- 45 minutes 42 secondsThe Freight Recession is Over + The FBI Fumbles Cargo Theft
What is up everybody, welcome back to What the Truck?!? The freight recession is officially over as demand builds into the summer, but a tightening market means the old procurement playbook is completely broken.
In this episode of WTT for May 1, 2026 , we sit down with Ciaran Doherty, Founder and CEO of Loadar, to expose a hard truth: the era of shipper leverage is ending. He breaks down why traditional RFP cycles are failing in a tight market and how capacity exiting and rising fuel costs are forcing a massive shift. If you are a shipper still relying on a loose-market strategy, you are going to bleed cash.
Then, we uncover the silent margin killer draining fleets dry: bad routing. Ronak Amin from HERE Technologies drops in to reveal how static maps and inefficient routes are causing extra miles, wasted fuel, and blown ETAs. He brings the math to prove it, including a real-world example of how a 200-van fleet in Chicago could uncover nearly $100,000 in potential savings just by optimizing their location data.
Plus, we are diving into the latest industry headlines:
• The FBI is late to the cargo theft epidemic, but the industry isn't.
• A Kentucky congressman is pushing the FAA to permanently shut down MD-11 aircraft.
• The STB chairman and industry leaders headline the Future of Rail Symposium to discuss the supply chain rail network.Visit our sponsor - TAYLOR AND MARTIN
Subscribe to the WTT newsletter
#WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 May 2026, 6:46 pm - 45 minutes 39 secondsThe 851,000 Load Slump: Are GLP-1s Killing Food Logistics?
Welcome back to another high-octane episode of What the Truck?!? with your host, Malcolm Harris, and the man with the plan, Michael Vincent. We’re diving deep into the headlines shaping the supply chain and sitting down with industry heavyweights to talk strategy and technology.
In This Episode:- The Utah Nuclear Verdict: We break down the record-breaking $81 million verdict in Utah following a tragic 2018 accident. We discuss the details of the retrial, the driver’s questionable background, and what this “nuclear verdict” means for the future of trucking insurance and case law.
- The GLP-1 Effect: Are weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy shrinking freight volumes? We examine a study suggesting that nearly 851,000 truckloads have been removed from the food and beverage market due to shifting consumer habits.
- FedEx & the MD-11: FedEx is preparing to reactivate its MD-11 fleet to reclaim lost capacity. We debate whether the pressure to save millions during peak season is leading to a rush past safety protocols.
- The Freight FBI: A CDL driver goes MIA with a hauler full of vehicles from the Port of Brunswick. We look at the ongoing search for Gonzalez and the missing cargo.
- Matt joins us to talk about navigating the “preseason” of the market. He emphasizes that while the freight recession may be easing, the winners will be those who hunker down on strategy rather than chasing volume at any margin. He also shares why his “why” always comes back to the way organizations treat their people.
- The “Iceman” himself breaks down the digitalization of the cold chain. We discuss how real-time telematics and predictive insights are allowing fleets to know two weeks in advance if a reefer unit might fail—saving those precious avocados and temperature-sensitive GLP-1 medications before they ever hit the road.
Guests:
Matthew Darnell Caine | Caine Strategic Advisors
Dominic Hand | Thermo KingSubscribe to the WTT newsletter
#WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
29 April 2026, 8:55 pm - 46 minutes 19 secondsFrom Homeless in Seattle to Automating 100-Truck Fleets
In this Monday edition of What the Truck, hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael “The Dude” Vincent dive into the latest headlines shaking up the supply chain world, starting with the legal showdown between New York’s Attorney General and the federal government over CDL funding. The duo breaks down the sophisticated new “Trojan Driver” cargo theft scam and discusses the recent wave of trucking bankruptcies, debating whether these failures stem from a poor economy or irresponsible growth. They also explore the shifting landscape of marijuana scheduling and its complex implications for mandatory drug testing in safety-sensitive transportation roles.
Later in the show, the hosts are joined by Loki Cheema (Founder and CEO) and Alex Krutchten (Chief Growth Officer) of Hemut. Cheema shares his incredible journey from homelessness to industry leader, explaining how his gritty background inspired a technology firm dedicated to empowering truckers. The Hemut team discusses their hands-on approach to implementing AI and automation, emphasizing that technology should serve as a tool to help human operators succeed rather than a means to replace them.
Subscribe to the WTT newsletter
#WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
27 April 2026, 5:53 pm - 45 minutes 56 secondsHow 15 Ghost MC Numbers Can Hide in Plain Sight
It’s a Friday edition of What the Truck, and host Malcolm Harris is riding “solo dolo” to break down a massive week in freight, from the 2026 NFL draft excitement to the front lines of cargo security.
The Battle Against Freight Fraud: Dale Prax, Strategic Fraud Advisor at Truckstop and founder of FreightValidate, joins the studio to discuss a landmark shift in industry collaboration. Five months after Dale called for vetting platforms to stop operating in silos, he’s heading to the USDOT headquarters to meet with FMCSA leadership
Inventory Agility for SMBs: Barry Kukkuk, CTO and co-founder of Netstock, breaks down why small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) are the backbone of the economy, yet often struggle with “dusty boxes”—having too much of what doesn’t sell and too little of what does.
