Driving Forward Podcast

GLCS, INC.
  • 5.0 (1)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Driving Forward is a podcast dedicated to exploring the latest trucking trends and delivering innovative solutions to the challenges faced by the industry. Driving Forward aims to be the go-to destination for carriers, brokers, trucking executives, fleet owners and professional drivers, seeking valuable insights, expert interviews, and actionable strategies. The podcast promises a fresh and dynamic perspective on the ever-evolving landscape of transportation.​

  1. 19H AGO

    The Weight We Carry: Freight Leadership in the Real World

    Freight leadership isn’t built in boardrooms, it’s built in the moments that test you.In this week’s episode of Driving Forward, Nate Johnson is joined by Will Jenkins (Journey) and Bill Champine (Venture Logistics) for real talk on the weight leaders carry across fleets, operations, and technology.This conversation gets into the pressure behind the decisions, the people behind the performance, and the realities of leading when the industry doesn’t slow down and the answers aren’t always clear.They’ll share lessons learned the hard way, from navigating change and accountability to balancing growth, culture, and operational demands in the real world of freight.If you lead in freight — or aspire to — this is a conversation worth being part of.

    1h 2m

  2. FEB 13

    E118 Manifest 2026: AI, Deals & Serendipity

    Manifest 2026 was less “trade show” and more “the industry showed up to work.” In this recap episode of Driving Forward, Nate Johnson sits down with Robert Bain, Susan Mayo, Jennie Malafarina and Danielle Spinelli to unpack what made this year feel different: real business happening in real time, with 8,800+ attendees and calendars packed with decision-making meetings. A few big themes surfaced: ⭐ AI is everywhere. Clarity isn’t. If everyone says “AI,” it’s no longer the differentiator. Outcomes matter more than labels. ⭐ Security is non-negotiable. Data ownership, API protection, and vendor stability aren’t optional in a sea of startups. ⭐ Connections still win. The biggest opportunities came from real conversations, not just booth traffic. ⭐ Be intentional or waste the trip. Strategy beats attendance. Meetings, expo time, and even dinners require planning. It’s part conference debrief, part industry pulse-check, with a side of Vegas energy (and a legendary FR8MVMT event recap). 🎲⚡ Listen to the full conversation to hear what’s changing in freight tech, what’s worth investing in, and how to navigate the AI noise without getting burned.

    47 min

  3. FEB 6

    E117 Market Reality Check: Capacity, Rates & Today's Freight Market

    Capacity is tightening. Rates are under pressure. And more freight is spilling into the spot market. Oliver Jones (Co-Founder & CEO of Manifold Freight), Chris Ceausu (Founder of White Arrow Trucking), and Cole Stevens (Director of Strategy & Business Development at Stevens Trucking) joins Nate Johnson to explore how today’s freight market is being experienced across technology, operations, and carrier leadership. The panel discusses current market conditions, the evolving capacity landscape, and how questions around non-domiciled CDLs are showing up in conversations about rates and load placement. They also examine why more freight appears to be landing in the spot market — and what that shift may signal for fleets, brokers, and shippers navigating uncertainty. This isn’t about predictions or hot takes. It’s a real-world conversation grounded in experience, focused on how industry leaders are interpreting the signals in front of them and thinking through the decisions that matter right now. If you’re navigating rate volatility and capacity uncertainty, this episode offers perspective without the noise.

    1h 3m

  4. JAN 30

    E116: Leading Through The Downcycle: Family-Owned Edition

    Freight markets don’t care about your legacy, and family businesses don’t get a “pause” button when the cycle turns.We’re joined by Mike McDonough for a straight-shooting conversation on what it really takes to lead a family-run transportation company in today’s market. We get into the realities behind the numbers: staying disciplined when rates move, protecting service without giving away the farm, and building a business that can survive the downcycle and be ready for the next climb.If you’re a carrier, broker, or shipper trying to make smart decisions in a noisy market, this one’s for you.

    1h 1m

  5. JAN 30

    E115: Cybercrime & Cargo Theft in Logistics: Are Things Improving?

    Join Nate Johnson along with Dale Prax and Danielle Spinelli as they cover the very real (and very messy) world of cybercrime, cargo theft, and freight fraud — how it all connects, and the big question everyone’s wondering: Are we actually getting better at stopping it? In this episode:• Why fraud and cargo theft are bigger than just lost dollars• How fake carriers, identity fraud, and double brokering really happen• What the data says about progress (and where gaps still exist)• Practical steps you can take today to reduce risk Built for carriers, brokers, shippers, and logistics leaders who want clarity — not fear — around today’s risks. 👉 Subscribe for real conversations at the intersection of freight, tech, and security👍Like & Comment on whether you think the industry is actually getting better at stopping fraud and cargo theft!

    1h 5m

  6. JAN 16

    EP114: Why Fleet Leaders Are Paying Attention to Manifest

    Manifest has quickly become a place where business gets done in the supply chain, not just ideas and not just panels. In this conversation, Nate Johnson and Robert Bain are joined by Katie Date, Senior Vice President of Industry Relations & Strategic Initiatives at Manifest, to break down what’s driving that momentum.Katie pulls back the curtain on how Manifest has evolved into a true end-to-end supply chain event, bringing together shippers, carriers, brokers, and freight-tech leaders in one place to create connection, collaboration, and measurable ROI. They discuss how the event has scaled without losing its “supply chain reunion” feel, and why partnerships, funding, and growth opportunities continue to come out of the show floor.You’ll also hear: What first-time attendees should expect and how to maximize ROIHow Manifest balances size with meaningful connectionWhy more carriers and trucking leaders are showing up each yearHow deals, partnerships, and long-term relationships actually get done at Manifest🎧 Whether you’re attending Manifest, considering it, or simply want a pulse on where supply chain leadership is moving, this episode delivers the context that matters.

    1h 2m

  7. JAN 9

    More Than A CDL: How One Community Is Building Futures in Trucking

    Trucking doesn’t just move freight. It changes lives.But only when someone is given a real chance to get behind the wheel. In this live episode of Driving Forward, host Nate Johnson is joined by leaders from the South Dallas Driving Academy, Chris Petersen, CTP and Von Minor, along with professional truck driver Germany Williams. Germany grew up in South Dallas, where the world often felt small and opportunities were limited. A single chance to see more changed his trajectory — leading him to trucking, a career that demanded discipline, responsibility, and resilience, and gave him a way forward. Today, he drives professionally and mentors others, carrying lessons from the road that helped inspire something bigger than his own story. Chris and Von share how the South Dallas Driving Academy was created to tackle one of the industry’s most overlooked barriers: access to driver’s licenses and CDLs. They walk through how the academy is opening doors for students and adults in underserved communities, building partnerships, and creating real career pathways into trucking and transportation. In this episode, you’ll hear:💡 How access, not talent, is often the biggest barrier to opportunity💡 Why one license can change the direction of a life💡 What workforce development looks like when it’s rooted in community💡 Why investing in people matters more than ever in truckingThis conversation isn’t about titles or résumés. It’s about access, belief, and what happens when someone finally gets the keys.

    1h 1m

  8. JAN 5

    Real Conversations from the Road | MATS, I-80 Jamboree & Driver’s Seat

    Real conversations don’t wait for perfect timing. They happen wherever truckers are. This special New Year's Day episode of Driving Forward is a collection of real conversations, captured where trucking actually happens. From the Mid-America Trucking Show… to the Trucker’s Jamboree at the I-80 Truck Stop… to a driver sitting in his truck at a manufacturer’s warehouse in Chicago waiting to deliver a load. These moments weren’t planned or polished. They happened in real time, in real places, with people living this industry every single day. You’ll hear unseen footage with Jessica Howington from United Commercial Insurance , who grew up in a trucking family and speaks openly about the sacrifices drivers and their families make and how often those realities go unseen. You’ll also hear from Jamie Hagen of Hell Bent Express, recorded straight from the driver’s seat. Even with limited time, Jamie shares hard-earned lessons about fuel efficiency, discipline, learning the hard way, and what it really takes to survive as a small fleet owner when margins are tight and the freight still has to move. The episode closes with Bill Bess from Allen Lund Company, reflecting on more than 50 years in trucking, from life before deregulation to today’s digital freight world. His perspective bridges generations and reminds us how much the industry has changed, and how much still comes down to trust and relationships. No studio. No script. No filters. Just honest conversations, happening in booths, parking lots, truck stops — and sometimes right before a delivery has to unload.

    1h 3m
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About

Driving Forward is a podcast dedicated to exploring the latest trucking trends and delivering innovative solutions to the challenges faced by the industry. Driving Forward aims to be the go-to destination for carriers, brokers, trucking executives, fleet owners and professional drivers, seeking valuable insights, expert interviews, and actionable strategies. The podcast promises a fresh and dynamic perspective on the ever-evolving landscape of transportation.​

Information

  • Creator
    GLCS, INC.
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    155
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © GLCS, INC.
  • Show Website
    Driving Forward Podcast