Caffeine and Octane Podcast

This week, Grant Van Brewer sits down with Skye Smith—one of Atlanta's most recognizable media personalities. Known as a longtime voice on B98.5, Skye has spent nearly two decades entertaining audiences across radio, television, film, and the red carpet while inspiring others through her Your Life Cheerleader podcast. In this episode, we talk about: Skye's journey from radio intern to Atlanta media personality Behind the scenes of working in radio, television, and entertainment Her experiences with Tyler Perry productions The inspiration behind the Your Life Cheerleader podcast Why Jeep ownership is about more than just the vehicle Building community through positivity, passion, and shared interests What continues to motivate her after nearly 20 years in the industry Whether you're passionate about cars, curious about the media industry, or simply enjoy hearing inspiring stories from interesting people, this conversation has something for everyone. Guest: Skye Smith Instagram: @skyebutterfli Subscribe for weekly automotive content, exclusive interviews, and the stories behind the people who fuel car culture. New videos every week featuring: Incredible cars Industry leaders Collectors Builders Racers Automotive personalities Behind-the-scenes stories from the Caffeine & Octane community 👍 Like the video if you enjoyed the conversation. 💬 Leave a comment with your favorite part of the episode. 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss a new episode. Visit us online: 🌐 https://www.caffeineandoctane.com Follow Caffeine & Octane: 📸 Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/CaffeineAndOctane #CaffeineAndOctane #Podcast #SkyeSmith #B985 #Atlanta #Jeep #JeepLife #CarCulture #AutomotivePodcast #GrantVanBrewer #YourLifeCheerleader #AtlantaRadio

What does it take to build one of the most respected automotive communities in the country? In Episode 12 of the Caffeine & Octane Podcast, host Grant Van Brewer sits down with Mike Forsythe, better known to many enthusiasts as the "Lexus Legend." Mike shares his journey through the automotive world, from his passion for Lexus and performance driving to his years of helping grow one of the strongest enthusiast communities in the industry. The conversation dives into Lexus Racing, the evolution of car culture, the importance of bringing enthusiasts together, and how social media, events, and genuine relationships continue to shape the future of the automotive community. Whether you're a Lexus enthusiast or simply love hearing the stories behind the people who make car culture what it is, this episode is packed with insight, passion, and unforgettable stories. 

In Episode 11, host Grant Van Brewer sits down with John Gibson, entrepreneur, former CEO and co-founder of Tripwire Interactive, current CEO of Templar Media, and passionate automotive enthusiast with an incredible collection of exotic, JDM, and classic performance cars. John shares his remarkable journey from being broke, without a job or even a reliable car, to building one of the most successful independent video game studios in the world. Along the way, they discuss his background as a professional metal musician, creating blockbuster games like Killing Floor, Maneater, and Chivalry 2, launching Templar Media, and his vision for Gate Zero. Of course, no conversation would be complete without talking cars. John gives us a look inside The Legacy Collection, including the legendary Lexus LFA, one of the most celebrated supercars ever built. The conversation also explores drag racing, track driving, collecting rare automobiles, and the passion that fuels every chapter of his life. 

In this episode of the Caffeine & Octane Podcast, host Grant Van Brewer sits down with Leah Voulopos to talk about her journey through the automotive industry, from working with brands like Porsche and Toyota to her current role at Flyin' Wrench Motorsports. Leah shares how her passion for cars began, what led her to make the automotive world her career, and why her BMW E30 remains such an important part of her story. The conversation also dives into Miata track days, overlanding adventures in a Toyota Land Cruiser, and what it's like building a career in a male-dominated industry while staying true to your passion for driving and wrenching. Whether you're into classic BMWs, track cars, overlanding rigs, or simply love hearing the stories behind the people who make car culture what it is, this is an episode you won't want to miss. 🎙️ Hosted by Grant Van Brewer 🔗 Learn more about Caffeine & Octane: https://www.caffeineandoctane.com 🛒 Shop Official C&O Merchandise: https://shop.caffeineandoctane.com 📲 Follow Caffeine & Octane: Instagram: @caffeineandoctane Facebook: Caffeine and Octane YouTube: @CaffeineAndOctaneShow 

In this episode of the Caffeine & Octane Podcast, host Grant Van Brewer sits down with Emran Alborno, co-owner of Car Tunes Atlanta, to discuss the world of high-end automotive electronics, custom integrations, exotic car builds, and the relationships that have helped make Car Tunes one of the most respected names in the industry. From Ferraris and Lamborghinis to Brabus builds and Porsche 911 Targas, Emran shares stories from behind the scenes, discusses some of the most memorable projects to come through the shop, and explains why events like Caffeine & Octane continue to play such an important role in Atlanta's automotive community.

In this episode Grant talks with Deanne, a longtime car enthusiast who shares her journey from Celicas and an MR2 to a heavily built Z32 and a rare Z34 Protospec. She discusses building a reliable high-performance 300ZX, learning on the track in her Supra, and how car communities helped her grow. Deanne reflects on the challenges of building and trusting the right people, the joy of inspiring others (especially women) to get involved, and the special stories behind her MR2 and Proto Z. It’s a conversation about passion, perseverance, and the people that make the car scene feel like family.

Recorded live at the Sandy Springs Invitational Car Show, this episode features Ed Bolian discussing his collection—highlighting a 2012 Bugatti Veyron, the restored Victoria’s Secret Lamborghini Diablo, and his Spyker C8—along with behind-the-scenes tales of finding, restoring and driving rare cars. Ed also talks about VinWiki, Car Trek, the importance of car culture and community at Caffeine & Octane, and teases future projects while reflecting on how cars connect people and create memorable stories.

In this episode Grant Bambreuer sits down with endurance racing star Ryan Hardwick to discuss his journey from building a power sports empire to winning Daytona, Sebring, Le Mans and the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship. Ryan shares his racing origins, recovery from a serious brain injury, partnerships like First Form, and highlights from his exotic car collection — all while balancing family and business.

Host Graham Van Buren talks with Adam, cofounder of Preve Driver Society, about running a curated, 50-member private track club that prioritizes quality track time for busy enthusiasts and entrepreneurs. They discuss Atlanta's growing car scene at the Sandy Springs Invitational, notable cars on display, the value of curation and community, ownership insights on cars like the McLaren 600LT, 992 GT3 RS and Aston Valhalla, and the evolving role of hybrids and manuals in high-performance driving.

What happens when a lifelong passion for cars turns into a family business? In Episode 4 of the Caffeine & Octane Podcast, host Grant Van Brewer sits down with Mike and Patrick Riordan of Fly My Ride to talk about car culture, entrepreneurship, and building a business together as father and son. From early automotive memories to launching and growing a premium mobile detailing company, this episode dives into the real story behind the brand. The conversation also explores what separates Fly My Ride from traditional detailing services, the importance of training and quality standards, and why passion still matters in today’s automotive world. Subscribe for more podcast episodes, feature videos, and shorts from the nation’s largest monthly car show.  

Host Grant Van Brewer sits down with Porsche enthusiast John Greenberg to trace his automotive journey, from early Caffeine & Octane memories to buying a Spyder RS. They cover track days, the Atlanta car community, memorable moments at shows, and why Caffeine & Octane remains a must-attend event for car lovers.

In this episode of the Caffeine and Octane Podcast, we sit down with Justin Norton, founder of Atlanta Custom Wraps, to talk about passion, entrepreneurship, and the creativity behind one of the most exciting segments of the automotive industry. Justin shares the story of how he built Atlanta Custom Wraps and turned a passion for cars and design into a thriving business. From high-end vehicle wraps and custom builds to working with car enthusiasts and businesses across the region, Justin explains what it takes to stand out in a competitive industry. We also dive into the evolution of car culture, the growing popularity of vehicle customization, and how events like Caffeine and Octane bring together enthusiasts from all backgrounds—from exotic supercars and classic restorations to unique custom builds.

In this episode of the Caffeine and Octane Podcast, we go behind the scenes with Bruce Piefke, the owner of Caffeine and Octane, to uncover how a small local car meetup grew into one of the most recognized automotive events in the world. Bruce shares the journey from humble beginnings to a massive monthly gathering that attracts thousands of cars and enthusiasts—from rare exotics and classic restorations to jaw-dropping custom builds. He dives into the challenges of running a large-scale automotive brand, the unexpected twists that shaped the event, and the passion that drives the global car community. We also explore what it takes to organize events at this scale, how car culture continues to evolve, and why fans keep coming back month after month.