Let’s Talk Logistics

Tapan Chaudhari, founded Bubba.ai to fix what small carriers struggle with—dispatch. A voice-first AI that books loads, negotiates, and flags the fine print, it keeps one-to-five truck fleets running without offshore help. No fluff—just AI that works while the driver’s still in the seat. Key Chapters: (0:00)  Background and Introduction (01:34) How Bubba.aI Started (03:27) Voice-First Interface and User Experience (03:53) Future Capabilities and Expansion Plans (05:26) Issues with Overseas Dispatchers (06:22) Naming and Branding of Bubba.aI (10:26) Trip Planner and Real-Time Load Matching (15:30) Market Competition and Strategy (22:20) Funding and Business Model (26:17) The Challenge of AI in Trucking (28:15) The Role of AI in Trucking Operations (29:51) Bootstrapping vs. Venture-Backed Businesses (36:27) The Future of AI and Outsourcing (44:00) The Role of Brokers in Logistics (48:56) Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs   #LetsTalkLogistics #FreightTech #TruckingInnovation #CarrierSuccess #AIinLogistics 

Grace Maher, helped turn OTR Solutions from a five-person startup into one of freight’s leading FinTechs—without losing sight of what carriers actually need. Inside: how factoring really works, where fraud is evolving, and why consolidation plays won’t fix broken execution. From instant funding to AI-backed auditing, this is what modern back-office support should look like. No fluff—just real talk from someone who’s still in it.   Key Chapters: (0:00) Background and Introduction (3:03) OTR Solutions: Evolution and Services (4:54) Challenges and Innovations in Factoring (13:06) Industry Insights and Current Events (26:58) The Crazy World of Load Boards (28:11) Consolidation in FinTech and Load Boards (30:03) Challenges and Opportunities in the Freight Industry (35:29) The Role of AI and Technology in Freight (38:59) Freight Industry Talk and Personal Insights (43:27) The Freight Dating Scene (48:35) The Importance of Instant Funding (50:32) The Health of the Carrier Market (57:03) Final Thoughts and Contact Information #LetsTalkLogistics #FreightTech #LTL #OTRSolutions   

Ben Tschirgi, spent a decade selling freight before launching Science of Sales to fix what most teams get wrong—cold outreach. Inside: hitting the inbox, writing messages that actually get replies, and out-selling bigger teams without the bloat. No fluff—just tactics that win. Key Chapters: (0:00) Background and Introduction (1:29) Challenges in Cold Email Outreach (03:27) Transition from Sales to Management (7:02) Starting a New Business (13:18) Social Media and Personal Branding (21:16) Family and Personal Life (29:12) Exploring Custom CRM Solutions (29:59) Small Business vs. Startups (30:22) The Future of SaaS in Freight (31:44) AI's Role in Freight Tech (34:01) Challenges in Scaling a Business (39:23) Hiring and Team Management (42:27) The Evolution of Freight Tech (45:39) AI in Sales and Email Management (48:14) Building a SaaS Tool for Clients (50:41) Mistakes and Lessons Learned #LetsTalkLogistics #SalesStrategy #FreightTech #ColdEmail #B2BSales

The NMFC got a major overhaul. 2,000+ codes changed. FAKs might finally die. Gabe sat down with some of the sharpest minds in LTL—Lance Healey, Curtis Garrett, and Scooter Sayers—to break down what this means for shippers, TMS platforms, and the future of freight. FedEx made a bold move. Not every carrier is following. This is where LTL’s headed.   Key Chapters: (0:00) Background and Introduction (0:28) Understanding NMFC Changes (1:17) Introducing the Experts (1:54) Why Density-Based Classification? (3:25) Challenges with NMFC Codes (5:13) Impact on Shippers and Carriers (9:28) FedEx's Response to NMFC Changes (13:10) Future of LTL Shipping (32:46) Carrier Capacity and Customer Data (33:05) Behavioral Changes in Carrier Services (34:00) LTL Market Dynamics and Shipper Relationships (34:36) The Role of Data in Cost Management (35:10) Inflection Points in Carrier-Broker Relationships (39:11) Technological Innovations in Freight Management (47:28) Current State of the LTL Market (56:57) Future Predictions and Industry Consolidation   #LetsTalkLogistics #FreightTech #LTL #NMFCUpdate #Reclass

Ben Jackson, built Bungii to deliver big and bulky freight—then COVID wiped out 95% of their revenue overnight. Instead of folding, they cut ad spend, rebuilt the model, and turned it into a B2B delivery machine with 15,000+ drivers and zero churn. This episode covers Final Mile execution, why agent networks are broken, and how to actually scale in this market. No fluff—just one of the best pivots in freight.   Key Chapters: (0:00) Background and Introduction (1:21) Ben's Background and Early Life (3:53) The Birth of Bungii (5:24) Scaling Bungii Nationwide (10:37) Challenges and Pivots During COVID-19 (16:04) Reinventing Bungii for B2B Success (22:23) The Unique Approach to Final Mile Delivery (29:51) Future of Final Mile and Bungii’s Vision (34:33) The Network Effect in Truckload Brokerage (38:07) Driver Recruitment and Retention (40:42) The Importance of Customer Feedback (43:13) Personal Background and American Experience (48:20) Balancing Family and Career (53:38) Final Thoughts and Business Advice

