Your Bestie In Frieght

Lida Hakobyan
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Your Bestie in Freight is the podcast for freight brokers ready to grow a real business and stop playing small. Hosted by Lida, a former truck driver turned successful freight broker, the show covers direct shippers, prospecting, AI, sales, and what actually works in today’s freight market. Whether you are brand new to freight or already brokering loads and ready for the next level, this podcast will help you grow with more confidence, clarity, and direction. Listen, learn, and build your freedom in freight.

  1. May 13

    The Load Board Built to Kill Freight Fraud

    Freight fraud is a $35 billion problem — and it's getting smarter, not slower.In this episode, Lida sits down with Alden Gomez — Co-Founder and CEO of Turnpike, an invite-only, fraud-resistant freight network built to protect legitimate brokers and carriers. Before building Turnpike, Alden spent years in freight brokerage and dispatch seeing the problem firsthand. Now he's doing something about it.In this episode:How Alden went from freight brokerage to building TurnpikeWhy existing load boards are broken — and what invite-only actually meansThe real tactics fraudsters use: AI-generated IDs, stolen MCs, spoofed emailsHow Turnpike verifies every company before they get accessWhere AI is taking freight fraud detection in 2026 and beyondThe one thing brokers and carriers should do right now to protect themselvesConnect with Alden + Turnpike: https://turnpike.comFollow Lida on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/lidahakobyanSponsored by Digital Permit Book — smarter trucking compliance.

    28 min

  2. May 6

    Pick, Pack, Ship Is Dead — Here's What Error-Free Fulfillment Actually Looks Like in 2026

    Most brands think they have a shipping problem. They don't — they have a fulfillment problem. And it's costing them clients.In this episode, Lida sits down with Brynden King — VP of Sales at FFE Solutions Group, a full-service 3PL out of Salt Lake City specializing in error-free fulfillment, kitting, custom packaging, and scalable warehousing. Brynden has been inside these operations from the ground up, and he breaks down exactly what's breaking most fulfillment setups — and how to fix it.In this episode:The most expensive mistake brands make when choosing a 3PLWhat error-free fulfillment actually looks like in practiceKitting and custom packaging — the use case most brands are sleeping onHow real-time visibility fixes your supply chain before it becomes a freight problemOn-demand warehousing for seasonal brands — what to do before Q4 hitsWhere AI is taking fulfillment in the next 3-5 yearsIf you're a brand, operator, or logistics pro — this one is for you.Connect with Brynden + FFE Solutions Group: https://www.ffesg.comSubscribe to Your Bestie in Freight: https://freightfreedom.coFollow Lida on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/lidahakobyanSponsored by Digital Permit Book — smarter trucking compliance.

    17 min

  3. May 1

    From Operations Floor to Partner: The Real Path to Owning a Logistics Business

    Most logistics companies say they do custom solutions. Very few actually build the infrastructure to back it up.In this episode of Your Bestie in Freight, I sit down with Kalen Block — VP and Partner at Yellowstone Logistics, a custom distribution company serving Fortune 500 manufacturers, technology firms, and heavy industry shippers across the U.S. since 2007.We talk about what custom distribution actually means in the real world, how Yellowstone built their own proprietary technology to stay ahead, where companies consistently lose money without realizing it, and how AI is really — and I mean really — impacting distribution operations today.Kalen also shares the journey from operations supervisor all the way to owning part of the business. This one is packed.🎙️ Subscribe to Your Bestie in Freight for real conversations with the people actually running logistics.📌 Connect with Kalen: www.yellowstonelogistics.com📌 Connect with Lida: www.freightfreedom.co#FreightPodcast #YourBestieInFreight #FreightFreedom #Logistics #Distribution #SupplyChain #3PL #LogisticsBusiness #Freight #Trucking #Transportation #FreightBroker #FreightIndustry #LogisticsLife #TruckingLife #SupplyChainManagement #FreightManagement #Warehousing #FreightTech #LogisticsTech #AIinLogistics #FreightAI #B2BLogistics #BrokerLife #OwnerOperator #Entrepreneur #WomenInBusiness #WomenInLogistics #BusinessPodcast #Podcast #PodcastLife #BusinessGrowth #SmallBusiness #B2B #AI #DigitalTransformation #BusinessTips #CustomDistribution #Fortune500 #DistributionLogistics #FreightDistribution #LogisticsPartner #DistributionNetwork #FreightNetwork #LTL #FTL #Intermodal #LastMileDelivery #WarehouseManagement #DistributionCenter #LogisticsManagement #FreightStrategy #SupplyChainStrategy #FreightOperations #LogisticsOperations #CargoFreight #FreightSolutions #LogisticsNews #FreightNews #SupplyChainNewsDone For You LinkdeIN Prospecting & Email Automation System-https://www.logisticswithlida.com/dfnlinkdeinprospecting/automationsystemFreight Broker Elite Mentorship-https://www.logisticswithlida.com/freightbrokerelite/paymentplanFREE Resources for You✨FREE Ebook "How to make 6 figures with 5 steps as a freight broker” https://www.logisticswithlida.com/make6figuresasafba✨Run your email marketing and land TOP shippers, all in one place. Get 10k emails for free and upgrade whenever you're ready:https://apollo.grsm.io/6figuresfreightbroker✨Get a Professional G Suite Email Addresshttps://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/HfRJMy newsletter- this is right-https://lida.systeme.io/freightfreedom✨One Month Free on TruckstopChoose the link that fits your role:Broker https://partners.truckstop.com/f8g1u1xujlu8Shipper https://partners.truckstop.com/jwb3y95gin2l-bvjxsfpCarrier https://partners.truckstop.com/7pxzh5pk15py-gk8o3(Just a heads up: the above links are affiliate links, so if you sign up using them, I may get a small kickback, which is really helpful for my channel. Thank you!)

    26 min

  4. Apr 24

    The Truth About Cross-Border Freight Between the U.S. and Mexico (What Nobody Tells You)

    The U.S.–Mexico border moves billions of dollars in freight every single year — and most shippers still don't fully understand how it works. In this episode of Your Bestie in Freight, I sit down with Hugo Machado, VP of Sales and Marketing at Blockchain Logistics, a U.S. Customhouse Broker operating right at the San Diego–Tijuana corridor, one of the most active trade gateways in North America. We get into what customs clearance really looks like on a bad day, why the nearshoring wave is changing everything for cross-border freight, where companies are silently losing money, and how AI is starting to reshape the customs and logistics game. If you're moving freight across the border  or thinking about it  this one is for you. 😙️ Subscribe to Your Bestie in Freight for real talk on logistics, freight, and building a business in this industry. 📌 Connect with Hugo: www.blchainlogistics.com 📌 Connect with Lida: www.freightfreedom.co #FreightPodcast #YourBestieInFreight #FreightFreedom #Logistics #CrossBorderFreight #SupplyChain #CustomsBroker #Freight #Trucking #Transportation #FreightBroker #FreightIndustry #LogisticsLife #TruckingLife #SupplyChainManagement #FreightForwarding #3PL #Warehousing #FreightTech #LogisticsTech #AIinLogistics #FreightAI #B2BLogistics #FreightManagement #BrokerLife #OwnerOperator #Entrepreneur #WomenInBusiness #WomenInLogistics #BusinessPodcast #Podcast #PodcastLife #BusinessGrowth #SmallBusiness #B2B #AI #DigitalTransformation #BusinessTips #USMexicoTrade #CustomsClearance #ImportExport #Nearshoring #TradeCompliance #USMCA #GlobalLogistics #NorthAmericaTrade #ImportFreight #ExportFreight #BorderLogistics #MexicoLogistics #CrossBorder #FreightStrategy #SupplyChainStrategy #TradeLogistics #FreightOperations #LogisticsOperations #CargoFreight #FreightSolutions #LogisticsNews #FreightNews #SupplyChainNews

