Tell Me Everything | Logistics Freight Podcast

Danielle Spinelli
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Business
  • Updated Biweekly

Tell Me Everything is a logistics podcast featuring weekly conversations with industry professionals every Tuesday, covering freight, supply chain trends, and real-world insights from brokers, shippers, and carriers. On Fraud Girl Fridays, the focus shifts to cargo theft, freight fraud, and supply chain security - breaking down how it happens and how to stay protected.

  1. 3h ago ·  Video

    Fraud Girl Season 2 Episode 32: Cargo Theft Goes Off the Rails: Intermodal with IANA

    Cargo theft doesn’t stop when the truck leaves the highway. In this episode of Tell Me Everything, Fraud Girl Danielle Spinelli sits down with Anne Reinke, President & CEO of the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA), to go inside a side of cargo theft we don’t talk about nearly enough: rail, drayage, ports, containers and the entire intermodal supply chain. Anne explains why intermodal can be a more closed ecosystem than traditional over-the-road transportation — but why multiple handoffs and long stretches of unattended freight still create major opportunities for organized cargo theft. We get into how criminals target trains and containers, why electronics remain such an attractive commodity, what’s happening in cargo theft hot spots including California, Texas, Illinois and Memphis, and how thieves are becoming increasingly sophisticated in identifying high-value freight. But this isn’t just about stronger locks and taller fences. Anne explains why cargo security requires a layered approach: validating carriers and drivers, verifying equipment and contacts, documenting chain of custody, controlling access, using sensors and technology, securing containers, sharing intelligence and building relationships with law enforcement. One of the biggest takeaways? If someone fraudulently convinces you to voluntarily hand over the freight, the height of your fence doesn’t matter. We also talk about: • Why multiple intermodal handoffs create opportunities for theft • Rail-yard and in-transit cargo theft • How organized thieves identify valuable containers • Electronics, food products and other targeted commodities • Port security, TWIC credentials and identity validation • Export theft and stolen freight moving overseas • Sensors, seals, locks, GPS and container security technology • Why visibility and security are becoming increasingly connected • IANA’s Cargo Theft Recommended Practices • The importance of reporting cargo theft instead of simply absorbing the loss • Public-private collaboration with law enforcement • Driver and carrier verification in the intermodal ecosystem • Why brokers and shippers may want to better understand intermodal • How IMCs help orchestrate intermodal transportation • The 2026 Intermodal EXPO and resources available for companies entering the space LEARN MORE ABOUT IANA https://www.intermodal.org/ INTERMODAL EXPO September 14–16, 2026 | Long Beach, California https://intermodal.org/intermodalexpo/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23896949500&gbraid=0AAAAA_idXhn-JRHPMSIR1fX4sNJSavP67&gclid=CjwKCAjwwL_UBhAjEiwAEhuT5B1hl4snFTU4JDKdkgNhMSDMYLarMeQ_Laaca2m4bRZwUw8jmvOxLxoC_GYQAvD_BwE FRAUD GIRL + ARIZONA LAW ENFORCEMENT: CARGO THEFT https://youtu.be/8SUKA2_Xzyo?si=AIPSbHcFq1YCuqKc MORE ON RAIL / CARGO THEFT https://youtu.be/f0KdTc3YcTM

    Fraud Girl Season 2 Episode 32: Cargo Theft Goes Off the Rails: Intermodal with IANA

  2. 2d ago ·  Video

    TME Season 2 Episode 35: The One Where Leadership Hits the Court. The Basketball Edition

    What can business leaders learn from a basketball coach? A lot more than you might think. In this episode of Tell Me Everything, Danielle Spinelli sits down with basketball coach Aaron Tribbey to talk about the surprising similarities between coaching a basketball team and leading a successful business team. With 20 years of coaching experience, Aaron shares what he’s learned about building culture, recruiting for character over talent, holding people accountable without destroying their confidence, coaching high performers, managing different personalities, staying calm under pressure, and getting star players to buy into the success of the entire team. They also get into one of the hardest parts of leadership: recognizing that everyone develops differently—and sometimes being a great leader means meeting people where they are instead of forcing them into who you think they should be. Whether you’re a coach, business leader, manager, parent, athlete, or entrepreneur, this conversation is a reminder that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about relationships, consistency, adaptability, and continuing to learn. And Aaron leaves us with perhaps the biggest lesson of all: don’t become so focused on reaching the top that you forget to appreciate the climb.

