The 4,000-Worker Purge

Malcolm and The Dude kick things off with a lighthearted discussion about March Madness brackets and the unexpected snowy weather in Chattanooga before diving into a heavy-hitting lineup of industry experts.Episode Highlights• State of Women in Trucking: Samantha Greene, Regional Underwriting Officer at Travelers, joins the show for her first podcast appearance to discuss female representation in the industry. She reveals that while female drivers make up only 4% of long-haul CDL holders, women are making significant gains in leadership roles, holding nearly 28% of C-suite positions and 30% of board seats.• Energy Markets & Geopolitics: Matt Muenster, Chief Economist at Breakthrough, provides an update on the volatile energy landscape. He breaks down current market trends and the impact of the ongoing situation between the U.S. and Iran on fuel and logistics.• AI vs. Human-in-the-Loop: David Julian, CTO at Netradyne, addresses the hot debate in fleet technology. He explores whether AI-driven safety measures or human-in-the-loop systems are more effective at making fleets safer and whether current tech is helping or hindering drivers during critical moments. 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

It’s another “magenta magic” Friday on WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Hosts Malcolm Harris and The Dude (Michael Vincent) are back to break down the latest in logistics, celebrate some retro gaming gifts, and dive deep into the world of automotive transport and warehousing fulfillment.On This Episode:• Retro Gaming & Friday Vibes: The guys kick things off by showing off some new gear, including an Atari and a Nintendo 64 hat, thanks to Matt Kaiser and Axle Logistics.• The Layoff Trough: Malcolm and The Dude discuss a recent report on the 4,000+ layoffs affecting EV battery plants, warehouses, and rail terminals. Is this just the bottom of the trough, or is there more to come?.• WTT Top 10: A brand new segment! We count down the wildest clips in trucking, from forklift couch-surfing in Detroit to Peterbilts in places they definitely shouldn’t be.• David Mendelson (Super Dispatch): A repeat guest joins the show to break down AI in automotive transport. David explains how carriers and brokers are using technology to streamline car hauling—all in plain English, no jargon required.• Dr. Vernard Jenkins II (NightSwift): We sit down with “Dr. V” to discuss his journey from Miami to the leadership ranks of NightSwift Warehousing and Fulfillment. Plus, we talk some serious hoop! 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

Welcome to a brand new edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? with your hosts Malcolm Harris and “The Dude,” Michael Vincent. In this episode, we dive deep into the massive shifts happening across the supply chain, from blockbuster rail mergers to high-stakes international trade lawsuits.Guest Lineup:• Tim Crawford, CEO of Tenstreet: Tim returns to the show to discuss the critical operational side of the industry. We explore the latest trends in driver hiring, retention, and how fleets are staying ahead of safety compliance and changing risks.• Jonathan Briffa, Managing Director at Republic Partners: Jonathan joins us to break down the current Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) landscape. We talk through the trends in the 3PL space and what buyers are actually looking for in today’s market—hint: it’s all about profitable growth.Episode Highlights:Episode Highlights:• The Union Pacific/Southern Merger: We discuss the controversy surrounding Jim Vina’s “blockbuster” rail merger. Is this a move toward much-needed modernization, or will it cause the same service disasters seen in past consolidations?• Nintendo vs. The U.S. Government: Why is the gaming giant filing a lawsuit over billions in tariffs? We break down the legal battle over the use of emergency authority (IEEPA) and what it means for companies importing from China and Vietnam.• Magenta is the New Green: You might notice a color change in the studio! We’re celebrating our new supporting sponsor, T-Mobile for Business, and discussing why “magenta” is the theme for the month. 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