    21 min

  5. Apr 20

    How to Avoid Expensive Port Delays | Logistics Expert Breaks It Down

    What looks like a simple container move can actually be where freight brokers and logistics companies lose the most money. In this video, we break down the hidden challenges behind drayage, port congestion, chassis shortages, and missed appointments—and how they impact your logistics business. If you're in freight brokering, trucking, or working with direct shippers, this is critical knowledge you can’t afford to ignore.Learn how successful freight brokers manage port operations, reduce costly delays, and improve communication between international and domestic logistics. We also cover how to get direct shippers, scale your logistics company, and use smarter systems (including AI in logistics) to stay competitive in today’s supply chain environment.If you’re serious about growing your freight brokerage or trucking business, make sure you apply these strategies to avoid profit loss and operate more efficiently.👉 Subscribe for more freight broker tips, logistics business strategies, and real-world insights to help you grow. key topicsPort congestion and its impact on profitsDifferences between 3PL and 4PL logistics providersCommon mistakes in drayage and port operationsAutomation and AI in logistics and their futureStrategies to reduce delays and costs at ports sound bites"Port issues cause profit loss, not just delays.""Started with coast-to-coast trucking in 2015.""Expanding to other ports like Houston and Newark."Chapters00:00 Understanding the Cost of Container Moves05:16 The Journey of Polar 4PL09:56 Challenges After Containers Hit the Port12:26 The Importance of Organization in Freight14:26 Networking and Learning in the Industry17:01 The Future of Logistics and Automation18:49 Strategies to Mitigate Delays and Costs21:08 Rapid Fire Insights on Drayage

    24 min

  6. Apr 15

    Inventory Management Mistakes That Kill Profit (From a 30-Year Industry Expert)

    Most companies' biggest mistake? Believing more inventory equals better service. However, as Matthew Straitfeather reveals, excess inventory actually causes delays, ties up cash, and erodes profits—yet many still chase bulk buying and free freight tricks that backfire in the long run.In this episode, discover why understanding the true costs of inventory—beyond just purchase price—is essential to profitability. Matthew breaks down the hidden expenses like carrying costs, spoilage, pilferage, and replenishment activities that can silently chip away at your margins. You’ll learn how many businesses fall into the trap of buying more to chase gross margin, without accounting for the real costs, leading to excessive stockpiles that harm the bottom line.We also explore how supply chain disruptions, especially in today’s global climate, make long lead times a strategic nightmare. Matthew shares practical frameworks like distribution requirements planning to forecast six, nine, or even twelve months ahead. Plus, get insights on adjusting forecasts during crises like COVID, where leftovers became shelf fillers, and substitution became survival.You’ll uncover how automation and AI are reshaping inventory decision-making—not replacing humans but supporting smarter choices. Matthew emphasizes the importance of understanding algorithm logic, so you can trust insights rather than blindly automate. Highlighting AI’s role in auditing and anomaly detection, he shows how these tools can elevate your strategic planning—not just operational tasks.Finally, discover straightforward rules that every company should follow right now: understand your system’s decision drivers, account for the total cost of inventory, and differentiate profitable from slow-moving items. Whether you’re a logistics pro or just starting, this episode is essential listening to break free from outdated myths and unlock smarter, profit-preserving inventory practices.If you're puzzled by inventory complexity or struggling with supply chain chaos, this episode offers clarity—and the tools to turn inventory from a necessary evil into a strategic advantage. Perfect for managers, logistics professionals, and entrepreneurs ready to rethink what inventory really costs—and how to master it. key topicsCost of carrying inventoryImpact of poor inventory planning on logisticsLong lead times and supply chain disruptionsRole of AI in inventory decision-making sound bites"AI supports decision-making, it doesn't replace it.""Understand your total cost of inventory.""Poor planning leads to emergencies and higher costs."Chapters00:00 The Myth of More Inventory02:58 Understanding Inventory Costs06:02 Common Mistakes in Inventory Management09:07 Planning for Long Lead Times12:09 The Role of AI in Inventory Management14:55 Key Rules for Effective Inventory Management17:57 The Evolution of Inventory Management20:51 Customer Expectations and Inventory Challenges22:56 Rapid Fire Insights

