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Gearheads n' GasolineAuthor: Barry Alt & Annette Bauer
The Gearheads n Gasoline Podcast will be bringing you engaging, lighthearted yet informative conversations with market-leading Shop Owners, Shop Employees, and Automotive Enthusiasts from the Aftermarket, Restoration, Performance, and Racing Industries.Our hosts are Barry Alt with Motorhead Digital and Annette Bauer with Annette Bauer Creative.Well be exploring the journey of our guests, uncovering their achievements, challenges, and even failures, that were the driving forces behind their success!Whether youre joining us as a shop owner, an aspiring shop owner, racer, professional, creative or hardcore enthusiast - this podcast will be your pit stop for insightful discussions with influential figures from the automotive industry.Our goal is to entertain and educate listeners with real-life stories, lessons learned, and practical advice you can use.Gearheads n Gasoline - Fueling Your Success Language: en-us Genres: Automotive, Business, Leisure, Marketing Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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From Hot Rods to High-Stakes Careers: Transforming Lives with Aaron Valencia | S3 E3
Episode 3
Wednesday, 18 March, 2026
Send us Fan MailPowered by:➡️ Red Line Synthetic Oil: redlineoil.com➡️ AMD: autometaldirect.comIn this episode of Gearheads n’ Gasoline, host Barry Alt and guest co-host Jason Chandler from AMD sit down with Aaron Valencia, the visionary behind the Lost Angels Career Center, to discuss his incredible journey from the garage to the forefront of vocational advocacy. Aaron isn’t just teaching 18 to 24 year old's how to turn wrenches; he’s building a revolutionary model for workforce development that takes high-barrier, low-income young adults and turns them into elite technicians for companies like Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin.How do you go from running a high-end hot rod shop to building a pipeline for the automotive and aerospace industry?Aaron shares the pivotal moment at a local soup kitchen that changed his perspective on community service, leading him to transform his own shop into a learning hub. We dive into the "nuts and bolts" of his program, from the importance of paid training and "wraparound" support services to how he’s incorporating CAD, 3D printing, and digital tech to keep the trade relevant in a modern world.Whether you’re a shop owner looking for talent, an industry leader wanting to give back, or a gearhead who believes in the power of the trades, Aaron’s story is a masterclass in passion, perseverance, and purpose.Key Takeaways:The Pivot: How Aaron transitioned from a successful hot rod builder to a community advocateModern Trades: Why the "grease monkey" stereotype is dead and how digital tech (CAD/3D printing) is the new frontierThe "Work Ethic" Gap: Strategies for teaching punctuality, professionalism, and the "soft skills" industry partners craveThe Business of Giving: How to engage major sponsors and create win-win partnerships between education and industryScaling Success: Aaron’s plans for replicating this micro-training model across the countryDiversity in the Shop: Breaking barriers for women and single mothers in the automotive and aerospace sectorsGuest Bio:Aaron Valencia is a custom hot rod builder turned changemaker and the founder of Lost Angels Career Center. What started as an informal after-school hangout in his shop grew into a vocational program helping young adults gain industry-recognized skills in automotive restoration and advanced aerospace manufacturing. Through hands-on training and mentorship, Aaron is helping the next generation build careers and brighter futures. Guest:Aaron Valencia, Lost Angels Career Centerlostangelscp.orgfacebook.com/lostangelscpinstagram.com/lostangelscareercenterwww.youtube.com/@LostAngelsCareerCenterHost:Barry Alt, Motorhead Digitalmaximizesales@motorheaddigital.commotorheaddigital.comDon’t miss an episode from Gearheads n’ Gasoline!www.facebook.com/GearheadsNGasolinewww.instagram.com/gearheadsngasolinewww.linkedin.com/company/gearheadsngasolinewww.youtube.com/@GearheadsNGasolineYou can reach us at gngoperations@motorheaddigital.com
