{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"\"A 2025 Year in Review\" - The Real Lessons of 2025 and Why 2026 Demands More","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/a-2025-year-in-review-the-real-lessons-of-2025-and-why-2026-demands-more","audioUrl":"https://anchor.fm/s/1094c7cb4/podcast/play/113277536/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2025-11-30%2F415206380-44100-2-76aef7c356ee2.mp3","description":"What if the reason things didn’t click in 2025 has less to do with your tools and more to do with your willingness to change?In this solo year in review episode, I’m slowing things down to reflect on what 2025 actually taught us. Not the highlight reel. The real stuff. The hard conversations, the uncomfortable growth, the moments where leadership, culture, and discipline mattered more than any shiny new strategy.This year reminded me of something I’ve believed for a long time. Sustainable success isn’t about finding the missing tactic. It’s about becoming the kind of leader and organization that can actually handle success when it shows up.In this episode, I break down:Why change—not technology—is the real competitive advantageHow AI is accelerating opportunity (without replacing human judgment)The leadership, culture, and discipline gap separating top performers from the restWhy most dealerships ask the wrong questions about successHow critical thinking will become one of the most valuable skills in 2026What it actually means to “go all in” on your definition of successWe explore AI without hype or fear, marketing without shortcuts, and leadership without excuses, connecting the dots between human connection, culture, and long-term profitability in retail autoIf you’re heading into 2026 feeling pressure, uncertainty, or opportunity, this episode will help you recalibrate your focus and attack the year with clarity and conviction.Free Gift:Get a FREE PDF copy of Michael’s bestselling book Don’t Wait. Dominate.👉 Visit FlexDealer.comWho this episode is for:Dealership Owners & OperatorsGeneral Managers & GSMsMarketing Directors & CMOsFixed Ops & Service LeadersAutomotive Professionals serious about growth in 2026Timestamps00:00 Introduction02:20 Year-End Reflections and Gratitude07:18 AI in the Auto Industry: Opportunities and Challenges14:52 Marketing and Human Connection20:04 Leadership, Culture, and Sustainable Growth26:20 Looking Ahead to 2026: Relentless Pursuit of Success27:53 Conclusion and Call to Action\n"},"annotations":[{"startTime":1525.0,"endTime":1530.0,"type":"term","title":"EVs","url":"/glossary/ev","quote":"...I mean, gosh, speaking of EVs, I could have used that as an example earlier when I said that things rarely end up the way that we thought. You remember like three, four, five years ago, we were like by 2035, everybody's has to drive an EV, right? Now we're like, okay, and don't get me wrong.","canonicalId":"term:ev","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"EVs, or electric vehicles, are cars that are powered entirely or partially by electricity instead of traditional gasoline or diesel fuel. They are often seen as a more sustainable option for transportation due to their lower emissions.","simplifiedExplanation":"EVs stands for electric vehicles, which are cars that run on electricity instead of gas. They are considered better for the environment because they produce less pollution."}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"Michael Cirillo","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/a-2025-year-in-review-the-real-lessons-of-2025-and-why-2026-demands-more/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}