From Homeless in Seattle to Automating 100-Truck Fleets

Welcome to a jam-packed Wednesday edition of What the Truck, the best 45 minutes in freight! Today, hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent dive deep into the wildest headlines hitting the supply chain, from hyper-speed deliveries to massive regulatory crackdowns, before bringing on two powerhouse industry leaders. Juan Hernandez Campos (Chief Operating-Officer, Happy Returns, a UPS Company) joins the desk to pull back the curtain on reverse logistics. Juan breaks down why return fraud is a massive multi-headed beast for retailers (affecting nearly 9% of all returns!), how boxless, label-free drop-offs work behind the scenes, and how consolidated freight economics are changing the retail game. Rathna Sharad (Founder & CEO, FlavorCloud) tackles the absolute headache of cross-border commerce. With international sales now making up 40% to 60% of wallet share for top brands, Rathna explains how FlavorCloud leverages an AI-native operating system and a network of 300+ carriers to automate customs, trade compliance, and classification codes seamlessly. In This Episode: Amazon Now Goes Wide: Amazon is expanding its 30-minute delivery promise to dozens of US cities. Logistical masterpiece or an unsustainable driver of instant gratification culture? Key Bridge Collapse Update: Criminal charges are being brought against a Singapore-based ship operator following the tragic 2024 Francis Scott Key Bridge disaster. The Autonomous Vehicle Era: California DMV publishes long-awaited AV regulations for all vehicle classes. Is it a true technological leap forward or just political posturing to keep tech investments from fleeing to Texas? Texas CDL Crackdown: AG Ken Paxton expands statewide enforcement targeting commercial driver training schools and corporate supplier diversity programs. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor - TAYLOR AND MARTIN Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Monday edition of What The Truck?!? focuses on the critical intersections of equipment capital, supply chain security, and the rising tide of freight fraud. Hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent break down the latest industry headlines before diving into deep-bench interviews with experts in leasing and security. Hooman Yazhari, CEO of TEN, joins the show to discuss why the real story underneath excess trucking capacity is actually about capital efficiency. He explains how leasing allows carriers to move assets off their balance sheets to maintain flexibility in a volatile market while utilizing technology for predictive maintenance. Scott Cornell (LogistIQ Specialist Solutions) and Andrej Drotenko (Verified Carrier) tackle the “asymmetrical warfare” of modern cargo theft. Industry News: The Hantavirus “Clickbait”: The guys debunk recent headlines regarding a hantavirus outbreak, noting its historical context and extremely low case numbers in the U.S.. Oregon’s Port Project: A look at the $2.3 billion proposed box hub in Coos Bay and whether it makes logistical sense. Georgia’s $5B Bet: Discussion on the Port of Savannah’s massive self-financed expansion. The O’Hare Mystery: A bizarre report on the confiscation of thousands of pounds of “mystery meat” and illegal animal carcasses at Chicago O’Hare. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor - TAYLOR AND MARTIN 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 Friday edition of What the Truck, hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent break down a pivotal week in freight, highlighted by an in-depth discussion with RXO’s Chief Strategy Officer, Jared Weisfeld. Weisfeld details RXO’s recent earnings and the successful integration of Coyote Logistics, describing the current market as a "supply-driven recovery" where regulatory pressures are forcing capacity out despite soft demand. A major focal point of the conversation is RXO's launch of Agentic AI, a technology designed to automate email spot quotes and increase broker productivity by decoupling volume growth from headcount. The episode also features Kelly Martinez, President of ePost Global, who shares staggering data regarding a 2,400% surge in rerouting activity that has yet to return to baseline levels. Martinez explains how geopolitical tensions and shifting trade policies, particularly new European tariffs, are pushing shippers toward multi-carrier strategies and global drop-shipping to maintain resilience. In the news bullpen, the hosts cover the sharp 40% drop in Forward Air shares following a failed strategic review and the potential loss of a major customer. They also analyze April’s trucking job gains of 4,300—noting these figures are influenced by former Yellow Corp employees finding new work—and discuss FedEx’s efforts to return MD-11 aircraft to service for short cargo flights. Finally, they highlight the FMCSA’s ongoing crackdown on non-compliant ELDs, with 67 devices removed from the registry since January 2025. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor - TAYLOR AND MARTIN⁠ ⁠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 packed Wednesday edition of What The Truck?!? Hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent are back on the set for a family reunion-style episode featuring industry heavyweights and groundbreaking tech. First, the "Nostradamus" of freight, Ryan Schreiber (CGO of Metafora), joins the show to tackle a fascinating new trend: the Ozempic effect on logistics. We dive into whether GLP-1 medications are actually making truckloads lighter and how shifting consumer preferences—from "junk food" to whole foods—are fundamentally altering freight volumes and produce seasons. Then, we welcome back a familiar face, Kaylee Nix, now Head of Communications at Bot Auto. Kaylee breaks down their historic achievement: delivering America’s first fully humanless commercial truckload on a public highway. We get into the nitty-gritty of "Transportation as a Service" and why they consider themselves a trucking company first and a tech company second. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor - TAYLOR AND MARTIN 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 Monday, May 4th edition of What the Truck?!?, hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent dive into major industry shifts, ranging from Amazon’s massive logistics expansion to the growing fragility of global oil supply chains. Amazon Opens the Gates: Amazon is officially opening its entire logistics network—including freight distribution and parcel shipping—to businesses of all sizes. Michael Vincent notes this solidifies Amazon as a major logistics threat to incumbents like FedEx and UPS. The “Yellow” Omen: The hosts discuss a superstitious pattern in transportation: asset-heavy companies using the color yellow often face grim futures. They note the recent closure of Spirit Airlines, which ceased operations this past weekend after 43 years. Mass Layoffs in Alcohol Distribution: Republic National Distributing Company is planning widespread layoffs, impacting thousands of workers across Texas, Florida, and other major markets as they restructure and transfer assets. Tech & Crime: * Kodiak AI is accelerating its hardware production in partnership with Bosch to industrialize autonomous driving. Ronald joins the show to discuss the “fragility” of the global supply chain amidst surging oil prices and geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Special Guest: Ronald Kleijwegt | CEO of Vinturas Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor - TAYLOR AND MARTIN Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is up everybody, welcome back to What the Truck?!? The freight recession is officially over as demand builds into the summer, but a tightening market means the old procurement playbook is completely broken. In this episode of WTT for May 1, 2026 , we sit down with Ciaran Doherty, Founder and CEO of Loadar, to expose a hard truth: the era of shipper leverage is ending. He breaks down why traditional RFP cycles are failing in a tight market and how capacity exiting and rising fuel costs are forcing a massive shift. If you are a shipper still relying on a loose-market strategy, you are going to bleed cash. Then, we uncover the silent margin killer draining fleets dry: bad routing. Ronak Amin from HERE Technologies drops in to reveal how static maps and inefficient routes are causing extra miles, wasted fuel, and blown ETAs. He brings the math to prove it, including a real-world example of how a 200-van fleet in Chicago could uncover nearly $100,000 in potential savings just by optimizing their location data. Plus, we are diving into the latest industry headlines:• The FBI is late to the cargo theft epidemic, but the industry isn't.• A Kentucky congressman is pushing the FAA to permanently shut down MD-11 aircraft.• The STB chairman and industry leaders headline the Future of Rail Symposium to discuss the supply chain rail network. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor - TAYLOR AND MARTIN 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 back to another high-octane episode of What the Truck?!? with your host, Malcolm Harris, and the man with the plan, Michael Vincent. We’re diving deep into the headlines shaping the supply chain and sitting down with industry heavyweights to talk strategy and technology.In This Episode: The Utah Nuclear Verdict: We break down the record-breaking $81 million verdict in Utah following a tragic 2018 accident. We discuss the details of the retrial, the driver’s questionable background, and what this “nuclear verdict” means for the future of trucking insurance and case law.   The GLP-1 Effect: Are weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy shrinking freight volumes? We examine a study suggesting that nearly 851,000 truckloads have been removed from the food and beverage market due to shifting consumer habits.   