Advertise on podcast: PodCrash with Matt Ebert

John McDonald grew up in a single-wide trailer with no plan, joined the Navy, and eventually started FABTECH Solutions out of a Buick Lucerne with a toolbox and negative four thousand dollars in the bank. Today he runs a seven-figure service business and just wrote the book Million Dollar Service Startup to help other operators skip the decade of trial and error it took him to figure it out. In this conversation, Matt and John get into what it actually takes to build a service business that lasts, why answering the phone is still a competitive advantage, and the moment John realized he had to stop doing every job himself if he ever wanted to grow. They also swap newspaper route stories, talk about why the best employees don't always have the best resumes, and John makes a case for why college might actually require more self-discipline than the military. Follow John McDonald on Instagram @johnmcdonaldjr99 and grab his book Million Dollar Service Startup on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0bGXQ2sm Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of PodCrash, Matt sits down with racing legend Mario Andretti to talk about what it really takes to win at the highest level for decades. Mario reflects on a career spanning more than 900 races and over 100 wins, and why he never had a backup plan once he committed to racing. He shares how passion, confidence, and early wins shaped his mindset, and why he believes mediocrity is one of the biggest threats to any team or business. They also get into what separates great teams from average ones, how to handle risk and fear in high-stakes environments, and why surrounding yourself with the right people is the only way to consistently perform at a high level. Mario explains how the same principles that win races apply directly to business, leadership, and building something that lasts. Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of PodCrash, Matt Ebert sits down with Nick Sonnenberg, founder and CEO of Leverage, to break down why most businesses feel busy but struggle to make real progress. Nick shares how small inefficiencies like email, meetings, and disorganized systems quietly drain thousands of hours from teams every year and why the real problem isn’t effort, it’s how your business is structured. He explains his “return on time” framework, how to identify where time is being lost, and the simple changes that can give leaders and teams hours back every week. They also get into what happens when a company grows too fast without the right systems, how Nick rebuilt his business after losing a co-founder, and why the best operators focus less on working harder and more on building systems that scale. Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of PodCrash, Matt Ebert sits down with former Marvel CEO Peter Cuneo, the executive credited with helping turn Marvel around when the company was on the brink of collapse. Cuneo shares the leadership decisions that helped stabilize the company, rebuild its strategy, and set the foundation for what would eventually become one of the most valuable entertainment brands in the world. They talk about what it’s really like to step into a struggling company, how leaders make tough decisions when everything is on the line, and why discipline, focus, and culture matter more than flashy ideas when rebuilding a business. Cuneo also reflects on the lessons he learned guiding Marvel through its turnaround and what leaders can take from that experience when trying to rescue or grow a company today. Follow Peter and order his new book here: https://www.petercuneo.com/ Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of PodCrash, Matt Ebert sits down with Robert Herjavec for a wide-ranging conversation about entrepreneurship, risk, and what it really takes to build a successful business. Robert shares the story of coming to North America as an immigrant with his parents, growing up poor, and the mindset that drove him to succeed. He and Matt discuss the blue-collar work ethic that shaped both of their careers, the importance of sales and communication in business, and why the best product doesn’t always win. They also talk about Robert’s long-running role on Shark Tank alongside investors like Mark Cuban, including a memorable conversation where Cuban revealed that even at 12 years old he already knew he wanted to become a billionaire and own a basketball team. Robert contrasts that with his own motivation growing up: he simply didn’t want to stay poor. Robert also shares one of the most meaningful moments of his life and the best purchase he ever made: buying his father the Cadillac he had always dreamed of owning after immigrating and working blue-collar jobs to support the family. Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What actually limits growth in a business? In this episode of PodCrash, Matt sits down with Dr. Alan Barnard, one of the world’s leading experts on the Theory of Constraints, to break down why most companies stay stuck even when everyone is working hard. They discuss bottlenecks, decision making, why multitasking hurts performance, and how leaders can identify the single constraint that truly drives results. If you run a business, manage a team, or feel like progress is harder than it should be, this conversation will change how you think about improvement and growth. Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of PodCrash, Matt concludes the Ask Matt Anything series from the Crash Champions Leadership Summit. He responds to a candid question about a potential location closure, leadership under pressure, and communicating uncertainty with employees. Matt also breaks down his approach to recruiting talent and reveals the standing offer he makes to every Crash Champions team member. Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In honor of Valentine’s Day, Matt is joined by his wife, Mandi, for an honest conversation about what it’s really like to build a family while building a fast-growing company. They talk about how their relationship started, the early days of Crash Champions, and how the demands of leadership have shaped their home life over the years. Mandi shares her perspective on travel, raising kids while Matt’s role grew bigger, and what it takes to keep a family grounded when work never fully turns off. To close things out, Danny puts Matt and Mandi in the hot seat with a lighthearted round of “Who’s More Likely,” and explores whether Matt’s habits at the office show up at home too. Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Crash Champions looks ahead to the year to come, CEO Matt Ebert hits the floor at CES 2026 to see what’s shaping the future of the industry. Filmed live from the show, Matt and Danny walk through the latest in automotive technology, AI, and connected vehicles, breaking down what innovations actually matter and which trends leaders should approach with caution. They discuss how technology is changing the way businesses operate, what it means for training and workforce development, and how Crash Champions prepares for rapid change without losing focus on people. Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part Two of our Ask Matt Anything series, Crash Champions CEO Matt Ebert tackles a question every manager is facing right now: how do you lead and motivate Gen Z employees? After answering the question at the Leadership Summit, Matt and Danny head back to the PodCrash studio to unpack the idea that “kids these days don’t want to work.” They talk through where that mindset comes from, what younger workers actually value, and how leaders can bridge the gap when multiple generations are working side by side in the same shop or office. Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve got one final gift for you: a compilation of the best moments from our first year of PodCrash. Hear inspiring stories and practical advice from guests like Daymond John, Anthony Scaramucci, Jesse Itzler, Gervon Dexter, Jermaine Johnson, and more. Thanks for being part of the journey. We’ll see you in 2026. Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when the CEO steps into the hot seat? At the 2025 Crash Champions Leadership Summit, Matt Ebert opened the floor for employees to ask him anything — and they did. In Part One, Matt talks about how Crash Champions is creating opportunities for women in the collision repair industry, and how hosting PodCrash has changed the way he leads every day. Stay tuned for Part Two, coming soon. Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/ https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/ Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of PodCrash, Matt Ebert sits down with New York Jets linebacker Jermaine Johnson for an unfiltered conversation about grit, faith, and rebuilding after setbacks. From starting at a junior college and appearing on Last Chance U to becoming a first-round NFL draft pick, Jermaine’s story is a masterclass in perseverance. He opens up about flunking out of high school, finding his footing at Independence Community College, learning accountability, and how faith and discipline helped him transform both on and off the field. Jermaine also opens up about fatherhood, faith, and redefining success beyond football, sharing how he’s preparing for life after the NFL, and what it means to him to be a great dad above all else. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of PodCrash: Darnell Epps spent 17 years in prison, earned his way into Cornell and Yale Law School, and trained as a machinist to understand the workforce from the ground up. He joins Crash Champions CEO Matt Ebert to talk mentorship, second chances, the future of the trades, and how Thurgood Industries is helping rebuild America’s workforce. A powerful episode for shop owners, foremen, and anyone who believes grit can change a life. Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/ https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/ Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this first episode of a special PodCrash series, Crash Champions CEO Matt Ebert connects the dots between building a billion-dollar business and building an NFL career. Chicago Bears defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. joins Matt for an honest conversation about leadership, accountability, and what it means to grow through change. Gervon explains how he adjusted to new leadership under Head Coach Ben Johnson and Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen, why his chemistry with teammates like Montez Sweat is key to the Bears’ future, and how the defense has found its rhythm through communication and trust. He also opens up about fatherhood, staying grounded through tough stretches, and the mindset shift that helped him go from rookie to impact player. Want more Matt in your life? Of course you do! (https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC) (https://twitter.com/mattebertcc/) (https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/) Get paid while you learn on the job at Crash Champions: https://step.crashchampions.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices