Behind The Freight

Trent Broberg has spent over two decades leading in the logistics and SaaS space. As the CEO of Fullbay, he is now focused on how technology can keep trucks on the road and improve the lives of both drivers and technicians. In this conversation, Trent challenges the idea of a driver shortage, arguing that we actually have a utilization problem. Drivers are often only utilized for about seven and a half hours of their eleven hour clock. Improving that efficiency is one of the biggest opportunities for any fleet owner.


A major theme of the discussion is the shift from reactive to predictive maintenance. Trent talks about Fullbay’s recent acquisition of Pit Stop and how AI models are helping shops understand when a part is going to fail before the truck breaks down on the side of the road. This transition helps carriers move away from managing profit at the fleet level to managing it for every single asset.


The episode also digs into the human side of the business. Trent explains that while tech is great, communication remains the most important tool. He shares why "bad news is better than no news" and how predictability allows operators to make better decisions for their business. Whether you are a small owner operator or managing a large fleet, these insights into data, maintenance strategy, and connectivity will help you keep your wheels turning and earning.


What You’ll Learn

• The truth about the utilization shortage vs. the driver shortage
• How to manage profitability at the individual asset level
• The role of AI and predictive models in heavy duty repair
• Why connectivity is the key to getting trucks back on the road faster
• Practical steps for building a maintenance strategy
• The importance of communication and predictability in repairs
• How telematics and sensors drive better maintenance decisions
• Lessons on leadership and building confidence in your team
  
  

Episode Highlights


[00:06:52] The Utilization Myth


Trent challenges the common idea that the industry is suffering from a driver shortage. He explains that we actually have a utilization problem because drivers are only using about seven and a half hours of their eleven hour clock. Improving this efficiency is one of the biggest ways for any carrier to improve their business.


[00:09:18] Predictive Maintenance


The discussion moves into how technology is changing heavy duty repair from reactive to proactive. Trent talks about using AI models to understand when a part is going to fail before the truck breaks down on the side of the road. This transition allows shops to catch issues early and keep equipment moving.


[00:10:42] The Connectivity Vision


Trent shares his vision for a more connected freight industry where data from sensors and shops works together. He explains how pulling in real-time information can help fleets understand the health of their trucks using a simple green, yellow, or red status. This level of connectivity ensures that technicians have the right parts and tools ready to get drivers back on the road faster.


[00:12:55] Managing Asset Profitability


Many carriers only look at their profit and loss statements at the fleet level, which can hide serious problems. Trent breaks down why it is essential to manage your revenue and costs for every individual truck. Understanding the specific downtime costs for each asset helps you make better decisions about which equipment is actually making money.


[00:15:25] Starting a Strategy


For smaller fleets wondering where to begin with maintenance, the advice is to start simple by tracking data in an Excel spreadsheet. You need to understand your operating expenses for each asset because every truck has a different cost structure. Trent emphasizes using an eighty percent mentality to get started instead of trying to solve every single problem at once.


[00:17:31] The Value of Predictability


Communication is often the most important part of the relationship between a carrier and a repair shop. Trent explains why receiving bad news early is always better than hearing no news at all when a truck is being serviced,,. Having this predictability allows operators to make smart choices about their equipment rather than being left in the dark.



Behind the Freight is Truckstop’s trucking and logistics podcast for carriers, owner operators, small fleets and freight brokers. Hosted by John Howland, with new episodes every other week on freight fraud prevention, compliance, trucking technology and the freight market.
Find loads, vet carriers and protect your business at Truckstop.com

Connect with John on LinkedIn
Behind The Freight is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Dale Prax has seen the trucking industry from every angle over his 34 year career. He started as a freight forwarder and later built his own brokerage before focusing on security. In this conversation, he explains that the barrier to entry for fraud is dangerously low. A bad actor can start a fake operation for just $300 using a stolen gift card. This has led to a flood of thousands of new MC numbers being issued to people who should not have them.

The current system has a clear double standard when it comes to vetting. Carriers go through constant audits and roadside inspections while other participants in the market often go decades without any federal oversight. This gap in data makes it easy for scammers to hide. Dale emphasizes that protecting the industry requires more than just better technology. It requires carriers and drivers to take an active role by asking the right questions at the shipping dock.

