The Freight Coach Podcast

Today, a logistics veteran and Making Safety Happen author, Brian Fielkow, gets down to the bottom line of trucking safety and why it is a massive competitive advantage in today's market!

We dive into the realities of the post-Montgomery logistics landscape, breaking down exactly why freight brokers and shippers can no longer afford to skimp on carrier vetting if they want to protect their supply chain from nuclear verdicts.

Brian shares how to shatter the silos between operations and safety, build a bulletproof safety culture where frontline drivers can report hazards without fear of retaliation, and turn proactive risk management into a heavy-hitting sales tool.

It is time to stop treating safety like a compliance checkbox and start using it to win better freight, so tune in, and let's get after it!

About Brian Fielkow

Brian L. Fielkow is a recognized business leader, board director, and advisor known for transforming how organizations manage safety, risk, and performance. Previously, as CEO of Jetco Delivery, he built one of North America's most admired logistics companies, earning national recognition for its safety culture. Brian recently released his book Making Safety Happen.

Connect with Brian

• Website: https://brianfielkow.com/
• Making Safety Happen on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Making-Safety-Happen-Productive-Profitable-ebook/dp/B0GX2ZXGFY

📊📉 Don't miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎

🎬🎯 #TheFreightCoach Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to break down transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars!

To Find Out More About My Freight Services

Visit https://freightcoachlogistics.com/

🤝 Shoutout to my sponsors!👇

• SPI Logistics | https://spi3pl.com/
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/
• DAT Freight & Analytics | https://www.dat.com/
• Transportation Intermediaries Association | https://www.tianet.org/

Donate to support Stacy and her family: https://tinyurl.com/36xmxcmr

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🕊️ https://twitter.com/thefr8coach

💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jolly-a183aa6a/

If you're tired of grinding away as a W2 employee and wondering if the freight agent model is your true calling, listen to this episode with Steve Monson of Agent Advocate, giving us the truth about becoming an independent freight agent!

We're breaking down exactly what it takes to make the leap from a traditional logistics role to running your own book of business, the harsh realities of giving up a steady paycheck, the hidden administrative headaches you have to be ready for, and why finding a brokerage partner with the right back-office support and technology stack is absolutely crucial to your success.

Plus, we dive into the upcoming Freight Agent Conference in January, which is designed to help you navigate this massive career shift without the fluff!

To register for the Freight Agent Expo 2027 (FAX27), go to https://freightagentexpo.com/ to learn more!

About Steve Monson

Steve Monson is the Founder and President of The Monson Group and the creator of AgentAdvocate.net, an independent resource designed to help freight agents make better, more informed decisions about where they place their business.

With more than 30 years in logistics, Steve has experienced the industry from nearly every angle. He's booked freight, owned and operated a successful freight agency, worked on the shipper side, built teams, and led freight brokerages to more than $60 million in revenue. His innovative logistics strategies have also been recognized in multiple industry publications and earned industry awards.

After more than 25 years on the operational side of logistics, Steve transitioned into executive recruiting and talent advisory, where he became a two-time recipient of Sanford Rose Associates' Distinguished Recruiter award.

Today, Steve brings those experiences together as the Agent Advocate. Through extensive market research, he has analyzed more than 150 freight agent programs across 70+ metrics, giving him a unique perspective on how programs really compare—not just how they're marketed.

Through AgentAdvocate.net, Steve helps agents compare opportunities apples-to-apples, understand the fine print, ask better questions, and evaluate the factors that can materially impact their business, income, and long-term success.

Connect with Steve

• Website: https://www.agentadvocate.net/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-monson-logistics-recruiting/ / https://www.linkedin.com/company/agentadvocat.net/

📊📉 Don't miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎

🎬🎯 #TheFreightCoach Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to break down transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars!

To Find Out More About My Freight Services

Visit https://freightcoachlogistics.com/

🤝 Shoutout to my sponsors!👇

• SPI Logistics | https://spi3pl.com/
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/
• DAT Freight & Analytics | https://www.dat.com/
• Transportation Intermediaries Association | https://www.tianet.org/

Donate to support Stacy and her family: https://tinyurl.com/36xmxcmr

🚀🔥 To sign up for my Newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/iNoHco, get in touch with me through the social media channels below, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!👇

▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw

📷 https://www.instagram.com/thefreightcoach/

🕊️ https://twitter.com/thefr8coach

💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jolly-a183aa6a/

Are you truly maximizing your freight tech stack to win more lanes, or are you just surviving on outdated processes? Want to know exactly how top-tier freight brokers leverage data to absolutely crush the competition?

Josh Hanselman from DAT strips away the fluff and breaks down how to properly evaluate and optimize your logistics technology!

