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PodCrash with Matt Ebert

Matt Ebert

Matt Ebert, founder and CEO of Crash Champions, sits down with industry leaders to discover the powerful synergies between different walks of life and businesses. Matt believes in a Champions Mindset. It’s how he took a single collision repair shop and turned it into over 650 locations across the US. Listen in while he unlocks the thought processes of successful leaders, and learn how he Champions People to empower them to grow.

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May 19 · 56 min
Robinhood Co-Founder Baiju Bhatt on Building Big Ideas That Sound Crazy
In this episode of PodCrash, Matt Ebert sits down with Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of Robinhood, to talk about entrepreneurship, big ideas, and what it really takes to build something ambitious. Baiju reflects on the early days of Robinhood, hearing “no” from countless investors, and why the best founders often have an irrational belief in themselves before anyone else does. He explains why easy ideas are not actually easier, why dreaming small usually leads to building small, and how founders have to keep iterating until they find what works. They also get into what Baiju is building now with Cowboy Space Corporation (formerly Aetherflux), a company focused on creating a power grid in space and using satellites to beam solar energy and eventually power AI infrastructure. He shares why space has been a lifelong interest, why he wanted to take on another huge challenge, and how he thinks about risk, innovation, and building for the future.Follow Baiju and his company Cowboy Space Corps here: https://www.instagram.com/realbaijubhatt/?hl=en#https://www.instagram.com/cowboyspacecorp/?hl=enhttps://x.com/BaijuBhatthttps://x.com/CowboySpaceCorp 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/
- Transcript
May 12 · 52 min
How to Stop Making Bad Hires with Ryan Hogan
In this episode of PodCrash, Matt Ebert sits down with entrepreneur and Navy officer Ryan Hogan for a conversation about failure, leadership, hiring, and what it really takes to build something that works. Ryan shares how a rough start, a blown engine, and a push from his mom led him into the Navy, where he learned the discipline and focus that later shaped his career as an entrepreneur. He talks through the rise and fall of Run For Your Lives, what went wrong when the business took off too fast, and how those lessons helped him build Hunt A Killer into a $55 million company. They also get into product-market fit, why most companies misunderstand hiring, the value of peer groups and coaching, and why the right systems matter once a business starts to grow. 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/
- Transcript
May 11 · 47 min
What 42 Years in Baseball Taught Him About Leadership
In this episode of PodCrash, Matt Ebert sits down with Don Logan, president of the Las Vegas Aviators, for a conversation about leadership, longevity, and what it takes to build something that lasts. After more than four decades in professional baseball, Don shares what he has learned about culture, competition, community, and why doing things the right way still matters. He talks about the long road to bringing a new ballpark to Las Vegas, what makes a team and an organization successful over time, and why great leaders focus on results without losing sight of people. They also get into Vegas as a sports market, the business of baseball, building trust inside an organization, and why consistency, toughness, and humility still separate people over the long run. 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/
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May 5 · 1 hr 1 min
FBI Negotiator: Why Getting a "No" Is Better Than Getting a "Yes" with Chris Voss
Chris Voss spent 24 years at the FBI negotiating with terrorists, kidnappers, and bank robbers. Now he teaches business leaders, executives, and everyday people how to use those same skills to close deals, manage teams, and have better conversations at home. In this episode of PodCrash, Chris walks Matt through a real hostage standoff at a Chase Bank in Brooklyn, explains why the last impression matters more than the first, and breaks down the three negotiation types that explain why some people in your life drive you crazy. He also shares the five-word question that transforms demanding negotiations eight out of ten times, why getting a "no" is better than getting a "yes," and what it actually means to use tactical empathy without faking it. Follow Chris Voss on Instagram @thefbinegotiator and check out the Black Swan community at https://www.blackswanltd.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/
- Transcript
April 28 · 53 min
The Hidden Cost of Doing Business With Bad People with David Meltzer
In this episode of PodCrash, Matt Ebert sits down with entrepreneur and former sports executive David Meltzer for a conversation about business, leadership, and why the wrong people can quietly ruin everything you are trying to build. Using ideas from his book Don’t Do Business With Dicks, David breaks down how toxic people affect companies, why character matters more than an impressive resume, and how insecurity, ego, and poor judgment can lead to bad partnerships and bad decisions. He also talks about losing everything, rebuilding his life, and the habits that helped him become more disciplined, more self-aware, and more effective as a leader. Buy Dave's new book, Don't Do Business with Dicks, here: https://dontdobusinesswithdcks.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/
- Transcript
April 14 · 56 min
Why Most Service Businesses Never Hit $1 Million (and How to Get There) with John McDonald
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/
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April 7 · 48 min
Mario Andretti on Why Mediocrity Kills Great Teams
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/
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March 24 · 57 min
Why You’re Always Busy But Getting Nothing Done with Nick Sonnenberg
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/
- Transcript
March 17 · 1 hr 5 min
The CEO Who Saved Marvel From Bankruptcy | PodCrash
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/
- Transcript
March 10 · 1 hr 19 min
How Robert Herjavec Went from Immigrant Kid to Millions
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/
- Transcript
February 24 · 1 hr 3 min
Find the Bottleneck: The One Thing Killing Your Growth with Dr. Alan Barnard
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/
- Transcript
February 17 · 15 min
When a Location Faces Closure: CEO Answers the Tough Questions | Ask Matt Anything
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/
- Transcript
February 10 · 38 min
Building a Family While Building a Company with Mandi Ebert | A PodCrash Valentine's Special
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/
- Transcript
January 27 · 23 min
2026 Predictions from CES: What’s Coming Next for Cars and Business
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/
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January 13 · 16 min
What Leaders Get Wrong About Managing Gen Z | Ask the CEO Anything: Part Two
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/
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Dec 30, 2025 · 56 min
PodCrash Year One: Best Moments and Lessons
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/
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Dec 16, 2025 · 16 min
Employees Ask Crash Champions CEO Anything: Part One
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/
- Transcript
Dec 2, 2025 · 41 min
Jermaine Johnson on Overcoming Setbacks, Faith, and What Hard Work Really Means
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.
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Nov 18, 2025 · 53 min
From Prison to Yale to the Trades: How Darnell Epps is Creating New Pathways for Builders
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/
- Transcript
Nov 4, 2025 · 28 min
Built Different: What You Can Learn from Gervon Dexter’s Season (So Far)
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/
- Transcript

Showing 21–40 of 53 episodes