• 56 minutes 23 seconds
    Jason Miller, MSU | The Capacity Driven TL Cycle and the ROI of AI

    This week, Chris Caplice is joined by Dr. Jason Miller, Professor of Supply Chain Management at Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business, for his fifth appearance on Freightvine.

    Chris and Jason break down why they believe the current truckload cycle began in December 2025, why it took a few months to confirm the shift, and why this expansion looks different from past freight cycles.

    In this conversation, they cover:

    • Why this cycle appears to be supply-driven, not demand-driven
    • What spot and contract rate spreads can tell us about market shifts
    • How capacity exits, Class 8 orders, and routing guide failures are shaping the market
    • Whether the AI boom can deliver real ROI or if the market is getting ahead of itself
    • What Michigan’s logistics and supply chain work can tell us about manufacturing, food production, and trade

    If you’re trying to understand where truckload pricing, capacity, and freight demand may be headed next, this is a timely conversation with one of the industry’s sharpest data-driven voices.

    For previous episodes and to subscribe to our newsletter, visit: dat.com/podcast/freightvine

    Chapters

    • 00:00 Introduction
    • 02:55 Identifying the Current Truckload Cycle
    • 04:16 Market Signals and Transition Points
    • 05:53 Comparing Cycles: 2017-2018 vs. 2025
    • 09:00 Supply vs. Demand Driven Cycles
    • 12:15 Routing Guide Compliance and Market Dynamics
    • 16:15 Spot vs. Contract Rates: Current Trends
    • 20:38 Economic Factors Influencing Freight Rates
    • 22:47 AI and Memory Chip Demand: Future Implications
    • 26:10 The Future of AI and Profitability
    • 27:23 Electricity Infrastructure and AI's Role
    • 29:03 The Cost of AI and Model Maintenance
    • 31:28 AI's Impact on Labor and Employment
    • 34:04 AI in Academia and Content Creation
    • 38:04 The Economics of AI and Cost Structures
    • 45:33 Logistics and Supply Chain in Michigan
    • 51:09 Freightvine Market Update

    25 June 2026, 11:00 am
  • 48 minutes 20 seconds
    Mike Roeth, NACFE | The Cost of the Messy Middle

    The freight industry’s transition to alternative power is firmly in the “messy middle”

    This week, Chris Caplice is joined by Mike Roeth, Executive Director of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency, to unpack what that actually means for carriers, shippers, and the broader supply chain.

    Mike has been leading NACFE since its early days and brings insights from years of work plus the latest “Run on Less” demonstration and cost analysis on how fleets are navigating this evolving landscape.

    In this conversation, they cover:

    • Why diesel, BEV, hydrogen, natural gas, and biodiesel will continue to coexist
    • Where battery electric vehicles are gaining traction first (regional + drayage)
    • What NACFE’s latest “Run on Less” data reveals about real-world adoption
    • Why there’s no single “winner” in the near-term transition
    • How carriers and shippers can make practical decisions amid uncertainty

    If you’re trying to make sense of where freight energy is headed next, this one’s worth a listen.

    For previous episodes and to subscribe to our newsletter, visit: dat.com/podcast/freightvine

    11 June 2026, 11:51 am
  • 44 minutes 4 seconds
    Ken Adamo | The End of Broker Preemption

    A unanimous Supreme Court decision could have major implications for freight brokerages🚨

    Chris Caplice is joined by Ken Adamo, Chief Strategy Officer at Ease Logistics, to break down the Montgomery case and what it means now that brokers can be held liable for negligent carrier hiring.

    ⚖️ Why this ruling could reshape broker liability
    📈 The potential impact on insurance costs
    🚛 How small and mid-sized brokers may be affected most
    🔍 Why carrier vetting is now under a bigger spotlight
    🛠️ The tools and practices brokers may need moving forward

    If you work in brokerage, shipping, or carrier operations, this is a conversation worth paying attention to.

    Find previous episodes 👉 https://bit.ly/42HyzRg

    3 June 2026, 2:46 pm
  • 47 minutes 52 seconds
    Peter Swartz | Navigating the New Global Trade Landscape

    Chris Caplice sits down with Peter Swartz, CEO and co-founder of Altana, to talk about what it takes to navigate today’s fragmented global supply chain landscape.

    🌎 Why multi-tier supply chain visibility matters more than ever
    📑 Managing tariffs, trade regulations, and compliance at scale
    🤖 How AI is helping businesses respond faster to disruption
    📦 Understanding the full value chain from raw materials to finished goods

    As global trade grows more complex, visibility is becoming a competitive advantage.

