Unboxing Logistics

From dabbling in ecommerce as a teen to running a 3PL today, Krushna Patel, CEO at Awesome Solutions, has spent years building businesses—and he’s learned a lot about what sets the successful ones apart. In this Unboxing Logistics episode, he sits down with Lori Boyer to discuss how he discovered the world of fulfillment, his advice for those hoping to follow the same path, and what a thriving 3PL...

Kevin Gibbon, CEO and co-founder at Cytronic, has built a 3PL that makes DTC ecommerce fulfillment faster, cheaper, and better. The secret? Automation. In this episode of Unboxing Logistics, Kevin joins Lori Boyer to share Cytronic’s story and discuss why automation is such a game changer in the warehousing world. Where manual warehouses are losing time (and money) If you’re thinking of upgrading...

Supply chain experts agree: businesses shouldn’t just throw AI at every problem that comes their way. But as Dana Moffat, product manager at Acumatica, points out in this week’s Unboxing Logistics episode, you can’t afford to ignore AI either. She explains that the success of AI strategies comes down to how well you identify problems, select technology, define KPIs, and measure results. How to cre...

In this Unboxing Logistics episode, Lori sits down with Chris Caplice, executive director at MIT Center for Transportation Logistics and chief scientist at DAT Freight and Analytics, to discuss the state of freight in 2026. The state of freight shipping in 2026 Chris begins by laying out the two big forces shaping the freight market—supply and demand—and noting, “Because supply and demand are cons...

Carrier changes are picking up speed—and starting to impact both costs and service expectations across the industry. In this episode, Tim Ranagan and Lori Boyer from EasyPost break down recent updates from USPS, FedEx, and Amazon. Their conversation focuses on rising surcharges, faster delivery options, and the growing role of Amazon Shipping. USPS introduces fuel surcharges USPS is introducing it...

In this episode, Tyler Diestel, senior product manager at EasyPost, joins Lori to discuss EasyPost’s latest shipping AI tool: Luma AI Advisor. Tyler explains what Luma AI Advisor is, how it works, and the impact it can make for SMB and enterprise shippers alike. What is Luma AI Advisor? Luma AI Advisor is an LLM, or large language model. Like tools such as ChatGPT or Claude, Luma AI can process na...

Just a few weeks ago, the tense situation in the Middle East reached a boiling point when the U.S. and Israel launched an attack on Iran. Now, as the effects of the conflict ripple across the world, everyone has the same question: How will this affect global trade? Sal Mercogliano, maritime shipping expert and host of the YouTube channel What’s Going On With Shipping?, joins Lori to help answer th...

From surcharge increases to carriers unexpectedly closing their doors, the world of parcel shipping is constantly changing. And according to Nate Skiver, founder of LPF Spend Management, that trend will continue through 2026. In this episode of Unboxing Logistics, he shares tips for adapting to disruptions, managing risk, choosing the right carriers, and keeping costs low. The state of parcel ship...

John Naylor from Trew and Scott Davis from JD Finish Line teamed up to transform a distribution center from mostly manual to automated and efficient—while the center was still operational! In a recent session at RILA, they shared the details of the project with Lori Boyer, discussing everything from the initial planning stages to the final results and ROI. If you weren’t able to make it to the ses...

In February’s episode of Unboxing Logistics , Tim Ranagan sits down with Lori Boyer to discuss what she’s hearing from industry leaders at events like RILA and Manifest. Their conversation focuses on how ecommerce teams are building with disruption in mind. Disruption is the baseline in 2026 This year, supply chain leaders are learning to expect the unexpected. Lori explains that disruption no lon...

In this episode, Joe Dieter joins Lori Boyer to explore the complexities of enterprise-level shipping and show how EasyPost Enterprise can help. What’s an enterprise-level shipper? Joe explains a common misconception: “When people think of enterprise shipping, they assume [it refers to] someone doing lots of volume. … But the reality is, volume is just one component. [What matters more] is enterpr...

Numbers are critical in the logistics industry, but focusing too much on deadlines, quotas, and revenue can cause leaders to overlook what really matters: relationships. In this episode, Marty Johnson and Fahim Mojawalla from AYM High Consultants share how they prioritize long-lasting relationships with both clients and team members. Listen to learn why they believe relationships beat transactions...

