FreightCasts

Truckers are sold to 24/7 — by brokers, shippers, insurance companies, fuel programs, tech apps, dispatchers, and every “solution” in the industry.But here’s the truth most won’t say out loud: small carriers aren’t failing because they don’t know how to drive… they’re failing because they’re misinformed, misled, or marketed to in ways that have nothing to do with reality.In this episode of The Long Haul, Adam sits down with John Landrum, an 8-year logistics strategist and marketing leader whose work has centered around understanding how carriers think, decide, and survive in a world full of noise.This isn’t about factoring.This isn’t about products.This is about how the industry shapes the narrative, what truckers get wrong, what companies get wrong, and what it actually takes to cut through bad information in 2025.If you’re tired of being sold to and ready to actually understand the influence game behind this industry — this is your episode. Follow The Long Haul Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The trucking industry is facing pressure from every direction .... the courtroom, the criminal underworld, and regulators.In this episode we break down a major U.S. Supreme Court case that could redefine broker liability and determine whether freight brokers can be sued for negligent carrier selection after crashes.If the Court expands liability, it could reshape how freight is matched, how carriers are vetted, and how insurance markets price risk across the industry.We also dive deep into the growing crisis of freight fraud and cargo theft, speaking with investigative journalist Phillip Brink, the new head of Fraud Media & Education at FreightWaves and CEO of The Bannon Report. Brink exposes how organized crime rings are infiltrating the freight marketplace and how scammers are impersonating legitimate carriers to steal high-value loads.Plus, Dale Prax of FreightValidate and Truckstop.com joins the show to discuss regulatory compliance issues including UCR enforcement, the implications of the Supreme Court case, and what carriers and brokers should be doing right now to protect themselves.Topics include:• The Supreme Court case that could change broker liability• Negligent carrier selection and the future of freight brokerage• How cargo theft rings are professionalizing their operations• The rise of freight fraud and identity theft in trucking• Compliance issues every carrier should understand• What the industry must do to restore trust in the freight marketplaceTrucking is changing fast  and the consequences are reaching the highest court in the country.This is Brake Check, the industry wake-up call. Follow the Brake Check Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Malcolm and The Dude dive deep into the current state of the supply chain with two industry heavyweights. First, John Howland joins the desk to break down the shifting dynamics of the freight market and what carriers need to do to stay profitable in a volatile landscape. Then, we pivot to the tech side of the house with Phillip Brink, exploring how data-driven decisions are transforming the way we move goods from port to porch. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor - JJ KELLER⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this live edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? from the “Queen City” of Charlotte, NC, host Malcolm Harris sits down with industry experts to dissect a freight market at a major turning point. Malcolm is first joined by Brian Reilly, VP of Enterprise Sales at RXO, who shares on-the-ground insights into why routing guides are breaking and how capacity is tightening for the first time in years. The conversation then shifts to the future of logistics operations with Alan Alberto of CloneOps, who joins the show to discuss local industry growth. Lastly, Malcom talks with Nate Jones, Enterprise Customer Success Manager at Highway, who shares his experience on what 3PLs need to be doing to have success, and the future of the freight industry in Chattanooga. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Loaded and Rolling, host Thomas Wasson sits down with David Blackwell and Akshaya Kumar from EROAD to discuss the evolution of the “Truck Whisperer”—the art of transforming overwhelming fleet data into meaningful business outcomes. As modern commercial vehicles generate upwards of 50,000 data points per day, many fleet managers find themselves suffering from “alert fatigue” rather than gaining operational control. David and Akshaya break down how to cut through this digital noise to find the “juicy nuggets” of actionable signal. Follow the Loaded and Rolling Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Brake Check Live (3/3/26), we tackle two forces reshaping trucking from the inside out: artificial intelligence and driver recruiting.First up, Tapan joins us to introduce Hey Bubba, the AI-powered dispatcher aiming to fix what’s broken in traditional dispatch operations. Is AI about to replace human dispatchers? Or is it the efficiency tool carriers didn’t know they needed? We dig into what’s failing in dispatch today, what Hey Bubba is designed to solve, and what comes next.Then we shift gears with Tommy Valenzuela, Transport Topics Recruiting Professional of the Year from Hansen & Adkins. From life behind the wheel to leading recruiting efforts at a high level, Tommy shares his path, what this award truly means, and — more importantly — what’s actually working (and not working) in today’s driver recruiting environment.Dispatch. Recruiting. Technology. Accountability. The