The FreightCaviar Podcast

Sunbelt Drayage CEO, Pavel Botev, breaks down the realities of trucking in 2026—fraud risks, insurance gaps, and uneven accountability shaping who survives in freight. This week's episode is sponsored by Epay Manager, Chain, Levity.ai.Interested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected].

David Parker built Covenant in Chattanooga, surviving busts, brokers, and shifting freight networks while watching the city become a central logistics hub.This week's episode is sponsored by Epay Manager, CtrlChain, Freight FlexInterested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected] full interview is available to FreightCaviar Magazine subscribers inside our private Circle community.Subscribe to the print magazine to unlock it at ⁠Print.FreightCaviar.com⁠.

We sat down with Max Fuller, Founder of U.S. Xpress.At its peak, his company had nearly 10,000 trucks. He has been in trucking for over 50 years and has seen every cycle from regulation to deregulation to today’s market.In this conversation, he explains how trucking actually worked before deregulation, how companies were growing 70 to 80 percent per year, and how early technology gave certain carriers a real edge.“The OTR market is almost decimated… brokers have taken over.”This is a preview of the full interview.We cut this right before the most important part, where Max explains what happens next in freight and what it means for brokers.That part is not public.The full interview is available to FreightCaviar Magazine subscribers inside our private Circle community.Subscribe to the print magazine to unlock it at Print.FreightCaviar.com.

Kara Smith-Brown, Founder and Chief Revenue Officer at LeadCoverage, discusses why, in freight, the next edge isn’t branding—it’s owning the data. Intent signals, CRM hygiene, and niche market indexes quietly decide who gets the first call.This week's episode is sponsored by  Levity.ai and Freight Flex.Interested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected].

Freight tech offers optionality, but leverage comes only when strategy identifies the right problems before buying the tools.This week's episode is sponsored by Epay Manager, Augment TechnologiesInterested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected].

Drivers used to lose an hour a day to parking. Truck Parking Club built an app that made that search unnecessary.This week's episode is sponsored by CloneOps.ai, CtrlChain, GoodshipInterested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected].

Freight’s AI winners won’t be the flashiest tools but the firms that survive integrations, politics, and trust gaps—most companies will standardize on one or two models.This week's episode is sponsored by Augment Technologies Inc., Highway, FreightFlex, GoodshipInterested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected].

Pull California’s licensing authority and you don’t solve a driver problem—you scatter it nationwide, disrupting produce lanes and exposing how fragile trucking’s labor pipeline really is.This week's episode is sponsored by Epay Manager, CtrlChain, FreightFlex, Augment.Interested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected].

When a motor carrier crashes or tariffs are imposed, who holds the power—and how will the Supreme Court decide? Matthew Leffler, Armchair Attorney, breaks it all down.This week's episode is sponsored by CloneOps.ai, Rapido Solutions, Goodship, HighwayInterested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected].

From covert ops to open roads, Ryan Joyce, CEO & Founder of GenLogs, walks through how GenLogs uncovers fraud and tracks carriers that vanish from the system.This week's episode is sponsored by Epay Manager, Levity.ai, and Chain.Interested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected].

Why Garrett Allen, Founder at SearchCarriers.com, left big teams and crowded freight tech to run a carrier intelligence platform brokers rely on daily.This week's episode is sponsored by  Epay Manager, CtrlChain, CloneOps.ai.Interested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected].

David Spencer discusses how markets, contract rates, and AI signals reveal the hidden rhythms of freight cycles this year.This week's episode is sponsored by Epay Manager, CloneOps.ai, and Rapido Solutions Group.Interested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected].

David Spencer discusses how markets, contract rates, and AI signals reveal the hidden rhythms of freight cycles this year.This week's episode is sponsored by Epay Manager, CloneOps.ai, and Rapido Solutions Group.Interested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected].

In this week’s episode of The FreightCaviar Podcast, we sat down with Ryan Rogers, Founder at TextLocate to discuss his start in logistics, the impact it’s had on the city, and more.This week's episode is sponsored by Epay Manager, Levity, and Chain.Interested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected].

In this week’s episode of The FreightCaviar Podcast, we sat down with Grace Maher, Chief Operating Officer at OTR Solutions, to discuss FreightCaviar’s week-long trip to Chattanooga & Atlanta, our magazine launch, and current challenges in trucking.This week's episode is sponsored by Epay Manager, CloneOps.ai, Rapido Solutions Group, and GenLogs.Interested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected].

In this week’s episode of The FreightCaviar Podcast, we sat down with Clayton Griffin, President at OTR Solutions, and Reed Loustalot, Chief Marketing Officer at Truck Parking Club,  to recap 2025, discuss how to protect yourself against fraud in the coming year, and highlight why slowing down and staying cautious matters more than ever.This week's episode is sponsored by  Epay Manager, FreightFlex, Levity.ai, GenLogs.Interested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected].

In this week’s episode of The FreightCaviar Podcast, we sat down with David Radom, Group CEO at ETS-Simple, to discuss the pre-LinkedIn logistics era, his market outlook, the critical role of team alignment in achieving success, and why he believes there’s never been a better time to be a broker.This week's episode is sponsored by Epay Manager, GenLogs, CtrlChain, and Levity.aiInterested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected]. (edited)

In this week’s episode of The FreightCaviar Podcast, we sat down with Per Højland, Executive Director of Network Operation at Saudia Airlines Cargo Company, to discuss their key trade lanes, the growing talent gap in aviation, tips for breaking into the industry, and more.Interested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected].

In this week’s episode of The FreightCaviar Podcast, we sat down with Ty Schroeder, Account Specialist at BBI Logistics, to discuss where the market is headed, how BBI stays ahead of cargo theft, and what he believes brokers need to understand to build stronger relationships with carriers.This week's episode is sponsored by Levity, Rapido Solutions Group, and Highway.Interested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected].

In this week’s episode of The FreightCaviar Podcast, we sat down Demi Ramon, Operations Director at Highway, and Michael Caney, Chief Commercial Officer at Highway, along with Reed Loustalot, Chief Marketing Officer at Truck Parking Club, to examine Highway’s recently released report on Q3 freight fraud trends, today’s risk environment, and outline how brokers, carriers, and shippers can each contribute to stronger protection measures.This week's episode is sponsored by FreightFlex, Augment Technologies Inc., and Highway.Interested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected].

In this week’s episode of The FreightCaviar Podcast, we sat down with Sushanth Raman, Founder and CEO, and Andrew Geisse, Chief Revenue Officer at Pallet. They bring us behind the scenes of their company, share their outlook on the future of the industry, and explain exactly how Pallet helps you focus on what differentiates your service.This week's episode is sponsored by EpayManager, GenLogs, CtrlChainInterested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected].

In this week’s episode of The FreightCaviar Podcast, we sat down with Mike Carter and Jesse Buckingham, Founders at Vooma, an AI automation platform for the logistics and freight industry, designed to act as an "AI agent" for freight brokers and carriers. They bring us behind the scenes of their company, share their take on the future of artificial intelligence, and explain how they're helping transform businesses with it.This week's episode is sponsored by ShipperCRM, Rapido Solutions Group, and GenLogs.Interested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected].

In this week’s episode of The FreightCaviar Podcast, we sat down with Paul Singer, Co-Founder and CEO at FleetWorks and Former Product Manager at Uber Freight. He discusses his predictions for AI, the future of the logistics scene, and why VC investments are not the end-all-be-all.This week's episode is sponsored by FreightFlex, GenLogs, and Shipper CRM.Interested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected].

On this week’s FreightCaviar Podcast, we sit down with Atul Raghunathan, Founder and CRO at Hyperbound, and Sriharsha Guduguntla, CEO at Hyperbound, an AI sales coaching platform. They explore how it’s transforming sales training through conversational AI, offer bold predictions for the future of B2B sales, and explain why they believe traditional cold outbound calling will soon become obsolete.

On this week’s FreightCaviar Podcast, we sit down with the team behind HappyRobot, an AI-native operating system that understands your business and powers real-time autonomous operations. We dive into how their platform bridges humans and autonomous workers, explore Bridge — their new AI-powered control panel for teams — and discuss the company’s long-term vision for the future of logistics.

On this week’s FreightCaviar Podcast, we sit down with Samir Burdzovic, Founder at Elysium Enterprise. He recently launched GetDrivers.ai, an AI-powered platform transforming how trucking companies hire and retain drivers. In our conversation, he shares how it helps save time, money, and effort, how their team handles the setup for you, and what’s next for the company.This video is sponsored by CloneOps, Rapido, Highway and Freighflex.

On this week’s FreightCaviar Podcast, we sit down with Dan Kao, Co-Founder & CEO at TruckSmarter, a platform designed to enable truck drivers and owner-operators to streamline their operations. He talks about his journey from Uber Freight to creating his own load board, what today’s tech investors want, and his outlook on the industry’s future.

