Podcasts about Molo

Send us a textOn this episode, we're talking more House settlement—this time I'm joined by Steve Molo, lead counsel for the largest group of athlete objectors. Steve explains why he thinks the settlement should be rejected, possible next steps if the settlement is approved, and much more. Thank you for listening! For the latest in sports law news and analysis, you can follow Gabe Feldman on twitter @sportslawguy .

Andrew welcomes Clay Curran, CEO and cofounder of FreshX, a young company tackling the tricky reefer LTL space. Clay shares his entrepreneurial journey, marked by a willingness to pivot that has shaped both his personal career trajectory and the FreshX business model. Today, FreshX is a marketplace that connects brokers with more than 80 reefer LTL carriers.In this episode, Clay also covers:His path to entrepreneurship and early lessons learned from his entrepreneurial parents.The evolution of FreshX, including two major pivots from a last-mile delivery carrier to a reefer LTL brokerage, and finally to its current iteration as a tech-driven marketplace.The challenges and nuances of the reefer LTL market, including carrier specialization, capacity visibility, and the difficulties brokers face in sourcing reliable options.How FreshX is working to unlock hidden capacity and digitize pricing by building relationships with more than 80 reefer LTL carriers and providing a "Google Flights-like" platform for brokers.His advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in the freight industry, emphasizing the importance of good advisors, rapid iteration, and deeply understanding the real problems you're trying to solve.Follow The Freight Pod and host Andrew Silver on LinkedIn.*** This episode is brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services. Visit gorapido.com to learn more. A special thanks to our additional sponsors: Cargado – Cargado is the first platform that connects logistics companies and trucking companies that move freight into and out of Mexico. Visit cargado.com to learn more. Greenscreens.ai – Greenscreens.ai is the AI-powered pricing and market intelligence tool transforming how freight brokers price freight. Visit greenscreens.ai/freightpod today! Metafora – Metafora is a technology consulting firm that has delivered value for over a decade to brokers, shippers, carriers, private equity firms, and freight tech companies. Check them out at metafora.net. ***

This week, The Freight Pod flips the mic as host and former Molo Solutions CEO Andrew Silver becomes the guest. Hosted by colleague and friend Derek Zetlin, this candid conversation dives deep into Andrew's journey through freight, including growing up around logistics, learning the ropes at Coyote, and ultimately founding, scaling, and selling Molo Solutions.In this episode, you'll hear Andrew talk about:His early experiences and pivotal moments at Coyote Logistics, from being a high school-aged intern to learning from key mentors and the challenges of early career growth.The decision to leave Coyote and his motivations behind founding MoLo, including the itch to build something independently and overcome his own personal insecurities.The early days of MoLo, the importance of culture, and the strategies behind the company's rapid and transformative growth, going from $5M in revenue in 2017 to $625M in 2021.His reflections on leadership, the pressures of being a CEO, and the acquisition of MoLo.His perspective on the evolving freight brokerage landscape, the potential impact of AI, the future of the industry, and his own next steps.Follow The Freight Pod and host Andrew Silver on LinkedIn.*** This episode is brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services. Visit gorapido.com to learn more. A special thanks to our additional sponsors: Cargado – Cargado is the first platform that connects logistics companies and trucking companies that move freight into and out of Mexico. Visit cargado.com to learn more. Greenscreens.ai – Greenscreens.ai is the AI-powered pricing and market intelligence tool transforming how freight brokers price freight. Visit greenscreens.ai/freightpod today! Metafora – Metafora is a technology consulting firm that has delivered value for over a decade to brokers, shippers, carriers, private equity firms, and freight tech companies. Check them out at metafora.net. ***

In this episode, Andrew welcomes Matt O'Mara, CEO and founder of Whimsy Intermodal and Whimsy Trucking. Matt's journey into the transportation industry began in 1994 when he worked as an owner-operator for a trucking company. When that company was acquired and its drivers let go, Matt seized the opportunity to start Whimsy Intermodal in 1996 and hired many of those drivers. Today, Whimsy has about 50 company drivers, 145 owner-operators, and 150 trucks. Andrew and Matt also cover:Whimsy's organic business growth and unique capability in handling challenging freight, the importance of finding consistency, and Whimsy's focus on execution, including how they add value beyond transportation.The significant challenges Matt ran into of implementing new TMS systems in a legacy company, the importance of team buy-in, and the eventual success of digitizing and going paperless, including leveraging AI for order entry and real-time driver coaching.Treating drivers with respect and providing robust support as the key to retention, highlighting the reason why Whimsy has a waiting list for owner-operators.The importance of transparency, leading by example and avoiding hypocrisy, and the critical role of communication, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness in leadership.Current market conditions, the lack of impact from Chinese New Year, potential tariff effects, and the critical need for robust infrastructure and processes.Follow The Freight Pod and host Andrew Silver on LinkedIn.*** This episode is brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services. Visit gorapido.com to learn more. A special thanks to our additional sponsors: Cargado – Cargado is the first platform that connects logistics companies and trucking companies that move freight into and out of Mexico. Visit cargado.com to learn more. Greenscreens.ai – Greenscreens.ai is the AI-powered pricing and market intelligence tool transforming how freight brokers price freight. Visit greenscreens.ai/freightpod today! Metafora – Metafora is a technology consulting firm that has delivered value for over a decade to brokers, shippers, carriers, private equity firms, and freight tech companies. Check them out at metafora.net. ***

In this episode, Andrew welcomes three seasoned logistics leaders with a unique perspective, having all started on the brokerage world before transitioning to the shipper side: Nicole Schuman, transportation procurement manager at Reser's Fine Foods; Marco Vargas-Avila, director of U.S. logistics at Dole Packaged Foods; and Andrew Dafnos, director of supply chain at KeHE Distributors.Andrew and the panel cover:Balancing cost vs. service, the importance of understanding different provider models (asset vs. non-asset), and strategic bid cycle planning.How shippers evaluate potential partners, the critical role of transparency, and why understanding a shipper's specific network needs (not just offering a truck) is key.Direct feedback on what makes cold outreach successful, common pitfalls to avoid, and the power of demonstrating genuine understanding before pitching.Perspectives on how the logistics landscape is changing and preparing for future trends.Follow The Freight Pod and host Andrew Silver on LinkedIn.*** This episode is brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services. Visit gorapido.com to learn more. *** A special thanks to our additional sponsors: Cargado – Cargado is the first platform that connects logistics companies and trucking companies that move freight into and out of Mexico. Visit cargado.com to learn more. Greenscreens.ai – Greenscreens.ai is the AI-powered pricing and market intelligence tool transforming how freight brokers price freight. Visit greenscreens.ai/freightpod today! Metafora – Metafora is a technology consulting firm that has delivered value for over a decade to brokers, shippers, carriers, private equity firms, and freight tech companies. Check them out at metafora.net. ***

In this roundtable-style episode, Andrew brings together a panel of industry experts at the center of cross-border shipping and trade compliance: Matt Silver, CEO and cofounder of Cargado; Emil Stefanutti, CEO and cofounder of Gaia Dynamics; and Justin Sherlock, CEO & cofounder of Caspian.These leaders break down how complex, ever-changing global trade regulations are impacting shippers, brokers, and carriers and how AI is being used to bring order to the chaos. From tariff classifications and regulatory confusion to duty refunds and compliance risks, this episode uncovers the real headaches businesses face and the tech that's helping them navigate it.Andrew's conversation with Matt, Emil, and Justin covers:The challenges businesses face in navigating the volatile landscape of tariffs and trade regulations, including the complexities of product classification and the impact of geopolitical events.  How AI is being used to streamline trade compliance processes, offering solutions to automate classification and other time-consuming tasks.  The impact of recent tariff announcements on businesses, with real-world examples illustrating the challenges companies face in managing increased costs and supply chain disruptions.  Insights into the potential implications of trade policies and the importance of adapting to the evolving global trade environment.Follow The Freight Pod and host Andrew Silver on LinkedIn.*** This episode is brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services. Visit gorapido.com to learn more. *** A special thanks to our additional sponsors: Cargado – Cargado is the first platform that connects logistics companies and trucking companies that move freight into and out of Mexico. Visit cargado.com to learn more. Greenscreens.ai – Greenscreens.ai is the AI-powered pricing and market intelligence tool transforming how freight brokers price freight. Visit greenscreens.ai/freightpod today! Metafora – Metafora is a technology consulting firm that has delivered value for over a decade to brokers, shippers, carriers, private equity firms, and freight tech companies. Check them out at metafora.net. ***

Interview # 120 - Blockzeit 892416 - mit Ben, Molo, ⁠Sattler ⁠und ⁠Camino⁠Heute gibt es einen Mix aus Interview, Reisebericht und Ländervorstellung. Wir haben zwei spannende Gäste bei uns. Einer ist die letzte Zeit öfters nach Paraquay gereist und der andere wohnt dort schon seit einigen Jahren. Es werden Themen wie Auswanderung, das Leben in Paraquay und die dortige Bitcoin Szene diskutiert.Links⁠⁠⁠Besuche unsere ⁠Website⁠ und diskutiere mit, in unserer ⁠Telegram-Community⁠.Verfolge die neusten Schlagzeilen im ⁠Newsfeed⁠.Die ⁠Community-Tutorials auf YouTube⁠.Sponsoren und FreundeBitBox02 Bitcoin-only Edition - 5% Rabatt für die EINUNDZWANZIG Community mit Code ⁠⁠einundzwanzig⁠⁠ — 10% für 10 BitBoxes mit Code einundzwanzig10Stack Deine Sats mit ⁠⁠Pocket Bitcoin⁠⁠Weitere Links⁠⁠Interview #49 bei Einundzwanzig⁠⁠