Success in today’s market means being hyper-aware of who you are doing business with. Dale shares specific warning signs, like rates that are too good to be true or instructions to divert loads to unknown warehouses. He also discusses his work with the FMCSA to push for better regulations on the buying and selling of MC numbers. This episode provides a roadmap for operators who want to protect their reputation and their paycheck in a volatile environment.


What You’ll Learn

• Why freight fraud has increased so much since the pandemic
• The $300 cost that allows scammers to enter the industry
• Why the current vetting system has a massive double standard
• Specific red flags to look for when you are at the shipping dock
• How to verify if a load has been double brokered
• Why identity theft is a growing threat to your carrier authority
• How to use the right questions to protect your business
• The importance of integrity and accountability in freight

Episode Highlights


[00:02:07] A 34 Year Journey in Freight: Dale shares how he went from the Marine Corps to starting a company and eventually focusing on industry security.


[00:04:27] The Start of the Fraud Surge: How the pandemic created a perfect storm for bad actors to enter the market and start stealing identities.


[00:05:11] The $300 Barrier to Entry: Why it is so easy for scammers to get an operating authority and why thousands of fake companies are popping up.


[00:07:34] The Vetting Double Standard: Dale explains why carriers are over-vetted while other parts of the industry face almost no federal oversight.


[00:09:13] Responsibility at the Dock: How drivers and operators can use simple, straightforward questions at the shipper to stop fraud before the truck moves.


[00:10:57] The $6,000 Miami Trap: A breakdown of how to spot rates that are too good to be true and what happens when you ignore those red flags.



Behind the Freight is Truckstop’s trucking and logistics podcast for carriers, owner operators, small fleets and freight brokers. Hosted by John Howland, with new episodes every other week on freight fraud prevention, compliance, trucking technology and the freight market.
Find loads, vet carriers and protect your business at Truckstop.com

Connect with John on LinkedIn
Behind The Freight is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Most owner-operators know how to drive. The part that trips them up is running the business.


Adam Wingfield has spent over twenty years helping small carriers close that gap. In this episode of Behind the Freight, the founder of Innovative Logistics Group explains why the industry sees such a high failure rate — and what it actually takes to build an operation that holds up over time.

He covers Roadcheck Week compliance, how to use AI to find gaps in your rate negotiations, and why understanding the freight market cycle is the difference between surviving a downturn and getting wiped out by one.

What you'll learn:

• Why the business side of trucking is more important than the driving
• How to prepare for International Roadcheck Week
• Common ELD violations like personal conveyance and how to avoid them
• A three-step process for using AI to evaluate your rate confirmations
• How the eighteen-month freight market cycle works and how to prepare for it
• Why the industry has an 85% failure rate and what to do differently

Episode Highlights


[00:02:41] The gap between driving a truck and running a business 


Adam explains why many new owner operators fail because they do not realize trucking is a contact sport. He explains  why mastering the business side is what separates carriers who last and from those who don’t..


 [00:05:24]  Preparing for Roadcheck Week as an open book test


International Roadcheck Week is essentially an open book test because the focus areas are announced ahead of time. Even so, many drivers get caught off guard by avoidable violations like brake adjustments or tire depth. Adam talks about why you should always assume you will be inspected instead of trying to avoid the weigh stations.


[00:06:48] Common ELD violations and the overuse of personal conveyance 


False duty status and the overuse of personal conveyance are some of the most common ELD issues today. Inspectors now have intuitive tools and AI that make it very hard to hide these types of violations or disconnects. Adam explains why staying compliant is getting harder to fake and much easier for officers to track.


[00:10:15] How small carriers can put AI to work right now


AI has practical uses for even the smallest trucking fleets today. It can help speed up mechanical repairs and assist drivers in making smarter choices about their daily operations. By looking at your own data, you can use these tools to plan a more profitable month ahead.


[00:16:46] A three step challenge to improve your rates using AI tools 


Adam shares a simple three step challenge to help you use AI to get better rates. It starts with telling the tool its role as an expert and then feeding it your recent rate confirmations. This process helps you find the gaps in your negotiations so you can stop leaving money on the table.


 [00:20:12]  Why the freight market is a cyclical cookout 


The freight market moves in cycles that usually last about eighteen months at a time. Adam compares the industry to a cookout where the food eventually runs out if nobody is restocking it. Understanding these patterns helps you prepare for the inevitable downturns while the market is still up.



Behind the Freight is Truckstop’s trucking and logistics podcast for carriers, owner operators, small fleets and freight brokers. Hosted by John Howland, with new episodes every other week on freight fraud prevention, compliance, trucking technology and the freight market.
Find loads, vet carriers and protect your business at Truckstop.com

Connect with John on LinkedIn
Behind The Freight is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

A lot of people in trucking think they are making money but you’d be surprised to know that many of them are not. In this episode of Behind the Freight, Todd Waldron and John Howland sit down with Kevin Rutherford to explain how to make profit in this business.

Kevin simply says that if you do not know your cost per mile, you do not know your business. Every load you take is a guess. And over time, those guesses catch up. Kevin explains that while you cannot control the fuel market, you can control how you run your truck. Speed, fuel usage, and daily decisions all make a difference. Even small improvements can mean thousands of dollars over time.
They also discuss growing the business. A lot of drivers want to add a second truck but Kevin points out that that is where things usually start going wrong. Running one truck is where most truckers’ expertise lies, but managing more than one truck forces you to run a business.

This episode is about running a trucking business that continues making money.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to know if you are actually making money per load
• Why cost per mile is the most important number
• How fuel impacts your profit every single day
• Simple changes that can improve your margins
• Why the second truck changes everything
• Mistakes drivers make when they become owners
• Why experience alone is not enough
• How mindset affects long-term success

Episode Highlights


[00:02:10] If You Don’t Know Your Numbers, You’re Guessing
Kevin starts with a question most operators can’t answer clearly: what does it actually cost you to run your truck? The conversation gets into why so many people avoid it and what that leads to.


[00:08:45] Fuel Is Your Biggest Expense
Fuel is the biggest cost in your operation, you already know that. But the interesting part is how much control you actually have over it. The discussion starts to detail where that control shows up.


[00:15:30] Small Changes That Add Up Over Time
They get into the kind of decisions that don’t feel important day to day. But over time, those small choices start to add up. This is where the conversation shifts from theory to real-world impact.


[00:22:10] The Second Truck Problem
Kevin explains why adding a second truck to an operation changes everything. The responsibilities increase, and things get more complicated fast. This is where a lot of operators start to feel the pressure.


[00:30:05] Experience Doesn’t Guarantee Profit
Years on the road don’t always translate into running a strong business. Kevin talks about a pattern he’s seen over and over which challenges a belief a lot of drivers carry when they make the jump.


[00:36:40] Mindset Separates The Winners
Toward the end, the conversation turns to mindset about how people approach the business. Some patterns show up clearly in who makes it and who struggles. 



Behind the Freight is Truckstop’s trucking and logistics podcast for carriers, owner operators, small fleets and freight brokers. Hosted by John Howland, with new episodes every other week on freight fraud prevention, compliance, trucking technology and the freight market.
Find loads, vet carriers and protect your business at Truckstop.com

Connect with John on LinkedIn
Behind The Freight is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Understanding the freight market starts with knowing how to interpret it. In this episode of Behind the Freight, Todd Waldron and John Howland speak with Avery Vise, VP of Trucking at FTR Transportation Intelligence, about how to make sense of rates, capacity, and the signals shaping the industry.

Avery walks through his role as an analyst, explaining how his work focuses on identifying long-term trends rather than short-term movements. He highlights a common challenge in the industry. Many operators look at week-to-week changes without considering broader patterns like seasonality, which can lead to poor decisions. Events like the December rate surge often create false signals that the market is turning, when in reality they are part of a predictable cycle.
The conversation also explores how spot market data should be used. Rather than treating it as exact pricing guidance, Avery frames it as a directional tool that helps carriers and brokers understand where the market is moving. He emphasizes the importance of combining rate data with volume and context to get a more complete picture.

The episode closes with a broader view of the industry, highlighting how complexity, economic signals, and disciplined decision-making all play a role in long-term success.


What You’ll Learn

• How to interpret freight data without getting misled
• Why seasonality matters more than week-to-week changes
• What spot market insights actually tell you
• Common mistakes small carriers make when reading rates
• Why profitability matters more than growth in trucking
• How broader economic trends influence freight markets
• What signals to watch to understand where the market is heading
• Why trucking is more complex than it appears

Episode Highlights


[00:01:33] What an Analyst Really Does
Avery explains how his role is less about predicting tomorrow and more about understanding where the market is heading over quarters and years. It is about connecting data, conversations, and economic signals into a clear narrative.


