Logistics Unplugged™

Flat demand does not mean a calm freight market. In this Freight Market Update episode of Logistics Unplugged , Brian Blalock sits down with Raddy Velkov to examine the fragile conditions shaping today’s freight environment. Carrier capacity has steadily exited the market, and even short disruptions are creating outsized impacts across truckload, LTL, parcel, drayage, and cross border. Together, t...

Logistics has a language all its own, and it shows up everywhere from quotes and carrier calls to invoices and scorecards. In this episode of Logistics Unplugged , host Brian Blalock is joined by Holt Parsons and Jon Shoen for a fast paced, approachable conversation focused on logistics lingo. Together, they break down the terms, acronyms, and shorthand that shape day to day shipping and explain w...

Happy holidays from Logistics Unplugged 🎄 This short mini episode is a quick check in to say thank you and share some holiday wishes after a busy season. It’s a moment to reflect on the year, appreciate the community behind the show, and look ahead to what’s coming next. Whether listening on the road, in the office, or during a well deserved break, thanks for being here and for tuning in througho...

In this episode of Logistics Unplugged, host Brian Blalock sits down with Jackie Grimes , Supervisor of Managed Logistics, and Eric Chambers , VP of LTL Services and Strategies at BlueGrace Logistics. Jackie and Eric share how they entered the logistics world, the lessons they learned along the way, and the stories that still stand out. They talk about hurricanes that shut down highways, customs p...

In this special episode of Logistics Unplugged, host Brian Blalock sits down with some of the incredible women shaping the future of supply chain. Joining the conversation are Erica Orr , Training and Development Senior Program Manager, Samantha Scala , Head of Learning & Development for 3PL Services, and Tiffanie Harting , Senior Director of Client Success for Managed Logistics. Together, the...

The villains take over the mic. In this special Logistics Unplugged: Villains Takeover, The Spoiler and Gridlock crash the show and deliver their chaotic preview of the Global Produce and Floral Show. They stir up mischief, throw shade at the heroes, and drop clues about what’s waiting on the show floor in Anaheim. With playful banter and villain-sized challenges, they set the stage for Booth 3612...

In this episode of Logistics Unplugged, host Brian Blalock is joined by Jonathan Swart , Senior Director of 3PL and Specialized Services at BlueGrace Logistics, to unpack the current state of the market. Jonathan shares perspective on shifting demand patterns, regulatory updates, and how tariffs and consumer behavior are shaping freight movement as Q4 approaches. The discussion goes deeper into ca...

In this episode of Logistics Unplugged, host Brian Blalock welcomes Chris Kupillas , Vice President of Managed Logistics at BlueGrace Logistics, to break down how Managed Logistics transforms supply chains. Chris explains how companies turn transportation from a cost center into a driver of profitability and customer satisfaction. He highlights optimization strategies like pool distribution and zo...

In this episode of Logistics Unplugged, host Brian Blalock sits down with Jason Eckhardt , Senior Director of Solutions Development at BlueGrace Logistics, to explore the real impact of freight recovery. They dig into how companies handle shipping costs, where strategies fall short, and what it takes to protect margins in a shifting market. Jason shares stories from the field, highlights the conse...

In this episode of Logistics Unplugged, host Brian Blalock welcomes Jonathan Swart , Senior Director of 3PL Services at BlueGrace Logistics, for a candid look at where the freight market stands and where it’s headed. Jonathan revisits his summer predictions and breaks down what actually happened — from shifting capacity and steady contract rates to the ripple effects of tariffs and AI infrastructu...

On this episode of Logistics Unplugged, host Brian Blalock welcomes back Jason Lockard , Senior Vice President of Managed Logistics at BlueGrace, for a breakdown of the Q4 2025 Logistics Confidence Index. The conversation focuses on how shippers are adjusting to ongoing uncertainty in the market, with many shifting to a neutral stance on inventory and order planning while holding steady on revenue...

In this episode of Logistics Unplugged, host Brian Blalock talks with Christian Schmiz , People Experience Manager, about what it takes to build a workplace people want to be part of. They explore how intentional culture drives hiring, engagement, retention, and community impact.   From Halloween parties and pet food drives to employee surveys and alumni programs, the conversation highlights real...

In this episode of Logistics Unplugged , host Brian Blalock talks with Tyler Cooper , Director of Risk Management, and Philip Lamb , Senior Claims Manager, about how risk and compliance impact freight operations every day. They explain how to vet carriers, prevent fraud, choose the right insurance strategy, and avoid common claim pitfalls. Whether you’re just starting out or managing a national su...

