Drive HandledNow

The world of trucking never stands still. Whether charging ahead at full speed or reversing to correct a missed turn, those wheels keep turning. Drive by HandledNow is here to accompany you on that journey, no matter how many miles lie ahead. 
Join Zac Elsts and his co-host, Chelsea Faulkner, for engaging in industry discussions that echo the classic CB radio chats of the past. Drive brings together trucking professionals from behind the desk and the wheel to provide valuable insights into the topics that matter most to today's drivers. Tune in during your next pre-trip and listen to conversations that understand your journey is as crucial as the destination. We’d love to be a part of it.

Your mental health as a trucker is just as important as your physical health behind the wheel, but it often gets overlooked or pushed aside due to shame, fear, and a litany of other emotions that we often want to hide. 
As the first episode of Season 5, we could not have come out of the gate with a more important topic. Zac and Chelsea speak with Scott Busby, Director of Admissions at Praesum Healthcare, a leader in mental health and drug & alcohol treatment services along the East Coast. 
They discuss Praesum's programs that cater directly to truckers, including an intricate support system in person and online, the mental health challenges truck drivers face, and the interconnection between substance abuse and mental health. Scott shares some real-life stories from truckers and comments on the importance of employer support.
 
In this episode, you’ll learn:
The unique mental health challenges truck drivers face and the specialized resources available to help
How interconnected the nature of substance abuse and mental health is, how it illustrates how drivers can fall into the trap of addiction and what steps they can take to recover
The importance of understanding medication effects and the need for better education to prevent accidental violations
Employer support and the steps you can take to ensure you get the help you need
 
Resources:
Praesum Healthcare: https://www.praesumhealthcare.com/ 
Scott Busby’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-busby-6a9044bb/ 
Scott Busby’s email: sbusby@praesumhealthcare.com 
Reach Scott via phone: 561-884-3869
Safe Harbor Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/safeharbormentalhealthsupportnetwork 
 
Connect with Zac, Chelsea, and HandledNow:
HandledNow’s website - www.handlednow.com
HandledNow’s Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/handlednow1 
Zac’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-elsts-981953108/ 
Chelsea’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-faulkner-6673288b/ 
 
Jump into the conversation:
00:00 Welcome to Drive Season Five
01:00 Introduction to Scott Busby, Praesum Healthcare
07:02 Truck drivers' unique challenges and personal reflection
09:21 Providing comprehensive mental health care with dignity
13:59 Normalize second chances, support for employees' well-being
18:21 Supportive community providing mental health education
22:56 Perception of truck driving and changing attitudes
28:42 Media diversity is needed to avoid bias
30:09 Diverse treatment options for addiction recovery available
35:36 Stigma around mental health is improving
36:42 Encouraging conversation and support for mental health
40:57 Adapting to mental health treatment is challenging
44:14 Dealing with safety-sensitive issues in employment
48:26 Medical industry lacks education for medication effects
 

There are no bigger hearts than those of truckers. This year marks the 35th year of the Mother’s Day Make-A-Wish Convoy through Susquehanna Valley, and Convoy Committee Co-Chair Terry Finch speaks with Zac and Chelsea to mark this milestone year.
Terry helps steer the largest truck convoy east of the Mississippi where they team up with truckers to fulfill wishes for kids battling life-threatening illnesses. Inserting incredible community spirit, this convoy has a million-dollar mission. Terry discusses the touching stories behind the impetus of the convoy,  the event's festive activities, and how every mile you drive contributes more than just cargo—it delivers hope.
 
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Stories that showcase the incredible charitable spirit of the trucking community, proving that the road is about more than just logistics and deliveries. 
How to participate to help The Make-A-Wish convoy reach its goal of one million dollars.  
The ripple effect of the convoy experience and how a legacy has been created to impact the children and families involved. 
 
Resources:
Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Susquehanna Valley
Link to Register
Link to Donate

It’s no secret why Indiana is called “The Crossroads of the World,” and today’s episode celebrates not only the state’s role in the transportation industry but also the latest initiatives that could affect your routes, your loads, and put you on the fast lane to growth opportunities.
Vincent Ash is the Chief of Staff at the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). In this episode, he talks with Zac and Chelsea about how their team navigates the roadways of innovation and infrastructure to bring better movement in the transportation industry. He sheds light on three hot topics: The Future of Mobility Campaign revving Indiana's tech and transport scene, the strategic partnerships fueling advancements in AI and hydrogen engines, and the infrastructure upgrades paving the way for smoother rides. Vincent spotlights how these initiatives can open new horizons for truckers and blue-collar heroes like you. Get ready to be part of Indiana's bold journey under the banner "Indiana for the bold," and find out how to secure your spot in the driver's seat of progress.
 
 In this episode, you’ll learn: 
About Indiana's booming business opportunities, including their $28.7B in investments in 2023 to drive the economy forward, enabling the state to be number one for manufacturing jobs, number one for manufacturing output, and the number one state to start a business. 
How the Future of Mobility program is pouring resources into a focus on innovative infrastructure, AI testing, and autonomous vehicles, and how these cutting-edge projects ensure your skills stay relevant.
About Indiana's efficient highway system and its competitive advantage in logistics owing to its location.
 
Resources:
Connect with Vincent Ash on LinkedIn
Check out the IEDC
More info on the Future of Mobility Program

It’s time to dispel myths and spread the word about the often unseen contributions of women in trucking.
And Jennifer Hedrick, President and CEO of Women in Trucking Association, is doing just that.
In this episode, Zac and Chelsea talk with Jennifer about the incredible strides Women in Trucking has made in the industry since 2007, now boasting over 8,000 members. They’ll dive into their remarkable events, like the CDL holders' celebration, and the prestigious Driver of the Year award sponsored by Walmart, and also discuss the WIT Index, the educational initiatives such as the Whitney trailer program aimed at attracting talent and the ways Women in Trucking is pushing for greater policy support.
 
 In this episode, you’ll learn: 
About the association's award programs, such as 'Driver of the Year,' and how individuals can nominate women in trucking for various awards through their website.
The initiatives and programs Women in Trucking is developing, like the Wit Index, which measures women's roles and their percentage within the profession, and DEI initiatives.
How to attract and retain talent in the trucking industry.
Resources:
Connect with Jennifer through LinkedIn
Check out Women in Trucking

No one generally talks about the paperwork and details you need to manage as a trucker, and sometimes that can be burdensome and not efficient. Jeff Davison, CEO & Founder of Freight Mate has taken this pain point and created a solution - with you in mind.
In this episode, Zac and Chelsea talk with Jeff about his innovative app, a freight management solution that harnesses the power of AI to streamline and enhance daily operations for owner operators and fleet managers.. A seasoned veteran with over a decade of experience in the trucking industry, Jeff unpacks crucial topics like how Freight Mate's new invoicing feature is accelerating cash flow for drivers, the importance of transparency and efficiency in payroll, and the exciting future of AI in aiding decisions about loads, fuel costs, and those dreaded layovers. 
 In this episode, you’ll learn: 
How Freight Mate slashes invoice processing from a week down to minutes, immediately boosting cash flow for diligent drivers.
How Freight Mate route planning and live navigation guidance prioritize driver safety and ensure a smooth sail across the miles.
About Freight Mate's relentless pursuit of sorting out the payroll puzzle, securing spot-on settlements for the hardworking folks behind the wheel.


Resources:
Connect with Jeff through LinkedIn


Check out Freight Mate - https://www.freightmateapp.com/