Claim OwnershipThe Straight Talk on Fleet
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The Straight Talk on Fleet is hosted by award-winning fleet leader Erin Gilchrist. On each episode, Erin will break down fleet management, cut through the noise and get to the real issues that safety and operations leaders struggle with every day.
63 Episodes
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In Episode 66, Erin sits down with Josh Zolin—CEO of Windy City Equipment, author, podcaster, and former technician turned modern blue-collar leader—for an unfiltered conversation on what it really takes to build a thriving team in today’s service-driven world. Together, they unpack what it means to modernize field service operations without losing the heart of your business: your people. From tech adoption and operational transparency to culture-building and leadership values, Josh shares actionable insights on using data the right way, driving meaningful change, and leading with purpose. Get ready for straight talk on retention, ownership, “camp syndrome,” and why truth isn’t just a concept, it’s a blueprint.
In this episode of Straight Talk on Fleet, Erin sits down with Stefano Denari, Fleet Ecosystem Strategist at Fleetio, to talk about a topic every fleet leader wrestles with: maintenance. And not just oil changes and tire rotations—we’re talking about building a proactive, compliant, driver-first maintenance culture that actually works. Erin and Stefano break down why so many fleets stay stuck in reactive mode, what “maintenance as a cost center” gets wrong, and how to start shifting your program—from chaos to consistency. You’ll hear real strategies you can steal today, from digging into your last 10 breakdowns to getting drivers to speak up (and actually giving them a way to do it). They also cover how tech like IntelliShift and Fleetio help connect the dots between data, inspections, and PM schedules—so you can get ahead of issues before they blow up your budget, your customer satisfaction, or your safety score. Spoiler: A great maintenance program doesn’t just reduce downtime—it builds trust, retains talent, and maybe even lets you take a vacation.
Straight from the floor of NAFA I&E in Long Beach, Episode 64 brings you rapid-fire insights from some of the most dynamic voices in fleet. In this special podcast shorts format, guests share unfiltered answers to speed-round questions like: What’s the biggest myth in fleetIf you had unlimited budget—what’s the first thing you’d fix? What’s one habit you'd change in every driver? Hear from fleet pros across nonprofits, commercial services, and public operations as they drop wisdom, humor, and straight talk on what it takes to run safe, smart, future-ready fleets. Featuring guests from Ronald McDonald House Charities, Atrium Home Services, RTA, CoolSys, and the Museum of Tolerance. Quick takes. Big insights. All in under 10 minutes each.
In this episode of Straight Talk on Fleet, Erin Gilchrist sits down with Phil Mirisola from Coast to dig into one of the biggest headaches in fleet management: fuel programs. They get real about the everyday struggles—fuel card fraud, driver compliance, wasted time managing physical cards, and outdated tech that hasn’t evolved in decades. But it’s not all doom and gloom. Erin and Phil explore smarter, more modern solutions that give fleets real-time visibility, tighter security, and fewer administrative fires to put out. Spoiler: You don’t have to settle for the status quo.
Whether you're tired of chasing down receipts or wondering why your driver filled up miles from the job site, this episode is for you. Erin and Phil walk through how integrated, digital-first tools (like Coast + IntelliShift) can give you back time, control, and peace of mind. They also talk change management, how to make the switch without the chaos, and what the future holds as fleets move toward EVs. It's an honest, insightful convo that might just change the way you think about fuel management. Give it a listen—you’ll be glad you did.
Celebrate Women's History Month with our powerhouse panel of women in fleet! Join us as we dive into inspiring career journeys, from breaking into the industry to building a legacy. Our guests share their experiences, offer invaluable advice on work-life balance and overcoming imposter syndrome, and discuss the importance of community and mentorship. Get ready to be motivated and empowered by these remarkable women driving change in the fleet industry.
Be sure to subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts. Also, connect with Erin on LinkedIn. You’ll join a community of like-minded fleet leaders, have a voice in the conversation, and be part of an industry-leading initiative to elevate the role of fleet operations and break down the barriers to change.
Keeping our finger on the pulse of safe and efficient fleet operations takes a village. In this episode of The Straight Talk on Fleet, Erin digs into key metrics and KPIs that all fleet operations and safety leaders should consider and socialize within their organizations. The overarching theme around KPIs in this podcast is that KPIs should demonstrate to your organization how effective you are as a fleet, operations, and safety team. Erin considers KPIs as a guide to help leaders make good decisions to improve our fleet operations. She suggests that focusing on baselines and needed improvements in the areas of safety, efficiency, and cost will help the audience develop solid KPIs for managing their fleets.
Be sure to subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts. Also, connect with Erin on LinkedIn. You’ll join a community of like-minded fleet leaders, have a voice in the conversation, and be part of an industry-leading initiative to elevate the role of fleet operations and break down the barriers to change.
Kicking off a new year sometimes means we need to get back to the fundamentals. We often make resolutions about how we’re going to improve our health and change our lifestyle to be more sustainable. Running a fleet is no different! Fleet, safety, and operations leaders have analyzed results, developed 2025 budgets, and ordered vehicles to prepare for the new year. All this will be a wasted effort if we don’t execute on the fundamentals every day. Erin revisits episode 8 of the Straight Talk on Fleet podcast to reinforce the importance of performing daily vehicle inspections. When executed well, vehicle inspections can be a core practice for improving the overall safety, wellness, performance, and life of both your fleet vehicles and drivers. If you want to learn more, connect with Erin on LinkedIn.Be sure to subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts. You’ll join a community of like-minded fleet leaders, have a voice in the conversation, and be part of an industry-leading initiative to elevate the role of fleet leaders and break down the barriers to change.
In the 59th episode of The Straight Talk on Fleet, Erin chats with Brian Fielkow, Executive Vice President of Risk Resources at Acrisure and a powerhouse in safety leadership. Author of Leading People Safely: How to Win on the Business Battlefield, Brian’s not your typical safety strategist—he’s transformed the way businesses think about safety, showing how it can drive operational excellence, boost morale, and even become a competitive edge. In this episode, Erin and Brian tackle the big questions: Why does safety so often take a backseat? How can fleet leaders flip the script and make safety a core value, not just a priority? Packed with relatable insights, bold ideas, and a fresh perspective, this episode will challenge you to elevate your safety culture, engage your team, and drive real results. Don’t miss Erin and Brian connect on what it truly means to lead with safety at the heart of everything you do. Be sure to subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts. Also, connect with Erin on LinkedIn. You’ll join a community of like-minded fleet leaders, have a voice in the conversation, and be part of an industry-leading initiative to elevate the role of fleet operations and break down the barriers to change.
In this 57th episode of The Straight Talk on Fleet, Erin interviews industry expert and change management guru Thurman Register. Thurman has been in the fleet industry for over 30 years and currently serves as Senior Manager, Fleet for Ferguson Enterprises. Ferguson is the largest value-added distributor serving the specialized professional in their $340B residential and non-residential North American construction market. This episode promises to deliver pro tips, stories and great conversation from two of the industry’s top fleet leaders. Thurman shares his secrets to success that any fleet, safety and operation’s leader can use to drive safety and efficiency in their own organizations. Tune in for best practice sharing around change management, rapid growth and acquisition strategies, and how to get drivers on your side! Be sure to subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts. Also, connect with Erin on LinkedIn. You’ll join a community of like-minded fleet leaders, have a voice in the conversation, and be part of an industry-leading initiative to elevate the role of fleet operations and break down the barriers to change.
In this episode, we share Erin's recent appearance on The Cash Flow Contractor Podcast, where she joins hosts Khalil Benalioulhaj and Martin Holland for a deep dive into fleet management. With over 21 years of experience, Erin shares practical, data-driven insights for businesses of all sizes—from one-vehicle operations to large fleets.Erin discusses the key pillars of fleet management, including vehicle lifecycle planning, safety, and the power of data. She explains why fleet management is essential for every business, regardless of size, and how even a single vehicle should be managed with care. Erin also covers best practices for selecting the right vehicle, maintaining safety on the road, and leveraging telematics and AI dash cams to protect drivers and reduce costs.Whether you're just getting started with fleet management or looking to optimize your existing fleet, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you drive efficiency and safety.Tune in for expert advice on how to take control of your fleet—whether you have one vehicle or thousands!
In this 55th episode of The Straight Talk on Fleet podcast, Erin interviews Ernie Garcia. Ernie serves as Director of Fleet Management and Business Systems at Gothic Landscape. Gothic Landscape is a family owned and operated landscaping company operating in California, Arizona, and Nevada, employing more than 2300 dedicated landscape professionals. Not only does Ernie manage a large, decentralized fleet in the landscaping industry, he manages with integrity, innovation and collaboration with his operations team! While he doesn’t have the advantages of a centralized and corporately led fleet management model, he has succeeded by working closely with the teams he services, creating an environment where safety and efficiency can shine. Seasoned and newer fleet managers will gain insights from Ernie in this episode! Be sure to subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts. Also, connect with Erin on LinkedIn. You’ll join a community of like-minded fleet leaders, have a voice in the conversation, and be part of an industry-leading initiative to elevate the role of fleet operations and break down the barriers to change.
In this 54th episode of The Straight Talk on Fleet, Erin interviews Fleet Industry legend Mike Antich. Mike was the long-time editor in chief at Bobit Business Media, serving the fleet industry for over 38 years. Mike is also a Fleet Hall of Fame Inductee, member of Global Fleet Hall of Fame, Remarketing Industry Icon Award winner, two-time AFLA President and Multinational Industry Speaker! In this insightful episode, Mike shares his perspectives on the top drivers of change in the fleet industry over the past 50 years, what’s happening today and what the future holds for fleet management. Be sure to subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts. Also, connect with Erin on LinkedIn. You’ll join a community of like-minded fleet leaders, have a voice in the conversation, and be part of an industry-leading initiative to elevate the role of fleet operations and break down the barriers to change.