    TME Season 2 Episode 35: The One Where Leadership Hits the Court. The Basketball Edition

  3. Aug 18 ·  Video

    TME Season 2 Episode 34: The One Where Your SOP Gets Put on Trial

    A written carrier-vetting policy may look great on paper—but can you prove your employees actually followed it? In this episode of Tell Me Everything, Danielle Spinelli sits down with Rob Miller and Merul from Exhibit A to discuss the growing legal and operational risks facing freight brokers following the highly publicized $604 million nuclear verdict. As brokerages scramble to review their carrier-selection policies, vetting standards, and standard operating procedures, this conversation focuses on the piece many companies may still be missing: documenting what actually happened at the time a carrier was booked. Exhibit A is building a compliance automation platform that works across a brokerage’s existing technology stack. It can help track employee actions, document carrier-vetting steps, capture screenshots from platforms such as FMCSA SAFER and other tools, identify deviations from company SOPs, and create an audit trail that can be exported into a court-ready proof packet. Danielle, Rob, and Merul also discuss the realities of working on a busy brokerage floor. What happens when a hot load needs to move, a representative skips a step, a carrier’s information later changes, or the employee who booked the load no longer works for the company? They also explore how better documentation can support employee training, insurance discussions, customer conversations, technology adoption, internal accountability, and potential legal defense. Topics covered in this episode include: • The impact of the $604 million nuclear verdict • Freight broker liability and negligent carrier selection • Carrier vetting and compliance documentation • Why having an SOP is different from following one • Creating a timestamped carrier-vetting audit trail • Capturing what a carrier looked like at the time of booking • Documenting FMCSA SAFER and vetting-platform research • Identifying skipped steps and training opportunities • Using browser extensions to track compliance activity • Connecting multiple freight technology platforms • Human oversight when using AI for carrier vetting • Phone-call and communication documentation • Preparing court-ready proof packets • Demonstrating compliance to shippers and insurance providers • Protecting employees who followed the correct process • Building more defensible freight-brokerage operations This episode is especially important for freight brokers, carrier sales teams, compliance managers, risk professionals, insurance providers, transportation attorneys, brokerage owners, and anyone responsible for selecting or dispatching motor carriers. Having the right process matters. Being able to prove that your team followed it may matter even more. Learn more about Exhibit A at exhibita.io. A huge thank-you to our sponsor, Tallgrass Freight Co. If you are a freight broker, broker agent, or W-2 employee ready to take your career to the next level, contact TME@tallgrassfreight.com.

    TME Season 2 Episode 34: The One Where Your SOP Gets Put on Trial

  4. Aug 14 ·  Video

    Fraud Girl Season 2 Episode 31: Fraud Girl Recap: Cargo Theft, Montgomery & the New Vetting Reality

    Cargo theft prevention and broker liability are starting to collide—and freight brokers need to understand where security ends and potential liability begins. In this Fraud Girl Friday episode of Tell Me Everything, Danielle Spinelli breaks down her biggest takeaways from a three-hour panel at the TIA Regional Meeting at McLeod Software in Birmingham, Alabama, including the overlap between cargo theft prevention, carrier vetting, safety, legal risk, and the Montgomery decision. One of the biggest takeaways? We may need to stop calling it “driver vetting.” When it comes to cargo theft prevention, brokers absolutely need to confirm that the person picking up the freight is actually associated with the carrier they hired. But there is an important distinction between driver identification and verification versus evaluating an individual driver’s qualifications or safety history. Danielle breaks down that distinction, plus: How cargo theft prevention and broker liability are beginning to overlapWhy your carrier-vetting SOP could become incredibly important in litigationWhat happens when employees override a carrier-vetting failure or red flagWhy your TMS should help enforce your company’s vetting policiesDriver identification vs. driver vettingHow to verify trucks, trailers, drivers, and carriers without unnecessarily exercising control over a driverWhy tracking, escorts, pallet trackers, and technology are layers—not silver bulletsWhy high-value freight needs additional security protocolsThe growing importance of shipper and gate-security proceduresWhy security culture matters just as much as security technologyWhat brokers should do immediately after discovering a stolen loadWhy companies should conduct cargo-theft response drills before an actual theft happensAnd there’s some good news: the industry may actually be making progress. Reported cargo theft counts have declined, but criminals are becoming more selective and targeting higher-value shipments. That means freight brokers, carriers, shippers, technology providers, insurers, law enforcement, and security teams have to continue making it harder for bad actors to get through the front door. Cargo security isn’t one person’s job. It’s a layered process—and every layer matters. 🎙️ Tell Me Everything: Fraud Girl Friday Hosted by Danielle Spinelli Thank you to our sponsor, Tallgrass Freight Co. If you’re a freight broker or agent looking for a new home, reach out to TME@tallgrassfreight.com for more information.

    Fraud Girl Season 2 Episode 31: Fraud Girl Recap: Cargo Theft, Montgomery & the New Vetting Reality

  5. Aug 11 ·  Video

    TME Season 2 Episode 33: The One Where AI Meets Legal Liability

    AI can make freight faster, carrier vetting easier and entire back-office operations more efficient… but what happens when AI gets it wrong? In this episode of Tell Me Everything, Danielle Spinelli sits down with transportation attorney Elle Slattery of Taylor Nelson Slattery Bernard to talk about the legal risks transportation companies need to be thinking about as AI becomes more embedded in everyday operations. We start with one of the biggest conversations happening in freight right now: carrier vetting, reasonable care and the impact of the Montgomery decision. What should brokers actually be documenting? How do you create a carrier-vetting policy you can defend? And does every red flag mean you should automatically reject a carrier? Then we get into a question the industry hasn’t fully figured out yet: If AI makes the decision and something goes wrong, who is liable? The AI provider? The company using it? The employee overseeing it? And how will insurance companies eventually look at businesses relying heavily on AI for carrier selection, safety, compliance and other risk decisions? We also dig into an overlooked consequence of AI adoption in logistics: its potential impact on women in transportation. Many of the first roles being automated — accounting, administrative operations, dispatch and back-office functions — are also roles disproportionately held by women and often serve as entry points into the industry. This conversation isn’t about being afraid of AI. It’s about implementing it intentionally. We cover: Carrier vetting after MontgomeryWhat “reasonable care” can look like for freight brokersWhy consistency and documentation matterNuclear verdicts and transportation liabilityAI-powered carrier vetting and human oversightWho could be liable when an AI system failsHow insurance could eventually treat AI-driven decisionsAI automation and workforce reductionsThe disproportionate impact automation could have on women in logisticsHow companies can create more defensible AI and employment policiesWhy your company’s individual risk tolerance mattersThe biggest takeaway? You can’t eliminate every risk — but you should be able to explain why you made the decision you made. Elle Slattery is a member/partner at Taylor Nelson Slattery Bernard, a boutique law firm focused exclusively on transportation and logistics law, including litigation, regulatory compliance, corporate restructuring and transportation-specific contracts. 🎙️ Tell Me Everything Podcast with Danielle Spinelli A big thank you to our sponsor Tallgrass Freight Co. If you’re currently a W-2 freight broker thinking about becoming an agent — or an existing agent looking for a new home — check them out. Like, subscribe and follow for more conversations about freight, logistics, cargo theft, fraud, technology and the people changing the transportation industry. #Transportation #Logistics #FreightBroker #CarrierVetting #TransportationLaw #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #CargoTheft #FreightFraud #WomenInLogistics #WomenInTrucking #SupplyChain #NuclearVerdicts #FreightTech

    TME Season 2 Episode 33: The One Where AI Meets Legal Liability

  6. Aug 7 ·  Video

    Fraud Girl Season 2 Episode 30: The Roadside Clues That Could Stop Cargo Theft

    Cargo theft does not always begin with an obvious crime. Sometimes, it starts with a temporary registration, mismatched paperwork, a handwritten DOT number, an unexplained route or a driver whose story simply does not add up. In this Fraud Girl Friday episode of Tell Me Everything, Danielle Spinelli sits down with Jay Mancuso, a Pennsylvania traffic safety supervisor and experienced DOT truck inspector, to uncover the roadside anomalies that can expose cargo theft, fraudulent pickups, chameleon carriers and other organized criminal activity. Jay explains how routine commercial vehicle inspections can evolve into deeper investigations involving stolen freight, high-end vehicles, narcotics, human trafficking and fraudulent carrier operations. He also shares why one unusual detail may be explainable—but several anomalies together should be a signal to slow down, ask questions and verify before releasing freight. Danielle and Jay discuss practical steps shippers, freight brokers, carriers and warehouse teams can take to prevent cargo theft, including verifying drivers, checking VINs and registrations, reviewing shipping documents, confirming delivery instructions and creating direct relationships with law enforcement before an incident occurs. They also explain why companies need a 24/7 cargo theft response plan. When law enforcement stops a suspicious truck, the ability to quickly reach someone who can verify the driver, load, pallet count and destination may determine whether stolen cargo is recovered or sent back down the road. In this episode, you’ll learn: How DOT inspectors identify suspicious roadside anomalies Why paperwork is critical during a cargo theft investigation The warning signs of ghost and chameleon carrier activity How temporary registrations and changing DOT numbers raise concern Why dock workers should confirm drivers and delivery instructions How fraudulent load diversions happen after pickup Why shippers need an after-hours cargo theft contact How safety violations can uncover larger criminal activity Why relationships with law enforcement must be built before a theft The importance of slowing down when something does not feel right Cargo theft prevention is not something companies should begin after a load disappears. As Jay explains, you do not learn CPR while someone is choking—you prepare ahead of time so you know exactly what to do when every second matters. Presented by Tallgrass Freight Co. Are you a freight broker agent looking for a place where you can build a real business around your book of business? Contact the Tallgrass Freight team at TME@tallgrassfreight.com.

