AI in the Background, Brokers in Control

If you're still relying on check calls and spreadsheets to track freight, you're already behind. In this episode, Chain’s EVP of Sales, Kevin Coomes, joins the show to break down how his team is building AI-powered tools that make life easier for freight brokers, from exception management to proactive customer communication. We also dig into the origin of Chain, how their Autopilot tool works inside your TMS, and why eliminating noise is the real key to broker productivity. Key takeaways: Most freight brokers still rely on outdated, reactive methods like manual check calls. Chain uses AI to centralize communication and automate exception management directly inside the TMS. Autopilot is designed to work in the background, taking care of low-value tasks so brokers can focus on what matters. Visibility doesn’t just mean tracking freight—it means proactively alerting stakeholders before problems arise. The freight future is about cleaner data, less busywork, and platforms that help you grow.LINKS:Kevin's LinkedInChain's WebsiteWATCH THE FULL EPISODE HEREFeedback? Ideas for a future episode? Shoot us a text here to let us know. -----------------------------------------THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! Are you experienced in freight sales or already an independent freight agent? Listen to our Freight Agent Trenches interviews powered by SPI Logistics to hear from the company's agents on how they took the entrepreneurial leap. Shipium is the ML-powered shipping platform built by the executives that created Amazon's supply chain technology. They help 3PL & retail leaders like Stord, Ryder, and Saks Off 5th to reduce shipping costs by an average of 12% while improving on-time delivery. CargoRex is the logistics industry’s go-to search platform—connecting you with the right tools, services, events, and creators to explore, discover, and evolve. Digital Dispatch manages and maximizes your #1 sales tool with a website that establishes trust and builds rock-solid relationships with your leads and customers.

What if the final frontier isn’t as far away as it seems? In this episode, Kelli Kedis Ogborn, VP of Space Commerce and Entrepreneurship at the Space Foundation, breaks down how space is no longer just about astronauts and satellites. It’s an economic engine already driving trillions in opportunity. From reusable rockets to orbital infrastructure and venture capital gaps, this conversation explores what it takes to do business beyond Earth. Key takeaways: The global space economy is currently valued at $570B and expected to hit $772B by 2027 78% of the space economy is driven by commercial activity, not just government spending Satellites are enabling new markets in insurance, agriculture, and logistics through advanced data Infrastructure in space needs coordination and standards like refueling stations and docking protocols Venture capital alone won’t fund the future, so sovereign wealth and patient capital are key to scaleLINKS:Kelli's LinkedInSpace Foundation WebsiteKelli's Podcast/Webcast about Space EconomyWATCH THE FULL EPISODE HEREFeedback? Ideas for a future episode? Shoot us a text here to let us know. -----------------------------------------THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! Are you experienced in freight sales or already an independent freight agent? Listen to our Freight Agent Trenches interviews powered by SPI Logistics to hear from the company's agents on how they took the entrepreneurial leap. Shipium is the ML-powered shipping platform built by the executives that created Amazon's supply chain technology. They help 3PL & retail leaders like Stord, Ryder, and Saks Off 5th to reduce shipping costs by an average of 12% while improving on-time delivery. CargoRex is the logistics industry’s go-to search platform—connecting you with the right tools, services, events, and creators to explore, discover, and evolve. Digital Dispatch manages and maximizes your #1 sales tool with a website that establishes trust and builds rock-solid relationships with your leads and customers.

What does it take to build trust in freight? In this episode, recorded live at TMSA Elevate in Austin, Texas, SPI Logistics' CRO Senior Vice President, Mike Mikulik, joins Blythe to share the freight fundamentals that never go out of style, like proving your worth, asking better questions, and why breaking bread still beats fancy tech. Whether you're a new broker or a seasoned freight agent, this conversation is full of tried and true insights that can level up your relationship game. Key takeaways: Always start small and prove yourself before trying to win the biggest lanes. Brokers should understand their customer's supply chain to provide real value. Empathy and relationship-building still outperform tech during critical moments. Asking for referrals directly (and consistently) can unlock huge growth. Freight agents need ongoing education to stay relevant in uncertain markets.LINKS:Mike's LinkedInThe Ultimate Guide for Experienced Freight AgentsSPI's Secrets to Building a Successful Freight Agent CareerBecome an SPI Freight AgentSPI Logistics' WebsiteWATCH THE FULL EPISODE HEREFeedback? Ideas for a future episode? Shoot us a text here to let us know. -----------------------------------------THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! Are you experienced in freight sales or already an independent freight agent? Listen to our Freight Agent Trenches interviews powered by SPI Logistics to hear from the company's agents on how they took the entrepreneurial leap. Shipium is the ML-powered shipping platform built by the executives that created Amazon's supply chain technology. They help 3PL & retail leaders like Stord, Ryder, and Saks Off 5th to reduce shipping costs by an average of 12% while improving on-time delivery. CargoRex is the logistics industry’s go-to search platform—connecting you with the right tools, services, events, and creators to explore, discover, and evolve. Digital Dispatch manages and maximizes your #1 sales tool with a website that establishes trust and builds rock-solid relationships with your leads and customers.

What happens when freight’s brightest minds in sales, marketing, and entrepreneurship unpack the biggest shifts in logistics? Recorded live at TMSA Elevate 2025, this episode features Charlie Saffro (CS Recruiting), RJ Finnegan (SPI Logistics), and Anthony Pagnotto (Mohawk Global) as they share the biggest takeaways from the conference, including how freight companies are using AI, rethinking branding, and marketing their back office in new ways. 5 Things We Learned at TMSA Elevate: Internal alignment between sales and marketing creates faster wins in slower markets. Your back office can be a selling point when shippers care about transparency. AI is embedded in daily workflows, but results still depend on human authenticity. Long-term relationship building beats speed when it comes to freight sales. Community-focused conferences like TMSA promote collaboration, even among competitors.LINKS:TMSA's WebsiteCharlie's LinkedInRJ's LinkedInAnthony's LinkedInWATCH THE FULL EPISODE HEREFeedback? Ideas for a future episode? Shoot us a text here to let us know. -----------------------------------------THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! Are you experienced in freight sales or already an independent freight agent? Listen to our Freight Agent Trenches interviews powered by SPI Logistics to hear from the company's agents on how they took the entrepreneurial leap. Shipium is the ML-powered shipping platform built by the executives that created Amazon's supply chain technology. They help 3PL & retail leaders like Stord, Ryder, and Saks Off 5th to reduce shipping costs by an average of 12% while improving on-time delivery. CargoRex is the logistics industry’s go-to search platform—connecting you with the right tools, services, events, and creators to explore, discover, and evolve. Digital Dispatch manages and maximizes your #1 sales tool with a website that establishes trust and builds rock-solid relationships with your leads and customers.

What does the future of logistics really look like? In this episode, host Blythe Milligan shares details on her recent behind-the-scenes tour of DHL’s Export Facility and Innovation Center in Chicago. From sorting 10,000 packages an hour with only a dozen employees to integrating robotics and generative AI, the tour demonstrates how tech and transparency are reshaping the supply chain. This episode truly highlights how one of the world’s largest logistics companies is using automation to drive efficiency and scale. Key takeaways: DHL’s export facility in Chicago can process up to 10,000 packages per hour with just 12 employees on the floor. Robotics like Robust AI and Boston Dynamics' Spot are already being tested in real-world warehouse environments. The company is rolling out a global generative AI hub with over 75,000 users across 140 countries. AI tools now handle customs processing at massive scale, including 35 million customs entries. New delivery methods like e-bikes from Rytle aim to tackle the challenges of last-mile logistics in dense urban areas.LINKS:DHL's WebsiteDHL's Logistics Trend RadarWATCH THE FULL EPISODE HEREFeedback? Ideas for a future episode? Shoot us a text here to let us know. -----------------------------------------THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! Are you experienced in freight sales or already an independent freight agent? Listen to our Freight Agent Trenches interviews powered by SPI Logistics to hear from the company's agents on how they took the entrepreneurial leap. Shipium is the ML-powered shipping platform built by the executives that created Amazon's supply chain technology. They help 3PL & retail leaders like Stord, Ryder, and Saks Off 5th to reduce shipping costs by an average of 12% while improving on-time delivery. CargoRex is the logistics industry’s go-to search platform—connecting you with the right tools, services, events, and creators to explore, discover, and evolve. Digital Dispatch manages and maximizes your #1 sales tool with a website that establishes trust and builds rock-solid relationships with your leads and customers.

Is EDI broken or just misunderstood? In this reunion episode of Freight Friends, Blythe Brumleve welcomes Grace Sharkey back to the mic to talk about her new role at Orderful, the state of freight media, and why so many companies are still struggling with EDI integrations. From customer horror stories to a Christmas Eve miracle involving Walmart, Grace shares why she’s betting big on solving one of freight’s most persistent pain points. Key takeaways: Media experience is a hidden weapon for logistics companies trying to build trust and relevance Grace’s new role at Orderful focuses on making EDI less painful, faster to implement, and API-friendly Many brokers delay switching tech out of fear of cost when in reality, it’s the bad setup that’s costing them Freight tech storytelling needs to focus more on the people using it, not just the software Orderful is solving a known problem with actual working tech (that’s already saved Christmas at least once)LINKS:Grace's LinktreeNick Stachel's LinkedInOrderful's WebsiteThe Supply Chain Is the ProductThe Logistics of SHEIN: From Imports to InfluencersWATCH THE FULL EPISODE HEREFeedback? Ideas for a future episode? Shoot us a text here to let us know. -----------------------------------------THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! Are you experienced in freight sales or already an independent freight agent? Listen to our Freight Agent Trenches interviews powered by SPI Logistics to hear from the company's agents on how they took the entrepreneurial leap. Shipium is the ML-powered shipping platform built by the executives that created Amazon's supply chain technology. They help 3PL & retail leaders like Stord, Ryder, and Saks Off 5th to reduce shipping costs by an average of 12% while improving on-time delivery. CargoRex is the logistics industry’s go-to search platform—connecting you with the right tools, services, events, and creators to explore, discover, and evolve. Digital Dispatch manages and maximizes your #1 sales tool with a website that establishes trust and builds rock-solid relationships with your leads and customers.

Your brand isn’t just your logo or your tagline. It’s your supply chain. In this solo episode, Blythe breaks down her recent BBC appearance and expands on a bold new thesis: your supply chain isn’t just a backend function. It’s the product. From viral TikToks to luxury handbag knockoffs, this episode explores why today’s buyers are more concerned than ever with the “how” behind their favorite stuff. And why that curiosity is your best marketing tool. Key takeaways: Transparency isn’t just ethical. It’s profitable. Gen Z and Millennials are fueling resale and sustainability trends. The rise of TikTok creators is exposing global supply chain truths. Brands that share sourcing stories earn long-term loyalty.LINKS:Appearance on BBC's What in the WorldTanner Leatherstein on TikTokSheep Inc.Good on YouTrashieWATCH THE FULL EPISODE HEREFeedback? Ideas for a future episode? Shoot us a text here to let us know. -----------------------------------------THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! Are you experienced in freight sales or already an independent freight agent? Listen to our Freight Agent Trenches interviews powered by SPI Logistics to hear from the company's agents on how they took the entrepreneurial leap. Shipium is the ML-powered shipping platform built by the executives that created Amazon's supply chain technology. They help 3PL & retail leaders like Stord, Ryder, and Saks Off 5th to reduce shipping costs by an average of 12% while improving on-time delivery. CargoRex is the logistics industry’s go-to search platform—connecting you with the right tools, services, events, and creators to explore, discover, and evolve. Digital Dispatch manages and maximizes your #1 sales tool with a website that establishes trust and builds rock-solid relationships with your leads and customers.

We’ve all heard the hype about AI, but what’s actually happening behind the scenes? In this episode, Blythe breaks down two major studies that reveal how marketers are really using AI tools, where they’re struggling, and what’s coming next. If you're trying to figure out what to adopt (and what to ignore), this episode offers a blueprint for smart AI integration without the slop. Key takeaways: Only 17% of marketing teams have fully integrated AI into their workflows. 65% of marketers say research and ideation are still the most time-consuming tasks. You can use anonymized meeting notes to supercharge FAQ pages and ad campaigns. Tools like Grok and ChatGPT Projects have helped reduce research time from 6 hours to 2. AI is best used as a co-pilot, not the sole driver of your content strategy.Note: In this episode, Blythe references "Gemma" a lot. Like, a lot, a lot. But it's actually GAMMA. Please forgive her mistake and check out their awesome AI for presentation slides here.LINKS:Writer.comAI Report from WriterState of Data 2025Report of the Register of CopyrightsWATCH THE FULL EPISODE HEREFeedback? Ideas for a future episode? Shoot us a text here to let us know. -----------------------------------------THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! Are you experienced in freight sales or already an independent freight agent? Listen to our Freight Agent Trenches interviews powered by SPI Logistics to hear from the company's agents on how they took the entrepreneurial leap. Shipium is the ML-powered shipping platform built by the executives that created Amazon's supply chain technology. They help 3PL & retail leaders like Stord, Ryder, and Saks Off 5th to reduce shipping costs by an average of 12% while improving on-time delivery. CargoRex is the logistics industry’s go-to search platform—connecting you with the right tools, services, events, and creators to explore, discover, and evolve. Digital Dispatch manages and maximizes your #1 sales tool with a website that establishes trust and builds rock-solid relationships with your leads and customers.

Most freight tech stacks are a tangled mess of tools that don’t talk to each other. Ezequiel Peralta, VP of Technology at SPI Logistics, is working to fix that. This episode strips away the hype and digs into what it really takes to build functional, secure, and scalable freight systems. Peralta shares how SPI is moving beyond the TMS-first mindset by introducing a flexible integration layer, leveraging AI to reduce email chaos, and automating back-office tasks without sidelining the people who matter most. Freight leaders looking to create tech that works for humans, not the other way around, will get a lot out of this one.Key Takeaways: Freight tech success depends on modeling your business process before adopting any tool. SPI Logistics is moving beyond the TMS as the tech stack centerpiece with a dedicated integration layer. AI tools are only valuable when paired with structured data and business-aligned goals. Automation is transforming back-office operations, reducing manual tasks for better auditing and analysis. Everyone—not just IT—must be involved in managing freight fraud and data security.LINKS:Eze's LinkedInSPI Freight Agent ProgramSPI on CargoRexWATCH THE FULL EPISODE HEREFeedback? Ideas for a future episode? Shoot us a text here to let us know. -----------------------------------------THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! Are you experienced in freight sales or already an independent freight agent? Listen to our Freight Agent Trenches interviews powered by SPI Logistics to hear from the company's agents on how they took the entrepreneurial leap. Shipium is the ML-powered shipping platform built by the executives that created Amazon's supply chain technology. They help 3PL & retail leaders like Stord, Ryder, and Saks Off 5th to reduce shipping costs by an average of 12% while improving on-time delivery. CargoRex is the logistics industry’s go-to search platform—connecting you with the right tools, services, events, and creators to explore, discover, and evolve. Digital Dispatch manages and maximizes your #1 sales tool with a website that establishes trust and builds rock-solid relationships with your leads and customers.

Barges move over 70 percent of U.S. grain and can carry the equivalent of 4,000 truckloads with a single tugboat. Yet this massive freight channel has remained invisible to most supply chains due to outdated systems and zero visibility. In this episode, OpenTug CEO Jason Aristides shares how his team is digitizing barge and tug operations with GPS tracking, AI-powered automation, and a modern marketplace experience. By unlocking real-time visibility and booking capabilities, OpenTug is helping shippers tap into a cleaner and more efficient way to move freight across America's 12,000 miles of inland waterways. Key takeaways: Barges are one of the most fuel-efficient and underused freight modes in North America A single barge move can replace thousands of truckloads with a fraction of the labor OpenTug brings real-time GPS and predictive ETAs to an industry that ran on email chains Ports like New Orleans are investing heavily in container barge terminals More visibility and automation will help eliminate empty miles and reduce emissionsLINKS:Jason's LinkedInOpenTug's LinkedInOpenTug on CargoRexWATCH THE FULL EPISODE HEREFeedback? Ideas for a future episode? Shoot us a text here to let us know. -----------------------------------------THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! Are you experienced in freight sales or already an independent freight agent? Listen to our Freight Agent Trenches interviews powered by SPI Logistics to hear from the company's agents on how they took the entrepreneurial leap. Shipium is the ML-powered shipping platform built by the executives that created Amazon's supply chain technology. They help 3PL & retail leaders like Stord, Ryder, and Saks Off 5th to reduce shipping costs by an average of 12% while improving on-time delivery. CargoRex is the logistics industry’s go-to search platform—connecting you with the right tools, services, events, and creators to explore, discover, and evolve. Digital Dispatch manages and maximizes your #1 sales tool with a website that establishes trust and builds rock-solid relationships with your leads and customers.