That’s Delivered Podcast

This week in trucking, regulatory changes and market shifts dominate, from the Department of Transportation's tightened CDL eligibility for non-citizens on H2A and H2B visas to a 25% tariff on imported heavy trucks that could favor domestic manufacturers like Peterbilt and Kenworth while creating uncertainty for fleet purchases. August freight data reveals a cooling market with declines in dry van, reefer, and flatbed volumes—dry van down 8%—and softening spot rates. California's repeal of its zero-emission truck mandate for private fleets offers relief to smaller carriers but hinders EV adoption. Regulators are advancing hours-of-service pilots, broker transparency, and lease-purchase reforms via FMCSA and lawmakers. Looking ahead, fleets must monitor OEM pricing adjustments, CDL compliance challenges, and upcoming freight data to assess if the slowdown continues, with a preview of Spencer Barkoff from Relay Payments on simplifying trucking payments.

Key Takeaways 👇

✅ CDL Restrictions: Only non-citizens with H2A/H2B work visas can qualify for a commercial license, narrowing the driver pool and potentially constricting supply.
✅ Tariff Impact: A 25% tariff on imported heavy trucks may benefit domestic manufacturers like Peterbilt and Kenworth but could delay fleet purchases amid uncertainty.
✅ Freight Market Cooling: August data shows an 8% drop in dry van volumes, with reefer and flatbed also declining and spot rates softening, signaling broader market deceleration.
✅ California Rollback: Repeal of the zero-emission mandate for private fleets eases pressure on smaller carriers but slows overall EV adoption in the industry.
✅ Regulatory Watch: FMCSA is reviewing hours-of-service flexibility pilots, while lawmakers debate broker transparency and lease-purchase reforms.
✅ Looking Ahead: Monitor OEM pricing adjustments due to tariffs, CDL compliance hurdles, and new freight data to determine if the slowdown persists.
✅ Next Guest Preview: Spencer Barkoff of Relay Payments joins to discuss modernizing trucking payments with Venmo-style simplicity.

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The freight industry is changing rapidly, and artificial intelligence isn’t just coming—it’s already here. But what does AI in logistics actually look like beyond the buzzwords? Chris Condon, founder of AirCon AI and Captain Cargo, pulls back the curtain on how these technologies are transforming freight quoting, consolidation, and routing decisions in real time.

Drawing from 26 years in logistics, Condon explains how his platforms use machine learning and large language models to help small and mid-sized freight forwarders compete with industry giants.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Smarter Predictions – AI forecasts airline on-time performance and suggests optimal routing options.
✅ Cost Savings – Consolidates shipments to reduce chargeable weight by up to 50%.
✅ Proven Results – Within 90 days of launching their AI booking agent, AirCon improved win percentage by 40% and increased revenue 2.5x.
✅ Real Solutions – Handles exceptions by providing alternative routes, pricing options, and real-time decision support when disruptions arise.
✅ Human + AI Partnership – Rather than replacing humans, AI takes on routine tasks so logistics professionals can focus on relationships and complex problem-solving.
✅ Buffalo Culture – Condon’s philosophy of protecting the herd and running toward challenges together reinforces the importance of trust in logistics.

The most powerful insight? AI won’t replace people—it makes them better. "People do business with people," Condon reminds us, emphasizing that trust remains central even as technology advances.

Ready to see how AI can transform your freight operations? Visit airconai.com
to learn how you can start competing at scale regardless of your company’s size.

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Need help finding the perfect truck seat? Let us find one for you! Call 269-692-5770, email: [email protected] ,or fill out form and use code TR104U.

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When Larry Cothran first climbed into the driver’s seat of a semi-truck, he never imagined the road would lead him to become trucking’s most recognizable social media personality. From his trademark headset (worn everywhere from funerals to graduations) to his unfiltered honesty, Larry has built a platform rooted in humor, resilience, and connection. In this episode, he shares how being broke pushed him into trucking, how persistence shaped his career, and why he now uses his voice to uplift millions of drivers worldwide.

Key Takeaways
✅ How losing his welding job pushed Larry into trucking and reshaped his future
✅ The reality check of chasing money vs. building skills and persistence
✅ Why “comparison is the thief of joy” became a turning point in his content
✅ Stories behind his trademark headset and legendary Christmas trucker party
✅ From billions of views to a shoe deal—how Larry grew beyond the driver’s seat
✅ Practical advice for rookies: endorsements, learning the business, and relationship-building
✅ The deeper mission behind the humor: using laughter as medicine to heal and connect

Larry Cothran Links

• Website / Consulting — Social Media Solutions Pro
• Instagram — @iamlarrycothran
• X (Twitter) — @IamLarryCothran
• Facebook Page — IamLarryCothran
• YouTube Channel — Larry Cothran

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Promo code: TR104U

Get your discount for Truck Parking Club click: here

Support the show

Need help finding the perfect truck seat? Let us find one for you! Call 269-692-5770, email: [email protected] ,or fill out form and use code TR104U.

Get your Trucking Ray merch to show that you roll with Trucking Ray and That’s Delivered Podcast!  click: here

Each week we will bring you a quick briefing on the biggest developments in trucking, what just happened across regulations, markets, policy and what’s on the horizon that drivers, carriers, and industry leaders should be watching to stay ahead.

Key Takeaways

What Happened Last Week

✅ FMCSA Rule Proposals – 18 potential changes, including redefining “medical treatment” in accident reporting so that scans like X-rays wouldn’t automatically trigger a DOT-recordable case.

✅ Unified Regulatory Agenda – Covered hot topics like independent contractor rules, broker transparency, ELD updates, and the withdrawn speed limiter mandate.

✅ Lease-Purchase Scrutiny – Lawmakers introduced the Predatory Truck Leasing Prevention Act to ban abusive programs that trap drivers in debt.

✅ Hours-of-Service Flexibility – FMCSA advanced its pilot program to test flexible schedules for CDL drivers.

✅ Freight Market – Truckload and LTL volumes stayed soft, putting continued downward pressure on rates.

✅ Trade Concerns – Proposed tariffs on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals raised questions about cross-border freight costs.

What to Watch This Week

🔹 Lease-Purchase Bill Review – The House will take up the Predatory Truck Leasing Prevention Act (H.R. 5423). Early hearings could signal momentum.

🔹 Broker Transparency – FMCSA may roll out draft rules requiring brokers to share transaction data with carriers. Legal challenges are expected.

🔹 Speed Limiters Debate – Though withdrawn federally, expect lobbying battles and possible state-level speed cap pushes.

🔹 HOS Pilot Recruitment – Details on driver eligibility, incentives, and data collection for the flexible scheduling pilot could surface.

🔹 Tariffs & Trade – Watch for updates on timing and scope of tariff proposals, especially impacting U.S.–Mexico freight.

🔹 Tech & Sustainability – Possible new clean truck incentives and AI-driven freight tools announcements. California zero-emission mandates remain a focal point.

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Click here to join the conversation!

🔗https://www.treeringdigital.com/delivered

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Navigating a career shift during the pandemic, Andrew Golding opens up about his unexpected journey from social worker to hazmat truck driver. When COVID forced his medical transport business to close, he turned to trucking school, earning his CDL and diving headfirst into the challenges of hauling hazardous materials across America. In this candid conversation, Andrew shares the highs and lows of his early days on the road, the strategies that helped him gain an edge, and the lessons every new driver should know before stepping into the industry.

Key Takeaways

✅ Pandemic Pivot – Andrew’s medical transport business shut down during COVID, leading him to pursue trucking as a new career.

✅ Reality Check – “You are not going to make a lot of money in your first year,” he cautions, cutting through the glossy promises of some CDL schools.

✅ Hazmat Advantage – Getting hazmat endorsements and a TWIC card early opened doors to higher-paying, specialized freight opportunities.

✅ Trial by Ice – His first drive on an icy Colorado mountain pass showed the dangers and unpredictability new drivers face.

✅ Life on the Road – Weeks of solo assignments taught him resilience, mental toughness, and how trucking forces you to learn about yourself.

✅ Inside Hazmat – Practical insights into hauling hazardous materials, from proper load securing to emergency safety protocols.

✅ Human Reminder – His closing message to four-wheelers: “Truck drivers are people too.”

✅ Follow His Journey – Connect with Andrew on TikTok and Facebook @Drew.the.trucker for honest stories from life on the road.

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Click here to join the conversation!

Promo code: TR104U

Get your discount for Truck Parking Club click: here

Support the show

Need help finding the perfect truck seat? Let us find one for you! Call 269-692-5770, email: [email protected] ,or fill out form and use code TR104U.

Get your Trucking Ray merch to show that you roll with Trucking Ray and That’s Delivered Podcast!  click: here

The landscape of trucking is changing rapidly, but one constant remains—the need for practical solutions that help carriers succeed. In this conversation with Jeff Resch, Operations Lead for Uber Freight’s Powerloop division, we explore how innovation is reshaping opportunities for owner-operators and small fleets.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Powerloop eliminates barriers – Carriers gain access to premium drop-and-hook freight without the heavy cost of trailer ownership.

✅ Leveling the playing field – Small fleets and owner-operators can now compete for efficient freight opportunities that were once reserved for big players.

✅ Flexibility at the core – Use Powerloop trailers for Uber Freight loads, your own shippers, or other brokers—putting carrier choice first.

