WHAT THE TRUCK?!?

FreightWaves
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WHAT THE TRUCK?!? is FreightWaves' irreverent award-winning podcast breaking down the biggest stories in transportation and logistics. WTT?!? is all about the people that make freight move. On the show you'll hear from founders, CEOs, VCs, truckers, brokers, and influencers. Join the industry three times a week on FreightWavesTV and podcast players everywhere.

  1. Vibe Shift in the Market: Why Freight Rates are Staying Higher for Longer

    3H AGO

    Vibe Shift in the Market: Why Freight Rates are Staying Higher for Longer

    In this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Thomas Wasson dives deep into the major geopolitical events impacting global supply chains, specifically focusing on recent attacks in the Persian Gulf and the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The show analyzes the ripple effects of these events on energy markets and maritime routes, highlighting how supply chains have become central to modern geopolitical calculus.The episode also covers a significant legal development in the parcel industry: class-action lawsuits against FedEx and UPS following the Supreme Court’s rollback of Trump-era emergency tariffs. In the market update segment, Wasson uses Sonar data to explore why tender rejection rates and spot market rates—particularly in the flatbed segment—are defying seasonal norms and staying “higher for longer”. Finally, the show wraps up with “Thomas Wasson’s Random Musings,” a look at emerging trucking technology and industry trends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    46 min
  2. The 42% Rejection Rate: Why Flatbedders are Naming Their Price

    3D AGO

    The 42% Rejection Rate: Why Flatbedders are Naming Their Price

    In this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent wrap up the month of February 2026 with a deep dive into industrial trends, autonomous infrastructure, and AI-driven safety.Industrial Rebound and Broker LiabilityJP Hampstead joins the show to discuss the “re-industrialization” of the American Midwest. He shares insights on:• Industrial Production: U.S. industrial production has finally reached pre-pandemic levels, hitting its highest point since 2019.• Flatbed Volatility: A staggering 42.5% of flatbed loads are currently being rejected, signaling intense demand in construction and energy sectors.• Supreme Court Battles: A preview of next week’s oral arguments regarding broker liability in the TQL and C.H. Robinson cases.The Future of the MailboxDan O’Toole, CEO of Arrive AI, discusses the evolution of autonomous delivery infrastructure. He explains:• Mailbox 2.0: Moving beyond the drone itself to create the necessary “smart” landing and securement infrastructure for robotic deliveries.• Safety Innovation: How Arrive points can assist first responders using emergency strobe features.• Economic Impact: The potential for autonomous delivery to remove thousands of trucks from congested roadsCutting Through the Noise with Insurevision.aiMark Miller, founder of Insurevision.ai, joins from London to explain why “risk is visual”. Key takeaways include:• Context over Telematics: Why traditional data like “hard braking” lacks the context needed to truly predict crashes.• End-to-End Models: Using Tesla-style machine learning to analyze dashcam footage and identify true risk in milliseconds.• Fair Underwriting: How AI allows insurance companies to score fleets based on current safety performance rather than five-year-old loss runs. Watch on YouTube Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    56 min

  3. 5D AGO

    The “Dead Horse” of Logistics: Why No One is Vetting Your Carriers

    In this episode of the podcast WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent engage in a fast-paced discussion on current events impacting the freight and transportation industry.The episode covers several key industry and political topics:• Safety and Regulations: The hosts discuss a significant article by Rob Carpenter regarding a driver involved in a major Alabama crash who returned to business despite safety concerns. This leads to a broader debate on “barriers to entry” in the trucking industry and the importance of maintaining high standards for CDL holders.• Political Developments: They touch upon the recent State of the Union address and its implications for cleaning up industry issues.• Trade and Tariffs: There is a detailed analysis of FedEx’s legal fight for refunds following Supreme Court rulings on the mechanisms used for recent tariffs.• Language Requirements: The hosts debate a new rule mentioned by Sean Duffy to implement an “English only” proficiency requirement for skills tests in California, which currently allows tests in up to 20 different languages.Guest Highlights:• Rush Feldhacker: The Senior Director of Sales at Tabi Connect and an industry veteran well-known in the Chattanooga “Freight Alley” area.• Jeff Jacobs: Representing TAI Software, he discusses why a Transportation Management System (TMS) should be viewed as an essential operating system rather than just a software tool. Watch on YouTube Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    51 min

  4. FEB 23

    Why The $1.5 Billion Cartel War For Avocados Is Happening

    In this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent break down a volatile week in global logistics where political shifts and cartel violence are fundamentally redrawing the map of North American trade. The discussion centers on the "green gold" wars at the border, exploring a high-stakes reality where cross-border freight has shifted from a capacity challenge to a survival mission. Following the killing of a major cartel boss, violence along U.S.-Mexico freight corridors has surged, prompting shelter-in-place orders for U.S. citizens and a spike in cargo theft. Adding to the complexity, the hosts analyze the economic ripples of President Trump’s new 10% global tariff, implemented in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that blocked emergency trade powers. Shifting focus from the border to the facility, Justin Malone, Director of Field Safety at The Miner Corporation, joins the show to highlight why the loading dock—rather than the open highway—is often the most dangerous part of an operation. Malone breaks down the "handoff" moment where communication between drivers and facilities frequently fails, leading to life-threatening risks. He dives deep into the phenomenon of "trailer creep," explaining why this silent killer occurs and how basic safety tools like wheel chocks and dock locks are often dangerously ignored or misused. The conversation then turns toward the financial core of logistics technology with Matthew Everson, SVP of Sales & Marketing at IntelliTrans. Everson challenges the industry’s current obsession with visibility, arguing that tracking dashboards can become "money pits" if they aren't balanced against carrier economics. He asserts that the true financial center of gravity for shippers lies in carrier performance and selection, focusing on the specific KPIs that actually drive profitability. Amidst this tech-heavy discussion, Everson also notes Nashville’s rise as a critical emerging hub for both logistics and technology. The episode rounds out with a look at major industry headlines, starting with a judge’s approval of $150,000 UPS driver buyouts. The hosts debate whether this move signals a strategic labor reset or serves as a warning sign for the broader industry. Finally, the team covers the immediate logistical impact of a massive winter blizzard that has ground container terminals to a halt at major Northeast ports, adding further strain to an already pressured supply chain. Watch on YouTube Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    47 min

  5. FEB 20

    Why The Supreme Court Just Nuked Global Tariffs

    Happy Friday! On this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, host Malcolm Harris dives into the heavy-hitting topics that every fleet leader, broker, and driver needs to hear. Broadcasting live on February 20, 2026, this episode is packed with critical insights to help you understand the latest risks, tools, and strategies for keeping your fleet safe, compliant, and profitable.In this packed episode, Cross-Border Expert Noi Mahoney joins the show to break down the massive news regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential tariff powers, discussing the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and what this means for the 2026 trade outlook and cross-border freight flows.Next, Martin Murtland, Vice President of Product at Fleetworthy, introduces Toll360—an AI-driven toll intelligence platform. He explains how fleets are quietly losing money to toll leaks, why tolling is more than just a compliance headache, and how predicting costs can drive serious operational efficiency.Finally, Lewie Pugh, Executive Vice President at OOIDA, tackles one of the biggest safety and regulatory issues in trucking today: chameleon carriers. Lewie walks us through how these carriers evade enforcement, the systemic risks highlighted by the recent Indiana crash, and the congressional actions proposed to stop these networks for good. Watch on YouTube Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    45 min

  6. FEB 18

    Why Illinois Just Got Put On The FMCSA “Death Clock”

    Malcolm kicks off the show with a look at current headlines, including UPS’s optimization plan to close 22 sortation centers and the FMCSA’s crackdown on CDL non-compliance in Illinois. The segment also highlights rising cargo theft data, noting that California and Texas accounted for 58% of US incidents in 2025. Headlines are followed up with two great interviews. Robert Nathan, Co-founder and CEO of Envoy AI, shares insights from his 20-year career that began in the warehouse and led to building a top-50 freight brokerage. He emphasizes the need for a shift toward human-centric technology, specifically building “carrier copilots” that empower the individual user rather than just the enterprise. Nathan also highlights the reality of systemic margin compression, advising brokerages to prepare for a future where they must operate profitably at margins as low as 7%. Following Nathan, Chris Torrence, Chief Strategy Officer at MapUp, brings a perspective shaped by military logistics and over 25 years in the industry. Torrence argues against the “pressure cooker” mentality of transactional sales, advocating instead for the cultivation of “reputation capital” and long-term relationships. He stresses the importance of personal branding and authenticity, noting that while technology can always be replicated, the trust built through genuine human connection remains the ultimate differentiator in a crowded market. Watch on YouTube Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    46 min
  7. Why Your Paper BOL is a $52 Billion Security Hole

    FEB 16

    Why Your Paper BOL is a $52 Billion Security Hole

    On this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Malcolm kicks things off with the latest headlines in freight, from ELD enforcement updates and cross-border truck exports to major M&A moves and labor tensions shaking up the industry. First up, Craig Leinauer breaks down the biggest mistakes companies make when filing cargo claims — from late reporting and poor documentation to misunderstanding shipment value and contract liability — and shares practical steps to avoid costly insurance headaches. Next, Jennifer Karpus-Romain joins the show to talk about the evolving role of sales and marketing in transportation. She dives into how the Transportation Marketing and Sales Association is innovating with track-based learning, expanding professional development, and building stronger industry connections through events and podcasting. To close it out, Danny Ramon brings his cargo crime expertise to the table, exposing how fraudsters are exploiting bills of lading in increasingly sophisticated schemes. He explains how simple document manipulation can lead to massive losses — and what companies can do to tighten up their defenses. Watch on YouTube Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    46 min
  8. Why 40,000 Drivers Are About To Lose Their CDLs

    FEB 13

    Why 40,000 Drivers Are About To Lose Their CDLs

    On this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, Malcolm breaks down the biggest trucking and freight headlines of the week, from CDL regulations and cross-border trade to cargo crime and market volatility driven by AI claims. First guest Noi Mahoney joins the show to unpack Canada–U.S. tariff developments, wage theft issues impacting drivers in Canada, rising cargo theft trends, and ongoing layoffs and bankruptcies across the trucking industry. Later, Norita Taylor discusses the mission and impact of the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund, highlighting critical financial assistance and free health and wellness programs designed to support drivers during illness, injury, and recovery. Watch on YouTube Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    46 min
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About

WHAT THE TRUCK?!? is FreightWaves' irreverent award-winning podcast breaking down the biggest stories in transportation and logistics. WTT?!? is all about the people that make freight move. On the show you'll hear from founders, CEOs, VCs, truckers, brokers, and influencers. Join the industry three times a week on FreightWavesTV and podcast players everywhere.

Information

  • Creator
    FreightWaves
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    951
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    ©2025 FreightWaves
  • Show Website
    WHAT THE TRUCK?!?