On this week’s FreightCaviar Podcast, Krystian Gebis sits down with Santosh Sankar, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Dynamo Ventures, a supply chain and mobility investor. He shares his thoughts on why he values earned insight over decades of experience, explains why AI shouldn’t be seen as a threat, and reveals what he looks for as an investor.This video is sponsored by WireBee, Epay Manager and CtrlChain.Subscribe for more!

On this week’s FreightCaviar Podcast, Krystian Gebis and Will Jenkins sit down with Kevin Novak, Managing Partner & Founder at Rackhouse Venture Capital and ex-Uber Head of Data. He reflects on his path from machine learning to the world of freight, his take on the future of custom software in the industry, as well as AI's transformative potential and its limitations.This video is sponsored by WireBee, GenLogs and Highway.Subscribe for more!

On this week’s FreightCaviar Podcast, we sit down with Bill Driegert, EVP, Convoy Platform - DAT Freight & Analytics. He discusses today’s reality in tech investments, DAT's acquisition of the Convoy Platform, and the importance of trust and relationships in the industry.This video is sponsored by Epay Manager, Levity.ai and CtrlChain.

On this week’s FreightCaviar Podcast, we’re joined by logistics professionals from Serbia to discuss the country's impact on the U.S. trucking market, take a closer look at the realities of working as a dispatcher there, and explore the outsourcing scene.

On this week’s FreightCaviar Podcast, we sit down with Tyson S. Lawrence, CEO at Diablo Freight Ventures, Inc., which offers small package and freight shipping services for small to mid-sized businesses. He shares tips on building a more resilient company, discusses what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur today, and what industry newcomers should know before venturing into tech.This video is sponsored by Epay Manager, Freight Flex and Rapido Solutions Group.

On this week’s FreightCaviar Podcast, we sit down with Samir Burdzovic, Founder at Elysium Enterprise, a marketing agency that specializes in social media and content creation for trucking companies. He discusses the company’s new AI-powered driver recruitment platform, the importance of good branding, and how trucking in America has changed in the last decade.This video is sponsored by Epay Manager, AmeriPol, WireBee and FreightFlex.

On this week’s FreightCaviar Podcast, we sit down with Anes Balic, Director of Sales and Business Development at Balic Transport Inc. He discusses how the company grew into one of the top 5 private dry van fleets based in Denver, CO., gives a first-hand account of the culture shock of European outsourcing, and reveals how BTI built success there through deep shipper relationships.This video is sponsored by Epay Manager, CloneOps.ai, Rapido Solutions Group and GenLogs

On this week’s FreightCaviar Podcast, we sit down with Omer Ramusevic, owner of My Staffing Partner located in Sarajevo, Bosnia, as well as RLSG, its U.S branch. He dives into the outsourcing scene in Bosnia, the differences in mindsets between Bosnians and Americans, and how Omer launched his staffing company.This video is sponsored by Epay Manager, TextLocate, Levity.ai and CtrlChain

On this week’s FreightCaviar Podcast, we sit down with Sushanth Raman, CEO and Founder of Pallet — an AI-driven logistics management system — to discuss the future of the industry, what sets Pallet apart from the competition, and why businesses that fail to embrace technology risk being left behind.

On this week’s FreightCaviar Podcast, Tom Stawinski sits down with Nate Johnson, CEO at GLCS–  a transportation and logistics technology consulting firm– and his team, to discuss how companies can prepare for the next wave of cyber threats. They also dive into what authentic leadership truly looks like, and share practical advice for young professionals entering the industry.This video is sponsored by Cargado, FreightFlex and CloneOps.ai

On this week’s episode of the FreightCaviar Podcast, we sit down with  Jonathan Kolb, Founder of OBC ONE, an on-board courier service. He discusses the benefits of becoming an on-board courier, shares his insights on the future of the industry, and outlines his long-term vision for the company.This episode is sponsored by EPay Manager, AmeriPol and Wirebee.

On this week’s FreightCaviar Podcast, Tom Stawinski sits down with Jin Stedge, CEO & Co-founder of TrueNorth, the first AI-powered load board built for independent truckers.Jin has logistics in her DNA. She grew up in a family of truckers, studied aerospace engineering at MIT, made the Forbes 30 Under 30 (Enterprise Technology, 2021) list, and began her career working on autonomous vehicles. In 2019, she co-founded TrueNorth to help small carriers manage back-office tasks like invoicing, insurance, and compliance. But after four years, they pivoted and are now building a smarter, AI-native load board.

