Transportation Nation

Cargo theft hit $700M+ in 2025 — and the scammers are only getting smarter.

In this episode of Transportation Nation, host Lee Gentry sits down with David Mudd (VP of Logistics) and Josh Masker (Director of Risk Management) at Bennett to break down what's really happening in the freight industry right now.

What we cover:
- Why theft events are down but dollar values are up 50–60%
- The most-targeted loads: copper, electronics, food & beverage, shingles — even bath bombs
- How fraudsters use identity spoofing, double brokering, and purchased authorities
- A real case where a load was brokered 7 times before being stolen
- How AI is making fake certificates of insurance harder to spot
- The Montgomery v. Caribe Supreme Court ruling and what negligent carrier selection now means for brokers
- Why smaller carriers are getting priced out by rising insurance and $6.50/gal diesel
- Practical steps Bennett takes to vet carriers, verify COIs, and track loads end-to-end

Whether you're a broker, carrier, shipper, or agent, this one's worth your time.

Timestamps
00:28 Welcome and episode intro
01:16 Theft volume down, dollar value up
02:12 Insurance fallout and policy restrictions
06:33 How identity-theft scams actually work
07:30 Double brokering and buying old authorities
09:02 The 7-layer bath bomb heist
13:38 What thieves target: food, metals, electronics
15:50 Practical takeaways for brokers
20:11 Montgomery v. Caribe and broker liability
24:19 Why Bennett's vetting held up
27:25 Small carriers getting priced out
28:51 Final thoughts from David and Josh

Fake agents are infiltrating freight networks every single day — and Ellen Mayo has the receipts.

In this episode of Transportation Nation, host Lee Gentry sits down with Ellen Mayo of Bennett to break down how scam rings operating out of Pakistan, Eastern Europe, and beyond are stealing identities, posting ghost loads, and holding real freight hostage for Bitcoin ransoms.

What you'll hear:
- How Ellen uncovered "Scott," a scammer who stole an Oregon pastor's identity (and nearly got hired)
- The $1.2M cell phone load held hostage out of Texas
- Red flags every agent recruiter should know: VPN mismatches, no video calls, suspicious books of business, and vague answers about past employers
- Why "laptop farms" and overseas call centers are targeting U.S. freight
- Bennett's vetting checklist and why slowing down protects your whole network

Ellen's core message to recruiters: don't be desperate. One bad agent can cost you months.

If you're a legitimate agent looking for a home — or a recruiter who wants to compare notes and keep bad actors out of the industry — reach out to Ellen on LinkedIn or through BennettIG.com.

Timestamps
00:28 Meet Ellen Mayo
02:43 The rise of fake agents
03:27 Scott: a stolen identity case
06:16 Confirming the real Scott
08:35 Pakistan hostage load
10:14 Scammer networks in the US
13:13 Red flags to watch for
16:36 Verifying with checklists and video
20:36 Laptop farms explained
23:11 Why Bennett: no foreign agents
27:45 Closing advice: don't be desperate

Step into the driver’s seat of change with this empowering episode of “Transportation Nation”—where women aren’t just along for the ride, they’re leading the way!

This week, we  revisit one of our favorite conversations where, hosts Lee Gentry and Caitlyn Folks sit down with Alicia Echols, Director of Safety and Compliance for Bennett Heavy and Specialized, and driving force behind the Women in the Driver’s Seat program. Together, they unpack how Bennett’s commitment to diversity and advocacy is creating a more inclusive, supportive, and safe environment for women across the trucking industry.

You’ll hear firsthand what inspired the Women in the Driver’s Seat initiative, discover how Alicia and her team are breaking down barriers—from fighting for something as fundamental as safe restroom access to tackling the nationwide truck parking shortage—and learn how this dedicated community of over 430 female drivers supports each other on and off the road.

Key highlights include:

• The powerful story behind advocating for the Trucker Bathroom Access Act and why basic dignity issues matter for everyone on the road.
• A look inside the mentor-mentee program, and how Bennett’s women are using their experience to uplift the next generation of drivers.
• An inspiring discussion about safety—why it’s a top priority and how trust, community, and legislative action all play a role in supporting women behind the wheel.

Whether you’re a seasoned driver, considering a career in trucking, or simply want an insider’s view on how women are transforming an essential industry, this episode offers practical insights, heartfelt stories, and a call to action for allies and advocates alike.

Ready to be inspired by women who are moving America forward? Hit subscribe and never miss a conversation that puts drivers—and especially women—in the seat of progress.

CHAPTERS: 
00:00 430 Female Drivers: Building a Supportive Community
01:58 Walking the Halls of Congress for Women in Trucking
03:17 The Trucker Bathroom Access Act: Dignity and Health
04:46 Truck Parking Crisis and Women's Safety
07:27 Breaking Barriers: Making Trucking Safer for Women
11:02 Launching Women in the Driver’s Seat Advisory Board
13:12 430 Female Drivers: Everyone Shares Their Story
14:00 Mentor Program & Health Initiatives for Women Drivers
16:00 National Recognition: Women in Trucking Award Nominations
18:10 Women in Trucking at the Louisville MATS Show
20:22 Driven By Faith: The Role of Spirituality in Trucking
22:05 Invitation: Why Bennett Is “Home” for Female Drivers
23:54 Celebrating Women Drivers of Excellence
24:40 Final Reflections: Advocacy and Women’s Impact in Trucking

In this Driver Appreciation Week episode, Lee Gentry sits down with Mrs. Taylor, who is marking more than 52 years with Bennett, for a candid conversation about what life on the road actually costs — and what it gives back.

They talk fuel prices, the parking shortage (and the specific safety stakes for women drivers), the pull on families left at home, and why the public rarely connects the shelves they shop to the people who stocked them. Mrs. Taylor makes the case that driving is a real career — equal pay for women, husband-and-wife teams, family traditions passed down through Bennett's divisions — and worries aloud about the veterans aging out without enough younger drivers stepping in.

It closes where it should: with thanks, a prayer, and a reminder that appreciation isn't a week.

Timestamps
00:29 Welcoming Mrs. Taylor
01:11 What Driver Appreciation Week means
01:49 Life on the road: fuel, distraction, patience
02:40 The parking problem and women drivers
04:06 What the public doesn't see behind the shelves
05:47 Drivers don't get the respect they deserve
06:30 Bennett's specialized cargo and skilled drivers
09:11 Attracting the next generation of drivers
10:13 Equal pay and husband-wife driving teams
12:12 Mrs. Taylor's 52 years and message to drivers
14:33 Safety first and honoring million-mile drivers
15:24 Aging drivers and the coming retirement wave
16:06 Closing prayer for drivers

Only about 9–10% of CDL drivers are women. Jennifer Hedrick, former President & CEO of Women In Trucking, joins Lee Gentry and Katlyn Foulks to talk about what's actually moving that number — and what isn't.

In this episode:
- Jennifer's path from association leadership to leading WIT
- What the latest WIT Index reveals about women in driver, leadership, safety, and dispatch roles
- Why culture, properly fitting gear, and zero-tolerance policies matter more than slogans
- How mentorship through the Connect program supports both mentors and mentees
- The WIT on the Road regional events and the Engage online community
- A preview of the Accelerate Conference & Expo — October 25–28 in Dallas
- Practical advice for women considering trucking, and for carriers who want to recruit them

Bennett is proud to support Women In Trucking and the Women in the Driver's Seat program, championed by Marcia Taylor and led by Alicia Echols.

Learn more: womenintrucking.org

Subscribe to Transportation Nation for more conversations shaping the road ahead.

Timestamps
00:37 Meet Jennifer Hedrick
02:20 Inside the Women In Trucking mission
04:00 Engage platform & WIT on the Road
05:39 What the WIT Index reveals
08:31 Bennett's Women in the Driver's Seat
10:15 Culture, fit, and safety that retain women
13:12 Building internal women's programs
15:39 Mentorship through the Connect program
18:32 Accelerate Conference preview
20:41 Whitney trailer and reaching the next generation
22:52 Advice for women entering trucking
23:48 Rewriting job descriptions to remove bias

Charles Gracey — known in the industry as the "Dr. Phil of Trucking" — sits down with Lee Gentry and Jason Brady to talk about the choices that built (and broke) fleets over the last three years, why the drivers who show up every day deserve more than a headline, and what it really costs to live two lives at once: one at home, one on the road.

In this episode:
- Why the companies thriving right now stayed in their lane
- How Charles went from shop floors and CDL miles to industry voice
- The real math behind driver pay vs. the corporate talking points
- What every driver at Shell Rotella SuperRigs told Charles when asked one question
- Why accessibility beats ROI when it comes to earning driver trust
- A look ahead to Stars, Stripes & White Lines at Echo Park, Nov 6–7

Plus a nod to Katlyn and baby Shepherd, and a reminder that none of our jobs exist without the American truck driver.

Subscribe for new Transportation Nation episodes every week.

Timestamps
00:32 Welcoming Charles Gracey
01:37 What keeps trucking execs up at night
02:33 Traits of companies still winning
03:56 How Charles became the "Dr. Phil of Trucking"
05:00 Growing up in the shop and old-school mentors
07:47 Military discipline shaping his career
10:19 Trucking's role in America's 250th birthday
13:07 Push to recognize drivers as first responders
14:00 The truth about driver pay
17:04 What drivers actually want from legislators
20:28 Why accessibility to drivers matters
23:37 Preview of Stars, Stripes and White Lines
26:51 The stories behind the rigs

What happens in the Strait of Hormuz doesn't stay in the Strait of Hormuz — it shows up at the pump, on the rig floor, and in every load hauled across the oil patch.

In this episode of Transportation Nation, Lee Gentry sits down with Harold Weiss, President of American Eagle Transport, to unpack how Middle East tensions ripple through domestic drilling, trucking capacity, and gas prices.

What we cover:
- Why offshore drilling in the Gulf barely flinches at short-term price swings (hint: leases are planned years out)
- How onshore shale plays — Permian, Haynesville, Eagle Ford — respond fast when wildcatters see an opening
- The real story behind tight trucking capacity and why relationships beat rock-bottom rates
- Rig count trends and what Baker Hughes numbers say about 2026 and 2027
- Why "drill, baby, drill" is more about self-sufficiency than shortage
- Life as an owner-operator: make hay when you can
Plus, Harold shares how American Eagle keeps 250+ field workers fed with fish fries at Port Fourchon and shale-site cookouts.
Subscribe for weekly conversations with the people moving America.

Timestamps
00:52 Why cookouts matter in oil country
03:16 How Iran unrest hits Gulf vs shale drilling
06:07 Wildcatters chasing short-term price swings
07:27 Capacity crunch and honest customer talk
10:09 Onshore vs offshore: two different animals
14:06 Drill baby drill and the permit reality
16:26 Why global uneasiness moves the pump price
18:44 Growth spurt: new hires and new territory
20:36 Chasing shale plays like a game of chess
23:22 Inside the American Eagle equipment mix
24:41 Reading the Baker Hughes rig count
26:21 Make hay when you can make hay

The engine of America’s economy isn’t just the freight—it’s the unwavering pride and purpose carried by those behind the wheel.

Get ready for the inside scoop on one of trucking’s hottest—and most meaningful—events: Stars, Stripes & White Lines, the national championship show bringing together the industry’s most elite rigs and passionate drivers.

In this episode, your co-hosts go behind the scenes at the Mid America Truck Show to unpack what makes Stars, Stripes & White Lines at Echo Park Racetrack (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway) more than just a truck show. From jaw-dropping custom builds to the camaraderie and patriotic spirit that unites attendees, you’ll hear firsthand stories from builders, judges, and longtime participants about why this event has rapidly become a must-attend in the trucking world.

Special guests include custom builder Cody, who reveals the inspiration and creative process behind his one-of-a-kind “Dark Horse” truck; show veteran Speaker E, who shares why this event outshines others across the country; and insiders Speaker B, Speaker F, and Speaker G, who take you through show highlights, new competition classes, and the heartwarming impact of supporting Wreaths Across America.

A few moments you won’t want to miss:

• The wild story behind an epic 90-day truck build challenge and a never-before-seen custom wheel design.
• Insight into the selection process for the national championship—what it takes for a rig to earn that coveted “golden ticket.”
• The inspiring reason why so many in the trucking community rally around this show: honoring veterans and raising funds to place wreaths at Andersonville National Cemetery.

If you’re curious about what it takes to build a championship show truck, the power of trucking community, or the role of patriotism in the industry—this episode is for you.

Subscribe for more conversations like this that drive the spirit of America’s highways!

Subscribe now for more powerful conversations, behind-the-scenes stories, and a closer look at the people and innovations fueling America’s highways.

CHAPTERS:
00:16 Why Stars, Stripes & White Lines Is a Must-Attend Show
01:21 Standing on the Track with Elite Truck Builders
02:36 Inside the 90-Day “Dark Horse” Truck Build
03:07 Custom Innovations to Impress Show Judges
04:30 Handcrafted Wheels and Paint: The Dark Horse Story
05:51 “Everybody Wants to Win This Show”: The Competitive Spirit
06:33 Hitting 103 MPH in a Peterbilt on the Racetrack
08:00 Selecting the First Entries for the National Championship
09:54 Why This Is “The Greatest American Truck Show”
10:17 National Championship for a Good Cause: Wreaths Across America
12:18 Why Truckers Love Driving on the Echo Park Racetrack
13:00 Variety on Display: Trucks, Jeeps, Motorcycles, Show Cars
14:05 How to Qualify for the National Championship & New Classes
16:12 Patriotic Truck Displays Return for 2024
17:10 The Legendary Golf Ball Drop from a Huey Helicopter
18:44 “The Trucking Community Gives Back Like Nobody’s Business”
19:12 How to Register for SSWL and What’s New This Year
20:14 Final Reflections: Trucking as a Calling, Not Just a Job

Screenwriter Diedrik Hoogstraten grew up in socialist-era Holland watching American sitcoms and dreaming of a country he'd only seen on TV. Now a naturalized citizen, he co-wrote "Young Washington" — the July 4th release timed to America's 250th anniversary.

In this episode, Diedrik joins Lee Gentry to talk about the story behind the film and the man behind the myth.

What we cover:
- How director Jon Erwin's vision for Wonder Project (with Diedrik's wife Kaitlyn leading the business side) brought the movie to life
- Why the film starts when George Washington is 11 and ends at age 22 — decades before 1776
- Washington's early failures, including the tactical errors that helped start the French and Indian War
- The influence of his mother Mary and the idea that "failure is a tutor sent by God"
- Making family-friendly films without sacrificing production value
- What's next: a follow-up film titled "1776" and Diedrik's screenplay for "God's Smuggler"

Diedrik's perspective as someone who chose America adds a layer you don't often hear in conversations about the Founding Fathers.

Catch "Young Washington" in theaters now.

Timestamps

00:37 Welcoming Diedrick Hoogstraten
01:36 How Wonder Project and the film came together
04:03 Becoming American: a Dutchman's patriotism
09:02 Inside Young Washington's story
14:03 Failure as a tutor: forging character
18:27 A film for every American, not left or right
21:15 Wonder Project's mission for family entertainment
25:16 Lessons for young audiences today
28:47 Anti-fragility and America's second chances
31:01 What's next: 1776 and God's Smuggler
32:40 Why audiences should see Young Washington

Every December, millions of wreaths make their way to veterans' graves across the country. Behind that mission is a network of truckers, sponsors, and volunteers who make it happen.

In this episode, Katlyn Foulks and Lee Gentry sit down with guests from Mid-America Truck Show to talk about Wreaths Across America and the trucking industry's role in carrying that mission forward.

What we cover:
• Courtney George on the 2025 numbers — 3.1 million wreaths, 727 loads, 5,994 locations
• Lee Gentry on Bennett's journey from 3,000 wreaths in 2017 to over 20,700 at Andersonville National Cemetery
• Van Brown on Bull Snot, the Christmas stockings for truckers, and how Don Queeney pulled him in a decade ago
• Brett Hutto of Truck Parking Club on laying wreaths at Arlington for a friend's parents
• A firsthand account of the convoy and ceremony at Andersonville
• Details on the Stars, Stripes and White Lines Truck Show, November 6–7 at Echo Park Speedway

Learn more about Wreaths Across America and how to get involved at wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Timestamps
00:16 Cold open: why this mission matters
00:37 Courtney George on Bennett's role
01:21 Bennett's wreath delivery growth since 2017
02:48 New cross-dock to ease trucker logistics
04:15 2025 by the numbers: 3.1 million wreaths
04:53 Chasing trucks to honor every sponsor
06:09 Van Brown enters: the golf ball drop origin
06:45 Bull Snot stockings for wreath haulers
08:52 Stars, Stripes and White Lines truck show
09:25 Patriot Mobile's Andersonville experience
11:41 Brett Hutto on Truck Parking Club's support
15:26 Laying wreaths at Arlington for a friend