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Artwork for The Dealer Playbook

The Dealer Playbook

Michael Cirillo
Automotive Industry
Customer Experience
Artificial Intelligence
Electric Vehicles
Marketing Strategies
Leadership
Customer Service
Social Media Marketing
Social Media
Customer Engagement
NADA
Operational Efficiency
Leadership Development
Google Business Profile
Automotive Sales
Community Engagement
Automotive Marketing
Dealership Operations
Building a Dealership
Autofi

The Dealer Playbook is the podcast for serious automotive professionals. The ones who think beyond the transaction. Hosted by Michael Cirillo, now in its 12th year, The Dealer Playbook delivers straight-talk conversations with the dealers, operators, and leaders who are actually building something. If you run a store, lead a team, or are building a career worth having, this is your show. New episo... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes727Founded13 years ago
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EntrepreneurshipBusiness

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Artwork for The Dealer Playbook

Latest Episodes

This is one of those episodes where you'll want to pull up your own website halfway through.

Michael sits down with his neighbor, Wade of Kerzie.ai, to talk about why AI keeps skipping right past dealership websites. Wade's been tracking how fast se... more

Kevin Rudolph sold 64 cars in a month and worked 14 or 15 days to do it. He didn't chase ups, and he didn't wait on the BDC.

Kevin is a top-producing salesperson at a single-point Buick GMC store in rural northwest New Jersey. Before sales, he spent... more

Charlie Czerniawski, better known as Emcee Charlie, has spent more than two decades in automotive retail and built a significant following across Instagram and TikTok.

But this conversation is much bigger than follower counts.

Charlie explains how ... more

Hank Ebeling is the Owner and Lead Coach at H4 Training. With a background in the fitness industry and a deep understanding of hospitality, Hank has honed his skills in delivering exceptional customer experiences. His expertise has helped numerous sm... more

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Recent Guests

Wade Kerzie
Founder of Kerzie AI
Kerzie AI
Episode: “AI Can’t Find You” — Why AI Is Skipping Your Dealership Website | Wade Kerzie, Founder Kerzie AI
Kevin Rudolph
Sales Team Leader at Royal Buick GMC
Royal Buick GMC
Episode: “I Didn’t Have to Chase Ups” — Car Sales Systems Behind 64 Cars in 15 Days | Kevin Rudolph, Sales Team Leader at Royal Buick GMC
Charlie Czerniawski
Car Sales Manager, Sansone Toyota (guest on episode)
Sansone Toyota
Episode: “Stop Doing The Memes” — What Actually Works for Dealers on Social Media | Charlie Czerniawski, Car Sales Manager at Sansone Toyota
Rob Ruth
Pres. of Bob Ruth Ford; scaled pre-owned operation
Bob Ruth Ford
Episode: "Sold 300+ Used Cars" - This Ford Store Cracked The Used Car Game | Rob Ruth, President - Bob Ruth Ford
Travis Baldwin
VP at Best Deal Auto Sales; founder of Dealer Defender
Best Deal Auto Sales; Dealer Defender
Episode: "We Want To Actively Give Back" — An Independent Dealer On Trust Over Ad Spend | Travis Baldwin, Vice President at Best Deal Auto Sales
Andrea Anderson
Cadillac Sales Consultant
Andrews Cadillac, Brentwood, Tennessee
Episode: “What’s the Next Move” — How Top Car Sales People Stay Ahead of the Market | Andrea Anderson, Cadillac Sales Consultant
Matt Copley
Co-Founder & CRO of Hrizn
Hrizn
Episode: "1.8% Of Clicks Are Paid" - The Traffic Every Dealer Is Leaving On The Table | Matt Copley, Co-Founder & CRO of Hrizn
Raul Tomsa
Client Advisor at Motor Werks
Motor Werks
Episode: “Ten Cars Does Not Work” - The Habits Behind Higher Car Sales | Raul Tomsa, Client Advisor at Motor Werks
Gary LaDue
Marketing Director at Modern Auto (the episode presenter and guest)
Modern Auto
Episode: "We Solved a Huge Problem" — How This 17-Store Group Decides What to Fix First | Gary LaDue, Marketing Dir. Modern Auto

Host

Michael Cirillo
Host of The Dealer Playbook, a longtime operator-focused show

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 201 ratings
  • Dealer Playbook Delivers

    The Dealer Playbook is one of those podcasts that actually feels useful. Great conversations, real-world insight, and plenty of takeaways you can put to work in the dealership. Definitely worth a listen if you’re in the automotive business.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DealerDefender
    United Statesa month ago
  • Industry experts

    I only wish I would have found this podcast sooner

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rtomsa1
    United States2 months ago
  • Energy. Insights. Humor.