    Fraud Girl Season 2 Episode 30: The Roadside Clues That Could Stop Cargo Theft

  7. Aug 4 ·  Video

    TME Season 2 Episode 32: The One Where Women in Supply Chain Build Powerful Networks

    What happens when Women in Supply Chain stop viewing self-advocacy as bragging and start recognizing it as a necessary part of building their careers? In this episode of Tell Me Everything, Danielle Spinelli sits down with Marina Mayer, editor-in-chief of Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive, to discuss the growth of the Women in Supply Chain Forum and why women-focused professional communities are so important. Marina shares how the Women in Supply Chain award program began during COVID and eventually grew into an in-person event where women from transportation, logistics, warehousing, procurement, manufacturing, technology, e-commerce and other areas of the supply chain can connect, learn and build lasting relationships. Danielle and Marina also get honest about the challenges women face when advocating for themselves, applying for leadership positions, submitting themselves for awards and negotiating for better opportunities. They discuss why many women feel uncomfortable talking about their accomplishments—and why no one else can communicate the full impact of your work better than you can. The conversation also covers mentorship, personal branding, networking as an introvert, career development, work-life balance, mom guilt and the difficulty of making meaningful friendships as an adult. You’ll also hear what attendees can expect at the upcoming Women in Supply Chain Forum in Charleston, including: • Keynotes focused on leadership, technology and negotiation • Mentor and mentee matchmaking • Cocktails and Conversations • Coffee and Conversations • Supply Chain Jeopardy • Networking with women from across the supply chain • Opportunities for students and emerging professionals • The Girls of Logistics community and annual girls’ trip Whether you are an experienced supply chain leader, early in your career, transitioning into a new role or simply looking for a community that understands your professional and personal challenges, this episode is a reminder that investing in yourself and building the right network can change the direction of your career. Register for the Women in Supply Chain Forum: WomenInSupplyChainForum.com Connect with Danielle on LinkedIn to learn more about Girls of Logistics and future community events. Thank you to our sponsor, Tallgrass Freight Co. Are you a W-2 freight broker or freight agent looking for a new home and an opportunity to build your own business with the right support behind you? Learn more about freight agent opportunities at TellMeEverythingPod.com or email TME@TallgrassFreight.com.

    TME Season 2 Episode 32: The One Where Women in Supply Chain Build Powerful Networks

  8. Jul 31 ·  Video

    Fraud Girl Season 2 Episode 29: Your GPS Might Be Lying: How Cybercriminals Are Hacking Cargo Theft

    On this episode of Fraud Girl Friday, Danielle Spinelli sits down with Mo Satt, Founder and CEO of Mobile Defender, to talk about one of the most overlooked risks in cargo theft prevention: cybersecurity. We put a lot of trust in ELDs, GPS tracking, telematics, pallet trackers, and “live location” updates — but what happens when that location can be manipulated? Mo breaks down how cargo thieves are using hidden cellular trackers, GPS spoofing devices, hacked delivery instructions, and other cyber tactics to surveil freight, learn routes, and hide stolen loads in plain sight. From high-value freight to smart trailers, shipper cameras, robot dogs, and telematics platforms like Geotab and Samsara, this conversation gets into the technology behind modern cargo theft and why brokers, shippers, carriers, insurers, and law enforcement need a layered approach. In this episode, we talk about: Why GPS and ELD tracking are not always the silver bullet people think they areHow hidden cellular trackers can be placed on trucks, trailers, or cargoWhat GPS spoofing is and how it can make a truck appear to be somewhere it is notWhy cargo thieves are becoming more sophisticated and strategicHow high-value freight is being targeted through route manipulation and surveillanceWhy brokers and shippers should care about cybersecurity in carrier vettingHow telematics, smart trailers, and security technology can work togetherWhat carriers should consider when building safety protocols around tracker alertsWhy cargo theft prevention needs a layered security approachThis conversation is a reminder that freight fraud is not just fake MCs and double brokering anymore. The bad guys are using technology, and the industry has to respond with better visibility, stronger verification, and more awareness. Thank you to our sponsor, Tallgrass Freight Co. If you’re a broker agent looking for a place to call home, reach out to tme@tallgrassfreight.com. Guest: Mo Satt, Founder & CEO of Mobile Defender Host: Danielle Spinelli, Tell Me Everything Podcast / Fraud Girl Friday Learn more about Mobile Defender: mobiledefender.net

    Fraud Girl Season 2 Episode 29: Your GPS Might Be Lying: How Cybercriminals Are Hacking Cargo Theft
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5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Tell Me Everything is a logistics podcast featuring weekly conversations with industry professionals every Tuesday, covering freight, supply chain trends, and real-world insights from brokers, shippers, and carriers. On Fraud Girl Fridays, the focus shifts to cargo theft, freight fraud, and supply chain security - breaking down how it happens and how to stay protected.

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