Charlie Saffro, never set out to build a top logistics recruiting firm, but CS Recruiting became just that. This episode dives into their rise, why most companies struggle to hire top talent, and how M&A, AI, and inbound strategies are transforming freight. Must-listen for anyone in logistics looking to hire smarter.  Tune in now!   Key Chapters: (0:00) Background and Introduction (0:36) Accidental Start of CS Recruiting (2:27) Challenges and Growth (4:50) Rocket Shipping Origin Story (8:54) Agent Model vs. W2 Employees (13:22) Recruiting Philosophy and Strategy (21:11) Future Plans and Industry Insights (30:39) Freight Brokerage Models and Challenges (31:28) Branding in Freight Brokerage (34:13) Current Market Trends and M&A Activity (41:35) Top Logistics Companies (43:34) Freight Fraud and Industry Challenges (49:23) Business Operations and Future Outlook   #LetsTalkLogistics #FreightTech

  Kara Brown, built the biggest GTM firm in freight—and she did it by staying laser-focused on what actually drives revenue. This episode covers why most brokers get ICP wrong, how to catch the 5% of buyers ready to move, and where inbound signals are hiding in plain sight. If you’re trying to grow in this market, start here.   Key Chapters: (0:00) Background and Introduction (0:43) Expanding Lead Coverage: Global Presence and Services (2:00) The Revenue Engine: Writing and Promoting the Book (7:03) Ideal Customer Profile and Go-to-Market Strategy (13:40) The Importance of Intent Data in Sales (29:05) Kara's Journey: From Echo to Lead Coverage (34:34) Effective Strategies in Freight: Thought Leadership and Partnerships (37:12) Quarterly Updates and Executive Thought Leadership (39:51) The Sleepy Beauty Campaign (41:06) Challenges in Sales Follow-Up (50:40) The Importance of Niche Expertise (57:38) Managing a Remote Team (1:00:37) AI Strategy and Business Optimization   #LetsTalkLogistics #FreightTech #FreightMarketing #GoToMarket #LTLGrowth

Clay Curran, co-founder of FreshX, joined the pod to talk about solving one of LTL’s hardest problems: reefer. From last mile pilots to a full-on freight brokerage pivot, he breaks down how they landed on a software solution that actually works—giving brokers instant access to reefer capacity across 80+ carriers. No transaction fees. No messy workarounds. Just real rates and real coverage. Key Chapters: (0:00) Introduction and Background (2:32) Founding FreshX: From Last Mile Delivery to Freight Brokerage (4:00) Challenges in LTL Reefer and the Pivot to Software (7:11) Building and Scaling FreshX (15:24) Technical Insights and Product Development (22:49) Understanding the Role of a Product Manager (24:40) Future Vision for FreshX (26:46) Real-Life Challenges in Cold Chain Logistics (34:55) Dynamic Pricing and Carrier Relationships (39:16) Tech Stack and Business Operations (41:29) Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts #LetsTalkLogistics #FreightTech #ReeferProblem #FreightFix #BrokerTools

  Garrett Allen, built LoadPartner, the first open-source TMS for freight brokers. We talk about why most platforms slow brokers down, how AI makes it easier to build what you need, and why owning your tech stack changes everything.   Key Chapters: (0:00) Introduction and Background (1:05) The Concept of Open Source TMS (4:01) AI's Role in Freight Brokerage (11:37) Pricing Models and Industry Challenges (22:47) Search Carriers: A Deep Dive (28:24) Garrett's Motivation and Vision (29:36) New TMS in the Market (33:29) Building a TMS in Real Time (34:00) VC and Freight Tech (35:14) Open Source TMS Business Model (39:23) AI and Future Tech (46:58) Launching the TMS   #LetsTalkLogistics #FreightTech #OpenSourceTMS #BrokerTech

Ken Adamo has been in data long enough to know what’s broken—and who’s just making noise. We got into freight platforms, media takes, and why he’s still the one people call when things go off the rails. No hype. Just the stuff that actually matters.   Key Chapters: (0:00) Introduction and Background (1:25) Journey into Data Analytics (2:42) Overview of DAT Solutions (3:48) Understanding Freight Rates and Market Trends (15:04) Cross-Border Freight Challenges (23:43) Acquisitions and Corporate Development (32:01) Navigating Contract Market Complexities (34:08) The Trucker Tools Acquisition (36:10) Ken's Career Journey (37:20) Social Media and Industry Insights (44:05) Market Predictions and Challenges (51:54) Customer-Centric Culture at DAT (1:01:42) Final Thoughts and Contact Information   #LetsTalkLogistics #FreightTech #DATFreight #TruckerTools #FreightMedia

Steve Cox, has seen every side of freight—CH Robinson, Access America, Coyote, and now Steam. We get into what it takes to build a $600M logistics company, how to survive the downcycle, and why the real risk is waiting too long. Worth the listen.   Key Chapters: (0:00) Introduction and Background (1:45) Chattanooga: The Freight Capital (2:36) Steam Logistics' Growth and Challenges (12:20) Adapting to Market Changes (15:57) Personal Insights and Hobbies (18:23) AI and Future Innovations in Logistics (23:15) Building a Successful Brokerage (27:40) Funding and Financial Strategies (30:53) Hiring and Training Challenges (33:23) Lessons from Rapid Expansion (35:39) Implementing an ERP System (38:16) Current Market Challenges (51:15) Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs (54:51) Final Thoughts and Contact Information   #LetsTalkLogistics #FreightTech #FreightLifers #LogisticsLeadership #BootstrappedGrowth 

Chris Brewer built River City Logistics from the ground up—no VC, no shortcuts, just grit. We get into what it takes to scale a brokerage with assets and warehousing, why he still trains every new hire, and the moment he knew he had to fire a top performer. Freight built for the long haul. Worth the listen.   Key Chapters: (0:00) Introduction and Background (3:04) Family Life and Balancing Work (5:15) Starting and Scaling River City Logistics (10:55) Bootstrapping the Business (16:33) Building a Strong Company Culture (20:34) Current Market Trends and Predictions (26:33) Fleet and Brokerage Synergy (28:08) Big Predictions in the Trucking Industry (33:40) Firing Employees: Philosophy and Practices (36:15) Missed Opportunities and Lessons Learned (50:31) Conclusion and Contact Information   #LetsTalkLogistics #FreightTech #FreightBrokerage #BootstrappedBusiness     

Sam Tibbs, built Trochi.AI to change how rate products work for brokers—giving them real control over their data and a piece of the upside. This episode breaks down why the old model fell apart, how better data shifts the market, and why broker ownership could change everything. A sharp look at where freight tech is heading. Worth the listen.   Key Chapters: (0:00) Introduction and Background (2:01) Mini Conference Announcement (3:25) The Origin of Tro Kai (4:09) Challenges in the Truckload Brokerage Industry (9:36) Sam’s Background and Career Journey (16:43) Starting a Business: First Steps and Challenges (22:08) Building Trust and Collaboration with Brokers (32:44) The Value of Large Customers (33:57) Integration with Factoring Companies (34:32) Challenges with Data Extraction (35:37) The Importance of Broker Data (37:39) Revenue and Market Share (39:28) Building a Sustainable Business (42:03) Future of Load Boards and AI (57:01) Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs   #LetsTalkLogistics #FreightNews #FreightTech #LogisticsData #RateVisibility #TruckloadMarket #BrokerTech

A new executive order could take truckers off the road if they can't speak English — and it’s already sparking a fight. We break down what’s actually changing, why it matters for road safety, jobs, and immigration, and where the real friction points are. Forget the headlines — here’s what’s really going on behind the scenes. Key Chapters:   (0:00) Introduction and Overview (0:48) Understanding the Executive Order (3:16) Safety Concerns and Real-World Implications (5:43) Industry Reactions and Economic Impact (7:02) Analyzing Accident Data (9:44) Balancing Safety and Fairness (13:55) The Complex Debate on English Proficiency #LetsTalkLogistics #ThisWeekinFreight #TransportationPolicy #EnglishLanguage #ExecutiveOrder #RoadSafety

Matt Silver, built Forager, sold it, and is back with Cargado. This one gets into cross-border freight, near shoring, and what it actually takes to build freight tech. Sharp, honest, and worth a listen.   Key Chapters: (0:00) Introduction and Background (0:49) Matt Silver's Background and Career at Coyote (1:23) Founding Forager and Its Evolution (3:50) Starting Cargado and the Role of Technology (7:39) Challenges and Insights in Freight Brokerage (17:05) Building a Tech-Driven Freight Company (26:28) The Impact of Tariffs and Near shoring (30:57) US-China Trade Relations and Manufacturing Shifts (35:48) E-commerce and Supply Chain Adjustments (41:41) Series A Funding and Business Strategy (56:43) Building a Successful Team and Business   #LetsTalkLogistics #FreightNews #FreightTech

​ChatGPT is getting a shopping cart. Leaked code points to a possible Shopify integration, letting users browse and buy products directly in the chat. No official confirmation yet, but the implications for e-commerce, logistics, and AI-driven retail are massive. We break down the clues, the stakes, and what it means if your go-to AI assistant starts selling. Key Chapters:   (0:00) Introduction and Overview (1:02) Unpacking the Evidence (2:30) Potential User Experience (3:22) Public Reaction and Concerns (4:08) OpenAI's Past and Future Strategies (5:17) Competitive Landscape (6:56) Impacts on E-commerce and Logistics (10:47) Conclusion and Key Takeaways #LetsTalkLogistics #ThisWeekinFreight #ChatGPTShopping #AICommerce #ShopifyIntegration #ChatGPTShopping #AICommerce #ShopifyIntegration

Eric Johnson, from JOC stopped by to talk about freight, media, and what happens when AI starts doing everyone’s job—including journalists. We got into the chaos around tariffs, why broker CEOs stay quiet, and where SaaS in freight tech might be heading. A little spicy, a lot relevant. Worth the listen. Key Chapters: (0:00) Introduction and Background (1:13) Eric's Background and JOC Overview (5:07) Discussion on AI and Media (6:38) Challenges in Journalism and Media Trust (11:58) Impact of AI on Journalism (26:18) Role of CEOs in Public Discourse (32:31) Current State of the Logistics Market (33:05) Impact of Tariffs on Competition (35:39) Wall Street and Supply Chain Dynamics (36:41) Logistics Expertise and Tariff Predictions (40:31) E-commerce and Tariff Concerns (50:52) Future of SaaS in Logistics (59:27) Specialization and Career Advice (1:03:44) Concluding Thoughts and Predictions #LetsTalkLogistics #FreightNews #FreightTech #Tariffs #AIinMedia #SaaSInFreight #TruckloadMarket #ModernFreight

The 2025 3PL rankings are out, and the picture isn’t exactly pretty. Slower growth, shifting positions, and trade pressure are forcing even the biggest names to rethink their playbook. Key Chapters:   (0:00) Introduction to the Top 3PLs in North America 2025 (0:31) Current Market Overview and Key Players (2:03) New Entrants and Market Dynamics (2:42) Acquisition Activity in 2024 (4:08) Segment Analysis: Freight Brokerage and Contract Carriers (5:37) Segment Analysis: Warehousing and Cold Storage (6:40) Segment Analysis: Ocean and Air Freight Forwarders (7:23) Trade Uncertainty and Economic Impact (10:46) Future Outlook and Long-Term Projections (12:14) Conclusion and Final Thoughts #LetsTalkLogistics #ThisWeekinFreight #LTLNews #FreightRankings #LogisticsStrategy #TradeUncertainty #3PLInsights #MergersAndAcquisitions

Jesse Buckingham, helped sell Trucker Tools and ran private equity-backed freight tech—now he’s building AI agents to kill the busywork in brokerage. We get into why scaling with headcount is dead, how mid-size brokers can punch above their weight, and what AI actually means for freight. Key Chapters: (0:00) Introduction and Background (1:02) Founding and Early Days of Vooma (7:29) Agent AI and Its Impact (13:04) AI in Logistics and Brokerage (16:30) Future of AI in the Industry (21:35) Opportunities for Mid-Market Brokers (26:20) Challenges in Truckload Brokerage (26:35) Future Plans for Vooma (27:45) Jesse's Background and Journey (30:14) Life in San Francisco (33:07) AI and Logistics (38:19) Building a Company with AI (43:16) Predictions for AI Adoption in Logistics (46:10) Lessons Learned in Building a Company   #LetsTalkLogistics #FreightNews #FreightTech #AgenticAI #FreightBrokers #LogisticsInnovation #SupplyChainAI #DigitalFreight

Bharath Krishnamoorthy, left law to fix how money moves in freight. We get into why brokers struggle with cash flow, how Denim is leveling the playing field, and why automation—not headcount—is the path to growth. Key Chapters: (0:00) Introduction and Background (0:57) Meeting the Co-Founder and Early Ventures (1:47) Transition to Law and Realization (2:08) Starting the Company and Initial Struggles (3:48) Challenges of Starting a Business in 2019 (4:00) Life in Virginia and College Days (5:42) Defining FinTech and Payment Networks (6:06) Brokerage Challenges and Financial Arbitrage (14:07) Risk Management and Decision Making (19:59) Future of Logistics and Partnerships (27:20) Scaling with Technology and Automation (31:56) Maximizing Productivity Through Team Size Management (34:22) Managing AI Agents (41:34) Employee Turnover and Workflow Improvement (44:58) The Evolution of TMS and Industry Predictions (50:45) LTL Market Dynamics and Broker Challenges (56:15) Personal Insights and Future Plans (59:52) Lessons Learned: Avoidable Mistakes in Business   #LetsTalkLogistics #FreightNews #FreightTech #CashFlowInFreight #ModernBroker #DenimVerified