I'm A Car Chick

Host Shasta Haddock sits down with Todd Smith, CEO of QoreAI and a lifelong "car guy," live at NADA 2026. Todd shares the pivotal moment in late 2024 when he realized AI agents were about to change everything—moving beyond simple chat to actually "using" computers to fill out forms and navigate sites. They discuss his new book, The Intelligent Dealership, and why the foundation of any AI strategy must be rock-solid data hygiene. Todd breaks down how Authenticom acts as the critical "go-between" for disparate data systems and why dealers who embrace these tools now will lead the industry in the years to come.#ImACarChick #NADA2026 #ToddSmith #CoreAI #TheIntelligentDealership #AIAgents #AutomotiveData

Host Shasta Haddock is joined by the one and only Michael Cirillo, host of The Dealer Playbook and a leading voice at ASOTU, live from the Authenticom booth at NADA 2026. Despite years of collaboration, this marks Michael’s first official appearance on the I’m a Car Chick podcast. In this candid conversation, Michael challenges the industry to drop the "negative vendor stigma," reminding everyone—from dealership staff to software providers—that "we are all vendors" working toward the same goal. They explore the power of intentionality in branding, the physical toll of a high-energy NADA week, and why the industry moves forward faster when everyone finds a common point of alignment.#ImACarChick #NADA2026 #MichaelCirillo #TheDealerPlaybook #ASOTU #AutomotiveLeadership #IndustryAlignment

Host Shasta Haddock welcomes back "four-timer" guest Matt Raymond, founder of Bow Tie Auto Solutions, live from the Authenticom booth at NADA 2026. In this high-energy reunion, Matt tackles the biggest misconception in the industry: that you can "set and forget" your BDC. He breaks down why a true partnership beats a standard vendor relationship every time, the importance of "showing up" for your dealers, and how to build a BDC that actually moves the needle on results. Plus, stay tuned for the lowdown on why Matt is trading Facebook for LinkedIn—and where you can find the best dad jokes in automotive.

Host Shasta Haddock welcomes Dimitrius Naylor, the "Equity King" and CEO of Dimitrius Naylor Consulting, to the I’m a Car Chick podcast live from NADA 2026. In this high-velocity episode, Dimitrius breaks down why the service drive is the most underutilized goldmine in the dealership. He dives into the "Service-to-Sales" transition, explaining how to identify high-equity customers and why the "equity" conversation is about more than just a monthly payment—it's about wealth management for the consumer. From fixing broken hand-off processes between fixed ops and sales to the mindset shift required to buy cars effectively from your own backyard, Dimitrius delivers a masterclass in modern dealership profitability.#ImACarChick #NADA2026 #DimitriusNaylor #ServiceToSales #EquityMining #FixedOps #AutoRetail #DealerStrategy

Host Shasta Haddock welcomes three-time guest Darrell Steed back to the I’m a Car Chick podcast live from the floor of NADA 2026 in Las Vegas. In this high-energy session, Darrell cuts through the "AI buzz" to address the real reason dealerships fail to execute: a lack of human connection and leadership involvement. He challenges the industry to shift its mindset from "selling cars" to "acquiring customers and vehicles," proving that a dedicated focus on the used car lane is the true engine behind new car growth. From fixing broken implementation processes to mining your own database of 100,000+ customers, Darrell delivers the "meat and potatoes" strategy dealers need to win in 2026.#ImACarChick #NADA2026 #DarrellSteed #UsedCarStrategy #CustomerAcquisition #DealersSuccess #AutoIndustry

Host Shasta Haddock is reunited with one of her favorite industry voices, Brooke C. Furniss, live at NADA 2026 in Las Vegas. After a year-long hiatus that left the industry asking "Where is Brooke?", the host of the Facts Not Feelings podcast pulls back the curtain on the reality of content burnout and the intense preparation required to stay at the top of the podcasting game. They discuss Brooke's upcoming relaunch in April, the shift toward "walk and talk" content, and why she’s traded the negative 30-degree weather for a fresh perspective on automotive digital marketing. If you’ve ever felt the pressure of the "content treadmill" or want to know what's next for one of the most "Googlable" women in automotive, this candid conversation is for you.#ImACarChick #NADA2026 #BrookeCFurniss #FactsNotFeelings #PodcastLife #AutomotiveMarketing #ContentStrategy

Host Shasta Haddock welcomes Bri Newman, CEO at HR4, to the booth at NADA 2026 for an inspiring conversation on the heartbeat of the dealership: the people. Bri shares her journey from speaking at the Women in Automotive conference to leading operations for a company dedicated to transforming human resources in the car business. They discuss why culture is the ultimate competitive advantage, how to build safe and empowering spaces for first-time speakers and employees, and the "refreshing energy" of industry connections. If you want to understand why your team is your most important asset and how to move from "HR as a headache" to "HR as a growth engine," this episode is for you.

Host Shasta Haddock sits down with Brad Parker live at NADA 2026 for a conversation a year in the making. From his roots in the yachting industry to building the "Venmo for peer-to-peer car sales," Brad explains how his latest technology is helping dealers tap into an unlimited source of growth: private seller acquisitions. They discuss why dealers must move beyond auction reliance, the importance of "incentivized" acquisition roles, and how to build a transactional workflow so simple that anyone can run it. If you want to grow a highly profitable inventory lane that your competitors are ignoring, this episode provides the blueprint for buying cars "off the street" faster and safer than ever.#ImACarChick #NADA2026 #BradParker #InventoryAcquisition #CarDealers #UsedCarStrategy #AutoTech

Host Shasta Haddock welcomes back industry veteran and leadership expert Glenn Pasch live at NADA 2026 in Las Vegas. In this deep-dive episode, Glenn discusses the impact of his book and new video series, You’re in Charge, Now What?, which helps leaders move beyond generalities to achieve true team alignment. They explore why "asking better questions" is the secret to uncovering the behaviors that drive results and how a lack of clarity is often the biggest hurdle for dealership teams. Glenn shares his philosophy on being a "cheerleader" for others in the industry and provides actionable advice for anyone looking to lead with more intention and empathy.#ImACarChick #NADA2026 #GlennPasch #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamAlignment #AutomotiveIndustry #ManagementTips

Host Shasta Haddock catches up with Drew Williams, Creative Director at Authenticom, for an off-the-cuff deep dive into the power of branding in the automotive industry. Live from NADA 2026, Drew shares his journey from a graphic design student to the mastermind behind Authenticom’s recognizable visual identity. They discuss why brand consistency is the "unfair advantage" for dealers and vendors alike, and how intentional design changes the way people perceive and do business. Drew also highlights the importance of authentic company culture, celebrating the recent promotion of team member Michelle and the genuine love the industry has for the people behind the tech.#ImACarChick #NADA2026 #Authenticom #BrandingStrategy #CreativeDirector #AutoIndustry #VisualIdentity

Host Shasta Haddock wraps up Day 1 at NADA 2026 with a high-impact conversation featuring Amberly Allen, a true automotive industry trailblazer and the force behind Dealer Merchant Services (DMS) powered by Priority. In this episode, Amberly breaks down the "meat and potatoes" of how dealers can stop leaving money on the table through cash discounting and smarter merchant service strategies. She warns about the serious legal audit ramifications and sales tax compliance issues for dealers trying to DIY their payment processing, emphasizing why a trusted partner is essential to avoid massive fines. Whether you are a dealer principal or a department manager, this episode is a wake-up call on reclaiming your bottom line while staying on the right side of the law.#ImACarChick #NADA2026 #AmberlyAllen #MerchantServices #DealerSavings #AutoIndustry #CarDealers