It’s a wrap! As season five of Unboxing Logistics concludes, Tim Ranagan and Lori Boyer look back at the issues that mattered most to ecommerce and operations teams this year.  They revisit the standout conversations on peak season, AI, cross-border shipping, and rising costs before sharing what listeners can expect in season six. Season five’s big ideas Much of season five centered on two id...

Have a great idea for a new product? To turn the vision into a reality, you need to partner with reliable suppliers. But finding suppliers you can count on is easier said than done. If sourcing has been giving you grief, this is the Unboxing Logistics episode for you! Mattia Miglio from Alibaba.com joins Lori to share tips for finding suppliers, making sure they’re a good fit for your business, an...

Are you taking advantage of the $100 of shipping insurance included for select USPS labels? Most businesses aren’t. They don’t file claims, leaving thousands of dollars on the table.  Fortunately, there’s a way to recoup lost funds without the filing hassle. In this EasyPost Insider episode, Tyler Diestel joins Lori to share everything you need to know about EasyPost’s USPS Claims service.&nb...

In August 2025, three innovative carriers announced a merger that will allow them to better serve their customers. ACI Logistix, First Mile, and Sendle are now FAST Group, an integrated logistics ecosystem.  What does the merger mean for their customers? In this episode, Lori sits down with Keith Somers, the new CEO of FAST Group, to answer that question and get a behind-the-scenes look at FA...

Neurodiverse people have amazing talents that help them shine in logistics roles, but they also face unique challenges that can make it difficult to thrive in the workplace.  In this Unboxing Logistics episode, Dylan Telford and Jarlath Phelan from Summit Advisory Team share their personal experiences with neurodivergence. They and Lori discuss what neurodivergent people bring to the table, h...

Blue Yonder recently released their 2025 Global Consumer Retail Returns Survey, and it’s jam-packed with insights.  In this episode of Unboxing Logistics, Lori sits down with Tim Robinson, senior vice president and general manager at Blue Yonder, to talk through the survey’s findings and offer practical suggestions for handling returns effectively. What to do with returned items As Tim points...

Last week, Lori Boyer and Tom Butt attended Parcel Forum, where EasyPost was the official AI in logistics sponsor. In addition to presenting on AI tools, Lori and Tom got a chance to talk with shippers about the problems they’re facing—and how artificial intelligence can help.  They share their takeaways in this episode of Unboxing Logistics. The AI conversation Tom noticed a pattern at Parce...

AI has taken the world by storm, with top companies using it to optimize every part of their operations—including shipping and logistics. But it can be tricky finding an AI solution that actually solves your business problems.  In this episode, Benjamin (Ben) Gordon, managing partner and CEO at Cambridge Capital, sits down with Lori to break down what AI can do, where it might fall short, and...

Last week, Joe Dieter and Lori Boyer from EasyPost sat down to explore EasyPost tools that help businesses navigate the complexities of peak season. In this episode, they continue their discussion. Shipping can drive growth Most businesses view shipping as a “dreaded, unpredictable cost center”—but it doesn’t have to be.  Joe explains, “[Shipping can be] a strategic growth lever. Do you want...

Joe Dieter has talked with countless EasyPost customers. And lately, he’s heard the same concern from many of them: peak season 2025 is a whole new ballgame. Rising costs and unpredictable demand have many shippers scrambling to prepare. Joe’s advice for confronting the uncertainty? “Ship fast. Don't ship reckless. Be protected.” And EasyPost offers solutions to accomplish all three goals.  I...

Peak season shipping can get complicated. International shipping can be a major headache. Combine the two, and it might seem like stress is inevitable.  But if you follow the best practices recommended by Jonathan Witt, senior partnerships manager at Sendle, your peak season cross-border shipping can be successful and stress-free. The best way to get started  If your business hasn’t yet...

July 2025 didn’t bring any earth-shattering developments—but that doesn’t mean nothing happened. When you look closely, you can see subtle but significant shifts in the realm of shipping and logistics.  In this episode, Lori Boyer and Tim Ranagan discuss the latest trends and share some strategies for adapting. Here’s a rundown: Warehouse jobs have dropped This time of year usually sees an in...

When you’re shipping perishables like produce, the stakes are high; even a one-day delay can ruin an entire truckload of food. Colby Varley, vice president and principal at Advanced Transportation Services (ATS), explains what’s going on in the perishable freight world and how logistics companies and shippers can work together to make sure every load arrives in perfect condition. The state of peri...