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What drives innovation in the automotive aftermarket? For Anuj Gupta, business line digital North America at ZF Aftermarket, it starts with curiosity and a willingness to spend time in the field discovering real problems.

In this episode, Anuj Gupta, business line digital North America at ZF Aftermarket, shares ZF's approach to innovation—grounded in customer research, diverse perspectives, and the philosophy that innovation isn't optional in today's fast-moving industry.

Gupta explains why companies need people with different backgrounds bringing fresh perspectives to the table, the role curiosity plays in solving compelling problems, and how ZF is expanding beyond parts to become a full-ecosystem partner for shops.

Your trajectory isn't determined by how skilled you are — it's determined by how you think. In this episode, recorded at AAPEX, Chris Messer (executive vice president of Endeavor B2B's Transportation Group) and Mike Jones (founder of Discover Leadership Training) sit down to discuss the mindset shifts that separate thriving industry leaders from those stuck in park.

In this conversation, they explore the power of surrounding yourself with the right people, why embracing change is non-negotiable in today's industry, and how to move from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset.

If you're ready to stop blaming circumstances and start owning your growth, this episode is for you.

What's really happening in the automotive aftermarket right now? Mike Chung, senior director, market intelligence at the Auto Care Association. He digs into the data to reveal the trends that matter most to shop owners and auto parts distributors.

In this episode, held at AAPEX, we explore tariff impacts on parts supply, inflationary pressures on consumer purchasing, and a surprising shift in tire buying habits: why consumers are trading down to lower-tier brands and what that means for premium manufacturers' long-term customer loyalty. We also discuss delayed maintenance patterns, substitutionary product purchases, and what the data is forecasting for 2026.

If you're trying to understand your customers' behavior and make smarter business decisions, this conversation cuts through the noise and gets to what the numbers actually reveal about the health and direction of the industry.

In this episode, Aftermarket All-Access host Chris Jones speaks with Courtney Pedler, founder and CEO of Autology Data Management Group and Chair of the Automotive Content Professionals Network, about the unsung work that keeps the aftermarket running smoothly. Starting her career in Salt Lake City as a parts delivery driver, Pedler spent 25 years working in data and content management before launching her own business—discovering that the true backbone of the industry isn't flashy or glamorous, it's precise.

Pedler discusses the professionalization of the automotive aftermarket, the critical need to attract young people to the industry (not just as technicians, but across all career paths), and why "right to repair" legislation is essential for technician opportunity.

She also addresses the paradox of an increasingly skilled repair industry that needs to balance professional development with the gritty authenticity that defines blue-collar work. Whether you're a business owner, counter professional, or curious about the hidden infrastructure of modern automotive retail, this conversation reveals where the real work gets done.

In Episode 5 of our Endeavor 2 Discover series, Chris Messer, Executive Vice President of Endeavor Business Media's Transportation Group, is joined by Mike Jones, President and CEO of Discover Leadership, along with special guest Randy O'Connor, Principal President of D2D Development (and self-proclaimed Chief Outcome Officer).

Today's focus is on the power of focusing on the outcome—a foundational principle that transforms how leaders manage teams, relationships, and personal goals. When everyone is aligned on the same outcome, you're no longer wandering down any road; you're taking the one direct path to success.

In this episode, host Chris Jones sits down with Steve Tucker, president of Automotive Parts Associates, to explore his journey from rebuilding his first car as a teenager to leading one of the automotive aftermarket's most important associations. Steve shares how his family's deep roots in the automotive industry shaped his philosophy of mentorship, hands-on leadership, and genuine care for people.

He also discusses the challenges facing warehouse distributors today—from managing explosive inventory growth to finding motivated talent—and reveals how data analytics and AI are reshaping the industry. He explains APA's role in bridging the gap between suppliers and independent warehouse distributors, and collaboration and leadership development in the industry is more important than ever.

In Episode 4 of our Endeavor 2 Discover series, Chris Messer, Executive Vice President of Endeavor Business Media's Transportation Group, is joined once again by Mike Jones, President and CEO of Discover Leadership.

Today's topic is all about the I Will Attitude. Chris and Mike explore how powerless words like "I think I can" lack the energy needed to truly overcome challenges, while "I will" creates the mindset and muscle memory of a champion. They discuss how this language shift impacts team culture, how practicing like a champion helps you play like one, and why hope is not a strategy when it comes to personal accountability and delivering results.

In this episode, Ted Hughes discusses what makes the AWDA Annual Conference, held November 2-3 in Las Vegas, one of the most important gatherings for warehouse distributors and suppliers in the aftermarket industry.

At its core are the one-on-one meetings—the lifeblood of the event—where suppliers and distributors connect directly to build relationships, negotiate partnerships, and drive real business outcomes. Ted walks us through what attendees love about it, and why warehouse distributors looking to strengthen supplier relationships, suppliers seeking to expand their channel presence, or someone new to the aftermarket, should be at the AWDA Annual Conference.