Sinopsis
What the Truck?!? is FreightWaves' irreverent new podcast breaking down the biggest stories in transportation and logistics. Join FreightWaves' hosts Tim Dooner and Chad Prevost twice a week as we discuss all things freight.
Episodios
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Why Your “Best Driver” Is Actually Your Biggest Liability
20/04/2026 Duración: 46minIn this Monday edition of What the Truck, host Malcolm Harris explores the critical intersections of safety culture and technological innovation in the logistics industry. Opening the show, Mike Fackler from Travelers joins the conversation to mark Distracted Driving Awareness Month, reframing distracted driving not just as a driver error, but as a symptom of leadership and organizational culture. Fackler emphasizes that true safety requires absolute accountability from the top down, noting that when leaders model poor behavior—such as taking calls while driving—it undermines the entire safety message. He argues that companies must move beyond simple awareness to consistent enforcement of clear policies to truly move the needle on road safety.We then shift the focus to the “broken” state of roadside repair with Alex Bezzubets, CEO of MyMechanic Inc.. Alex details his transition from firefighting to transportation entrepreneurship, driven by the realization that roadside assistance is currently plagued by a la
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The $287k VIN Hack & The “Super Ego” 60 Minutes Scandal
17/04/2026 Duración: 47minIs the logistics industry being blinded by the “shiny object” of AI while foundational security and revenue strategies crumble? Today on WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, we’re peeling back the curtain on a $287,000 “VIN hack” that exposed a massive gap in trailer identity and asset security. The 60 Minutes Fallout: We dive deep into the Super Ego defense statement following the explosive “Chameleon Carrier” segment. Is it a case of media misunderstanding, or a “My Cousin Vinny” style legal defense? Ed Burns (TruSygnal/Burns Logistics) joins us to break down why “disruption” is not a moral justification for cutting corners. The AI Death Trap: Eric Williams (Beagl Technologies) sounds the alarm on why chasing a 3% reduction in SG&A through AI is a losing game. We discuss why you should stop trying to “automate away” your staff and start focusing on “Quality of Revenue.” Plus: J.B. Hunt Q1 Reality Check: What the earnings report actually says about the state of the freight market. The 100-Year Carrier Secret: Why
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He Wasn’t a FedEx Driver: The Truth Behind the Athena Strand Case
15/04/2026 Duración: 46minOn this Wednesday edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, host Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent dive into the high-stakes world of freight fraud, industry bankruptcies, and the evolving landscape of international trade. Industry Headlines • Market Contraction: Small trucking firms like Liberty Carriers Inc. and NAS Logistics have recently filed for bankruptcy as the industry struggles in a post-COVID down cycle. • Trade & Ports: Mexico remains the U.S.’s top trading partner, with Port Laredo handling over $29 billion in trade in February alone. Meanwhile, the Port of LA maintains consistent volume despite global economic uncertainty. • Weather Alerts: Tornado season has arrived early, with 39 tornadoes already reported in Wisconsin this year, significantly higher than the annual average. Expert Spotlight • Phil Brink (FreightWaves): Warns that over 50% of brokers and carriers are not vetting partners, leaving them vulnerable to an average cargo theft loss of $300,000 per load. • Rob Carpenter (Investigator): F
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Amazon's $500 Million Package Drone Gamble
13/04/2026 Duración: 45minWelcome to a Monday edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?. Coming off a masterful weekend in Chattanooga, hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent are back to break down the biggest headlines in freight, from the "sexiness" of cargo theft stats to the reality of Amazon’s drone ambitions. While headlines are buzzing with $1,000,000 Lego heists and stolen Kit Kats, the guys look at the actual math. Statistically, freight fraud and theft account for only 0.0036% of freight moved in North America. We discuss why this "sexy" topic gets so much airtime and how technology from companies like Highway is driving necessary trust factors in the industry. Amazon is ramping up Prime Air, aiming to deliver 500 million packages annually by the end of the decade. Michael Vincent isn't buying the hype, questioning the efficiency and safety of "dropping a fragile vase 20 feet out of the ass of a drone" just to satisfy consumer demand for faster delivery Anna Falcon, VP of Customer Experience at MCA Connect, joins the show to discuss
