Let’s Talk Logistics

Gero Keil , shares how Levity is using AI to solve real logistics challenges. From DeepSeek's game-changing potential to automating the email chaos in freight, this episode explores smarter strategies for scaling in the freight world. If you’re not thinking about AI yet, this is your wake-up call.

Key Chapters:

(0:00) Introduction and Background

(0:35) Founding Levity: The Early Days

(1:37) AI in Business Automation

(2:16) DeepSeek vs. ChatGPT

(3:20) Impact of AI on Business Costs

(7:49) Levity's Approach to Automation

(14:42) Voice AI and Future Plans

(16:26) Journey of Levity's Founders

(18:31) Navigating the AI Landscape

(27:25) Building a Lean Team

(35:25) AI's Role in Logistics

(39:28) Personal Life and Background

(44:07) Challenges in Hiring and Firing

(48:11) AI's Role in Logistics and Market Impact

(1:02:11) Usage-Based Pricing Models for AI

(1:07:57) Specialization and Business Growth

(1:10:53) Connecting and Future Events

#LetsTalkLogistics #FreightNews #FreightTech #SupplyChainInnovation #LogisticsLeadership #AIinFreight #SmartLogistics #FreightAutomation

The rules of AI are shifting fast—DeepSeek’s R1 AI model is breaking new ground with open-source innovation, low-cost training, and global implications. What does this mean for the future of tech?

Key Chapters:  

(0:00) Introduction and Overview

(0:42) What Makes DeepSeek R1 Unique?

(1:47) Efficiency and Cost of Training R1

(2:43) Open Source Approach and Its Implications

(3:45) Performance and Limitations of R1

(6:25) Geopolitical Implications of R1

(7:42) Future Possibilities and Ethical Considerations

(14:29) Conclusion and Final Thoughts

#LetsTalkLogistics #ThisWeekinFreight #LTLNews 

The rules are changing fast—whether it’s the FDA shocking the nicotine industry with the news about ZYN, Mexico's overhauling trade policies with the 321 Rule, or this historic 2025 U.S. presidential inauguration adapting to last-minute chaos.

Key Chapters:  

(00:00) Introduction and Overview

(00:17) FDA Authorizes ZYN Nicotine Pouches

(02:26) Mexico's New Trade Policies

(04:26) Challenges of the Upcoming Presidential Inauguration

(07:32) Connecting the Dots: Regulation, Adaptation, and Global Forces

(14:53) Implications and Takeaways

(17:53) Conclusion and Final Thoughts

These shifts have ripple effects far beyond headlines - so let's break down what they mean for businesses, industries, and logistics as a whole. 

#LetsTalkLogistics #ThisWeekinFreight #LTLNews

Tim Higham, founder of Ascend TMS, shares his journey from bootstrapping a brokerage to building a game-changing TMS platform. Hear how he disrupted the freight tech space with a no-nonsense approach to profitability, employee retention, and AI-driven innovation. Discover what’s driving real change in freight technology.

Key Chapters:

(0:00) Intro to the Ep

(0:56) The Birth of Ascend TMS

(1:45) Challenges and Successes in Building a TMS

(3:49) Profitability and Business Philosophy

(4:25) Tim's Story and Industry Insights

(5:25) Competing Against VC-Backed Competitors

(5:39) The Evolution of Technology in Logistics

(14:20) Shipper CRM: A Game-Changer

(30:15) Employee Retention and Company Culture

(36:50) Investing in the Right People

(38:50) The Role of Referrals in Hiring

(39:49) Golden Handcuffs: Myth or Reality?

(41:42) Company Hierarchy and Roles

(44:08) Choosing the Right Tech Stack

(51:37) The Pitfalls of VC Funding

(1:01:30) Advice for Founders: Avoiding Common Mistakes

#LetsTalkLogistics #FreightNews #FreightTech #SupplyChainInnovation #LogisticsLeadership #TransportationTech

Eric Krueger shares how Navix is shaking up LTL freight audit and payment with a tech-first approach. Learn how automation and transparency are helping brokerages optimize cash flow and streamline operations.

Key Chapters:

(0:00) Intro to the Ep

(0:52) Challenges in LTL Pricing and Freight Bill Audit

(1:19) The Birth of Navix

(3:14) Navix's Expansion and Success

(4:45) The Importance of Cash Flow in Brokerage

(6:17) Strategies for Managing Billing Variances

(14:04) The Role of Trust and Transparency

(23:23) Navix's Journey and Future Plans

(32:06) Life of a Freight Tech Founder

(33:24) Life in Minnesota

(35:20) Journey into Technology

(38:17) Building Navix

(39:44) AI and Automation in Freight

(48:40) Hiring and Team Building

(59:42) Conclusion

#LetsTalkLogistics #FreightNews #FreightTech #LTLShipping #LogisticsInnovation

Matthew Leffler, the Armchair Attorney, dives into freight’s legal chaos, broken agency models, and the rise of AI in logistics. Discover what’s reshaping the industry and how shippers can stay ahead of the curve.

