The Road Ahead: WMCA Podcast

What does it take to improve driver health and wellness in the trucking industry? Sometimes, it starts with small changes.In this episode of the WMCA podcast, Kim Conradt sits down with Wan-Chin Kuo, PhD, RN, from the UW School of Nursing, and Dobby Stuk, PT, DPT, a clinical specialist in geriatric physical therapy, to discuss the unique health challenges facing professional drivers and others who spend long hours sitting.The conversation explores the importance of driver health, the impact of stress on cardiometabolic health, and the role healthcare providers play in helping drivers make informed decisions about their well-being. Our guests also share practical strategies drivers can incorporate into their daily routines, including movement snacks—short bursts of activity and simple stretches—as well as healthier snacking habits on the road.In this episode, we discuss:Why driver health and longevity deserve greater attentionHow stress and sedentary work can affect overall healthSimple movements and stretches that fit into a busy driving scheduleMaking healthier food choices while on the roadHow small conversations with healthcare providers can lead to positive changesImproving health doesn't have to happen all at once. Small, sustainable changes can help drivers and other transportation professionals build healthier habits over time.Tune in for practical insights and actionable ideas to help support the health and well-being of the people who keep our economy moving.This episode is proudly sponsored by UW School of Nursing🔗 Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠School of Nursing – UW–MadisonInterested in becoming a sponsor?🔗Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WMCA Podcast Sponsor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🚛 Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association🔗 Visit us at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.witruck.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of the WMCA Podcast, WMCA President Dan Johnson sits down one-on-one with each of the speakers from the 2026 WMCA Convention to take a deeper look at the topics they presented at Lake Lawn Resort.From legal and regulatory developments to fatigue management, safety culture, hiring, scheduling, and FMCSA updates, these conversations explore the challenges facing today’s trucking industry and provide practical insights for motor carriers.Whether you attended the convention or missed it, this episode offers a glimpse into the conversations and key takeaways you may have missed — including why safety needs to be reinforced consistently, how fatigue is influenced by more than just sleep, why hiring and scheduling decisions matter, and how carriers can prepare for an increasingly data-driven regulatory environment.Tune in for an inside look at the experts, ideas, and conversations that made the 2026 WMCA Convention a success.This episode is proudly sponsored by North Central Utility🔗 Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠www.ncutility.comInterested in becoming a sponsor?🔗Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WMCA Podcast Sponsor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🚛 Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association🔗 Visit us at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.witruck.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of the WMCA Podcast, WMCA President Dan Johnson sits down with Safety Coordinator Kim Conradt to celebrate the men and women behind the wheel who keep our economy and communities moving.In honor of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week and WMCA’s Thank-a-Trucker event, Dan and Kim discuss the vital role truck drivers play in our everyday lives, the history and importance of recognizing professional drivers, and the skill, dedication, and professionalism required to succeed in trucking. They also share stories of driver sacrifice and heroism, explore the impact of recognition on driver morale, and highlight the National Truck Driving Championship.From safety and professionalism to appreciation and recognition, this episode is a reminder of why we should take the time to Thank a Trucker for everything they do to keep America moving.This episode is proudly sponsored by CliftonLarsonAllen🔗 Learn more at: ⁠⁠www.claconnect.comInterested in becoming a sponsor?🔗Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WMCA Podcast Sponsor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🚛 Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association🔗 Visit us at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.witruck.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What happens when a former FMCSA inspector sits down with the President of WMCA? You get an honest conversation packed with real-world insight, practical advice, and the latest regulatory updates every motor carrier should know.In this episode of The Road Ahead, WMCA President Dan Johnson welcomes DOT expert and former FMCSA inspector John Seidl to break down today's biggest compliance topics. From new English language proficiency requirements and enforcement trends to the ongoing driver shortage, John shares what carriers should be paying attention to—and how to stay ahead of the curve.Whether you're a fleet owner, safety professional, or behind the wheel every day, you'll walk away with valuable takeaways and a better understanding of what's happening at FMCSA and what it means for your operation.This episode is proudly sponsored by Trucking Wins🔗 Learn more at: ⁠truckingwins.comInterested in becoming a sponsor?🔗Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WMCA Podcast Sponsor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🚛 Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association🔗 Visit us at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.witruck.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Dan Johnson interviews Luke Whitburn from Vessi about the transformative role of digital technology in the Wisconsin dairy supply chain, focusing on automation, traceability, and industry innovation.Key Topics:Digital transformation in dairy industryVessi's automation platform and appImpact of technology on milk haulers and processorsRegulatory compliance and food safetyOffline mode and rural connectivity solutionsCost and implementation of new tech in dairy logistics🚛 Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association🔗 Visit us at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.witruck.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What can a state trooper see from the cab of a semi-truck? Quite a bit. Kim Conradt is joined by driver Neal LeClaire and Lt. Nate Henriksen for a behind-the-scenes look at Wisconsin's Trooper in a Truck program. From distracted drivers scrolling on their phones to life-saving enforcement efforts, this conversation highlights how trucking professionals and law enforcement are working together to improve safety on our roads. Don't miss this insightful discussion on one of Wisconsin's most effective traffic safety initiatives.This episode is proudly sponsored by Baker Tilly🔗 Learn more at: bakertilly.comInterested in becoming a sponsor?🔗Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WMCA Podcast Sponsor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🚛 Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association🔗 Visit us at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.witruck.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The trucking industry is facing some serious challenges—and we’re breaking them all down.Join WMCA President Dan Johnson as he sits down with Alex Rosen, SVP of Legislative Affairs at the American Trucking Associations, for a deep dive into the issues shaping our industry at both the state and federal levels, including:🔹 Cargo Theft🔹 Frivolous Lawsuits🔹 Staged Accidents Targeting Trucking Companies🔹 Dalilah’s Law🔹 …and moreGet the insights you need to stay informed and ahead of the curve.This episode is proudly sponsored by Truck Country🔗 Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠truckcountry.comInterested in becoming a sponsor?🔗Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠WMCA Podcast Sponsor⁠⁠⁠⁠🚛 Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association🔗 Visit us at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.witruck.org⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, we take a deep dive into two of Wisconsin’s premier industry events happening simultaneously—the Truck Driving Championships and the Truck Technician Competition. Joined by Susan Jaske, Sarah Seifert, Rob Durham, Eric Imlay, and Connor Dent, we explore what makes these competitions so impactful for both drivers and technicians across the state.From the precision and professionalism showcased on the driving course to the technical expertise on display in the shop, our guests share firsthand insights, behind-the-scenes perspectives, and why these events matter for safety, skill development, and industry pride. Whether you're a competitor, employer, or industry supporter, this episode highlights the people and passion driving Wisconsin trucking forward.This episode is proudly sponsored by PrePass🔗 Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PrePass.comInterested in becoming a sponsor?🔗Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠WMCA Podcast Sponsor⁠⁠⁠🚛 Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association🔗 Visit us at: ⁠⁠⁠www.witruck.org⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, we take you inside the President’s Safe Driver Club through two powerful perspectives—leadership and legacy. We sit down with Wisconsin DOT Secretary Kristina Boardman and longtime driver Krik Phillips to explore what safety means at every level of the industry.From policy to pavement, this conversation dives into the impact of the President’s Safe Driver Club, the importance of recognizing safe driving excellence, and how programs like this continue to elevate standards across Wisconsin. With decades of experience behind him, Krik shares what it takes to build a career rooted in safety, while Secretary Boardman offers insight into the broader role safety plays statewide.🎙 Sponsor: E.H. Wolf & Sons🔗 Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠E.H. Wolf & SonsInterested in becoming a sponsor?🔗Learn more at: ⁠⁠WMCA Podcast Sponsor⁠⁠🚛 Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association🔗 Visit us at: ⁠⁠www.witruck.org⁠⁠

In this episode, we’re stripping away the jargon and getting real about the regulatory hurdles facing owners and safety managers today. Whether you are a small motor carrier or a large fleet operator, staying ahead of the FMCSA requires more than just a "set it and forget it" mindset.  We sat down with Mark Abrahamson with Acrisure to tackle the tough questions, including:The "Invisible" Risks: Why "what you don’t know" can lead to massive liability in the event of a crash.The Annual MVR Myth: Why checking driving records once a year is no longer enough to protect your business in a civil action.Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse: Clearing up the dangerous misconceptions surrounding intrastate requirements and random testing programs.DataQs & CSA Scores: How fighting for accurate data can shift the perspective of insurance underwriters and plaintiff attorneys.Telematics as Strategy: Turning "just a device" into a proactive tool to prevent the "Unsafe Driving" violations that predict future crashes.Don’t let a simple oversight stall your operations. Join us as we discuss simple checks you can do today using the FMCSA Portal and SAFERWEB to spot trends before they become tragedies.🎙 Sponsor: Acrisure🔗 Learn more at: ⁠www.acrisure.com Interested in becoming a sponsor?🔗Learn more at: ⁠WMCA Podcast Sponsor⁠🚛 Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association🔗 Visit us at: ⁠www.witruck.org⁠