{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"Christina Roki on Building Cars, Making Mistakes, and Inspiring Women in STEM","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/christina-roki-on-building-cars-making-mistakes-and-inspiring-women-in-stem","audioUrl":"https://pdst.fm/e/mgln.ai/e/1245/traffic.megaphone.fm/GLT2811980929.mp3?updated=1776176229","description":"Jim talks with automotive content creator and mechanical engineer Christina Roki, a Detroit native and first-generation American. Roki shares how buying a Nissan 350Z project car during the pandemic and sharing her experience with her trial-and-error repairs helped her normalize mistakes and grow a large online audience. She discusses learning to fix cars affordably for her single mother, her creative approach to customizing cars with bold colors, and how the car community feels like a second family. \n\n00:00 Teaching Cars Online\n\n02:03 Her Origin Story\n\n03:06 First Project Car 350Z\n\n04:35 Family Support And Trust\n\n06:31 Bold Colors And Style\n\n07:29 Community And Influence\n\n10:18 Women In Cars And STEM\n\n13:03 From Programs To TikTok\n\n14:01 Embracing Mistakes Publicly\n\n18:52 Couples Challenges And Fights\n\n23:17 Advice For Ford Leadership\n\nDRIVE with Jim Farley is produced by Jesse Baker and Eric Nuzum of Magnificent Noise. Our production staff includes Sabrina Farhi and Kristen Mueller with help from Lori Arpin, Angela Brewer, Max Owen-Dunow, Anne Roberts, Samantha Singhal, Darnell Macon, Brandon Kennedy, and Mark Truby. \n\nFollow Jim: \n\nYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jim.Farley\n\nInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimfarley98/\n\nThreads: https://www.threads.net/@jimfarley98\n\nLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-farley/\n\nBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jimfarley.bsky.social\n\nTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/jimfarley98\n\n\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices"},"annotations":[{"startTime":48.2,"endTime":55.3,"type":"brand","title":"Ferrari","url":"/glossary/ferrari","quote":"[46.7s] Thanks so much for taking the time.\n[48.2s] Is that a Ferrari on your wall during our interview?\n[50.4s] Hey, I also have a Ford Performance hat sitting right there.","canonicalId":"brand:ferrari","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Ferrari is an Italian supercar and sports-car manufacturer known for high-performance engines and racing heritage. In car culture, a Ferrari on a wall often signals an interest in premium performance and motorsport history.","simplifiedExplanation":"Ferrari is a famous Italian car brand that makes high-performance sports cars. People who love cars often associate Ferrari with speed and racing."}},{"startTime":50.4,"endTime":54.8,"type":"brand","title":"Ford Performance","url":"/glossary/ford-performance","quote":"[48.2s] Is that a Ferrari on your wall during our interview?\n[50.4s] Hey, I also have a Ford Performance hat sitting right there.\n[54.8s] Oh, good.","canonicalId":"brand:ford-performance","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Ford Performance is Ford’s in-house performance brand, covering enthusiast-focused parts, tuning, and vehicles (like performance trims and packages). Mentioning a Ford Performance hat suggests the guest is engaged with Ford’s performance ecosystem.","simplifiedExplanation":"Ford Performance is Ford’s brand for making and supporting faster, sportier versions of their cars. It’s aimed at people who want more performance than the standard models."}},{"startTime":71.1,"endTime":74.92,"type":"concept","title":"Baby Driver","url":"/glossary/baby-driver","quote":"[71.1s] Okay.\n[71.1s] Favorite car movie?\n[72.6s] Oh, Baby Driver.","canonicalId":"concept:baby-driver","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Baby Driver” is a car-and-heist movie where driving and music are tightly linked, making it a popular reference point for car enthusiasts. It’s relevant here because the host asks for the guest’s favorite car movie."}},{"startTime":88.8,"endTime":93.5,"type":"term","title":"jumper cables","url":"/glossary/jumper-cables","quote":"So it could be a jumper cables because I don't have to worry about the makeup, but that's good.","canonicalId":"term:jumper-cables","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Jumper cables are used to start a car with a dead battery by connecting it to another vehicle’s battery. They’re a common roadside tool to get you moving again without needing a tow right away.","simplifiedExplanation":"Jumper cables are the wires you use to restart a car when the battery is dead. You connect them to another car’s battery so your car can start."}},{"startTime":199.9,"endTime":205.2,"type":"concept","title":"break a lot of things","url":"/glossary/break-a-lot-of-things","quote":"[199.9s]  I would make a lot of mistakes, but I think that was like kind of the beauty behind it was I'd break a lot of things.\n[205.2s]  And I would kind of show people online that, hey, it's totally okay to break things.\n[209.7s]  This is how we learn.","canonicalId":"concept:break-a-lot-of-things","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"In DIY car projects, “breaking things” is a common part of the learning curve—especially when you’re unfamiliar with tools, fasteners, wiring, or how components come apart. The key takeaway is that mistakes can be educational when you document them and iterate.","simplifiedExplanation":"When you’re learning to work on cars, you sometimes make mistakes and something doesn’t go right. The important part is learning from it and improving next time."}},{"startTime":265.5,"endTime":276.1,"type":"concept","title":"YouTube University","url":"/glossary/youtube-university","quote":"“…learn off YouTube University and hopefully fix it for very cheap.”","canonicalId":"concept:youtube-university","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“YouTube University” is a nickname for learning mechanical skills from online videos instead of formal training or a traditional class. It reflects how many DIY car owners use step-by-step content to learn repairs and diagnostics.","simplifiedExplanation":"“YouTube University” just means learning how to do something from videos online. In cars, people use it to understand repairs and what to check."}},{"startTime":265.5,"endTime":276.1,"type":"concept","title":"troubleshoot","url":"/glossary/troubleshoot","quote":"“I would kind of try to take those concepts I would learn on how to fix and troubleshoot and apply them to the vehicle…”","canonicalId":"concept:troubleshoot","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"To troubleshoot a car means systematically figuring out what’s wrong and why—often by checking symptoms, testing components, and narrowing down the cause. It’s a practical skill that overlaps with engineering-style problem solving.","simplifiedExplanation":"Troubleshooting is like diagnosing a problem. You look at what’s happening, test a few possibilities, and figure out what part is causing the issue."}},{"startTime":367.7,"endTime":384.3,"type":"concept","title":"traditional muscle cars","url":"/glossary/traditional-muscle-cars","quote":"I've seen a lot of your projects and one of the things I find really interesting is the way you think about color and some of the traditional muscle cars that you would think of Detroit, you don't hesitate at all to paint something pink or whatever.","canonicalId":"concept:traditional-muscle-cars","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The term “muscle cars” usually refers to American performance cars from the mid-20th century known for big engines and aggressive styling. Mentioning “traditional” highlights the expectation that these cars follow classic, conservative color and design choices.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Muscle cars” are classic American performance cars. People often expect them to look a certain way, including traditional colors, so using something like pink is a deliberate twist."}},{"startTime":367.7,"endTime":384.3,"type":"concept","title":"paint something pink","url":"/glossary/paint-something-pink","quote":"I've seen a lot of your projects and one of the things I find really interesting is the way you think about color and some of the traditional muscle cars that you would think of Detroit, you don't hesitate at all to paint something pink or whatever.","canonicalId":"concept:paint-something-pink","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Custom paint choices—like painting a car pink—are part of personalizing a build and can change how a car is perceived (curb appeal, identity, and brand/style). In enthusiast circles, bold colors often signal creativity rather than trying to match factory norms."}},{"startTime":404.5,"endTime":416.4,"type":"term","title":"color and different shades finishes","url":"/glossary/color-and-different-shades-finishes","quote":"And so I like to kind of experience with different colors and different shades finishes and not be afraid to just kind of try something new.\n[416.4s]  And if it doesn't work out, I can always kind of revert it back to stock and call it a day.","canonicalId":"term:color-and-different-shades-finishes","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Finishes” in paint and appearance typically refer to the surface look—such as matte, satin, gloss, metallic, or pearl effects—beyond just the base color. Different shades and finishes can dramatically change how light reflects off the body, affecting the car’s overall presence."}},{"startTime":416.4,"endTime":420.7,"type":"concept","title":"revert it back to stock","url":"/glossary/revert-it-back-to-stock","quote":"And so I like to kind of experience with different colors and different shades finishes and not be afraid to just kind of try something new.\n[416.4s]  And if it doesn't work out, I can always kind of revert it back to stock and call it a day.","canonicalId":"concept:revert-it-back-to-stock","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Reverting to stock” means undoing modifications and returning the car to its original factory configuration—often including paint, trim, and appearance. This matters because it can preserve resale value and make future changes easier if an experiment doesn’t work."}},{"startTime":511.2,"endTime":517.2,"type":"company","title":"Performance Lab Detroit","url":"/glossary/performance-lab-detroit","quote":"It was sitting in the corner of Performance Lab Detroit, a shop that I usually work closely with.","canonicalId":"company:performance-lab-detroit","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Performance Lab Detroit is referenced as the shop where the SN95 Mustang was sitting and where Christina usually works closely with a partner. For listeners, this gives context on how real builds often rely on specialized local shops and collaboration."}},{"startTime":542.8,"endTime":557.9,"type":"term","title":"aftermarket","url":"/glossary/aftermarket","quote":"So I set up a huge advent calendar with every single part OEM and some aftermarket that I can modify this SN95 with and like kind of do a semi restoration and transformation series on.","canonicalId":"term:aftermarket","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Aftermarket parts are made by companies other than the original automaker. They’re often used to change performance, appearance, or functionality beyond what the factory offered.","simplifiedExplanation":"Aftermarket parts are upgrades or replacements made by other companies, not the car’s original manufacturer. People use them to customize the car or improve certain features."}},{"startTime":542.8,"endTime":557.9,"type":"term","title":"OEM","url":"/glossary/oem","quote":"So I set up a huge advent calendar with every single part OEM and some aftermarket that I can modify this SN95 with and like kind of do a semi restoration and transformation series on.","canonicalId":"term:oem","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"OEM stands for “original equipment manufacturer,” meaning parts made to match what the car was built with. Using OEM parts alongside aftermarket parts is a common approach when restoring or refreshing a car while still allowing customization."}},{"startTime":571.5,"endTime":577.54,"type":"term","title":"interior head interior designers","quote":"And I found out that Emily King was one of the interior head interior designers of that vehicle.","canonicalId":"term:interior-head-interior-designers","priority":0.2,"confidence":0.55,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"This refers to a lead role in designing the vehicle’s interior—likely responsible for the overall look, materials, ergonomics, and design direction. It’s a useful reminder that car design is a team effort, and that the interior can be tied to specific designers and design leadership."}},{"startTime":578.32,"endTime":628.2,"type":"concept","title":"Women in STEM","url":"/glossary/women-in-stem","quote":"And I think that is I'm all about like, you know, women empowerment and kind of advocating for women in STEM. So that just kind of empowered me even more and inspired the whole story even more.","canonicalId":"concept:women-in-stem","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The guest is talking about encouraging women to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) careers. In the automotive world, that includes roles like engineering, software, data, and manufacturing—areas where women are often underrepresented.","simplifiedExplanation":"She’s describing efforts to get more women into science and tech fields. In cars, that can mean engineering, coding, and other technical jobs behind the scenes."}},{"startTime":578.32,"endTime":628.2,"type":"concept","title":"Women empowerment","url":"/glossary/women-empowerment","quote":"And I think that is I'm all about like, you know, women empowerment and kind of advocating for women in STEM.","canonicalId":"concept:women-empowerment","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The episode frames the discussion around empowering women to participate confidently in technical industries. It’s a cultural concept that ties directly to recruiting and retention in STEM-adjacent fields like automotive.","simplifiedExplanation":"She’s talking about helping women feel confident to join and succeed in technical careers. The goal is to remove barriers and stereotypes."}},{"startTime":603.2,"endTime":615.2,"type":"concept","title":"Formula One","url":"/glossary/formula-one","quote":"They go to car shows at M1 together and, you know, she watches Formula One with me and she's always criticizing, you know, this or that that I do with cars, which is great.","canonicalId":"concept:formula-one","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Formula One (F1) is the top tier of international open-wheel racing. Watching F1 can build a deeper interest in engineering and performance because fans learn about aerodynamics, tires, and race strategy.","simplifiedExplanation":"Formula One is a major professional racing series. Following it can make someone more interested in how cars work and how they’re tuned for speed."}},{"startTime":702.4,"endTime":733.6,"type":"concept","title":"STEM program","url":"/glossary/stem-program","quote":"Before I joined social media, I was doing the STEM program so I can just kind of have a safe space for younger women to kind of see that like, you know, it's not so bad.","canonicalId":"concept:stem-program","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A STEM program is an organized learning track focused on science, technology, engineering, and math. Here it’s used as a “safe space” to help younger women see technical paths as realistic and welcoming.","simplifiedExplanation":"A STEM program is a class or group that teaches technical subjects like science and engineering. She used it to help younger women feel comfortable trying those things."}},{"startTime":850.7,"endTime":867.7,"type":"concept","title":"project car","url":"/glossary/project-car","quote":"...this car, this project is going to be start to finish, end it perfectly and it's going to run. And I said, well, that's not very practical or real. Yeah.","canonicalId":"concept:project-car","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A “project car” is a vehicle you’re actively working on—often with upgrades, repairs, or troubleshooting—rather than a fully finished daily driver. The episode uses it to highlight the real-world messiness of car building, including parts availability and setbacks."}},{"startTime":969.4,"endTime":969.4,"type":"concept","title":"daily","url":"/glossary/daily","quote":"...the project car that I was working on 350Z was also my daily. And I was like, I need to get it.","canonicalId":"concept:daily","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Daily” here means the car is being used as a daily driver, so it can’t be down for long. That adds pressure to fix issues quickly and makes troubleshooting more stressful."}},{"startTime":1032.7,"endTime":1048.3,"type":"term","title":"cam position sensor","url":"/glossary/cam-position-sensor","quote":"...slowly but surely you'll be like, wow, I didn't realize that the camp position sensor that I was putting on was kind of either faced in a different direction or it wasn't tightening it down to the right work spec and it's causing it not to turn over.","canonicalId":"term:cam-position-sensor","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The cam position sensor tells the engine control unit where the camshaft is, which is critical for correct ignition and fuel timing. If it’s installed incorrectly or tightened improperly, the engine may fail to start or run poorly."}},{"startTime":1143.4,"endTime":1159.4,"type":"concept","title":"Woodward Avenue","url":"/glossary/woodward-avenue","quote":"Yes, very popular one. And we were heading to Woodward. And so Woodward is a very notable street that all the car community hangs around during the weekends.","canonicalId":"concept:woodward-avenue","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Woodward Avenue is a famous Detroit-area road strongly associated with American car culture. Enthusiasts often gather there on weekends, and it’s the route for events like the Woodward Dream Cruise.","simplifiedExplanation":"Woodward Avenue is a well-known Detroit road for car fans. People meet up there and cruise, especially during big car events."}},{"startTime":1146.6,"endTime":1162.0,"type":"concept","title":"Woodward Dream Cruise","url":"/glossary/woodward-dream-cruise","quote":"And there's also the Woodward Dream Cruise, which is a huge cruising event in August. And so we were heading towards that direction.","canonicalId":"concept:woodward-dream-cruise","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Woodward Dream Cruise is a major annual classic-car and cruising event held on Woodward Avenue in Detroit. It’s known for huge crowds, lots of enthusiast cars, and a weekend-long celebration of car culture.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Woodward Dream Cruise is a big car event in Detroit. People bring their cars and cruise along Woodward Avenue, and it’s especially popular in August."}},{"startTime":1159.4,"endTime":1172.4,"type":"concept","title":"car stalls out","url":"/glossary/car-stalls-out","quote":"And so we were heading towards that direction. My car stalls out and I said, I'm just out of gas. And he said, no, you're not. There's a bigger issue.","canonicalId":"concept:car-stalls-out","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A “stall” is when the engine stops running unexpectedly, usually because the engine isn’t getting what it needs (fuel, air, spark) or because of a sensor/control issue. The conversation uses the stall as a clue to diagnose whether it’s simply fuel starvation or a deeper problem.","simplifiedExplanation":"When a car “stalls,” the engine shuts off by itself. That can be caused by things like fuel problems, and in this story they’re trying to figure out what caused it."}},{"startTime":1235.9,"endTime":1250.9,"type":"concept","title":"Charlotte motor speedway","url":"/glossary/charlotte-motor-speedway","quote":"I mean, we got behind the wheel on a Charlotte motor speedway. It was super amazing.","canonicalId":"concept:charlotte-motor-speedway","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Charlotte Motor Speedway is a well-known racing venue in North Carolina used for major motorsports events. Driving experiences there are especially meaningful because the track environment is controlled and designed for high-speed performance testing.","simplifiedExplanation":"Charlotte Motor Speedway is a famous race track in North Carolina. Driving there feels different from normal roads because it’s built for cars to go fast safely."}},{"startTime":1362.4,"endTime":1381.1,"type":"company","title":"GM","url":"/glossary/gm","quote":"And if I was talking to Maria GM or John Alka and at Stellantis, we're all in a room and I asked this question.","canonicalId":"company:gm","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"GM is the common abbreviation for General Motors, one of the largest automakers in the U.S. The speaker mentions GM in a hypothetical scenario about leadership and improving opportunities for women in the auto industry.","simplifiedExplanation":"GM stands for General Motors, a major car company. Here it’s brought up as one of the companies whose leaders could help support more women working in cars."}},{"startTime":1465.8,"endTime":1465.8,"type":"concept","title":"Le Mans","url":"/glossary/le-mans","quote":"Well, in 2027, we're going to Le Mans to be Ferrari again. And I hope if I do my job someday, you'll put a Ford right underneath the Ferrari or right next to the Ferrari.","canonicalId":"concept:le-mans","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Le Mans refers to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, one of the world’s most prestigious endurance races held in France. It’s a major motorsport stage where manufacturers and teams compete for long-duration reliability and performance.","simplifiedExplanation":"Le Mans is a famous endurance race in France. Cars race for a full day, so it’s about both speed and lasting reliability. It’s one of the biggest racing events in the world."}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"Ford Motor Company","role":"host"},{"id":"s2","name":"Magnificent Noise","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/christina-roki-on-building-cars-making-mistakes-and-inspiring-women-in-stem/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}