In this episode, Andrew welcomes Charley Dehoney, CEO and cofounder of Upwell. Charley has worked at brokerages like Worldwide Express. He bootstrapped his own brokerage, Dehoney Transportation Management. He bought and sold the 50-year-old Mannings Truck Brokerage. He's worked for a digital freight startup, a supply chain accelerator, and a container shipping company. And that's not even all of it. Across every chapter, one thread stands out: Charley's intimate understanding of freight payments and the cash flow challenges that logistics companies face.So when Charley reflects on his career, it's clear why it's led him to where he is today. As he puts it, “The sum of all of those experiences have positioned me uniquely to do exactly what I'm doing at Upwell.” In this conversation, Andrew and Charley also get into:The trust problem in freight and why we need more API: Assume Positive IntentTrends across the rise of managed transportation, broker consolidation, and the old guard versus the new guard of brokerage ownership. How Upwell is tackling the freight payments problem — and the cash flow lessons Charley learned the hard way (including selling his Mercedes in front of his own brokerage).A candid take on VCs in freight: why they've earned a bad reputation, when they make sense, and how to spot the good ones.Tactical advice on fundraising — how much to raise, how long it should last, and what investors really expect in return. Why starting a business in a down market might be the smartest move you can make. As Charley says, “You never want to waste a good crisis.”Follow The Freight Pod and host Andrew Silver on LinkedIn.*** This episode is brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services. Visit gorapido.com to learn more. *** A special thanks to our additional sponsors: Cargado – Cargado is the first platform that connects logistics companies and trucking companies that move freight into and out of Mexico. Visit cargado.com to learn more. Greenscreens.ai – Greenscreens.ai is the AI-powered pricing and market intelligence tool transforming how freight brokers price freight. Visit greenscreens.ai/freightpod today! Metafora – Metafora is a technology consulting firm that has delivered value for over a decade to brokers, shippers, carriers, private equity firms, and freight tech companies. Check them out at metafora.net. ***

In this episode, Andrew sits down with Greg Paulson, CEO of Giltner Transportation, a transportation and logistics company based in Jerome, Idaho. Greg's journey with Giltner began in 1999 when, as an accountant, he worked closely with then-owner Doug Blevins, who eventually offered him a job. Now, 26 years later, Greg and his wife, Shawna, own and lead the company.Giltner started in 1980 as a milk tanker transporter and has since expanded into a 300-truck reefer fleet, a $250M brokerage, a $100M factoring business, and an insurance and compliance arm helping small carriers.In this episode, Greg also shares:Hard lessons learned from Giltner's toughest challenges, including near-bankruptcy in 2003 and how the company rebounded.The four pillars of a successful trucking business and his philosophy on business. What he's learned from running a trucking business, like navigating bid cycles, developing smart bidding strategies, managing the emotional toll of losing key lanes, and why a diversified network is key to long-term stability.Operating an asset-based trucking company alongside a brokerage and the pros and cons of company drivers vs. owner-operators.Growing a factoring business to 300 trucks without any sales or marketing, just by word of mouth.Trucking's biggest safety challenges today, including the impact of nuclear verdicts and how Giltner is investing in technology to protect its drivers.Advice for entrepreneurs looking to start and scale their own trucking businesses.Follow The Freight Pod and host Andrew Silver on LinkedIn.*** This episode is brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services. Visit gorapido.com to learn more. *** A special thanks to our additional sponsors: Cargado – Cargado is the first platform that connects logistics companies and trucking companies that move freight into and out of Mexico. Visit cargado.com to learn more. Greenscreens.ai – Greenscreens.ai is the AI-powered pricing and market intelligence tool transforming how freight brokers price freight. Visit greenscreens.ai/freightpod today! Metafora – Metafora is a technology consulting firm that has delivered value for over a decade to brokers, shippers, carriers, private equity firms, and freight tech companies. Check them out at metafora.net. ***

Andrew sits down with Jin Stedge, CEO and cofounder of TrueNorth. Jin grew up in a family of owner-operators, including her dad, uncles, and grandparents, but didn't see herself in the family business. Instead, she headed to MIT, earned an aeronautical engineering degree, and built her career in consulting, HR tech, and — autonomous trucking. But Jin knew truckers had more immediate needs and that's how the industry pulled her in. In this episode, Jin also talks about:The evolution of TrueNorth, which evolved from being a carrier to an AI load board with a virtual dispatcher named Loadie, and what she hopes the business looks like five years from now.The biggest challenges of building a load board, the necessary features and qualities of an AI load board, how TrueNorth approaches fraud, and what new solutions could improve load boards.How technology should enhance rather than replace the human connection to make freight relationships more successful.Raising a $50M Series B with Sam Altman as an early backer, how she made the decisions to use the money and what she may have done differently, and best practices for staying in touch with investors, including her “Weekly Reflection.”Running the business through maternity leave and early motherhood.Follow The Freight Pod and host Andrew Silver on LinkedIn.*** This episode is brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services. Visit gorapido.com to learn more. *** A special thanks to our additional sponsors: Cargado – Cargado is the first platform that connects logistics companies and trucking companies that move freight into and out of Mexico. Visit cargado.com to learn more. Greenscreens.ai – Greenscreens.ai is the AI-powered pricing and market intelligence tool transforming how freight brokers price freight. Visit greenscreens.ai/freightpod today! Metafora – Metafora is a technology consulting firm that has delivered value for over a decade to brokers, shippers, carriers, private equity firms, and freight tech companies. Check them out at metafora.net. ***

In this episode, Andrew welcomes Dan Manshaem, CEO and founder of Ally Logistics, for his first podcast appearance ever. In 2012, Dan and his cofounder Jeff Chidester started Ally — they quit their jobs, put $2,500 in the bank, and signed a lease for $300 a month for some office space. He calls that time, “One part exhilarating, one part terrifying.” Today, Ally has grown to a team of 95 with a projected top-line revenue of $145M in 2025. In this episode, Dan shares:How his initial finance career aspirations led him to freight brokerage, starting as an intern before founding Ally Logistics.Practical tips for launching a brokerage, winning early customers, and differentiating in a competitive market. How Ally integrates AI tools like FleetWorks and Qued to enhance operational efficiency, how Ally team member roles have evolved to support AI, and the biggest challenges in implementing new tech.His perspective on selecting tech providers, managing vendor relationships, and using a “super user program” for smoother integrations.How he thinks about remote work in 2025 and Ally's approach with “earned flexibility.”Valuable advice for interns and young professionals entering the logistics world.Follow The Freight Pod and host Andrew Silver on LinkedIn.*** This episode is brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services. Visit gorapido.com to learn more. *** A special thanks to our additional sponsors: Cargado – Cargado is the first platform that connects logistics companies and trucking companies that move freight into and out of Mexico. Visit cargado.com to learn more. Greenscreens.ai – Greenscreens.ai is the AI-powered pricing and market intelligence tool transforming how freight brokers price freight. Visit greenscreens.ai/freightpod today! Metafora – Metafora is a technology consulting firm that has delivered value for over a decade to brokers, shippers, carriers, private equity firms, and freight tech companies. Check them out at metafora.net. ***

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joins Jimmy with the latest news from around the NRL including the deal to send Brandon Smith from the Roosters to the Rabbitohs, Francis Molo heading back to Queensland to play for the Dolphins & players getting into legal stoushes with their agents over the last week or so. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Dan is joined by a special guest host to break down the biggest mid-week talking points. Are the Eels fans right to single out Dylan Brown? Has Shane Flanagan buried his young halfback? Can the Dogs win sans their two biggest stars? Plus, player signing news and more▶️ Get more AJ over at ‪@LeagueScenePod‬ Today's Rundown:00:00 Welcome to The Knock On00:30 Player Releases04:04 Daly Cherry-Evans08:17 Bulldogs Injuries12:45 Shane Flanagan18:18 Cowboys list change22:59 Dylan Brown27:55 Benji Marshall bites back

Some breaking signing news out of the world of rugby league as The Cheese, Brandon Smith is set to join rivals the South Sydney Rabbitohs! Plus the Dolphins have signed Francis Molo after his release from the Dragons! And the TV deal is in the news with streaming giants circling! 00:00 Brandon Smith signs with Rabbitohs 01:15 Francis Molo signs with the Dolphins 04:45 Record NRL TV Deal incoming Listen to The Run Home with Joel and Fletch live every weekday: 3pm AEDT on SEN 1170 AM Sydney 2pm AEST on SEN 693 AM Brisbane Listen Online: https://www.sen.com.au/listen   Subscribe to The Run Home YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@JoelandFletchSEN   Follow us on Social Media! TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@joelfletchsen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joelfletchsen X:      https://x.com/joelfletchsen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew welcomes Krenar Komoni, CEO and founder of Tive, to The Freight Pod. Krenar left Kosovo at 17 years old to pursue his education in the U.S., but the aspiring entrepreneur knew he'd be back one day to create jobs in his home country. Krenar went on to earn degrees in computer engineering, math, and electrical engineering and discovered a passion for radio frequencies and wireless communication systems. But it was his father-in-law's trucking company and the constant tracking calls — where's the truck? Will it be on time? — that led Krenar to build him a GPS tracker. And that's how Tive started in 2015. Today, Tive supports more than 900 customers from its offices in Norway, Mexico, South Africa, Boston — and Kosovo.In this episode, Krenar also shares:The early days of Tive: bootstrapping, landing the first customer, and building Tive's innovative trackers.Tive's near-collapse in 2019 and the moment that turned things around.Building a global, remote team and culture across Tive's offices.The biggest mistakes a CEO or founder can make, Krenar's advice for founders and entrepreneurs, the journey to product-market fit, and how Tive has built a moat around its tracking capabilities.Krenar's vision for the future of visibility and AI, and what's next for Tive.Follow The Freight Pod and host Andrew Silver on LinkedIn.*** This episode is brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services. Visit gorapido.com to learn more. *** A special thanks to our additional sponsors: Cargado – Cargado is the first platform that connects logistics companies and trucking companies that move freight into and out of Mexico. Visit cargado.com to learn more. Greenscreens.ai – Greenscreens.ai is the AI-powered pricing and market intelligence tool transforming how freight brokers price freight. Visit greenscreens.ai/freightpod today! Metafora – Metafora is a technology consulting firm that has delivered value for over a decade to brokers, shippers, carriers, private equity firms, and freight tech companies. Check them out at metafora.net. ***

SPORT | Brandon Smith's Playing Future & Francis Molo's Situation Finally ResolvedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In part two of this special two-part episode, Andrew continues his conversation with his dad, Jeff Silver, CEO and founder of Mastery Logistics Systems. Part two picks up with the founding and rapid growth of Coyote Logistics, a company that redefined the industry's expectation of service with its "No Excuses" mentality. Jeff says the experience was “magical the whole time.” After UPS acquired Coyote in 2015, Jeff could have easily retired, but as he says, he doesn't like golf. In 2019, Jeff started Mastery Logistics Systems to tackle a really hard problem: building a modern transportation management system for enterprise carriers, brokers, and shippers.In this episode, Jeff also talks about:How Coyote's "No Excuses" mentality fueled its growth and changed the industry, what made a great Coyote hire, and his proudest Coyote moments.Why freight brokers really exist, what shippers need from a brokerage, and how digital brokerages have gotten this wrong.The challenges of building technology for asset-based carriers and how Mastery balances its product roadmap with customer expectations.His take on AI's impact on freight, brokerage's future in the next five to 10 years, and when autonomy will truly change the game.His advice for the next generation of logistics entrepreneurs and what he's proudest of in his 40-year career.Follow The Freight Pod and host Andrew Silver on LinkedIn.***This episode is brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services. Visit gorapido.com to learn more. *** A special thanks to our additional sponsors: Cargado – Cargado is the first platform that connects logistics companies and trucking companies that move freight into and out of Mexico. Visit cargado.com to learn more. Greenscreens.ai – Greenscreens.ai is the AI-powered pricing and market intelligence tool transforming how freight brokers price freight. Visit greenscreens.ai/freightpod today! Metafora – Metafora is a technology consulting firm that has delivered value for over a decade to brokers, shippers, carriers, private equity firms, and freight tech companies. Check them out at metafora.net.

In this special two-part episode, Andrew sits down with his dad, Jeff Silver, CEO and founder of Mastery Logistics Systems. This is part one, beginning with Jeff's life in 1980 at the University of Michigan. In 1984, Jeff joined Paul Loeb and others in building what became American Backhaulers, one of the industry's first and most successful freight brokerages. C.H. Robinson acquired American Backhaulers in 1999, and a key driver of that industry-changing deal was Express, the technology system built by Jeff and his team that helped accelerate C.H. Robinson's growth for years to come.In this episode, Jeff also shares:His college years at the University of Michigan, passion for language, and early jobs scrubbing yachts and painting houses.How he got started at American Backhaulers and what led him to write the industry's first load-matching algorithm. The lasting impacts of American Backhaulers that live on in the industry today and how its acquisition by C.H. Robinson unfolded. What makes a great seller and the book that changed his view of sales.His time at MIT, pursuing a master's in engineering and logistics, and the path to founding Coyote Logistics, which was acquired by UPS in 2015.The challenges that Mastery Logistics Systems is tackling today for major trucking companies like Werner, Schneider, and others.Follow The Freight Pod and host Andrew Silver on LinkedIn.***This episode is brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services. Visit gorapido.com to learn more. *** A special thanks to our additional sponsors: Cargado – Cargado is the first platform that connects logistics companies and trucking companies that move freight into and out of Mexico. Visit cargado.com to learn more. Greenscreens.ai – Greenscreens.ai is the AI-powered pricing and market intelligence tool transforming how freight brokers price freight. Visit greenscreens.ai/freightpod today! Metafora – Metafora is a technology consulting firm that has delivered value for over a decade to brokers, shippers, carriers, private equity firms, and freight tech companies. Check them out at metafora.net.

Andrew welcomes Paul Singer, CEO and cofounder of FleetWorks, a carrier-facing voice AI agent. It's been a year and a half since Paul and his cofounder Quang Tran tested the idea for FleetWorks. They signed up for a load board, posted an attractive load, and to their surprise, three carriers responded and negotiated with their AI agent — a product Paul calls “janky” compared to what they have today. “Ever since those three calls, we've been off to the races.” On this episode, Andrew and Paul cover:The recent DeepSeek announcement and why it's a foundational moment for AIPaul's biggest takeaways from his four years working in carrier product for Uber FreightWhat separates FleetWorks from other AI companies and how it's returning 10x the ROI in operating costs for its broker-customersThe biggest challenges the FleetWorks team has faced so farCan a brokerage with a sophisticated tech team build AI on its own?Follow The Freight Pod and host Andrew Silver on LinkedIn.***Episode brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services.***

On this episode, recorded live from Manifest: The Future of Supply Chain & Logistics, Andrew interviews nine founders about their budding startups:Ed Burns with TruSygnal, a connection platform for shippers and carriersTom Curee with Qued, automated appointment scheduling through AIOmar Singh with Get Real Rates, an API pricing toolChip Reeves with Enablers, logistics human and AI staffingAlex Bezzubets with myMechanic Inc., a roadside assistance platformShan Wu with Forward Labs, a brokerage sales prospecting toolSadie Frank with N4EA, predictive intelligence tools for climate riskThomas Mella with TrackFlo, a track-and-trace optimization platformAnnalise Sandhu with Chain, AI-powered freight booking and visibilityFollow The Freight Pod and host Andrew Silver on LinkedIn.***Episode brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services.***

We announce who we are sending to Vegas for the NRL, Jim Jefferies can't understand why the guy that drops the C bomb can't get voiceover work & we have a Triple M Whisper that could have serious ramifications. Join Triple M Breakfast weekday mornings from 6am, grab the podcast everyday on LiSTNR or where ever you get your podcasts or watch the funniest bits of the show on Instagram via @triplembreakfast #TripleMBreakfastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew welcomes Jim Berlin, CEO and founder of Logistics Plus, a company he founded in 1996 and has built into a global logistics powerhouse in more than 50 countries, with $600M in revenue, customers like GE and WeWork, and a HQ within Erie, Pennsylvania's Union Station. But success didn't come without taking risks — and learning from failures. “I dive in with both feet without checking the depth of the water.” In this episode, Jim and Andrew cover:The journey of how Jim built his company from a small operation supporting GE's transportation into a global logistics powerhouse.His biggest lessons, best leadership advice, and hiring mentality at Logistics Plus, which has more than 1,200 employees.The biggest failure of his career — launching a cargo shipping business on the Great Lakes that nearly sank his entire company.Stories of how simple gestures, out-of-the-box thinking, and creative problem-solving have sustained his career and the growth of Logistics Plus.Follow The Freight Pod and host Andrew Silver on LinkedIn.***Episode brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services.***

Andrew welcomes Grace Maher, COO of OTR Solutions, one of the industry's top factoring companies. Grace graduated from Georgia Tech with a business degree and an accounting certificate and went on to be an auditor for five years. But she felt she was meant for something else. In 2011, Grace got her first job in freight at Nolan Transportation; a year later, Nolan founder Kevin Nolan was starting OTR Solutions, and Grace found the opportunity she was looking for. In this episode, Andrew and Grace cover:The best parts of her dad that she's carried into her life and career Grace's journey into freight and to OTR Solutions, the early days at OTR, and how the company continues to evolve and differentiate itselfFactoring 101: What it is, how it works, and its importance in the industry Grace's personal story of sobriety — how it has influenced her career and where she is todayFollow The Freight Pod and host Andrew Silver on LinkedIn.***Episode brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services.***

In this episode, Andrew welcomes Cole Stevens, chief strategy officer at Stevens Trucking, a family-owned trucking company based in Oklahoma. Cole's dad, Kenney, founded the business in 1979 with a single hotshot pickup truck in an Oklahoma oil patch. Today, they operate 400 tractors and 1,800 dry van trailers across the U.S. Andrew and Cole cover:The founding story of Stevens Trucking and how the Stevens family uniquely runs the business.All that Cole has learned from his dad about business and leadership, and what Cole believes has led to his dad's success.How Cole evaluates what new tech to bring into the business, how he thinks about tech for a team of employees ranging in age from 20 to 80, and the three things you have to get right to ensure internal adoption.The current tech landscape for asset-based providers and where Cole sees the greatest opportunity.The challenges of managing drivers and driver turnover and how to get drivers to buy in to delivering exceptional service for Stevens Trucking customers.Follow The Freight Pod and host Andrew Silver on LinkedIn.***Episode brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services.***

Andrew welcomes David Bell, CEO and founder of CloneOps.ai. David has been in the logistics industry for more than 30 years. He once had a vision to make Lean Solutions Group a 10,000-employee organization — he and his team accomplished that. Now, with his new voice AI business, CloneOps.ai, he plans to hit 1 billion talking minutes for his customers in three years.In this episode, David shares:How he founded his early LTL brokerage business and the challenges of LTL.How he and cofounder Roberto Cadena built Lean Solutions Group.His recipe for building long-term loyalty with the people who work for him. What inspired him to start CloneOps.ai and how he got it off the ground.How CloneOps.ai is solving the biggest challenges in brokerage.Follow The Freight Pod and host Andrew Silver on LinkedIn.***Episode brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services.***

For the 50th episode of The Freight Pod, Andrew welcomes Dhruv Gupta, CEO and cofounder of Drumkit. Dhruv shares his journey from studying transportation planning at Harvard to founding Drumkit, an innovative AI-driven workflow solution for logistics companies. In this episode, Andrew and Dhruv talk about:Dhruv's experience of dealing with failure — calling his first business a “faceplant” — and what he learned that he still carries with him today. The importance of leading with confidence, especially through uncertain times.How Dhruv and his team are building Drumkit to be a tool that “conforms” to customers' processes — and with that, how he thinks about scaling his team internally to build faster and land more customers.The biggest challenges the Drumkit team is having with securing new business and the unique qualities they're bringing to the brokerage sales process.Follow The Freight Pod and host Andrew Silver on LinkedIn.***Episode brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services.***

(00:00) INTRO: X-Gespräch Elon Musk - Alice Weidel | (03:47) META 1: Kniefall vor Trump? - Marcus Schuler | (13:33) META 2: Alternative molo? - Andreas Hepp | (20:10) EMS: Nachwuchs wieder gefragt? - Benjamin Denes | (33:16) MEDIATHEK-TIPP: Longreads, Folge 1: Helene Hegemann und Thilo Mischke; Regie: Lena Brasch - rbb 21.07.2024 | (41:07) BONUS: EMS: Der erste Jahrgang 2002 - Sylvio Dahl - MM 20.04.2002 | (47:02) BONUS: META 3: Mark Zuckerberg in Berlin - Daniel Bouhs - Daniel Fiene - Konstantin von Notz - MM 27.02.2016 | (47:02) BONUS: META 4: “In der Social Media Falle” - Björn Staschen - Vera Linß - MM 16.12.2023 || Jörg Wagner

In this episode, Andrew talks to Brad Perling, CEO and co-founder of Bitfreighter. Brad was an aerospace major waiting to get into air traffic control school when he became an early employee at Calvary Logistics. He says that's where he got his freight MBA, working up from carrier rep to general manager. Frustrated by the lack of options when it came to EDI technology, this former broker is now building another cost-saving option for integration technology in Bitfreighter, named to FreightWaves' 2024 FreightTech 25 awards.Andrew and Brad cover:When brokerages should invest in building their own tech versus buying itIf you can build truly differentiated technology without prior brokerage experienceIs EDI dying? Its role in modern logistics and the role Bitfreighter is playingFostering company culture in a remote working environmentThe challenges of bootstrapping a tech businessFollow The Freight Pod and host Andrew Silver on LinkedIn.***Episode brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services.***

In this episode, Andrew is joined by Jesse Buckingham, CEO and cofounder of Vooma. Jesse studied law and economics at the University of Sydney and got his MBA from Stanford. Before Vooma, he was CEO at ASG LogisTech, whose businesses included Trucker Tools, Record360, e-Courier, and PackageRoute. He was also a consultant at Bain & Company.Now, Jesse's leading the Vooma team in building AI tools that will automate the shipment lifecycle and help brokerage teams enhance productivity and reduce opex. Vooma recently raised $13M in Series A funding led by Craft Ventures, on top of a $3.6M seed round led by Index Ventures, with support from founders and execs at companies like Motive, Project44, Ryder, and Uber Freight. Andrew and Jesse cover:How to motivate teams, lead with passion, and build trust when you're not the founder.The greatest challenges around addressing and automating manual processes in logistics. How AI tools like Vooma will reinvent the way brokerages run their internal operations. The future of hiring for the skills required to thrive in an AI-driven environment.The artful balance of building an innovative, new business with having a newborn at home.Follow The Freight Pod and host Andrew Silver on LinkedIn.***Episode brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services.***

For the last episode of 2024, we welcome our first driver to the show: Chad Boblett. He created the longstanding Rate Per Mile Masters Facebook group, which, in its 11 years, has grown to be a vibrant community of close to 37,000 owner-ops, carriers, brokers, and agents. In this episode, we go back even further — 13 years — to how Chad got started in trucking, when a severe injury caused him to lose just about everything in his life — including his job and his house. He was living in a motel. But he still had his CDL. So with a $35,000 credit limit and a half a tank of gas, Chad bought his first truck and ran his first load. And that's how his trucking company, Boblett Brothers, was born. In this episode, Chad joined The Freight Pod from his house, on a lake in Lexington, Kentucky, where he talked to Andrew about:Building community in truckingWhat he's seeing in the truck marketHis rules of engagement with brokersThe broker rate transparency debateWhat he thinks about freight AIThe one thing that irks him about digital brokers***Episode brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services.***Follow The Freight Pod and host Andrew Silver on LinkedIn.

In a special episode to announce the acquisition of Trucker Tools by DAT, we are joined by Trucker Tools CEO Kary Jablonski to break down the deal. She walks us through why now was the time for Trucker Tools to go to market, why DAT makes the most sense as the long term home for the TT platform, and what the future looks like for Kary and her team. This move helps further DAT's position as the premiere freight marketplace and rate analytics platform, enhancing their product pipeline and capabilities. Tune in to learn everything you need to know about the deal.***Episode brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services.***

Last time we spoke about the invasion of Mindoro. Ormoc fell on December the 10th. The 149th Regiment cleared the airstrip at Buri, while the Japanese launched a desperate attack on airfields, only to be repelled by American forces. Amid chaotic battles, the Japanese attempted maritime reinforcements, but their vessels were met with devastating American fire, sinking transports and crippling their efforts. By December 13, the American advance continued through heavy resistance, leading to intense skirmishes, showcasing bravery and the struggles faced on both sides during the conflict. On December 14, US troops of the 2d Squadron, 7th Cavalry, advanced against stubborn Japanese defenses near Limon. While under fire, they strategically pushed forward, capturing enemy positions and equipment. Despite heavy artillery, Troop G utilized flamethrowers and close combat, overcoming formidable foxholes, helping to secure vital ground. Meanwhile, Admiral Nimitz prepared for future invasions, and General MacArthur postponed operations to protect his forces. The successful landings on Mindoro marked a pivotal moment, signaling the approaching assault on Luzon. This episode is the Third Arakan Offensive  Welcome to the Pacific War Podcast Week by Week, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about world war two? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on world war two and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel you can find a few videos all the way from the Opium Wars of the 1800's until the end of the Pacific War in 1945.  As we left off last week, General Bruce's 77th Division had effectively advanced to Linao and Cogon, securing Ormoc. Meanwhile, General Sibert's 10th Corps had pushed the weary Japanese forces in the north back to the Lonoy area, with both divisions preparing to continue their assaults through the Ormoc Valley toward Valencia, in line with General Krueger's strategy. To address the emerging situation, the 68th Brigade was mobilizing to support the 1st Division, while the 5th and 77th Regiments were making their way to Huaton to participate in a counteroffensive against Ormoc; however, only the 77th Regiment would reach its destination in time. Concurrently, the isolated 16th Division in the central Leyte mountains was gradually withdrawing from the Burauen front, losing strength with each passing day, and the 26th Division was gathering north of Talisanyan to prepare for the final retreat to Ormoc. On December 16, with the port secured, Bruce's forces were poised for the next stage of their advance north along the Ormoc corridor. Given that his patrols reported minimal enemy resistance west of Highway 2, Bruce aimed to encircle the Japanese forces from the east with the 306th and 307th Regiments, while the 305th would advance along the highway. Following this plan, the 305th Regiment quickly eliminated the remaining enemy positions in Cogon and proceeded 400 yards north of the road junction toward Tambuco. Meanwhile, the 307th swiftly moved through the neighborhoods of Jalubon, Liloan, Bao, and Catayom to San Jose, where they encountered and defeated two platoons of paratroopers. The 306th Regiment also advanced to Jalubon but then shifted north toward Tipic to bypass Huaton and directly assault Valencia. Looking north, while the 126th and 127th Regiments fought bravely against an enemy that restricted the division's progress to just a few dozen yards each day, the 12th Cavalry Regiment continued its advance toward Lonoy. Ultimately, the successful American assault on December 16 left the Japanese defenses exposed, prompting General Suzuki to alter his offensive strategy once more, immediately directing his forces to conduct a delaying action to facilitate a final retreat toward Libongao. Meanwhile, Bruce intensified his attack on December 17. As a result, the 305th Regiment encountered stiff resistance while attempting to reach Tambuco. The Japanese had constructed defensive positions along Highway 2 in the southern part of Ormoc Valley. At the road junction of Highway 2 with the road to Liloan were many trenches three to four feet deep and parallel to the highway. Trenches had also been dug along the sides of a machine gun emplacement that occupied a slight elevation commanding Highway 2 both to the north and to the south. On both sides of the road from Cogon to Catayom foxholes lined Highway 2, in the ditches and under the shacks. Some of these positions were dug on a slant and were six to seven feet deep. At Tambuco the foxholes extended along the highway for 400 yards, with machine gun emplacements on the sides of the foxholes. Other positions along Highway 2 consisted of poorly integrated foxholes and machine guns that covered the road. The field artillery pieces between Tambuco and Catayom were placed along the highway, with the exception of a 75-mm. gun that guarded a bridge and was well concealed inside a roadside shack. At 0830 on 17 December the 305th Infantry moved out along Highway 2. At 1000 the 1st Battalion reported that it was advancing at the rate of 100 yards every ten minutes against light opposition. By 1145 the 305th Infantry was fighting through Tambuco. At a road junction just north of Tambuco, it eliminated some enemy resistance and the advance slowed down. The regiment moved forward to a point about 300 yards north of the road junction and established its night perimeter, which extended 300 yards to the northeast along the Tambuco-Dolores road in order to forestall any Japanese counterattacks from that direction. On the same day the 306th Infantry pushed its attack northeast at 0800. The advancing troops almost immediately encountered Japanese who, apparently taken by surprise, were unable to offer organized resistance. At 1040, when the forward elements were 1,000 yards southwest of Cabulihan, the opposition stiffened and the regimental commander therefore committed the 3d Battalion on the left of the 2d Battalion. The advance continued. As the regiment neared Highway 2, resistance became more intense. The 306th Infantry encountered the Japanese who were fleeing northwest from the assault of the 305th Infantry and the heavy artillery that accompanied it. (Unknown to the Americans, General Suzuki and his staff were among the retreating Japanese. Suzuki succeeded in escaping to Libongao, where he established a new headquarters for the 35th Army.) At 1440 the 306th Infantry reached Highway 2 between Catayom and Cabulihan and proceeded north toward Cabulihan, its objective. Advance elements of the 3d Battalion reached the outskirts of the town but withdrew three or four hundred yards to take advantage of more commanding terrain. After combat patrols had cleared the area, the 306th Infantry established its night perimeter five hundred yards south of Cabulihan at 1600.  General Bruce had ordered the 307th Infantry to remain in San Jose until further notice. Since the guerrilla forces had reported a large number of Japanese in the area, General Bruce had made arrangements to soften the sector with an aerial bombardment and artillery fire before the infantry attack. In response to Bruce's request, fifteen P-40's from the V Fighter Command had been made available by General Whitehead for an air strike against the Valencia area. The 155-mm. guns of the 226th Field Artillery Battalion at Daro began firing on Valencia and the airstrip on the morning of 17 December and hit a Japanese ammunition dump. At 1245 the artillery fire was halted for the air strike, and for fifty minutes the area was bombed and strafed. With the conclusion of the air attack, at 1335, the artillery began anew to pound the area. "The medium artillery . . . reached out from Ormoc and the 'Long Toms' . . . from Daro joined in the fighting." In the meantime the 902d Field Artillery Battalion moved forward to a point from which it could support the advance of the 307th Infantry. At 1415 the artillery fire stopped and the 307th Infantry moved out astride the San Jose-Valencia road toward Valencia. Though the artillery fire and aerial bombardment had driven some of the Japanese from the area, a strong well-equipped force, including a number of paratroopers, remained to oppose the 307th Infantry. The regiment pushed forward, however, and at 1640 its leading elements were on the southwestern edge of the airstrip and within 1,000 yards of Valencia. The 307th Infantry formed its night perimeter on the edge of the airfield and made preparations to continue the attack on 18 December. During 17 December, despite the disorganization of the Japanese forces, Colonel Imahori of the 12th Independent Infantry Regiment tried to reach Ormoc, but he was unsuccessful. A few enemy artillery shells landed in the Ormoc area but that was all. General Bruce wrote later: "The men got a laugh because the General's latrine, unoccupied, was struck. He wished about that time that he had remained up front which he had reached by landing in a cub plane on an unimproved jungle road." The following morning, as supplies and ammunition for the 306th and 307th Regiments were running dangerously low, Bruce dispatched an armored column through the 305th's lines, which bypassed enemy strongholds and successfully delivered supplies to both regiments. The 305th Regiment then faced minimal resistance as it advanced toward Huaton, with its 3rd Battalion decisively eliminating all enemy opposition along the Dolores road. Simultaneously, the 306th Regiment steadily pushed toward Valencia, successfully reaching the southern edge of the town, while the 307th secured the airstrip without any resistance. As General Gill directed his forces northward, the 126th Regiment successfully seized a ridge east of the road, advancing closer to the main enemy defensive line located north of Lonoy. On the morning of December 19, the 126th launched another offensive, overrunning numerous enemy positions and advancing 200 yards before being replaced by fresh troops the following day. Meanwhile, the 12th Cavalry encountered only light and sporadic resistance in its efforts to secure Lonoy, although its 2nd Squadron faced tougher opposition while assaulting a knoll southeast of the barrio. To the south, following the fall of Valencia, the 5th Regiment reached Libongao just as Bruce prepared to press forward in the northern campaign. Thus, the 307th Regiment steadily advanced north along Highway 2, engaging an advanced battalion from the Takahashi Detachment, while the 306th moved successfully northwest across the terrain to a position 300 yards south of the Palompon road. On this day, Suzuki received news of the enemy's invasion of Mindoro, along with General Yamashita's orders to conduct a strategic delay on Leyte. In response, he commanded all his forces to begin a gradual withdrawal towards Palompon, leaving Libongao for Matag-ob. On December 20, the 306th Regiment reached the Palompon road and dispatched its 1st Battalion west towards the Togbong River, while the 3rd Battalion turned east towards Highway 2. At the same time, the 307th Regiment launched an assault on the Libongao positions and successfully defeated the 5th Regiment, compelling the Takahashi Detachment to retreat towards Matag-ob, where they established Suzuki's final delaying position. Additionally, as the exhausted 126th Regiment was relieved, the 12th Cavalry began moving south from Lonoy to intercept the enemy's retreat route at Kananga. On December 21, as the 1st and 102nd Divisions began their withdrawal towards Palompon, the 12th Cavalry successfully captured Kananga and established contact with patrols from the 77th Division. Consequently, Highway 2 was finally open from Ormoc to Pinamopoan, and the Ormoc Valley, where the Japanese had fiercely resisted the American advance, was now firmly under the control of the 6th Army. General Mudge, commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division, said of the 12th Cavalry: “As a result of the stout-hearted efforts of the 12th Cavalry Regiment, elements of the Division are within 2500 yards of making contact with forward elements of the 77th Division. Considering the fact that the regiment has been reduced to 50% strength by the rigors and deprivations of 40 days in the mountains, the display of courage, stamina, and drive on the part of the 12th Cavalry is a credit to the best traditions of the United States Cavalry.” However, we must now shift our focus from the Philippines to Burma to follow the progress of Operation Capital.  