Back It Up| 117: Running Independent

In this week's episode, we are joined by the ALL POWERFUL Tony Merkel and Jack, our producer. The conversation starts with casual banter and some technical hiccups before diving into discussions about Merkel Media's potential new merchandising. The guys also chat about upcoming winter storms and their travel plans, sharing funny stories and inside jokes. They talk about creative cooking methods, like making grilled cheese sandwiches in a toaster and cooking hot dogs on exhaust pipes. As well as joking about job opportunities, including driving the Wienermobile. The conversation wraps up with a chat about unmet expectations in the trucking industry, misunderstandings about truckers, strange events in Miami, interdimensional beings, the list goes on an on. It was great getting to catch up with Tony and Jack once again! Support The Show KEEP US FUELED: buymeacoffee.com/hammerlane Gear: https://www.hammerlanelegends.com/gear Share Your Stories LEAVE A VOICEMAIL: 515-585-MERK(6375) EMAI

 In this week's special Mother's Day episode, Brian and Patrick Swayze chat with Karen, a seasoned school bus maestro with a decade of steering stories under her belt. Diving into her unexpected love affair with the bus driver's seat, Karen recounts her adventurous shift from trucking to chauffeuring party-goers. Amidst hearty laughs over quirky mishaps, she sheds light on the roadblocks women face in this male-dominated field, from sparse facilities to enduring stereotypes. They also swap tales of motoring through snow, their shared passion for quirky cars like the PT Cruiser, and the challenges of teaching the next generation to drive. Whether she’s behind the wheel of a school bus or a limo, Karen’s tales weave through the humorous and heartfelt lanes of life on the road. Happy Mother's Day to all of you mothers out there! Support The Show KEEP US FUELED: buymeacoffee.com/hammerlane Gear: https://www.hammerlanelegends.com/gear Share Your Stories LEAVE A VOICEMAIL: 515-585-MERK(6375) EMAIL US YOUR STORIES: [email protected] Website: www.hammerlanelegends.com Follow The Show YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC5TWlB5Yqx8JlQr3p3bkkMg Facebook: www.facebook.com/hammerlanelegends Facebook Fan Group: www.facebook.com/groups/hll Instagram Desktop: www.instagram.com/hammerlanelegends Instagram Mobile: @hammerlanelegends Twitter Desktop: www.twitter.com/HLLPodcast Twitter Mobile: @HLLpodcast Follow The Team Brian Merkel Facebook: www.facebook.com/brian.merkel.94 Instagram Desktop: www.instagram.com/brianmerkeloffical/ Instagram Mobile: @brianmerkelofficial Produced by: Jack Merkel Follow Jack on Instagram @jack_theproducer 

In episode 122: Logistics of The Trade; Shipper and Brian are joined by Denny, an old friend of Shipper. From a young age Denny has been working in and around the trucking industry. He started off in industrial maintenance, but once he heard of the opportunity driving offered, he made the switch. He's been on the logistics side and the driving side for Air Products, and has really enjoyed his time there. There was a lot talked about in this one, from what it's like as a driver with a camera on you in the cab, to how the cost of diesel effects the drivers and companies, and much more. Thanks so much for listening! Enjoy the show! KEEP US FUELED: buymeacoffee.com/hammerlane EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOOD: www.preparewithhll.com LEAVE A VOICEMAIL: 515-585-MERK(6375) EMAIL US YOUR STORIES: [email protected] Website: www.hammerlanelegends.com Gear: https://www.hammerlanelegends.com/gear YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC5TWlB5Yqx8JlQr3p3bkkMg Facebook: www.facebook.com/hammerlanelegends Instagram Desktop: www.instagram.com/hammerlanelegends Instagram Mobile: @hammerlanelegends Twitter Desktop: www.twitter.com/HLLPodcast Twitter Mobile: @HLLpodcast Produced by: Jack Merkel Follow Jack on Instagram @jack_theproducer 

 In this week's episode, 152: Bigfoot Beer Run; Brian and Shipper chat with Mike, a beer delivery driver around Colorado. Mike got his start about 27 years ago in vans doing deliveries. He quickly moved on to be a delivery driver for Budweiser. and shortly after Coors, and found out quickly that there is a true beer rivalry. In his first few weeks driving he found out the importance of being trained on what you use, especially when you're not trained on a 12 speed, but instead a 6 speed. In his time driving Mike has run into some very interesting situations, including a run-in with a possible bigfoot. So many good stories shared in this one, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did! KEEP US FUELED: buymeacoffee.com/hammerlane EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOOD: www.preparewithhll.com LEAVE A VOICEMAIL: 515-585-MERK(6375) EMAIL US YOUR STORIES: [email protected] Website: www.hammerlanelegends.com Gear: https://www.hammerlanelegends.com/gear YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC5TWlB5Yqx8JlQr3p3bkkMg Facebook: www.facebook.com/hammerlanelegends Instagram Desktop: www.instagram.com/hammerlanelegends Instagram Mobile: @hammerlanelegends Twitter Desktop: www.twitter.com/HLLPodcast Twitter Mobile: @HLLpodcast Produced by: Jack Merkel Follow Jack on Instagram @jack_theproducer 

 In episode 142: Truck Turned Toboggan; Brian, Shipper and Jack are joined by Harry, from the "Great White North"-Canada. Harry got his start as an industrial painter for 15 years, until his friend managed to convince him to start trucking. And that's just what he did. After breezing through his 6 weeks of training, in the crazy Canadian winter, he was off to the races, or slow crawls. This was full of great stories and entertaining rabbit holes. So sit back, relax and enjoy the show! KEEP US FUELED: buymeacoffee.com/hammerlane LEAVE A VOICEMAIL: 515-585-MERK(6375) EMAIL US YOUR STORIES: [email protected] Website: www.hammerlanelegends.com Gear: https://www.hammerlanelegends.com/gear YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC5TWlB5Yqx8JlQr3p3bkkMg Facebook: www.facebook.com/hammerlanelegends Instagram Desktop: www.instagram.com/hammerlanelegends Instagram Mobile: @hammerlanelegends Twitter Desktop: www.twitter.com/HLLPodcast Twitter Mobile: @HLLpodcast Produced by: Jack Merkel Follow Jack on Instagram @jack_theproducer 

 In Episode 117: Running Independent, Brian and Shipper talk to Shipper's old friend, Eric. During Eric's time as a trucker, he's had a plethora of experiences that he shares with the guys, and also explains what it's like to be an independent trucker. Eric worked for a few companies, including Pitt Ohio, before settling on being an independent trucker, so buckle up and get ready to run independent with him! KEEP US FUELED: buymeacoffee.com/hammerlane EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOOD: www.preparewithhll.com LEAVE A VOICEMAIL: 515-585-MERK(6375) EMAIL US YOUR STORIES: [email protected] Website: www.hammerlanelegends.com Gear: https://www.hammerlanelegends.com/gear YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC5TWlB5Yqx8JlQr3p3bkkMg Facebook: www.facebook.com/hammerlanelegends Instagram Desktop: www.instagram.com/hammerlanelegends Instagram Mobile: @hammerlanelegends Twitter Desktop: www.twitter.com/HLLPodcast Twitter Mobile: @HLLpodcast Produced by: Jack Merkel Follow Jack on Instagram @jack_theproducer 

 In this week's episode, 150: This Isn't Sunday Driving; the guys are joined in studio by Zach, a fellow Pitt Ohio driver. When Zach was a kid, he vowed to never become a truck driver...that didn't work out too well. He started out as a dock worker, while also running a landscaping business, which he still operates to this day. He eventually worked his way from dock worker to driver, and started delivering throughout New Jersey. Zach shares with the guys his thoughts on the industry, the benefits of being a driver, what it's like having a side business, as well as several stories from the road. This was a great episode, that went a lot of different directions, but ultimately was a blast! We hope you enjoy the episode. KEEP US FUELED: buymeacoffee.com/hammerlane EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOOD: www.preparewithhll.com LEAVE A VOICEMAIL: 515-585-MERK(6375) EMAIL US YOUR STORIES: [email protected] Website: www.hammerlanelegends.com Gear: https://www.hammerlanelegends.com/gear YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC5TWlB5Yqx8JlQr3p3bkkMg Facebook: www.facebook.com/hammerlanelegends Instagram Desktop: www.instagram.com/hammerlanelegends Instagram Mobile: @hammerlanelegends Twitter Desktop: www.twitter.com/HLLPodcast Twitter Mobile: @HLLpodcast Produced by: Jack Merkel Follow Jack on Instagram @jack_theproducer 

