FreightCasts

What happens when policy meets pavement?In this episode of Brake Check, we bring you both sides of one of the most controversial issues in trucking today.First—Jorge, a truck driver and DACA recipient, shares his story as new CDL crackdowns threaten his livelihood, his future, and everything he’s built behind the wheel.Then—we sit down with the CEO of GenLogs, a company using real-time data and intelligence tools to expose freight fraud, cargo theft, and ELD manipulation across the country.Two perspectives. One industry.We break down: The real-life impact of CDL enforcement on working drivers The rise of freight fraud and organized cargo theft Whether enforcement is fixing the problem—or missing it entirely What the future of trucking looks like if both trends continue This isn’t about picking sides. It’s about understanding what’s really happening.Because while some drivers are being pushed out…Others are gaming the system.And the question is—who’s actually being held accountable? Follow the Brake Check Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special edition of The Long Haul, live from the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) 2026, host Adam Wingfield sits down with Ilya, the founder of ICV Express, to discuss a masterclass in trucking resilience and unconventional strategy.Ilya shares his unique transition from the high-pressure world of the restaurant industry—where he managed kitchens at Chipotle and opened fast-casual brands in Manhattan—to becoming a successful owner-operator. He reveals how the razor-thin margins of the culinary world taught him to "squeeze" every bit of profit out of his trucking operation, from meticulous oil sampling to understanding his truck's specific torque curve. Follow The Long Haul Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, we dive into the recent chaos in the Midwest as an unexpected regulatory sweep in Indiana pulled critical truck capacity off the roads. Drivers who missed crucial compliance cutoffs found their commercial privileges instantly revoked without a grace period, leaving local fleets frantically scrambling to cover shifts. Next, we examine the landmark truce reached between the Teamsters Union and Amazon regarding unsanctioned warehouse walkouts. This newly established grievance process limits excessive disciplinary action against striking workers while providing the e-commerce titan with much-needed operational predictability. Finally, we analyze the massive geopolitical turbulence surrounding President Trump's potential military exit from the conflict in Iran. With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed to merchant traffic and a fresh drone attack damaging another commercial tanker, the industry is bracing for a prolonged era of soaring ocean rates and extended transit times. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a jam-packed April Fools’ edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?. Hosts Malcolm and The Dude (Michael Vincent) dive into a wild mix of industry news, ranging from massive drug busts and illegal reptile smuggling to significant shifts in U.S. shipbuilding and the global oil market.Featured Guests:Daniel Powell – CEO, Optimal DynamicsDaniel joins the show to discuss the “bleeding edge” of Decision Automation. He explains the concept of “Decision Native” AI agents—systems that don’t just follow simple prompts but understand a carrier’s specific business goals to negotiate loads, manage contracts, and automate up to 80% of CSR workflows.Marina Ivanov – CEO & Co-founder, Apex Transit SolutionsA “self-made” industry leader and advocate, Marina discusses her successful fight against predatory towing in North Carolina. She provides a sobering look at why reputable carriers are facing bankruptcy, citing a multifaceted crisis of reduced rates, fraudulent “fake log” competitors, and the hidden costs of “messy middle” operations. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor - TRUCKSTOP Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We kick off this episode by heading north, where DP World is expanding its Canadian supply chain presence with a brand-new freight forwarding office in Quebec. This strategic expansion arrives just as the Montreal Port Authority prepares to build a massive terminal that will more than double the region's container capacity. Next, we dive into the maritime defense sector as a South Korean-owned shipyard in Philadelphia secures its very first U.S. Navy contract since being acquired in 2024. Hanwha Defense USA will partner with a naval design firm to develop agile supply vessels that can refuel and rearm combat ships directly at sea. Finally, the battle over a massive railway merger is heating up as a Union Pacific executive fires back at Canadian National over disputed traffic data. UP accuses its rival of making inaccurate claims about the merger's projected impact, pointing out that both companies actually used the exact same expert for their respective traffic studies. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Tuesday edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Malcom holds down the fort to navigate a wave of disruptions hitting the North American supply chain. From legal battles in the auto industry to a massive “refund event” at the U.S. border, this episode breaks down the complexities of 2026 logistics.On this episode, we dive into:• The Jeep Production Halt: FreightWaves’ Noi Mahoney explains how a pricing dispute between Stellantis and a Mexican supplier has paralyzed production of Jeep Compass and Cherokee models, highlighting the extreme fragility of integrated cross-border auto networks.• The $166 Billion Tariff Tsunami: A deep dive into the recent Supreme Court decision striking down emergency tariffs, triggering what could be the largest refund event in U.S. trade history.• Secretary Duffy on Trucking Priorities: We feature an exclusive clip of Secretary Duffy discussing the administration’s efforts to remove “sham schools” and unqualified drivers from the road to improve national safety.• The CDL Crackdown: Rob Carpenter joins the show to discuss the “four problems” facing fleets today, including retroactive liability, insurance exposure, and the importance of the mid-market at events like MATS.• Energy & Freight Market Watch: A look at skyrocketing fuel surcharges and the geopolitical factors currently impacting North American motor carriers. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor - JJ KELLER Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this high-energy episode of Brake Check Live on FreightWavesTV, host Charles Gracey takes listeners to the heart of the trucking industry: the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, Kentucky. The episode captures the vibrant atmosphere of the event, where industry leaders, government officials, and drivers converge to discuss the future of American freight.Key Highlights• Federal Oversight and Safety Reform: Gracey sits down with U.S Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FMCSA Administrator Derek Bars to discuss a major “clean up” of the trucking industry. Secretary Duffy outlines a commitment to rooting out fraud, corruption, and “bad actors”.• Policy and Enforcement: The administration representatives detail new initiatives including Operation Safe Drive, which focuses on aggressive enforcement of existing rules, English proficiency requirements for drivers, and cracking down on “chameleon carriers” and fraudulent CDL schools.• The Rise of AI in Freight: Gabe from Hey Bubba discusses the shifting perception of Artificial Intelligence in trucking. He explains how AI is moving from a theoretical concept to a practical tool designed to automate mundane tasks, allowing drivers and carriers to focus on building deeper human relationships.• Streamlining Recruitment and Operations: Lickin Street from Tenstreet explores the current “bullish” market sentiment and the importance of simplifying the driver application process through their “one-stop-shop” platform and Job Store.• Technology and Feedback Loops: Todd from Truckstop.com highlights the value of “boots on the ground” feedback from drivers to refine products. He also teases upcoming AI integrations and features like Load Boost to help brokers and carriers connect more efficiently.The Vision for the FutureThe episode concludes with a passionate address from Secretary Duffy, who emphasizes that the current administration is moving at a “different pace” to prioritize safety and ensure that trucking remains a prestigious and viable way for Americans to support their families.Whether discussing the “shoveling of microphones” on the trade show floor or the complexities of federal law, this episode provides a comprehensive look at an industry in the midst of a significant technological and regulatory transformation. Follow the Brake Check Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A major potential strike was averted right before the deadline as DHL Express and its US delivery workers agreed to a new four-year contract. This last-minute resolution ensures uninterrupted service for the company's parcel customers throughout the busy spring shipping season. In the automotive sector, an escalating payment dispute has led Stellantis to file a major lawsuit against a parts supplier, causing a massive Jeep assembly plant in Mexico to idle. This sudden parts shortage is now sending ripple effects across borders, threatening to disrupt manufacturing operations as far north as Windsor, Ontario. Finally, the American Trucking Associations (ATA) walked away empty-handed after seeking over $20 million in legal fees following their battle against the Rhode Island truck tolling program. A federal judge ruled their demand was excessive because they failed to completely block the tolling plan, instead awarding the state of Rhode Island roughly $185,000 in cost reimbursements. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of Freight Expectations features a deep-dive conversation between Craig Fuller and Matthew Leffler on the volatile state of the 2026 freight market, the geopolitical forces reshaping supply chains, and a call for radical reform in trucking safety and regulation. ⁠Follow the Freight Expectations Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Monday edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, hosted by Malcolm and The Dude, explores the landscape of risk, fleet safety, and the future of autonomous multimodal transportation.The episode features Bob O'Connell, a Strategic Account Executive from JJ Keller & Associates, who identifies major "risk blind spots" for fleet owners. O'Connell urges leaders to adopt a "merger and acquisition" mindset, suggesting that operating as if you are under constant financial and operational scrutiny forces a level of discipline that mitigates risk. He further emphasizes the necessity of strengthening regulatory expertise and maintaining "litigation-ready" record-keeping, noting that in the eyes of a plaintiff attorney, if an action wasn't written down, it effectively never happened.Closing out the show, Kevin Damoa, CEO of Glid, shares how his company is reindustrializing the first mile through "physical AI". He explains how Glid’s autonomous vehicles, like Radon and Glidrim, are designed to transition seamlessly between road and rail, allowing cargo to bypass derailments or traffic congestion by simply driving around obstructions and getting back on the track. Damoa introduces Ezra 16, a new orchestration tool aimed at balancing ground-based corridors and solving labor shortages by making underutilized rail networks more accessible for short-mile logistics. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor - JJ KELLER Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices