x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

The Independent Dealer Podcast

Jeff Watson & Luke Godwin

A podcast for Independent Used Car Dealers to get help on how to improve their dealerships and their life. As current used car dealers, Luke and Jeff find the best advice from industry experts and other successful dealers. If you want to learn and grow your business with like minded used car dealers tune in each week. "Dealers Helping Dealers"

leisure automotive

All Episodes

00:05:35

#15 - Monday Minute | How to Calculate Cost Per Sale...

The Independent Dealer Podcast ·

2026/04/13

Welcome to the Monday Minute, brought to you by Podium — your weekly reset to lead better, think clearer, and build your independent dealership with intention.Most independent car dealers think they're tracking their advertising. But if you're measuring leads, clicks, and phone calls — you're tracking activity, not results. And activity doesn't pay the bills. Car sales do.In this episode, Luke and Jeff break down the shift every used car dealer needs to make: stop measuring leads per

en

00:40:30

#426 - AI Bots in the Dealership: How to Use Them...

The Independent Dealer Podcast ·

2026/04/09

In this episode of the Independent Dealer Podcast, Jeff Watson and Luke Godwin sit down with Maggie Pugesek, Partner at C&M Coaching, to talk about one of the most misunderstood tools in the dealership right now — AI bots. From lead response and after-hours coverage to the ways salespeople are accidentally killing bot-set appointments, this conversation breaks down how to use AI as a sales asset without losing the human connection that closes deals. What You'll Learn:Why AI bots are a

en

00:04:41

#14 - Monday Minute | How Independent Car Dealers...

The Independent Dealer Podcast ·

2026/04/06

Welcome to the Monday Minute, brought to you by Podium — your weekly reset to lead better, think clearer, and build your independent dealership with intention.Most independent car dealers are running entirely on memory. Every process, every answer, every decision lives in one person's head. And that works fine — until you try to grow.In this episode, Luke and Jeff break down why a policy and procedure manual is one of the most important tools an independent dealer can build. As your used car

en

00:28:24

#425 - Tax Season 2026 Recap: What Dealers Saw and...

The Independent Dealer Podcast ·

2026/04/02

In this episode of the Independent Dealer Podcast, Jeff Watson and Luke Godwin break down the reality of tax season 2026 — what dealers actually saw, why customers didn't show up the way they expected, and what you need to do right now before the slow season sets in. From voluntary surrenders and charge-off severity to aged inventory strategy and ad spend adjustments, this is the post-tax debrief every independent dealer needs.What You'll Learn:Why tax season 2026 underperformed for many

en

00:05:18

#13 - Monday Minute | Anti-Goals: What Smart Dealers...

The Independent Dealer Podcast ·

2026/03/30

Welcome to the Monday Minute, brought to you by Podium — your weekly reset to lead better, think clearer, and build your dealership with intention.Most dealers are great at setting goals. But the strongest operators? They're just as intentional about what they refuse to do.In this episode, Luke and Jeff introduce the concept of anti-goals — the strategic boundaries that protect your dealership from the mistakes that sink stores. From sketchy deals and bad inventory buys to compliance shortcuts

en

00:34:33

#424 - Reducing Repos with GPS Technology: What...

The Independent Dealer Podcast ·

2026/03/26

In this episode of the Independent Dealer Podcast, Jeff Watson and Luke Godwin sit down with an executive from Ituran to break down what's actually new in dealer GPS technology — and why most dealers are paying for tools they're barely using. From accident detection to automated payment integration, this one is packed with practical ways to cut repos, improve collections, and get more out of your GPS system.What You'll Learn:How modern GPS goes way beyond location tracking with critical

en

00:06:09

#12 - Monday Minute | 80% of Buyers Visit Your Site...

The Independent Dealer Podcast ·

2026/03/23

Welcome to the Monday Minute, brought to you by Podium — your weekly reset to lead better, think clearer, and build your dealership with intention.80% of your buyers visit your website before they ever set foot on your lot. That means your website isn't just marketing — it's your digital front door. And if it's cluttered, slow, or hard to navigate on a phone, you're already losing customers before the conversation even starts.In this episode, Luke and Jeff break down what a

en

00:27:13

#423 - AI vs. Traditional Marketing: Where Car...

The Independent Dealer Podcast ·

2026/03/19

In this episode of the Independent Dealer Podcast, Jeff Watson and Luke Godwin tackle one of the biggest questions in dealership marketing right now — are you betting on the right platforms? From TikTok to ChatGPT ads to AI automation, they break down how to tell the difference between a timeless investment and a trendy trap.What You'll Learn:Timeless vs. trendy marketing — how to know the differenceWhether AI search is replacing Google for car buyersHow to automate social media posting and

en

00:05:58

#11 - Monday Minute | Choosing a Dealer Management...

The Independent Dealer Podcast ·

2026/03/16

Welcome to the Monday Minute, brought to you by Podium — your weekly reset to lead better, think clearer, and build your dealership with intention. You can have the capital, the cars, and the customers — but without the right foundation, you're building on sand. In this episode, Luke and Jeff break down how to choose the right Dealer Management System for your operation. Your DMS is the backbone of your dealership — it handles your inventory, deals, collections, CRM, compliance, and more

en

00:39:11

#422 - From Curbstoner to Dealer: How One Young...

The Independent Dealer Podcast ·

2026/03/12

In this episode of the Independent Dealer Podcast, hosts Jeff Watson and Luke Godwin sit down with Fernando Vargas — a young independent dealer from Bakersfield, California who's been at it for 5 years and is ready to break through. They dig into his operation and get real about the inventory mistakes, recon bottlenecks, and one-man-band growing pains that are holding him back.What You'll Learn:Why over-buying is a trap — and how aged inventory quietly kills your cash flowWhich vehicles to

en

00:05:23

#10 | Monday Minute: Are You Fundable? How to Fund...