 In this week's episode, 153: Trash Panda Express; the guys are joined by returning guest Matt from episode 115: Charged at in the Dark, to share some more stories that he's gathered on the road. Matt, has 27+ years experience in the industry, 18 of which have been with his current company, Estes Express. When he joined us last time, Matt shared some great experiences, including being charged at by what he thought was some creepy creature. This time Matt shares more stories from the road, some of which happened since being on the show, and others that he recalled from previous years. Including being relocated out of his room due to a "stinky neighbor" moving in unexpectedly. This was a blast to have Matt back on the show, and we hope that you enjoy this episode! KEEP US FUELED: buymeacoffee.com/hammerlane EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOOD: www.preparewithhll.com LEAVE A VOICEMAIL: 515-585-MERK(6375) EMAIL US YOUR STORIES: [email protected] Website: www.hammerlanelegends.com Gear: https://www.hammerlanelegends.com/gear YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC5TWlB5Yqx8JlQr3p3bkkMg Facebook: www.facebook.com/hammerlanelegends Instagram Desktop: www.instagram.com/hammerlanelegends Instagram Mobile: @hammerlanelegends Twitter Desktop: www.twitter.com/HLLPodcast Twitter Mobile: @HLLpodcast Produced by: Jack Merkel Follow Jack on Instagram @jack_theproducer 

 in episode 132: Around the Water Cooler | Josh; Brian and Shipper are joined in studio by Josh, a fellow co-worker at Pitt Ohio. Josh has been on the road for 8 years, and in that time has gone from city driving to line haul, and back to city. He shared the many experiences, from what it's like driving in the city, to what he's enjoyed about his time in the industry. Josh and his brother Zach, who will join us on a later show, are third generation truck drivers. It was great to hear the experience of someone who sets off on a career that is full of wild experiences, but is also very reliable. This conversation was incredible, and so were the many stories he shared with the guys. We hope you enjoy it! KEEP US FUELED: buymeacoffee.com/hammerlane EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOOD: www.preparewithhll.com LEAVE A VOICEMAIL: 515-585-MERK(6375) EMAIL US YOUR STORIES: [email protected] Website: www.hammerlanelegends.com Gear: https://www.hammerlanelegends.com/gear YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC5TWlB5Yqx8JlQr3p3bkkMg Facebook: www.facebook.com/hammerlanelegends Instagram Desktop: www.instagram.com/hammerlanelegends Instagram Mobile: @hammerlanelegends Twitter Desktop: www.twitter.com/HLLPodcast Twitter Mobile: @HLLpodcast Produced by: Jack Merkel Follow Jack on Instagram @jack_theproducer 

This is our 200th EPISODE! Thank you for tuning in every week to catch the latest Hammer Lane Legend, sharing their story. Here's to 200 more! In this week's lively and entertaining episode, we sit down with Donna Lynn, the dynamic and multifaceted wife of Hector, a previous guest and truck driver. Donna Lynn shares her unique perspective on the trucking industry, not from behind the wheel, but from her critical role in claims and customer service. With a blend of humor and insight, she discusses the challenges and nuances of dealing with everything from damaged goods to managing a hectic household. Alongside anecdotes about her work and life, including her history with Hector from high school sweethearts to their family life now, Donna Lynn's story offers a refreshing look at the trucking world from a seldom-heard viewpoint. This episode peels back the curtain on the industry's office side, highlighting the essential contributions of those who keep the wheels turning from behind the scenes. Support The Show KEEP US FUELED: buymeacoffee.com/hammerlane Gear: https://www.hammerlanelegends.com/gear Share Your Stories LEAVE A VOICEMAIL: 515-585-MERK(6375) EMAIL US YOUR STORIES: [email protected] Website: www.hammerlanelegends.com Follow The Show YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC5TWlB5Yqx8JlQr3p3bkkMg Facebook: www.facebook.com/hammerlanelegends Facebook Fan Group: www.facebook.com/groups/hll Instagram Desktop: www.instagram.com/hammerlanelegends Instagram Mobile: @hammerlanelegends Twitter Desktop: www.twitter.com/HLLPodcast Twitter Mobile: @HLLpodcast Follow The Team Brian Merkel Facebook: www.facebook.com/brian.merkel.94 Instagram Desktop: www.instagram.com/brianmerkeloffical/ Instagram Mobile: @brianmerkelofficial Produced by: Jack Merkel Follow Jack on Instagram @jack_theproducer