The Oakley Podcast

Oakley Trucking
  • 4.9 (71)
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The Oakley Podcast is a trucking industry podcast that educates and empowers owner-operators by providing relevant industry, market, and company news in a digestible audio format.

  1. 6d ago

    303: Why This Driver Gave Up Cadillac Benefits to Become an Owner Operator

    This week on the Oakley Podcast, Jeremy Kellett talks with Oakley owner-operator Eddie Wormsbacher about his path from working in his dad’s kids’ furniture business in Michigan to hauling 160,000 lb heavy loads and eventually becoming a dry bulk owner operator at Oakley Trucking. Eddie shares how the collapse of the family business pushed him into trucking in 2010, his early struggles as a company driver, and the scary leap into owning his own truck, including the financial risk, maintenance realities, and insurance challenges. He opens up about balancing life on the road with a 30-year marriage, three kids, and a new grandchild, as well as how his background in customer service shapes the way he treats shippers, receivers, and Oakley’s reputation. Throughout the conversation, Eddie and Jeremy highlight key takeaways about discipline with money, the importance of safety and dealing with distracted drivers, Oakley’s high expectations and support, and why real success as an owner operator comes down to mindset, responsibility, and family priorities.  Key topics in today’s conversation include: Calendar Photo Contest Details and Examples of Past Photos (0:41) Eddie’s Dad’s Kids Furniture Business and Warehouse Role (4:08) Transition from Delivery Business to Trucking Career in 2010 (7:51) How Eddie Met His Wife and Strained Relationship with Dad (10:19) Starting Trucking: Company Driver Years and Michigan Heavy Haul (12:26) Hitting a Pay Ceiling and Considering Owner Operator Leap (16:07) Coming to Oakley Trucking and Staying in Dry Bulk (18:36) PTO Programming Ordeal on Automatic Truck and Transition to Pneumatic (24:40) Daily Challenges: Distracted Drivers, Time Management, and Maintenance (27:27) Pros and Cons of Working at Oakley and High Expectations (30:59) Big Repair Streak, Borrowing From Home, and Using Miles To Recover (34:44) Loving vs Needing Trucking and Why He Won’t Put a Driver in His Truck (37:50) Final Reflections on Trucking, Family, and Owner Operator Reality (40:03) Oakley Trucking is a family-owned and operated trucking company headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas. For more information, check out our show website: podcast.bruceoakley.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  2. Jul 22

    302: The Truth About Hopper Freight: Can You REALLY Make Money?

    This week on the Oakley Podcast, Jeremy Kellett sits down with Hopper Division Operations Managers Bryan Hill and Russell Vallance to break down how Oakley’s Hopper Division works, who it’s right for, and why it’s growing. They explain Oakley’s three dry bulk divisions (hoppers, end dumps, pneumatics), how hopper freight is consistent with many repeat customers (roofing granules, pet food, etc.), and why hoppers are often the simplest way for an owner-operator to get started, with no need for a wet kit or blower and relatively light trailers. They discuss pros such as steady freight, regular lanes, the ability to get many drivers home most weekends, and strong customer relationships, as well as cons including cleaning out trailers and competition from smaller hopper carriers. The conversation highlights how dispatchers are motivated to keep drivers generating revenue, the importance of effective communication regarding load times and breakdowns, the role of technology and e-logs in day-to-day operations, and specific growth needs in regions such as Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and the Carolinas. Overall, the key takeaway is that Oakley’s hopper division offers a strong niche with solid earning potential and consistency for committed owner-operators who value service and communication. Key topics in today’s conversation include: Welcome to Today’s Episode on the Hopper Division (0:43) Introducing Bryan Hill and Russell Vallance and Their Backgrounds (4:54) Roles of Hopper Operations Managers and Board Structures (7:20) Pros of Hopper Division From an Operations Perspective (10:16) Cons for Drivers Like Cleaning Out Hoppers and Weather Challenges (13:02) Pay Structure, Weight Incentives, and Importance of Light Trucks (15:25) How Dispatchers Stay Motivated and Focused on Driver Earnings (18:57) Biggest Daily Challenges With Delivery Times and Communication (21:34) Lessons Learned Moving From Dispatcher to Operations Manager (23:49) Why Hopper Division Could Grow Much Larger and Why It Hasn’t Yet (28:04) Home Weekend Opportunities in Midwest and East Coast Regions (30:34) Key Messages to Current Owner Operators About Communication (33:49) Final Thoughts and Takeaways (42:34) Oakley Trucking is a family-owned and operated trucking company headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas. For more information, check out our show website: podcast.bruceoakley.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  3. Jul 15