On this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Malcolm and The Dude do a deep dive into the top stories in logistics which include, Operation Side Swipe: A look into a massive fraud investigation in New Orleans involving "staged accidents" where a "slammer" would intentionally crash cars into trucks to collect insurance payouts. And Operation Cleanup: A report on Mexican authorities canceling permits for 350 steel importers due to suspicious activities and fraudulent use of duty-free incentives intended for export production. They also talk to Mike Riccio, owner of More than Miles Consulting. Riccio is a seasoned veteran with over 35 years in the transportation industry, known for building Leonard’s Express into a $350 million logistics powerhouse. The conversation focuses on providing viewers with insights into leadership and the brokerage sector. 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 Friday edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Malcolm and The Dude dive into the critical legal and regulatory shifts currently impacting the trucking industry. The episode features a detailed discussion on the recent Supreme Court (SCOTUS) arguments regarding broker liability and the definition of motor vehicles, highlighting the massive stakes for insurance and safety.They also cover the recent federal crackdown on non-compliant Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs), where over 20 devices were purged from the official registry, forcing carriers to find compliant alternatives within sixty days. Additionally, the show explores new legislative pushes for cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE to address CDL fraud and illegal criminal aliens. Featuring market data insights from Corey Klujsza and discussions on industry partnerships with Tom Curee, the episode provides a comprehensive look at the “shit show” of legal gymnastics and regulatory hurdles currently facing the freight market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Malcolm and The Dude dive deep into the current state of the supply chain with two industry heavyweights.First, John Howland joins the desk to break down the shifting dynamics of the freight market and what carriers need to do to stay profitable in a volatile landscape. Then, we pivot to the tech side of the house with Phillip Brink, exploring how data-driven decisions are transforming the way we move goods from port to porch. 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 live edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? from the “Queen City” of Charlotte, NC, host Malcolm Harris sits down with industry experts to dissect a freight market at a major turning point. Malcolm is first joined by Brian Reilly, VP of Enterprise Sales at RXO, who shares on-the-ground insights into why routing guides are breaking and how capacity is tightening for the first time in years. The conversation then shifts to the future of logistics operations with Alan Alberto of CloneOps, who joins the show to discuss local industry growth. Lastly, Malcom talks with Nate Jones, Enterprise Customer Success Manager at Highway, who shares his experience on what 3PLs need to be doing to have success, and the future of the freight industry in Chattanooga. Watch on YouTube 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 episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Thomas Wasson dives deep into the major geopolitical events impacting global supply chains, specifically focusing on recent attacks in the Persian Gulf and the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The show analyzes the ripple effects of these events on energy markets and maritime routes, highlighting how supply chains have become central to modern geopolitical calculus.The episode also covers a significant legal development in the parcel industry: class-action lawsuits against FedEx and UPS following the Supreme Court’s rollback of Trump-era emergency tariffs. In the market update segment, Wasson uses Sonar data to explore why tender rejection rates and spot market rates—particularly in the flatbed segment—are defying seasonal norms and staying “higher for longer”. Finally, the show wraps up with “Thomas Wasson’s Random Musings,” a look at emerging trucking technology and industry trends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent wrap up the month of February 2026 with a deep dive into industrial trends, autonomous infrastructure, and AI-driven safety.Industrial Rebound and Broker LiabilityJP Hampstead joins the show to discuss the “re-industrialization” of the American Midwest. He shares insights on:• Industrial Production: U.S. industrial production has finally reached pre-pandemic levels, hitting its highest point since 2019.• Flatbed Volatility: A staggering 42.5% of flatbed loads are currently being rejected, signaling intense demand in construction and energy sectors.• Supreme Court Battles: A preview of next week’s oral arguments regarding broker liability in the TQL and C.H. Robinson cases.The Future of the MailboxDan O’Toole, CEO of Arrive AI, discusses the evolution of autonomous delivery infrastructure. He explains:• Mailbox 2.0: Moving beyond the drone itself to create the necessary “smart” landing and securement infrastructure for robotic deliveries.• Safety Innovation: How Arrive points can assist first responders using emergency strobe features.• Economic Impact: The potential for autonomous delivery to remove thousands of trucks from congested roadsCutting Through the Noise with Insurevision.aiMark Miller, founder of Insurevision.ai, joins from London to explain why “risk is visual”. Key takeaways include:• Context over Telematics: Why traditional data like “hard braking” lacks the context needed to truly predict crashes.• End-to-End Models: Using Tesla-style machine learning to analyze dashcam footage and identify true risk in milliseconds.• Fair Underwriting: How AI allows insurance companies to score fleets based on current safety performance rather than five-year-old loss runs. Watch on YouTube 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 episode of the podcast WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent engage in a fast-paced discussion on current events impacting the freight and transportation industry.The episode covers several key industry and political topics:• Safety and Regulations: The hosts discuss a significant article by Rob Carpenter regarding a driver involved in a major Alabama crash who returned to business despite safety concerns. This leads to a broader debate on “barriers to entry” in the trucking industry and the importance of maintaining high standards for CDL holders.• Political Developments: They touch upon the recent State of the Union address and its implications for cleaning up industry issues.• Trade and Tariffs: There is a detailed analysis of FedEx’s legal fight for refunds following Supreme Court rulings on the mechanisms used for recent tariffs.• Language Requirements: The hosts debate a new rule mentioned by Sean Duffy to implement an “English only” proficiency requirement for skills tests in California, which currently allows tests in up to 20 different languages.Guest Highlights:• Rush Feldhacker: The Senior Director of Sales at Tabi Connect and an industry veteran well-known in the Chattanooga “Freight Alley” area.• Jeff Jacobs: Representing TAI Software, he discusses why a Transportation Management System (TMS) should be viewed as an essential operating system rather than just a software tool. Watch on YouTube Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices