WHAT THE TRUCK?!?

FreightWaves
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Aug 27, 2025 • 46min

Highway’s Fight Against Freight Fraud & SONAR’s Market Outlook

Host Thomas Wasson breaks down the latest trucking headlines — from federal threats to cut highway funds over English proficiency enforcement to CDL testing scandals, clean energy truck orders, and shifting credit conditions in transportation finance. Michael Caney, CCO at Highway, joins the show to discuss the company’s growth investment, the launch of the Trusted Freight Exchange, and the battle against freight fraud. Later, Zach Strickland, Head of Freight Market Intelligence at SONAR, shares insights on SONAR’s new Blue to Blue app, shifting freight market conditions, and what to expect heading into peak season. 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
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Aug 25, 2025 • 46min

Trucker Wellness, Veteran Excellence & Kenworth’s W900 Legacy

On this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, host Thomas Wasson covers the latest headlines in freight before diving deep into driver wellness with Travelers’ Monica Rinaldi. She breaks down the mental and physical health challenges truckers face on the road and what fleets can do to better support them. Then, Kenworth’s Sarah Abernathy joins to spotlight the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award, celebrating veterans who’ve successfully moved into transportation. Finally, Kenworth’s Alex Reid takes us under the hood of the iconic W900 Legacy Edition as the legendary model nears the end of its run. Plus: breaking news on ATA lawsuits, import trends, new rail partnerships, and even a little cow jazz. 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
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Aug 22, 2025 • 50min

Visa Freeze Shakes Trucking & The Future of Autonomous Freight

Thomas Wasson breaks down the top stories in freight, including the Trump administration’s sudden pause on work visas for foreign truck drivers and what it means for the industry. It’s also an “autonomous trucks” edition, featuring in-depth conversations with Shahrukh Kazmi, Chief Product Officer at Volvo Autonomous Solutions, on their new VNL autonomous trucks running freight in Texas, and Shawn Kerrigan, COO of Plus, on their path to commercial launch and partnerships with global OEMs. From labor disruptions to driverless tech, this episode dives into the challenges and opportunities shaping trucking’s future. 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
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Aug 20, 2025 • 51min

Truck Parking Shortages & CDL Safety Under Fire

On today’s episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, host Thomas Wasson is joined by Reed Loustalot, CMO of Truck Parking Club, to discuss groundbreaking new research on the truck parking shortage and how unlocking unused spaces could transform driver efficiency. Reed also shares updates on Truck Parking Club’s new clubhouse and innovation hub in Georgia.Later in the show, Steve Gold, President of the Truckers Network Association, weighs in on a string of tragic truck crashes and exposes systemic flaws in CDL licensing and training. From non-domiciled CDL loopholes to fraudulent schools, Steve explains why reform is urgently needed to protect drivers and the public.Don’t miss this deep dive into two of trucking’s hottest issues: where to park and who’s behind the wheel. 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
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Aug 18, 2025 • 45min

EPA Shakeups, Freight Trends, and Tariff Troubles

On this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, host Thomas Wasson teams up with special guest host Charles Gracey for a high-energy ride through today’s top trucking stories and industry insights.They’re joined by Lewie Pugh, Executive Vice President of OOIDA, who breaks down new EPA guidance on diesel emissions and what it means for drivers on the road. Then, Jeff Pape, General Manager of Transportation and Corporate Payments at U.S. Bank, dives into the latest Freight Payment Index and shares what the data is telling us about freight volumes, spending, and regional trends.Thomas and Charles also tackle the day’s biggest headlines, from self-driving trucks and California’s emissions battles to tariffs shaking up cross-border freight and new AI-powered gate technology.It’s an episode loaded with insights, banter, and the pulse of the freight world you won’t want to miss. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Aug 15, 2025 • 46min

Fighting Freight Fraud & Driving Truck Safety: Insights from GenLogs and Volvo

In this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, host Thomas Wasson dives into the rising threat of cargo fraud and the innovations keeping our highways safer. GenLogs CEO Ryan Joyce reveals how his nationwide truck-tracking camera network is helping brokers, carriers, and law enforcement catch cargo thieves, recover stolen assets, and stop DOT identity fraud. Later, Volvo Trucks’ Chris Stadler discusses groundbreaking safety features—like side-curtain airbags and high-strength steel cabs—and the rigorous Arctic and heatwave testing behind the all-new VNL, fresh off winning the prestigious Red Dot design award. Plus, industry headlines on freight volumes, Amazon’s grocery expansion, and key legal battles shaping broker liability. 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
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Aug 13, 2025 • 45min

Trucking Jobs, Economic Shifts, and the Future of Freight

Host Thomas Wasson dives into a packed episode featuring Steve Gold, CEO of Truckers Network Association, on the evolving driver job market, training quality, and where the best opportunities are for new and experienced CDL holders. FreightWaves economist Michael Rudolph breaks down fresh CPI data, the Fed’s next moves, consumer spending trends, and what it all means for freight demand. Plus, headlines on California’s clean truck lawsuit, DEF rules, autonomous trucking developments, and the upcoming Future of Freight Festival. 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
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Aug 11, 2025 • 45min

Freight Science, Tech, and Market Shifts: Insights from MIT FreightLab & Orderful

This episode of What the Truck?!?  dives into the latest in freight science, technology, and market dynamics. MIT FreightLab’s Angie Acocella shares research on shipper–carrier relationships, ghost lanes, and index-based pricing, revealing how data-driven strategies can improve procurement and market resilience. Later, Grace Sharkey from Orderful discusses modernizing EDI through API integrations, faster onboarding, cost reduction, and new AI-powered tools like their GS1 label maker. Plus, headlines on UPS driver buyouts, container booking declines, truck sales slumps, and autonomous trucking innovations. 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
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Aug 8, 2025 • 45min

Freight Markets, Brokerage Chaos & Rail Mega-Mergers | WHAT THE TRUCK?!?

In this jam-packed Friday episode of What the Truck?!, host Thomas Wasson breaks down the latest freight industry headlines and dives deep into market trends shaking up the supply chain. Kevin Hill of Brush Pass Research shares data on collapsing freight brokerages and shifting shipper activity from CarrierSource, while Mike Baudendistel from Sonar unpacks the potential fallout of a historic Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger—and what it means for intermodal and trucking. Plus, news on USPS losses, RXO’s LTL growth, and a call for startups in Chattanooga’s freight tech scene. Whether you're in the cab or the office, don't miss this fiery freight forecast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Aug 6, 2025 • 44min

Will Tariffs Steal Christmas? AV Safety, Simulation, and Supply Chain Showdowns

In this action-packed episode of What The Truck?!, host Thomas Wasson dives into the latest headlines in freight, logistics, and supply chain—starting with a surprise camera discovery under his desk and rolling straight into serious topics like AV simulation and trade tariffs. First up: Dr. Adam Campbell from Gatik reveals Gatik Arena™, their next-gen simulation platform for autonomous trucks. Learn how they're combining high-fidelity physics and NVIDIA’s world models to safely scale AV deployment. Then: Susan Williams, owner of Kalalou, shares her company’s real-world struggle with ballooning tariffs—and pitches a game-changing "Employee Profit Share Tax Credit" that could save American jobs and the holiday season. Plus:- LMI index dips in July- FMCSA’s Sue Lawless joins Scopelitis- DHL & de minimis worries- Cold storage hits capacity slump 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

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