Episodios

  • Collision Industry Corruption Exposed: The Truth Insurance Companies Don’t Want You to Hear

    Collision Industry Corruption Exposed: The Truth Insurance Companies Don’t Want You to Hear
    Dec 12 2025
    Welcome to another episode of Repair Shop Reckoning! Buckle up, because this one is a straight punch to the throat of the collision industry.

    Kevin sits down with Jim Gray, partner at Motor City and a 40-year veteran of the collision world, to break down everything the insurance companies never want shop owners, techs, or customers to know. If you think you’ve heard Kevin talk shit before… this episode takes it up ten levels.

    Jim exposes how DRPs really work, why adjusters with zero hands-on experience dictate how trained techs “should” repair cars, and how insurance companies flat-out manipulate labor rates, parts sourcing, supplements, and customer claims to pad corporate profits. The stories in this episode are so insane you almost wouldn’t believe them, until you realize every shop in America has lived the same nightmare.

    This episode is not theory. It is not opinion.

    It is the lived reality of two shops who deal daily with:
    • Surprise inspections from adjusters who have never fixed a car in their life
    • DRP rules that punish shops for doing repairs the right way
    • Insurance companies writing garbage photo estimates, mailing checks directly to customers to avoid supplements, and then blaming shops for the chaos
    • Labor rates being CUT while tech shortages get worse
    • Adjusters arguing repairs without ever seeing the damn vehicle
    • “Profit calculators” that magically make your profit disappear
    • DRP scare tactics that manipulate customers into thinking independent shops are risky
    • Endless hours of unpaid admin work forced onto shops because insurance companies eliminated adjusters
    But this episode goes deeper into culture, leadership, and the bitch generation that cannot survive in a real shop environment. Jim and Kevin call out weak work ethics, victim mentalities, and the fantasy-land expectations younger techs walk in with.

    At the same time, they break down what REAL leadership looks like inside Motor City: structure, autonomy, accountability, standards, loyalty, and taking care of the guys who earn it. No fake praise. No trophies. Just grown-ass men doing real work for real money.

    If you run a shop, manage techs, work in the industry, or simply want the truth behind the bullshit this is the episode you send to everyone.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/repair-shop-reckoning--6688688/support.
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    1 h y 9 m
  • From Beef to Breakthrough: Flat Rate Bad Leadership & Why Shops Are Bleeding Techs

    From Beef to Breakthrough: Flat Rate Bad Leadership & Why Shops Are Bleeding Techs
    Dec 8 2025
    This one started with a viral TikTok clip, a little heat, and a whole lot of misunderstanding but instead of hiding behind keyboards, we did what grown men are supposed to do when Kevin picked up the phone. And then invited them onto Repair Shop Reckoning.

    In this episode Kevin sits down with Mr MasterTech and Chris MF Craig two guys who had every reason to throw shots at each other online and we hash out what is really broken in this industry. No filters. No corporate polish. No pretending.

    We dig into the truth behind flat rate, dealership leadership failures, parts shortages, warranty disasters, and why both techs and shop owners feel like they are getting screwed from every direction. Dustin opens up about how he clawed his way from poverty to becoming one of the most skilled transmission guys around. Chris breaks down the advisor and technician disconnect that destroys shops from the inside. And Kevin tells the unvarnished truth about what it actually takes to lead a shop, protect your people, stay profitable, and not lose your damn mind.

    This conversation proves one thing Men with grit can disagree, debate, and still shake hands like professionals if they are not scared to talk face to face.

    And trust me. We go deeper, darker, and more real than anything the comments section has ever seen.

    Inside This Episode
    -The TikTok beef that turned into one of the best conversations we have ever had
    -Why dealership flat rate is broken beyond repair
    -What customers never admit and why it costs shops thousands
    -How bad leadership ruins technicians long before flat rate ever does
    -Real stories of comebacks, blown engines, sand dune idiots, and it was not me liars
    -Why independent shop owners must stay profitable to protect their people
    -The truth about warranty times, advisor pay plans, and manufacturer games
    -What real accountability and real culture actually look like

    If you are sick of corporate spin, fake influencers, and soft takes from people who have never held a wrench, this episode will hit you right between the eyes.

    Three men. One podcast. Zero bullshit. This is how you Change The Industry. One honest conversation at a time.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/repair-shop-reckoning--6688688/support.
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    1 m
  • Why Weak Men Quit: A Peak Inside Our Shop Culture

    Why Weak Men Quit: A Peak Inside Our Shop Culture
    Nov 28 2025
    This one is for the keyboard warriors and the men that are soft as tissue. The TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE...BUT FIRST IT WILL PISS YOU OFF. Or if you are our type of people it will make you laugh your ass off. We sure had a ton of fun recording it.

    In this episode Kevin brings in two of his own, Phil at the front counter and Jake the Marine turned mechanic, to pull the curtain back on what really happens inside their shop and why weak men do not last there very long.

    For everyone in the comments screaming toxic culture and bad boss because they saw a clip where Kevin said get your head out of your ass or watched the alignment guy walk out this is the answer. Not from internet experts but from the guys who actually work there every day.

