Milestones: Behind the Freight Curtain

Ellie Thornton and Steve DeNunzio break down the 2026 CSCMP State of Logistics Report, from permanent volatility and trade-policy whiplash to chokepoints that ripple through global freight costs. They also unpack where AI is delivering real savings, why flexible automation is winning, and how trucking, ocean freight, and e-commerce parcel networks are being reset.

Ellie Thornton and Steve DeNunzio break down Gartner’s latest supply chain hype cycle, including the growing labor shortage, rapid adoption of warehouse automation, and the rise of robot-centric facilities. They also explore physical AI, multiagent orchestration, real-time location systems, and why so many logistics AI projects still fall short.

This episode explores how COVID exposed the hidden importance of supply chains and pushed them from an operational concern into a strategic boardroom issue. It also examines defense readiness, critical technology control, and why speed in innovation means little without trusted suppliers and real production capacity.

Steve and Ellie dive into the world of digital twins, exploring how these real-time virtual replicas transform warehouses, automotive development, and customer insights. From NASA origins to modern supply chains, discover the promise and challenges of this cutting-edge technology shaping logistics today.

Explore Walmart's ambitious expansion of its drone delivery service to over 270 stores nationwide and how it plans to reach 40 million Americans. Steve and Ellie discuss the technology behind rapid drone deliveries, industry trends, and the race among retailers to innovate last-mile logistics.

From geopolitics to the impact of AI, Steve and Ellie take a look at likely trends and predictions for supply chains in 2026.

Steve and Ellie explore China's dominance in global shipbuilding and its implications for U.S. economic and military strength. They discuss challenges facing American shipyards and strategies like international partnerships and policy reforms to revive U.S. shipbuilding and workforce development.

Steve and Ellie dig into the recent spike in cargo theft and smuggling, from social engineering schemes targeting loaded trailers to shocking seafood heists and illicit freight crossing borders. They expose the evolving criminal tactics threatening the supply chain and discuss the real-world impact on businesses and consumers.

Ellie and Steve unwrap the extraordinary logistics behind Santa Claus's one-night global delivery challenge, from the mathematics of route planning to creative “staff” scheduling for reindeer. They’ll explore how real-world supply chains can borrow tricks from Santa—including advanced forecasting and network optimization—to solve the season’s biggest supply and demand puzzles.

Ellie and Steve break down the latest surge in cargo thefts, explore how sophisticated crime networks have adapted their tactics, and discuss the wide-reaching impact on fleets, consumers, and the supply chain. Real-life stories and fresh data paint a vivid picture of supply chain security challenges worldwide.

Steve and Ellie dig into bourbon’s new economic records, the headwinds from global trade wars, and how Kentucky’s iconic spirit industry is reimagining growth and sustainability in 2025. Featuring small-business struggles, global export tensions, and bold innovations from the heart of bourbon country.

Ellie and Steve dive into the ambitious and controversial plan to build the world's longest suspension bridge over the Strait of Messina, connecting Sicily to the Italian mainland. They explore the history, engineering marvels, and the complex political and environmental challenges facing the project.

Ellie and Steve explore how the Suez Canal crisis is straining Egypt’s economy, rippling into European business, and prompting new trade and security deals. They unpack the impact of Red Sea disruptions on global shipping and inflation, and discuss growing migration pressures in the region. Through real-world examples and lively conversation, discover why what happens at the Suez Canal matters eve...

Ellie and Steve discuss the historic Arctic voyage of a Chinese freighter that cut shipping times to Europe in half, how Arctic warming is rewriting global trade routes, and the geopolitical and sustainability ripples this breakthrough is sending through the industry.

Ellie and Steve dive into EDGE 2025, supply chain’s premier event, where bold ideas, industry leaders, and breakthrough innovations converge to shape the future. They break down what makes this conference a can’t-miss for anyone passionate about logistics and supply chain management.

Ellie and Steve explore how artificial intelligence is transforming supply chain management, from predictive disruption alerts at GM to next-gen weather models and cybersecurity. They spotlight real-world examples where data-driven tools help companies stay agile and resilient in the face of increasing volatility and complexity.

Ellie and Steve break down the week’s biggest innovations: cloud-powered warehouses, AI-driven transparency, and pioneering academic-industry collaborations. Get inside stories on how leading companies and student innovators are reshaping the future of logistics with technology and sustainability.

Ellie and Steve explore how drone delivery has moved from tech demo to a transformative force in last-mile logistics. From regulatory breakthroughs and economics to real-life deployments in retail and restaurants, they dig into the major players, roadblocks, and global expansion shaping the new era of logistics.

Ellie and Steve dissect three modern catastrophes that brought ports and supply chains to a standstill: the Tianjin and Beirut explosions and the collapse of Baltimore’s Key Bridge. They examine the causes, failures in safety and infrastructure, and the vast ripple effects in global logistics. The episode exposes both technical and human lessons from these large-scale disasters.

Ellie and Steve dig into the hidden crisis of truck parking in America, uncovering its true costs and why simple fixes are harder than they seem. From driver safety challenges to tech-driven solutions, they reveal how inefficient parking hurts both freight efficiency and every consumer’s wallet.

Steve and Ellie dive into the fast-moving legal and political drama embroiling Panama’s vital canal ports, the international contenders vying for control, and the bold new push for Bitcoin-powered shipping discounts. The episode breaks down what’s at stake for trade, global influence, and the future of logistics in Latin America.

Ellie and Steve unpack the massive challenge of supply chain workforce recruitment and how the industry is responding— from purpose-driven storytelling, to innovative university programs, to real-life partnerships like O-SCAN. Discover why awareness, inclusivity, and strategic collaboration could shape the next generation of logistics leaders.

Ellie and Steve dive into the monumental Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger and its potential to reshape American logistics. They break down industry reactions, labor concerns, regulatory obstacles, and what’s at stake for shippers, workers, and the U.S. economy.

Ellie and Steve dig into the big moves rocking U.S. parcel delivery in 2025: the Postal Service's high-stakes carrier switch, skyrocketing shipping costs, and fierce summer hiring surges. Listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at contracts, fees, workforce strategies, and how businesses and consumers can adapt.

Ellie and Steve unpack the dramatic June shipping spike at the Port of Los Angeles, the scramble by importers to beat looming tariffs, and the ongoing volatility in global freight. From shifting trade routes to rising costs, this episode explores how policy and geopolitics disrupt the supply chain—and what it means for business and consumers.