Talkin' Shop

In this episode of the Talkin’ Shop Podcast, we sit down with Mark McCann — entrepreneur, car collector, and one of the UK’s most well-known automotive YouTubers. From building businesses outside the car world to creating one of the fastest-growing car channels in the country, Mark shares what really fuels his obsession with speed, risk, and going all in.
We dive into the mindset behind big-money builds, high-stakes challenges, and why YouTube success isn’t just about supercars- it’s about storytelling, pressure, and constantly raising the bar. Mark opens up about gambling millions on ambitious projects, chasing world records, and the reality of balancing family life with a lifestyle that rarely slows down.
From outrageous challenges to real business lessons behind the scenes, this episode is packed with ambition, straight-talking insight, and proper car chat. If you’re into supercars, entrepreneurship, big risks, and the mindset it takes to operate at the top level, this isn’t one to miss.
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Brought to you by Eclipse Diagnostics. If you work on commercial vehicles, vessels or machinery, check out Jaltest – the UK's leading multi-brand diagnostic tool. Quote "TALKINSHOP" in your enquiry for a free cable saver with your order; on-site training included:
https://www.eclipse-tech.co.uk/talkin-shop/

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Mark McCann
https://www.youtube.com/@MarkMcCann64
https://www.instagram.com/markmccann64/
https://www.facebook.com/MarkMcCann64/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1iIFvDH9BIDJXF2TPgOyjY

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To watch the video version of this podcast, visit our YouTube channel: 
https://youtu.be/jFnGCgl-Gu8
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*Follow us on social media:*

Talkin’ Shop Podcast:
https://www.instagram.com/talkinshoppodcast_/
https://www.tiktok.com/@talkinshoppodcast

Eclipse Diagnostics:
https://www.facebook.com/truck.diagnostics
https://www.linkedin.com/company/eclipse-automotive-technology-ltd/
https://www.instagram.com/eclipsediagnostics_/

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YouTube videos mentioned in this podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfMncYIs8Ys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lg5nnziWOEo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe-KKzW6QUQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9qINcjWdd0

In this episode of the Talkin’ Shop Podcast, we sit down with Mike Fernie — YouTuber, presenter, and one of the original voices of UK car content. He talks about cars, engines, and what it really takes to stay relevant in the automotive world. Mike reflects on his journey through YouTube, the evolution of car content from simple reviews to story-driven builds, and why modern audiences want more than just horsepower figures and spec sheets. We dive into engine choices, big builds, ambitious projects, and the constant balance between performance, reliability, and entertainment, alongside the realities of running car channels long-term. From creative burnout and pressure to push boundaries, to working with friends, taking risks, and knowing when a build has gone too far, Mike shares honest insight from years at the sharp end of automotive media. If you’re into cars, engines, real builds, and the behind-the-scenes truth of automotive YouTube, this episode is packed with experience, opinion, and proper car chat.

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Brought to you by Eclipse Diagnostics. If you work on commercial vehicles, vessels or machinery, check out Jaltest – the UK's leading multi-brand diagnostic tool. Quote "TALKINSHOP" in your enquiry for a free cable saver with your order; on-site training included:
https://www.eclipse-tech.co.uk/talkin-shop/

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Mike Fernie
https://www.youtube.com/@Mike_Fernie
https://www.instagram.com/mike_fernie

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To watch the video version of this podcast, visit our YouTube channel: 
https://youtu.be/Xt-K7KYMNNU
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*Follow us on social media:*

Talkin’ Shop Podcast:
https://www.instagram.com/talkinshoppodcast_/
https://www.tiktok.com/@talkinshoppodcast

Eclipse Diagnostics:
https://www.facebook.com/truck.diagnostics
https://www.linkedin.com/company/eclipse-automotive-technology-ltd/
https://www.instagram.com/eclipsediagnostics_/

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YouTube videos mentioned in this podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSgusOiaw5Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3htriuqPflk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJzWrSU4I5c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NHv6owsCvw

In this episode of the Talkin’ Shop Podcast, we sit down with Chris Slix, the YouTuber known for rebuilding crash-damaged cars and taking big risks on wild body kits. Chris shares his unconventional route into YouTube, from music college and sales to running a detailing business before going all-in on content creation, learning to work on cars by filming himself, making mistakes on camera, and figuring things out the hard (and expensive) way. We dive into his philosophy of getting “95% of the experience for 30% of the money”, why starting with crashed cars unlocks builds that wouldn’t otherwise make sense, and the reality of buying parts sight unseen — including kits that might not fit and sometimes cost more than the car. Chris also breaks down the truth of supercar ownership, why McLarens are incredible when they work (and a nightmare when they don’t), the dangers of over-complication, and the constant pressure of projects that can go wrong at any moment. Honest, funny, and unfiltered, this episode is a real look at building cars, building content, and finding your “thing” by accident.

