The Freight Coach Podcast

If you are still leading your sales calls with "we have the best service and the lowest rates," you've already lost the room. Today on #TheFreightCoach, I'm joined by elite speaker and performance coach Darryll Stinson for a masterclass on the Physics of the Pitch. In this episode, we perform a forensic audit on how to frame your sales narrative to command attention and close high-value deals. Dar...

If you are still relying on a "Clean MC" and a static insurance certificate to vet your carriers, you are leaving your business wide open to organized crime. Today, I'm joined by Joe Ohr of the NMFTA to perform a forensic audit on the "DNA" of modern freight fraud. Joe pulls back the curtain on the NMFTA's Freight Fraud Prevention Hub and their advanced Threat Detection Portal. We move past the su...

In an industry that often treats drivers as invisible data points, it's time for a revolutionary shift. Today, I'm joined by Kathy Young and Amanda Barlow, the founders of Cargo Girls and the creators of TrukOptiks. They aren't just moving freight; they are building the technology to humanize it. TrukOptiks is a first-of-its-kind platform that recognizes the success of the individual driver rather...

In 2026, the difference between a fleet that is surviving and a fleet that is thriving comes down to one thing: Operational Culture. Today, I'm joined by Jane Jazrawy, CEO of CarriersEdge, for a forensic breakdown of the 2026 Best Fleets to Drive For report. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of this prestigious program, Jane pulls back the curtain on the data-driven traits that separate the Top 20...

Hiring more people doesn't fix a broken leadership structure. Today, I'm joined by Kasia Lane, founder of Iron Peak Solutions, for an unfiltered forensic audit of the scaling process. Kasia pulls back the curtain on the "messy middle" of growth—from building their first loadboard in Airtable to the hard realization that being a founder and being a leader are two completely different skill sets. We...

How do you stay ahead in an ever-shifting freight market while protecting your business from the rise of strategic cargo theft? Hear tactical insights you need to operate effectively when capacity tightens, and industry standards are being put to the test in this episode! Let's discuss the evolving schemes of organized criminals who are now infiltrating legitimate motor carriers to bypass traditio...

Find out how top logistics firms are navigating the massive wave of AI without losing their human edge in this episode with Zach Jecklin of Echo Global Logistics, discussing the real-world impact of artificial intelligence in transportation! Zach shares advice on how to integrate tech platforms during a merger without burning out your team and the Echo's tech strategy, explaining why the future of...

Today, we're breaking down some massive industry news, including the Supreme Court's impact on Section 301 tariff refunds, which could put millions back into the pockets of US businesses, and a direct response to the recent CBS report targeting C.H. Robinson and the broader brokerage community regarding safety liability! As an industry, we have to stand firm on the fact that we rely on FMCSA data...

If you're wondering what it takes to trade an $80,000-a-year corporate career for the grit of the open road, listen to this episode with Eric Brown of JTP Transportation, as he shares his raw and unfiltered journey from selling security systems to building a powerhouse in the Philadelphia drayage market! Eric gets frank about the "invisible" hurdles of entrepreneurship, from emptying his 401(k) to...

Welcome to Day 2 of the 2026 TIA Capital Ideas Conference, and today, we're joined by Mike Mikulik from SPI Logistics to talk about the absolute necessity of financial solvency and the power of long-term carrier relationships in this shifting market! We discuss why managing your cash flow and vetting your partners is more critical than ever, especially as we navigate the shift from a loose capacit...

Are you tired of the "manual tax" slowing down your brokerage, or are you looking for the ultimate edge in carrier vetting and real-time fraud detection?  Today, we're live from the TIA Capital Ideas Conference with Kary Jablonski from DAT Freight & Analytics to discuss how the integration of Trucker Tools into the DAT ecosystem is revolutionizing the industry.  We dive deep into the shift from "p...

Today, I'm getting real about the harsh truths of entrepreneurship as I hit my six-year milestone of being self-employed and the importance of building a consistent system of productivity! We'll break down why not all revenue is created equal and how targeting the right ideal customer profile (ICP) is the secret to scaling your freight brokerage without burning out. From mastering time management...

Are high detention fees and yard inefficiencies eating into your profit margins, or are you ready to see how cutting-edge tech is revolutionizing the freight game? Renaissant's CEO, Tom Dean, joins the show to talk about the "digital clipboard" revolution that's fixing the massive communication gap between TMS and WMS at the terminal gate! We discuss how AI-driven verification is tackling the skyr...

In this episode, find out why you have to stop quoting based on broad social media headlines and start having honest, week-by-week conversations with your customers to deliver stability in a tightening market! We're breaking down an anomaly on the Minneapolis to Louisville van lane, where rates are actually trending downward despite rising fuel costs and the geopolitical ripples from recent Middle...

Ever wondered how the rapid evolution of freight tech is actually impacting your bottom line? Kyler Ford from SupplyWolf joins the show to cut through the noise of the "AI everything" hype and talk about real decision-making for brokers and carriers! We dive into the necessity of conducting a thorough tech audit to eliminate "death by a thousand cuts" from overlooked fees, how a supply-chain-centr...

Ready to ride the next wave of freight innovation? Tune in to today's conversation with our returning guest, Chris Kolquist of Koliway LLC! Chris breaks down the high-stakes world of M&A in transportation and why now, in 2026, the real players are finally standing out.  We're cutting through the noise to discuss how AI and automation are completely leveling the playing field, making it so you don'...

Stop overcomplicating your logistics strategy and start winning in a shifting market in today's episode! Let's dive into why your ability to read market trends is the ultimate tool for building long-term customer trust, the massive geopolitical impact of reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and how fluctuating fuel prices are the primary driver behind tightening capacity and rising rates across North A...

Looking for a raw, no-nonsense look at what it takes to pivot from the driver's seat to the brokerage office in this volatile market? Today, Nic Spears of NBS Freight LLC talks about the grit and discipline required to build a sustainable book of business! We dive deep into the current state of the Ohio capacity market, the critical importance of regional subject matter expertise over being a gene...

Are you rolling the dice on your business by operating underinsured, or worse, with the wrong coverage entirely? We've got Michele McGinnis from MiKargo247 back on the show today to explain why cargo insurance is the absolute backbone of a sustainable supply chain! We cover the rising epidemic of cargo theft and why relying on standard carrier policies, which often exclude high-value commodities o...

If you're feeling overwhelmed by work stress, financial burdens, or the constant pressure of a shifting freight market, this high-energy conversation with Nick Klingensmith breaks down what it actually takes to build resilience in the face of real-world adversity! We're moving past the "internet success" fluff to discuss the grind of being a multi-time cancer survivor, an Ironman athlete, and a sa...

How are organized crime rings infiltrating our supply chains, and is your vetting process strong enough to stop a "Trojan driver" from walking off with your high-value loads? Tune in to this episode as "The Fraud Girl" Danielle Spinelli from GenLogs breaks down the exploding crisis of freight fraud and cargo theft. We discuss the nitty-gritty of why a tight market is the best time to sharpen your...

Are you ready to see through the smoke and mirrors of the current freight market and separate the ethical professionals from the criminals? Today, let's discuss the rare alignment between the ATA and OOIDA as they press Congress for mature technology mandates and how a single burnout taillight can trigger a cascade of CSA score disasters and skyrocketing insurance premiums! We'll also cover the ma...

Ever wondered how sub-centimeter-accurate 3D data could change the way we move oversized loads across the country? In this episode, Katherine Hunt of New Compass and Teleqo Tech joins us to share the cutting-edge world of mobile LiDAR technology and its massive implications for the transportation industry. We explore how high-fidelity digital twins of our roadways can virtually eliminate the guess...

Today, let's dive into how diesel price volatility, combined with DOT enforcement at the border, is tightening capacity like never before! We're moving past the "easy" market of the last four years and entering a transitional phase where effective communication and niche-based sales are the only ways to stay on top of a shipper's list, and tackle the recent report on FMCSA Clearinghouse fraud, exp...

Take a look at how high-level automation and AI can actually level the playing field for small to mid-sized freight brokerages in this episode with Revenova's President and CEO, Chris Wyndham! Chris demystifies the impact of freight technology on the transportation industry and how artificial intelligence can be a powerful tool to enhance efficient processes and free up human capital for high-valu...