{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Jaded Mechanic Podcast","title":"Can a Technician Become the Boss and Still Fight for Techs? with Josh Farris","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/413ec9ac\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":7635,"description":"In this episode, Jeff is with Josh Farris, a Mini Cooper dealership technician from Grand Rapids, Michigan, to talk about diagnostics, dealership life, flat rate pay, and career growth. Josh shares his journey from working on a 1995 Lumina to gaining experience at independent shops, Volkswagen, Lexus, and Mini. They discuss electrical and CAN bus diagnostics, corrosion, warranty work, dispatching, advisor training, and the impact of low paying work on technician morale. The conversation also covers why technicians should be paid for DVIs and inspections, how tool costs can create unnecessary pressure, and why strong communication and integrity matter in automotive repair. Josh also shares his goal of moving into leadership so he can advocate for technicians while helping shops remain profitable.\nTimestamps:\n00:00 Why Diagnostics Matter\n00:50 Podcast Intro and ASTA Trip\n01:18 Josh Joins Mini Dealer Life\n03:49 Mini Electrical Nightmares\n04:52 Early Tinkering Origins\n06:00 First Big Fix: Lumina\n07:23 Apprenticeship and Licensing Path\n08:57 Host First Car Story\n11:51 Mods and CAN Bus Problems\n13:21 Shop Shutdown to Dealership Track\n16:27 Pay Gaps and Flat Rate Reality\n18:51 Lexus vs. German Engineering\n25:15 Warranty Time Controversy\n34:01 Advisor Training and DMS Struggles\n37:31 Advisor Knowledge Gap\n39:31 Train Advisors First\n40:50 Bad Explanations Hurt Trust\n42:52 Selling Without Division\n45:36 Flat Rate Pay Stress\n55:21 Stop Doing Freebies\n58:34 Becoming the Mini Lead\n01:03:25 Advocacy Through Communication\n01:05:38 DVIs and Getting Paid\n01:08:33 Tools Over Toolboxes\n01:15:15 Warranty and Brand Hype\n01:19:14 Tool Brand Stigma\n01:20:05 Removing Tool Barriers\n01:21:09 Five Year Career Goals\n01:22:29 Confidence in Diagnostics\n01:24:09 Getting Humbled\n01:26:38 Management Stress and Advocacy\n01:29:31 Customer Communication Matters\n01:31:54 Dealer vs. Independent Path\n01:35:11 Training and AI Shift\n01:38:54 AI Limits and Reality\n01:44:52 Building Diagnostic Talent...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/Sk2Cxg758d7EdB1ogJfG9vxVkVeo1MgDWAiF0B9gSYw/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzQxMjAxLzE2ODI4/OTE3NjctYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}