The First National Portable Cold Storage Platform: James Armstrong, SVP of Emerging Business at Seacube Container Leasing, discusses their recent acquisition of Martin Container.Subscribe to the WTT newsletter
#WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
24 April 2026, 5:30 pm - 50 minutes 32 secondsHow to Grow a Freight Brokerage Without Selling Your Soul
In this episode of What the Truck, host Malcolm Harris and Michael “The Dude” Vincent dive into the murky waters of the freight industry, from the rising tide of cargo theft and “chameleon” carriers to the impact of New York City’s congestion pricing. The duo also touches on a bizarre headline involving missing scientists and a daring $2 million Brink’s truck heist.
Key Highlights:
The Vanishing Act: The hosts open with a “wild” discussion about reports of ten scientists disappearing, including a researcher working on anti-gravity propulsion who vanished while hiking.
The Freight Fraud Debate: Malcolm and Michael address the “heat” from recent coverage of cargo theft numbers. They debate whether industry figures ($40B–$60B) are inflated by those who “foment fear” or if the evolution of “pay heists” and fraudulent VIN numbers is truly reaching a breaking point.
Diesel Benchmark Drop: A look at the largest slide in diesel prices since 2022, following a twelve-week streak of increases.
Maritime Focus: Discussion on the U.S. losing its maritime focus and the funding struggles of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) despite its role in national security
Featured Guests
Steve Vest | Owner & CEO, Nationwide Equipment Transportation Inc. Steve joins the show to discuss his 20+ year journey in freight and how a viral TikTok video catapulted his business during a market downturn.
Nate Veeh | AVP of Business Development, Altitude. Nate breaks down fresh data on New York City’s congestion pricing.Subscribe to the WTT newsletter
#WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
22 April 2026, 5:30 pm - 46 minutes 4 secondsWhy Your “Best Driver” Is Actually Your Biggest Liability
In this Monday edition of What the Truck, host Malcolm Harris explores the critical intersections of safety culture and technological innovation in the logistics industry. Opening the show, Mike Fackler from Travelers joins the conversation to mark Distracted Driving Awareness Month, reframing distracted driving not just as a driver error, but as a symptom of leadership and organizational culture. Fackler emphasizes that true safety requires absolute accountability from the top down, noting that when leaders model poor behavior—such as taking calls while driving—it undermines the entire safety message. He argues that companies must move beyond simple awareness to consistent enforcement of clear policies to truly move the needle on road safety.
We then shift the focus to the “broken” state of roadside repair with Alex Bezzubets, CEO of MyMechanic Inc.. Alex details his transition from firefighting to transportation entrepreneurship, driven by the realization that roadside assistance is currently plagued by a lack of connectivity and archaic manual processes. Through MyMechanic, He is building a digital ecosystem that aggregates service providers and provides real-time GPS visibility, allowing for a more efficient, “Uber-like” experience that leverages data to predict breakdown hotspots and reduce downtime.Subscribe to the WTT newsletter
#WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
20 April 2026, 4:00 pm - 47 minutes 12 secondsThe $287k VIN Hack & The “Super Ego” 60 Minutes Scandal
Is the logistics industry being blinded by the “shiny object” of AI while foundational security and revenue strategies crumble? Today on WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, we’re peeling back the curtain on a $287,000 “VIN hack” that exposed a massive gap in trailer identity and asset security.
The 60 Minutes Fallout: We dive deep into the Super Ego defense statement following the explosive “Chameleon Carrier” segment. Is it a case of media misunderstanding, or a “My Cousin Vinny” style legal defense? Ed Burns (TruSygnal/Burns Logistics) joins us to break down why “disruption” is not a moral justification for cutting corners.
The AI Death Trap: Eric Williams (Beagl Technologies) sounds the alarm on why chasing a 3% reduction in SG&A through AI is a losing game. We discuss why you should stop trying to “automate away” your staff and start focusing on “Quality of Revenue.”
Plus:
- J.B. Hunt Q1 Reality Check: What the earnings report actually says about the state of the freight market.
- The 100-Year Carrier Secret: Why the most successful companies ignore the spot market noise.
- Freight Fraud Symposium: A preview of our upcoming event in Cleveland.
GUESTS:
- Eric Williams, Co-Founder and CEO of Beagl Technologies
- Ed Burns, Co-Founder and CEO of TruSygnal and Burns Logistics
#Logistics #Trucking #Freight #SupplyChain #WHATTHETRUCK
Subscribe to the WTT newsletter
#WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
17 April 2026, 5:55 pm - 46 minutes 43 secondsHe Wasn’t a FedEx Driver: The Truth Behind the Athena Strand Case
On this Wednesday edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, host Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent dive into the high-stakes world of freight fraud, industry bankruptcies, and the evolving landscape of international trade.
Industry Headlines
• Market Contraction: Small trucking firms like Liberty Carriers Inc. and NAS Logistics have recently filed for bankruptcy as the industry struggles in a post-COVID down cycle.
