

WHAT THE TRUCK?!?
FreightWaves
WHAT THE TRUCK?!? is FreightWaves' irreverent award-winning podcast breaking down the biggest stories in transportation and logistics. WTT?!? is all about the people that make freight move. On the show you'll hear from founders, CEOs, VCs, truckers, brokers, and influencers. Join the industry three times a week on FreightWavesTV and podcast players everywhere.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 19, 2025 • 46min
Freight thefts slam SoCal shippers; retail and consumers left holding tariff bag | WHAT THE TRUCK?!?
On Episode 840 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Dooner is talking about yet another freight theft in Southern California. The thieves spoofed a bill of lading and made off with a shipper’s freight. Travelers’ Scott Cornell stops by to talk about the rise of strategic theft and why your cargo may be at risk.
President Donald Trump told Walmart to “eat the tariffs,” but is that a realistic ask? With steep 30% tariffs across a lot of Walmart and many other retailers’ items, they’re saying cost increases are unavoidable. Rodney Manzo at Anvyl by Sage breaks down the company’s latest state of the supply chain report, which looks at shipper fears around increasing costs related to tariffs, transportation, and shipping delays.
The truckload market got tight last week due to International Roadcheck, but can it last? We’ll take a look at the latest data in SONAR’s Trade War Command Center, and we’ll look at how rates, volumes and tender rejections are holding up.
Catch new shows live at noon EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on FreightWaves LinkedIn, Facebook, X or YouTube, or on demand by looking up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player and at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146.
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May 16, 2025 • 46min
SONAR’s Trade War Command Center; Nikola & CARB: Who killed the hydrogen truck?
On episode 839 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Dooner is catching up with SONAR’s Will Hopping to learn all about their new Trade War Command Center, which tracks freight trends, rates and disruptions in real time.
Nikola and CARB, who killed the hydrogen truck? William Hall took the plunge and bought a Nikola. Now that the company is bankrupt, have he and other owner-operators been left holding the bag? He shares his experience and updates us on his ownership experience.
OOIDA is celebrating its annual Truckers for Troops event. Over the past 17 years, OOIDA has raised more than $800,000 and sent more than 3,278 care packages, serving more than 39,276 members of the military. Norita Taylor fills us in.
0:32 Trade War Command Center | Will Hopping at SONAR
16:59 Trucker vs cargo thieves
17:35 Truckers for Troops | Norita Taylor at OOIDA
22:18 Final Destination
23:30 Nikola and CARB who killed the hydrogen truck? | William Hall at Coyote Container
Catch new shows live at noon EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on FreightWaves LinkedIn, Facebook, X or YouTube, or on demand by looking up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player and at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146.
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SONAR Trade War Command Center
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May 14, 2025 • 46min
Driver charged in fatal Mother’s Day crash; from trucker to AI dispatch founder
On Episode 838 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Dooner has an update on the Mother’s Day crash that claimed two lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Amazon driver, Joseph Antoinier, has been charged and the victims have been identified. Now the victims are trying to pick up the pieces after losing a beloved father. Visit the crash victims’ GoFundMe.
Bradley Little went from CDL driver to AI dispatch founder. We’ll find out how the freight recession almost knocked him down for the count and how he plans to come back harder than ever with his new company, Trucker Buddy.
John DeCillo is a Landstar BCO and expert at rating the strap work. We’ll get his POV on how the market is looking, how to secure a load, regulations and English language proficiency enforcement.
Plus; “Final Destination” log scene lives rent-free in our minds; Roadcheck check; FMCSA removes eight ELDs; and more.
Catch new shows live at noon EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on FreightWaves LinkedIn, Facebook, X or YouTube, or on demand by looking up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player and at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146.
Watch on YouTube
Check out the WTT merch store
Visit our sponsor
Subscribe to the WTT newsletter
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May 12, 2025 • 45min
Is US-China trade deal bullish for freight; FreightGuard: Fair or foul
On Episode 837 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Dooner is coming back from Mother’s Day with news on a U.S.-China trade deal. With the U.S. dropping tariffs from 145% to 30%, will it save the summer freight market? We’ll find out why freight leaders are bullish.