On this episode of Logistics Unplugged, Brian Blalock sits down with Carly Bly , VP of LTL Pricing and Carrier Relations at BlueGrace Logistics, to break down the NMFC updates going into effect this Saturday, July 19 and what they mean for shippers, carriers, and anyone moving freight. They explore how the new 13-tier density structure could affect pricing, liability, and customer-specific agreeme...

In the final installment of the Summer Shipping Series, Logistics Unplugged host Brian Blalock is joined by Jonathan Swart , Senior Director of 3PL at BlueGrace Logistics, for a conversation that looks at what’s shaping freight through the summer and beyond. They unpack key indicators, discuss market pressures, and explore how recent developments could affect capacity and planning. Along the way,...

In this month's Market Update, Brian Blalock catches up with recurring guest Bryce Williford to explore the latest shifts in freight, from the sudden surge in imports following the 90-day tariff pause to domestic capacity tightening as produce season moves up the coast.   They talk through how shippers are adjusting strategies, managing uncertainty and finding cost savings through supply chain...

Kick off Part Two of the Logistics Unplugged LTL Carrier Summit as host Brian Blalock sits down with carrier leaders from Estes , XPO , ABF Freight , and AAA Cooper . This episode highlights the strategies, relationships, and real-world experiences that keep LTL freight moving. The guests share what it takes to build strong carrier and 3PL partnerships from trust and communication to consistency i...

In the next installment of Logistics Unplugged's Summer Shipping Series, host Brian Blalock is joined by Jimmy Canzolino , Senior Director of 3PL Client Strategy at BlueGrace Logistics, for a wide-ranging conversation on summer shipping and how to prepare for the unexpected. From hurricane season and wildfires to infrastructure impacts and flash floods, they dig into how natural disasters disrupt...

In this episode of Logistics Unplugged, host Brian Blalock sits down with Jason Lockard of BlueGrace and Scooter Sayers of Cubiscan to tackle one of the biggest pain points in LTL shipping: inaccurate weights and dimensions. With new NMFC changes putting even more emphasis on dimensional accuracy, the pressure is on for shippers to get their freight data right. Brian, Jason, and Scooter unpack the...

In this month’s Market Update episode of Logistics Unplugged, host Brian Blalock sits down once again with Bryce Williford , SVP of 3PL at BlueGrace, for a conversation that blends timely industry insights with a few personal moments.   They break down the ripple effects of DOT Week, shifting produce patterns, and the latest developments in tariff policy. From nearshoring trends to inventory strat...

In this episode of Logistics Unplugged, host Brian Blalock sits down with Will Baker , Senior Manager of 3PL Brokerage at BlueGrace Logistics, to dig into the impact of produce season on freight. They break down how seasonal harvests from Florida citrus to California berries drive major shifts in capacity, pricing, and carrier availability. Whether it’s managing time-sensitive flower imports or na...

Get ready for a special edition of Logistics Unplugged as host Brian Blalock kicks off Part One of the LTL Carrier Summit. In this episode, we sit down with carrier leaders from Southeastern Freight Lines , Roadrunner , FedEx Freight , TForce Freight , and SAIA for candid conversations about the real-world challenges, big decisions, and evolving dynamics redefining the freight industry.   From pri...

In this episode of Logistics Unplugged, host Brian Blalock is joined by Jason Lockard , SVP of Managed Logistics, for a deep dive into the Q3 2025 BlueGrace Logistics Confidence Index®.   They explore the latest shifts in shipper sentiment, revenue forecasts, and inventory trends—especially in the wake of new tariff developments. From unexpected optimism to the growing focus on nearshoring, Brian...

In this month’s Logistics Unplugged, host Brian Blalock welcomes back Bryce Williford , VP of 3PL Services at BlueGrace Logistics, for a fresh look at the freight market. Bryce breaks down the latest shifts in LTL, truckload and flatbed, from spot rate trends and tariff impacts to key takeaways from the recent BlueGrace LTL Carrier Summit. They discuss how ongoing uncertainty is shaping shipper be...

Can a greener supply chain also be a stronger one? In this episode of Logistics Unplugged, host Brian Blalock sits down with Will Augustine , Senior Director of Engineering, to explore how sustainable logistics is shaping better supply chain strategies.   From improving inventory placement to building more efficient shipment consolidation programs, they share real-world examples of how businesses...