• Trade & Ports: Mexico remains the U.S.’s top trading partner, with Port Laredo handling over $29 billion in trade in February alone. Meanwhile, the Port of LA maintains consistent volume despite global economic uncertainty.
• Weather Alerts: Tornado season has arrived early, with 39 tornadoes already reported in Wisconsin this year, significantly higher than the annual average.
Expert Spotlight
• Phil Brink (FreightWaves): Warns that over 50% of brokers and carriers are not vetting partners, leaving them vulnerable to an average cargo theft loss of $300,000 per load.
• Rob Carpenter (Investigator): Fresh off his 60 Minutes appearance, Carpenter discusses the Athena Strand tragedy, emphasizing that carriers in delivery modes must implement stricter criminal background checks beyond basic regulations.
Subscribe to the WTT newsletter
#WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
15 April 2026, 7:12 pm - 45 minutes 32 secondsAmazon's $500 Million Package Drone Gamble
Welcome to a Monday edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?. Coming off a masterful weekend in Chattanooga, hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent are back to break down the biggest headlines in freight, from the "sexiness" of cargo theft stats to the reality of Amazon’s drone ambitions.
While headlines are buzzing with $1,000,000 Lego heists and stolen Kit Kats, the guys look at the actual math. Statistically, freight fraud and theft account for only 0.0036% of freight moved in North America. We discuss why this "sexy" topic gets so much airtime and how technology from companies like Highway is driving necessary trust factors in the industry.
Amazon is ramping up Prime Air, aiming to deliver 500 million packages annually by the end of the decade. Michael Vincent isn't buying the hype, questioning the efficiency and safety of "dropping a fragile vase 20 feet out of the ass of a drone" just to satisfy consumer demand for faster delivery
Anna Falcon, VP of Customer Experience at MCA Connect, joins the show to discuss why manufacturers must move beyond "boring widgets" to holistic customer strategy.
David Long, VP of Product Management at Fleetworthy, pulls back the curtain on the "illusion of data". Many fleets think they have a handle on accidents, but fragmented spreadsheets won't stand up in court. David introduces Legal Lock, a feature that creates an immutable, time-stamped record of an accident to protect a fleet's credibility during litigation.
Subscribe to the WTT newsletter
#WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
13 April 2026, 5:40 pm - 46 minutesThe $1M Lego Heist & Why the USPS is a Financial Blackhole
On today’s packed episode of What the Truck?!?, hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent are bringing you the highest-signal news and interviews in the freight industry.
The Headlines
- A massive $1M stolen Lego heist gets stopped in its tracks.
- Mexican truckers end their strike following clashes with authorities.
- The troubled USPS moves to raise stamp prices to conserve cash as it faces a “financial blackhole”.
- project44 acquires LunaPath.ai to accelerate AI agent orchestration.
- A deep dive into freight fraud: how a load booked completely right still went wrong.
- Jake Papa (Co-Founder & CRO, Carrier1): Jake pitches “Vault,” a new product built to replace broken email tendering with database-to-database connectivity to protect brokers from fraud.
- Stefan Heck (CEO, Nauto): Stefan explains how Nauto’s AI safety technology predicts and prevents collisions before they happen using data from billions of real-world driving miles.
- Chase Osborne (Demand Generation Lead, Cargado): Chase shares his experience at the Freight Caviar documentary watch party and discusses the realities of cross-border freight and nearshoring.
- Join the Freight Fraud Symposium this May in Cleveland, Ohio, to debate threat intelligence and establish the new gold standard for transaction security.
Subscribe to the WTT newsletter
#WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10 April 2026, 6:11 pm - 1 hour 1 minuteWhy Trump Is Betting $65B On Battleships Over Ports
Buckle up for a massive Wednesday edition of What The Truck?!? with your hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent, MD (The Dude). We’re diving deep into the geopolitical ripples affecting oil, the ongoing crackdown on non-domiciled CDLs, and the future of medium-duty electrification.
Description On Today’s Show:
• Geopolitics & Oil Speculation: We break down the latest 4 PM deadline involving President Trump and Iran. Despite a two-week buffer for peace talks, we discuss why oil prices are moving 20% on “sentiment, fear, and tweets” rather than just infrastructure.
• The CDL Crackdown: Jason McArthur from Lone Cypress Logistics joins us to discuss the “slow bleed” of driver capacity. With approximately 13,000 to 14,000 licenses already canceled in California and a potential 194,000 more at risk, we explore how this is driving up driver pay and straining produce season capacity.
• A Shipbuilding Revival: President Trump’s proposed fiscal 2027 budget includes a 242% increase in naval shipbuilding. We look at the $65.8 billion set for battleships and submarines—and why only a fraction is trickling down to commercial port development.
• The Future of Work Trucks: Fred DePerez, SVP at Harbinger, introduces the HC Series Cab. Learn how this “best-in-class” electric platform is taking on diesel competitors with better turning radius, payload, and price parity.
• Oil Trading Insights: Baron Idriss Lamarre brings three decades of experience with Shell and ExxonMobil to explain why we should “separate the noise from the fundamental” in today’s energy market.Subscribe to the WTT newsletter
#WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8 April 2026, 6:31 pm - More Episodes? Get the App