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The $1M Lego Heist & Why the USPS is a Financial Blackhole
10/04/2026 Duración: 46minOn today’s packed episode of What the Truck?!?, hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent are bringing you the highest-signal news and interviews in the freight industry. The Headlines A massive $1M stolen Lego heist gets stopped in its tracks. Mexican truckers end their strike following clashes with authorities. The troubled USPS moves to raise stamp prices to conserve cash as it faces a “financial blackhole”. project44 acquires LunaPath.ai to accelerate AI agent orchestration. A deep dive into freight fraud: how a load booked completely right still went wrong. Jake Papa (Co-Founder & CRO, Carrier1): Jake pitches “Vault,” a new product built to replace broken email tendering with database-to-database connectivity to protect brokers from fraud. Stefan Heck (CEO, Nauto): Stefan explains how Nauto’s AI safety technology predicts and prevents collisions before they happen using data from billions of real-world driving miles. Chase Osborne (Demand Generation Lead, Cargado): Chase sha
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Why Trump Is Betting $65B On Battleships Over Ports
08/04/2026 Duración: 01h01minBuckle up for a massive Wednesday edition of What The Truck?!? with your hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent, MD (The Dude). We’re diving deep into the geopolitical ripples affecting oil, the ongoing crackdown on non-domiciled CDLs, and the future of medium-duty electrification.Description On Today’s Show:• Geopolitics & Oil Speculation: We break down the latest 4 PM deadline involving President Trump and Iran. Despite a two-week buffer for peace talks, we discuss why oil prices are moving 20% on “sentiment, fear, and tweets” rather than just infrastructure.• The CDL Crackdown: Jason McArthur from Lone Cypress Logistics joins us to discuss the “slow bleed” of driver capacity. With approximately 13,000 to 14,000 licenses already canceled in California and a potential 194,000 more at risk, we explore how this is driving up driver pay and straining produce season capacity.• A Shipbuilding Revival: President Trump’s proposed fiscal 2027 budget includes a 242% increase in naval shipbuilding. We look at the $6
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Why Organized Crime is Stealing F1 Kit Kats and $150K UPS Buyouts are Being Capped
06/04/2026 Duración: 46minOn today’s episode of What the Truck?!?, Malcolm and “The Dude” break down a wild weekend in freight, from high-speed chocolate heists in Europe to massive cargo busts in Los Angeles. We also dive deep into how real-world data is beating simulations in the race for autonomous vehicle safety.Inside This Episode:• The $1M SKIMS & Alo Bust: Authorities in LA just uncovered a massive theft ring moving over 50 pallets of high-end apparel through resale channels before the shippers even knew it was gone.• The Great Kit Kat Heist: Danny Ramon from Overhaul joins us to discuss a “fake police” hijacking of a truckload of Formula 1-shaped Kit Kat bars in Europe.• The Missing Piece of Autonomy: Nexar CEO Zach Greenberger explains why “messy” real-world driving data is the only way to truly solve the “last mile” of autonomous trucking.• UPS & Teamsters Update: A new deal caps driver buyouts at 7,500 people, ending a weeks-long tug-of-war over labor contracts.• Fuel Relief: CH Robinson is waiving fees to help owner-operat
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Indiana Just Nuked 2,000 CDLs Overnight (And Will Fine Your Fleet $50k)
03/04/2026 Duración: 46minWelcome to a Good Friday edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? with Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent. This week, we are diving into the retroactive legislation out of Indiana that just stripped 2,000 drivers of their CDLs overnight. If you’re dispatching a non-domiciled driver with a revoked license in the Hoosier state, your fleet could be staring down a brutal $50,000 fine.On the ocean side, the Strait of Hormuz closure has pushed Asia-US spot rates up a staggering 29%. Is it pure geopolitical fallout, or are carriers using the chaos to pad their bottom lines?Plus, Craig Stewart from Stord drops in to reveal the “insider secret” to beating Amazon Prime delivery speeds without paying for expensive air freight. Through intelligent order routing, mid-market brands are saving millions on parcel spend by fulfilling from the optimal node.Kris Edney (Interstate Global) also joins the desk to break down the incoming capacity crunch for moving season, the insane logistics of moving a fully operational casino, and the incre
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Meth in the Blackberries, Pythons in the Port, and the End of NATO?
