FreightCasts

Malcolm and The Dude kick things off with a lighthearted discussion about March Madness brackets and the unexpected snowy weather in Chattanooga before diving into a heavy-hitting lineup of industry experts.

Episode Highlights

• State of Women in Trucking: Samantha Greene, Regional Underwriting Officer at Travelers, joins the show for her first podcast appearance to discuss female representation in the industry. She reveals that while female drivers make up only 4% of long-haul CDL holders, women are making significant gains in leadership roles, holding nearly 28% of C-suite positions and 30% of board seats.

• Energy Markets & Geopolitics: Matt Muenster, Chief Economist at Breakthrough, provides an update on the volatile energy landscape. He breaks down current market trends and the impact of the ongoing situation between the U.S. and Iran on fuel and logistics.

• AI vs. Human-in-the-Loop: David Julian, CTO at Netradyne, addresses the hot debate in fleet technology. He explores whether AI-driven safety measures or human-in-the-loop systems are more effective at making fleets safer and whether current tech is helping or hindering drivers during critical moments.

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In this episode of Freight Expectations, hosts Craig Fuller and Matthew Leffler dive deep into the volatile intersection of global conflict and the trucking industry. As tensions rise in the Middle East and fuel prices reach unprecedented daily highs, we break down what this means for everyone from owner-operators to the nation's largest fleets.

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In today's episode, we discuss the recent [decision by the Surface Transportation Board to deny a formal investigation into CPKC's intermodal train operations. This ruling hands a major victory to CPKC by concluding that previous service issues on the Meridian Speedway have already been resolved.

Next, we dive into the [Maritime Administration's urgent call to completely rebuild the American shipping and shipbuilding ecosystem. Administrator Stephen Carmel emphasizes that modernizing this supply chain infrastructure through the new Maritime Action Plan is a critical national security imperative to protect against foreign threats.

Finally, we break down [Universal Logistics' rough fourth quarter, which saw a sharp decline in profits due to a softening freight market and deepening intermodal losses. Despite overall revenue dropping by 17 percent year-over-year, the company's contract logistics segment remains a stabilizing bright spot for their business.

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It’s another “magenta magic” Friday on WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Hosts Malcolm Harris and The Dude (Michael Vincent) are back to break down the latest in logistics, celebrate some retro gaming gifts, and dive deep into the world of automotive transport and warehousing fulfillment.
On This Episode:
• Retro Gaming & Friday Vibes: The guys kick things off by showing off some new gear, including an Atari and a Nintendo 64 hat, thanks to Matt Kaiser and Axle Logistics.
• The Layoff Trough: Malcolm and The Dude discuss a recent report on the 4,000+ layoffs affecting EV battery plants, warehouses, and rail terminals. Is this just the bottom of the trough, or is there more to come?.
• WTT Top 10: A brand new segment! We count down the wildest clips in trucking, from forklift couch-surfing in Detroit to Peterbilts in places they definitely shouldn’t be.
• David Mendelson (Super Dispatch): A repeat guest joins the show to break down AI in automotive transport. David explains how carriers and brokers are using technology to streamline car hauling—all in plain English, no jargon required.
• Dr. Vernard Jenkins II (NightSwift): We sit down with “Dr. V” to discuss his journey from Miami to the leadership ranks of NightSwift Warehousing and Fulfillment. Plus, we talk some serious hoop!

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In today's episode, we dive into a recent piece on the legislative push to remove Chinese military-connected companies from U.S. supply chains, highlighting a new bill introduced by Representative Elise Stefanik and Senator Tom Cotton. This proposed legislation enforces strict security certifications across the entire trucking industry, directly impacting everyone from prime defense contractors down to individual owner-operators.

Next, we discuss an analysis of the intensifying global tariff fight as the Trump administration launches new trade probes into 16 partner nations, including Mexico and China. These investigations will scrutinize whether foreign industrial overcapacity is flooding the U.S. market with surplus goods, suppressing wages, and threatening domestic investments.

Finally, we wrap up the show with an update from Uber Freight's latest market outlook, which warns shippers to prepare for rising spot rates and sudden cross-border disruptions. The report emphasizes that current logistics volatility is being driven by localized, lane-level shocks rather than broad macroeconomic shifts, requiring supply chains to remain highly agile.

