Everything is Logistics

Companies waste a staggering $37 billion every year on pointless meetings. In this episode of Everything is Logistics, Blythe tackles why this happens and shares how companies like Shopify are fighting back.  She breaks down the science behind why we waste so much time in meetings and offers practical tips for declining invites without burning bridges.  Based on her own experience, she shares her...

More than 90 percent of US warehouses use no form of robotics technology and with that, a lot of manual labor is dependent on a workforce and roles that are tough to consistently fill… But GatherAI and their CEO Sankalp Arora hope to change that with his software approach to combining drones to help as a companion to the warehouse worker. In this episode, we chat with Sankalp on how he and his tea...

Ever wonder why your favorite snacks are getting harder to find? In this episode, we explore the movie theater popcorn buckets hype and the global chocolate crisis that's shaking up your candy aisle. From Dune-inspired containers that went viral to skyrocketing cocoa prices, we discuss the surprising logistics behind your snacks and how they're adapting to a changing market. LINKS: ERP F...

Ever wonder what happens to cargo lost at sea?  In this episode, we discuss the wild world of floating freight, from 28,000 rubber duckies teaching us about ocean currents to Garfield phones mysteriously washing up on French beaches for decades.  Blythe and Grace explore bizarre incidents like Lego pieces still appearing on English coasts and a British pilot's emergency landing on a Spanish c...

Ever wondered about the journey your favorite makeup product takes before it lands in your makeup bag? In this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on the global and complex supply chain of makeup. From overseas manufacturing to the challenges of quality assurance, customs clearance, and the race against expiration dates, we'll explore how your beauty essentials make it from the facto...

In this episode of Everything is Logistics, we're discussing an innovative new startup that wants to turn space into the next big shipping lane. Grace Sharkey and Blythe explore Inversion Space, a company planning to drop packages from orbit in under an hour - yeah, you heard that right! They talk about their plans for space warehouses, debate the challenges of space logistics, and wonder if...

In this episode of Everything is Logistics, discuss one of the biggest decisions a freight broker can make: becoming a freight agent. But hold on, the next crucial choice? Figuring out which company to join. We’re bringing you a special compilation of conversations with the leadership team at SPI Logistics, our long-time sponsor, covering everything a potential freight agent needs to know—from acc...

Ever wondered how that giant TV made its way to your living room? Spoiler alert: it might've hitched a ride on a barge! In this episode of "Everything is Logistics," Blythe dives into the unsung heroes of shipping: tugboats, barges, and canals. Teaming up with Grace Sharkey, they're exploring the ins and outs of these often-overlooked workhorses of the waterways, revealing thei...

Grace Sharkey is back with her monthly appearance on EiL, and in this episode, she and Blythe tackle holiday retail trends and Nike's marketing missteps. They explore the addictive nature of Temu shopping and debate the value of creative versus data-driven strategies. They also discuss Inversion Space's ambitious plan to create orbital warehouses, raising questions about the future of gl...

In this episode of Everything is Logistics, we discuss the fascinating and often unexpected challenges in shipping succulents, sand, and magnets. We're talking plant smuggling, sand stealing, and magnet mayhem - yeah, you read that right. Learn how millennials are driving a black market for succulents, how beach sand is vanishing for concrete, and why your package of magnets might end up stuc...

In this episode of Everything is Logistics, we dig into the e-commerce scene and why SHEIN is at the center of the conversation, with SHEIN and Temu making up a whopping 30% of all e-commerce shipments coming through the West Coast. Grace Sharkey and I also chat about the flood of these tax-free shipments and how customs and border folks are scrambling to keep up. Plus, we’ll take a closer look at...

Many of us take for granted the ability to pull up a map app and it tells us the quickest route from Point A to B. Now imagine you’re a truck driver and you have to factor in weather conditions, dock loading locations, available hours at shipping facilities, the dimensions of your truck, etc… All of these factors and more can impact the efficiency of a driver and their deliveries. This is why we h...

Did you know that Jacksonville’s status as a trade hub played a big role in landing the city an NFL team?  Trade in Northeast Florida dates back to the 1500s, which eventually led to the establishment of JAXPORT and the NFL awarding a franchise to Jacksonville.  In this episode, we’re exploring the logistics behind getting a team and what it takes to manage game day, the season, and even the after...