    301: Truck Broke Down? How Oakley Keeps You Rolling (Rental Trucks Explained)

    This week on the Oakley Podcast, Jeremy Kellett explains why Oakley Trucking began buying and renting trucks to its owner operators as a solution to long downtime caused by modern emissions-related breakdowns. He walks through the evolution from pairing drivers to using MHC Leasing and ultimately building Oakley’s own small fleet of rental Kenworths, primarily for owner operators whose trucks are down or no longer worth repairing. Jeremy shares feedback from drivers like Rico and Brandon, who highlight reduced maintenance headaches, better cash flow, and tax advantages, while clarifying that renters are still treated as 1099s and are responsible for certain costs like flats or damage. He also touches on current fuel discounts, the importance of sending complete safety paperwork, and previews upcoming episodes like having your own authority versus leasing to a company, and more. Key topics in today’s conversation include: Fuel Discounts and Safety Paperwork (0:33) How Emissions Problems Led to Long Truck Downtime (4:16) Oakley Buys Its Own Kenworth Rental Trucks (8:19) Why Some Drivers Choose Long-Term Rental over Buying a Truck (11:59) Limited Fleet, Who Qualifies, and Trailer Types Available (15:27) Rental Responsibilities, No Pets or Smoking, and What Oakley Covers (16:40) Final Thoughts and Preview of Upcoming Episodes (20:27) Oakley Trucking is a family-owned and operated trucking company headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas. For more information, check out our show website: podcast.bruceoakley.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  4. Jul 8

    300: The Oakley Podcast Origin Story: Recruiting, Real Talk, and the Journey from Episode 1 to 300

    This week on the Oakley Podcast, Jeremy Kellett sits down with producer Anna Belle Burrow and longtime Oakley team member Corey Huey to look back on how the show started, evolved, and grew into a 100,000-subscriber podcast. They walk through the early days of CDs, basic video shoots, and audio-only recordings launched during COVID as a way to communicate with owner-operators, and how partnering with Heard Media helped them learn podcasting and distribution. The conversation covers the studio’s transformation, favorite and most surprising episodes (including Luigi, Major General Bob Walters, JanTran, and episodes with Oakley leadership and drivers), as well as how driver stories, authenticity, and listener feedback have turned the podcast into a powerful tool for recruiting, retention, and brand-building. They close by reflecting on lessons learned about the trucking industry, the importance of celebrating truck drivers, and their excitement for the show’s future growth and content. Key topics in today’s conversation include: Welcome to Episode 300 of the Oakley Podcast (0:48) Anna Belle’s Background, Family, and Hobbies (5:05) Corey’s Role at Oakley and Life Outside Work (6:17) Discovering What a Podcast Is and COVID Communication Needs (10:44) Finding Heard Media, Getting Set Up, and First Gear Purchases (12:24) Early Episode Topics and Twice-a-Week COVID Updates (15:22) Transition to Video and When the Show “Turned the Corner” (16:14) Jeremy’s Comparison of Episode 1 vs. Episode 300 (18:38) Lighting, Cameras, Set Changes, and Brick Wall Backdrop (22:48) Growth of the Show and Role of Owner Operators (25:05) Using the Podcast as a Recruiting and Retention Tool (30:39) Funniest and Most Unfortunate Recording Moments (32:03) Listener Feedback That Keeps the Team Motivated (35:29) Lessons Learned About Trucking and Driver Stereotypes (38:24) Importance of Content Planning and Staying Current (42:58) Future Vision for the Show and New Types of Content (45:18) Hitting 100,000 Subscribers and How To Support the Channel (47:08) Final Reflections, Gratitude, and Closeout (49:01) Oakley Trucking is a family-owned and operated trucking company headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas. For more information, check out our show website: podcast.bruceoakley.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  5. Jul 1

    299: Behind the Terminals: Safety, ‘Miss Ruby,’ and the Regulators You Never See

    This week on the Oakley Podcast, Jeremy Kellett sits down with Bruce Oakley safety leaders Lee Huff and Phil Butler to explore the often unseen world of terminal safety and compliance. They discuss Lee and Phil’s backgrounds, their responsibilities across multiple terminals, and how they work with regulatory agencies like OSHA, the EPA, the Coast Guard, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Safe Feed/Safe Food certifiers. Key topics include upgrading safety data sheet systems, vessel plans and Coast Guard inspections, required safety drills, fall protection (OSHA’s top-cited violation), CPR and fire extinguisher training, mobile equipment training, AI-enhanced camera and security systems, and rigorous feed-grade product traceability. A major takeaway is that safety is everyone’s responsibility: employees must use proper PPE, ask questions when unsure, look out for each other, and engage in daily safety talks so that when something does go wrong, they’re prepared to respond. Key topics in today’s conversation include: Introducing ‘Miss Ruby’, Managers Meeting, and Terminal Safety Focus (1:32)   Lee Huff Background, Family, and Move into Oakley Safety Role (3:28) Phil Butler Background, Terminals He Oversees, and Family Story (5:39) Overview of Regulatory Agencies: OSHA, EPA, Coast Guard, and Corps (9:50) Surprise Coast Guard Inspections and What Inspectors Look for (12:20) Getting Employee Buy‑In on Safety and Understanding the “Why” (14:12) Current Projects: SDS Rollout, CPR Instruction, Fire and Equipment Training (19:21) New Technology: Fall Protection Systems and AI‑Enabled Camera Security (22:30) Sharing Best Practices Among Terminals, Especially Fall Protection (24:52) Safe Feed Safe Food Certification, Traceability, and Contamination Control (29:03) PPE, Asking Questions, and Looking Out for Each Other (32:11) Final Thoughts and Takeaways (36:56) Oakley Trucking is a family-owned and operated trucking company headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas. For more information, check out our show website: podcast.bruceoakley.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  6. Jun 24

    298: Team Drivers, Big Miles: How The Hoppers Turned Trucking Into Freedom

    This week on the Oakley Podcast, Jeremy Kellett sits with Michael and Leslie Hopper, a husband-and-wife team at Oakley Trucking, to share their late-career transition into trucking and eventual success as owner-operators. They walk through Michael’s move from multi-unit management and daycare operations and Leslie’s 31-year restaurant career into trucking in their late 40s, starting with carriers like Werner, Tyson, U.S. Xpress, and FedEx Custom Critical before buying their own trucks and ultimately landing at Oakley. The Hoppers explain how teaming works day vs. night, how they became a top revenue truck pulling an end dump, why they’re now moving to pneumatics for longer miles and higher pay, and how trucking allowed them to buy a home, build retirement, and support a large blended family. Their key message: it’s never too late to reinvent yourself, owner-operator trucking can be a powerful path to financial freedom, and companies like Oakley can make the leap from company driver to business owner much more achievable. Key topics in today’s conversation include: Welcoming the Hoppers to the Show (0:42) Leslie’s Restaurant Career and First Talk of Trucking (6:09) Michael’s Corporate and Daycare Management Background (9:17) How They Met, First Date, and Long-Distance Relationship (13:18) Convincing Leslie to Change Careers and Go to Truck School (16:44) Training Together at U.S. Xpress and Becoming a Team (18:23) Why Teaming Works for Them, Day vs Night Driving, and Resets (23:44) Taking the Leap to Owner Operator and Early Panic With No Loads (26:35) Running FedEx Custom Critical and Department of Defense Freight (29:59) Leaving FedEx, Short Hazmat Stop, and Choosing Oakley (33:17) Deadheading, Emergency Loads, and Being a Top Revenue Truck (36:27) Leslie’s Social Media, Oakley Community, and Dump Video Followers (41:01) Buying Their House on Five Acres And Building Late-Life Retirement (44:02) Moving From End Dump to Pneumatic and Chasing Higher Rates (47:32) Why It’s Not Too Late to Start Trucking at 50 and Thrive (52:39) Oakley Trucking is a family-owned and operated trucking company headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas. For more information, check out our show website: podcast.bruceoakley.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  7. Jun 17

    297: Respect, Communication, and Big Checks: Inside Oakley’s Driver and Dispatcher Culture

    This week on the Oakley Podcast, Jeremy Kellett sits down with Owner-Operator Felipe Sanchez and his dispatcher, Sam Plafcan, to explore what makes a strong driver–dispatcher relationship at Oakley Trucking. Felipe shares his journey from growing up in Panama to moving to New York and Atlanta, working 15 years in warehouses, and finally becoming an owner-operator during the pandemic. Sam discusses his journey from farming and hauling grain to dispatch, including learning equipment in the shop and managing 30–40 different driver personalities. Together, they tackle real-world challenges such as Atlanta traffic, short runs, tight customer hours, and planning loads to meet weekly mileage goals. The key takeaways are the importance of communication, mutual respect, and trust in the process: drivers must speak up without being disrespectful, dispatch has to understand what happens on the road, and both sides share responsibility in turning “bad days” into strong weeks. The episode also touches on Felipe’s family life, his pride in his Panamanian roots, and why he feels Oakley’s culture, organization, and customer service help motivated owner operators succeed. Key topics in today’s conversation include: Fuel Discounts, Transflo App, And Company Party Details (0:12)   Felipe’s Journey From Panama to New York and Atlanta (5:28)   Sam’s Background, Farming, and Path to Oakley Dispatch (8:00) Learning Trailers in the Shop Before Dispatching (9:07) Early Years of Trucking: Warehouse Work to CDL School in 2020 (10:22)   How the Driver–Dispatcher Relationship Works at Oakley (13:59) Trusting the Process and Making Up for Short Runs (15:10) Communication, Respect, and Handling Frustration (18:11) Managing 30–40 Driver Personalities as a Dispatcher (21:08) Safety, Dump Trailers, And Never Getting Too Comfortable (27:01) Planning Loads, Hours, and Customer Cutoff Times (29:22) Life and Family Culture In Panama, and Moving for Opportunity (31:54) Final Thoughts and Takeaways (36:02) Oakley Trucking is a family-owned and operated trucking company headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas. For more information, check out our show website: podcast.bruceoakley.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  8. Jun 10

    296: “Why I’ll NEVER Quit Trucking:” 44 Years on the Road with Scott Erickson

    This week, Veteran owner-operator Scott Erickson joins the Oakley Podcast to share his 44-year journey in trucking, from falling in love with big rigs as a kid to running his own authority, losing everything when a family member stole his wife’s lucrative business, and rebuilding life on a small Kansas farm. He talks about transitioning from reefer to Oakley’s hopper division, why bulk work, though more exhausting, feels more meaningful, and how mental health challenges and isolation on the road have affected him and other drivers. Scott also tells the wild story of trading in a paid-for Peterbilt for a “deal of a lifetime” 389 that immediately blew up, only to receive a full in-frame at no cost. Through it all, he emphasizes resilience, the importance of family support, realistic expectations about owner-operator finances, and why he has no plans to ever retire from the job he loves. Key topics in today’s conversation include: Welcome to Today’s Episode with Scott Erickson (0:54) Life On a 20-Acre Kansas Farm And Stocked Fishing Lake (5:40) How Childhood Awe of Trucks Led Scott to Trucking (6:48) Buying First Truck, Own Authority, and Flatbed Hustle (9:19) The Family Business Story: Wholesale Food Company Background (13:34) Discovering The Warehouse Emptied and Business Stolen (15:04) Legal Battle With Sister-In-Law and Losing Everything in Court (19:10) Returning to Owner Operator, Reefer Carrier, and Coming To Oakley (21:33) Finally Calling Oakley Recruiting and Making the Move (24:01) Mental Health on the Road and Losing Friends to Suicide (26:54) Deciding To Replace A Paid-Off 2022 Peterbilt 579 (32:07) Full In-Frame Overhaul At No Cost And Picking Up The Truck (38:13) Why Trucking Still Provides A Good Living And Life Satisfaction (42:03) Fuel Prices, Surcharges, And Understanding Owner Operator Economics (45:46) Scott’s Love For Trucking And No Plans To Retire (46:46) Oakley Trucking is a family-owned and operated trucking company headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas. For more information, check out our show website: podcast.bruceoakley.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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4.9
out of 5
71 Ratings

About

The Oakley Podcast is a trucking industry podcast that educates and empowers owner-operators by providing relevant industry, market, and company news in a digestible audio format.

Information

  • Creator
    Oakley Trucking
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    322
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    The Oakley Podcast

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