FreightCasts

Credit isn’t the problem in trucking—misunderstanding it is.

In this episode of The Long Haul Podcast, I sit down with Gerri Detweiler, to break down how credit really works for owner-operators and small fleets.

This isn’t a conversation about products or approvals. It’s about how personal credit, business credit, and cash flow collide in real life—and why too many carriers end up trapped instead of empowered.

If you’ve ever wondered why “good revenue” still feels like financial stress, this episode is for you.

⁠Follow The Long Haul Podcast⁠

⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Zac Rogers comes on to discuss the impact so the holidays and winter weather on the most recent Logistics Managers’ Index and supply chains.

⁠Follow the Freightonomics Podcast⁠

⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode begins by uncovering a⁠ tragic collision in Indiana⁠ that exposed a network of "chameleon carriers" hiding in plain sight. We explore how these operators⁠ ⁠dodge safety regulations by constantly shapeshifting their corporate identities to evade federal oversight.

Next, we examine the financial landscape as⁠ Old Dominion Freight Line⁠ prepares for a potential market recovery in 2026. Their leadership believes the⁠ ⁠stars are finally aligning for an uptick in manufacturing and freight volumes later this year.

The conversation then turns to a⁠ massive legal blow against Sysco⁠, where a jury awarded $52 million to drivers who faced retaliation for reporting safety issues. This verdict highlights the⁠ ⁠severe cost of ignoring whistleblower complaints regarding hazardous working conditions and regulatory violations.

Finally, we look at rising geopolitical tensions as a ⁠Chinese operator fights to retain control⁠ over critical ports at the Panama Canal. This⁠ ⁠arbitration filing introduces new uncertainty into a vital global trade chokepoint that could impact East Coast shipping volumes.

⁠Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast⁠

⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Brake Check, we’re getting into what’s really going on in freight right now — and yeah, things are finally getting interesting again.

Charles Gracey sits down with JP Hampstead from FreightWaves to break down why the truckload market is suddenly way more volatile than what we’ve seen the past couple years. Winter storms, rising tender rejections, tightening capacity, spot rates heating up — we explain what all of that actually means without the fluff. If you’ve been wondering whether this market shift is real or just another fake-out, this conversation puts it into plain English.

We also dig into earnings and outlooks from major carriers like Old Dominion, Heartland, and CFI, talk inventory levels, tariffs, and why some shippers are trying (and failing) to lock in last year’s rates. The big question: is this finally a sustainable rebound, or are we setting up for another crash?

Then we shift to the people side of trucking with Kevin Hall, CEO of CDLLife. We talk driver recruiting, why drivers are being way pickier right now, what a “quality driver” actually means, and why respect matters more than most job ads want to admit. If you recruit drivers, manage drivers, or are a driver, this part hits home.

And to wrap it up, Malcolm Harris jumps in for some real talk on the current freight temperature, broker vs carrier perspectives, and why relationship-based freight might finally be making a comeback.

Markets, money, drivers, relationships — it’s all in here.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, we cover a massive legal victory for truck drivers as a California jury awards over $50 million in a whistleblower lawsuit against food giant Sysco. The verdict addresses allegations of retaliation against workers who reported unsafe conditions and falsified records, sending a strong message about corporate accountability.

We also look at new regulatory updates where the FMCSA has established specific geographic "safe zones" for drivers struggling with English proficiency. These exceptions near the border will prevent drivers from being placed out of service for language violations, though citations will still be issued.

Finally, we report on the sentencing of a truck driver who will serve additional prison time for a revenge-fueled arson spree targeting Swift Transportation trailers. The 67-year-old was convicted of setting fires across multiple states and will serve consecutive sentences for his crimes.

Tune in to FreightWaves TV later today for new episodes of Brake Check, Freightonomics, and The Long Haul. You can catch all these shows and more on our YouTube channel if you miss the live broadcast.

Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast

Other FreightWaves Shows
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices