Jake Hirsch & Emily Blair

RoutCast

Business EN ↓ 6 episodes

Routcast is a podcast built for FedEx Ground contractors — delivering real-world best practices, industry insights, and straight talk for navigating the contractor ecosystem. Hosted by Jake Hirsch and Emily Blair, two insiders with years of hands-on experience working alongside contractors across the United States, Routcast cuts through the noise to bring you the conversations and strategies that actually move the needle in your operation. "FedEx" and "FedEx Ground" are registered trademarks of Federal Express Corporation. Routcast is not endorsed by, recommended by, or affiliated with Federal...

Author

Jake Hirsch & Emily Blair

Episodes

FedEx vs. Amazon: Which Logistics Business is Actually Better? (with Don Carthorn) 30.06.2026 46:19

Connect with us! Jake (truck sourcing and financing) - 541-213-1296 Emily (used P&D trucks) - 515-979-4689 Ever wondered what it's really like to run both an Amazon DSP and a FedEx CSP simultaneously? In this episode, we sit down with 40-year logistics veteran Don Carthorn. Don pulls back the curtain on what it takes to operate successfully within both the Amazon and FedEx ecosystems. He share...

Jessica Easler Nearly Tripled Her Business with 2.0 - Now She's Using AI to Stay Ahead 16.06.2026 30:10

Jessica Eastler shares her journey from a W-2 employee to a successful FedEx contractor, discussing the challenges and strategies for maintaining driver morale during change. She also provides valuable insights into financial planning, fleet expansion, and the implementation of Groundswell AI technology to optimize route planning and improve operational efficiency. Takeaways Maintaining driver mor...

From the Driver Seat to Running Multiple Companies with Kelsey Turner 02.06.2026 32:17

Kelsey Turner shares her journey from FedEx driver to becoming an owner of a FedEx entity. She discusses the challenges she faced, how she's preparing for the upcoming transition to 2.0, and the lessons learned. Additionally, Kelsey talks about starting a maintenance business, managing fuel and insurance, and her favorite part of the journey. Takeaways Transition from driver to owner Starting a ma...

Kamran Taqui's Playbook to Successful Scaling in FedEx 19.05.2026 46:02

In Episode 3 of RoutCast, Jake and Emily talk with FedEx ISP owner, Kamran Taqui. Kamran discusses his approach to changing team culture, optimizing routes through simulation, managing driver pay and workload, building relationships with FedEx, and handling the administrative burden of running multiple entities. Takeaways Culture Change Route Optimization Liability control through separate entitie...

Surviving 2.0 Twice with Charlie York: Here's what he's doing differently this time! 27.04.2026 49:38

The conversation covers the challenges and adaptations related to the transition to 2.0 in the FedEx delivery business. It explores the impact on revenue, margin, safety, and operational strategies, as well as the role of contingency contracts. The conversation with Charlie York covers various aspects of the delivery business, including fleet strategy, contingency planning, driver management, and...

FedEx Route Values, 2.0 DRO Tips & EV's with Steve Ramsthel 27.04.2026 44:31

Steve Ramsell discusses the impact of FedEx 2.0 transition on route valuations, the integration of AI and DRO in route optimization, and the challenges and benefits of the transition. He also highlights the risks and opportunities for route owners in the pre-2.0 and post-2.0 world. The conversation covers topics related to route optimization, DRO (Dynamic Route Optimization), electric trucks, and...