Destinations From PodWheels

PodWheels
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This offering from PodWheels is designed to take us to interesting destinations, providing our team the opportunity to share short stories from inside and around the trucking industry.

  1. 5d ago

    Gary Williams: Transition Trucking Final Five Spotlight

    Gary Williams from Stevens Transport returns to our special Destinations Series spotlighting Transition Trucking’s Driving For Excellence Award. As one of the five finalists in the running for the Driving For Excellence Award and the new Kenworth T-680 truck that will be presented to this year’s winner, Gary looks back at what has been a whirlwind experience since entering the trucking industry back in January. Gary talks to us about his time onsite during September in Ohio at the Transition Trucking events celebrating the program’s Elite 11 and being named as a finalist for the award.  Gary also shares the reaction he received from his family and his company when they learned he had been selected as a finalist. As you’ll see and hear, Gary holds a great perspective on the events of the past few months as well as the opportunity to join the rest of the finalists at West Point in mid-December for the announcement of this year’s Driving For Excellence winner. For the latest on what’s happening with the Transition Trucking: Driving For Excellence Award, please visit TransitionTrucking.org. The post Gary Williams: Transition Trucking Final Five Spotlight appeared first on PodWheels.

  2. 6d ago

    Brandon Ward: Transition Trucking Final Five Spotlight

    In his return to the Destinations Podcast, Brandon Ward from Warner Enterprises shares his journey to become a finalist in Transition Trucking’s Driving For Excellence Award. Brandon looks back on the excitement of being selected, the emotional rollercoaster during the selection process and the camaraderie developed among fellow finalists. Brandon discusses the reactions from his family and company, his experiences as a leader with Werner and the importance of company culture as well as support in fostering success. Also, Brandon discusses his vision for a trucking business that prioritizes valuing drivers and creating a supportive work environment. In addition, Brandon reflects on how his military experience has shaped his leadership style and the importance of mentorship in personal growth. Brandon also shares insights on the public voting process for a competition he is part of, emphasizing the significance of community support. He recounts life-changing experiences, including the support he received from his company during his wife’s medical crisis, and expresses excitement about networking opportunities and future aspirations. For the latest on what’s happening with the Transition Trucking: Driving For Excellence Award, please visit TransitionTrucking.org. The post Brandon Ward: Transition Trucking Final Five Spotlight appeared first on PodWheels.

  3. Nov 7

    Daniel Doss: Transition Trucking Final Five Spotlight

    In our second interview with Daniel Doss for our special series on Transition Trucking’s Driving For Excellence Award, we look back on the past couple of years and his journey into trucking. In September, Daniel was selected as a finalist for Transition Trucking’s Driving For Excellence Award. As he shares with us, Daniel had to do more than earn a CDL and find a position with Melton Truck Lines to put himself in position to become part of this year’s Final Five. Joined for this interview by his wife, Brandy, Daniel looks back at his final year in the Air Force when he began to have unexplained anxiety attacks following a special training for a deployment. Daniel made it through the deployment and decided to retire from military service as he began to deal with what had become depression and anxiety. After working with medical professionals and getting the treatment he needed, Daniel found the trucking industry to be a great fit for his next profession following his military service. For the latest on what’s happening with the Transition Trucking: Driving For Excellence Award, please visit TransitionTrucking.org. The post Daniel Doss: Transition Trucking Final Five Spotlight appeared first on PodWheels.

  4. Nov 6

    Monica Brooks-Buck: Transition Trucking Final Five Spotlight

    During this episode of the Destinations Podcast from PodWheels, Monica Brooks-Buck and her husband, Johnny, share their journey into trucking, highlighting the challenges and triumphs they faced as a military couple transitioning into civilian life. Monica looks back at her journey in becoming a finalist for Transition Trucking’s Driving for Excellence Award. The conversation also highlights the camaraderie between the fellow members of the Elite 11 veterans and the importance of community support. Monica reflects on her growth in the trucking industry and her aspirations to inspire others, particularly women and veterans, to pursue new opportunities. For the latest on what’s happening with the Transition Trucking: Driving For Excellence Award, please visit TransitionTrucking.org. The post Monica Brooks-Buck: Transition Trucking Final Five Spotlight appeared first on PodWheels.

  5. Nov 5

    Mo Arzola: Transition Trucking Final Five Spotlight

    Transition Trucking Driving For Excellence Award Finalist Mo Arzola returns to Destinations to look back at the past couple of months as well as the past year since he joined the trucking industry. Mo reflects on his experiences, the community of trucking professionals, and the importance of safety and discipline in the industry. Mo discusses the challenges of balancing family life with his trucking career and emphasizes the significance of public voting in the award process. Over the course of the conversation, Mo shares his journey from military service to the trucking industry, emphasizing his commitment to community service and the legacy he wishes to leave for his family. He discusses the importance of service, both in the military and in his current role in trucking, and reflects on the upcoming trip to West Point, where he hopes to connect with the history of military service. Mo also highlights the therapeutic aspects of trucking and the support programs available for veterans transitioning to civilian life. For the latest on what’s happening with the Transition Trucking: Driving For Excellence Award, please visit TransitionTrucking.org. The post Mo Arzola: Transition Trucking Final Five Spotlight appeared first on PodWheels.

