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: Lessons from the Trenches Jan 15, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The BeDifferential Podcast, host, Eva Gregory shares her top lessons from nearly a decade in the automotive and motorsport industries, giving listeners a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to succeed. From managing high-pressure events, unexpected challenges, and operational chaos to building authentic, lasting brand partnerships, Eva breaks down the strategies and mindsets that have shaped her career.

Listeners will gain practical insights into adaptability, communication, expectation management, and credibility — essential skills for anyone navigating operations, sponsorships, or leadership roles in automotive and motorsport. Eva also shares memorable anecdotes, including high-stakes moments that tested her problem-solving and leadership under pressure.

Perfect for those already in motorsports, automotive professionals, aspiring industry leaders, and entrepreneurs, this mini episode delivers actionable lessons and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in fast-paced, competitive environments. Tune in to learn how preparation, honesty, and collaboration can transform challenges into opportunities — and why real-world experience matters.

Growth Over Perfection with Brooke Williams Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

What does it really look like to break into motorsports when you’re still in school and figuring it out as you go?

In this episode of The BeDifferential Podcast, we sit down with Brooke Williams, an IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship team intern with Gradient Racing, to talk candidly about navigating the early stages of a motorsports career — without having all the answers yet.

Brooke shares how she first discovered motorsports as a viable career path, how she balanced college coursework with gaining real-world experience, and the steps she took to land an internship in one of the most competitive paddocks in racing. We dive into what race weekends look like behind the scenes, the responsibilities that surprised her most, and the moments where she felt out of her depth — and what those experiences taught her.

This conversation also explores the importance of asking questions in high-pressure environments, building relationships with mentors and allies, and following up after race weekends to stay connected in a fast-moving industry. Brooke reflects on what success looks like at this stage of her journey, the barriers students still face when trying to break into motorsports, and why hearing stories from people still in it matters just as much as learning from industry veterans.

If you’re a student who loves racing but isn’t sure you’re “qualified enough,” this episode is for you. Brooke’s story is a reminder that you don’t have to have everything figured out — you just have to start.

Because being differential isn’t about arriving fully formed — it’s about showing up, learning loudly, and growing in real time.

Thursday Pit Stop: Route 66 Centennial Drive Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

In this Thursday Pit Stop, we take a closer look at Route 66, America’s legendary highway, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026. Before I join The Drive Home to drive a 1967 Pontiac GTO from Tulsa, OK to Detroit, MI, we explore the history, culture, and automotive legacy of the Mother Road.

From its beginnings in 1926, stretching nearly 2,500 miles across eight states, Route 66 has shaped American road trips, car culture, and small-town communities. We dive into its iconic stops, classic diners, motels, and roadside attractions — including famous spots like the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, TX — and examine how this road quietly documented life and mobility in a changing America.

Join me as we reflect on the evolution of Route 66, its impact on the automotive world, and what it means to drive a piece of history today. Whether you’re a car enthusiast, a road trip lover, or curious about the stories behind America’s highways, this episode offers fun facts, history, and perspective from behind the wheel of a classic GTO.

The Championship Mindset with Tommy Kendall Jan 06, 2026

Show notes

Few drivers have left a mark on American road racing like Tommy Kendall. A multiple-time Trans-Am champion and one of the most dominant sports-car racers of his era, Kendall joins The BeDifferential Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about what it really takes to build a lasting career in motorsport.

We talk about what first pulled him into racing, the mentors who shaped his competitive mindset, and the pivotal moments that defined his path — including the legendary 11-race win streak in 1997. Tommy opens up about handling pressure at a young age, navigating injuries and setbacks, and why sports-car and Trans-Am racing always felt like home.

Now a respected broadcaster and voice of the sport, Kendall also shares how motorsport culture has evolved, what excites him about the future of U.S. road racing, and how veteran voices can help make the sport more accessible to women and younger generations.

Whether you’re a longtime racing fan or someone curious about how to break into motorsport, this episode offers rare perspective from someone who’s lived it — on and off the track.

Thursday Pit Stop: Launch Edition Jan 01, 2026

Show notes

Kickoff 2026 with the BeDifferential Podcast! In this special first episode of the year host, Eva Gregory reflects on the lessons, challenges, and wins from 2025 while giving a glimpse into what’s ahead. She introduces the Thursday Pit Stop, a new mini-episode series designed to share quick insights, reflections, and behind-the-scenes lessons from her decade in the automotive and motorsport world. From career takeaways to personal reflections, this episode sets the tone for a year of growth, curiosity, and action. Here’s to a year of BEing Differential.