    Michael Cirillo is a fantastic host who brings energy, wit, and real knowledge of the dealer world to every conversation.

    I had a great time joining him on The Dealer Playbook to trade insights and also learn from his perspective.

    He asked sharp questions that pushed the discussion beyond surface-level marketing and into what really makes dealership events stand out.

    The episode covers everything from knowing your audience to elevating experiences through partnerships, sports lessons, and ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ORT D.Point
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great podcast

    Michael is an innovator in this industry and the messages he puts out are poignant for all within the auto world. This is a MUST FOLLOW for industry leaders like myself!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mike Wood, U of L
    United States2 years ago
  • 10/10 Love this Podcast!

    The Dealer Playbook is a fantastic podcast. If you’re in the automotive industry or an adjacent industry- listen to this podcast. There is so much helpful information that is shared and great guest speakers that shed light on the industry from a macro point of view and industry trends. Michael is an awesome host that brings good perspective, positivity and inspiration to this industry and his work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gabi Abinion
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests are consistently engaging, with actionable takeaways and practical storytelling.
The show is viewed as a credible resource for automotive leaders seeking real-world growth strategies.
Listeners describe the host as energetic, insightful, and deeply knowledgeable about dealership dynamics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

"We Want To Actively Give Back" — An Independent Dealer On Trust Over Ad Spend | Travis Baldwin, Vice President at Best Deal Auto Sales
Q: How did Dealer Defender come into existence, and what problem does it solve for dealers?
It started after a problematic vehicle purchase; the platform crowdsources data and integrates with auctions to track vehicles returned to auction, promoting transparency and helping dealers avoid bad experiences.
"We Want To Actively Give Back" — An Independent Dealer On Trust Over Ad Spend | Travis Baldwin, Vice President at Best Deal Auto Sales
Q: What are the key lessons you'd share with someone entering the business in 2026?
Be prepared to wear many hats, stay hands-on with operations, and focus on building trust and transparency with customers and staff rather than just chasing quick sales.
"We Want To Actively Give Back" — An Independent Dealer On Trust Over Ad Spend | Travis Baldwin, Vice President at Best Deal Auto Sales
Q: At what point in your journey did you realize you were an overachiever, and what drove that mindset?
The realization came gradually as hard work built upon itself across roles—from detailer to buyer, to sales positions, to leadership—driven by a family work ethic and a desire to keep contributing more to the business and the community.
“39 Cars To 62” - How A Store Fixed A Decade-long Sales Plateau In 60 Days | Jonathan Dawson, Dealer Principal at Cherokee Mitsubishi
Q: How do you translate the concept of a “business within the business” into practical steps for a dealership?
By giving salespeople branding, budgets, flexible schedules, and a pathway to ownership within the company, so they feel invested and empowered to drive results.
“39 Cars To 62” - How A Store Fixed A Decade-long Sales Plateau In 60 Days | Jonathan Dawson, Dealer Principal at Cherokee Mitsubishi
Q: What is stewardship and why is it central to your approach?
Stewardship is about acting as if you own the season you're in, taking responsibility for the outcomes now to prepare for future success, and it combines personal accountability with grace.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Dealer Playbook

What is The Dealer Playbook about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The series centers on actionable strategies for running and growing auto dealerships, with a steady mix of leadership, sales, marketing, and technology discussions. Episodes frequently cover practical operations, AI adoption, inventory management, coaching, and culture—delivered through real-world show-and-tell and coaching stories from dealer principals and executives. The format tends to favor concrete frameworks, measurable improvements, and human-centered leadership, making it useful for practitioners aiming to boost profitability, customer experience, and team performance. A notable strength is bringing together operators who translate big ideas into repeatable, day-to-day wins while staying focused on ethical leadership and durable gr... more

Where can I find podcast stats for The Dealer Playbook?

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How many listeners does The Dealer Playbook get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Dealer Playbook?

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How many subscribers and views does The Dealer Playbook have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Dealer Playbook has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Dealer Playbook?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Dealer Playbook:

1. Car Dealership Guy Podcast
2. REAL AF with Andy Frisella
3. The Joe Rogan Experience
4. Millionaire Car Salesman Podcast
5. Automotive News Daily Drive

How many episodes of The Dealer Playbook are there?

The Dealer Playbook launched 13 years ago and published 727 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Dealer Playbook?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Dealer Playbook?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Dealer Playbook from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Dealer Playbook?

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What guests have appeared on The Dealer Playbook?

Recent guests on The Dealer Playbook include:

1. Wade Kerzie
2. Kevin Rudolph
3. Charlie Czerniawski
4. Rob Ruth
5. Travis Baldwin
6. Andrea Anderson
7. Matt Copley
8. Raul Tomsa

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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