future of trucking talent.This isn’t theory. This is the operational reality carriers are living every day.Brake Check is the industry wake-up call and its here in a hard stop style today. Follow the Brake Check Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Freight Expectations, hosts Matthew Leffler and Craig discuss the transformative potential of "Dalilah’s Law," a proposed piece of legislation aimed at addressing a perceived safety and security crisis in the American trucking industry. ⁠Follow the Freight Expectations Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Thomas Wasson dives deep into the major geopolitical events impacting global supply chains, specifically focusing on recent attacks in the Persian Gulf and the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The show analyzes the ripple effects of these events on energy markets and maritime routes, highlighting how supply chains have become central to modern geopolitical calculus.The episode also covers a significant legal development in the parcel industry: class-action lawsuits against FedEx and UPS following the Supreme Court’s rollback of Trump-era emergency tariffs. In the market update segment, Wasson uses Sonar data to explore why tender rejection rates and spot market rates—particularly in the flatbed segment—are defying seasonal norms and staying “higher for longer”. Finally, the show wraps up with “Thomas Wasson’s Random Musings,” a look at emerging trucking technology and industry trends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent wrap up the month of February 2026 with a deep dive into industrial trends, autonomous infrastructure, and AI-driven safety.Industrial Rebound and Broker LiabilityJP Hampstead joins the show to discuss the “re-industrialization” of the American Midwest. He shares insights on:• Industrial Production: U.S. industrial production has finally reached pre-pandemic levels, hitting its highest point since 2019.• Flatbed Volatility: A staggering 42.5% of flatbed loads are currently being rejected, signaling intense demand in construction and energy sectors.• Supreme Court Battles: A preview of next week’s oral arguments regarding broker liability in the TQL and C.H. Robinson cases.The Future of the MailboxDan O’Toole, CEO of Arrive AI, discusses the evolution of autonomous delivery infrastructure. He explains:• Mailbox 2.0: Moving beyond the drone itself to create the necessary “smart” landing and securement infrastructure for robotic deliveries.• Safety Innovation: How Arrive points can assist first responders using emergency strobe features.• Economic Impact: The potential for autonomous delivery to remove thousands of trucks from congested roadsCutting Through the Noise with Insurevision.aiMark Miller, founder of Insurevision.ai, joins from London to explain why “risk is visual”. Key takeaways include:• Context over Telematics: Why traditional data like “hard braking” lacks the context needed to truly predict crashes.• End-to-End Models: Using Tesla-style machine learning to analyze dashcam footage and identify true risk in milliseconds.• Fair Underwriting: How AI allows insurance companies to score fleets based on current safety performance rather than five-year-old loss runs. Watch on YouTube Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the Friday, February 27th edition of the FreightWaves Morning Minute, where we cover the latest developments in the global logistics and shipping world. We start by discussing the significant leadership transition at Ocean Network Express, as founding CEO Jeremy Nixon prepares to step down from his executive duties. Next, we cover the retail sector, where a massive $100 million settlement from Walmart aims to resolve federal and state lawsuits regarding delivery driver compensation. The company faced allegations of systematically deceiving its app-based gig economy workers about the actual base pay and tips they would receive for their services. Finally, we look into how stricter driving enforcement in New York State could quickly lead to license suspensions and operational disruptions for commercial carriers traversing major freight corridors. Be sure to tune in at noon Eastern for a new episode of What the Truck with Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent on FreightWaves TV. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The domestic freight market remains unstable four weeks after Winter Storm Fern. The question now is whether increased regulatory enforcement pressure could keep this cycle shift tighter for longer. Additionally, how much will tariffs ultimately matter? Follow the Freightonomics Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After 35 years in transportation — from helping build Leonard’s Express into a $350M logistics powerhouse to leading the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) — Michael Riccio has seen this industry from every angle.In this episode of The Long Haul, Adam sits down with Riccio to talk about leadership, growth, and what’s next for the broker-carrier relationship. They dig into how small carriers can thrive in a market dominated by 3PLs, what lessons he learned as TIA Chairman, and how his consulting firm, More Than Miles, is helping logistics companies grow responsibly.And yes — Adam asks the tough question: where does broker transparency actually fit in, and what does “fairness” really mean in an industry built on information asymmetry?This one’s about perspective — from someone who’s been on every side of the table. After 35 years in transportation — from helping