Transportation Nation

Honoring the 1% who serve — and the families who stand behind them. In this Veterans Day special of Transportation Nation, host Lee Gentry sits down with Brigadier General (Ret.) Charles Phillips and Colonel (Ret.) Jim Utley to talk about what Veterans Day really means, how service shapes a life, and why camaraderie never fades. Featured guests: • Tom and Pat Teddy — Navy veterans, Bennett drivers...

Meet "The Goose" — a 1996 Freightliner Classic XL that's been a 21-year labor of love for Daniel and Phyllis Snow. In this Driven by Faith episode, host Lee Gentry sits down with the Snows to talk about life on the road, faith, family, and the story behind one of the most recognizable rigs on the truck show circuit. In this episode: - How The Goose got its name (hint: it started with a duck story)...

Stars, Stripes & White Lines is almost here — and this episode breaks down everything happening at Echo Park Speedway (Atlanta Motor Speedway) the weekend of November 6–7. Host Lee Gentry sits down with David Larry and Evan Steger to talk through the National Truck Championship, the road that got 60 handpicked trucks to Atlanta, and why some of these rigs represent $2–3 million builds coming f...

From Nashville heartbreak to a second chance: country artist Mark Ware shares the story behind his comeback — and the loss that shaped it. In this episode of Transportation Nation, Lee Gentry sits down with singer-songwriter Mark Ware — former Georgia fire chief, now a full-time recording artist in his sixth year of a second music career. Mark opens up about: - Losing his 14-year-old daughter and...

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-target...

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...

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 th...

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 shelve...

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 cultur...

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 no...

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 c...

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 s...

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...

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: • Co...

America turns 250 — and the celebration is already underway. In this episode of Transportation Nation, we break down Freedom 250, the year-long nationwide commemoration leading up to July 4th, 2026. Here's what we cover: • What Freedom 250 is and how the White House Task Force 250 came together • A message from Keith Crocker, CEO of Freedom 250 • The American Stories Exhibition at the National Arc...

Discover how faith, vision, and generosity transformed a family legacy into one of Washington D.C.’s most groundbreaking museums—dedicated entirely to the history and impact of the Bible. In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Steve and Jackie Green, founders of the Museum of the Bible and leaders behind Hobby Lobby’s incredible growth. Steve, President of Hobby Lobby, and Jackie, philanthrop...

The engine of America’s economy isn’t just the freight—it’s the unwavering pride and purpose carried by those behind the wheel. In this inspiring episode of Transportation Nation, we take you straight to the heart of the Mid-America Trucking Show, where the lights, roaring engines, and camaraderie highlight just how vital the trucking industry is to our nation’s success. Through engaging conversat...

Experience the pulse of America’s trucking industry like never before—step inside the energy, pride, and powerhouse stories of the Mid America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, KY. In this episode, join Caitlyn Folks and Lee Gentry as they take you on a lively tour of MATS, where drivers, families, and companies from all corners come together to celebrate life on the road. Discover why MATS isn’...

Step into the cab and buckle up—this episode of Transportation Nation unpacks a legacy of faith, family, and fearless trucking that’s bound to inspire anyone connected to life on the road. In this compelling conversation, we’re joined by Speaker A—author, preacher, and veteran heavy-haul operator—whose new book, The Highway Knows Your Name , weaves together generations of trucking know-how with li...

Step inside the heart of trucking culture at America’s biggest truck show—MATS, where pride, innovation, and community collide! In this episode of Transportation Nation, hosts Lee Gentry and Jason Brady pull back the curtain on the annual Mid-America Truck Show in Louisville, Kentucky, sharing insider tips, unforgettable memories, and exciting event highlights you won’t want to miss. Get ready as...

Ready to discover what’s driving the future of trucking in Georgia? Buckle up for Part 2 of our exclusive interview with Seth Millican, Executive Director of the Georgia Trucking Association, as he joins hosts Caitlyn Folks and Lee Gentry for an insightful, boots-on-the-ground look at the challenges and innovations shaping the transportation industry today. In this episode, you’ll get the inside t...

What will it take to keep Georgia the #1 state for business—and how does trucking drive that success? In this insightful episode of Transportation Nation, hosts Caitlyn Folks and Lee Gentry sit down with Seth Millican, President & CEO of the Georgia Motor Trucking Association (GMTA), for an unfiltered look at the challenges and future of Georgia’s trucking industry. With nearly a century of hi...

What if building a business could also build your faith, your family legacy, and inspire a movement of patriotism? In this heartfelt and energizing episode, the McLemore Boys of Masterbuilt and the Bennett family of Bennett Transportation & Logistics sit down at Atlanta Motor Speedway during the Bennett 250 to uncover the soul of true family businesses. Hosts John Boy and Lee Gentry are joined...

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, 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 Be...

You can’t write the script any better—sometimes racing truly feels like fate. In this episode of Transportation Nation, buckle up for an exclusive interview with NASCAR star Austin Hill as he prepares for the high-octane 2026 season with the #21 Bennett Chevrolet. Hosted by Bennett’s Vice President Lynette Mathis, this conversation gives listeners a front-row seat to the action, triumphs, and team...