✅ No competing with company trucks – Unlike asset-heavy models, Powerloop prioritizes carriers rather than protecting its own fleet.

✅ Nationwide expansion – What started regionally is now available across the U.S., with exciting new dedicated tour options in Texas offering consistent schedules and income stability.

✅ Future-focused partnership – Jeff’s advice: “Partner with someone that has a future for you in mind.” Powerloop is designed to grow with carriers, not just use them.

✅ Adapting to industry changes – From AI tools to market shifts, carriers must “look 300 yards down the road” to anticipate what’s next.

✅ Strategic positioning – Success comes from aligning with partners building meaningful opportunities for carriers, not just themselves.

Ready to explore how drop-and-hook opportunities could transform your operation? 👉 Download the Uber Freight app today or visit uberfreight.com to learn more about Powerloop.

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Click here to join the conversation!

Promo code: TR104U

Get your discount for Truck Parking Club click: here

Support the show

Need help finding the perfect truck seat? Let us find one for you! Call 269-692-5770, email: [email protected] ,or fill out form and use code TR104U.

Get your Trucking Ray merch to show that you roll with Trucking Ray and That’s Delivered Podcast!  click: here

Transforming America’s highways from trafficking corridors into safe passageways takes vigilance, awareness, and courage. In this powerful episode with Micah Larson, Mobile Exhibit Specialist for Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT), we uncover how everyday truckers are stepping into extraordinary roles in the fight against modern-day slavery. From his journey in the arts to becoming a frontline advocate, Micah explains how TAT equips the transportation industry with the training, tools, and stories needed to recognize red flags, make the call, and ultimately save lives.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Micah’s path: from theater arts graduate to passionate anti-trafficking advocate after learning about trafficking’s nationwide prevalence.

✅ TAT’s innovative tools: the Freedom Drivers Project and upcoming Driving Change Project, both mobile exhibits featuring real survivor stories and artifacts to raise awareness.

✅ Inspiring rescues: through TAT’s Harriet Tubman Award, truckers like Joe Guayo and Kevin Kimmel proved how a single phone call can save lives—sometimes being called “guardian angels” by survivors.

✅ Key truth: Most U.S. trafficking victims are American citizens, not foreign nationals, making industry vigilance more critical than ever.

✅ Truckers’ unique role: with access to places others don’t, their trained eyes and ears are vital in spotting and reporting suspicious activity safely.

✅ How to help: visit truckersagainsttrafficking.org, download the mobile app, or bring free training resources into your company—because one call can change (and even save) a life.

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Click here to join the conversation!

Promo code: TR104U

Get your discount for Truck Parking Club click: here

Support the show

Need help finding the perfect truck seat? Let us find one for you! Call 269-692-5770, email: [email protected] ,or fill out form and use code TR104U.

Get your Trucking Ray merch to show that you roll with Trucking Ray and That’s Delivered Podcast!  click: here

The road can be brutal on a trucker’s body. Long hours behind the wheel, limited movement, and constant vibration often lead to pain and fatigue that conventional medicine struggles to fix. But what if there was another way—one that didn’t rely on pills or costly treatments?

Former Notre Dame tight end Joe Fazio joins Trucking Ray to share how the X39 stem cell activation patch is helping truckers and others find real relief. Using photobiomodulation—a patented process that reflects the body’s own infrared light—the patch aims to reactivate dormant stem cells and support the body’s natural healing. Unlike medications that only mask symptoms, this non-transdermal patch works with your system to help reduce inflammation, improve energy, and promote recovery.

Joe shares his personal journey—overcoming debilitating sciatica pain in 21 days—and his wife’s remarkable health improvements. For truckers, the potential benefits include pain relief, better focus, more energy, and support for conditions common to life on the road. At about $3.30 per day, it’s an accessible alternative to traditional treatments.

What makes this conversation powerful is the blend of real-life stories and plain-English science. Joe breaks down how the patch works, discusses safety considerations, and highlights a growing community of success stories.

If you’re dealing with back pain, neuropathy, fatigue, or want to improve your overall wellness, this episode introduces a technology that could make a difference. Learn more at lifewave.com/truckingray or reach out using the contacts below.

Key Takeaways

✅ Trucking takes a heavy toll on the body; conventional approaches often just mask symptoms.

✅ The X39 patch uses light (not drugs) to stimulate dormant stem cells and support natural healing.

✅ Joe Fazio reports his sciatica pain resolved in 21 days, with additional family health improvements.

✅ Reported benefits for truckers: pain relief, reduced inflammation, improved energy and mental clarity, and support for common road-related conditions.

✅ Non-transdermal, drug-free option at roughly $3.30/day.

✅ Safety and science are explained simply, with many success stories emerging.

