From Angry and Burnt Out to Thriving with Joe Stokes

From Angry and Burnt Out to Thriving with Joe Stokes

Author: SLCAutoPodcast June 24, 2022 Duration: 48:21

Angry, burnt-out, and stuck. Those are some words that would describe where Joe Stokes found himself years ago. He was an incredible tech, made good money, and by all counts lived a good life, but he was miserable. He was angry. He was burnt out. His state became unbearable. He found himself forced to make a choice to either give in to the despair or somehow find a way to break free. Luckily, Joe found the way out, and in this powerful episode, he'll reveal how he did it and call you to do the same.

Joe Stokes has been in the auto industry for 20+ years. He is the District Manager for EuroFix, AutoFix, and Mike's Auto in Nashville TN.

Joseph’s Reading List

  • Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry
  • Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
  • The Road Less Stupid by Keith Cunningham
  • Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson
  • Radical Candor by Kim Scott
  • The Dichotomy of Leadership by Jocko Willink, Leif Babin
  • The Book of Joy by Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu
  • The Like Switch by Jack Schafer
  • The Ultimate Jim Rohn Library by Jim Rohn
  • The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
  • Leadership & Self Deception by The Arbinger Institute
  • How to win friends & influence people by Dale Carnegie
  • Who not How by Dan Sullivan
  • Crucial Confrontation by Kerry Patterson
  • Motive by Patrick Lencioni
  • The 5 dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
  • Leadership 2.0 by Travis Bradberry
  • How to do the work by Dr. Nicole LePera
  • The Tao of Seneca by Seneca/Tim Ferris
  • Exactly What to Say by Phil M Jones


Behind every thriving auto shop, dealership, or industry supplier, there's a story of how it got there. Success Leaves Clues: An Automotive Industry Podcast digs into those stories, moving past the myth of the solitary genius to explore how real growth happens through shared knowledge. Each conversation pulls back the curtain on the day-to-day realities and pivotal decisions that shape careers and businesses. You’ll hear from shop owners navigating expansion, technicians mastering their craft, service advisors building client trust, and the investors and vendors whose support keeps the entire ecosystem running. The dialogue gets into the specifics-the operational tweaks, the leadership challenges, the customer service philosophies-that actually move the needle. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a practical look at the automotive trade, built on the premise that the most valuable insights often come from someone who has already walked the path you're on. Tune in for honest, detailed conversations that feel more like a mentorship session than a broadcast, all focused on the tangible clues that lead to lasting results in this demanding field.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Success Leaves Clues: An Automotive Industry Podcast
Podcast Episodes
The Longest Closing Day Ever with Phil Webster [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:54
If you’ve ever purchased a shop, a house, or even a car, then you know that the closing table can sometimes be a bit tense, unnerving, and even have some surprises. Sometimes, just getting to the closing table can be a c…
The Real Reasons We Have A "Tech Shortage" with Lowell Greene [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:05
We've addressed the tech shortage topic from several angles here on the show, but this conversation truly surprised and inspired me. There are so many layers to the problem, so when you hear a unique perspective like the…
A Story From Someone Who Serves Us with Ryan Burton [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:06
First off, let's address the elephant in the studio: This episode features our friend Ryan Burton who is the founder of Leads Near Me, which is a sponsor of this show. But rest assured you, he paid NOTHING to be intervie…
Creating a Company Culture That Retains Great Techs with Phil Quillen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:55
It's a well-known fact that the auto repair industry that we are in the middle of a nationwide technician shortage. In my observation, there are shops that have faired better than others. These shops tend to focus on cre…
The Evolution of Roles with Eric & Brent Raber [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:10
There’s a saying that I really love, that I’ve lived by for many years. “Find a need and fill it”. This saying speaks to service, but also making room for yourself to grow. The employees and even owners that I’ve seen be…
Part 3 of 3: Become A Dependable and Powerful Leader with Joe Stokes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:50:34
This is the final part of an incredible 3 part series with our friend, the very wise, Joe Stokes who is the Regional Director for EuroFix, AutoFix, and Mike's Auto in Middle Tennessee. If you’ve missed parts one and two,…
Part 2 of 3: Become A Dependable and Powerful Leader with Joe Stokes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:43
Part two of this three-part series is focused on what it takes to open one (or more) stores at once. Joe Stokes, Regional Director for a fast-growing Middle Tennessee Auto Repair company, and I dive into how to find the…
Part 1 of 3: Become A Dependable and Powerful Leader with Joe Stokes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:44:10
Our guest this week is the amazing and very wise, Joe Stokes who is the district manager for EuroFix, AutoFix, and Mike's Auto in Middle Tennessee. This is Joe’s second time on the show and if you’ve not heard his first…
How to Shipwreck Your Shop with Ryan Blair [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:52
Having a shop is much like steering a large ship in new waters. Your crew is looking to you for leadership, your passengers trust you to do the right thing, and your family needs you to be successful. Without the right e…