: Dealer Support. Buy the brand that has a high-quality, reliable dealer nearby for parts and service.
3. Flat Rate: Ethical Systems vs. Gamification
Matt shares his perspective on flat-rate pay plans, echoing the sentiment that "it depends."
Game Theory: Pay plans set the rules of a "game." If the system (parts ordering, dispatching, management) is broken, employees will view the game as "negative sum" and either quit or try to break it.
Fairness: It isn't about the specific plan; it’s about whether the staff deems the system fair and ethical.
Profit Sharing: Matt discusses the success of his shop’s hybrid model: a strong base salary supplemented by profit sharing.
4. Rapid Fire: AI, Mental Health, and Music
Artificial Intelligence: Matt clarifies that LLMs (Large Language Models) like ChatGPT and Gemini are essentially "predictive text on steroids." He doesn't fear for automotive jobs but sees them as evolving tools.
Mental Health: A shout-out to Margaret Light and her work at Equilibrium Therapy, emphasizing the need for better communication and counseling within shop environments.
The Mount Rushmore of Bands: Matt puts his neck on the line with his top four most influential bands:
The Beatles (The Blueprint)
Black Sabbath (Founders of Heavy Metal)
The Temptations (Motown/Soul Influence)
Run-DMC (The Bridge for Hip-Hop)

Mentioned in this Episode
Sponsors: Pico Technology, Autel, and Independent Wrench Jobs.
Resources: Margaret Light (Equilibrium Therapy), John Riggle, Sean Tipping, and Tommy Oliva.
Connect: Email Matt at [email protected] or find him on Facebook Messenger.
What does your "Mount Rushmore of Bands" look like? Does it lean more toward the foundations of a genre or the bands that achieved the most commercial success?
Thanks to our Partner, Pico Technology
Are you chasing elusive automotive problems? Pico Technology empowers you to see what's really happening. Their PicoScope oscilloscopes transform your diagnostic capabilities. Visit PicoAuto.com
Thanks to our Partner, Autel
From 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.com
Thanks to our Partner, Independent Wrench Jobs
Independent 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.com
Contact Information
Email Matt: [email protected]
Diagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube Channel

The 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 Jobs
Watch Full Video Episode
In this episode, Matt Fanslow starts in an unexpected place, music, vocal styles, and Smashing Pumpkins, before using a series of stories from the music and sports worlds to make a bigger point about mentorship. The central idea is simple but important: mentorship has to come from both directions. Experienced people need to step in and offer guidance, and younger people need to be willing to ask questions and listen.
Using examples involving Billy Corgan, Ryan Leaf, and Charles Barkley, Matt explores how young people often make costly decisions not because they are reckless or foolish, but because nobody pulled them aside and explained the long-term consequences. From contracts and money management to discipline and preparation, the lesson is that hindsight may be 20/20, but it is far better to learn from someone else’s mistakes before they become your own.
Matt then brings the conversation back to the automotive repair world, where the same pattern shows up all the time. New people entering the field are often hit with student debt, pressure to buy expensive toolboxes and tools, and unrealistic expectations about how easy the work should feel. Rather than watching them stumble into avoidable financial mistakes, seasoned professionals, shop owners, and managers should step in, offer guidance, and help reduce unnecessary burdens. Whether it is tools, training, or simply helping someone think more clearly about their next step, good mentoring can change the trajectory of a career.
In this episode:
Why mentorship matters more than most people realize
The Billy Corgan / Smashing Pumpkins story and the cost of not having guidance
Ryan Leaf, Peyton Manning, and how early choices can shape an entire career
Charles Barkley, Dr. J, and Moses Malone as an example of mentorship done right
The direct parallel between pro sports, music, and the automotive industry
Why young specialists can get buried in debt before they ever gain traction
The problem with pushing new people toward expensive tool truck purchases
How shops can better support newer hires with tools, training, and realistic expectations
Why learning from someone else’s mistakes is often better than learning from your own
Valuable training and learning resources for developing specialists

Key Takeaway:
If the industry wants more capable, successful technical and mechanical specialists, it cannot just complain about shortages and washout rates. It has to do a better job of mentoring, advising, and protecting newer people from avoidable mistakes.
Resources Mentioned:
Scanner Danner Premium
Autel training videos and user-created content
Pico Technology training videos and user-created content
AESwave resources
Diagnostic Network
Facebook groups with strong technical communities

Thanks to our Partner, Pico Technology
Are you chasing elusive automotive problems? Pico Technology empowers you to see what's really happening. Their PicoScope oscilloscopes transform your diagnostic capabilities. Visit PicoAuto.com
Thanks to our Partner, Autel
From 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.com
Thanks to our Partner, Independent Wrench Jobs
Independent 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.com
Contact Information
Email Matt: [email protected]
Diagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube Channel

The 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 Jobs
Watch Full Video Episode
In 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 Episode
Matt 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 Themes
Strength 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 Points
Matt 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 Technology
Are you chasing elusive automotive problems? Pico Technology empowers you to see what's really happening. Their PicoScope oscilloscopes transform your diagnostic capabilities. Visit PicoAuto.com
Thanks to our Partner, Autel
From 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.com
Thanks to our Partner, Independent Wrench Jobs
Independent 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.com
Contact Information
Email Matt: [email protected]
Diagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube Channel

The 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, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS

Watch Full Video Episode

Recorded live at VISION 2026, host Carm Capriotto and Matt Fanslow explore how lessons from marriage counseling can improve communication in auto repair shops.

The core discussion centers on Matt’s article for NAPA Auto Care's Insight Magazine, “Your Shop Might Need Marriage Counseling,” and the industry’s gap in soft skills. His central argument is simple: most automotive professionals were never taught effective communication or soft skills. In the past, shop culture often relied on public criticism or shame to correct mistakes. Today, that approach backfires, especially for younger technicians, who are more likely to disengage or “quietly quit” in that kind of environment.

Matt proposes a different approach: applying communication techniques commonly used in therapy to everyday shop interactions.

Drawing from the Gottman Institute, Matt outlines common communication pitfalls: criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling, and how they show up daily in shop environments.

Key solutions include:
Validating feelings, especially with anxious customers
Coaching without shame, addressing mistakes privately with support
Seeking outside perspective, using coaches or therapists to uncover blind spots


Finally, both Carm and Matt challenge the stigma around seeking outside help. They encourage shop leaders to work with coaches, counselors, or therapists to uncover blind spots and improve their leadership approach. Far from being a weakness, asking for help is framed as a sign of strength and self-awareness.

The goal isn’t to turn shops into therapy sessions; it’s to make small, intentional changes in how people communicate every day. The payoff? Fewer emotional blowups, stronger team culture, and customers who feel safe, heard, and respected.

Download Matt Fanslow's Full Article: https://remarkableresults.biz/download/45724/?tmstv=1775829579

VISION Hi-Tech Training and Expo: https://visionkc.com/

Matt Fanslow, Riverside Automotive, Red Wing, MN, Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z Podcast: https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/

Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS

Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/





















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The 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 Partners, Pico Technology, Autel, and Independent Wrench Jobs
Watch Full Video Episode
In 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 Segments
A 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 Torre
Keith Perkins
Scott Shotton
Randy Dillman (Pico Technology)
Justin Morgan
Mike Brancato

Matt invites listeners to share their own Mount Rushmore picks via email and social media.
Featured Names & Companies
Linder 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 Technology
Are you chasing elusive automotive problems? Pico Technology empowers you to see what's really happening. Their PicoScope oscilloscopes transform your diagnostic capabilities. Visit PicoAuto.com
Thanks to our Partner, Autel
From 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.com
Thanks to our Partner, Independent Wrench Jobs
Independent 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.com
Contact Information
Email Matt: [email protected]
Diagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube Channel

The 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/