HAPPY NEW YEAR! This episode features motivational messages from past guests Michael Lombard, Brent Orsuga, Brandon Johnson, and Chris Jolly! Enjoy!     

Merry Christmas! A simple message of Christmas thanks to our carriers and listeners.  +, a shout out to Jelly Roll for his delivery of a truckload full of toys and a special trucking inspired Christmas poem! 

In this episode Aaron and Michael discuss the supply chain of Christmas Trees, 365 parking spots coming to Wyoming, and Vivek Ramaswamy's upcoming truck policy announcement planned for December 21st.  Then they get to know Jared Flinn, co-founder of BulkLoads.com, an online platform that connects shippers and carriers in the bulk freight industry. With over 21 years of experience in transportation and logistics, Jared is a not only a "40 Under 40" according to Springfield Business Journal, he's a "Top 100 Most Influential People in the Trucking Industry" by FreightWaves.  Jared also started Smart Freight Funding, a factoring business and Bulk Insurance Group to help streamline and modernize these services in the industry.  If that wasn't enough, he's also an author of a children's book series that can be found on Amazon, Semi Sam.  Subscribe to his podcast/YouTube here, and be sure to check out BulkLoads.com! 

In this episode, we sit down with Jason Rabine of Max Freightlines and discuss his rise in the industry, holiday plans, and what it really means to be a broker / agent. Watch the video of this episode on our YouTube!

With Thanksgiving in the rearview, we're full speed ahead to end the year. But it isn't over yet! This podcast is a fun recap of some of the favorite episodes of the year and a celebration of our listeners who've become TOP FANS according to Spotify.  We're so grateful for each listener and guest, and if you missed some of these episodes, this is an easy way to check them out.  Be sure to sign up for our weekly newsletter so you don't miss an episode!

In this episode we talk to Garrett Allen, founder of LoadPartner.io which uses the latest in AI technology to react in real-time to shipment events and incoming messages.  We start the conversation discussing this article about middle of the night check calls drivers are sometimes subjected to: Broker 3a.m. Calls - "unless there's been a death in the family, a text will suffice" Then we talk to Garrett about how LoadPartner will work once it's available, communication etiquette between drivers and brokers, the impact AI will have on logistics in the future, and more!  Join the LoadPartner waitlist here!

In this episode we chat with Chris Thomas, @indietrucker about his Thanksgiving plans, what he thinks about the new bipartisan legislation regarding overtime pay for truck drivers, after expressing Thanks for the Trucking for MIllennials audience, PDQ America customers, and everyone in the logistics industry for keeping the economy moving.  We also talk to Chris about his experience hauling Pneumatic Trailers with Autumn Transport, his choice of stocking stuffers for truck drivers, staying positive over the road and much more!

Matthew Perkins is the co-owner of BTB Logistics with a ton of experience arranging transportation for a wide variety of industries. He was a panelist at the most recent TruckN'Hustle FreightFest in Houston and has a ton of gems to share in this converation. If you're interested in learning how to start in the trucking industry, dominate a niche, make sure you're not too overleveraged on one customer and have the right mix, utilize the "spider web sale" and much more, check it out! Connect with Matthew on LinkedIn

In this episode of Trucking for Millenials, we take you back down to Houston, Texas for Frieghtfest 2023. We sit down with several great guests including Evan Shelley, Mark Manera, Jori Meyers, Trey Griggs, and Tyson Lawrence and talk through various ideas and issues in the industry.

In this episode you'll hear Michael and Aaron discuss the latest news happening in freight including the recent bomshell that Convoy, one of the pioneers of the digital freight brokerage has gone out of business.  We also listen to Drake croon about having a CDL.  THEN they discuss the ATRI's latest iteration of the Top Issues in Trucking 2023 survey, and discuss each of the top 10 concerns from industry stakeholders, commercial drivers, and motor carriers. 

Here's a conversation Aaron had on site at FreightFest 2023 with experienced heavy hauler Wadley St. Pierre and Jerome Wilson, who's beginning his journey in open deck freight and is interested in getting into heavy haul. This is a unique opportunity to hear an experienced owner operator and an up-and-comer in the industry with a flatbed trailer ready to learn and connect and have a conversation! If you're interested in jumping into the heavy haul segment of the freight market, curious what it sounds like when a broker and a carrier get together to talk business, or what resources are available to help you, this is a can't miss! 

In this episode, we talk with Michael Caney of Highway about how carriers and brokers can establish trust, as well as all of the in's and out's of double brokering and how to avoid it. Highway is is a technology company in the logistics industry that is quickly establishing itself as the definitive source of truth for carrier identity, with core features including a patent-pending identity engine, single sign-on functionality, carrier connections, and fleet analytics. Contact hello@gohighway or visit gohighway.com to find out more. Watch this episode on our YouTube channel and don't forget to subscribe! 

After reacting to the recent back and forth between TikTok influencer and trucking entrepreneur G Face had with Lombard Trucking, G Face reached out and wanted to have a conversation. We thought it would be a good opportunity to learn more about how he got into the trucking industry, what his trucking business and consulting services look like, and what he meant when he said he double brokered loads. 

In this episode Aaron catches up with past Trucking for Millennials guest Shay Lynn Dixon! You'll hear about how she's navigating the 2023 freight market focused on hot shot trucking and flatbed freight. Shay has a ton of experience hauling for the aerospace industry, so if you're interested in niching down, she has some great tips about finding customers. Shay also shares the importance of building relationships with customers and actively networking in her local community.

In this episode you'll hear Aaron chat with Adam Robinson, CEO & Founder of The Robinson Agency. Adam was and still remains a trailblazer in marketing implementing omni channel marketing strategies at a variety of logistics firms prior to founding his own marketing agency where he helps customers in the logistics space today. In this episode you'll hear more about Adam's start in logistics and how the results he garnered for Cerasis led to opportunities at Turvo and FreightWaves.  You'll also hear his reccomendations for individuals and business owners to find and refine their voice, the power of story, his favorite tools, books, and much more. We also discuss his massive guide he recently published for free on LinkedIn that dives deep into how to build an omni channel marketing plan of your own. Read it here. Enjoy!

In this episode we celebrate the Cowboys recent win, and a 5 Star Fan before connection with President of JP Auto Transport, a 2023 Inc 5000 Fastest Growing Companies in USA • We get into his career and what he's learned so far as he continues to build his company in public by documenting his growth on X. Follow Kevin @autotransportg! If you're interested in learning the ins and outs of auto transport and learn from the mindset of an entrepreneur building the business in today's market.  https://jpautotransport.com/  

In this episode, 6 truck drivers join us for some a fun round of hot takes and fast moving game of "Load it or Leave it". You'll hear our panel of guests sound off on: Truck Driver Appreciation Week Most Annoying things Brokers say to Drivers High Fuel Prices or Low Rates? The Trucking Industry Better off without Brokers / Dispatchers Interstate Driving Age at 18 and more! Be sure to follow/subscribe to   @LombardTruckin   and listen to Lombard Trucking Podcast  @TruckingwithDev  @supertrucker on X and read FreightWaves.com and subscribe to Gord's newsletter at autonomoustruckers.substack.com.

In this episode we discuss a recent article / X thread from Craig Fuller, "Mom and Pops are Taking a Significant Share of the Trucking Industry" by Founder and CEO of Freightwaves.com with Jack, a logistics manager at a shipper in upper Michigan. We talked about the intersection US manufacturing, and small trucking companies - with a strong dose of realism. Follow him at RustBeltKid on X!    

In this episode you'll be introduced to Dominick Tullo, a fourth generation trucking company owner who's building and expanding on the generations before him who established T&R Oil Co, a fuel fleet in New Jersey located at the Tullo Truck Stop, a high-volume diesel stop.  In addition to the fuel fleet, Dominick expanded into DEF services and established 900 customers in just 3 years.  In this episode you'll hear his perspective of growing up in a family business and how he balances his time between maintaining and scaling his business and reinvesting in other ventures. 

We met Marty Emale at the Texas Trucking Show in Houston earlier this year and were blown away by the app he recently launched, Bidspot.io.  Marty brought his experience as an owner operator hauling bulk materials and his Masters of Finance together to create a tool that helps owner operators know whether or not a given load will assist them in staying profitable while over the road. We also discuss negotations, broker and carrier relationships, the importance of gratitude, and much more!  Follow Marty on Instagram  

In this episode you'll we speak with Lora Andela! Out of the 3.5 million truck drivers in the U.S., approximately 250,000 haul livestock.  And with only 6.6% of truck drivers being women, we suspect she's one of very few female livestock haulers in the country! We don't know much about livestock hauling so it was great to not only get to know Lora and how she got into the industry but also learn the ins and outs of bullhauling.   

We had a great time getting to know Gord Magill in this episode. He's been trucking for over 30 years and has hauled in Canada, the U.S., New Zealand, Australia and the Ice Roads. You can read more about his experience here. We only scratch the surface in this conversation, but we talk about his work on his Substack which we highly encourage you subscribe to, Autonomous Truckers. He's written and read extensively about what's happening in the freight industry and is working hard to do what he can to be a voice for the industry to create changes that positively impact drivers everywhere. We also talk about Taylor Swift giving 100k to her drivers. Prepare yourself to hear the Voice of Gord!

In this episode we speak with the hilarious Larry Cothran, who, if you're on Instagram and are in the trucking community, have definitely seen one of his hilarious videos. While Larry may be known for his humorous reels and takes on trucking, he's also an Owner Operator, a Marketer, and a Triathalon athlete! You'll hear about how Larry got into the industry, how he's lost over 50lbs while driving, how he stays fit over the road, his best advice to new drivers, the power of networking, and much more! We also discuss the spat between Lombard Trucking (friend of the show) and "G Face", a TikToker who boasted about Double Brokering and how he teaches others how to do the same.  Enjoy! 

In this episode Michael and Aaron are back in the studio together to talk freight.  The conversation starts with an impromptu chat about pricing in the freight market. How do you do it? What's your secret sauce? Care the share some ingredients? The cookbook? Send us a dm on Instagram @pdqamerica to speak about it on the show.  Then they chat about the pending Yellow strike, a bit about Barbie and Oppenheimer, and oh yeah, a Double Broker got through our team! 

For part three of our Texas Trucking Show Mini Interview series you'll hear from three individuals covering three different aspects of the industry. Gio w/ Clark Freightlines manages their Safety and has an awesome story about he transitioned from architecture to a full time gig in the industry he "couldn't get completely out of". This is another story of how family business keeps professionals in the industry and how Trucking Shows like the Texas Trucking Show attracts and retains talent in the industry.  Maria - TaxPro MultiServices is an entrepreneur who listened to her customers needs and pivoted her business to service the trucking industry and help her clients get started. She works close to the port of Houston and has helped many trucking entrepreneurs get their start and help them sustain their success through proper compliance.  Dr. Freddy Romero owns A+ Medical Examiners, which focuses 100% on providing affordable and high quality DOT physicals for the trucking and bus industries. In this conversation you'll hear an example of why it's important to focus on a niche and how to remain healthy over the road or over the course of your work day in the office. 

We're back with another excellent mash up of interviews taken at the recent Texas Trucking Show in Houston TX. In this episode you'll hear from... Allen Yanes of Strike Rock Logistics He's a military veteran and new Owner Operator based out of Tennessee. We discuss how he's navigating today's trucking market, his message for brokers, and what he's learned so far from charting his own path. Trucking w/ Dev on TikTok and YouTube It was great to connect with Dev, a self-proclaimed "tanker yanker" who's trucking experience is primarily from hauling tankers throughout west texas. You'll hear us talk about his experience and why he's passionate about creating content about the industry for the industry as he builds his following on TikTok and YouTube. Marty Emale of Bidspot Marty is also an Owner Operator who also doubles as a tech platform founder. In this conversation you'll get to know Marty and hear about Bidspot, the technology platform he developed with a partner to help him stay profitable on every load.

We had an excellent time at the Texas Trucking Show last weekend in Houston! We had the opportunity to connect with many industry professionals and even had some mini-interviews while we are there. Here are two of them! Brady High  https://www.legendtruckandequipment.net/pages/meet-the-legends Denis LaRoche https://www.stratagemlogisticsllc.com/  

In this episode we speak with Todd Zeigler, CEO of TruckCoinSwap.com.  In December of last year, TruckCoinSwap successfully transacted the first-ever settlement of a freight invoice utilizing the blockchain and a non-security digital asset: the TCS (Polygon) Token. In this episode you'll hear exactly what that means and the opportunity Todd and the TruckCoinSwap team sees in settling freight invoices on the blockchain for free, saving drivers from the % that can eat into their bottom line. If you're into cryptocurrency, saving money by stopping using factoring, the new technology shaping the industry, and how TruckCoinSwap works, give it a listen! 

