The Freight Coach Podcast

Keep up with the real freight market in today's returning guest, Cody Koehler of A&Z Trucking, discussing how weather swings can explode spot rates overnight, why local conditions matter way more than any national "average", capacity challenges, the slow burn of driver supply adjustment, and the tightening compliance landscape that's about to weed out a huge chunk of non-compliant brokers when the...

What's the real cost of fraud, and how do we finally shut the door on the criminals exploiting the transportation industry? In this episode, Chris Burroughs breaks down how the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) is stepping up with a new fraud hotline that connects 2,000 members directly to the FBI, helping track patterns, tighten data collection, and speed up responses to cargo crime...

Are you watching the freight market shift beneath the holiday noise and prepared for the regulatory shakeups shaping 2026? Listen to the real trends driving today's trucking industry, from holiday-masked rate movements and tightening December capacity to diesel prices putting pressure on operating costs. Let's also talk about why the FMCSA's overhaul of ELD approvals and the removal of nearly 3,00...

Eliminate guesswork in specialized freight, protect your margins, and stop wasting time chasing the wrong carriers by listening to this conversation with Michael Naumowicz from Wize Load! Michael explains why specialization in flatbed, open deck, and heavy haul freight is the niche for brokers who want to reduce risk and build real credibility, how Wize Load's integrated platform brings together d...

What's really driving carrier success in a tough freight market? And how are factoring, automation, and fraud prevention reshaping the way trucking companies stay alive and profitable?  Listen to Grace Maher from OTR Solutions, our first guest this week, speaking about how factoring has evolved into a strategic financial tool for most small carriers. Grace digs into how modern factoring helps carr...

In this mashup episode, Dr. James Kenny shares how disciplined targeting fuels cleaner data, stronger conversion, and smarter use of AI for outreach, appointment scheduling, and operational automation, the stuff that actually cuts costs and boosts margins, while Dean Croke brings the heat with carrier economics, showing how owner-operators with low debt can run profitably at lower rates, how risin...

What would the freight industry look like if we all spoke the same digital language? And how much time and money could we save if billing, visibility, and documentation finally flowed in real time? Today, Keith Peterson from NMFTA shares the launch of the Digital Standards Development Council, one of the biggest steps our industry has taken in years toward unified terminology and API standardizati...

Are we really fixing the trust gap in trucking, or just talking about it? And how much of our industry's problems stem from simple accountability? Dive into this conversation with Avante Jackson of The CDL Shorty Drivers 4 Drivers (D4D)! Avante starts with the real issues holding freight back - the carrier–broker relationship, why long-term partnerships, transparent vetting, and steady follow-up a...

In today's episode, Kyle and Kevin from Coltrain Onsite Fleet Care share how their people-first, mobile fleet maintenance model is reshaping the trucking industry! We dive into how their on-site repair approach reduces downtime and total cost of ownership, why customized preventative maintenance schedules beat traditional mileage-based PMs, and how investing in top-tier technicians and best-in-cla...

Today, we'll break down the real story behind short-term load surges, tightening capacity, and why the usual holiday bump isn't showing up this year.  With truck posts down 26% and long-term demand still soft, we're heading into 2026 with stable pricing, flat margins, and a freight market that rewards consistency and data-driven strategy. Let's also discuss how falling truckload rates are reshapin...

In this episode, Freight 360 Podcast hosts Ben Kowalski and Nate Cross join us to share what actually drives a brokerage's success and what separates real performers from excuse-makers in the industry! Our guests break down why new brokers are finding fast success through hands-on coaching, consistent activity, and a commitment to fundamentals, how a small operation can achieve millions in revenue...

What if the key to safer routes, better loads, and higher driver earnings is already sitting in your pocket? Chris Oliver from Trucker Path shares how their crowdsourced data, powered by over a million drivers, helps owner-operators and fleets make smart decisions with real-time weather, routing, parking, fuel, and dock insights.  We discuss why their truck-specific navigation system outperforms g...

Commercial auto insurance is shifting fast, policy exclusions are catching people off guard, premiums are climbing nationwide as loss ratios stay sky-high, and the financial barriers around captives continue to squeeze mid-sized fleets, and in this episode, Jeff Gordon and I dig into what brokers, carriers, and fleet owners need to know right now.  If you're trying to keep your costs in check, avo...

What's really driving sustainable freight pricing right now? And how are data, regulation, and carrier relationships reshaping the industry heading into 2026? Let's start this week by discussing why sticking to a disciplined, data-backed pricing strategy is the true path to long-term lane ownership and stronger carrier partnerships, why volume is the profit driver, and how brokers can win by remov...

What's going to separate the winners from everyone else in 2026? Are you focusing on the fundamentals that actually move the needle?  In this conversation with our returning guest, Mike Riccio of More Than Miles Consulting, we discuss why success in this market comes down to trust, execution, and relationships, not chasing every shiny opportunity! Mike and I dig into controlling the controllables,...

Welcome to today's episode with Jon Pruitt of Nutrabolt, live at the LTNA ( Logistics & Transportation Networking Association) 2025 Conference! Jon breaks down why tailored sales strategies, niche specialization, and consistent service are what actually win freight in the current market, how focusing on specific freight types like food, beverage, or open deck builds stronger customer trust than ch...

Are we finally seeing signs of freight market stability, or is this just the calm before another shift? Today, let's talk about the current state of the freight market, spot rates, and supply and demand as we're heading into the holidays! Tune in to find out why a true market recovery might not happen until 2026, how smart carriers are focusing on operational excellence to stay ahead, the ripple e...

How can we better support the men and women who served—and make sure they're not left behind when they come home?  In this episode, we've invited US veterans Luke Flatebo and Cole Rush to have a real, unfiltered conversation about the state of veteran care in America. We talk about the urgent need for stronger mental health support and community awareness, funding gaps in the VA, push for innovati...

What does it take to keep a 120-year-old produce distributor thriving in today's fast-paced logistics world? Let's welcome our first guest of the week, Bill Loupée of Ben B. Schwartz and Sons, to talk about how this Detroit-based company has built its reputation by focusing on logistics (not farming) and how that mindset has fueled their success across small retailers, food service companies, and...

We're now on the second day of 2025 TIA Technovations, and we have Carly Gunby from Transfix back on the show to share the winning strategies in freight brokerage! Carly talks about how automation is changing the game for brokers who want to scale smarter and free up time for customer relationships, how dynamic pricing engines forecast margin shifts, the significance of data-driven insights for ma...

Ever wonder how freight brokers can stay ahead in today's fast-moving tech landscape without burning cash on the wrong tools? Don't miss out on our episode with Sam Haynes from Revenova and James Lemon from SPI Logistics, to share what it really takes to build a smart, sustainable tech strategy in freight! We break down how to vet technology before signing long-term contracts, why pilot projects a...

Today, Greg Finnerty from Concept Logistics is back to let us know what real, sustainable growth looks like in a volatile market and the importance of mastering the basics with authenticity and discipline in freight! We dig into how self-reflection, process discipline, and consistent cold calling can build predictable growth, while authentic, trust-based relationships keep your business grounded w...

Are you seeing more job seekers fighting for fewer roles these days? How will you stand out or make the right career move in a job market? Let's hear from today's guest, Charlie Saffro of CS Recruiting, explaining the real condition of the job market! Charlie covers how "job hugging" has become the new normal for professionals, how compensation has shifted from inflated pandemic packages to more c...

In this episode, Eileen Dabrowski is back to discuss how training and development can be your strongest growth lever in today's volatile freight market! We talk about why investing in your people, refining your processes, and using technology with intention builds long-term stability, stronger relationships, and serious ROI. From vetting carriers faster and handling new regulations, to rolling out...

Is the freight market really collapsing, or are we just getting caught up in the noise? Tune in to this week's last episode with Sunny Sharma as we cut through the negativity flooding social media and talk real freight business! We break down what's actually happening in the market, from the so-called "capacity purge" to AI's impact on operations and jobs, and efficiencies, why consistent CDL stan...