    24 min

  7. Apr 13

    The Hidden Side of Freight Fraud : Cargo Theft Is Organized Now

    Freight fraud is evolving faster than most industry players realize—until it’s too late. In this eye-opening episode, Victor Louis, founder of Lord Secure, reveals how sophisticated scammers exploit everyday logistics flaws, turning seemingly normal scenarios into catastrophic losses.Most freight fraud looks innocent at first glance, from double brokering to cargo theft—until shipments vanish and reputations are ruined. Victor breaks down the clever tactics fraudsters use: spoofed location updates, emulators, and exploiting industry fragmentation. He shares firsthand stories of how bad actors leverage weak spots, from tampered IDs to illegal drivers—highlighting the invisible dangers lurking in everyday moves.You'll discover: the crucial role of driver identity verification, the real impact of non-domicile drivers on cargo theft, and how modern technology—like real-time GPS tracking—can be spoofed by highly sophisticated criminals. Victor emphasizes that prevention is everything; stopping fraud early protects your bottom line, your reputation, and the entire supply chain.Why does this matter? Because once freight is stolen or compromised, recovery is rare—more than 70% is never reclaimed, with consequences that ripple across consumers and industries alike. As fraud becomes more organized and visible, the winners will be those who understand the risks and act proactively. Victor's insights are essential for shippers, brokers, and carriers who want to safeguard their cargo and stay ahead of smarter, more organized criminals.This episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about protecting their freight, reducing risk, and understanding how industry-wide fraud affects costs, capacity, and regulation. Whether you're managing high-value cargo or just want to grasp how modern crime impacts logistics, tune in now to see what’s really at stake—and how to prevent disaster before it happens.Remember: In freight, prevention isn’t just smart—it's survival. Hit play and build your defenses today.key topicsFreight fraud and its hidden signsThe impact of cargo theft on the industryInnovative solutions for verifying drivers and shipmentsSound Bites"Fraud looks normal until it's too late""Fraud will cause freight rates to rise""Most cargo theft is never recovered"Chapters00:00 Introduction to Freight Fraud03:03 Understanding the Nature of Freight Fraud05:50 Identifying Red Flags in Freight Transactions08:51 The Role of Technology in Fraud Prevention11:54 Security Failures in the Freight Industry14:58 The Impact of Non-Domiciled Drivers17:58 Best Practices for Freight Brokers20:57 Trends in Driver Verification and Fraud Prevention23:10 Understanding Non-Domiciled Licenses24:35 Impact of Fraud on Freight Rates27:17 Regulatory Challenges and Industry Response30:04 Preventing Fraud with Technology32:51 Personal Experiences with Freight Theft35:52 The Role of Digital Solutions in Freight Management37:48 Rapid Fire Insights on Freight Fraud

    42 min

  8. Apr 9

    The Truth About Freight, Leadership & Growth with Hannah Hurckes

    In this video, we break down the truth about freight brokering, leadership, and what it really takes to grow a successful logistics business. Featuring insights inspired by Hannah Hurckes, we dive into how freight brokers can build strong foundations, attract direct shippers, and scale in today’s competitive trucking and supply chain industry.Whether you're new to freight brokering or already running a logistics company, this video covers essential strategies for leadership, business growth, and long-term success. Learn how to stand out as a freight broker, improve your operations, and leverage smarter systems—including AI in logistics—to stay ahead.If you're serious about growing your logistics business and winning more direct shippers, this is a must-watch.👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more freight broker tips, trucking strategies, and logistics business growth content!

    18 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Your Bestie in Freight is the podcast for freight brokers ready to grow a real business and stop playing small. Hosted by Lida, a former truck driver turned successful freight broker, the show covers direct shippers, prospecting, AI, sales, and what actually works in today’s freight market. Whether you are brand new to freight or already brokering loads and ready for the next level, this podcast will help you grow with more confidence, clarity, and direction. Listen, learn, and build your freedom in freight.

Information

  • Creator
    Lida Hakobyan
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Lida Hakobyan
  • Show Website
    Your Bestie In Frieght