In this 53rd episode of The Straight Talk on Fleet, Erin interviews industry expert and former fleet executive Ken Jack. Ken has been in the transportation and fleet industry for over 20 years and is owner and founder of KenetIQ, a fleet and sustainable mobility management consulting firm. This episode promises to deliver pro tips, stories and great conversation from two of the industry’s top fleet gurus. Erin and Ken will dig into all-things AI and share practical use cases for fleet, safety and operations leaders. Ken will also share how organizations are approaching artificial intelligence and some of the potential risks and rewards. Be sure to subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts. Also, connect with Erin on LinkedIn. You’ll join a community of like-minded fleet leaders, have a voice in the conversation, and be part of an industry-leading initiative to elevate the role of fleet operations and break down the barriers to change.
In this 52nd episode of The Straight Talk on Fleet, Erin interviews industry expert and Fleet Manager of the Year Finalist, Ted Chan. Ted serves as the Corporate Fleet & Travel Manager at Schindler Elevator Corporation. Schindler is a leading global elevator and escalator provider that supports sustainable urban development while moving two billion people every day all over the world. This episode promises to deliver pro tips, stories and great conversation from two of the industry’s top fleet leaders. Ted shares his secrets to success that any fleet, safety and operation’s leader can use to drive safety and sustainability in their own organizations. Be sure to subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts. Also, connect with Erin on LinkedIn. You’ll join a community of like-minded fleet leaders, have a voice in the conversation, and be part of an industry-leading initiative to elevate the role of fleet operations and break down the barriers to change.
In the latest episode of Straight Talk on Fleet, Erin Gilchrist Rugg welcomes Wise Systems’ Vice President of Global Partnerships, Erin Blair, to discuss the value of combining route optimization and fleet management technology into one super-charged platform. They discuss everything from the challenges of last mile delivery to the everyday solutions for fleets to optimize routes. Erin Blair also shares his perspectives on the future of fleet management. Be sure to subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts. Also, connect with Erin on LinkedIn. You’ll join a community of like-minded fleet leaders, have a voice in the conversation, and be part of an industry-leading initiative to elevate the role of fleet operations and break down the barriers to change.
On this short but sweet episode of Straight Talk on Fleet podcast, Erin celebrates 50 episodes and 11,000 followers on LinkedIn! Why is this important? Well, the Straight Talk on Fleet podcast aims at building a community of industry professionals! It’s a destination for thought leadership, best practice sharing, vetting out challenges and fosters open dialogue for solutioning. In this 50th episode, Erin shares memorable moments around guests, content and the 3 main themes that resonate in each episode. Having a well-developed and adopted safety program for your fleet is foundational and will drive success in every area of fleet management but cannot be done without building a culture of safety. A modern tech stack to include telematics, AI video dash cams, and a fleet intelligence platform will produce the data and information you need to drive compliance, safety, and efficiency. Having a fleet intelligence platform that is powerful and easy to use is the only way to graduate from swivel chair management and get on your way to managing the safest and most efficient fleet, not to mention elevating your career! Be sure to subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts. Also, connect with Erin on LinkedIn. You’ll join a community of like-minded fleet leaders, have a voice in the conversation, and be part of an industry-leading initiative to elevate the role of fleet operations and break down the barriers to change.
In this 49th episode of The Straight Talk on Fleet podcast, Erin interviewed 5 seasoned fleet professionals from the NAFA booth at NAFA I&E 2024. NAFA I&E is one of the industry’s top learning and networking events. Each fleet manager shared who they are, what they do, what they are working on now and in the near future, and lastly, gave their perspective on driving safety culture in their fleet and organizations. The top tips centered around: Top-down leadership approach Safety tools and technology Driver involvement and adoption strategies Be sure to subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts. Also, connect with Erin on LinkedIn. You’ll join a community of like-minded fleet leaders, have a voice in the conversation, and be part of an industry-leading initiative to elevate the role of fleet operations and break down the barriers to change.
Host Marc Babin of The Auto Tech Show Podcast interviews Erin on his podcast hosted by Anyline. In this 47th episode of Straight Talk on Fleet Podcast, we repurpose a great conversation hosted by Anyline’s Marc Babin, host of Auto Tech Show Podcast. Embark on a transformative journey in commercial fleet management with this unique industry expert discussion! Explore the efficiency-enhancing power of our diverse vehicle and tire inspection solutions, enabling you to shorten fleet downtime and keep your vehicles on the road. Discussion Topics: Comprehensive Fleet Oversight Ensure legal compliance and optimal performance by identifying and capturing the crucial data points on vehicles. Preventing premature or delayed maintenance, ensuring optimal tire usage and vehicle performance. Using Data Insights for Strategic Decisions Elevate fleet management with Data Insights, harnessing real-time data for intelligent decision-making. Make informed choices to enhance overall fleet efficiency and safety, maximizing performance in today's economy. Efficiency in Action Address the unique challenges commercial fleet operators face and discover how modern technology can optimize efficiency. Revolutionize your commercial fleet operations. This exclusive webinar will help to empower your fleet for unparalleled efficiency and safety on the road.
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