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BONUS: A thanks to listeners in 38 countries after six months of the podcast
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Six Months. 27 Episodes. Listeners from 38 Countries.
The Auto Ethnographer podcast is officially six months old and what a global journey it’s been.
From Mercedes-Benz to McLaren, Toyota to VinFast, our guests have shared stories from Mexico to Malaysia, Sweden to Saudi Arabia, exploring how culture shapes the way we move, market, and make meaning.
We’ve featured voices from inside Porsche, Volvo, Aston Martin, Land Rover, and more with each one revealing what it’s like to work across borders, brands, and belief systems.
And we’re just getting started. Coming soon: Lamborghini, Mercedes-AMG, and a deep dive into Chinese branding and cultural trends.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads for daily snapshots of unusual cars in unusual places.
🎧 Listen. Reflect. Drive differently. But keep on driving!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567929329364
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auto.ethnographer/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtrD6CPH0KXdKrIRBnTHpuQ
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-auto-ethnographer
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Transcript
00:00:01
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27 episodes, listeners from 38 countries, countless stories, and lots of feedback from those listeners.
Introduction and Podcast Overview
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Hello and welcome to The Auto Ethnographer. I'm John Steck, your host on this journey. We travel the globe to bring you stories about culture and the global automotive industry.
00:00:20
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Fasten your seatbelt and let's get started. Hello and welcome to this week's special bonus episode of The Auto Ethnographer. I'm your host, John Steck.
00:00:30
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And today we're hitting pause, not to stop, but to reflect. It's been six months since this journey began on this Autoethnographer podcast and what a ride it's been.
Podcast Milestones and Cultural Perspective
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27 episodes, listeners from 38 countries, countless stories, and lots of feedback from those listeners.
00:00:55
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And it's all been one big idea. that cars aren't just machines, they're cultural artifacts, emotional vessels, and a symbol of those that work to support their development, manufacturing, sales, and service all across the planet.
00:01:14
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When I launched the Autoethnographer, I wanted to explore the human side of mobility. Not just the horsepower and the torque, but the people behind the brands, the cultures behind the marketing, and the stories behind the steering wheels.
Global Listener Engagement and Guest Highlights
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And you showed up from Mexico to Malaysia, from Vietnam to France, from the UK to the US, Saudi Arabia to South Africa, Germany to Brazil, and so many places in between.
00:01:46
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You tuned in, you shared your insights, and helped build a global community of curious minds and car lovers. We've had guests who have worked with some of the most iconic brands in the world.
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And forgive me, this list is long. Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Porsche, McLaren, Volkswagen, BMW, Kia, General Motors, Williams Racing, Aston Martin, Volvo, Nissan, Land Rover, Ineos, VinFast, Continental Tire, and more.
Navigating Cultural Contrasts in Automotive Industry
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These aren't just logos. They're living, breathing ecosystems of design, engineering, and cultural negotiation. And it was fantastic to speak with people who have worked within those ecosystems who brought that to life for us here on the podcast.
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What's been most powerful is hearing how these professionals navigate cultural contrasts, working with brands from cultures different than their own.
00:02:52
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or living and creating in countries far from home. These stories aren't just about cars. They're about adaptation. They're about empathy and the art of translation between languages, between markets, and between mindsets, perhaps the most difficult transition of all.
Social Media and Cultural Showcases
00:03:14
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And if you're following us on Instagram, Facebook, or threads, you've seen the visual side of this journey too. Daily photographs of unusual cars in unusual places.
00:03:26
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American muscle car stuck in Bangkok traffic. Pink Porsches in Thailand. A 50-year-old Toyota Celica owned by a man half its age in Asia.
00:03:38
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Each image is a snapshot of cultural collision and creativity. Unusual cars in unusual places.
Upcoming Guests and Future Topics
00:03:49
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Looking ahead, the next six months, or even just the next 30 days, the road gets even more exciting.
00:03:57
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We've got upcoming guests from Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, and Mercedes-AMG. And we're going to dive deep together with a special guest into an insightful series on Chinese culture, marketing, and branding trends, exploring how East meets West in the world of brand and cultural storytelling.
00:04:21
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Each episode will continue to explore cultural interactions across continents. how a German brand adapts to Brazilian humor, how German cars were adapted to the Chinese market, or how Chinese marketing strategy redefines luxury in the Middle East.
Gratitude and Cultural Exploration
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So thank you. Whether you're a listener, a guest, a silent supporter, or someone who just stumbled across one of the photos, perhaps of a Wu Ling in Sukhumvit, yes, that is a real brand in a real place.
00:04:55
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and the picture exists on the Instagram, this podcast exists because of you. Six months in, The Autoethnographer is more than a podcast.
00:05:07
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It's a passport, a lens, a conversation, and we're just getting started.
Engagement and Additional Resources
00:05:14
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Please follow on Instagram, Facebook, and threads for the creative photos.
00:05:19
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You can also follow on LinkedIn for the professional side of our content. And of course, visit the website for more information. That's auto-ethnographer.com.
00:05:29
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Again, auto-ethnographer.com. So stay curious, stay connected, and always keep your eyes on the road and your mind on the culture behind it.
00:05:43
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Until next time, keep on driving.
00:05:48
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Thank you for joining us on today's journey. Please remember to like and subscribe to The Auto Ethnographer and leave us a rating or comment. For more information, visit our website at auto-ethnographer.com.
00:06:00
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You can also follow on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.