Vincent Carrano at Fenichey LLC shares why he recently FreightGuarded a carrier over an incident where the carrier backdoored the company by talking directly to the shipper. We’ll find out if the FreightGuard was fair or foul.
With over 60% of small and medium-size businesses targeted for cyberattacks in the past year, how can shippers, carriers and brokers protect themselves in 2025? Cory Crawford, founder at Verelion Strategic, talks about the latest cyberattack trends in supply chains and shares solutions on protecting your company.
Plus, fatal semitruck crash in Chattanooga, Tennessee; conviction in Massachusetts CDL bribery scam; an unbelievable in-cab flight sim setup; and more.
3:05 US-China trade deal
8:54 Mother’s Day wreck in Chattanooga
11:11 CDLs for Swedish Fish scheme
13:57 FreightGuard: Fair or foul | Vincent Carrano at Fenichey LLC
25:50 In-cab flight sim
27:02 Cybertheft targets in freight | Cory Crawford at Verelion Strategic
Catch new shows live at noon EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on FreightWaves LinkedIn, Facebook, X or YouTube, or on demand by looking up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player and at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146.
Watch on YouTube
Check out the WTT merch store
Visit our sponsor
Subscribe to the WTT newsletter
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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 9, 2025 • 46min
Meet the fleets shaping the future generation; driver on visa charged; SHIPS Act
On Episode 836 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Dooner is talking to Next Generation in Trucking’s Lindsey Trent about the company’s Career Catalyst award, which honors the fleets shaping our nation’s future drivers. This recognition highlights fleets — both for-hire and private — that are creating meaningful career paths for young truck drivers, diesel technicians, warehouse associates and more.
Can we bring big ship building back to the USA? With all this trade war talk, Dredging Contractors of America’s William Doyle talks about how ship building is essential to national security and balancing trade. We’ll take a look at the SHIPS Act, the latest on the trade deals and how they’re all tied together.
Plus, driver on visa charged in fatal wreck; does Jerome Powell need a SONAR account; and more.
Catch new shows live at noon EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on FreightWaves LinkedIn, Facebook, X or YouTube, or on demand by looking up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player and at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146.
Watch on YouTube
Check out the WTT merch store
Visit our sponsor
Subscribe to the WTT newsletter
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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 7, 2025 • 46min
DHL Express ships endangered antelopes to Kenya; freight fraud; fixing backhauls
On episode 835 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Dooner is talking to DHL Express about shipping endangered bongo antelopes to Kenya. The bongos were transported in custom-built crates, alongside 6 tonnes of pellet feed and 3 specialist animal care staff including a veterinarian and 2 bongo specialists from the US. DHL’s Jimmy Eades tell us all about this unique shipment.
Are you savvy enough to spot freight fraud? Truckstop’s Taryn Daker shares their latest freight fraud data and shares tips on prevention.
Backhaul is a dirty word in some circles. Pedro Prado and LogShare aim to change that with their platform that matches your empty trailer with loads headed your way.
Plus, CVSA roadcheck week; did you get your Real ID; trucking cats and dogs.
Catch new shows live at noon EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on FreightWaves LinkedIn, Facebook, X or YouTube, or on demand by looking up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player and at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146.
Watch on YouTube
Check out the WTT merch store
Visit our sponsor
Subscribe to the WTT newsletter
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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 5, 2025 • 46min
Ask Aaron Rubin anything about tariffs: De minimis; toys; bonded warehouses
On episode 834 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Dooner is hosting an Ask Me Anything with ShipHero’s Aaron Rubin all about tariffs.
They’re getting into questions about:
-Tariff fraud
-Bonded warehouses
-TikTok knockoffs
- Death of de minimis
- Toys and consoles are already passing on costs to consumers, will your daughter only get 2 dolls for Christmas?
- Movie tariffs and much more
Catch new shows live at noon EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on FreightWaves LinkedIn, Facebook, X or YouTube, or on demand by looking up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player and at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146.
Watch on YouTube
Check out the WTT merch store
Visit our sponsor
Subscribe to the WTT newsletter
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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 2, 2025 • 46min
Convoy Platform: Zero thefts over last 380,000 loads; tariffs vs. fasteners
On Episode 833 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Dooner is talking to Flexport’s Bill Driegert about resurrecting Convoy Platform. The company has just announced that it has had zero loads stolen over its past 380,000 shipments. Across the industry, cargo thefts were up 27% year over year, and the average value of theft ballooned to $202,364. We’ll find out how Flexport has managed to beat the bad guys.
Can fasteners hang in there against tariffs? Field Fastener’s John Oldham Jr. stops by to talk about how trade policy could be impacting the very goods holding everything together.
Plus, Commercial Carrier Journal gets cooked over driver shortage article; layoffs/bankruptcies hit trucking; GTA6 delayed until 2026; XBOX Series X up $100; and is the port of Seattle really empty?
Catch new shows live at noon EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on FreightWaves LinkedIn, Facebook, X or YouTube, or on demand by looking up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player and at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146.
Chapters
1:30 GTA 6 delayed, XBOX Series X up $100
3:52 Layoffs and carrier bankruptcies
8:33 CCJ gets roasted over driver shortage article
12:01 Is the Port of Seattle really empty?
13:22 Convoy Platform: No thefts over last 380K loads | Bill Driegert
24:06 Menace on 4 wheels
24:21 Tariffs vs fasteners | John Oldham Jr. at Field Fastener
Watch on YouTube
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Subscribe to the WTT newsletter
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Apr 30, 2025 • 46min
Trucking leaders applaud Trump executive order requiring truckers speak English
On Episode 832 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Dooner is sharing the trucking industry’s reaction to Trump’s executive order requiring truck drivers to speak and understand English. The order rescinds a 2016 FMCSA memo that effectively eliminated roadside enforcement of English proficiency.
Adil Ashiq is a former U.S. Merchant Marine captain-turned-supply chain and maritime industry nerd. We’ll find out how to navigate tumultuous trade waters. We’ll look at maritime employment and the Jones Act.
CloneOps’ David Bell talks about who the winners and losers will be in AI lead communication for logistics service providers.
Plus, some auto tariffs hit reverse; rate the strap work; 100 truckers vs 1 gorilla, and more.
3:27 Trucking leaders applaud English language Executive Order
12:25 Auto tariffs in reverse? (Craig Video 15:00)
16:14 FreightTech adoption | David Bell
24:51 100 truckers vs 1 gorilla
26:37 Rate the strap work
27:37 Show me the tariffs | Capt. Adil Ashiq
39:57 Maritime policy | Capt. Adil Ashiq
43:25 100 seamen vs 1 gorilla
Catch new shows live at noon EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on FreightWaves LinkedIn, Facebook, X or YouTube, or on demand by looking up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player and at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146.
Watch on YouTube
Check out the WTT merch store
Visit our sponsor
Subscribe to the WTT newsletter
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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 28, 2025 • 46min
‘Sweatystartup’ Nick Huber on his new book ‘How To Get Rich Doing Boring Things’
On Episode 831 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Dooner is talking to ‘Sweatystartup’ Nick Huber about his new book, ‘How To Get Rich Doing Boring Things.’
Huber started his first business, Storage Squad, in 2011 and grew it to 25 major college towns before he sold the business in 2021 for $1.7 million. He also became one of the originators of B2B rage bait on social media. We’ll find out the logistics of building boring businesses, leveraging controversy to generate cash and what Huber’s ventures may tell us about the economy in 2025.
Iamfr8 Inc. CEO Tristan Bordallo says detention is wage theft. He’ll tell us why getting drivers paid is such a problem in this industry. Bordallo also tells us what he’s seeing in the West Coast freight market and talks about a case in which 15,000 drivers were in danger of losing their CDLs due to a pair of shady doctors.
Plus, reports say Trump will sign an executive order Monday enforcing English in trucking.
Trucking lost a great one. This episode is in loving memory of Brittany Traylor.
Follow up with Nick Huber right here:Sweatystartup.com
Boltstorage.com
Somewhere.com
Recostseg.com
Catch new shows live at noon EDT Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on FreightWaves LinkedIn, Facebook, X or YouTube, or on demand by looking up WHAT THE TRUCK?!? on your favorite podcast player and at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146.
Watch on YouTube
Check out the WTT merch store
Visit our sponsor
Subscribe to the WTT newsletter
Apple Podcasts
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More FreightWaves Podcasts
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