[00:06:47] The Dumbest Competitor Rule
A simple anecdote turns into a powerful insight. In trucking, your performance is often influenced by the lowest standards in the market, which can shape pricing and competition in unexpected ways.


[00:15:14] The December Rate Trap
Seasonality plays a bigger role than most realize. Avery explains how predictable rate spikes can mislead operators into thinking the market is shifting when it is not.


[00:20:22] How to Actually Read Spot Market Data
Rates matter, but only in context. Avery breaks down how to balance rate data with volume and why overly granular insights can sometimes mislead more than they help.


[00:21:36] The Signals That Matter Most
Manufacturing output, consumer spending on goods, and housing activity emerge as key indicators for understanding where freight demand is heading.


[00:33:56] Profit Over Growth
Avery highlights a critical mindset shift. Growth without profitability can damage both individual businesses and the overall market.






Behind the Freight is Truckstop’s trucking and logistics podcast for carriers, owner operators, small fleets and freight brokers. Hosted by John Howland, with new episodes every other week on freight fraud prevention, compliance, trucking technology and the freight market.
Find loads, vet carriers and protect your business at Truckstop.com

Connect with John on LinkedIn
Behind The Freight is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Brent Hutto’s journey into freight did not begin with a plan, it began with relationships. Over a 30-year career spanning companies like Randall Reilly, Truckstop.com, and Truck Parking Club, Brent has built a reputation as both a connector and a trusted voice in the industry. 
Brent explains that trucking is an industry people rarely set out to join, yet once they enter, they rarely leave. In this episode of Behind the Freight, he reflects on the role relationships have played in shaping not only his career, but the entire transportation ecosystem.

A central theme of the conversation is the importance of carriers. Brent emphasizes that while drivers are highly skilled at operating trucks, many struggle with the business side of trucking like cost management, profitability, and operational efficiency. This gap represents both a challenge and an opportunity for the industry to better support carriers. He also addresses common misconceptions, noting that truck drivers are among the most professional and safety-conscious participants on the road, despite often being undervalued or misunderstood.

Looking ahead, Brent provides a macro perspective on the freight market. He argues that regulatory changes are the primary drivers of major market shifts, often more so than demand fluctuations. With potential regulatory tightening on the horizon, he suggests the industry could see significant changes in capacity and pricing dynamics.

For small carriers and owner-operators, Brent offers clear, actionable advice. Success in a volatile market comes down to controlling what you can control: managing costs, staying flexible, leveraging data, and adapting quickly to changing conditions. Unlike large fleets, small operators have the advantage of agility and those who use it effectively can outperform the market.

The episode closes with reflections on leadership, encouragement, and the human side of business. Brent underscores that while discipline and correction matter, encouragement is what truly drives performance and growth.


What You’ll Learn

• How relationships shape long-term success in freight
• Why most people never plan to enter trucking—but never leave
• Common misconceptions about carriers and their professionalism
• How regulations drive freight market cycles and pricing
• Why failure and quick learning are critical for growth
• How small carriers can stay profitable in volatile markets
• The importance of cost control and operational efficiency
• Why encouragement is a powerful leadership tool

Episode Highlights


[00:02:46] Careers in Freight Rarely Start the Way You Expect


Most people don’t plan to enter the freight industry and yet, many end up building entire careers in it. Brent reflects on how unconventional entry points shape long-term trajectories, and why the reasons people stay are very different from the reasons they arrive.


[00:05:16] The Gap Between Skill and Sustainability


There’s a clear distinction between being good at the job and building something that lasts. This segment explores where that gap shows up most clearly in trucking, and why solving it requires a completely different mindset than most expect.


[00:07:59] The Perception Problem That Shapes the Industry


What the market believes about carriers and what is actually true are often misaligned. Brent unpacks where this disconnect comes from, how it affects behavior across the ecosystem, and why correcting it changes more than just perception.


[00:12:26] Why People Stay in Freight for Decades


Despite its challenges, freight has a way of retaining people for life. This conversation explores what creates that stickiness and why it goes beyond compensation, roles, or traditional career incentives.


[00:20:35] What Actually Moves the Market


Freight cycles are often explained through surface-level factors, but the real drivers sit deeper in the system. Brent walks through how shifts actually happen, what signals matter, and why most people misread them until it’s too late.