Paddock Ready with Chelsea Giffin Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The BeDifferential Podcast, we sit down with Chelsea Giffin—Motorsport Business Professional, IMSA paddock veteran, Team Manager, performance driving coach, and pastry chef (yes, really!)—for an honest, behind-the-scenes look at life inside professional sports car racing.

Chelsea shares how she broke into the motorsport world and climbed her way through roles such as fueller, tire technician, spotter, and team manager, revealing which roles pushed her the most and what a race-weekend “day in the life” actually looks like.

We explore the realities of leading a team under pressure, managing logistics and personalities, and mentoring the next generation entering IMSA and North American motorsports. Chelsea offers invaluable advice for young people trying to enter the paddock—and candid insights into what separates the high-performing teams from those that struggle.

Beyond the racetrack, Chelsea opens up about her entrepreneurial projects, micro-bakery, coaching background, and how creativity and business ownership unexpectedly complement the intensity of motorsport life. We also discuss work–life balance, burnout, passion, and the importance of building spaces where more women and diverse talent feel welcome in paddock operations.

We close with her thoughts on the future of IMSA, industry trends that excite her most, and where she sees opportunities for innovation behind the scenes.

Whether you're dreaming of working in motorsports, fascinated by team operations, or passionate about uplifting new voices in racing, this conversation is filled with real stories, practical insights, and inspiration from someone who’s lived every angle of the paddock.

Breaking New Ground in NASCAR with Julie Giese Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The BeDifferential Podcast, Julie Giese—one of motorsport’s most respected executives—shares the journey that led her from a dairy farm in Colby, Wisconsin, to shaping some of NASCAR’s most ambitious modern events. Julie reflects on the work ethic forged in her early years, the moment she realized motorsports was where she wanted to build her career, and how those foundations continue to guide her leadership in high-pressure environments.

We dive into her experience leading major properties like Phoenix Raceway and the groundbreaking Chicago Street Race—an event that exceeded expectations and redefined what a NASCAR weekend could look like. Julie breaks down what fueled the event’s success, how she balances community impact with fan experience, and the lessons she’s carrying forward as the race pauses for strategic refinement in 2026.

Throughout the conversation, Julie offers insight into what “authentic leadership” means to her, the misconceptions people often have about leading large-scale events, and the trends she’s watching as NASCAR continues to evolve. She also shares stories about key mentors who shaped her journey, how she supports the next generation of industry leaders, and the legacy she hopes to leave behind.

This episode is a candid look at grit, vision, community, and the intentional leadership behind some of NASCAR’s most transformative moments.

Crossing Continents with Caitlin Wood Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

From karting in Australia to competing across Europe, GT racing, and the W Series, Caitlin Wood has built a career defined by courage, adaptability, and determination. In this episode, she shares the pivotal moments that shaped her path, the challenges of moving between racing categories, and the lessons learned through both pressure and perseverance.

We also explore her work as a mentor and role model, the importance of STEM in motorsport, and how she uses storytelling and media to make the sport more accessible. Caitlin opens up about misconceptions in racing, the future trends that excite her, and what being “different” truly means in a sport that demands constant evolution.

Inside Porsche Penske Motorsport with Anja Kempermann Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

Go behind the pit wall with Anja Kempermann, Team Coordinator at Porsche Penske Motorsport, whose nearly 30-year career in motorsport has been defined by precision, teamwork, and adaptability. From coordinating global logistics to managing the rhythm of race week, Anja offers a rare glimpse into what it takes to keep one of racing’s most iconic teams performing at its peak.

She shares how she fosters a supportive, positive, and efficient atmosphere across the team, what it takes to stay composed under pressure, and how the world of motorsport operations continues to evolve. Through her experience, Anja reflects on building a lasting career as a woman in racing—and how resilience and calm in chaos keep a team moving forward on and off the track.

Driven From the Start: Cars and Culture with Dillon Shelburn Nov 11, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The BeDifferential Podcast, we sit down with Dillon Shelburn, whose journey through motorsport and the automotive industry is a story of passion, persistence, and evolution. From growing up near Road Atlanta and cutting his teeth in go-karts to launching his own parts-hauling business in his early twenties, Dillon has always had his hands — and heart — in motion. We talk about what it takes to turn a love for cars into a career, his time at Hagerty, and how that path led him to Merit Partners, where he now works closely with some of the world’s most exclusive collectors and rare vehicles. Dillon also shares his perspective on emerging industry trends, the future of EVs and digital marketplaces, and what truly defines success in the evolving car world. Plus, we go under the hood to talk shop, identifying the one car he wishes he could bring back to life. Whether you’re a racer, collector, or simply someone who loves a good car story, this conversation is a reminder that passion and purpose are often found on the same road.

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