The Independent Dealer Podcast ·

2026/03/09

Welcome to the Monday Minute, brought to you by Podium — your weekly reset to lead better, think clearer, and build your dealership with intention. You know what you need. Now, where does the money come from? In this episode, Luke and Jeff break down the difference between chasing cash and building a case. Funding a startup dealership is not about passion — it is about preparation. Know your numbers, identify your funding sources, and sharpen your pitch before you walk into any lender's office

en

00:26:12

#421 - The Auto Cave Model: Parts, Process, &...

The Independent Dealer Podcast ·

2026/03/05

In this episode of the Independent Dealer Podcast, hosts Jeff Watson and Luke Godwin tour The Auto Cave in Dallas, Texas with Mitchell Briggs — a buy here pay here operation built around a focused inventory strategy, an on-site parts yard, and a relentless pursuit of margin. If you have ever felt squeezed on recon costs, this episode will change the way you think about your buy box.What You'll Learn:Why zeroing in on Hyundai and Kia transforms shop efficiency and parts availabilityHow to

en

00:05:06

#09 - Monday Minute | How to Build a Dealership...

The Independent Dealer Podcast ·

2026/03/02

Welcome to the Monday Minute, brought to you by Podium — your weekly reset to lead better, think clearer, and build your dealership with intention.Before you buy a single car or hire your first salesperson, build your dealership on paper. In this episode, Luke and Jeff break down why a proforma is not optional — it is your blueprint. If you do not know your numbers before you start, you will lose control after you start. Markets change, expenses shift, and grosses move. Disciplined dealers do not

en

00:33:18

#420: How Dealers Are Using AI to Automate Their Lot

The Independent Dealer Podcast ·

2026/02/26

In this episode of the Independent Dealer Podcast, hosts Jeff Watson and Luke Godwin dive into how AI is changing the way independent dealers run their day-to-day operations—from automating social media posts to handling leads without lifting a finger. They also get into the latest government pressure on the BHPH industry, what Elizabeth Warren's data request to NIADA actually means for dealers, and why market forces—not regulators—should be setting interest rates.What You'll Learn:- How

en

00:03:45

#08 - Monday Minute | Goal Setting Strategy for Auto...

The Independent Dealer Podcast ·

2026/02/23

Welcome to the Monday Minute, brought to you by our friends at Podium. The Monday Minute is your weekly reset to help you lead better, think clearer, and build your dealership with intention.Goal setting is the bridge between intention and execution. Without clear, measurable goals, your team drifts—chasing every shiny object instead of focusing on what really matters. In this episode, we break down how to set dealership goals that support your mission, create accountability, and drive real

en

00:47:35

#419 - Brandon Pagano's Turnaround: Staff, Profit &...

The Independent Dealer Podcast ·

2026/02/19

In this episode of the Independent Dealer Podcast, hosts Jeff Watson and Luke Godwin welcome back Brandon Pagano for his third check-in—tracking 20 months of real growth, challenges, and transformation at his independent dealership. Brandon shares honest insights on what's working, what's not, and how he built his best year yet.What You'll Learn:How Brandon achieved a "10/10 year" in profitability and growthStrategies for getting out of floor plan financing and reducing

en

00:04:16

#07 - Monday Minute | Core Values for Car Dealerships

The Independent Dealer Podcast ·

2026/02/16

Welcome to the Monday Minute, brought to you by our friends at Podium. The Monday Minute is your weekly reset to help you lead better, think clearer, and build your dealership with intention.Your core values shouldn't just be words on a poster—they should guide how your team shows up when deals get tight, customers get frustrated, and decisions cost you in the short term. In this episode, we break down how to define core values for your car dealership that actually shape your culture and

en

00:28:20

#418 - Tax Season Sales Tips for Car Dealers

The Independent Dealer Podcast ·

2026/02/12

In this episode of the Independent Dealer Podcast, hosts Jeff Watson and Luke Godwin break down essential strategies for maximizing tax season sales at your dealership. Tax season is your biggest opportunity of the year—but only if you execute properly.What You'll Learn:How to mine your database for approved-but-not-delivered customersWhy increasing down payments during tax season creates better dealsCollection strategies to maximize cash flow when customers have moneySmart inventory management

en

00:04:46

#06 - Monday Minute | Creating a Mission Statement...

The Independent Dealer Podcast ·

2026/02/09

Is your mission statement just words on a wall, or does it actually drive your dealership?In this week's Monday Minute, sponsored by Podium, Luke and Jeff dive into why your mission statement matters more than you think—and how to create one that actually reflects how you operate every single day.In this episode, you'll learn:Why your mission statement should evolve as your dealership growsThe one simple question every mission statement should answerHow to identify core values that your team

en

00:39:11

#417 - Auto Dealer Compliance & Attorney General...

The Independent Dealer Podcast ·

2026/02/05

In this episode of the Independent Dealer Podcast, hosts Jeff Watson and Luke Godwin sit down with compliance expert Steve Levine from Ignite Consulting to discuss the biggest compliance challenges facing auto dealers in 2025.What You'll Learn:Why state Attorney Generals are getting more aggressive with dealer enforcementHow to properly manage and document customer complaintsWhat constitutes a "complaint" and why it matters for your dealershipDocument retention requirements and best

en

451 results

Similar Podcasts

Expres Ráno

Expres FM

詭哭郎嚎

郎祖筠 & FMTaiwan製作團隊

Ron en Erik Podcast

Ron en Erik

Poor Man"s Pinball Podcast

Poor Men Ian and Drew

WeAreChange on Odysee

WeAreChange