[00:26:08] The Advantage Most Operators Underuse


Not all players in the market are built the same and some have structural advantages they don’t fully leverage. This segment focuses on where that advantage comes from, how it plays out in real decisions, and what separates those who use it from those who don’t.



Behind the Freight is Truckstop’s trucking and logistics podcast for carriers, owner operators, small fleets and freight brokers. Hosted by John Howland, with new episodes every other week on freight fraud prevention, compliance, trucking technology and the freight market.
Find loads, vet carriers and protect your business at Truckstop.com

Connect with John on LinkedIn
Behind The Freight is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

The freight industry runs on miles, money, and hard-earned experience. Hosted by Todd Waldron and John Howland, this podcast brings together freight veterans, owner-operators, fleet leaders, and logistics professionals to talk about what's actually happening in the industry.
Each episode covers real stories, market shifts, and the decisions that shape how freight moves. Guests bring decades of on-the-road and business experience, so the conversations stay grounded in what works and what doesn't.

If you work in freight or want to understand the business behind the loads, this is worth your time.


What You’ll Discover

• Conversations about what’s actually happening in freight
• Insights on navigating rate swings and market volatility
• Expert strategies to stay one step ahead of the competition
  
  

Subscribe now to Behind the Freight on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Let’s Move Beyond the Chatter. Let’s Move Freight. Follow us to stay up to date and connected to the industry.  Behind the Freight is Truckstop’s trucking and logistics podcast for carriers, owner operators, small fleets and freight brokers. Hosted by John Howland, with new episodes every other week on freight fraud prevention, compliance, trucking technology and the freight market.
Find loads, vet carriers and protect your business at Truckstop.com

Connect with John on LinkedIn
Behind The Freight is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

What happens when a kid who never followed the rules finds a path in logistics and turns it into a thriving business?
In this Greatest Hits episode of Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast, host Brent Hutto is joined by Will Hopkins, co-founder of BlackBox Logistics. Will shares how he went from working odd jobs like horse farming and beach chair operations to discovering dispatching during COVID, eventually co-founding BlackBox Logistics. Together, they explore the real struggles of building a business without a safety net, the lessons of dispatching in the pandemic, and the mindset shift from surviving to leading in freight. This episode captures the spirit of betting on yourself, building with partners you trust, and staying committed to growth no matter how tough it gets.
What You’ll Learn:

• How Will’s early odd jobs prepared him for dispatching and brokerage
• Why dispatching gave him a unique advantage in the freight industry
• How to build a strong team and work through disagreements
• The mindset shift from side hustle to serious business
• How No Backup Plan Can Fuel Your Drive
• What it takes to grow a brokerage in a competitive market
• How to turn even the worst jobs into learning experiences

Will is the Founder of BlackBox Logistics, a 3PL specializing in Intermodal and Truckload freight transportation. He is also co-host of 2 Dawgs, 1 Pod, alongside co-host Matt Dahl, a brand new podcast in the transportation and logistics space. Will also co-owns BlackBox Properties, and is Founder and Managing Partner at Compass Dispatching Services.

Episode Highlights:[10:02 - 15:07] When he was 18, Will entered the logistics industry with a position at Ascent Global. Three months into the position, he moved in with two colleagues and they kept discussing starting their own company. Within a year, they went for it, founding a third-party dispatching company, Compass Dispatching Services, so as to comply with their non-compete agreements. The dispatching business involved working with owner-operators and factoring companies, providing three valuable industry experiences, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. As their non-compete agreements came to an end, Will focused on the dispatching while his partners began building the brokerage, scaling back the former as the latter grew. Roughly nine months ago, they transitioned fully to the brokerage, BlackBox, which has now grown to over 40 employees. 
[15:43 - 20:02] When he first started his business, Will was ignorant about essential business operations like HR, payroll, and taxes. He quickly learned that these often unappealing administrative tasks are necessary for a well-functioning business. However, having partners to share the responsibilities was a valuable asset. Each of the three co-founders had unique skills that were complementary to one another, meaning they could holistically cover all areas of the business. Of course, they had internal disagreements, but they still managed to put on a united front, avoiding deadlock in decision-making with a majority rules mentality. They had no backup plan, but they were confident in their abilities and business plan, which both proved successful. 
[25:16 - 29:09 Two main variables affect the difficulty of dispatcher and broker roles. For dispatchers, drivers can be difficult to work with. For brokers, customers can have complex requirements. Will enjoyed dispatching due to the closer relationships he was able to build with drivers and the insights gained from this, which helped in the brokerage. Further, he found that dispatching is far more predictable, allowing for better scheduling, especially when compared to the dynamic nature of brokerage. He found it fulfilling to help owner-operators and small trucking fleets, knowing he had a direct impact on their success.
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, instructions on how to do this are here.Behind the Freight is Truckstop’s trucking and logistics podcast for carriers, owner operators, small fleets and freight brokers. Hosted by John Howland, with new episodes every other week on freight fraud prevention, compliance, trucking technology and the freight market.
Find loads, vet carriers and protect your business at Truckstop.com

Connect with John on LinkedIn
Behind The Freight is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

What do you do after running 11 trucks nearly bankrupts you?
If you’re Kevin Rutherford, you build the industry’s most trusted voice for small fleet owners and owner-operators.
In this Greatest Hits episode of Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast, Kevin sits down with host Brent Hutto for a deep dive into how personal pain became professional purpose. From growing up around trucks to reluctantly buying his first rig at 21, Kevin’s path was anything but smooth. He scaled quickly, up to 11 trucks, but did so without the systems or financial visibility needed to sustain growth. The result was crushing debt, missed paychecks, and a wake-up call from reality.
Rather than file for bankruptcy, Kevin chose a different route: accountability, discipline, and education. Over four years, he paid off every cent he owed and discovered a new mission, which was to help others avoid the same fate. That mission became Let’s Truck.
Brent and Kevin explore Kevin’s transition from driver to writer to SiriusXM radio host, where his blunt, no-nonsense advice made him a fan-favorite. They also reveal a big announcement about the return of the Certified Master Carrier program at the Mid-America Truck Show, a solid proof that Kevin’s legacy of helping drivers thrive is still going strong.
What You’ll Learn:

• Why Kevin rejected bankruptcy despite $60,000 in debt
• The real reason so few resources exist for owner-operators
• How Let's Truck was born from personal financial failure
• Why being blunt (even if unpopular) earns trust in trucking
• How public speaking became Kevin’s unexpected superpower
• What’s next for the Certified Master Carrier program at MATS

Episode Highlights:

[05:40] Kevin opens up about a glaring gap in the trucking world, which is the lack of real education for owner-operators. In most industries, you’ll find courses, mentorship, and roadmaps. In trucking? Not so much. Kevin’s hard-earned credibility didn’t come from theory, it came from surviving real business failure. That’s what makes his advice different. It’s raw, practical, and rooted in experience. Without real-world education, most owner-operators are forced to learn the hard way, and that's exactly why Kevin is on a mission to change that.

[11:44] Growing up in a trucking family, Kevin learned to turn wrenches before he hit double digits. But while mechanical skills came early, business acumen did not. He shares how his love for trucking led him to scale too fast, reaching 11 trucks without a clear financial system. What looked like growth was actually leading him straight into financial chaos. Scaling a business without foundational systems is like building on sand, it’s only a matter of time before it crumbles.

[15:06] With more trucks came more problems—and eventually, $60,000 in debt. Bankruptcy attorneys told him to walk away. But Kevin couldn’t. Instead, he chose the hard way: selling off assets, cutting back, and paying every dollar back over four long years. That decision reshaped how he thought about business and became the foundation for everything he teaches now. He does embodies the fact that true leadership starts with ownership, especially when it would be easier to walk away.

[17:07] Most people would stop at survival. Kevin didn’t. After digging himself out of debt, he realized he didn’t just want to run trucks, he wanted to help other truckers avoid the same pitfalls. That purpose led to the birth of Let’s Truck, a platform built to deliver honest, actionable advice for owner-operators trying to make the numbers work. Kevin's story shows that sometimes your greatest failure becomes your most powerful tool for service and impact.

[24:25] Sometimes, opportunity knocks in strange ways. For Kevin, it started with correcting a mistake in a trade magazine. That one email turned into a call from radio legend Dave Nemo and before long, Kevin was live on SiriusXM. So many people called in that it jammed the phone lines. What began as a one-time guest spot turned into a 15-year radio career helping truckers across the country.

Kevin Rutherford is a third-generation owner-operator who started his trucking journey at 21 and quickly grew a fleet of 11 trucks, learning hard lessons about business the tough way. After clawing his way out of debt, he turned his experience into purpose, becoming the trusted voice behind Let’s Truck, a platform that has helped thousands of owner-operators improve their operations and profitability. Kevin spent over 15 years as the host of SiriusXM’s Trucking Business & Beyond, and his no-nonsense advice earned him a loyal following across the country. He’s also a passionate advocate for driver health, leading conversations on wellness through his show Destination Health. His work has been featured in top industry outlets like Overdrive Magazine, Pro Trucker, and the Partners in Business series. Whether he’s speaking at events or answering calls from the road, Kevin’s mission is simple: to help truckers run smarter, healthier, and more successful businesses.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.Behind the Freight is Truckstop’s trucking and logistics podcast for carriers, owner operators, small fleets and freight brokers. Hosted by John Howland, with new episodes every other week on freight fraud prevention, compliance, trucking technology and the freight market.
Find loads, vet carriers and protect your business at Truckstop.com

Connect with John on LinkedIn
Behind The Freight is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

What happens when a high schooler working at a trade show becomes the leader of one of trucking’s most iconic events?

In this Greatest Hits episode of Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast, Brent Hutto is joined by Toby Young, President of Exhibit Management Associates and the man behind the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS). Toby shares the full-circle journey of his family’s role in founding MATS in 1972 and how the show grew into a 1 million-square-foot gathering place for the entire trucking industry. From working with his father and grandfather to transforming the show’s focus on education and business growth, together, they explore the highs and tensions of leading a family business and the mindset shifts Toby took to lead effectively. This episode goes behind the scenes of what it takes to keep a live event relevant year after year, and how MATS became the cultural homecoming for drivers, fleets, suppliers, and innovators alike.
What You’ll Learn:

• How Toby navigated conflict resolution in a multi-generational family business
• Why leadership starts by doing the “lowly” work yourself
• What it takes to host over 1,000 exhibitors and 70,000+ attendees
• How MATS transitioned from entertainment-first to business-first
• Why education and networking are now central to the show’s impact
• The vision for expanding MATS beyond a 3-day event

Toby Young is the President of Exhibit Management Associates and Show Manager of the Mid-America Trucking Show. With degrees in chemistry and chemical engineering, he’s spent two decades helping evolve MATS into a world-class event that connects drivers, suppliers, and trucking leaders across the industry. He started working the show as a teenager and brings a hands-on leadership style shaped by years in every role. Today, he continues to blend tradition with innovation to keep MATS relevant and impactful.

Episode Highlights:

[06:49] As the third generation in a family-run trade show business, Toby reflects on the emotional complexity of stepping into leadership while his father was still deeply involved. He shares candid stories about the early years, when proposing change wasn’t just met with resistance but full-blown arguments. Working with someone who shares your DNA and your temperament, he admits, is both a blessing and a test of emotional intelligence. Over time, Toby learned that pushing an idea isn’t as powerful as pausing to listen and align. His biggest takeaway? In family businesses, disagreements are inevitable, but alignment on vision is what makes it all worth it.
[16:19] Toby’s leadership philosophy is rooted in experience, not entitlement. Long before he took charge of the Mid-America Trucking Show, he did the grunt work: stuffing envelopes in high school, running registration tables, hauling brochures, delivering packages, cleaning the office, and handling everything from PR to web development. By working in nearly every role, Toby built a deep operational empathy that still guides him today. He believes leadership means leading from within, not above. “I’ll never ask someone to take out the trash,” he says, “unless they’ve already seen me do it first.”
[28:06] MATS has always been known for its entertainment, big rigs, big personalities, and the best pork chop sandwiches around. But Toby and his team saw something more: an opportunity to turn the show into a true business-building experience. Informed by years of attendee interviews, they pivoted MATS toward education without losing its community spirit. They launched the ProTalks seminar series, created new stages, and invited respected voices like FMCSA, OOIDA, and small fleet owners to teach what’s working today. The result? A show floor that offers not just spectacle, but strategy, helping drivers and fleet leaders improve profitability, efficiency, and quality of life.
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. instructions on how to do this are here.Behind the Freight is Truckstop’s trucking and logistics podcast for carriers, owner operators, small fleets and freight brokers. Hosted by John Howland, with new episodes every other week on freight fraud prevention, compliance, trucking technology and the freight market.
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