    Find previous episodes 👉 https://bit.ly/42HyzRg

    #Freightvine #SupplyChain #Logistics #GlobalTrade

    3 June 2026, 12:13 pm
  • 44 minutes 10 seconds
    Bill Cassidy | Fuel, Freight, and the Resilience of LTL Markets
    In this Freightvine podcast episode, Chief Scientist Chris Caplice interviews Bill Cassidy, Senior Editor for Trucking and Domestic Transportation at the Journal of Commerce and a transportation expert. They discuss the current "diesel squeeze," where costs jumped 32% in one month, reaching $5 per gallon instead of the expected $3.70—a devastating "black swan" event for small carriers. The collapse of Yellow allowed surviving LTL carriers to maintain pricing discipline with trending rate increases. Data center construction booms create new opportunities for flatbed and LTL carriers. Finally, they explore AI as an enabling sub-technology helping humans solve complex logistics problems faster than standalone products. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
    30 April 2026, 10:00 am
  • 46 minutes 7 seconds
    Matthias Winkenbach | New Approaches to Solving the Last Mile Puzzle
    In this episode of the Freightvine Podcast, host Chris Caplice sits down with Dr. Matthias Winkenbach, Director of Research at the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics, to explore how the “last mile” problem is evolving under modern logistics pressures. Winkenbach explains how rising customer expectations for speed and consistency are stretching traditional optimization models and how machine learning and generative AI are now being used alongside operations research to enable faster, more dynamic delivery decisions. The discussion also covers his shift in research focus from urban megacity logistics to warehouse and facility-level systems, highlighting the growing need to connect internal operations with broader supply chain networks. Finally, they examine how AI-driven scenario modeling is helping companies design more resilient supply chains and better prepare for future disruptions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
    16 April 2026, 10:00 am
  • 58 minutes 13 seconds
    Eric Johnson | Diesel, Disruption, and Disappearing Capacity
    Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor at the Journal of Commerce (JOC), part of S&P Global, is the guest on this episode of the Freightvine podcast. Eric leads coverage and analysis of technology's impact on global logistics and trade. He is co-chair of the annual Inland Distribution Conference and founder of TPM Tech, the technology-focused event held in conjunction with TPM - the Transpacific Maritime conference. Our conversation covers many different converging pressures currently affecting freight markets and global supply chains. First, we analyze how fuel cost pressures impact domestic supply chains, and the particular vulnerability of small carriers operating without long-term contract protections or fuel surcharge mechanisms comparable to larger fleets. Second, we explore the broader economic implications of energy supply constraints beyond diesel pricing, including the effects on raw materials, manufacturing inputs, and less visible supply chain dependencies. Third, we examine the ongoing uncertainty surrounding US tariff policy, including the sometimes hidden or mostly forgotten operational burden this creates for customs compliance. This has become even more complex with the looming and currently undefined tariff refund processes. We also address structural questions about freight contracting practices, the role of technology in market efficiency, and current applications and limitations of artificial intelligence in logistics operations. Throughout the conversation, Eric provides context on how current market dynamics compare to previous cycles, and what patterns suggest about medium-term industry trajectories. Whether you work in carrier operations, shipper logistics, or policy development, this episode offers substantive analysis of factors affecting your operations. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
    2 April 2026, 10:00 am
  • 50 minutes 34 seconds
    Jason Traff | Escaping the Digital Filing Cabinet of Logistics
    In this episode of the Freightvine Podcast, host Chris sits down with Jason Traff, co-founder of Shipwell, to explore the transformation of supply chain management from manual spreadsheets to AI-driven automation. Traff recounts his unique journey from shipping art globally to founding a modern Transportation Management System (TMS) at MIT, driven by the need to replace legacy "digital filing cabinets" with proactive, actionable technology. The discussion covers the industry's shift from simple shipment visibility to automated problem-solving, the practical role of AI as a "digital coworker" in reducing manual labor, and how mid-market shippers can leverage these tools to secure significant ROI and future-proof their operations. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
    19 March 2026, 10:00 am
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    Chris Pickett | How Shared Truckload Creates a New Mode
    This week’s guest is Chris Pickett, Chief Commercial Officer at Flock Freight as well as the Founder of Pickett Research. Chris Pickett returns to the podcast after 6 years! In the conversation, he discusses the evolution of freight brokerage, from his days building Coyote Logistics to his current focus at Flock Freight. He details how Flock is establishing "Shared Truckload" as a distinct mode from TL and LTL, allowing shippers to pool freight within corridors to reduce costs and carbon emissions. We also discuss his proprietary "Pickett Line" market analysis tool that identifies both the timing and amplitude of the truckload market cycle. Chris issues a bold warning for shippers: prepare for a potential 45% surge in spot rates and double-digit contract increases by the end of 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
    5 March 2026, 11:00 am
  • 46 minutes 7 seconds
    Erin Van Zeeland | Coming Full Circle with Freight Tech in the TL Industry
    In this episode, Erin Van Zeeland discusses the massive technological transformation of the logistics industry in general, and Schneider specifically. Here are Three Key Takeaways 1.AI and Digital Transformation: The company has transitioned from manual processes to using specialized "logistics bots" that interpret customer intent and automate maintenance requests. This technology allows for human-free transactions in routine operations, increasing speed and allowing the team to focus on high-value, complex problem-solving. 2. Strategic Network Engineering: Known as the "secret sauce," Schneider layers dedicated accounts with one-way networks. By matching complementary regional shippers, they maximize driver productivity and asset utilization. This engineering reduces empty miles and creates a more efficient, stable logistics environment. 3. Sustainability and Market Outlook: Schneider reached a milestone of 10 million zero-emission miles in 2025. They also view intermodal transport as a vital green solution. Van Zeeland anticipates a gradual market tightening driven by supply-side regulations and low margins rather than a sudden demand surge. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
    19 February 2026, 11:00 am
  • 51 minutes 25 seconds
    Fab Brasca | How Agentic AI is Democratizing Supply Chain Capability
    In this episode, Fab Brasca (SVP at Kinaxis) discusses the evolution of supply chain technology from 1990s silos to modern, integrated systems. The three key takeaways: Concurrency over Silos: Moving beyond sequential processes, concurrency allows for instantaneous, cross-functional visibility. A change in one area—such as a forecast adjustment—immediately ripples across the entire network. Actionable Control Towers: While many towers only monitor, the sources emphasize that they must become actionable. Through scenario planning, teams can evaluate disruptions (like labor shortages) and agree on responses before committing changes to a master plan. AI Democratization: Agentic AI and LLMs are lowering skill barriers, allowing non-planners to use natural language to identify supply chain trouble spots. However, human-in-the-loop governance is essential to ensure reliability. Ultimately, as volatility becomes structural, firms must build adaptable environments to thrive. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
    5 February 2026, 11:00 am
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