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Take your transportation business to the next level.
Kenneth Lucci of Driving Transactions and James Blain of PAX Training share the secrets of growing a successful and profitable ground transportation company. On this podcast, you’ll hear interviews with owners, operators, investors, and other key players in the industry. You’ll also hear plenty of banter between Ken and James.
Learn how you can grow revenue, train your team, drive higher profits, and boost owner income. Subscribe today!
67 Episodes
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Send us a text In this holiday year-in-review special, Ken Lucci and James Blain reflect on the conversations, guests, and industry moments that made this past year such a pivotal one for ground transportation. From memorable origin stories and standout interviews to hard conversations about insurance pressure, safety expectations, and industry fragmentation, this episode captures the lessons operators can’t afford to ignore. The hosts revisit insights from across the podcast’s most impactful...
Send us a text Insurance remains one of the most challenging and frustrating realities facing ground transportation operators today. Even companies with strong safety records are seeing double-digit premium increases, shrinking carrier options, and fewer levers to pull at renewal time. In this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, James Blain is joined by Joseph Madiedo, a second-generation transportation insurance specialist from The Professional Insurance Center, to unpack what’s re...
Send us a text Autonomous vehicles promised safer roads, fewer accidents, and a seamless future — but the real-world footage tells a very different story. In this episode, Ken Lucci and James Blain react to a curated set of shocking, hilarious, and sometimes disturbing AV clips, including Tesla autopilot mishaps, snowy-road confusion, near-miss lane changes, and even a tragic cruise-vehicle incident. From the “cardboard-box test” debate to the ethics of the trolley problem, they break down w...
Send us a text In this episode, Ken Lucci sits down with Natalie Beane, an SBA and business-lending expert who helps small and mid-sized companies secure the capital they need to operate, grow, and survive challenging markets. Natalie breaks down how SBA loans really work, the differences between traditional banking and government-backed financing, and what transportation operators can do today to make themselves lender-ready. She explains why clean financials matter, how banks evaluate risk...
Send us a text In this episode, James and Ken break down one of the most critical—and most overlooked—skills in the ground transportation industry: proactivity. Drawing from real operator examples and industry data, they explore how being proactive transforms three essential areas of your business: • Safety: Why consistency, telematics, training, and “the 72-hour rule” matter more than experience alone. • Business Development: How to break out of reactive habits, increase your sales activit...
Send us a text Order the book today: https://www.amazon.com/Unbreakable-Path-Resilience-Pursuit-Greatness/dp/1967424373/ Industry legend Charlie Horky returns to the podcast to celebrate the release of his new book, Unbreakable Path — a raw, fast-moving account of how he built one of the largest limousine companies in the world, lost it all, and rebuilt his life and career from the ground up. In this conversation, Charlie shares what pushed him to finally write the book, the pivotal moments...
Send us a text What if booking a ride could be as simple—and transparent—as booking a flight? That question inspired Obi, the world’s first true rideshare aggregator, and the focus of this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast. Host Ken Lucci sits down with Ashwini Anburajan, CEO of Obi, to explore how the company became known as “the Kayak of Rideshare.” Ashwini shares her journey from NBC political reporter to BuzzFeed data strategist to tech CEO, and how her obsession with consume...
Send us a text After a whirlwind season of industry events — from the Chauffeur Driven/NLA Show in Dallas, GBTA, IATR, CBA and more...Ken Lucci and James Blain circle the wagons and unpack the biggest trends shaping 2025 and beyond. In this Ground Transportation Podcast episode, they share key insights from research, analyst reports, and conversations with owners and operators across the country: The data behind a strong rebound in corporate travel, luxury hotels, and private aviationThe mou...
Send us a text For 14 straight years, commercial auto insurance has been unprofitable — and for operators, premiums keep climbing with no end in sight. In this hard-hitting episode, James Blain and Ken Lucci sit down with Tim Delaney, President of the Commercial Auto Division at Lancer Insurance, to unpack what’s really driving your insurance costs — and what you can do about it. Tim explains how “nuclear verdicts,” rising medical costs, and attorney-funded lawsuits have transformed the insu...