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Brought to you by Eclipse Diagnostics. If you work on commercial vehicles, vessels or machinery, check out Jaltest – the UK's leading multi-brand diagnostic tool. Quote "TALKINSHOP" in your enquiry for a free cable saver with your order; on-site training included:
https://www.eclipse-tech.co.uk/talkin-shop/

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Chris Slix
https://www.youtube.com/@Chris_Slix
https://www.instagram.com/chris.slix
https://www.facebook.com/chris.slix

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To watch the video version of this podcast, visit our YouTube channel: 
https://youtu.be/LgH4eHUlJ1U

--

*Follow us on social media:*

Talkin’ Shop Podcast:
https://www.instagram.com/talkinshoppodcast_/
https://www.tiktok.com/@talkinshoppodcast

Eclipse Diagnostics:
https://www.facebook.com/truck.diagnostics
https://www.linkedin.com/company/eclipse-automotive-technology-ltd/
https://www.instagram.com/eclipsediagnostics_/

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YouTube videos mentioned in this podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu0-oaOzyMk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lo4mywK2yQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4u2K3J1Tq8Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41qbLwq8bGk

In this episode of the Talkin' Shop Podcast, we sit down with Jamie Sonuga from Officially Gassed— the man who built a YouTube channel from making content on his own Mercedes A45 AMG into a million-subscriber automotive powerhouse. Jamie opens up about the calculated risk of leaving his stable job as a mobile mechanic for the London Fire Brigade to pursue YouTube full-time. He talks candidly about the grind of editing videos in his van while on the clock , and how consistency was key to growing his audience. Jamie lifts the lid on the changing YouTube landscape, discussing the pressures of constantly pushing boundaries , battling for views against a million subscribers , and the need for story-driven content over simple car reviews. He dives into his insane, multi-hundred-thousand-pound car builds, the emotional connection they hold , and the dark side of high-horsepower tuning, sharing the tragic crash that turned his M240i project into an emotional homage. We also dive into his automotive passion born from his time as an HGV mechanic fixing dust carts , the wild success of his Gassed on Track events , and the difficulty of finding a work-life balance while being an "adrenaline junkie" seven days a week. If you want laughs, hard truths, real talk about the automotive scene, and the story behind one of the industry's most dedicated creators— this episode delivers.

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Brought to you by Eclipse Diagnostics. If you work on commercial vehicles, vessels or machinery, check out Jaltest – the UK's leading multi-brand diagnostic tool. Quote "TALKINSHOP" in your enquiry for a free cable saver with your order; on-site training included:
https://www.eclipse-tech.co.uk/talkin-shop/

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Jamie (Officially Gassed):
https://www.youtube.com/@officially_gassed
https://www.instagram.com/officially_gassed/
https://www.tiktok.com/@officially_gassed?lang=en

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To watch the video version of this podcast, visit our YouTube channel: 
https://youtu.be/Gv643QUxqdg

--

*Follow us on social media:*

Talkin’ Shop Podcast:
https://www.instagram.com/talkinshoppodcast_/
https://www.tiktok.com/@talkinshoppodcast

Eclipse Diagnostics:
https://www.facebook.com/truck.diagnostics
https://www.linkedin.com/company/eclipse-automotive-technology-ltd/
https://www.instagram.com/eclipsediagnostics_/

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YouTube videos mentioned in this podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UxD2b7HT3E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATFvR3oXK10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS70F-vE6cU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UxD2b7HT3E

In this episode of the Talkin’ Shop Podcast we sit down with Paul Fox of Fox Group— the man who took over his family business at just 23 and turned it into one of the UK’s fastest-growing construction and materials groups. Paul opens up about the pressure of stepping into leadership so young, the grief that shaped him, and the “sink or swim” moments that defined Fox Group’s rise. He talks candidly about the dark days no one saw, what it was really like to run a business while learning on the job, and how self-sufficiency, smart acquisitions, and the right people transformed a small local operation into a 350-truck, 1,000-machine powerhouse. Paul lifts the lid on the acquisitions they got right (and wrong), the culture he’s fought to build, and why numbers and people are the real secret to scaling.We also dive into his no-nonsense leadership style, the loneliness of being a CEO, the lessons from COVID that changed everything, and the legacy of the man who inspired him. If you want laughs, hard truths, real business talk, and the story behind one of the industry’s most resilient leaders — this episode delivers.
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Brought to you by Eclipse Diagnostics. If you work on commercial vehicles, vessels or machinery, check out Jaltest – the UK's leading multi-brand diagnostic tool. Quote "TALKINSHOP" in your enquiry for a free cable saver with your order; on-site training included:
https://www.eclipse-tech.co.uk/talkin-shop/

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Paul Fox:
https://www.instagram.com/foxbrothersltd/?hl=en
https://uk.linkedin.com/company/fox-brothers-group
https://www.facebook.com/foxbrothersltd

--

To watch the video version of this podcast, visit our YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/phg86_iQi_Y

--

*Follow us on social media:*

Talkin’ Shop Podcast:
https://www.instagram.com/talkinshoppodcast_/
https://www.tiktok.com/@talkinshoppodcast

Eclipse Diagnostics:
https://www.facebook.com/truck.diagnostics
https://www.linkedin.com/company/eclipse-automotive-technology-ltd/
https://www.instagram.com/eclipsediagnostics_/

-

YouTube videos mentioned in this podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGnJG7O70E0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEUYjCvAA88&t=473s