We get straight to the facts on utilizing DAT's rate benchmarking, Carrier Management Suite, and automated API integrations to streamline your daily operations.

You can't just pay for software and expect magic; we talk about how to actually connect the dots with your freight analytics to negotiate better carrier rates, lock in reliable capacity, and build deep, long-term carrier relationships.

Whether you are a one-person startup or a massive enterprise brokerage, we are giving you the everyday blocking and tackling strategies needed to eliminate waste, execute on your pricing strategies, and dominate the modern freight spot market!

About Josh Hanselman

Josh Hanselman brings nearly two decades of experience across logistics, transportation, supply chain and customer strategy. At DAT, he uses that industry experience and DAT's data and technology to help freight brokerages solve operational challenges, make more informed decisions and get more value from the tools they use every day.

Connect with Josh

• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuahanselman/

📊📉 Don't miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎

🎬🎯 #TheFreightCoach Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to break down transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars!

To Find Out More About My Freight Services

Visit https://freightcoachlogistics.com/

🤝 Shoutout to my sponsors!👇

• SPI Logistics | https://spi3pl.com/
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/
• DAT Freight & Analytics | https://www.dat.com/
• Transportation Intermediaries Association | https://www.tianet.org/

Donate to support Stacy and her family: https://tinyurl.com/36xmxcmr

🚀🔥 To sign up for my Newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/iNoHco, get in touch with me through the social media channels below, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!👇

▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw

📷 https://www.instagram.com/thefreightcoach/

🕊️ https://twitter.com/thefr8coach

💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jolly-a183aa6a/

In today's show, we are jumping straight into two major legal battles shaping our industry. First, we break down a FreightWaves report on 22 states suing to stop a massive federal request for 17 million CDL holder records, looking at the thin line between FMCSA driver safety enforcement and commercial driver privacy.

Next, we'll move to an Overdrive article detailing how federal courts are cracking down on double brokering and enforcing vicarious liability following devastating accidents involving companies like A1 Logistics and Penske.

If you are a freight broker, this is your wake-up call to stop turning a blind eye, tighten your carrier vetting processes, and fix your internal operations before getting dragged into a courtroom!

Resources / References

• https://www.freightwaves.com/news/why-22-states-are-suing-to-block-a-federal-demand-for-17-million-truckers-records
• https://www.overdriveonline.com/business/article/15832732/courts-cracking-down-on-double-brokers-with-two-important-cases

📊📉 Don't miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎

🎬🎯 #TheFreightCoach Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to break down transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars!

To Find Out More About My Freight Services

Visit https://freightcoachlogistics.com/

🤝 Shoutout to my sponsors!👇

• SPI Logistics | https://spi3pl.com/
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/
• DAT Freight & Analytics | https://www.dat.com/
• Transportation Intermediaries Association | https://www.tianet.org/

Donate to support Stacy and her family: https://tinyurl.com/36xmxcmr

🚀🔥 To sign up for my Newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/iNoHco, get in touch with me through the social media channels below, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!👇

▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw

📷 https://www.instagram.com/thefreightcoach/

🕊️ https://twitter.com/thefr8coach

💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jolly-a183aa6a/

How is the intermodal sector battling the massive surge in cargo theft and properly integrating AI into the supply chain? Let's welcome Anne Reinke of IANA back to the show to explain the current intermodal market and preview the critical conversations at the upcoming IANA Expo in Long Beach from September 14th through the 16th!

We dive into the hard facts about why shippers are shifting back to intermodal capacity as full truckload rates see massive spikes, the pressing need for intermodal marketing companies (IMCs) to build reliable, long-term partnerships instead of just using the mode as a convenient pricing hedge when the market flips, the massive cargo theft crisis, examining exactly why DC dysfunction and a lack of congressional incentive are stalling much-needed enforcement for what is becoming a serious national security threat, and how artificial intelligence will legitimately impact freight visibility.

If you want to stop reacting to the freight market and start building a highly functional, high-volume supply chain strategy, this is the episode you need to hear!

To register for the IANA Intermodal EXPO 2026, visit https://tinyurl.com/rmvp22v6.

📊📉 Don't miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎

🎬🎯 #TheFreightCoach Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to break down transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars!

To Find Out More About My Freight Services

Visit https://freightcoachlogistics.com/

🤝 Shoutout to my sponsors!👇

• SPI Logistics | https://spi3pl.com/
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/
• DAT Freight & Analytics | https://www.dat.com/
• Transportation Intermediaries Association | https://www.tianet.org/

Donate to support Stacy and her family: https://tinyurl.com/36xmxcmr

🚀🔥 To sign up for my Newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/iNoHco, get in touch with me through the social media channels below, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!👇

▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw

📷 https://www.instagram.com/thefreightcoach/

🕊️ https://twitter.com/thefr8coach

💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jolly-a183aa6a/

If you want to know how to turn those painful rejections into actual wins, tune in to this episode with Kenny Shaw of Red River Intermodal, talking about the real side of business development in the transportation industry!

We dive straight into the trenches of freight sales, breaking down why you shouldn't be afraid to ask for feedback when a prospect absolutely butchers you on the phone and how leaning into those losses is what actually builds a stronger foundation.

We also cover the role of AI in logistics—why tools are great for initial research, but why actually picking up the phone and treating gatekeepers like real human beings is what will truly set you apart from the automated noise.

Ready to evolve your cold calling strategy and start closing more deals? Don't miss this conversation!

About Kenny Shaw

Kenny Shaw is part of the family-owned Red River Intermodal, a Shreveport-based 3PL with more than 30 years in the transportation industry. Red River specializes in full truckload freight, including dry van and flatbed, as well as warehousing and other logistics solutions. Kenny is focused on building relationships, growing the family business, and bringing a fresh perspective to an industry that continues to evolve.

Connect with Kenny

• Website: https://www.rrii.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenny-shaw-17bbaa306/

📊📉 Don't miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎

🎬🎯 #TheFreightCoach Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to break down transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars!

To Find Out More About My Freight Services

Visit https://freightcoachlogistics.com/

🤝 Shoutout to my sponsors!👇

• SPI Logistics | https://spi3pl.com/
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/
• DAT Freight & Analytics | https://www.dat.com/
• Transportation Intermediaries Association | https://www.tianet.org/

Donate to support Stacy and her family: https://tinyurl.com/36xmxcmr

🚀🔥 To sign up for my Newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/iNoHco, get in touch with me through the social media channels below, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!👇

▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw

📷 https://www.instagram.com/thefreightcoach/

🕊️ https://twitter.com/thefr8coach

💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jolly-a183aa6a/

Welcome back to another heavy-hitting episode as Zach Meiborg of Meiborg Companies joins us to strip away the industry fluff and tackle the massive regulatory hurdles strangling our owner-operators and fleet operators!

We dive straight into the rampant electronic logging device (ELD) fraud that is currently disrupting the trucking industry, detailing exactly how bad actors are gaming the system while the government turns a blind eye.

Zach brings a straightforward perspective on why our archaic, 90-year-old Hours of Service (HOS) rules are the actual root cause of this mess and proposes a fiercely practical 14-on, 10-off schedule to instantly level the playing field and boost safe productivity.

If you want to cut through the bureaucratic red tape and hear the unfiltered reality of the freight business and what it takes to survive and run a profitable business in today's cutthroat market, you can't afford to miss this conversation!

About Zach Meiborg

Zach Meiborg is the Chief Executive Officer and Owner of Meiborg Companies, a Rockford, Illinois–based provider of asset-based trucking, warehousing, 3PL, oilfield, and fuel services. He started his career as a driver in 2004, and that ground-level experience continues to shape how he runs the business and approaches the industry's biggest operational challenges. A student of economics, public policy, and Kaizen-driven continuous improvement, Zach works closely with customers, vendors, policymakers, and regulators to advance the logistics sector. He lives in Roscoe, Illinois, with his three children: Luke, Becca, and Wes.

Connect with Zach

• Website: https://meiborg.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-meiborg-32a57232/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meiborgbrothersinc/

📊📉 Don't miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎

🎬🎯 #TheFreightCoach Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to break down transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars!

To Find Out More About My Freight Services

Visit https://freightcoachlogistics.com/

🤝 Shoutout to my sponsors!👇

• SPI Logistics | https://spi3pl.com/
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/
• DAT Freight & Analytics | https://www.dat.com/
• Transportation Intermediaries Association | https://www.tianet.org/

Donate to support Stacy and her family: https://tinyurl.com/36xmxcmr

🚀🔥 To sign up for my Newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/iNoHco, get in touch with me through the social media channels below, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!👇

▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw

📷 https://www.instagram.com/thefreightcoach/

🕊️ https://twitter.com/thefr8coach

💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jolly-a183aa6a/

How can the freight agent model and rigorous carrier vetting safeguard your logistics operations against skyrocketing freight fraud?

An absolute industry legend, Greg Sanders from RDS Capacity Solutions, dives directly into the heavy-hitting topics, from navigating the true financial cash flow risks of modern freight brokerage to understanding why mid-sized companies are increasingly exploring the freight agent model to offset rising operational and tech costs!

Greg brings that built-to-last mentality, unpacking exactly how we can fight back against organized freight fraud and explaining why getting involved with TIA advocacy on Capitol Hill is non-negotiable if we want to establish baseline safety standards and clean up our supply chains.

Tune in to this episode about carrier vetting, liability management, and building a logistics empire that is actually designed to survive the long haul!

About Greg Sanders

Greg Sanders is the founder, Chairman, and CEO of RDS Logistics, a leading 3PL in Southern California. RDS Logistics provides capacity solutions to a blue-chip customer base throughout North America. Over his 35-year career in the Transportation and Logistics industry, Sanders has held several key executive positions with Landstar, Schneider, Geodis, Redwood, and ITS Logistics. Sanders most recently served as CEO of RDS Logistics Group before spinning off the Brokerage business he founded in 2019. Sanders also serves on the TIA board and currently serves as Chair of the TIA Services board.

Connect with Greg

• Website: https://rdscapacitysolutions.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-sanders-29a4b5b/

📊📉 Don't miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎

🎬🎯 #TheFreightCoach Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to break down transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars!

To Find Out More About My Freight Services

Visit https://freightcoachlogistics.com/

🤝 Shoutout to my sponsors!👇

• SPI Logistics | https://spi3pl.com/
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/
• DAT Freight & Analytics | https://www.dat.com/
• Transportation Intermediaries Association | https://www.tianet.org/

Donate to support Stacy and her family: https://tinyurl.com/36xmxcmr

🚀🔥 To sign up for my Newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/iNoHco, get in touch with me through the social media channels below, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!👇

▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw

📷 https://www.instagram.com/thefreightcoach/

🕊️ https://twitter.com/thefr8coach

💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jolly-a183aa6a/

Find out if the independent freight agent route is actually the smarter and safer play in today's volatile market with our guest, Erik Larson (Sage) of SPI Logistics!

Sage breaks down the absolute biggest debate in transportation and logistics right now.

We're giving you straightforward advice on the massive financial risks, insurance liabilities, and cash flow constraints of launching a full-scale freight brokerage versus building a solid book of business as a freight agent.

With nuclear verdicts and massive court rulings shaking up the trucking industry, jumping in without standard operating procedures, a bulletproof tech stack, and serious cash reserves is a recipe for disaster.

We're talking unfiltered truths about reading shipper contracts, proper carrier vetting, and the real cost to operate so you can make the best decision for your business. Tune in and let's get after it!

Connect with Sage

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SageOutcastX

📊📉 Don't miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎

🎬🎯 #TheFreightCoach Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to break down transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars!

To Find Out More About My Freight Services

Visit https://freightcoachlogistics.com/

🤝 Shoutout to my sponsors!👇

• SPI Logistics | https://spi3pl.com/
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/
• DAT Freight & Analytics | https://www.dat.com/
• Transportation Intermediaries Association | https://www.tianet.org/

Donate to support Stacy and her family: https://tinyurl.com/36xmxcmr

🚀🔥 To sign up for my Newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/iNoHco, get in touch with me through the social media channels below, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!👇

▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw

📷 https://www.instagram.com/thefreightcoach/

🕊️ https://twitter.com/thefr8coach

💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jolly-a183aa6a/

In this episode, Leo Rodriguez of River Plate, Inc. breaks down the reality of modern warehouse management and 3PL fulfillment!

Leo shares exactly how his family's Southern California logistics business evolved from local LTL freight shipping back in 1992 into a full-scale multi-channel fulfillment powerhouse handling everything from direct-to-consumer e-commerce to wholesale retail distribution.

We get straight to the facts on why growing brands struggle with order processing, highlighting the absolute necessity of proper ERP and WMS system integrations before you ever ship a single pallet out the door.

If you want to stop bleeding money on reverse logistics, avoid massive routing guide deductions from retail giants, and finally optimize your supply chain from top to bottom, you need to hear this episode!

About Leo Rodriguez

Leo is the Vice President of River Plate, Inc., a Los Angeles–based logistics and fulfillment company. Since joining the organization, Leo has played a key role in expanding the company's capabilities across warehousing, distribution, and freight logistics. His leadership has helped position River Plate Inc. as a reliable partner for businesses navigating complex supply chain demands.

Connect with Leo

• Website: https://www.riverplateinc.com/
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (818) 718-1114

📊📉 Don't miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎

🎬🎯 #TheFreightCoach Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to break down transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars!

To Find Out More About My Freight Services

Visit https://freightcoachlogistics.com/

🤝 Shoutout to my sponsors!👇

• SPI Logistics | https://spi3pl.com/
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/
• DAT Freight & Analytics | https://www.dat.com/
• Transportation Intermediaries Association | https://www.tianet.org/

Donate to support Stacy and her family: https://tinyurl.com/36xmxcmr

🚀🔥 To sign up for my Newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/iNoHco, get in touch with me through the social media channels below, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!👇

▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw

📷 https://www.instagram.com/thefreightcoach/

🕊️ https://twitter.com/thefr8coach

💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jolly-a183aa6a/