build Leonard’s Express into a $350M logistics powerhouse to leading the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) — Michael Riccio has seen this industry from every angle.In this episode of The Long Haul, Adam sits down with Riccio to talk about leadership, growth, and what’s next for the broker-carrier relationship. They dig into how small carriers can thrive in a market dominated by 3PLs, what lessons he learned as TIA Chairman, and how his consulting firm, More Than Miles, is helping logistics companies grow responsibly.And yes — Adam asks the tough question: where does broker transparency actually fit in, and what does “fairness” really mean in an industry built on information asymmetry?This one’s about perspective — from someone who’s been on every side of the table. Follow The Long Haul Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to The Morning Minute, your definitive source for global supply chain market intelligence. Today we break down the massive news from UPS as the company begins offering delivery drivers $150,000 voluntary buyout packages to shrink its network and reduce headcount. We also look at major structural changes in logistics software, where cargo management maker WiseTech Global is cutting a third of its workforce in a massive artificial intelligence pivot. This two-year restructuring plan will eliminate up to 2,000 jobs as the company integrates new technologies into its customer platforms and internal operations. Finally, we cover a controversial 5-4 Supreme Court ruling that protects the United States Postal Service from being sued over intentionally misdelivered mail. The decision reinforces a postal exception in the Federal Tort Claims Act shielding the agency from liability, despite dissenting arguments that it provides much greater protection than originally intended. Stay tuned for our definitive analysis on how these major shifts will impact transportation industry participants. Make sure to visit FreightWaves for more unparalleled access to news, data, and commentary. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brake Check LIVE in Nashville | Standing With Trucking’s Boldest VoicesBrake Check went live in Nashville at Recruit & Retain by Conversion Interactive, standing shoulder to shoulder with some of the boldest and brightest leaders shaping the future of trucking.This wasn’t about buzzwords.It wasn’t about recycled conference talking points. It was about real conversations with the people building smarter recruiting systems, stronger retention strategies, and sustainable safety cultures inside today’s fleets.Together, we tackled the questions that matter:Is trucking truly getting safer?How do we recruit without creating churn?What does meaningful retention actually look like in today’s freight cycle?How do technology, training, and leadership align to build long-term strength?This live episode brought carrier leaders, recruiting experts, and industry operators into one direct, forward-focused conversation about raising standards, improving outcomes, and protecting the people who keep freight moving.Brake Check is built to elevate the discussion — not tear it down. It’s a hard stop when needed, and a platform for progress when it counts.If you are a carrier, recruiter, executive, or decision-maker serious about improving the industry, this episode delivers insight worth your time.This is Brake Check.Carrier-focused. Driver-aware. Industry-forward.Subscribe for direct conversations with the leaders moving trucking ahead. Follow the Brake Check Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the podcast WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent engage in a fast-paced discussion on current events impacting the freight and transportation industry.The episode covers several key industry and political topics:• Safety and Regulations: The hosts discuss a significant article by Rob Carpenter regarding a driver involved in a major Alabama crash who returned to business despite safety concerns. This leads to a broader debate on “barriers to entry” in the trucking industry and the importance of maintaining high standards for CDL holders.• Political Developments: They touch upon the recent State of the Union address and its implications for cleaning up industry issues.• Trade and Tariffs: There is a detailed analysis of FedEx’s legal fight for refunds following Supreme Court rulings on the mechanisms used for recent tariffs.• Language Requirements: The hosts debate a new rule mentioned by Sean Duffy to implement an “English only” proficiency requirement for skills tests in California, which currently allows tests in up to 20 different languages.Guest Highlights:• Rush Feldhacker: The Senior Director of Sales at Tabi Connect and an industry veteran well-known in the Chattanooga “Freight Alley” area.• Jeff Jacobs: Representing TAI Software, he discusses why a Transportation Management System (TMS) should be viewed as an essential operating system rather than just a software tool. Watch on YouTube Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's FreightWaves Morning Minute, we cover President Trump's State of the Union address and his call for strict new regulations on commercial driver's licenses. This proposed legislation would prevent states from issuing CDLs to undocumented immigrants, which could significantly impact the industry's driver pool. Next, we dive into a major legal challenge as a South Carolina freight forwarder files a class-action lawsuit against FedEx. Following a recent Supreme Court ruling against emergency import fees, customers are now seeking massive refunds for tariffs collected on small parcels. Finally, we look at the future of logistics with a new partnership launching driverless autonomous freight operations in Texas. Bot Auto and Ryan Transportation are teaming up for overnight runs between Houston and Dallas, utilizing autonomous technology to bypass traditional challenges like driver fatigue and hours-of-service limits. Be sure to tune in later today on FreightWaves TV for a brand new episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? with Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent. You can find more details on all of these developing stories by visiting freightwaves.com. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive into a solution based omnichannel approach. Our guest, Raul Villarreal, CEO at Source Logistics, breaks down the why behind being that solution provider for shippers and how partnering with experts is sometimes better than trying to do everything yourself. For more information, subscribe to ⁠Check Call the newsletter⁠ or the podcast. ⁠Follow the Check Call Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brake Check Live, we break down three developments every carrier should be watching closely. FMCSA has issued mandatory directives surrounding non-domiciled CDLs ... a move designed to restore licensing integrity, but one that could reshape compliance exposure overnight. At the same time, the insurance market continues to reveal cracks in what was once considered trucking’s last failsafe. Are carriers being judged by performance ... or by association? And finally, federal authorities have launched a multi-state sting targeting sham CDL training operations. If training has been scaled without accountability, what does that mean for sustainable safety? Joining the panel: Rob Carpenter Brandon Wiseman Truck Safe Consulting This is not a recap of headlines. This is a drivers lived experience, carrier-focused breakdown of risk, liability, and operational consequences. Brake Check is the industry wake-up call. ⁠Follow the Brake Check Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to today's episode of our logistics podcast, where we first discuss how AscendTMS has entered the mergers and acquisitions space with its recent purchase of LoadPilot. InMotion Global's chief executive noted that LoadPilot's operations will soon halt as its loyal user base migrates to the newly acquired system. Next, we explore the implications of new federal guidance from the Department of Transportation regarding commercial truck parking. States must now comprehensively assess their parking capacity in their multimodal freight plans or risk losing vital National Highway Freight Program funding. Finally, we break down the financial troubles brewing for a major truck sales and service provider after Velocity Vehicles saw its debt rating downgraded for the second time in recent months. Both Moody's and S&P Global Ratings cited the company's high debt-to-earnings ratio and a soft truck market as primary reasons for these financial cuts. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent break down a volatile week in global logistics where political shifts and cartel violence are fundamentally redrawing the map of North American trade. The discussion centers on the "green gold" wars at the border, exploring a high-stakes reality where cross-border freight has shifted from a capacity challenge to a survival mission. Following the killing of a major cartel boss, violence along U.S.-Mexico freight corridors has surged, prompting shelter-in-place orders for U.S. citizens and a spike in cargo theft. Adding to the complexity, the hosts analyze the economic ripples of President Trump’s new 10% global tariff, implemented in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that blocked emergency trade powers. Shifting focus from the border to the facility, Justin Malone, Director of Field Safety at The Miner Corporation, joins the show to highlight why the loading dock—rather than the open highway—is often the most dangerous part of an operation. Malone breaks down the "handoff" moment where communication between drivers and facilities frequently fails, leading to life-threatening risks. He dives deep into the phenomenon of "trailer creep," explaining why this silent killer occurs and how basic safety tools like wheel chocks and dock locks are often dangerously ignored or misused. The conversation then turns toward the financial core of logistics technology with Matthew Everson, SVP of Sales & Marketing at IntelliTrans. Everson challenges the industry’s current obsession with visibility, arguing that tracking dashboards can become "money pits" if they aren't balanced against carrier economics. He asserts that the true financial center of gravity for shippers lies in carrier performance and selection, focusing on the specific KPIs that actually drive profitability. Amidst this tech-heavy discussion, Everson also notes Nashville’s rise as a critical emerging hub for both logistics and technology. The episode rounds out with a look at major industry headlines, starting with a judge’s approval of $150,000 UPS driver buyouts. The hosts debate whether this move signals a strategic labor reset or serves as a warning sign for the broader industry. Finally, the team covers the immediate logistical impact of a massive winter blizzard that has ground container terminals to a halt at major Northeast ports, adding further strain to an already pressured supply chain. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices