Convoy Radio

Transporting cannabis with Green Med Lab's Tyler Peterson Dec 07, 2019

It is an interesting time in America for cannabis transportation. This industry presents a huge opportunity for transportation companies willing to navigate an emerging market. But, when it comes to licensing, tax, and the transportation of cannabis, each state has its own legal body overseeing its operations.

Our guest on today’s show is Tyler Peterson. Tyler is the General Manager of Green Med Lab, a company that produces edibles and cannabis-infused beverages. Tyler works to get Green Med Lab’s projects set up state-wide and deals with the ins and outs of cannabis transportation on a daily basis. From the grower, to the processor, to the retail store, in this episode, you’ll learn more about the current hemp and cannabis supply chain. You’ll gain insight into the nitty-gritty of licensing, tax, and security on cannabis products, as well as an inside look into the cannabis black market.

The views and opinions expressed in this episode of Convoy Radio are those of the show hosts and their guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Convoy, Inc.

Short Haul: Drag Racing Iron Giants Nov 21, 2019

This is going to be an interesting episode because we are giving you a Convoy Radio Short Haul on truck drag racing and we're not talking about Ford F-150s – we're talking about big rigs! The Convoy Radio crew gets into what exactly truck drag racing is, covering where it originated, the different classes of trucks, the weight of the loads, and the massive top speeds these iron giants reach.

We also get into a variation of truck drag racing called The Bandit Big Rig Series. In this event, you have smaller, tailor-made rigs that compete on a circuit track. You’ll hear more about the rigs themselves, and how the tournaments are structured, too. Hit the play button and join us in our appreciation of these smoke-billowing, turbocharged iron giants.

Haunted Roads in the U.S. Oct 30, 2019

Today’s episode is getting real spooky because not only are we recording in an unfamiliar location, but we’re also talking about the most haunted roads in the U.S.

Halloween is here and we’re listing our top five most spooky roads in the country and sharing the experiences of those who have seen and heard of the freaky ghosts, ghouls and other creatures that roam the area!

Driving on Route 44 in Massachusetts might bring you face to face with the lumberjack hitchhiker, while you might spot the boy under the bridge on Clinton Road in New Jersey. We also share some hairy stories about hybrid animals and then we tell you about a personal experience at Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery.

Whether you are by yourself or in a group, having a run-in with an apparition is no laughing matter — unless, of course, the laughter comes from a paranormal presence in your car radio. Join us for this episode to find out which roads you need to be steering clear of this Halloween!

Fitness and Trucking, with Siphiwe Baleka Oct 22, 2019

On today's episode, the Convoy Radio crew chats with Siphiwe Baleka, the founder of Fitness Trucking, LLC and Driver Health and Fitness Coach at Prime Inc., a commercial trucking company based in Springfield, MO.

Before earning his commercial drivers license, Siphiwe was a nationally ranked high school swimmer, failing to qualify for the 1992 US Olympic Swimming Trials by just 0.8 seconds in the 100 freestyle.

Fast forward to 2008 when Siphiwe had been driving commercially for just two months and gained 15 lbs in the process. At that moment, he realized the need to promote a healthy lifestyle for the 86% of truck drivers who are overweight.

Alongside hosts Jake and Michael, Siphiwe talks about fitness in trucking and lays out the main methods he advises around diet, movement and sleep that can make a significant impact in battling health problems and obesity.

Technology and Trucking 2.0 with Grant Goodale Oct 14, 2019

In our latest episode of Convoy Radio, Convoy Chief Technology Officer Grant Goodale joins hosts Jake and Michael to talk about technology in trucking and the current landscape we see in the industry. We unpack why it could be called the golden age of tech in trucking right now, as well as look at why trucking has taken a while to catch up to some other industries that seem to have adopted new technologies a little faster.

The conversation covers some of the major advances in the industry and transportation economy and how these have been incorporated and affected the trucking profession. We speak about safety, convenience, communication, routing and more. For all of this and a whole lot more, make sure you join us today, on Convoy Radio!

The Story Behind Citizen Band Radios Oct 03, 2019

Today on Convoy Radio we are talking about CB Radios! That's right we are getting down and dirty about Citizen Band and sharing all of our memories and knowledge on the subject.

Inside this episode, we discuss radio slang and the code terms used on the airwaves before looking back at the history and origin of the technology and how it has been used over the years.

We then dive in to consider the radios' usage in organizing and mobilizing convoys, as well as providing the necessary connection to friends and associates on long journeys. Finally, we finish off the episode breaking down and trying out some combinations of CB slang and try and figure out what each sentence means!

Stay tuned to the end hear the definition of a 'West Coast Turnaround'!

Key Points From This Episode:

The changing weather and the sweet spot in Seattle fall.
Childhood experiences with walkie-talkies and tuning into other people's frequencies.
The history of the Citizen Band Radio, its inventor and range.
Original uses for CB radios and connecting with friends and associates.
Organizing a convoy and alerting peers to anything important.
CB nicknames and coming up with the perfect alias.
Going over some classic CB slang and the way it can fit together.
The crossover between slang and code from different industries.
Favorite gas stations and deciding where to stop.
And much more!

Supporting and Empowering Women in the Trucking Industry, with Ellen Voie Sep 30, 2019

Today on Convoy Radio we are joined by Ellen Voie, founder and CEO of Women in Trucking Association (WIT), a non-profit organization focused on the transportation and logistics industry. They stand for building a community that encourages the employment of women in the trucking industry, promotes their accomplishments, and minimizes obstacles faced by women working in this industry.

Prior to her current role as President and CEO of WIT Ellen worked in traffic and transportation management doing consulting for carriers, licensing and truck permitting. Inside this episode, Ellen shares more about her history in transportation and how she first came to work in the trucking industry. We also dive into the incredible trucking initiatives that WIT have pursued on behalf of the Girl Scouts organization, the challenges that women in the trucking industry face, along with some enlightening statistics about women truck drivers. For some incredible insights into the life of women in trucking, be sure to tune in to today’s episode!

Short Hauls: The History of the Trucker Hat Sep 17, 2019

Today we are back for another Convoy short haul to talk about the history of the trucker hat. Most of us have worn trucker hats at some point in our lives, but now we’ve seen the trend spread to everyone from Justin Timberlake to Ashton Kutcher.

The trucker hats are a very simple concept with the foam front company logo and the mesh breathable back. But the background of these trucker hats is incredible. Truckers didn’t always wear trucker hats. From the 1930s to 1960s, truckers were provided with these types of peaked cap, which were known then as mechanics hats. They were then adopted during the 1950s by the greaser subculture. Eventually, the trucker hat evolved as part of a standard uniform for the company that truckers worked for. Inside this episode Jake and Michael dive even further into the history of the trucker hat and how it has evolved over the years. We also investigate the idea of trucker hats being used as a unique form of marketing directly to their target audiences. From the milkman to greasers to free advertising, stay tuned to hear it all in today’s short haul.

Short Hauls: Celebrating National Truck Driver Appreciation Week Sep 10, 2019

This week we are doing a quick and fun short-haul in aid of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. We are taking this opportunity to say thank you all the drivers out there, who put in long hours and get things where they need to be. We really appreciate each and every one of you! There is a lot that drivers have to endure, days away from home, long journeys, other motorists and more, so it is important to give thanks at a time like this and we want to do our part.

In this episode, we look at some fun ways to celebrate and the creative method that Maverick Transportation has been doing it for the last few years. We also mention what we will be doing throughout the week to drum up some awareness of this celebration! So here's to all the drivers, you are all very near and dear to our hearts, keep it up. Join us for this essential celebration of those we often take for granted! Happy National Truck Driver Appreciation Week 2019!

The Economics of the Freight Industry with Aaron Terrazas Aug 16, 2019

Our topic today is economics – one that feels way over our heads. That’s why we made the wise decision to get Aaron Terrazas and Aviad Benzikry who are experts in the field to lead the conversation on this front. Aaron is an economist while Aviad deals with product marketing at Convoy, and both joined the company at a similar time earlier this year.

Today on the podcast we discuss the newsworthy events of the last few weeks, including the reported shortage of truck drivers and the scandal that involved a DPS worker being bribed to give out fake commercial driving licenses. We then dive into the freight recession of the past eight months, talking about how this both predicts and affects the larger US economy, what the main indicators are and what can be done to induce the expansion phase.

Aaron and Aviad talk about the research they have done on empty miles and share their findings of the different ways in which it happens, why it is so tricky to get exact numbers, how it impacts the market and how technology has come a long way to begin solving these problems for us. In conclusion, we raise the owner-operator debate and get our guests to weigh in on the matter.

A Strategy in the Spot Market with Sammy Lloyd Jul 31, 2019

You might know Sammy Lloyd from YouTube. When he’s not making educational videos about the industry and his experiences as a driver, he fills the shoes of owner-operator, and we’re lucky enough to have him as our guest today.

We’re asking the question, “Who holds the spot market?” and Sammy weighs in on the conversation, sharing his strategies in the spot market, how he views the market right now and how things have changed since 2018.

He talks about the freedom that life on the road brings, having his brother as his co-driver and then he gets serious about booking outbound loads, doing research about what the market is doing and how technology has changed the landscape of the industry. Sammy gives us some practical guidelines for a realistic distance you can cover in a day, how you can cut down on expenses to lower your monthly obligations and a whole lot more!

Episode 10: Developing the next generation of truck drivers Jul 15, 2019

With over 700,000 accident and ticket-free miles driven, Dave Dein is no stranger to the trucking industry. He first got his start in 1988 hauling tomatoes for Morning Star to pay his way through college.

After eight years teaching elementary school, Dein founded a non-profit truck driving school focused on training individuals recently released from prison on how to drive a truck.

Now, he's using his experience to educate the future generation of truck drivers. In tandem with staff and industry partners, Dein established what he believes to be the first high school CDL trucking course in the country at Patterson High School in Patterson, California.

Students learn how to conduct pre-trip inspections, build trip plans, pull the fifth wheel, shift gears via the truck simulator and much more. Upon completion of the program, students are given the option to obtain free behind-the-wheel training with industry partners. In Episode 10 of Convoy Radio, listen in as hosts Jake and Michael chat with Dein on how he is developing the next wave of truck drivers.

Episode 9: The 2019 State of Freight with transportation veteran Ryan Soskin Jun 18, 2019

Ryan Soskin is a freight fanatic. An Economics/Finance major from Miami University (Ohio) and current Senior Manager of Shipper Solutions at Convoy, Soskin has spent the bulk of his career in the transportation industry.

As a result, he’s all too familiar with fluctuations in the marketplace. After record expansion of truckload demand in 2017 and 2018, 2019 has seen the freight market slow significantly. Contributing to the softening, record new equipment purchases have inflated supply, further driving down rates, and as a result we’ve seen several medium and large trucking companies shut down or layoff drivers. Meanwhile, many shippers have opted to bypass their contracts for lower spot market rates.

Tack on uncertainty around U.S.-China trade relations, flooding in the Midwest, and California weather softening the impact of produce season, and there are lots of questions around the state of freight halfway through 2019. Will a budding produce season see a turnaround in demand? Or will the freight blues continue through the summer? Tune into Episode 9 with hosts Jake and Michael as they discuss the current state of the freight market with industry guru Ryan Soskin.

Episode 8: How Stephanie Trejo grew her family business from 2 to 12 trucks Jun 07, 2019

Stephanie Trejo was bored. Taking business classes at a Texas community college while holding a job as a lead oil analyst, Stephanie knew she needed a change.

When her father tired of driving trucks, an opportunity opened up for Stephanie to get involved with the family trucking business, Tremmar Freight Services. Fast forward 7 years — with Stephanie at the helm, the company has grown from 2 to 12 trucks.

Listen in as hosts Jake and Mike walk through Stephanie’s career path. From buying her first truck at an auction to playing the spot market, one thing is for sure: Stephanie is never bored.

Episode 7: Trucking State of the Union with Will “Lil Dawg” Kling May 22, 2019

Before the age of social media, truckers would interact in diners, in drivers’ lounges, or over CB radio. But today, social media connects drivers who are thousands of miles apart. For Will “Lil Dawg” Kling, social media — and YouTube in particular — has given him the opportunity to share his trucking knowledge with more than 25,000 subscribers.

In Episode 7, Kling dives into the dynamic relationships between brokers and carriers, how truck drivers can utilize social media to build their brands and his personal journey from the U.S. Navy to the road.

Episode 6: What's the deal with the DRIVE-Safe Act? May 07, 2019

In the latest episode of Convoy Radio, we dive into the DRIVE-Safe Act - a bill aiming to lower the interstate commercial truck driving age to 18 nationally - and discuss how it impacts drivers and business owners.

Hosts Jake and Michael meet with Lorin Seeks, Director of Quality and Compliance at Convoy, who brings a comprehensive understanding of the Act and how it impacts those in the industry.

Please note, the opinions expressed in this podcast are not necessarily shared, supported, or endorsed by Convoy.

Episode 5: Understanding Freight Futures with pricing strategist Michael Carroll Apr 30, 2019

In the latest episode of Convoy Radio, Convoy Head of Contract Revenue Michael Carroll takes hosts Jake and Michael through the ins and outs of freight futures. Carroll, who previously traded futures on Wall Street, explains what freight futures are, how they can potentially impact the nearly $800 billion dollar U.S. trucking market, who is buying them and what the future of freight futures might look like.

Episode 4: Proverbs from the road with legendary trucker Steve Crawford Apr 23, 2019

Convoy Radio visits with Steve Crawford, lifelong trucker and owner of Steve Crawford Trucking. Crawford, an industry veteran of over 50 years, shares the do’s and don’ts of running a trucking business, how he grew his company to more than 40 trucks, and what it was like to ride with his father through the plains of South Dakota at age 14.

Episode 3: Talking Trucking with Convoy CEO Dan Lewis Apr 16, 2019

Convoy CEO Dan Lewis joins the show and shares stories of starting Convoy four years ago. From conducting market research at truck stops to visiting warehouses and talking to dock workers, Lewis gives listeners an inside look at what led him to start Convoy. With technology and transparency, Lewis and the Convoy team are seeking to transform the trucking industry.

“Our job here is to address the problems that truck drivers and small trucking companies and dispatchers have and that shippers have and if we do that really well, we’ll have a great business," said Lewis.

Episode 2: Travel Time and Parking Problems with Dr. Anne Goodchild Apr 08, 2019

Dr. Anne Goodchild, University of Washington Founding Director at the Supply Chain Transportation and Logistics Center, brings decades of experience leading freight transportation research to the latest episode of Convoy Radio. Alongside hosts Jake and Michael, Dr. Goodchild talks public parking areas for truck drivers, sustainable freight transportation systems and much more.

Episode 1: Owning the Road with Steve Gordon Mar 26, 2019

Hosts Jake and Michael sit down with Steve Gordon, former Chief Operating Officer of Gordon Trucking. Gordon talks about growing up in a trucking family, joining the family business in 1990, hauling Lucky Lager beer from Vancouver, Wash. to Seattle, how deregulation changed the trucking landscape and much more.

Episode 0: Introducing Convoy Radio Mar 26, 2019

We’re proud to introduce Convoy Radio, a podcast that brings you trucking news and interviews with transportation industry leaders.

With hosts Jake Henderson and Michael Lewis, Convoy Radio connects with a variety of voices from the trucking world to give you the latest information on building your own trucking company, technology, legislative issues, road safety, supply chain management and more. In our first season we have guests ranging from owners of major carriers, independent owner-operators, major shippers, freight transportation researchers and much more.

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