The Freight Coach Podcast

How much money is your fleet leaving on the table by not managing trailers effectively? What if a simple, one-minute install could turn a $50,000 asset into a profit driver instead of a liability? In today's episode, Carl-Christoph "CCR" Reckers shares how FleetPulse has stepped into the market with practical trailer telematics that solve real problems instead of just throwing "dots on a map" at y...

In this mashup episode, we're presenting our first two guests from the 2025 IANA Intermodal Expo, Kristy Knichel of Knichel Logistics and Gary Van Tassel of INFORM GmbH! Kristy shares the strategies behind running a non-asset-based intermodal company, how customer retention, flexibility in equipment, and strong carrier relationships gave them an edge during the COVID equipment shortages, and why e...

How prepared is your business to face today's evolving cybersecurity threats? Are you confident your team could spot an AI-generated scam or respond to a ransomware attack in real time? Listen to Joe Ohr sharing the impact of the NMFTA Cybersecurity Conference, which was born out of the LTL industry's push to go digital and address the gap in security education and awareness. We discuss who the pr...

In this week's first episode, let's break down the real issues facing transportation professionals, particularly on the enforcement of Entry Level Driver Training and DOT policies, how tariff flip-flopping hurts U.S. businesses, and why our government's recurring budget crises create real risks for CDL issuance! Discover the market shift from LTL to truckload, where shippers can reduce costs, mini...

What's the real cost of outdated systems and failed tech rollouts in transportation? Tune in to YMX Logistics' CEO, Matt Yearling, to discuss systemizing yard management and operations, why half of the solutions implemented in this space fail to deliver ROI, and the explanation behind 90% of facilities still run yards without proper technology! We also cover the business opportunities in this mark...

Today, Bill Holaday of EBE Technologies joins us to talk about productivity in the trucking business and the role of automation in driver retention, cash flow, and safety compliance!  We dive into how automation, document scanning, OCR, and AI integrations are helping fleets, from small operators to truck carriers, to unlock measurable ROI, Bill's real-world insights from visiting over a thousand...

The harsh reality of entrepreneurship? Most businesses fail—not because of a lack of effort, but due to cash flow issues, technical missteps, and a lack of focus. In this replay mashup episode, Alex Schick and Matthew Zarzycki share their lessons from building a business with resilience.  Learn why niche specialization, financial management, and effective strategies are significant to thrive in a...

Do your marketing strategies keep you stuck in the past or position you for long-term growth? In today's episode with Mike Marut, discover how Revenova transformed its marketing approach, moving from outdated outreach and dormant social media into a people-first strategy powered by leadership visibility and authentic content!  You'll hear how their native AI gives them a true edge in the crowded T...

What's really going on in today's produce and freight markets? Why are growers taking massive hits while carriers in Florida see rates spike overnight?  In this episode, Cody Koehler is back to break down the ripple effects from California's record harvest challenges, Florida's severe capacity shortages after new regulations, the Pacific Northwest's rate swings driven by onion and potato harvests,...

How much stronger would small carriers be if cash flow were no longer their biggest struggle? I'm excited to bring two Seans on the show, Denim's Sean Smith and Truckstop's Sean Dehan! In this episode, we talk about Truckstop's acquisition of Denim and why this strategic decision is a game-changer for the transportation industry. Plus, we cover how the integration of 20+ years of factoring experti...

What do today's freight market conditions really tell us, and how can carriers and brokers use data the right way to stay profitable? Dean Croke from DAT Freight & Analytics joins us to break down the real story behind flat spot rates, capacity velocity, and why AI-driven data isn't always reliable! Dean and I also talk about the financial discipline it takes for owner operators to survive, the im...

Why do so many veterans face challenges that most of us never see? Today's episode is going to be meaningful with Matthew Parker, as he shares his incredible life journey and what shaped his leadership principles of honor, kindness, and sacrifice.  We dive into the hard truths about veteran transition struggles, from underemployment and corporate bias to the heartbreaking veteran suicide crisis th...

In today's episode, Cameron Pechia is back to talk about succeeding in freight sales and building a customer base from scratch! Cam shares the reality of starting at zero, long hours, side hustles, and the grit it takes to keep pushing forward, why most sales reps fail, from lack of niche focus to missing systems, and how dialing in daily prospecting, clear business plans, and CRM tools can change...

Are broker transparency rules the solution to today's freight challenges, or should we be focusing more on enforcement and safety? We're excited to bring The Armchair Attorney back to the show, Matt Leffler, to break down the FMCSA's latest delay on broker transparency updates, why the current 371.3 requirements remain unchanged, and what this means for brokers, carriers, and shippers! We delve in...

How is AI really reshaping freight brokerages, and what's the reality behind all the hype? Today, we have S&P Global's Eric Johnson back on the show to discuss the latest trends in AI and freight tech! We dive into how major companies are approaching AI differently, why 95% of enterprise AI projects show no ROI yet, the gap between marketing promises and actual performance, our insight on training...

If you want to know what the new trucking regulations mean for your business, you shouldn't miss today's episode covering the latest headlines in the industry! I also cover the ATA's push for stricter federal safety enforcement, the ongoing debate over dash cams, FMCSA's enforcement gaps that affect driver safety checks, and the latest battle between California and the federal government over clea...

How ready is your fleet for the next wave of transportation technology? How confident are you that your dash cams, tracking systems, and compliance tools are actually working the way they should? Beth Young from Velociti joins us today to explore how fleets can cut through the AI and machine learning buzzwords and focus on real solutions that protect drivers, reduce liability, and keep freight mov...

Let's cut through the noise! The freight market isn't tightening anytime soon, and that means if you're running a trucking company, brokerage, or shipping freight, you've got to play it smart. But how will you prepare for 2026? In this episode, we'll talk about real strategies: how to hold your rates, why cold calling beats sitting behind email, and what tariffs and regulations actually mean for y...

Listen to another episode with real insight into the trucking industry, not theories, not noise, only facts, and today, we've got Ben Greenberg from the North Carolina Trucking Association! We dig into everything from nuclear verdicts and rising insurance costs to state and federal legislative efforts that directly impact carriers and shippers, why trucking professionals' work ethic drew him into...

How do you make sure your drivers aren't caught off guard during holiday runs? Are you really getting the most accurate routing data for your RFPs? Mark Lukenbill of MileMaker is back to dive into mileage standardization, why truck-specific routing beats Google Maps every time, and how MileMaker's API delivers real-time traffic, weather, tolls, and even maintenance cost calculations. If you want t...

In this episode, Private Fleet Net Zero's co-founder, Russell Jones, talks about how his platform is delivering better pricing, safer service, and stronger margins, transforming the way brokers access private fleet capacity! Russ shares his journey to building a multimillion-dollar business that helps fleets and brokers unlock billions in freight spend through AI-powered freight matching, long-hau...

Everyone's pointing fingers at foreign drivers, visas, and this so-called "driver shortage" after the Florida crash. But are we actually addressing the real problem, and is the narrative we're hearing online actually true? Or just noise? Today, we'll break down the numbers on non-domiciled CDL holders, tax and safety compliance, and the failures of FMCSA, state DMVs, DOT, and CDL schools that no o...

What's the secret to building a real brand in freight? Authentic content, smart use of technology, or simply showing up every day? I'm excited to feature the man behind SPI Logistics' branding, RJ Finnegan! RJ shared the intersection of sales and marketing in our industry and how SPI has adapted its 45+ years of experience to modern branding strategies.  We break down why short-form content outper...

Are you really prepared for what it takes to run your own freight agent business? Do you know how to build customers from zero, niche down effectively, and keep your sales pipeline moving every single day? Deep dive into the last episode of this week to know the realities of being an independent freight agent, no fluff, just straight talk! I lay out my proven daily sales system along with the exac...

Upwell's Charley Dehoney is back in today's episode to discuss cash flow management in freight brokerage and how brokers can streamline billing and leverage automation to avoid costly mistakes! We talk about how AI can help prevent errors before they ever reach a customer, Charley's early lessons in freight, the dangers of letting customers use you as their bank, and the significance of proper inv...