During our two-day NASA Tour, host Blythe Brumleve assumed that one episode (this one) would be sufficient. But considering we had enough content to make this episode 5 of the NASA Series, this is the one where we’re showing the BTS of what goes into a launch, favorite moments from creating this series, and the NASA goodie bag. NASA SERIES LINKS: NASA Series: Building Space Infrastructure NASA Ser...

In episode 4 of our NASA Series, host Blythe Brumleve explores the manufacturing and construction happening on Earth for items destined to build new infrastructure in space. This episode highlights the innovations that will soon leave our orbit and contribute to the future of space exploration. NASA SERIES LINKS: NASA Series: Shipping Weather Satellites to Space NASA Series – How to Grow Food in S...

In this episode of Everything is Logistics, Blythe dives into freight marketing's changing landscape. She explores the boom in logistics content creators and talks about finding the sweet spot between quality and quantity. Blythe also gets into the nitty-gritty of analytics reports and Google's search shakeups. To top it off, she introduces a new marketing template that's perfect fo...

In episode three of our NASA Series, we’re talking about the goal of this mission: to manufacture and ship a weather satellite to space but more importantly, be able to collect data to help the accuracy of weather forecasting that impacts every single person here on earth.  After all, “Money spent on space stays on earth” and missions like GOESU help save lives and prevent/prepare for disasters. ...

When a 3PL chooses a TMS, that decision can make or break the company. In this interview, Blythe Brumleve chats with CEO of SIO Logistics Ali Shafi on the purchasing process he went through to switch his TMS, what ultimately led him to pick Tai Software, and what life is like for operations after the switch. LINKS: SIO Logistics Ali's LinkedIn WATCH THE FULL EPISODE HERE ---------------------...

In part two of our NASA series, Blythe speaks with Matthew Mickens, NASA Horticulturalist, about how scientists are tackling the challenges of growing crops in microgravity, from specialized hydroponic systems to light recipe experiments. They also talk about the psychological benefits fresh produce provides for astronauts and how Earth-bound vertical farming draws inspiration from space research....

Business types will be the first ones to tell you that there are always opportunities in a down market. This is why I'm pumped to share this conversation with SPI Freight Agent, Michael Gray. After spending years on the carrier and technology side of things, Michael made the jump to becoming a freight agent and earning business in a down market. If you're looking for positive inspiration...

In part one of our NASA series, Blythe speaks with Matt Wittal about the challenges of resupplying spacecraft beyond Earth orbit, including autonomous docking, lunar dust mitigation, and radiation protection. They also discuss how NASA is adapting air cargo techniques for space and establishing new supply chains to the Moon and beyond. This is just a glimpse into the complex logistics of space exp...

In this episode of Everything is Logistics, Blythe speaks with Holly LaBoda from Logistics Luminaries Live! They explore the challenges of implementing CRM systems in logistics companies and strategies for encouraging adoption among seasoned salespeople. Holly offers advice on creating a balanced sales team with both "hunters" and "farmers," and discusses the importance of alig...

Grace Sharkey is back with her monthly appearance on EiL, and in this episode, she and Blythe are talking about space logistics, NASA, and food fraud, as well as Grace's experience attending a recent Samsara conference where asset tracking was the highlight of the event. LINKS:  Grace’s Linktree Cracking the Code: Intent Data and the Future of Logistics Marketing with Kara Brown Archimedes an...

In this episode of Everything is Logistics, Blythe speaks with Chris Jolly, aka The Freight Coach. They discuss Jolly's motivation to become an entrepreneur after feeling unfulfilled in the corporate world. He shares his mindset shift from chasing vanity metrics to focusing on creating genuine impact. Jolly also reflects on the challenges of changing people's negative perceptions of frei...

In this episode of Everything is Logistics, Blythe speaks with Kara Brown, CEO of Lead Coverage. They discuss the importance of intent data in modern marketing strategies for supply chain companies.  Kara explains how her company helps clients identify and act on buying signals, emphasizing the need for persistent follow-up and targeted messaging.  She shares insights on measuring marketing succes...