  6. Oct 28

    Take An Audio Tour Of PACCAR Connect With Peterbilt’s Chase Wolfe

    For this episode of Destinations, we return to Charlotte and ATA’s MCE 2026 event to spend some time with Chase Wolfe, a Market Segment Manager with Peterbilt. Chase took a few minutes to give PodWheels Executive Producer Greg Thompson a guided audio tour of the PACCAR Connect system that will be rolled out with the Peterbilt trucks that will be hitting the highways across the country in 2027. PACCAR Connect is essentially a voice command and touch-screen system that is the size of an Ipad tablet embedded in the dash of the truck. As Chase shares with us, the display features four standard PACCAR applications including digitized operator’s manuals with searchable functionality and driver tutorial videos for quick how-to guidance. It also has real-time vehicle health monitoring with fault code diagnosis and troubleshooting capabilities as well as a GPS-enabled dealer locator with contact information and hours of operation. In addition, the system supports four analog and four digital camera inputs that can be integrated with vehicle functions such as turn signals. It also includes compatibility with the Virtual Vehicle App Marketplace, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, AM/FM, weather radio and SiriusXM Radio. The system incorporates hands-free voice control activated by “Hey Peterbilt” commands and it features an ergonomic design with a dynamic upper display area and persistent lower section for quick access to climate controls, audio, and phone functions. The post Take An Audio Tour Of PACCAR Connect With Peterbilt’s Chase Wolfe appeared first on PodWheels.

  7. Oct 26

    Hear Audio Tour Of FlowBelow’s New Trailer AeroSlider Slider System

    Our Destination for this episode is the land of reduced fuel costs. With diesel prices hitting historic levels earlier this year, FlowBelow’s debut of the company’s new Trailer AeroSlider Slider System was perfectly timed for the American Trucking Associations’ Management and Exhibition Conference that was held Oct. 17-20 in Charlotte, NC. PodWheels Executive Producer talked with Josh Butler, the President and Chief Technology Officer of FlowBelow. As you’ll hear, Josh provides an audio tour of FlowBelow’s redesigned Trailer AeroSlider System, an aerodynamic solution that saves 3.0 gallons of fuel per 1,000 miles traveled. Given the state of fuel prices in today’s market, FlowBelow’s new AeroSlider System offers payback in under 12 months, with some refrigerated fleet applications achieving ROI as fast as six months. Josh tells us that installation requires approximately 45 minutes for retrofit (30 minutes on factory lines), mounting to mudflap hangers and wheel ends to address labor constraints in the industry. As Josh notes, the bottom line here is that FlowBelow’s new AeroSlider System delivers savings of approximately 1.8 cents per mile. It should be no surprise that FlowBelow’s latest innovation has attracted strong interest from major fleets, with at least 10 expected to begin trials or equipment orders coming from the MCE 2026 event in Charlotte. LEARN MORE, READ FEATURE STORY: To learn more about FlowBelow’s new AeroSlider System, we invite you to read the feature story from The Trucker Media Group, which collaborated with PodWheels on our coverage of ATA’s MCE 2026. To access the feature story on FlowBelow’s new AeroSlider System, please click here. The post Hear Audio Tour Of FlowBelow’s New Trailer AeroSlider Slider System appeared first on PodWheels.

  8. Oct 23

    Hear ATA Chairmen Hodgen and Leathers Discuss State Of Trucking Industry at MCE 2026

    In this episode, our Destination is Charlotte, NC, for the ATA’s Management Conference and Exhibition (MCE 2026). PodWheels had our microphones in record mode during the General Session on October 19th when outgoing ATA Chairman Greg Hodgen and incoming ATA Chairman Derek Leathers led the audience through a discussion in the State of the Trucking Industry and the road ahead. As you will hear, Hodgen describes the current moment as a chance for trucking to move from surviving to shaping the next cycle, with responsible carriers having maintained safety and investment standards through difficult conditions. While freight market recovery feels uneven, Hodgen calls for confidence, discipline, and urgency. Leathers agrees that the future belongs to carriers investing in safety and playing by the rules, with ATA working to raise marketplace standards and distinguish professional carriers from those “color outside the lines.” Hodgen and Leathers also dedicate some time to discussing policy achievements, highlighting unified advocacy advancing priorities including sensible emissions policy, truck parking expansion, CDL integrity, and workforce opportunity. Leathers points out that federal crackdowns removed nearly 10,000 non-compliant CDL schools including 550 fraudulent operations, investigated hundreds of high-risk carriers, and placed thousands of unqualified drivers out of service. Truck parking secured $200 million in federal appropriations for 2026, with $61.7 million now flowing to five states. At the end of their discussion (23:15), Hodgen and Leathers call incoming ATA President and CEO Mark Colson to the stage to address the audience. You’ll hear what Colson shared with the General Session audience, which was expressed with a great deal of humility and gratitude. Colson, who first learned about trucking as a kid in his grandfather’s Alabama-based tire shop, talked about the value he places on listening to ATA’s membership and he also shared his commitment to honor the essential work of America’s professional drivers. The post Hear ATA Chairmen Hodgen and Leathers Discuss State Of Trucking Industry at MCE 2026 appeared first on PodWheels.

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This offering from PodWheels is designed to take us to interesting destinations, providing our team the opportunity to share short stories from inside and around the trucking industry.

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