Key Chapters:

(0:00) Intro to the Ep

(3:37) Hot Topic on World Wide Express

(8:04) Private Equity buying the Industry 

(13:40) Glorified Agent Models with the Right Company

(19:01) EBITDA and Private Equity

(23:01) EBITDA and Showing Profit

(27:31) DAT’s Acquisition of Trucker Tools

(33:30)Longshoremen Strike

(36:26)AI’s role in Logistics

(40:25) Freight Market Fluctuations

(43:00)Industry Trends

(56:27)Trucking Insurance Gaps

(59:30) Debating USPS Privatization

(1:05:00) Holiday Traditions & Reflections

#LetsTalkLogistics #FreightNews #FreightGameChangers #FreightAgencyTruths

#LogisticsDisrupted #AIinFreight

Cameron Robertson shares his journey leading 3PL Systems, tackling challenges like COVID, non-competes, and embracing AI in logistics. Hear how he’s shaping the future of 3PL, making tough calls, and building lasting relationships in the industry.

Key Chapters:

(0:00) Intro to the Ep

(1:56) How Cameron Runs his Company

(5:43) History of 3PL Systems 

(6:25) Making his Way to CEO 

(10:37) Taking Risks within the Company

(14:10) 3PL Systems Goals and Vision

(18:33) Running a Freight Company during Covid 

(21:44) Difficult Firing as a CEO

(28:02) Non-competes and Competitors 

(29:39) How 3PL is Inside Funded

(33:04) Can’t Build and Sell because 3PL is building Relationships

(37:30) What does Success look Like to Cameron

(40:20) What's Next for Cameron

(43:56) AI within 3PL?

(51:05) Why Cameron Chased CEO

(55:21) What Cameron would have Done Different 

#LetsTalkLogistics #FreightNews #3PL #TechDriven #RiskAndReward

Chris Jolly dives into the highs and lows of building a freight business in today’s market. Hear how he’s growing with grit, tackling drayage, and redefining what it means to lead in logistics with real-world expertise.

Key Chapters:

(0:00) Intro to the Ep

(6:40) Why Chris started Freight Coach Media

(11:50) The Industry on LinkedIn

(13:26) Learning from Someone who has Done it

(16:51) Documenting Growth

(18:35) Doing the Work for Growth in your Business

(21:41) Chris’ Work on Bettering Himself 

(28:27) What is the Main Priority of Chris’ Business

(30:05) Building and Owning

(33:51) What does Success Look Like

(39:09) Learning Life and Business

(42:25) Brokerages that Add no Value to Each Other

(47:17) Waiting for the Market Recover 

(51:07) Making Mistakes Makes you Learn

#LetsTalkLogistics #FreightNews #DrayageSolutions #FreightGrowth #LogisticsLeadership

Chadd Olesen talks about the challenges and successes of building, pivoting, and innovating in freight tech. Find out how AVRL is leading the way with creative automation and fresh strategies to tackle real industry challenges.

Key Chapters:

(0:00) Intro to the Ep

(1:29) What is AVRL?

(6:15) Pivoting AVRL

(9:45) Why to Post on LinkedIn

(13:10) How Chadd Runs his Org 

(15:10) Projects and the Projection 

(15:36) How AVRL is Funded 

(19:09) Venture Capital = Giving Away Power

(24:18) Being ‘Over-Mentored’ 

(31:36) Chadd’s Thoughts on Trying to do Everything at Once 

(36:10) What Drives Chadd

(38:42) Teaching Companies to Leverage Tech 

(43:02) Framing Firing and Hiring

(48:56) Internal, External, and Accounting Communication 

(53:45) Chadd Olesen Outside of Work

(54:04) Macro and Micro with Politics and Organizations

(1:01:28) Mistakes as a Founder

#LetsTalkLogistics #FreightTech #FreightNews #Scalability #SpotBidding 

Jonathan Salama shares what it’s really like to build and transform a company with freight tech. His company Transfix shifted from brokerage to tech, empowering brokers with tools to thrive in today’s market using the right tools. Here’s why. 

Key Chapters:

(0:00) Intro to the Ep

(0:59) Evolution of Transfix 

(4:43) Being in a Freight Recession

(9:26) Growing and the Beginning of Transfix

(15:15) Raising Money Outside of the Company

(18:57) Making Decisions as a CEO

(28:08) Correcting Decisions as a Better Founder

(32:52) Jonathan’s Background

(35:42) Having a Family  

(39:22) New Challenges within the Company and Selling to NFI

(44:34) The Hardest Decision

(47:56) Personal Growth as a Founder

(53:09) Advice to Someone Starting in the Freight Industry

#LetsTalkLogistics #FreightTech #DigitalBrokerage #FreightNews