Learn more: lifewave.com/truckingray

Contact Joe: 901-355-5272 | [email protected]

Contact Ray: [email protected]

• More details click here: https://youtu.be/klWllKvp1FY

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Click here to join the conversation!

Promo code: TR104U

Get your discount for Truck Parking Club click: here

Support the show

Need help finding the perfect truck seat? Let us find one for you! Call 269-692-5770, email: [email protected] ,or fill out form and use code TR104U.

Get your Trucking Ray merch to show that you roll with Trucking Ray and That’s Delivered Podcast!  click: here

What if your truck cab could double as a mobile business HQ—earning income even while you sleep? In this eye-opening episode, Trucking Ray sits down with Neil Twa, founder of Voltage Digital Marketing and expert in Amazon FBA, to reveal how truckers can tap into one of the most powerful e-commerce systems in the world. Neil shares how his own journey—through bankruptcy, brand-building, and scaling to help over 45,000 entrepreneurs—uniquely positions truck drivers to thrive in online retail. From mindset to marketing, he breaks down the exact steps to building an "almost automated income" stream using Amazon’s fulfillment network, all while still staying behind the wheel. If you've ever dreamed of stacking passive income on top of your trucking career, this episode shows you how to make that vision real.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Turn your cab into a command center — Run a profitable Amazon FBA business from your truck using Wi-Fi and logistics knowledge.
✅ "Almost automated income" — Amazon fulfills 7,000 units per minute, creating passive revenue while you drive, sleep, or rest.
✅ Truckers have the edge — With firsthand logistics experience and time between loads, drivers are positioned to scale online businesses.
✅ Neil’s “Five F’s” of success — Faith, family/friends, finances, and freedom are the pillars of building something meaningful.
✅ Brand over product — Focus on building a brand that can grow and last, not just quick-hit product listings.
✅ Product selection made simple — Start with items priced over $50 and aim for at least $12 net profit per unit.
✅ Tools for modern trucker-preneurs — With technology like Starlink, running an online business from anywhere is easier than ever.
✅ Now is the moment — Economic uncertainty is opening the door for what Neil calls a "generational wealth moment"—if you're ready to act.

✅I’ve got something special to share with you all. My friend Neil is giving away FREE copies of his book, and you can grab yours right now by heading to voltagedm.com/freebook and entering the code TRUCKINGRAY at checkout. The system will handle the rest — easy as that.

This episode is your roadmap for delivering more than just freight—start building a business that rides with you, mile after mile.

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Click here to join the conversation!

Promo code: TR104U

Get your discount for Truck Parking Club click: here

Support the show

Need help finding the perfect truck seat? Let us find one for you! Call 269-692-5770, email: [email protected] ,or fill out form and use code TR104U.

Get your Trucking Ray merch to show that you roll with Trucking Ray and That’s Delivered Podcast!  click: here

When we talk about the heart of the trucking industry, we're really talking about people like Kim Heins. Through her decades of organizing events and creating opportunities for drivers to connect and give back, Kim has become a pivotal force in Minnesota's trucking community and beyond.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Unexpected Beginning – Entered trucking community by chance, not family ties; now at ProDrivers using her role as a platform for impact.

✅ Minnesota Truck Driving Championships –

• Co-chair for 20+ years.
• Oversees 9 skill-based classes celebrating safety & precision.
• Events serve as reunions where veterans mentor rookies.

✅ Trucks & Toys Program –

• Supports 24 charities.
• Provides personalized gifts for 3,200+ children annually.

✅ Special Olympics Convoy –

• 22-mile route with truckers & athletes.
• Bridges & roadsides lined with cheering supporters.
• Memorable story of “Spider-Man,” an athlete who overcame hardship and became a joyful participant.

✅ Wreaths Across America –

• Helps honor fallen veterans each December.
• Truckers ensure names are spoken aloud despite Minnesota’s cold weather.
• Strong connection between military service & trucking.

✅ Volunteer Philosophy –

• Schedules major events in different parts of the year.
• Encourages starting small: “Just take that first step.”
• Advocates volunteering from passion, not obligation.

👉 Takeaway: Kim’s decades of service show how one person can connect an entire industry through community, celebration, and compassion.

Ready to make an impact in your community through trucking? Listen to Kim's story and discover how one person can connect an entire industry through service, celebration, and a genuine commitment to making a difference.

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Click here to join the conversation!

Promo code: TR104U

Get your discount for Truck Parking Club click: here

Support the show

Need help finding the perfect truck seat? Let us find one for you! Call 269-692-5770, email: [email protected] ,or fill out form and use code TR104U.

Get your Trucking Ray merch to show that you roll with Trucking Ray and That’s Delivered Podcast!  click: here