In this week’s episode of the FreightCaviar Podcast, we sat down with Adán Capuchino Monrreal, México Branch Director at Little John Transportation Services Inc., and Sergio I Martinez Hinojosa, Operations Supervisor. They discuss the advantages of being a Landstar agent, the future of nearshoring in Mexico, and the impact tariffs are currently having on businesses.This episode is sponsored by Epay Manager, TextLocate, WireBee and FreightFlex.Interested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected] for more!

In this week’s episode of the FreightCaviar Podcast, we sat down with Eduardo Chaim, CCO & Founder at VAX Solutions. He shares the story of his entry into the industry, his experience working at Coyote Logistics, and how the company impacted the way he runs VAX Solutions today.This episode is sponsored by Epay Manager, Highway and CloneOps.Interested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected] for more!

In this week’s episode of the FreightCaviar Podcast, we sat down with Roberto Icaza, Co-Founder, President & COO at Rapido Solutions Group. He talks about tariffs, shares tips on cultivating relationships with carriers and brokers in Mexico, and shares advice with young people wanting to find their path in logistics. This episode is sponsored by  Epay Manager, CtrlChain, and ShipperCRM.

In this week’s episode of the FreightCaviar Podcast, we sat down with the team from WireBee, a fraud prevention technology software company. Co-founders Andre Temnrod, Solomiya Tomkiv, and their Technical Co-Founder, Alex Boruz, share the story behind WireBee, explain how their software detects fraudsters, and what they’re currently building.This episode is sponsored by Epay Manager, AscendTMS and Ameripol.Interested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected] for more!

2025 is a challenging year for logistics. Fraud rates are through the roof, tariffs are putting the industry on a chokehold, and carrier rates have never been this low. Why is that?Join us for a conversation with OTR Solutions to uncover how they're taking advantage of the current state of the industry, and why they haven't stopped innovating at a time of uncertainty.This episode is sponsored by Epay Manager, Levity, WireBee, FreightFlexInterested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected] for more!

After selling his freight company, David Bell didn’t retire—he started building something bigger. In this interview, he shares why he walked away, what he learned from the grind, and how CloneOps AI could transform the future of logistics.This episode is sponsored by Epay Manager, Ctrl Chain, and Highway.Interested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected].

In this week’s episode of the FreightCaviar Podcast, we sat down with Sarah Ruffcorn, President at Trinity Logistics. Sarah walks us through the process of becoming an agent at Trinity, discusses the company’s potential use of AI, and gives us a look at what's ahead for the future of the company. This week's episode is sponsored by Rapido, Epay Manager, and AscentTMS .Interested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected].

A perfect storm of misaligned incentives and weak safeguards allowed fraudsters to slip through the cracks. In this week’s episode of the FreightCaviar Podcast, we sat down with Mikhail Rasner, CEO & President of MiRUnited. He reveals the surprising truth about private equity and its impact on freight, shares powerful strategies to combat freight fraud, and discusses the realities of training in brokerages. We're also joined by Gord Magill, who has written for Newsweek, The American Conservative, and more. He also hosts his own podcast, The Voice of GO(r)D, where he covers topics ranging from trucking to politics.This week's episode is sponsored by Epay Manager, AmeriPol, and TextLocate.Interested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected].

In this week’s episode of the FreightCaviar Podcast, we sat down with Michael Caney, Chief Commercial Officer at Highway. He shares his industry predictions for 2025, discusses strategies to combat freight fraud, and unveils Highway’s newest product.This week's episode is sponsored by Epay Manager, AmeriPol and WireBee.Interested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected].

In this week’s episode of the FreightCaviar Podcast, we sat down with Jackie Jones, Chief Marketing Officer at Mesilla Valley Transportation, one of the largest private fleets in America. Jackie shares the key to the company’s success, why sustainability is essential in trucking, and what sets them apart from other fleets.This week's episode is sponsored by Epay Manager, AscendTMS and FreightFlex.Interested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected].

In this week’s episode of the FreightCaviar Podcast, we sat down with Luther Binford, who recently celebrated his 91st birthday, and still drives 600-700 miles a day with Mesilla Valley Transportation. With over 40 years on the road, he shares valuable advice for young truckers, reflects on the industry's changes, and reveals what he loves most about life behind the wheel.This week's episode is sponsored by Epay Manager, Rapido Solutions Group and Cargado.Interested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at [email protected].