The Freight Coach Podcast

Today, we're breaking down some massive industry news, including the Supreme Court's impact on Section 301 tariff refunds, which could put millions back into the pockets of US businesses, and a direct response to the recent CBS report targeting C.H. Robinson and the broader brokerage community regarding safety liability! As an industry, we have to stand firm on the fact that we rely on FMCSA data to determine carrier fitness, and it's time to stop the "safety police" narrative from overshadowing the professional standards we uphold every day! Resources / References https://www.ttnews.com/articles/businesses-refunds-tariffs https://www.freightwaves.com/news/after-cbs-report-c-h-robinson-seeks-to-deflect-safety-responsibility-to-fmcsa 📊📉 Don't miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎 🎬🎯 #TheFreightCoach Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to break down transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars! To Find Out More About My Freight Services Visit https://freightcoachlogistics.com/ 🤝 Shoutout to my sponsors!👇 SPI Logistics | https://spi3pl.com/ Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/ NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/ DAT Freight & Analytics | https://www.dat.com/ Donate to support Stacy and her family: https://tinyurl.com/36xmxcmr 🚀🔥 To sign up for my Newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/iNoHco, get in touch with me through the social media channels below, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!👇 ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw 📷 https://www.instagram.com/thefreightcoach/ 🕊️ https://twitter.com/thefr8coach 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jolly-a183aa6a/

If you're wondering what it takes to trade an $80,000-a-year corporate career for the grit of the open road, listen to this episode with Eric Brown of JTP Transportation, as he shares his raw and unfiltered journey from selling security systems to building a powerhouse in the Philadelphia drayage market! Eric gets frank about the "invisible" hurdles of entrepreneurship, from emptying his 401(k) to navigating the high-stakes world of white-glove temperature-controlled logistics. We also dive deep into the importance of clean books, the reality of tax liens, and why having a "figure it out" mentality is non-negotiable if you want to survive the volatility of the freight industry. Whether you're an owner-operator looking to scale or a broker trying to understand the hustle behind the wheel, Eric's story of surrendering control to find true success is the wake-up call every transportation professional needs! About Eric Brown Eric Brown is a supply chain leader, entrepreneur, and performance-driven thinker who built his career on one principle: execution over excuses. Starting with one truck in 1999, Eric grew his company into a multi-state operation servicing major ports from New York to Texas — helping transform the drayage industry in Philadelphia by shifting it from delays and excuses to speed, precision, and results. Eric is also a CEO, founder, associate pastor, motivational speaker, and MC who is passionate about people. He loves helping businesses and charities get started and thrive, bringing energy, clarity, and momentum wherever he goes. A husband to one wife, father of five, and grandfather of three, Eric's life is grounded in faith, family, and purpose. He speaks openly about his relationship with Jesus Christ — not religion, but real transformation — and challenges others to live authentically and grow in every area of life. With a passion for science, rockets, speed, and high performance, Eric brings a unique voice that blends faith, leadership, and execution. Connect with Eric Website: https://www.jtptransportation.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericbrownjtp/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JtpTransportation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jtptransportation 📊📉 Don't miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎 🎬🎯 #TheFreightCoach Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to break down transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars! To Find Out More About My Freight Services Visit https://freightcoachlogistics.com/ 🤝 Shoutout to my sponsors!👇 SPI Logistics | https://spi3pl.com/ Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/ NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/ DAT Freight & Analytics | https://www.dat.com/ Donate to support Stacy and her family: https://tinyurl.com/36xmxcmr 🚀🔥 To sign up for my Newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/iNoHco, get in touch with me through the social media channels below, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!👇 ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw 📷 https://www.instagram.com/thefreightcoach/ 🕊️ https://twitter.com/thefr8coach 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jolly-a183aa6a/

Welcome to Day 2 of the 2026 TIA Capital Ideas Conference, and today, we're joined by Mike Mikulik from SPI Logistics to talk about the absolute necessity of financial solvency and the power of long-term carrier relationships in this shifting market! We discuss why managing your cash flow and vetting your partners is more critical than ever, especially as we navigate the shift from a loose capacity market to one where service disruptions and cargo theft are real threats. We also dive into the agent model as a safeguard for business growth, the importance of niching down to where you're strongest, and why sincere, inquisitive networking beats a cold script every single time. If you're ready to stop forcing market share and start building a book of business rooted in trust and operational excellence, this live episode on the freight cycle and professional development is exactly what you need to listen to! About Mike Mikulik Mike Mikulik is the Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer at SPI Logistics. He is a very personable and enthusiastic person who is a collaborator and thinks out of the box. Mike has a unique background in all sides of the transportation industry from trucking to international freight forwarding and special projects. With over 25 years' experience he credits his School of Hard Knocks for his success. You will find Mike easily engaging in conversation and his willingness to help and draw out the best in people. His positiveness is contagious and willingness to support his team grow personally and professionally. Mike is a collaborator and think out of the box guy. He has had tremendous success in strategically enhancing the customer experience which in turn has led to new opportunities and revenue growth. Mike lives and resides in Vancouver Canada where he has lived all his life. 📊📉 Don't miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎 🎬🎯 #TheFreightCoach Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to break down transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars! To Find Out More About My Freight Services Visit https://freightcoachlogistics.com/ 🤝 Shoutout to my sponsors!👇 SPI Logistics | https://spi3pl.com/ Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/ NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/ DAT Freight & Analytics | https://www.dat.com/ Donate to support Stacy and her family: https://tinyurl.com/36xmxcmr 🚀🔥 To sign up for my Newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/iNoHco, get in touch with me through the social media channels below, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!👇 ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw 📷 https://www.instagram.com/thefreightcoach/ 🕊️ https://twitter.com/thefr8coach 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jolly-a183aa6a/

Are you tired of the "manual tax" slowing down your brokerage, or are you looking for the ultimate edge in carrier vetting and real-time fraud detection? Today, we're live from the TIA Capital Ideas Conference with Kary Jablonski from DAT Freight & Analytics to discuss how the integration of Trucker Tools into the DAT ecosystem is revolutionizing the industry. We dive deep into the shift from "point solutions" to a unified, one-stop-shop platform that automates up to 95% of a broker's day, allowing you to focus on high-value communication rather than chasing updates. Kary breaks down their proactive approach to exception management, the launch of proactive driver verification to combat double-brokering, and how the new "smart factoring" via OTR is adding an essential layer of financial security for carriers and brokers! About Kary Jablonski Kary serves on the DAT Freight & Analytics Executive team as EVP and GM, Trucker Tools & Broker Growth. Kary is the former CEO of Trucker Tools, where she led the company to a successful exit. While taking on her new role at DAT, she continues to lead Trucker Tools, staying committed to the company's vision and growth. Prior to Trucker Tools, she advanced through operations, logistics, and strategic planning roles with Uber in the U.S. and internationally and worked as a consultant with Deloitte. She currently lives in Chicago and enjoys anything active, especially running, golf, and basketball. 📊📉 Don't miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎 🎬🎯 #TheFreightCoach Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to break down transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars! To Find Out More About My Freight Services Visit https://freightcoachlogistics.com/ 🤝 Shoutout to my sponsors!👇 SPI Logistics | https://spi3pl.com/ Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/ NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/ DAT Freight & Analytics | https://www.dat.com/ Donate to support Stacy and her family: https://tinyurl.com/36xmxcmr 🚀🔥 To sign up for my Newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/iNoHco, get in touch with me through the social media channels below, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!👇 ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw 📷 https://www.instagram.com/thefreightcoach/ 🕊️ https://twitter.com/thefr8coach 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jolly-a183aa6a/

Today, I'm getting real about the harsh truths of entrepreneurship as I hit my six-year milestone of being self-employed and the importance of building a consistent system of productivity! We'll break down why not all revenue is created equal and how targeting the right ideal customer profile (ICP) is the secret to scaling your freight brokerage without burning out. From mastering time management and shortening fluff-filled meetings to protecting your self-worth from the volatility of the P&L, our discussion today will be your straightforward guide to navigate the "wasteland" between a big idea and true execution! 📊📉 Don't miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎 🎬🎯 #TheFreightCoach Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to break down transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars! To Find Out More About My Freight Services Visit https://freightcoachlogistics.com/ 🤝 Shoutout to my sponsors!👇 SPI Logistics | https://spi3pl.com/ Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/ NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/ DAT Freight & Analytics | https://www.dat.com/ Donate to support Stacy and her family: https://tinyurl.com/36xmxcmr 🚀🔥 To sign up for my Newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/iNoHco, get in touch with me through the social media channels below, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!👇 ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw 📷 https://www.instagram.com/thefreightcoach/ 🕊️ https://twitter.com/thefr8coach 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jolly-a183aa6a/