In this episode of the podcast we wanted to feature some of the hottest clips from the show so far this year! You'll hear a range of logistics professionals give their hot takes and insight forged from the trenches to help you become the best freight professional you can be. It also is tracked to music 🔥 Be sure to scroll through our library of shows featuring these guests in 2023 so far: Chris Jolly Brett Ekart Gretchen Long - Long Money Trucking Michael Lombard Roland Balduc Anne Reinke Matthew Leffler Niki Okuk & David Heller Evan Shelley Ricky Barnett

In this episode we get to know Justin Martin, Social Media Content Creator for FreightWaves.  Justin joined FreightWaves based on his experience in trucking and has developed the skill and ear to create freight media and pull together insights and people from all around the internet highway and report on what's happening now in the industry. This is a wide ranging conversation about his career and trucking topics like the driver shortage myth, the freight market today, training (or lack thereof) available for truck drivers, and much more! Be sure to follow him on Twitter and TikTok!

In this episode you'll hear an absolute FIRE conversation with Michael Lombard of Lombard Trucking. He's Connecticut born and bred, a former Marine, also played some lacrosse, moved to Texas in 2020 to follow a dream of starting a trucking career. In this episode you'll learn more about the rich history of the Lombard name in the industry. We start the episode we discus the new bill that just passed in Washington state that allows bathroom access for commercial truck drivers at shippers.  Then we jump into how Michael approaches his career as a truck driver as he works to bring a new energy for what it means to be a modern trucker that works with purpose and pride.  We also discuss... Business strategy in down market Fitness over the road The pursuit of one's purpose "Personal Excellence is the #1 Rebellion" The importance of networking and much more!  Follow Michael on the following platforms and listen to his podcast! Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok

Evan K Shelley Evan Shelley is Co-founder and CEO of Truck Parking Club, a company helping to provide parking for truckers by monetizing vacant properties for landowners. Evan is a truck parking expert with a deep knowledge of the business. Using his experiences in truck parking and real estate he is working to help solve the truck parking shortage and bring awareness to the issue. TruckParkingClub.com Truck Parking Club is a network of instantly reservable daily and monthly truck parking locations throughout the US. Truck Parking Club helps connect truckers to truck parking locations throughout the US via truckparkingclub.com. Our network is made up of property owners that have locations adequate for truck parking to list on the platform: this includes trucking companies, storage companies, CDL Schools, trailer leasing companies, real estate investors, truck parking operators and more! In this episode, you'll hear Aaron, Michael, and Evan discuss the current state of truck parking, how Evan was introduced to the problem of truck parking, the future of truck parking in America, how land owners and trucking companies can get involved, and more!

In this episode we speak with Ricky Barnett, the Senior Talent Advisor at FreightVana!  You could also call her a "professional vibe curator" and "culture ambassador".  When you look at her LinkedIn you'll see how she promotes the FreightVana brand while maintaining her unique identity, which is important to this and future generations when they are choosing where to build a career.  In this converation you'll hear us discuss... company culture attracting and recruiting talent the business case for fun how she approaches content creation her top tips for smaller trucking companies when marketing how you can be more authentically you and much more!  

We're so excited to have had the opportunity to host this conversation between Niki Okuk and David Heller!  David is the VP of Safety and Govt Affairs for the Truckload Carriers Association, and has been on the podcast in the past. Check out that episode here. He's also advocating to the White House what his members think about electric trucking and believes there are many obstacles and issues in the way that must be resolved. Niki is the Deputy Director of CALSTART, a nonprofit dedicated to accelerating to growth of clean transportation tech - and a veteran trucker herself. She's talking with truckers and fleet managers about why it's crucial for them to get ahead in this transition.  So we decided it would be great to bring these two together so they can help us learn about the subject through a conversation between two opposing sides! What resulted was an excellent chat about charging infrastructure, the reliability of electric trucks, the affordability of electric trucks, what the point of all the changes are and much, much, more!   

This is our 200th episode! Awesome!  Thank you so much for all your support through the years, whether you're a first time, long time, or last time listener. :) This week is a timely episode designed to equip you and your team with the information to survive the annual International Road Check by the CVSA. It's May 16th-18th with an emphasis on brakes and cargo securement. We got a true 1 hour master class from Rob Carpenter, an operations and risk consultant and former truck driver who has a wealth of knowledge for how to prevent and survive inspections - no matter when they may occur. Some questions we cover include: What are the most common mechanical violations that are cited during a DOT safety check, and how can I avoid them? What should I do if I discover a mechanical issue during a pre-trip inspection, and how can I ensure that the issue is resolved before the DOT safety check? Are there any particular items that are frequently overlooked during DOT safety checks, and how can I make sure that I am addressing these items? What are the most common paperwork violations that are cited during a DOT safety check, and how can I ensure that I have all of the necessary documentation in order? How can I stay organized and ensure that I am fully prepared for the DOT saftey check, including making sure that all of my paperwork is in order? Are there any particular habits or practices that I should adopt to ensure that I am always in compliance with DOT regulations and requirements? + a bunch more!  Don't miss this one, and send to your friend who drives or manages a fleet today! 

In this episode, Aaron and Michael discuss a recent Freight Caviar Newsletter before speaking with Trey Griggs and Paul-Bernard Jaroslawski about brand messaging, their TIA Conference takeaways, double brokering and fraud, and what shippers want to see out of their brokerage partners!

In today's episode we're covering a topic we never have before, the U.S. DOT Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse! As a Substance Abuse Professional, Joshua is currently helping truck drivers who are navigating the process to return to work after receiving a drug/alcohol violation. If you have questions about the clearinghouse and what is involved for navigating it, this is an excellent primer for you.  Aaron and Joshua also talk about how to best support team members who are navigating this challenge.     

Matthew Leffler, The Armchair Attorney (TM!) returns to the show to help us undertand the nooks and crannies of issues that are often debated in the logistics industry, namely non-competes, double brokering, and broker transparency. To springboard the discussion we reference recent articles from Overdrive Online and Transport Topics.  If you've been given a non-compete to sign or believe you might one day, this episode is a can't miss! If you're curious why more hasn't been done about double brokering from the FMCSA, you should listen to this episode! If you're wondering what all the drama is about regarding broker transparency, PRESS PLAY! Then be sure to connect with Matthew Leffler on LinkedIn so you can see his always insightful, clear, and concise arguments about these issues and more. 

In this episode you'll hear Aaron and Michael chat with Reed Loustalout! He's currently building LostFr8.com and has also utilized ChatGPT to have some fun with PleaseAdvise.ai. He's a former carrier rep who's leveraging his experience in the industry to help create effeciency and develop new tools to help carriers and industry professionals connect!  Join his Discord by clicking here.  00:04:41 Trucking employment is rising. 00:05:27 Technology is revolutionizing trucking. 00:16:02 Carriers need better communication. 00:19:23 Truckers are hard to sell to. 00:22:15 Technology increases efficiency. 00:30:03 Technology is essential for success. 00:36:12 Try and bridge the gap. 00:41:06 Start now and don't stop. 00:45:02 Persistence is key. 00:51:04 AI will revolutionize tech.  00:56:06 Humans still needed for jobs. 00:57:44 Find your niche quickly. 01:02:40 Learn about AI technology.

In this episode you'll hear Michael and Aaron discuss this article from FreightWaves. They also react to what thought leaders have to say about it on LinkedIn! Do you have an opinion you'd like to share?  Email [email protected] or send a message on Instagram @pdqamerica!

Have you ever seen an Instagram ad or profile promoting how easy it is to have passive income from the trucking industry if you just give them a bunch of money?  These Trucking Automation businesses say they'll get the truck, driver, dispatcher, loads, and take care of all the maintenance so you can sit back and collect the cashflow.  So we decided to talk to the founder of RivX Automation Antonio Rivodo who's enthusiasm for automating business operations has met the trucking industry. In this episode we learn more about what trucking automation is and how he has continued to scale his business to bring clients this service. We even learn what trucking niche his fleet is involved in!  

In this episode you'll hear a collection of clips from guests we've had some excellent conversations with so far this year. Be sure to check out these full episodes, as they are packed with wisdom to help you in your career! Anne Reinke...on the value of freight brokerages, FMCSA and Double Brokering, and Non-Competes Gretchen Long - Her best advice to carriers and shippers Jenny Lovering - The next innovation driving the industry forward Brett Ekert - Scrap Life and Advice to Shippers and Carriers Samantha Jones - What it means to blaze a trail in logistics Jeremy Wallin - What the best brokers do Tiffany Wallin - Advice for Women in Trucking Matt Dahl - Advice to small trucking companies and shippers

Matt Dahl is a Logistics Professional and Chess Player who likes to solve problems who is coming up on one year of experience as a freight broker.  In this episode we discuss his engaging LinkedIn content, his experience of logistics so far, how his sales experience and chess playing background influences his work today, and what he wants shippers and carriers to know about the work brokers do!  Connect with him on LinkedIn! 

Michael and Aaron had a great time getting to know Jeremy and Tiffany Wallin! Jeremy and Tiffany Wallin are newlywed team drivers with a love for truck driving and each other. You can read about their story on Overdrive Online, but be sure to hear this episode where we learn more about Jeremy's career, how he and Tiffany met, and what it has been like for Tiffany to learn to drive and become an owner operator! You'll hear them discuss today's trucking market, how they work with brokers, advice for new owner operators, how they work together and work towards their goals at this stage of their life.  Follow Tiffany @midnightbunny_girltrucker and Jeremy @teamwallin2022 on Instagram!   

In this episode Aaron and Michael connect with Samantha Jones, the Vice President of Revenue for RocketShipping! She has just over 4 years of experience in logistics, but as you will understand quickly in this conversation, she's more than qualified to share some valuable wisdom about LTL and logistics in general! You'll hear about how she got into supply chain, her career trajectory, the difference between LTL and FTL, what makes a brokerage differentiated, how to grow as a leader, and much, much more! 

In this episode we dive into what it means to drive a truck with a champion mindset! As a 2 time Grand Champion of the National Truck Driving Championships, you could say Roland Bolduc is essentially the Patrick Mahomes of truck driving.  With over 2.5 million safe miles and decades behind the wheel, Roland puts his skills to the test every year at the National Truck Driving Championships so we decided to speak with him to learn all about it. In this episode you'll learn what the NTDC is all about, how Roland Bolduc practices and trains, and how applicable the ultimate test of truck driving profeciency applies to his daily work delivering freight for FedEx.  You'll also hear how to get involved, as it is coming up very soon! Check out the 2023 State Truck Driving Championship Schedule here!

Brett Ekart is a guy who was raised in a family business that started in 1972. His parents took over in 1997, and in 2015 Brett became the third generation taking advantage of the opportunities to continue building the business. In addition to several scrap yards, Brett is running 40+ trucks.  In this episode you'll get an inside look into How Brett spends his time as a leader of multiple companies Empowering his employees Working with family and friends Working through failures Favorite books Playing offense Making good people decisions Overcoming the adversity throughout the journey and much more! If you'd like join us on the show to discuss dispatching, email us at [email protected] or hit us up on Instagram @pdqamerica or LinkedIn! 

In this episode we have an excellent conversation with General Transportation Manager of Walmart, Jenny Lovering!  We learned a ton about what thinking goes on behind the scenes at one of the largest companies and shippers in the country!  Jenny is responsible for over 150 drivers in Walmart's fleet of 13,000!  In this conversation you'll hear how she got into Walmart, why she decided to stay and commit to moving up the ranks and taking advantage of the many opportunities they provide for those looking to take their career to the next level.  We also talk about INNOVATION - as it regularly comes up as a top of mind initiative for the folks at Walmart.  You'll also hear about an Innovative new program Walmart is expanding, their Associate to Driver program!  And that just scratches the surface of this excellent chat.  Enjoy!     

You'll find out very quickly why Gretchen Long has over 80,000 followers on TikTok in this episode! In this conversation Gretchen details the story of how she was introduced to dispatching at her old job leading a sales team by a truck driver. That was the spark of inspiration for her to learn everything she could about truck dispatching and a conviction to be the best dispatcher she could be.  Since then she's helped drivers stay profitable and others start their career in dispatching, and we learn a ton of tips and tricks that set the PROFESSIONAL dispatchers apart from the Wannabe's.  Be sure to give her a follow @longmoneytrucking!