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PODCAST · leisure

The Weekly Driver Podcast

by James Raia and Bruce Aldrich

Hosted by James Raia and Bruce Aldrich, The Weekly Driver Podcast dives deep into the highways and byways of the automotive world. Each week, we put you in the driver’s seat, exploring unique, unusual, and often untold stories from across the industry’s spectrum.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Oct 8, 2025 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. #285, Hagerty’s 40-year celebration

    Tarra Warnes and her husband once owned two Yugos. The sub-compact three-door hatchback and two-door convertible are often cited as the worst vehicles in history. The Yugo enthusiast family's idea was to use one vehicle to provide parts for its counterpart's restoration as a race car. The outcome...

  2. #272, Genesis: not the band, not the Bible but the fast-growing South Korean carmaker

    Jarred Pellat is the senior manager public relations and communications of Genesis Motor North America. It's the eight-year-old luxury vehicle division of the South Korean vehicle manufacturer Hyundai Motor Company. A native of Canada who lived in South Korea for several years, Pellat is our…

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  3. #271, Industry expert John Vincent talks lingering UAW strike, updates EVs

    John Vincent, senior editor and automotive correspondent for U.S. News & World Report, has more than 25 years of experience covering the auto industry. In addition to reviewing vehicles, he has vast expertise in auto financing, leasing and buying. He's also an expert observer and commentator...

  4. #270, Chicago-based business provides automotive Xtreme Xperiences

    Adam Olalde is the founder and CEO of Xtreme Xperience. The Chicago-based company provides unique driving experiences in luxury cars mixed with racetrack and lifestyle experiences. Olalde, who began his business after working for a luxury car rental service, is our guest this week on The Weekly...

  5. #269, Renowned automotive journalist talks future of car-sharing

    Michael Coates has done it all as an automotive journalist, from writer and editor to publishing and broadcast analysis. He's currently the editor and publisher of Clean Fleet Report, a well-respected automotive website focusing on automotive environmental issues. Coates, who also serves as...

  6. #268 Newport Car Museum Adds Prized Collection of Vintage Porsches

    Gunther Buerman and his wife Maggie Buerman opened the Newport Car Museum in 2017 in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. They've constantly updated the combined automobile and history museum including its latest presentation — an homage to Porsche. Gunther Buerman, whose interest in automobiles began as a...

  7. #267, The Voice: John Kraman talks Mecum Auctions, Monterey

    John Kraman knows the car auction business as well as a broadcaster. He's the senior member of the Mecum Auctions team and the only announcer who's been on all 16 years of the country's largest automobile auctions broadcast. He's our guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. With broadcast...

  8. #265, Lightship: entrepreneurs debut EV RV

    Ben Parker and Toby Kraus are co-founders of Lightship. Both entrepreneurs worked for Tesla but are now immersed in a collaborative project in the recreational vehicle industry. Parker and Kraus recently introduced the prototype of the L1. It's a pending all-electric trailer Lightship is…

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  9. #264, Chris Miller: Vehicle sculptures in stone

    Chris Miller has been a friend of The Weekly Driver Podcast for three years. An artist who lives Maples Corner, a hamlet outside Calais, Vermont, Miller began made his sculpture career nearly 50 years ago. He works in granite, wood and marble, and his work is featured in private collections…

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  10. #263, Megabus returns to California market

    Megabus, the discount city-to-city bus system, debuted in 2006. Marketed as having served more than 50 million customers in more than 500 cities, the express service features tickets between metro cities for as little as $1 each way. The travel option available throughout the United States and in...

  11. #261, Vintage buses, pub crawls, one crafty Santa Cruz woman

    The citizens of Santa Cruz and the surrounding oceanside towns and tree-lined hamlets may hold an unofficial record for their entrepreneurial ways. Creativity rules small businesses, from bespoke bicycle makers to artists to Annie Wolff Patsch. Wolff Patsch and her husband, Adam Patsch, combine...

  12. #260, Cheap SUVs, racing icon dies and more

    From time to time during the more than five years of The Weekly Driver Podcast, co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia catch-up on automotive news instead of having a guest. This week on Episode #260 we visit four diverse topics — cheap SUVs, the death of speed racing icon Craig Breedlove, the…

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  13. #259, Reverend Gadget: preaches for EVs

    Greg Abbott, an ordained minister for nearly 40 years, is also a steel fabrication artist, craftsman, prop builder and television personality based in Los Angeles, California. Mostly, he's known as "Reverend Gadget" or just "Gadget" for his leading role in a custom car build team on the…

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  14. #258, NASCAR at 75 detailed by four authors in new book

    Jimmy Creed, born and raised in Talladega, Alabama, is a decades-long journalist whose interest in motorsports and specifically NASCAR racing began when he was a young boy. Creed knows the city's famous racetrack as well as any journalist. He cultivated his knowledge in his long tenure as the...

  15. #257, Data reveals public hasn’t embraced EVs

    Divya Sangam, an industry expert at ValuePenquin.com, the LendingTree.com insurance division, is immersed in EVs, the Electric Vehicle segment of the automotive world. In a recently released survey, Sangam detailed the still-niche electric vehicle market. Specifically, Sangam, citing numerous...

  16. #256 EagleRider expands global motorcycling rental reach

    EagleRider is a California-based motorcycle rental, touring and subscription company addressing the increasing two or three-wheel needs of experienced and novice motorcycle riders. Shawn Fechter, Senior Vice President of Brand Experience for EagleRider, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly...

  17. #255 Pacific Coast Dream Machines celebrates 30 years

    After a three-year hiatus, the most varied collection of automobiles, planes, boats and exotic machinery and their equally varying owners will again gather for the daylong Pacific Coast Dream Machines. Sometimes described as a showcase of motorized mechanical marvels, the event's 30th edition…

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  18. #251, LAND Energy debuts versatile electric light vehicles

    Scott Colosimo is the founder and CEO of LAND Energy, a Cleveland tech company that will debut its light electric vehicles at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, January 5-7. Colosimo, whose company started in 2020, is our guest on episode #251 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. As...

  19. #245, Young reporter Mason Bloom joins TheWeeklyDriver.com

    Mason Bloom has experienced a lot as a young automotive enthusiast. His father owns a Porsche 911 and his father's friend owns an Aston Martin Vantage. Bloom drove the latter at age 12. Mason Bloom The Porsche and Aston Martin experiences solidified Bloom's passion for high-performance vehicles.…

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  20. #244, Insurance expert talks all things winter driving

    It's a family affair. Several relatives have been or are in the field and now for nearly a decade, Melanie Musson has cultivated her expertise in the car insurance industry. With Halloween and the winter on the horizon, Musson, a published car insurance expert with CarInsuranceComparison.com, is...

  21. #243, RVs, car-sharing, Rivian, expensive cars

    Co-host Bruce Aldrich and I get caught up on the automotive industry on this week's episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Bruce and his wife Alene took another trip in their new RV towed by their new pickup truck. I had my first experience renting a car for a day in the peer-to-peer, car-share...

  22. #241, Subaru, Maserati, cheapest, priciest insurance rates

    Buying car insurance may be the least enjoyable component of automobile ownership. It's a huge industry ripe with misinformation, high-profit margins and small print. CarInsurance.com, self-defined as "a one-stop online destination for car insurance information," does its part to give consumers…

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  23. #237, Support The Weekly Driver website, podcast

    Bruce Aldrich and I have co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast for more than four years. It's available on all major podcast platforms, including TheWeeklyDriver.com. The independent automotive website, which I edit and publish, has been online since 2004. In this episode, Bruce and I discuss two...

  24. #232, Cruise driverless ride share debuts in San Francisco

    After several years of negotiation and testing, Cruise was at the front of the autonomous line last week. It became the first driverless taxi service in San Francisco to charge for its services. The limited service area program features solo occupants getting rides in Chevrolet Bolts. The system…

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  25. #231, Bruce’s RV update, new retro trailers, Cruise taxis

    Not too many days pass without the automobile, truck or RV industry abuzz. But it's not always about Elon Musk, Tesla and the latest delay of his electric pickup truck. Sometimes, Bruce and I just have to get caught up in other auto news, and that's what we do on this episode of The Weekly Driver...

  26. #230, Bruce Meyer, ’32 Fords and the Petersen Auto Museum

    Bruce Meyer loves 1932 Fords. He owns 10. It may seem excessive unless you're a founding member of the Petersen Auto Museum in Los Angeles and it just unveiled an exhibition honoring the 90th anniversary of the vehicles and their iconic legacy as hot rods. Meyer, 90, founding chairman of the...

  27. #229, Tracy Broshar embraces three-wheel motorcycles

    Tracy Broshar began riding motorcycles at age 19 but she hadn't ridden for years out of respect for her partner's wishes. When her partner died three years ago and the effects of Covid-19 hit, Broshar "felt lost." "I kept thinking, 'what can I do to get myself out of this,' " the resident of...

  28. #228, Newport Auto Museum artist David Lloyd Glover

    David Lloyd Glover, a former newspaper illustrator who has worked as a full-time artist since 1969, created the auto museum artwork in the showrooms of vehicles and architecture in the Newport Car Museum. A week after Gunther Buerman, visionary and founder of the museum was our guest on The…

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  29. #227, Journalist Mark Glover set for 58th Indy 500

    Mark Glover, the long-time Sacramento-based journalist, will continue his passion for motorsports this week. He will attend the Indy 500 for the 58th time. It will be a family affair. Glover's son will accompany his father for the 30th time. The 106th Indy 500 is scheduled May 29 at Indianapolis...

  30. #226, Newport Car Museum visionary Gunther Buerman

    Approaching its fifth anniversary, the Newport Car Museum is the largest automotive museum in New England. It celebrates seven decades of modern industrial car design represented in more than 85 vehicles. It's all the vision of owners Gunther and Maggie Buerman. The couple, who live in Highland...

  31. #224, Cars.com editor reports on EVs, NY Auto Show

    Joe Wiesenfelder, the executive editor of cars.com, recently returned from the New York Auto Show. Electric vehicles continue to be emphasized in the automotive market space, and Wiesenfelder is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast to discuss it. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James...

  32. #223, Hypercar Invitational Founder Alessandro Borroni

    Like many automotive enthusiasts, Alessandro Borroni has a passion for automobiles that extends past his appreciation for fast cars and iconic carmakers. He's giving back to the community while the inviting like-minded to mingle among peers, drive iconic machines and raise money. The result is…

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  33. #221, Modern car icon Carl Benz will get inventing honor

    German engineer Carl Benz was the first to design a car around the internal combustion engine rather than adding an engine to an existing wagon or carriage, a critical insight in auto evolution. Benz, who died in 1929, is often called the inventor of the modern automobile. With six additional...

  34. #217, RVs, Tesla, Hyundai Santa Cruz, World Car of the Year

    New RVs. A massive Tesla recall. Hyundai's new hip pickup. The World Car of the Year nominations. It's all covered — and more — this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia don't have a guest on Episode No. 117, which gives us the ideal opportunity to catch up…

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  35. #216, Arôme d’Art: A new way to make your car smell good

    It seemed odd at first to see the booth for Arôme d’Art at the Unveiled Expo at the recent Consumer Electrics Show in Las Vegas. Diffusers aren't new, but the product and the approach to the distribution of fragrances in homes and offices — and in cars and trucks — is new. It's called a...

  36. #215, Ferrari parts business in Sacramento leads industry

    FerrParts is a Sacramento business that strives to lead the independent Ferrari parts distributor industry for the international Ferrari community. It's succeeded so well, the company recently expanded its business to include Maserati, Lamborghini, McLaren and Bentley. Russell Putnam, the owner…

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  37. #214, Indigo wants to change ride share and delivery

    Will Graylin is a tech entrepreneur who believes rideshare and delivery is the future of affordable, more efficient transportation. The Chairman and CEO of Indigo Technologies, Graylin is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with…

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  38. #213, CES: Moonbikes and Flying Formula 1 Cars

    If the entrepreneurs at MACA get what they're were hoping for at CES, motorsports enthusiasts may soon be watching racing featuring the MACA Flying Formula 1 Car. The fast and futuristic-looking vehicle is called a "Carcopter." It could change motorsports, or so its creators believe. Much…

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  39. #205, 2021 LA Auto Show back with electric vibe

    After one delay and one cancellation, the LA Auto Show is back for the first time in two years. Like many businesses, the automotive industry has suffered. But its first major auto show since the Covid-19 pandemic began will be held Nov. 19-28 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The 2021 LA…

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  40. #203, PitStopConnect.com helps predict, prevent auto tragedy

    Ben Auslander, vice president of sales and marketing for PitStopConnect.com, is enthusiastic about all things related to predictive analytics in automobiles. And he has been for a long time. Auslander, our guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast, worked on the GM Onstar program for more than...

  41. #201, Al Unser Jr. talks drugs, driving in new book

    As co-hosts of The Weekly Driver Podcast, Bruce Aldrich and I sometimes have a guest cancel at the last minute. Two-time Indy 500 winner Al Unser Jr. was our scheduled guest. With his non-appearance, we decided to talk about him. Specifically, we discuss Unser's new book, "A Checkered Past." The...

  42. #200, Few carmakers get top grades in car seat installation

    Cars.com recently released its 2021 Car Seat Fit Report Card. It provides a detailed analysis of which cars are the best for parents when it comes children's car seat installation. Jenni Newman, the editor-in-chief of Cars.com and a certified child passenger safety technician, is our guest on...

  43. #199, Terry Gale, curator of Rambler Ranch in rural Colorado

    A minute's drive from County Rd. 21 in the Elizabeth, Colo., Rambler Ranch is perched in a clearing of trees on the outskirts of the small town about 45 miles southeast of Denver. It's a secluded museum of Americana, a life's work for Terry Gale as a remembrance of family and the iconic…

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  44. #197, CarInsurance.com picks cheapest, best companies

    Ashlee Tilford is the managing editor of QuinStreet.com, the marketing and search engine service company. It recently released a consumer-based post detailing a new study by CarInsurance.com — the cheapest and best car insurance companies. Tilford is our guest this week on The Weekly Driver...

  45. #196, Bruce buys a truck, letters and buy us a cup of coffee

    Driving a new car is generally enjoyable; the process of acquiring it? Not so much. Bruce Aldrich, the co-host of The Weekly Driver Podcast, hadn't purchased a new vehicle in more than a decade. His Subaru Outback will soon approach 200,000 miles, and it's doing fine. But Bruce and his wife…

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  46. #191, Monterey Auto Week tuned up, ready for restart

    A few events have been amended, few postponed for another year. But by any name, Monterey Auto Week to Classic Car Week, and with events from The Little Car Show to the Concours d'Elegance, it's back. The all-encompassing showcase of automobiles and many related areas returns after a one-year...

  47. #189, Sandra Button: Queen of the Pebble Beach Concours

    Sandra Button has judged thousands of cars, Bentley to Bugatti, Maserati to Mercedes-Benz. But a masterpiece from yesteryear can still give the chairwoman of the Pebble Beach Concours a jolt. It happens early Sunday mornings when 200 cars emerge at Pebble Beach Golf Links for the annual homage to...

  48. #188, Broadcaster John Kraman talks Mecum Auctions

    John Kraman spends his work career immersed in automotive auctions. He's the lead TV commentator and analyst for NBCSN during Mecum Auction broadcasts. He can barely curb his enthusiasm. There's no doubt the broadcaster is ready for the return of the three-day Mecum Auction during Classic Car…

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  49. #184, Monterey Auto Week is back including memorabilia

    Monterey Auto Week. Monterey Car Week. Classic Car Week. By any name, the now nearly two-week presentation of all things automotive will be back in mid-August. After a one-year hiatus because of the Covid-19 pandemic, most of the usual annual attractions — shows to auctions, speakers' forums to...

  50. Energy Observer, Toyota team for global catamaran ride, #181

    Dr. Katia Nicolet, a marine biologist, is part of two, five-person crews rotating on board the Energy Observer. The self-sufficient, 100-foot catamaran is the first round-the-world, hydrogen-powered sea vessel. It's a working lab designed to showcase zero-emission technologies and demonstrate…

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Hosted by James Raia and Bruce Aldrich, The Weekly Driver Podcast dives deep into the highways and byways of the automotive world. Each week, we put you in the driver’s seat, exploring unique, unusual, and often untold stories from across the industry’s spectrum.

HOSTED BY

James Raia and Bruce Aldrich

CATEGORIES

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Weekly Driver Podcast have?

The Weekly Driver Podcast currently has 278 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is The Weekly Driver Podcast about?

Hosted by James Raia and Bruce Aldrich, The Weekly Driver Podcast dives deep into the highways and byways of the automotive world. Each week, we put you in the driver’s seat, exploring unique, unusual, and often untold stories from across the industry’s spectrum.

How often does The Weekly Driver Podcast release new episodes?

The Weekly Driver Podcast publishes regularly with 278 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

Where can I listen to The Weekly Driver Podcast?

You can listen to The Weekly Driver Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts The Weekly Driver Podcast?

The Weekly Driver Podcast is created and hosted by James Raia and Bruce Aldrich.
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