FedEx & the MD-11: FedEx is preparing to reactivate its MD-11 fleet to reclaim lost capacity. We debate whether the pressure to save millions during peak season is leading to a rush past safety protocols.   The Freight FBI: A CDL driver goes MIA with a hauler full of vehicles from the Port of Brunswick. We look at the ongoing search for Gonzalez and the missing cargo. Matt joins us to talk about navigating the “preseason” of the market. He emphasizes that while the freight recession may be easing, the winners will be those who hunker down on strategy rather than chasing volume at any margin. He also shares why his “why” always comes back to the way organizations treat their people.   The “Iceman” himself breaks down the digitalization of the cold chain. We discuss how real-time telematics and predictive insights are allowing fleets to know two weeks in advance if a reefer unit might fail—saving those precious avocados and temperature-sensitive GLP-1 medications before they ever hit the road. Guests:Matthew Darnell Caine | Caine Strategic AdvisorsDominic Hand | Thermo King 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

In this Monday edition of What the Truck, hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael “The Dude” Vincent dive into the latest headlines shaking up the supply chain world, starting with the legal showdown between New York’s Attorney General and the federal government over CDL funding. The duo breaks down the sophisticated new “Trojan Driver” cargo theft scam and discusses the recent wave of trucking bankruptcies, debating whether these failures stem from a poor economy or irresponsible growth. They also explore the shifting landscape of marijuana scheduling and its complex implications for mandatory drug testing in safety-sensitive transportation roles. Later in the show, the hosts are joined by Loki Cheema (Founder and CEO) and Alex Krutchten (Chief Growth Officer) of Hemut. Cheema shares his incredible journey from homelessness to industry leader, explaining how his gritty background inspired a technology firm dedicated to empowering truckers. The Hemut team discusses their hands-on approach to implementing AI and automation, emphasizing that technology should serve as a tool to help human operators succeed rather than a means to replace them. 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

It’s a Friday edition of What the Truck, and host Malcolm Harris is riding “solo dolo” to break down a massive week in freight, from the 2026 NFL draft excitement to the front lines of cargo security.The Battle Against Freight Fraud: Dale Prax, Strategic Fraud Advisor at Truckstop and founder of FreightValidate, joins the studio to discuss a landmark shift in industry collaboration. Five months after Dale called for vetting platforms to stop operating in silos, he’s heading to the USDOT headquarters to meet with FMCSA leadershipInventory Agility for SMBs: Barry Kukkuk, CTO and co-founder of Netstock, breaks down why small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) are the backbone of the economy, yet often struggle with “dusty boxes”—having too much of what doesn’t sell and too little of what does.The First National Portable Cold Storage Platform: James Armstrong, SVP of Emerging Business at Seacube Container Leasing, discusses their recent acquisition of Martin Container. 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

In this episode of What the Truck, host Malcolm Harris and Michael “The Dude” Vincent dive into the murky waters of the freight industry, from the rising tide of cargo theft and “chameleon” carriers to the impact of New York City’s congestion pricing. The duo also touches on a bizarre headline involving missing scientists and a daring $2 million Brink’s truck heist.Key Highlights:The Vanishing Act: The hosts open with a “wild” discussion about reports of ten scientists disappearing, including a researcher working on anti-gravity propulsion who vanished while hiking.The Freight Fraud Debate: Malcolm and Michael address the “heat” from recent coverage of cargo theft numbers. They debate whether industry figures ($40B–$60B) are inflated by those who “foment fear” or if the evolution of “pay heists” and fraudulent VIN numbers is truly reaching a breaking point.Diesel Benchmark Drop: A look at the largest slide in diesel prices since 2022, following a twelve-week streak of increases.Maritime Focus: Discussion on the U.S. losing its maritime focus and the funding struggles of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) despite its role in national securityFeatured GuestsSteve Vest | Owner & CEO, Nationwide Equipment Transportation Inc. Steve joins the show to discuss his 20+ year journey in freight and how a viral TikTok video catapulted his business during a market downturn.Nate Veeh | AVP of Business Development, Altitude. Nate breaks down fresh data on New York City’s congestion pricing. 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