Previously, while General Sultan's offensive in the north was advancing well, General Slim's eastern push, led by General Rees' 19th Indian Division, encountered less resistance than anticipated. This indicated that the enemy was rapidly retreating to stronger defensive positions behind the Irrawaddy River. As a result, Slim's strategy to encircle General Katamura's 15th Army on the Shwebo Plain was compromised, necessitating a significant adjustment to his offensive. His forces, stretched from Tamu, were at risk of counterattack while attempting to cross one of the most formidable river barriers. Therefore, Slim aimed to find a way to not only cross his troops over the Irrawaddy without major issues or interference but also to gain the decisive advantage needed to engage the Japanese on his terms, targeting them where their defenses were weakest. In just a few days, Slim and his team devised a new strategy known as Operation Extended Capital. The objective was to convince the Japanese that nothing had altered and that the 14th Army's advance was still primarily directed toward Mandalay, with its two corps crossing the Irrawaddy to the northwest of the city. The core of Slim's revised plan involved General Stopford's 33rd Corps, which, bolstered by the 19th Division and the 268th Tank Brigade, would maintain its planned crossing of the Irrawaddy north of Mandalay. Meanwhile, General Messervy's restructured 4th Corps would tactically cross the river much farther south in Pakokku, allowing them to launch attacks on Meiktila and Thazi, crucial points along General Kimura's communication lines that supported both the 33rd and 15th Armies. The towns of Meiktila and Thazi represented ground that was vital to the enemy defense, a concept 14th Army had first learned painfully in Arakan. The railway and main road from Rangoon ran through Meiktila before bending north on their way to Mandalay, and the town formed a natural location for supply and ammunition dumps, airfields and hospitals. If Slim could cut off both Honda and Katamura's corps from this vital logistical center, the Japanese ability to resist General Stopford's inexorable pressure in the north around Mandalay would be fatally weakened. Slim recognized that without Meiktila, Kimura could not hope to sustain a prolonged battle for Mandalay. Indeed, it might even prove to be the decisive act in the destruction of the whole of Kimura's army. Thus, the northern advance by 33rd Corps would be a deception to hide the decisive strike by 4th Corps to the south. If Slim could attract the greatest possible number of enemy divisions towards the northern crossing points (where, after all, Kimura expected him to strike), he could minimize opposition to the real focus of his attack in the south. This would provide Slim with, as he put it, ‘not only the major battle I desired, but the chance to repeat our old hammer and anvil tactics: 33rd Corps the hammer from the north against the anvil of 4th Corps at Meiktila – and the Japanese between.' Simultaneously, a new offensive was gearing up in the south. Unable to execute Operation Dracula, an intended amphibious assault on Rangoon, Admiral Mountbatten was resolved to initiate an offensive in the Arakan region. Codenamed Operation Romulus, it aimed for General Christison's 15th Corps to again attack Akyab, marking the third attempt to regain Arakan since the war began. Christison's strategy involved a three-pronged attack into northern Arakan, with Major-General George Wood's 25th Indian Division advancing on the right along the coast, Major-General George Bruce's 82nd West African Division in the center within the valley of the Mayu river, and Major-General Frederick Loftus-Tottenham's 81st West African Division on the left in the Kaladan river valley. Expecting heightened Japanese resistance along the Donbaik-Rathedaung-Myohaung line, Christison suggested that while his three frontline divisions engaged the Japanese forces with aggressive attacks, Brigadier Peter Young's 3rd Commando Brigade would land in the Japanese rear on the Myebon peninsula, followed closely by Major-General Cyril Lomax's 26th Indian Division, in a bid to finally capture Akyab. Facing them was General Sakurai's 28th Army, which included the Sakura Detachment, organized around three infantry battalions from the 55th Division along with the 55th Reconnaissance Regiment, stationed along the Godusara-Buthidaung-Kindaung line and the Kaladan Valley. Lieutenant-General Miyazaki Shigesaburo's 54th Division was responsible for defending the remainder of the Mayu Peninsula and the coastal area extending to Taungup. Meanwhile, Lieutenant-General Sakuma Ryozo's diminished 55th Division occupied the Irrawaddy Delta region, and Major-General Yamamoto Tsunoru's 72nd Independent Mixed Brigade was positioned near the oilfields at Yenangyaung. Additionally, the Katsu Force, centered around the 153rd Regiment, was near Yenangyaung, while the Rangoon Defense Unit, which included the Rangoon Anti-Aircraft Unit and various logistical elements, was tasked with protecting Burma's primary port. Sakurai's strategy, known as Operation Kan, entailed a defensive stance on the Mayu Peninsula and Yenangyaung, along with safeguarding the southwestern coast near Bassein against potential amphibious assaults. As the defenders slowed the enemy's progress towards their fortified positions, the 54th Division would be promptly sent to launch a counteroffensive. Depending on the nature of the attack, units from the 55th Division and Katsu Force would also participate in this counterattack. If a significant battle erupted near Rangoon, the reserve 2nd and 49th Divisions would be deployed without delay. Meanwhile, with the 26th Division being withdrawn for rest, the 25th Division preparing to move towards Rathedaung, and the 82nd Division advancing into the Kalapanzin Valley, the 81st Division was dispatched on October 1 to progress through the Mowdok Mountain Range toward Kyauktaw. As they moved southward across challenging and nearly impassable terrain, the West Africans expected to capture Mowdok by October 18, effectively eliminating the last Japanese forces from Indian territory before progressing through the Kaladan Valley. The 55th Reconnaissance Regiment stationed at Paletwa endured multiple assaults until early November, at which point they received orders to retreat to the Kaladan line. On December 15 the Japanese launched a strong attack with artillery support against the 6th (West African) Brigade. Private Kweku Pong, number two on a Bren, was wounded and separated from his section. Well armed with 12 magazines, he engaged the Japanese with short bursts for hours as they searched for him, until he eventually lost consciousness from loss of blood. Havildar Umrao Singh's gun section of the 30th Mountain Regiment was supporting the brigade when it was overrun and his officer badly wounded. With two other men he defended the position with rifles, bayonets and grenades until they were rushed and he defended it by swinging a rammer until borne down and bayoneted. The Japanese were eventually driven off when both men were found; Singh was awarded a VC and Pong an MM. Slim never changed his view that Africans would be ‘lost' without British guidance; but he probably never heard of Kweku Pong, who found himself alone, badly wounded in the middle of the night with Japanese rampaging through the bush around him and a battle going on behind. No white man was there to tell him what to do, no African NCO nor any other African for that matter. Nobody would have blamed him for lying doggo, but instead he showed considerable courage and good tactical sense. For this action, the 5th Gold Coast Regiment was awarded the unique honor ‘Tinma'.  Meanwhile, by late November, Wood had sent the 51st Indian Brigade to assist the African offensive in the Kalapanzin Valley. After successfully completing this mission, the 25th and 82nd Divisions launched their assault on Buthidaung on December 12. Wood's strategy involved a series of coordinated moves, with units leapfrogging one another, while the pace of the advance depended on how fast the sappers could repair the routes for the subsequent vehicles. Significantly outnumbered, Major-General Sakurai Tokutaro's troops were ultimately forced to evacuate Buthidaung on December 14. In response to the escalating enemy pressure in both the Kaladan and Mayu regions, the 28th Army ordered the Matsu Detachment, consisting of three battalions from the 54th Division, to take over control of the Kaladan front, while Major-General Koba Tomotoki's forces advanced toward Tinma. However, Loftus-Tottenham wisely decided to outflank this position, compelling the recently arrived detachment to withdraw, while other African units successfully made their way to Kyauktaw by the month's end. At the same time, the 53rd Indian Brigade progressed along the Kalapanzin River, and the 82nd Division managed to overcome strong resistance at Kindaung village in late December. On the night of December 21, the 6th Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Regiment undertook a night march exceeding 20 miles to capture Donbaik, which was taken without resistance. It was only at this point that the remains of the Valentine tanks and crews lost two years prior were discovered. The Sakura Detachment, having reached its limit, had no option but to retreat towards Myohaung, where they would be supported by the Matsu Detachment during their final withdrawal to Prome. With no opposition encountered, the two West African divisions successfully made contact on January 4, resulting in the complete clearance of the Kalapanzin valley. Meanwhile, looking north, Slim had initiated Operation Extended Capital on December 19. In line with this, Stopford instructed the 19th Division to advance along the west bank of the Irrawaddy to launch an attack on Shwebo from the east, while the 2nd British Division, having crossed the Chindwin at Kalewa, approached Shwebo from the west. After capturing Shwebo, the 19th Division was to pivot eastward to secure bridgeheads across the Irrawaddy north of Mandalay, while the 2nd Division continued south towards the Irrawaddy bend near Sagaing. Slim aimed to create the impression that the entire 14th Army was advancing on Mandalay by associating the 19th Division with the 4th Corps. Additionally, the 20th Indian Division was tasked with crossing the Chindwin at Kalewa and moving downstream to capture Monywa. Meanwhile, Messervy was organizing his dispersed divisions to commence their advance down the Gangaw valley, from Tamu to Pakokku. In the lead would be the Lushai Brigade and the 28th East African Brigade, tasked with clearing the enemy from Gangaw and subsequently advancing to Pakokku. The tour de force of deceptions against the Japanese would aid the crossing of the Irrawaddy. Slim's intention behind the plan, known as Cloak, was to conceal the main crossing until the last possible moment by persuading the Japanese to believe that the force preparing to move down the Gangaw valley to cross the river near Pakokku and seize Meiktila was merely making a feint to distract attention from the attack on Mandalay by 33rd Corps from the north. Until now 14th Army's commanders had been reluctant to use any but the simplest signals deceptions, but now they were enthusiastic even to the detriment of operational communications. Thus, three schemes were adopted: Pippin, which covered the withdrawal of the 5th Indian and 11th East African Divisions; Stencil, which created a dummy 4th Corps Headquarters that appeared to control formations under 33rd Corps; and Cloak, which was designed to give a false impression of the forces operating – that the forcing of the Irrawaddy would take place away from the real main effort, and that any movement the Japanese saw in the Gangaw valley was itself only a diversion. There is no doubt the speed the advance into central Burma achieved was in no small measure due to this deception scheme, which also used political channels, displays and deception devices dropped by Mosquitos and Beaufighters. Following them, the 7th Indian Division aimed to capture Pakokku, secure the west bank of the Irrawaddy, and establish a bridgehead across the river. Once this bridgehead was established, the 17th Indian Division and the 255th Tank Brigade would cross the Irrawaddy and race towards Meiktila. However, before initiating this advance, Messervy needed to enhance the pathway through the valley to facilitate the movement of his artillery and armored units. The Lushai Brigade, already forward, also needed artillery support before launching their assault on Gangaw. Therefore, while Messervy's engineers promptly began upgrading the road and track south of Kalemyo, only Stopford's units would engage in combat in late December. Moving swiftly, the advance elements of the 2nd Division, along with the tanks from the 254th Brigade, passed through Pyingaing on December 23 and continued towards Paga, successfully overcoming several rearguard positions held by elements of the retreating 33rd Division, which eventually reached Monywa in early January. At the same time, the 19th Division captured Wuntho and began its advance southward towards Shwebo. In the meantime, Messervy's engineers worked diligently for two weeks to prepare the track, and by the end of the month, his field artillery was en route to Gangaw. The 28th East African Brigade departed Imphal on December 22, followed by the 7th Division four days later. However, in the northeast, Sultan continued his northern offensive with minimal success. With the Ledo Road now extended from Kamaing to connect with the Myitkyina-Bhamo road, the 112th and 113th Chinese Regiments received orders to eliminate the Japanese rear guards along the final segment of the road to China. In the period between the split of the CBI Theater in October 1944 and the fall of Bhamo on 15 December, the Ledo Road engineers under General Pick brought the survey of the Ledo Road from a point just below and east of Kamaing, 211 miles from Ledo, to a juncture with the Myitkyina-Bhamo road. The Ledo Road was to bypass Myitkyina, for there was no point to running heavy traffic through an inhabited place, and Myitkyina's supply needs could be served by an access road. Metaling and grading were complete almost to Mogaung. The Mogaung River had been bridged near Kamaing, and a temporary bridge placed across the Irrawaddy. Tonnage carried on the road for use within Burma was steadily rising. In early October it had carried 275 tons a day; by the latter part of the month the rate was twice that. Immediately after Bhamo's capture, the advance headquarters of the road engineers was moved to that town. A combat supply road was made from Mogaung, below Myitkyina, to a point just ten miles west of Namhkam. The 113th Regiment advanced up the valley along the established road from Panghkam, while the 112th proceeded through the hills. The primary assault was to be led by the 30th Chinese Division, with its 90th Regiment advancing straight along the road toward Namhkam, while the 88th and 89th Regiments executed a shallow envelopment to the south of the road. Although conditions were favorable for a rapid advance into the Shweli valley, the commander of the 90th Regiment hesitated, causing delays along the flanks, as they formed the center of the Chinese line. Concurrently, Sultan ordered the Mars Task Force to embark on a challenging march through the hill country to the Mong Wi area, aiming to cut off the Burma Road near Hosi and effectively encircle the enemy 33rd Army. The 50th Chinese Division, which had been following the 36th British Division down the Railway Corridor, was set to occupy the vacated positions at Tonkwa and Si-u. Its objective was to cross the Shweli near Molo and proceed southeast to capture Lashio. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. Amidst fierce battles, General Bruce's troops advanced against Japanese forces in Leyte, securing key positions and paving the way for further assaults amid strategic retreats. In a strategic deception, Slim's forces advanced on multiple fronts, aiming to outmaneuver the Japanese, ultimately leading to decisive victories in Burma and weakening enemy defenses.

Andrew is joined by Jonathan Salama, the CEO and co-founder of Transfix, a logistics technology company. He discusses Transfix's origins, starting as a freight brokerage business that he and his co-founder Drew built from the ground up. They focused on automating key functions like pricing, scheduling, and carrier management using machine learning models. When the pandemic hit, Transfix's technology proved invaluable in navigating the volatility. However, Transfix later had to pivot away from being a full-service broker when plans for a SPAC deal fell through. Salama then took over as CEO and refocused the company on its pricing automation technology, which he believes is highly differentiated and can be licensed to other brokers and shippers. Salama emphasizes the importance of building a strong team and doing right by people as key lessons from his 10 years in the freight industry. He remains optimistic about Transfix's future, believing the company can continue to make a positive impact by helping carriers and the broader supply chain through innovative technology solutions.***Episode brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services.***

In this captivating episode, Andrew sits down with Ryan Petersen, CEO of Flexport, for an insightful and candid conversation about leadership, personal growth, and business. Ryan shares his journey of self-discovery, discussing how he reevaluated his values after a challenging period in China and the profound impact of mentors like Tony Robbins on his life and leadership style.The discussion delves into Flexport's operational processes challenges, including the impact of COVID-19 on their Net Promoter Score and the subsequent reorganization to improve quality and customer satisfaction. Ryan emphasizes the importance of customer obsession, highlighting Flexport's use of AI to analyze both employee and customer feedback to drive improvements. He also discusses the company's unique position in the industry, leveraging custom-built software and a worldwide network to provide innovative solutions in logistics.Throughout the interview, Ryan offers valuable insights on balancing technology and traditional forwarding practices, the importance of attracting top talent, and the potential for AI to revolutionize the logistics industry. He shares personal reflections on leadership, and specific changes he has made to have a positive impact on his health and decision-making. The conversation concludes with a discussion of Flexport's recent acquisition of Convoy and its plans to integrate this technology to expand into new markets and improve efficiency in domestic trucking operations.***Episode brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services.***

FreightVana has acquired the brokerage operations of Loadsmith. We are joined this week for a special episode breaking down the making of the merger between these two organizations. FreightVana CEO Shannon Breen and Loadsmith CEO Brett Suma join the show to break down the deal, explaining why Loadsmith is divesting it's brokerage operations and why FreightVana is the perfect complementary partner. With mutual backgrounds at Knight, it was easy for Shannon and Brett to see eye to eye on how a deal like this could come together. Both organizations had a similar approach to brokerage, focusing on power only and leasing their own trailers to build an asset-like network for their shipper customers. These similarities should lead to an efficient integration opportunity.Shannon and Brett explain the due diligence process and integration plans for the organizations, emphasizing the importance of transparency, learning from one another's teams, and making decisions in the best interests of their people and customers to ensure as much continuity as possible throughout the transition.***Episode brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services.***

The episode features an in-depth conversation with Ryan Joyce, the CEO of freight intelligence startup GenLogs. Ryan shares his unique background, having previously worked as an undercover CIA officer, a path he unknowingly would find himself on after a frightening situation with his father working in the Pentagon during 9/11. He discusses how that experience shaped his empathetic approach to problem-solving and his desire to make a positive impact. Ryan explains GenLogs' mission to bring unprecedented visibility and data insights to the trucking and freight industry through a nationwide network of roadside sensors. He outlines how GenLogs' technology can help recover stolen assets, provide capacity insights to brokers, and increase overall supply chain efficiency. Ryan emphasizes GenLogs' focus on responsible growth, as the organization will only be onboarding 200 customers in the next year to ensure high service levels.Throughout the discussion, Ryan reflects on his leadership philosophy, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability and authenticity. He shares lessons learned from his time in the CIA, where he struggled with the pressures of leadership, and his desire to apply those learnings at GenLogs. Overall, the episode provides a fascinating look at Ryan's background and the unique approach he is bringing to the freight tech space with GenLogs.***Episode brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services.***

Chadd Olesen, CEO of automation technology company AVRL, joined us this week to discuss his company's journey. AVRL started in 2017 focused on natural language processing, but pivoted in 2020 to automate spot freight pricing for brokers. Chadd shared how AVRL had to rethink their approach and technology to better fit the needs of freight brokers, rather than trying to force brokers to adapt to their original product. He emphasized the importance of being consultative and collaborative with brokers, allowing their domain expertise to shape the automation rather than fully replacing the human element.The conversation also touched on the evolving API pricing landscape, the challenges of change management when implementing new technology, and Chadd's personal growth as a leader in navigating the complexities of the freight industry. Overall, the episode provides insights into building a successful freight tech company by deeply understanding the industry and empowering rather than replacing human expertise.***Episode brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services.***

In this week's episode of The FreightCaviar Podcast, we sit down with Will Jenkins, Co-Founder at MoLo Solutions, CEO at Journey, and recent investor in ShipperCRM, a FreightCaviar company. Will dives into our new partnership, shares exclusive insights on sales training courses for ShipperCRM Pro customers, and discuss the long-term vision for both companies.This week's episode is sponsored by Epay Manager, AscendTMS, Rapido Solutions Group and ShipperCRM.Interested in sponsoring our podcast? Send us an email at pbj@freightcaviar.com.Support the show

Kara Smith-Brown joins us on this week's episode to discuss her career in marketing, how her company, LeadCoverage supports the freight industry, and her new book, The Revenue Engine, that comes out November 19th. Together, we explore how aligning sales with marketing can lead to a harmonious and successful business environment. By sharing her journey from the early days at Echo Global Logistics, Kara illustrates the potential of modern marketing tools to create a distinct edge for businesses in a competitive landscape. Her experiences underscore the underestimated power of marketing in shaping a company's culture and future.Leadership and emotional resilience take center stage as we discuss the importance of maintaining composure under stress, drawing inspiration from leaders like Doug Wagner and Scott Pruneau. Our conversation spans meditation practices, the evolving nature of leadership styles, and the unique strengths of Type A personalities. We also tackle the challenges women face in male-dominated spaces, advocating for data-backed opinions and a deep understanding of business finance to gain influence. This episode promises an insightful journey through entrepreneurship, leadership, and strategic marketing, with a dash of real-world triumphs and personal anecdotes to inspire and motivate.***Episode brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services.***

We are joined this week by entrepreneur and multiple-time founder, Prasad Gollapalli. Prasad got his start in the industry at the old school load board, GetLoaded, which was later acquired by DAT. From there, he began his entrepreneurial journey as he started TruckerTools. After a successful exit, he is now focusing his time and attention on the world of scheduling appointments, and bringing automation and AI to reduce the human touch on this mundane, but important task. His startup, Qued, is receiving a lot of attention in the industry as one of the first players to tackle the appointment scheduling problem.Our conversation weaves in and out of the startups we've been a part of, as we discuss the challenges and opportunities of building businesses in the freight sector. Prasad provides great insight and advice to logistics professionals and future entrepreneurs. ***Episode brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services.***

In which Dan talks about addressing hard topics and fielding tough questions from our smallest students with Kat Nguyen, a Kindergarten teacher in California. How do early childhood teachers address the questions and comments that inevitably arise, especially in this hypermedia era when students of all ages are likely to notice, see, overhear and wonder?Dan and Kat talk about being honest, authentic, and vulnerable with students, the perils of this election year, and her book recommendations for young students.Books mentioned in the episode:No Turkey For Thanksgiving by Jacqueline Jules and Kathryn MitterRed: A Crayon's Story by Michael HallStand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell and David CatrowMusic: Que Es Estraño by Molo

On this week's episode, Andrew welcomes his older brother Matt Silver to discuss the official launch of his new startup, Cargado - a load board and technology platform focused on simplifying cross-border freight operations between the United States and Mexico. Matt shares his background, starting in the logistics industry at Coyote Logistics, where he helped build out the Mexico division. He left Coyote to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams, founding Forager. Matt's business would eventually be acquired by Arrive, where he stayed on to lead their Mexico division. He recounts his experience from his first startup, including lessons learned, and opens up about some of the specific challenges that can happen if you don't manage your finances effectively. All those lessons and experiences set Matt up well to bring his next business to life.The discussion dives into the complexities of the Mexico freight market - from the intricate web of carriers, customs brokers, and logistics providers involved in a single cross-border shipment, to the lack of technological infrastructure compared to the domestic US market. Matt explains how Cargado is aiming to bring more transparency, efficiency and collaboration to this growing segment of the supply chain.The episode provides valuable insights for freight brokers and carriers looking to expand their cross-border capabilities, as well as the broader opportunities and challenges in the Mexico logistics landscape. Matt's entrepreneurial journey and the vision for Cargado offer an intriguing look at innovation within the freight industry.***Episode brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services.***

What happens when you record a podcast from the moment your guest walks in, capturing every spontaneous and candid moment? That's exactly what we did in this episode, and it led to a fascinating discussion about the power of authenticity and the often-overlooked value of raw, unfiltered conversation. We also dive into the challenges of maintaining mental health and motivation without the structure of a traditional job, sharing our own experiences and the importance of personal routines. The conversation gets personal as we talk about how intrinsic and extrinsic motivations drive us in our everyday lives, from professional aspirations to fitness goals.Our guest, Ryan Schreiber, brings a wealth of experience from his journey from law school to the logistics industry. Through personal anecdotes, Ryan sheds light on how upbringing and familial expectations shape our motivational drivers. We discuss the constant balancing act between financial goals and personal values, using the freight brokerage industry as a case study. The conversation highlights the essence of genuine care and ethical leadership in business, along with the subjective nature of success. Ryan's three business rules—constant vigilance, getting uncomfortable, and the pursuit of fun—offer invaluable insights into maintaining control without micromanaging.Leadership is a recurring theme in this episode, examined from various angles including personal growth and conflict resolution. We reflect on the importance of self-awareness, vulnerability, and setting personal boundaries. Our discussion touches on the complexities of leadership, the emotional chaos it can involve, and the significance of showing up every day with the intent to improve. We also explore the dynamics of the drama triangle in workplace conflicts and the empowerment dynamic that fosters positive interactions. By candidly discussing our flaws and the lessons learned from mistakes, we aim to set a positive tone for your week ahead. Tune in for a raw, honest, and energizing conversation that promises to leave you with new perspectives on motivation, leadership, and personal growth.***Episode brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services.***

Alyssa Correale's journey in the logistics and supply chain industry is nothing short of inspiring. Ever wondered how a career can evolve from a small family business to leading roles in major companies like Niagara Bottling and Uber Freight? Alyssa shares her path, from her humble beginnings at Giovanni Foods, where she learned the ropes of logistics on a personal level hand-writing BOLs for drivers, to tackling the immense challenges of supply chain efficiency and innovation in larger corporate settings. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance, resilience, and embracing change at each stage of her career.Facing gender bias and professional hurdles, Alyssa's narrative is rich with personal anecdotes and lessons from her professional life. She recounts her strategic move to Colorado, the transition from Molson Coors to MicroStar Logistics, and the pivotal roles she played in these companies. Through her experiences, Alyssa emphasizes the importance of supportive networks, informal mentorship, and maintaining a growth mindset. Her candid reflections on overcoming bias in a male-dominated industry provide valuable insights for anyone facing similar challenges.From the complexities of transportation in the bottled water industry to the innovative leaps at Uber Freight, Alyssa's career highlights the importance of adaptability and continuous improvement. She discusses building robust carrier networks, handling rapid industry growth, and balancing professional life with motherhood. Alyssa's insights into digital brokerage and the ongoing evolution of logistics are a must-listen for industry professionals. Join us for a compelling episode filled with actionable takeaways and an in-depth look at the triumphs and tribulations of a remarkable career in logistics.***Episode brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services.***

On episode 753 of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Dooner is joined by supply chain super consultant Brittain Ladd to talk about how Costco leveraged its supply chain to become the third largest retailer in the world. Nearly one third of Americans count themselves as members and the company is now expanding into East Asia. Ladd shares how Costco is using tech to scale the business even further.   MoLo co-founder and podcaster Andrew Silver returns to the show to talk about the state of the industry and lessons learned from his time in the trenches. We'll also find out how he's building his show The Freight Pod and what insights he's gleaned from top leaders in freight. Plus, a wild truck chase; should truckers be allowed to sing; JAS Worldwide's ransomware attack; Chicago sports and more. Watch on YouTube Check out the WTT merch store Visit our sponsor Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover the secrets to mastering recruitment in the logistics and transportation industry with insights from two of the industry's leading professionals, Charlie Saffro and Brent Orsuga. Charlie shares her serendipitous transition from marketing to establishing her own firm, CS Recruiting, while Brent reflects on his journey from construction recruitment to becoming a renowned figure in logistics with Pinnacle Growth Advisors. Together, they reveal the strategies that set them apart, including the power of reputation, referrals, and the relentless work ethic essential for securing initial clients.Gain valuable tips on maintaining a positive work environment, balancing hands-on roles with strategic leadership, and the importance of authentic leadership. From leveraging LinkedIn to securing pivotal meetings, we explore how building strong candidate networks can lead to early success. Listen as Charlie and Brent discuss the intricacies of emotional regulation, evaluating company culture, and the ethical responsibilities that come with recruiting. You'll also learn about the critical aspects of employee satisfaction, retention, and the nuanced process of navigating counteroffers.This episode is packed with practical advice, from best practices for interviewing to the nuances of differentiating as an external recruiter. Gain insights on retaining talent through aligning values and growth opportunities. With compelling anecdotes and expert advice, Charlie and Brent underscore the importance of building strong, genuine relationships within the logistics and transportation industry, providing you with the tools to excel in your own career.***Episode brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services.***

We are joined this week by Shannon Breen, CEO of FreightVana. We begin the episode walking through Shannon's story, as he explains his early entrepreneurial spirit, from aspiring franchise owner to real estate, before finding his way into logistics with industry giant, Knight Transportation. We talk through lessons he gleaned from his first freight years, including the experience of navigating the Knight-Swift merger.Shannon would eventually scratch his entrepreneurial itch with the founding of FreightVana (FV) in 2021. FV's approach to the market has been rather unique, from the intentional and aggressive social media presence, to the significant investment in leasing their own trailers to develop a power only network, Shannon's team has worked to stand out from Day 1. We get into the details of how any logistics organization can stand out as we discuss the art of making business proposals unforgettable, a result of meticulous preparation in advance of a pitch. Shannon's insights emphasize the power of genuine effort and exceptional customer service in an industry where margins are tight, and competition is fierce.Leasing trailers as a broker is a newer concept, and certainly not one many companies have done at scale. FV's approach here is rather unique, and this is the most in depth conversation we've had on the show about the benefits and challenges of such an approach. In the end, it can generate a lot more opportunities with customers, but at the same time, carriers more cost for the broker to navigate. Ultimately, building the right network will drive a broker's ability to succeed on the path FV is taking. Shannon is a super easy guy to talk to and someone that has developed tremendous insight that our entire industry can learn from. I hope you enjoy the episode.***Episode brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services.***

The episode features an interview with Rebecca Brewster, the President and COO of the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI). She discusses her background and how she came to work in the trucking industry. She explains ATRI's role as a non-profit research organization that identifies and addresses the industry's top research priorities through a diverse Research Advisory Committee, made up of relevant industry players from carriers, to shippers, to brokers, and vendors who support the trucking ecosystem. Throughout the episode, Rebecca highlights several recent ATRI studies, including research on the operational costs of trucking, which provides detailed benchmarking data for fleets, as well as studies on the growing issue of "nuclear verdicts" against trucking companies. She also delves into ATRI's work examining the challenges of electrifying the trucking fleet, a hot topic as a result of recent California regulation. This part of the conversation is especially compelling, as ATRI's research shows the significant infrastructure and grid capacity issues that would need to be addressed to meet the governmental requirements. Throughout the conversation, Brewster emphasizes ATRI's commitment to providing objective, data-driven research to inform decision-makers, rather than engaging in advocacy or lobbying.Rebecca stresses the importance of industry participation in ATRI's research process, as well as the organization's efforts to widely disseminate its findings through user-friendly summaries. She demonstrates ATRI's deep understanding of the complex issues facing the trucking industry and its dedication to helping address these challenges through rigorous, independent analysis.***Episode brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services.***