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The Iranian conflict has added a new layer of complexity to supply chains that were already dealing with a full slate of issues. Dr. Zac Rogers helps unpack the current logistics environment. 

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Is the trucking industry being pushed to the brink?
On this episode of Brake Check, we dive straight into the issues drivers, carriers, and industry leaders are talking about but rarely hear addressed without filters.
First, Gord Magill joins the show to break down the degradation of trucking as we know it and what he exposes in his new book about how the industry has evolved ...and not always for the better. From regulatory shifts to structural changes in the business of freight, we examine whether the foundations of trucking are quietly eroding.
Then Shannon Everett of American Truckers United climbs into the cab to talk about something drivers across the country are watching closely: Delilah’s Law. We dig into what the legislation aims to accomplish, who is supporting it, who is opposing it, and what it could mean for the future of drivers in America. When policy, politics, and profit collide, who actually pays the price?
Finally, Paul Gibson joins the conversation to bring it back to the people behind the wheel. While analysts and economists debate the freight cycle, drivers are living the reality every day. We talk about how drivers are feeling right now, what they’re seeing in settlements, and where the industry may be failing the very people who keep freight moving.
This episode connects the dots between policy, freight economics, and the real-world impact on drivers and carriers. If you care about the future of trucking, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Guests in this episode Gord Magill – Author and trucking industry analyst
Shannon Everett – American Truckers United
Paul Gibson – Broker-Carrier Summit/ Host of the Freight Break
Topics Covered
• The changing structure of the trucking industry
• Delilah’s Law and trucking policy debates
• Freight market swings and driver sentiment
• The impact of politics and regulation on truckers
• What carriers and the industry may be missing
Subscribe for more conversations about trucking, freight markets, regulations, and the future of the industry.

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Freight markets are sending mixed signals right now.
Spot rates are ticking up.
Tender rejection pockets are appearing across the country.
Port volumes are surging in some areas.
But underneath those numbers, the broader economy is flashing warning signs.
Credit card debt has reached a record $1.28 trillion.
Unemployment among college graduates is rising.
Consumer spending — especially in big-ticket sectors like home renovation — is slowing down.
So what does that actually mean for trucking?
In this solo episode of The Long Haul Podcast, we break down the latest SONAR data, port volume trends, and economic indicators to answer one critical question:
Is the freight market actually recovering… or are we just seeing temporary noise?
If you’re an owner-operator or small fleet trying to make decisions in this market, this episode will help you understand what’s really happening beneath the headlines.

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Welcome to a brand new edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? with your hosts Malcolm Harris and “The Dude,” Michael Vincent. In this episode, we dive deep into the massive shifts happening across the supply chain, from blockbuster rail mergers to high-stakes international trade lawsuits.
Guest Lineup:
• Tim Crawford, CEO of Tenstreet: Tim returns to the show to discuss the critical operational side of the industry. We explore the latest trends in driver hiring, retention, and how fleets are staying ahead of safety compliance and changing risks.
• Jonathan Briffa, Managing Director at Republic Partners: Jonathan joins us to break down the current Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) landscape. We talk through the trends in the 3PL space and what buyers are actually looking for in today’s market—hint: it’s all about profitable growth.Episode Highlights:
Episode Highlights:
• The Union Pacific/Southern Merger: We discuss the controversy surrounding Jim Vina’s “blockbuster” rail merger. Is this a move toward much-needed modernization, or will it cause the same service disasters seen in past consolidations?
• Nintendo vs. The U.S. Government: Why is the gaming giant filing a lawsuit over billions in tariffs? We break down the legal battle over the use of emergency authority (IEEPA) and what it means for companies importing from China and Vietnam.
• Magenta is the New Green: You might notice a color change in the studio! We’re celebrating our new supporting sponsor, T-Mobile for Business, and discussing why “magenta” is the theme for the month.

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In this episode of Fraud Watch, Phillip Brink sits down with Christopher Allen, also known as Tim Bannon, to tell the origin story behind The Bannon Report. Chris talks about how he unknowingly worked inside a fraud adjacent insurance agency and started noticing things that did not add up. He saw patterns tied to double brokering, identity theft, and cargo fraud. As the warning signs grew, he began quietly warning brokers about carriers that looked risky. The conversation also looks at how some agencies act like chameleon carriers. They change names and identities while continuing to insure the same high risk operations. Those early warnings are what eventually led to the creation of The Bannon Report.

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