Send us a text React to the videos along with us on our YouTube page Join James and Ken as they explore the chaos of unpredictable driving scenarios in this lively episode. With a guest appearance from John Tyreman, the executive producer of the Ground Transportation Podcast, the team reacts to a series of dash cam videos showcasing near misses, high-speed chases, and outrageous incidents. They offer expert insights on maintaining safety, situational awareness, and emergency procedures...
Send us a text Are you leading with a vision and strategy? In this episode, Ken Lucci sits down with Steve Firestone, founder of Firestone Strategies Group. They discuss essential strategies for small transportation businesses, focusing on financial acumen and strategic planning. Steve shares his extensive career experience in corporate America and the security industry, providing valuable insights into common pitfalls that entrepreneurs face. The discussion revolves around core values, orga...
Send us a text In this episode of the Ground Transformation Podcast, James Blain sits down with Dr. Umut Aslan from the Growth and Success Institute. They discuss Dr. Aslan's journey from working in a small family business to managing a successful transportation company, Men in Black Transportation, which grew from a single vehicle to a mixed fleet including motor coaches. Dr. Aslan shares key insights on the importance of networking, marketing, and strategic planning for business grow...
Send us a text Who says you shouldn't mix family and business? In this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, Ken Lucci sits down with industry veterans Mike Rose from My Limo and Tim Rose from Hoffman Transportation Group. Discover their journey from rental cars to growing a transportation business 10x from $4 million to $40 million in 5 years. Learn about the importance of customer service, technology adoption, and creating a culture of safety. They discuss the current challeng...
Send us a text Which alligator do you need to worry about? The one closest to the boat. In this episode, James sits down with Matt Maglio, Regional Vice President at Greyhound. Matt shares his journey from bus driver to executive, emphasizing the importance of safety, mentorship, and continuous learning in the motor coach industry. They discuss the value of industry organizations like the Bus Industry Safety Council (BISC) and Bus Maintenance and Repair Council (BusMARC) highlighting ...
Send us a text Chris Weiss, President & Publisher of Chauffeur Driven Magazine, returns for another episode! In this episode, James, Ken, and Chris discuss the upcoming Dallas Fall Show at the Gaylord Texan October 25-28, 2025, highlighting its robust schedule, anticipated attendance, and what owners and operators can expect at the show. The team also elaborates on the value of attending national trade shows, networking, and the unique experiences offered such as mentoring programs and ...
Send us a text Plan for your exit the right way. In this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, Ken Lucci sits down with Phil Shetsen, President of Bona Vita Benefits, who shares some common financial planning mistakes made by transportation operators. Phil emphasizes the importance of life insurance, benefits, and retirement planning. He shares his personal and professional journey, the mission to help others avoid financial pitfalls, and offers insights into creating robust benefit...
Send us a text Welcome to another exciting episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast. Host James Blain discusses the future of the global chauffeur industry with Dr. Vojkan Tasic, founder and CEO of Limos4. Vojkan shares his journey from an engineering background to revolutionizing the limo business, focusing on building a booking platform, the significance of quality assurance, and the strategic expansion of his company. The conversation dives into the critical differences between the US ...
Send us a text Get a grip on your transportation business with EOS. In this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, Ken Lucci introduces EOS professional implementer Mike Zappone, who shares his journey from limo operator to a professional implementer of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). Discover Mike’s journey from selling his transportation business to becoming an EOS implementer, and learn how you can elevate your business, align your team, and achieve sustainable g...
Send us a text Do you find yourself working *in* the business, and not *on* the business? Ever feel like you're wearing too many hats? You may be suffering from DIY addiction... On this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, Ken and James discuss the hidden costs of micro-managing a business, and why systems, process, and training are so critical for the operation of transportation businesses. Learn how to find the strength to take back your time, and get back to building your...
Send us a text Who are the biggest players in the autonomous vehicle (AV) market? Let's find out. In this exciting episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, Ken Lucci, Chief Business Analyst of Driving Transactions, shares research he has surfaced from secondary sources like Goldman Sachs, Bloomberg, and other business analysts, connecting dots for owners and operators on the verge of offering Autonomous Livery services. Ken provides compelling insights about the projected growth of AV ...
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