The Indicator from Planet Money A trucker, a farmer, and an entrepreneur walk into a global supply shock
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Mar 17, 2026 
Forrest Atkinson, a full-time long-haul truck driver who lives and works out of her rig, talks about rising diesel costs and company fueling rules. The conversation covers how war-driven oil shocks ripple through transport, fertilizer and plastics. It highlights tradeoffs between being a company driver or owner-operator and the growing appeal of oil-free plastic alternatives.
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Trucker Lives In Truck And Feels Diesel Pinch
- Forrest Atkinson lives full-time in her semi and faces rising diesel costs that can add hundreds of dollars per fill-up.
- Her employer currently pays fuel but can restrict which stations she uses and message drivers when prices spike, affecting route decisions.
Diesel Spike Can Shift Costs Downstream
- Diesel rose about a third in early March, increasing per-trip costs and potentially passing expenses to consumers.
- Companies may ban fueling at pricier stations to control costs, signaling when energy prices hit operational stress.
Corn Farmer Faces Fertilizer Squeeze At Planting
- Iowa corn farmer Mark Mueller says nitrogen fertilizer is his single biggest cost and relies on natural gas-based production.
- He faces planting season with higher fertilizer prices and limited options because corn needs those inputs.