    Phil and Jake talk about the constant stream of techs who oversell themselves in the interview then fold the first time someone calls them on their work. The front end specialist who could not set a steering wheel straight. The kid who said he could drive stick but could not get a truck onto a lift. The loop tech who ignored clear instruction and cracked a coolant filter then quit when it got hard.

    They break down what real accountability looks like in a shop that charges serious money and refuses to send junk out the door. You will hear the story of the loose tie rod that fell apart after a decline, how they owned it, paid the tow, fixed it right, and why you have to know your numbers and charge properly if you want to be able to stand behind your mistakes like that.

    You will also hear what real culture sounds like when you are not hiding behind HR talking points. Snowball fights in the lot. Pranks and sarcasm that fly in every direction. Busting each others chops and then dropping everything to help a coworker or a customer in a bind. They talk about the homeless guy sleeping in a customer bus, the lady with the mold filled coach and a short week in the hospital, the guy who paid dirt cheap for a liftgate and got exactly what he paid for.

    Underneath all the jokes is a simple message...

    Weak men quit because they cannot handle standards, can not handle correction, and can not handle the pressure of being responsible for heavy equipment rolling down the road. Strong men stay, grow, and laugh through the chaos because they know the difference between abuse and accountability.

    If you are a shop owner or a tech who is tired of being lectured about your tone by people who have never held a wrench this episode will feel like home. If you think reading a wiring diagram is toxic or believe every hurt feeling is a safety violation this episode will probably piss you off.

    Either way you will finally get a real peek inside their shop culture from the only people qualified to talk about it.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/repair-shop-reckoning--6688688/support.
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    1 h y 8 m
  • The Brutal Reality Every Shop Owner Needs to Hear Right Now

    The Brutal Reality Every Shop Owner Needs to Hear Right Now
    Nov 21 2025
    Buckle up because this one comes in hot. Kevin sits down with Check Engine Chuck for a brutally honest, no filters allowed conversation about what is really happening inside repair shops today. And it hits every nerve in the industry.

    This episode does not just talk about soft techs or generational gaps. It digs into the harsh truth that most techs never see and most owners are too scared to say. From the pressure of being the one who has to make the final call, to the nonstop BS of inflated resumes, fake specialists, and new hires who collapse the first time you hold them accountable, Kevin and Chuck break it all wide open.

    They dive into why shop culture has gotten weak, why pride in the trade is disappearing, and why too many owners sabotage themselves by not trusting the systems they built. They talk real ownership, real responsibility, and the real difference between being tough and being toxic.

    This episode is a warning, a wake up call, and a punch in the mouth for anyone who needs to hear it. It is honest, it is raw, and it is exactly what the industry has been avoiding for far too long.

    Stories You Will Hear in This Episode:
    • Why owning a shop means the buck always stops with you
    • The truth about techs who claim they are specialists but cannot back it up
    • The collapse of shop culture when no one can take criticism
    • What accountability actually looks like in a real shop
    • Why pride and grit still matter more than certifications
    • How owners destroy their own businesses by overriding their systems
    • What separates the techs who survive from the ones who crumble
    • The real reason shops are struggling to find and keep good people


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/repair-shop-reckoning--6688688/support.
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    1 h y 22 m
  • The Collision Game Is Rigged and How Shops Are Paying the Price

    The Collision Game Is Rigged and How Shops Are Paying the Price
    Nov 14 2025
    Buckle up because this week Kevin and Jason crack open the ugly truth behind the collision repair industry, and it’s a full-on reckoning.

    Kevin goes off on how insurance companies have hijacked the business by setting prices, dictating parts, and forcing shops into losing money on every “approved” repair. From fake adjusters behind desks to clueless inspectors who’ve never turned a wrench in their life, the industry’s gone off the rails.

    They dive deep into how independent collision shops are being crushed by corporate control, fake “prevailing wage” surveys, and AI-driven desk estimates written by people who couldn’t tell a fender from a file cabinet. Kevin lays out real-world examples that will make any shop owner’s blood boil. From motorhomes patched with bondo to adjusters arguing over $600 supplements after promising to pay.

    But this isn’t just a rant, it’s a roadmap. Kevin shares how he’s outsmarting the system by expanding into trailer repair, sandblasting, and parts sales to keep profit margins alive while others drown in red tape.

    Stories You’ll Hear in This Episode:
    • Why collision shops are going broke faster the harder they work
    • How insurance “desk adjusters” and AI estimates are wrecking the trade
    • Real examples of fraud, cheap parts, and complete industry insanity
    • Why Kevin refuses to cut corners — even when insurance pushes shops to do it
    • The $90,000 engine story that proves doing it right still matters
    • How adding trailer repair saved Motor City Truck Collision from the chaos


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/repair-shop-reckoning--6688688/support.
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    52 m
  • Marriage, Mayhem & Motor Oil: 29 Years of Wrenching on Life with Marilyn Brown

    Marriage, Mayhem & Motor Oil: 29 Years of Wrenching on Life with Marilyn Brown
    Nov 7 2025
    This one’s personal.

    In this special episode of Repair Shop Reckoning, Kevin sits down with his wife of 29 years, Marilyn Brown. The woman who’s been there since the beginning. From beer bottles at Frigate’s in Walled Lake to building a family, surviving broke-as-hell Christmases, and running businesses together, nothing’s off-limits in this conversation.

    They dive into the real side of marriage and entrepreneurship — the fights, the forgiveness, and the funny-as-hell moments that kept them going. Marilyn opens up about raising kids, dealing with exes, working her way up in corporate life, and eventually running the backend of Kevin’s shops. Together, they break down what it really takes to stay married, stay sane, and stay in business when life keeps throwing punches.

    You’ll laugh, you’ll shake your head, and you might even feel a little better about your own chaos.

    Because at the end of the day success, marriage, and business all come down to the same rule: work your ass off, tell the truth, and don’t hold grudges.

    Topics Covered:
    • The wild story of how Kevin and Marilyn met (and the beer bottle incident 🤕)
    • What it’s really like being married to a mechanic-turned-business owner
    • Parenting, adoption, and surviving blended-family chaos
    • The early days of being broke and building from nothing
    • Why communication (and not giving a damn what people think) saves marriages and businesses
    • Payroll screwups, scammers, audits, and the emotional roller coaster of owning a shop
    • The difference between loyalty and permission in relationships and leadership
    • Why feelings don’t belong in management meetings


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/repair-shop-reckoning--6688688/support.
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    1 h y 16 m
  • From the Bay to the Barn: The Dealer Tech Who Built His Own Damn Shop

    From the Bay to the Barn: The Dealer Tech Who Built His Own Damn Shop
    Oct 31 2025
    What happens when a dealership tech decides he’s done turning wrenches for someone else and builds his own shop from the ground up?

    In this episode, Kevin Brown sits down with Donovan from Cypress Ridge Automotive, a former Ford dealership tech who walked away from the flat rate life, built a shop in his backyard, and turned it into a thriving business.

    The two dig into what it really takes to go from tech to business owner, the learning curve, the emotional rollercoaster, and the financial gut punches no one warns you about.

    From six liters and CP4 disasters to dealing with one time use bolts, credit card fees, and bullshit warranty times, Kevin and Donovan get real about the chaos, the craftsmanship, and the cost of doing business in today’s repair world.

    They also dive into the industry’s bigger problems, overpriced diesel repairs, bad engineering, tech turnover, and the dealerships that still don’t get it, while comparing old school wrenching to the tech heavy future of EVs and Tesla simplicity.

    If you’ve ever thought about going out on your own, this episode is your wake up call. Donovan proves you can do it, but only if you’re willing to bet on yourself, learn your numbers, and build something that lasts.

    Topics Include:
    • Leaving the dealership grind and starting from zero
    • Learning business before taking the leap
    •The emotional reality of owning a shop
    • Diesel repair chaos and one time use parts
    • Flat rate vs hourly pay, what really works
    • Taking care of your team and knowing your numbers
    • Why EVs are setting the new standard for simplicity
    • And why letting customers bring their own parts makes you a dumbass

    This one’s for the guys in the bay, the owners sweating payroll, and the ones bold enough to build something of their own.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/repair-shop-reckoning--6688688/support.
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    1 h y 1 m
  • Retire Rich or Die Wrenching? Real Talk on Money, Generational Wealth, and Getting Out of the Game

    Retire Rich or Die Wrenching? Real Talk on Money, Generational Wealth, and Getting Out of the Game
    Oct 24 2025
    In this hard-hitting episode of Repair Shop Reckoning, Kevin sits down with Travis Smith, his financial advisor for the past 9 years, a trusted partner in planning the future of both his companies and his team.

    If you’re a shop owner, blue-collar entrepreneur, or hard-working technician wondering what retirement will really look like, this conversation will hit home. Kevin and Travis break down what no one is talking about in the industry: how to retire with dignity not with regret. From SIMPLE IRAs and compound interest to the generational wealth gap and boomer transitions, this episode dives deep into:

    -The real math behind retirement (spoiler: Social Security won't cut it)

    -Why most shop owners fail their people by avoiding long-term financial planning

    -How Gen X and Millennials can catch up and still build real wealth

    -What Kevin is doing differently to make sure his team actually retires

    -How to set up your business to run without you—and be worth selling

    -Why giving 10% equity to his top guys was the smartest move Kevin ever made

    -Why Travis believes most advisors are failing their clients

    -And what happens when AI, inflation, and aging boomers collide

    There’s strategy. There’s history. There’s straight-up truth about legacy, money, and what happens when the old guard starts stepping out leaving businesses behind for the next generation. Whether you're 22 or 62, if you don't know what you're doing with your money... you're already losing.

    📢 This is a must-watch for shop owners who want to keep their people, build something that lasts, and get out without burning it all down.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/repair-shop-reckoning--6688688/support.
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    1 h y 14 m