Automotive

Be Differential

The automotive and motorsport world has always had a seat at the table — it just hasn’t always been yours. BeDifferential is the podcast for newcomers, outsiders, and anyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t quite fit in car culture.

Each week, host Eva Gregory goes behind the scenes with racers, engineers, executives, and industry insiders to share the stories, career paths, and hard-won lessons that don’t make it into the mainstream. From grassroots motorsport to the paddock, from vintage cars to cutting-edge tech — if you’re curious about where you fit in this world, you found the right show.

New episodes every Tuesday, plus solo industry takes every Thursday.

Latest Episodes:

Thursday Pit Stop: How to Break In and Stand Out Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

In this Thursday Pitstop, we’re talking about one of the most common — and most honest — questions I hear: “I want to get involved in motorsports, but where do I start… and how do I stand out?”

The truth is, breaking into automotive or racing doesn’t require a perfect resume, a flashy introduction, or insider connections. What it does require is curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to contribute where your skills intersect with opportunity.

We explore how different strengths — whether creative, analytical, or technical — can translate into meaningful roles across the industry, and why understanding culture and community is just as important as building experience.

I also share why standing out isn’t about chasing attention — it’s about building credibility through consistency. From volunteering at local events to observing where teams and programs need support, small actions compound into real opportunities over time.

If you’re early in your journey — or even considering a pivot — this episode offers practical ways to start showing up thoughtfully and building momentum.

Key takeaways include:

How to identify where your skills fit within motorsports

Why participation matters more than perfection

The long-term value of relationships, mentorship, and community

Practical steps you can take this season to get involved

If you know someone trying to find their place in automotive or racing, share this episode with them — and we’ll see you next week for another Thursday Pitstop.

Your Mom Races Rally with Kelly Conroy Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

What happens when a mom who’s never driven stick decides to enroll in rally school — exhausted, overwhelmed, and unsure if she even belongs there?

In this episode of The BeDifferential Podcast, Eva sits down with Kelly Conroy, rally racer and author of Your Mom Races Rally, to talk about what it really looks like to ditch society’s expectations and rediscover yourself — one muddy stage at a time.

Kelly shares the raw reality of stepping into rally racing with zero experience, the steep learning curve of mastering a manual transmission, and the emotional weight of pursuing a dream that didn’t neatly fit the “modern mother” mold. From navigating guilt and pushback to redefining what it means to set an example for her children, this conversation is as vulnerable as it is empowering.

We dive into:

The moment Kelly realized rally racing wasn’t just a hobby — it was life-changing

Overcoming fear, self-doubt, and the temptation to quit

Building and racing her 40-year-old car, “Nessie,” and what wrenching on it taught her about resilience

The impact of finding a community of women racers and off-roaders

How chasing joy reshaped her definition of fun, freedom, and self-care

Why reclaiming your identity doesn’t make you a “bad mom” — it makes you a braver one

This episode isn’t just about motorsports. It’s about permission — to evolve, to take up space, and to pursue something that makes you feel alive, even if it scares you.

Listeners can also follow Kelly’s rally journey on Instagram at @yourmomracesrally.

Thursday Pit Stop: The Brands Getting it Right Feb 12, 2026

Show notes

In this Thursday Pitstop, Eva unpacks a question she’s hearing more and more across the automotive and motorsports space: How do brands actually stand out right now?

In a landscape shaped by rapid tech shifts, evolving consumer expectations, and constant digital noise, the brands making real impact aren’t the loudest — they’re the most consistent. From Ford Racing’s community-driven storytelling to the rise of community-first marketing, next-gen engagement, and more honest conversations around EV adoption, this episode explores what meaningful brand leadership really looks like today.

This short-form conversation is about long-term thinking, authentic connection, and building something that lasts — whether you’re a brand, a builder, or someone trying to make your mark in the industry.

Saving Endangered Skills with Nick Ellis Feb 10, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The BeDifferential Podcast, Nick Ellis, Executive Director of the RPM Foundation, shares how RPM is turning classic car restoration into a movement that’s about people, skills, and legacy—not just vehicles. We dive into the urgent need to preserve traditional craftsmanship as many master artisans age out of the industry and explore how RPM’s hands-on apprenticeship program is shaping the next generation of restoration professionals.

Nick explains why restoration teaches lessons you won’t find in any classroom, the risks the collector car world faces if we don’t invest in these skills, and how mentorship and storytelling are central to keeping this craft alive. From connecting with young people who didn’t grow up around cars to balancing historic techniques with modern tools, this conversation sheds light on how preserving restoration skills is also about preserving culture, history, and identity.

Whether you’re a collector, enthusiast, or simply curious about the intersection of craft, legacy, and mentorship, Nick’s insights show why investing in the next generation of restorers matters—for cars and for the people who bring them to life.

Learn more about RPM: https://www.rpm.foundation

Thursday Pit Stop: After the Green Flag — Building Momentum and a Sustainable Season Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

January in motorsports feels like a sprint — Daytona sets the tone, inboxes explode, calendars fill, and it seems like the season is already in full gear.

But February? That’s when reality hits. Budgets tighten, travel ramps up, timelines get compressed, and the work shifts from planning to execution. Suddenly, momentum isn’t enough — sustainability becomes the real challenge.

In this Thursday Pitstop episode of the BeDifferential Podcast, we break down how teams, brands, and individuals can survive and thrive once the green flag waves. You’ll hear why feeling “behind” often isn’t true, how to prioritize clarity over busyness, and why pacing yourself matters more than ever in a long, demanding season.

Whether you’re building a career, managing partnerships, leading a small team, or wearing multiple hats, this episode is a reminder that busy doesn’t always mean effective — and that endurance thinking still wins when the calendar fills up.

Momentum is energizing.

Sustainability is what gets you to the finish.

The Cost of Racing with Nick DeLucia Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

What does it really take to become a professional race car driver — especially if you didn’t start young?

In this episode of The BeDifferential Podcast, host Eva Gregory sits down with Nick DeLucia, founder of Rex Racing, to break down the realities of motorsports careers, driver development, sponsorship, and sustainable racing.

Nick shares how he entered motorsports later than most, why he built Rex Racing to fill a major industry gap, and what aspiring drivers actually need to succeed — beyond talent alone. From mindset and race strategy to sponsorship acquisition and financial sustainability, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the truths most drivers don’t hear.

You’ll learn:

What separates drivers who advance from those who plateau

The biggest misconceptions about motorsports sponsorship

How to fund a racing career realistically

Why mindset, branding, and partner value matter as much as lap times

The skills every aspiring driver should build off the track

How to create long-term success in a competitive racing industry

Whether you’re an aspiring driver, motorsports fan, or industry professional, this episode offers honest insight into what it takes to build a meaningful and sustainable career in racing.

Learn More about Rex Racing on instagram at @rex_racing1

Thursday Pit Stop: Rolex 24, Endurance Racing, and Why Consistency Still Wins Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

The Rolex 24 at Daytona isn’t just the season opener — it’s a reminder.

In this Thursday Pitstop episode of the BeDifferential Podcast, we pause on what this year’s Rolex 24 continues to reinforce about endurance racing and the motorsports industry as a whole. Beyond the results, Daytona consistently exposes the things that matter most: preparation, adaptability, alignment, and the ability to stay disciplined when conditions change.

This episode reflects on Porsche Penske’s continued success, the impact of weather and extended cautions, and why endurance racing never lets teams hide — eventually, everything you’ve prepared for shows up on track. But more importantly, it connects those lessons to the broader realities many of us are navigating right now: shifting budgets, evolving roles, long-term partnerships, and career sustainability in motorsports and automotive.

From building a career to leading a team or representing a brand, endurance racing offers a powerful framework for long-term growth. It rewards consistency over flash, systems over ego, and teams over individuals.

If you’re navigating a pivot, feeling stretched thin, or questioning whether steady progress still matters — this episode is your reminder that endurance thinking still wins.

It’s Not Too Late with Kristen Angelica Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

What happens when the version of yourself that once felt safe no longer fits?

In this deeply reflective episode of The BeDifferential Podcast, host Eva Gregory sits down with Kristen Angelica Montgomery to explore identity, reinvention, and what it truly means to begin again — especially when the timing doesn’t look “typical.”

Kristen opens up about navigating major life pivots, rebuilding her sense of self, and the quiet (and sometimes uncomfortable) realization that she had outgrown a version of herself she once thought was “enough.” She shares what ultimately gave her permission to pursue racing in her mid-30s, how she learned to trust herself amid uncertainty, and the assumptions she had to unlearn about what was “out of reach” — particularly as a woman entering motorsport later in life.

Together, Eva and Kristen talk candidly about stepping into a traditionally male-dominated space, the moments when simply showing up feels like a form of resistance, and the unexpected gifts that come with being new — curiosity, presence, and intuition. Kristen also reflects on how creativity and storytelling weave into her racing journey, and when she realized her voice mattered, even if it didn’t sound like anyone else’s.

This conversation goes beyond racing. It’s about mental and emotional resilience, protecting your energy while chasing big dreams, redefining success in the present moment, and honoring where you are — not where you think you “should” be.

If you’ve ever felt caught between who you’ve been and who you’re becoming, wondered if it’s “too late” to start something new, or needed reassurance that your path doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s — this episode is for you.

Follow Kristen’s journey on Instagram @kristenangelica, and learn more about Foxtecca, her sponsor at https://foxxtecca.com/

Being differential isn’t about arriving; It’s about choosing yourself, again and again.

Thursday Pit Stop: Breaking In Doesn’t Mean Breaking Yourself Jan 22, 2026

Show notes

Breaking into motorsports doesn’t have to mean breaking yourself. In this episode of the Thursday pitstop, host Eva shares personal insights from her own journey navigating burnout, overcommitment, and the pressure to constantly say yes. She discusses the realities of early careers, financial challenges, and the tension between ambition and sustainability — and offers practical perspective on how to be dependable without sacrificing your well-being.

Whether you are a student, intern, or early career professional in motorsports or automotive, this episode provides honest conversation, validation, and takeaways to help you set boundaries plan, intentionally, and approach your career with both focus and resilience.

Painting at Speed with Samantha Zimmermann Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The BeDifferential Podcast, we sit down with artist Samantha Zimmermann—whose hyper-realistic automotive paintings are so precise they’re often mistaken for photographs—to explore the intersection of art, engineering, and motorsport history.

Growing up in a family immersed in creativity, Samantha shares how that early environment shaped both her artistic eye and her deep connection to racing. From sketching horses as a young artist to discovering a defining moment at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, we trace the path that led her to make motorsport art her life’s work.

Samantha walks us through her creative process in detail—from selecting reference images to building layers of oil paint—and explains why oil became her “happy place” for storytelling and realism. We dive into the artistic decisions behind composing racing scenes filled with motion, emotion, and historical context, as well as her enduring fascination with the machines, liveries, and culture of 1970s and ’80s racing.

She also reflects on creative growing pains, lessons learned the hard way, and how mentors like fellow artist Kelly Telfer helped shape her career. For emerging artists hoping to turn passion into a profession—especially in niche spaces like automotive and motorsport art—Samantha offers candid advice and encouragement.

We wrap with a look at what she’s working on now, plus a fun hypothetical: if Samantha were to design her own race-car livery, what story would it tell?

You can find more of Samantha’s work on Instagram at @zimmy_arts or visit her website at samanthazimmermannart.com.

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