WHAT THE TRUCK?!?

In this special festive edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, host Malcolm Harris brings you a packed episode live from the 2026 Freight Market Summit. First, Malcolm sits down with Sarah Abernathy, Director of Marketing and Communications at Kenworth Truck Company. Sarah shares the behind-the-scenes story of one of trucking’s most heartwarming annual traditions: hauling the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree across the country. She discusses Kenworth’s twelve-year partnership with the project, the state-to-state community engagement, and the technology behind the Kenworth T680 that carried this year’s tree, “Silverbell,” from Nevada to Washington, D.C. Sarah also highlights the role of driver Michael Porter, the significance of the tour, and what Kenworth is looking forward to in 2026. Later in the episode, Malcolm welcomes Zane Holcomb and Luke LeMaster from TEL to talk about becoming an owner-operator in today’s freight market. They break down what drivers should expect, why now can still be a smart time to step into ownership, how TEL supports drivers throughout their leases, and the mindset needed to build a successful owner-operator business. They also discuss technology trends, equipment choices, common challenges, and the changing landscape of driver mentorship. Plus, Malcolm covers the latest industry headlines, including:  • A logistics startup founder losing an appeal on a 20-year conviction  • New tariff discussions involving the U.S. and Mexico  • Enterprise officially entering the heavy-truck space through its Hogan acquisition  • The ongoing voting for America’s Top Freight Town If you enjoy stories about trucking, leadership, equipment, market insights, and the people who make the industry run, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. 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

On this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, host Malcolm Harris dives into a packed lineup covering the latest issues shaping freight, technology, and trucking regulation. We kick things off with Rudy Nemeth of Veloster Solutions, who breaks down how AI is transforming fleet management through predictive maintenance, smarter safety systems, and advanced route optimization following their recent acquisition of NextBillion.ai. Next, Magnus Technologies CEO Matt Cartwright joins the show to talk about the real roots of the driver shortage, why it’s a systemic issue rather than a people problem, and how empathy, communication, and integrated technology platforms can dramatically improve driver satisfaction and retention. He also shares insights from decades in the industry and why unifying data is the key to modern fleet operations. To wrap up, Andrew Poliakoff, Executive Director of CVTA, gives an inside look at the state of driver training, the federal crackdown on fraudulent training providers, and what fleets, students, and schools need to know about compliance, safety, and upcoming regulatory changes. He explains why proper training matters now more than ever and what red flags new drivers should watch for. Malcolm also covers major news across the country, including Mississippi’s crackdown on undocumented drivers, the abrupt shutdown of two Minnesota carriers affecting 200 drivers, and an Ohio logistics owner sentenced for a multimillion-dollar tax evasion scheme. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? host Malcolm Harris sits down with three industry leaders to break down the latest trends shaping freight, fleet operations, and the trailer marketplace. First, Jake Johnson of RTA shares his journey from diesel technician to fleet success manager and explains how data, automation, and smarter technology can reduce downtime, control costs, and improve fleet performance. Next, Corey Klujsza of RXO unpacks the newest Curve Report with insights into rate volatility, spot vs. contract dynamics, capacity exits, cost pressures, and early signals from peak season. Corey also discusses what fleets, brokers, and drivers should prepare for heading into 2026. Finally, Colin Osborne from REPOWR joins in studio to dive into trailer access, guided search technology, AI-powered matching, and why equipment is becoming as on-demand as freight. Colin highlights how carriers — especially small fleets — can leverage smarter tools to stay efficient and competitive. If you’re in trucking, logistics, brokerage, fleet management, or supply chain strategy, this conversation is packed with insights you don’t want to miss. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get ready for a jam-packed episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Host Malcolm Harris tackles back-office inefficiencies, the critical world of cold chain logistics, and the "cold truth" about major issues facing the trucking industry today. On This Episode: Eliminating Email Brokerage Chaos Clayton Griffin, President of OTR Solutions, joins the show to discuss why email is an outdated and inefficient primary tool for brokerage operations. Discover the common manual tasks that bog down back-office teams and slow down post-delivery workflows. Clayton breaks down the vulnerabilities email creates, including exposure to a "ton of fraud" and how it hinders efforts to reduce cost per load. Learn how purpose-built platforms like UPay and ePay offer more secure and scalable alternatives. The Art of Cold Chain Logistics Jason McArthur, Director of Supply Chain at Lone Cypress Logistics,  shares his deep experience shipping fresh food, produce, and frozen goods. Understand why cold chain requires meticulous detail, proper preparation, and a different level of care due to the time-sensitive nature of perishable products. Jason details Lone Cypress Logistics' "seven-pillar blueprint" for success, which includes proactive intervention, a contingency playbook for product not received, multilayer carrier vetting, and real-time monitoring. Learn how a shipper mentality and a commitment to communication are key differentiators in this space. Jason also discusses the critical mission to reduce food waste, citing statistics like the U.N.'s finding that 13% of food is lost between harvest and retail. Trucking Headlines & The Wild West The "King of The Carolinas," Adam Wingfield, Host of The Long Haul,  is here to break down the biggest news in trucking. Adam provides "the cold truth" about the shocking report that 3,000 providers of truck driver training were removed from a government registry, with another 4,000 on notice for noncompliance. He argues that the practice of self-certification  for CDL schools needs to be removed to protect the safety of the industry. Plus, Adam discusses Amazon's push for 30-minute deliveries and the big news of Costco suing the administration over tariffs. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, host Malcolm Harris closes out the first day of December with a full lineup of industry leaders shaping the future of freight, logistics, and AI. We kick off with Jason Burns, former Vanderbilt wide receiver turned podcaster and last-mile logistics veteran. Jason shares insights from his “Last2First” journey, the evolution of the final-mile sector, and what leaders should prioritize heading into 2026. Next, Stefan Heck, CEO of Nauto, breaks down how predictive AI is transforming fleet safety. From real-time driver alerts to collision-prevention intelligence, Stefan explains why human + AI collaboration is becoming a cornerstone of modern transportation. Closing out the show, Tavaris Johnson, founder of FreightFi, walks through the financial inefficiencies plaguing freight and how AI-driven automation is finally fixing AR/AP chaos for brokers, 3PLs, and carriers. We also cover the latest headlines: DHS launching sweeping I-9 audits across California fleets A major misclassification settlement shaking up New Jersey FedEx scrubbing MD-11 flights during peak season Inside the high-pressure Butterball “Turkey Super Bowl” supply chain Whether you’re in operations, safety, technology, or finance, this episode delivers direct, practical insight on what’s coming next for the freight industry. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices