Ellie Thornton and Steve DeNunzio break down the 2026 CSCMP State of Logistics Report, from permanent volatility and trade-policy whiplash to chokepoints that ripple through global freight costs. They also unpack where AI is delivering real savings, why flexible automation is winning, and how trucking, ocean freight, and e-commerce parcel networks are being reset.

Ellie Thornton and Steve DeNunzio break down Gartner’s latest supply chain hype cycle, including the growing labor shortage, rapid adoption of warehouse automation, and the rise of robot-centric facilities. They also explore physical AI, multiagent orchestration, real-time location systems, and why so many logistics AI projects still fall short.

This episode explores how COVID exposed the hidden importance of supply chains and pushed them from an operational concern into a strategic boardroom issue. It also examines defense readiness, critical technology control, and why speed in innovation means little without trusted suppliers and real production capacity.

Steve and Ellie dive into the world of digital twins, exploring how these real-time virtual replicas transform warehouses, automotive development, and customer insights. From NASA origins to modern supply chains, discover the promise and challenges of this cutting-edge technology shaping logistics today.

Explore Walmart's ambitious expansion of its drone delivery service to over 270 stores nationwide and how it plans to reach 40 million Americans. Steve and Ellie discuss the technology behind rapid drone deliveries, industry trends, and the race among retailers to innovate last-mile logistics.

From geopolitics to the impact of AI, Steve and Ellie take a look at likely trends and predictions for supply chains in 2026.

Steve and Ellie explore China's dominance in global shipbuilding and its implications for U.S. economic and military strength. They discuss challenges facing American shipyards and strategies like international partnerships and policy reforms to revive U.S. shipbuilding and workforce development.

Steve and Ellie dig into the recent spike in cargo theft and smuggling, from social engineering schemes targeting loaded trailers to shocking seafood heists and illicit freight crossing borders. They expose the evolving criminal tactics threatening the supply chain and discuss the real-world impact on businesses and consumers.