Freight People Podcast

Ava Barnes
  • 5.0 (1)
  • AUTOMOTIVE
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Honest Conversations & Practical Advice for Succeeding in Trucking Hosted by Ava Barnes, VP of Brand & Community at Alvys, Freight People is more than just a podcast — it's a platform to spotlight the real stories behind the freight industry’s most resilient leaders. Each episode features unfiltered conversations with trucking company owners, dispatchers, fleet managers, and brokers who are out there moving freight and making things happen. These are the voices of the industry — and we’re handing them the mic. What to Expect: Real-world strategies that help fleets grow and stay compliantLessons learned the hard way — and how to avoid themTools and tech that streamline dispatch, billing, and operationsBehind-the-scenes insights into running a successful trucking businessOur Mission: We’re here to uplift the freight community — especially our customers — by showcasing them as the leaders they are. When you're a guest on Freight People, you're the star. And with distribution across YouTube, LinkedIn, IG, Facebook, X, and more, your story gets amplified to thousands of Alvys followers and potential new customers.

Episodes

  1. Beating Freight Fraud: Adam Goes to Congress + His $65M Asset-Brokerage Playbook

    08/15/2025

    Beating Freight Fraud: Adam Goes to Congress + His $65M Asset-Brokerage Playbook

    Take the guesswork out of fighting freight fraud and scaling profitably. CEO Adam Blanchard (Tanager Logistics, Double Diamond Transport) breaks down the exact tech stack, hiring system, and operating rhythms behind his $65M asset-based brokerage. You’ll learn how to protect your company against double brokering and identity spoofing, a secret unlock for building a nearshore team, and align asset and brokerage ops without blowing margin.What you’ll get:• A layered anti-fraud framework you can deploy this quarter.• The asset/brokerage tech stack that actually moves the needle• Field notes from Capitol Hill: what policy shifts mean for carriers and brokers today.Perfect for carriers and brokers who want to grow, stay paid, and sleep at night.

    37 min
  2. From Hotshot to 400 Truck Drop-and-Hook: Cole Stevens Shares the Tech Stack That Changed the Game

    08/05/2025

    From Hotshot to 400 Truck Drop-and-Hook: Cole Stevens Shares the Tech Stack That Changed the Game

    Before they even found Alvys, Stevens Trucking discovered a tech-driven strategy that changed everything for their drop-and-hook efficiency, and in this episode of Freight People, Cole Stevens breaks it all down. It’s the exact move that helped them reduce idle time, optimize trailer pools, and scale like a tech-first fleet. Host Ava Barnes sits down with Cole Stevens, the Chief Strategy Officer of Stevens Trucking, to unpack the full journey from a hotshot in the Oklahoma oilfields to a 400-truck powerhouse named one of the Top 10 Workplaces in Oklahoma. “We’re a 46-year-old startup.” “If I wouldn’t drive for us, how can we expect anyone else to?” You’ll hear the founding story, the family values that still drive operations, and how smart tech layered with old-school grit has made Stevens a standout in freight. Biggest takeaway: The drop-and-hook playbook that changed the game

    30 min
  3. He Walked Away from a Corporate Job—and Built a $54M Empire in 3.5 years

    07/08/2025

    He Walked Away from a Corporate Job—and Built a $54M Empire in 3.5 years

    From Combat to CEO: The Grit, Faith & Vision Behind Spartan Carrier Group | Freight People Podcast In this episode of the Freight People Podcast, host Ava Barnes sits down with Carlos Llanes Jr., CEO and founder of Spartan Carrier Group—a man whose story will stick with you long after the episode ends. Carlos walks us through his bold journey from musician to Marine to multi-million-dollar logistics founder—growing Spartan Carrier from $0 to $54M in just over 3 years, with no outside funding. But this isn't just a business success story. It’s a story of purpose, grit, faith, and building something bigger than money. You'll hear how Carlos landed Toyota as one of Spartan’s first clients, what it really takes to scale with integrity, and how he views automation not as an end—but as a means to serve people better. He also shares the powerful love story with his wife, the moment he found his faith, and how he's using his business as a platform for impact—from driver retention to AI and CDL schools. If you're a freight leader, entrepreneur, or just someone craving purpose-driven inspiration, this one’s for you. Listen to how Spartan is flipping the industry on its head—one mission-led decision at a time. Timestamps 0:00 — Why automation only matters if it improves people’s lives 1:00 — From musician to Marine to logistics founder 3:30 — Winning Toyota with no backing 8:00 — Walking away from corporate America 14:00 — Carlos's love story + faith journey 27:00 — Building a driver-first company 30:00 — Why Spartan chose Alvys as their TMS 33:30 — Advice for freight founders 35:00 — Carlos’s final message on peace, leadership, and letting go of worry Learn more about Spartan Carrier Group: https://spartcargroup.com Follow Spartan on Instagram: @spartancarriergroup Want tech that grows with you? Check out alvys.com Subscribe for more raw, real conversations with the people moving freight forward. #FreightPeople #LogisticsLeadership #SpartanCarrierGroup #Alvys #FaithInBusiness #FreightPodcast #TruckingTransformation

    37 min
  4. Who is Alvys — and Why Should Freight People Care?

    06/06/2025

    Who is Alvys — and Why Should Freight People Care?

    In episode 2 of Freight People Podcast, we’re kicking things off with a bang: What is a TMS, and why should freight people actually care? Host Ava Barnes sits down with two Alvys veterans — Jordan Kidd and Lucas Allasia — who’ve both done it all in trucking: dispatch, recruiting, brokerage, you name it. They’ve lived the chaos and now help carriers run smarter with modern tech. We break down: What a TMS really is When it’s time to upgrade from spreadsheets or legacy tools How AI is quietly changing freight workflows Why Alvys was built by freight people, not just software folks Whether you’re running five trucks or five hundred, this episode gives you a no-BS look at the systems behind the scenes that can make or break your day.

    23 min
  5. Building a Cross-Border Powerhouse: The Central Coast Transport Story

    06/02/2025

    Building a Cross-Border Powerhouse: The Central Coast Transport Story

    Episode 1 – Building a Cross-Border Powerhouse: The Central Coast Transport Story In this episode, we sit down with the family behind Central Coast Transport — a thriving cross-border refrigerated carrier that’s redefining how fleets operate across the U.S. and Mexico. Join Gustavo, Carmen, Cesar, and Abijail as they share how they scaled their family-run operation, overcame the complexities of cross-border logistics, and embraced tech like Alvys to drive growth and efficiency. You’ll hear: How they built a fast-scaling fleet while keeping operations in the family The biggest operational challenges in cross-border freight (and how they solved them) The impact of switching to Alvys — and why they say, “We’re having Alvys for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.” Real advice for family-run fleets navigating today’s freight market Whether you’re a small fleet owner, a dispatcher, or someone exploring cross-border expansion, this episode is packed with firsthand insights you won’t want to miss. 👉 Subscribe and follow for more honest convos from the people moving freight forward.

    49 min
  • 5 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

About

Honest Conversations & Practical Advice for Succeeding in Trucking Hosted by Ava Barnes, VP of Brand & Community at Alvys, Freight People is more than just a podcast — it's a platform to spotlight the real stories behind the freight industry’s most resilient leaders. Each episode features unfiltered conversations with trucking company owners, dispatchers, fleet managers, and brokers who are out there moving freight and making things happen. These are the voices of the industry — and we’re handing them the mic. What to Expect: Real-world strategies that help fleets grow and stay compliantLessons learned the hard way — and how to avoid themTools and tech that streamline dispatch, billing, and operationsBehind-the-scenes insights into running a successful trucking businessOur Mission: We’re here to uplift the freight community — especially our customers — by showcasing them as the leaders they are. When you're a guest on Freight People, you're the star. And with distribution across YouTube, LinkedIn, IG, Facebook, X, and more, your story gets amplified to thousands of Alvys followers and potential new customers.

Information

  • Creator
    Ava Barnes
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ava Barnes
  • Show Website
    Freight People Podcast