01/04/2026 Duración: 48minIt’s a jam-packed April Fools’ edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?. Hosts Malcolm and The Dude (Michael Vincent) dive into a wild mix of industry news, ranging from massive drug busts and illegal reptile smuggling to significant shifts in U.S. shipbuilding and the global oil market.Featured Guests:Daniel Powell – CEO, Optimal DynamicsDaniel joins the show to discuss the “bleeding edge” of Decision Automation. He explains the concept of “Decision Native” AI agents—systems that don’t just follow simple prompts but understand a carrier’s specific business goals to negotiate loads, manage contracts, and automate up to 80% of CSR workflows.Marina Ivanov – CEO & Co-founder, Apex Transit SolutionsA “self-made” industry leader and advocate, Marina discusses her successful fight against predatory towing in North Carolina. She provides a sobering look at why reputable carriers are facing bankruptcy, citing a multifaceted crisis of reduced rates, fraudulent “fake log” competitors, and the hidden costs of “messy middle” operati
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Snakes in a Trailer: The New Reality of Cross-Border Cargo Crime
31/03/2026 Duración: 45minIn this Tuesday edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Malcom holds down the fort to navigate a wave of disruptions hitting the North American supply chain. From legal battles in the auto industry to a massive “refund event” at the U.S. border, this episode breaks down the complexities of 2026 logistics.On this episode, we dive into:• The Jeep Production Halt: FreightWaves’ Noi Mahoney explains how a pricing dispute between Stellantis and a Mexican supplier has paralyzed production of Jeep Compass and Cherokee models, highlighting the extreme fragility of integrated cross-border auto networks.• The $166 Billion Tariff Tsunami: A deep dive into the recent Supreme Court decision striking down emergency tariffs, triggering what could be the largest refund event in U.S. trade history.• Secretary Duffy on Trucking Priorities: We feature an exclusive clip of Secretary Duffy discussing the administration’s efforts to remove “sham schools” and unqualified drivers from the road to improve national safety.• The CDL Crackdown: R
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Don't Ship It, "Glid" It: The Autonomous Vehicle That Drives on Rails and Roads
30/03/2026 Duración: 45minThis Monday edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, hosted by Malcolm and The Dude, explores the landscape of risk, fleet safety, and the future of autonomous multimodal transportation.The episode features Bob O'Connell, a Strategic Account Executive from JJ Keller & Associates, who identifies major "risk blind spots" for fleet owners. O'Connell urges leaders to adopt a "merger and acquisition" mindset, suggesting that operating as if you are under constant financial and operational scrutiny forces a level of discipline that mitigates risk. He further emphasizes the necessity of strengthening regulatory expertise and maintaining "litigation-ready" record-keeping, noting that in the eyes of a plaintiff attorney, if an action wasn't written down, it effectively never happened.Closing out the show, Kevin Damoa, CEO of Glid, shares how his company is reindustrializing the first mile through "physical AI". He explains how Glid’s autonomous vehicles, like Radon and Glidrim, are designed to transition seamlessly between road
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The $10 Million “Fake Vendor” Heist
27/03/2026 Duración: 45minIn this special “Fraud Friday” edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, host Malcolm Harris dives deep into the dark side of the supply chain. With losses mounting and theft schemes becoming more sophisticated, we’re joined by a triple threat of experts to break down exactly how these crimes happen and what you can do to stop them.The “Fraud Girl” Perspective: Danielle Spinelli (Director of Partnerships at Genlogs and Host of Tell Me Everything) joins the show to discuss her recent ride-along with the California Highway Patrol’s cargo theft task force. She reveals the shocking scale of rail line theft in the desert and explains how “strategic theft” has evolved since 2020.The Amazon Schemes: We break down two massive fraud cases involving Amazon, including a $10 million fake vendor invoice scheme and a $3.5 million “ghost trailer” scam where 23 fake trucking companies billed for movements that never happened.Next-Gen Defense: Noi Mahoney and Phillip Brink from FreightWaves join to discuss the latest in “ambient IoT” sen
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Why the Strait of Hormuz Closure is the “Black Swan” of 2026
25/03/2026 Duración: 47minIn this “hump day” edition of WHAT THE TRUCK, host Malcolm Harris takes the wheel solo while co-host Michael Vincent is on vacation. The episode dives deep into the “black hole” of the supply chain—the yard—and explores the evolving landscape of logistics recruiting and company culture.KEY TOPICS & SEGMENTS:• Modernizing Yard Logistics: Darin Brannan, CEO of Terminal Industries, discusses the shift from traditional Yard Management Systems (YMS) to advanced Yard Operating Systems. He explains how Terminal Industries uses AI and computer vision to eliminate paperwork and streamline processes, aiming to solve the “gate math” problem that often leads to massive traffic jams and wasted time for truckers.• The Future of Logistics Talent: Ryan Paul, President of Logitalent joins the show to discuss the past, present, and future of logistics recruiting. The conversation covers the importance of people and culture in the 3PL and brokerage space, as well as how companies are navigating a changing workforce. Watch on Y
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Puking in Court: The Louisiana “Sideswipe” Ring
23/03/2026 Duración: 45minIn this Monday edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, hosts Malcolm and The Dude are joined by FreightWaves Editor-at-Large John Kingston to break down the explosive conclusion of the “Operation Sideswipe” trial. The discussion centers on the federal conviction of two Louisiana attorneys who orchestrated a massive scheme involving staged tractor-trailer accidents dating back to 2011. Kingston details the dramatic scenes in the New Orleans courtroom, where the verdict led to outbursts from family members and the physical collapse of one of the defendants. The episode also explores the broader impact of this fraud on Louisiana’s soaring insurance rates and the possibility of future civil litigation against those involved.Shifting to market trends, the trio examines the curious stability of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) prices despite extreme volatility in the diesel and crude oil sectors. Kingston explains that while diesel costs have climbed steadily, retail DEF prices at major chains like Pilot Flying J and Love’s have r
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80% of Your Freight is a Hidden Fuel Trap
20/03/2026 Duración: 46minThis Friday edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? embraces the spirit of March Madness as hosts Malcolm and The Dude dive into a “fully loaded” show featuring expert insights on the freight market and the future of energy.Episode Highlights:• Market Deep Dive with John Kingston: FreightWaves Editor-at-Large John Kingston joins the show to break down the “State of Freight”. He discusses five major takeaways from recent market data, including a positive outlook for the freight market supported by a 13% tender rejection rate—a significant jump from six months ago. Kingston also provides an “expert” perspective on the impact of infrastructure damage and risk premiums on oil prices following the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz.• Legal Breaking News: The hosts and Kingston discuss a major legal development involving a $22.5 million jury award in an Ohio pregnancy discrimination case against TQL.• Renewable Energy and Innovation: Scott Brinner and Russ Bouillon from Nopetro Energy join the conversation to discuss their wor
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159,000 Drivers Choose Weed Over Wheels
18/03/2026 Duración: 45minWelcome to another episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, broadcasting live from the 3PL Summit! Join your hosts, Malcolm Harris and Michael “The Dude” Vincent, as they dive into the biggest headlines and innovations shaping the logistics industry today.In this episode, we sit down with industry experts to explore how technology and data are redefining the freight landscape for brokers and 3PLs.On This Episode:• AI in Sales Coaching: Larkin Ison, Head of Industry Relations at Rilla, joins us to discuss how freight brokers and 3PLs are leveraging AI to coach their sales teams at scale.• Market Intelligence & Data: Mazen Danaf, Principal Economist at Uber Freight, breaks down the current market data and provides an essential Q1 market outlook for 3PLs.• Industry Headlines: We discuss the financial struggles of the US Postal Service, the recent bankruptcy filing of Sparhawk Trucking, and a deep dive into the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse stats regarding marijuana usage among drivers.• The Playbook: A look at Adam
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Why 90% of New Drivers Quit in the First Year
16/03/2026 Duración: 45minMalcolm 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 o
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The 4,000-Worker Purge
13/03/2026 Duración: 46minIt’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 streamli
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1.4 Million Truckloads at Risk?!?
11/03/2026 Duración: 01h01minWelcome 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,
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Operation Sideswipe: The "Slammer" Scam Killing Trucking Profits
09/03/2026 Duración: 50minOn 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 #supplyc