Send us a text The trucking industry is bracing for a significant shift in enforcement. On June 25, 2025, a new enforcement directive will take effect, placing drivers out-of-service if they fail to meet English language proficiency (ELP) standards under FMCSA regulation 391.11(b)(2). This change, prompted by a presidential executive order, has sparked intense discussion across the industry – and for good reason. In this episode of the TTT podcast, industry experts Adrienne Gildea (CVSA), Chris ...
Jun 18, 2025•58 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Send us a text About the Podcast: When a crash happens, chaos follows – but your response doesn’t have to. In this episode, legal expert Steve Stanaszak (Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary) and safety pro John Biblis (TrueNorth) join the team to break down what every carrier and driver can do in the critical moments after a highway accident. From preserving evidence and managing emotions to avoiding costly legal missteps, this conversation is packed with real-world advice that could s...
May 20, 2025•59 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Send us a text About the Podcast: Lawsuit abuse and the rise of nuclear verdicts are a crisis in the trucking industry driving up costs, shutting down businesses and hamstringing the industry. We've seen jury awards and settlements in hundreds of millions and even billions of dollars, often far exceeding the actual damages. These outsized verdicts are driving skyrocketing insurance premiums, forcing small and mid-sized carriers out of business, and creating an environment where frivolous lawsuit...
Apr 10, 2025•44 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Send us a text About the Podcast: The autonomous trucking landscape has been a topic of interest and debate for many years within the trucking industry. As we begin 2025, many are anticipating making significant strides in advancing autonomous vehicles (AVs). The recent announcement of a new partnership between Waabi and Volvo, as well as that of Torc Robotics’ planned new autonomous hub in Texas and expansion of offices in Ann Arbor, Michigan, are proof that 2025 could be a pivotal year for aut...
Mar 06, 2025•54 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Send us a text The National Transportation Safety Board is a critical piece in helping to advance transportation safety through their comprehensive crash investigations. With over 10,000 investigations done over the years, their experience and expertise offer valuable insights for improving truck and bus safety for drivers, motor carriers, and government agencies. Joined by Bert Mayo and Shawn Currie, we discuss the National Transportation Safety Board and what they do and what they have found f...
Jan 09, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Send us a text Tis the season to be thankful and give praise to all things good in the trucking industry. In this podcast, that’s exactly what we are doing. Joined by Bert Mayo and John Biblis, we discuss what we’re thankful for and all the positives that came from the trucking industry in 2024! Topics Covered: • All time low crash rates • Economy improvements • Government regulations • FMCSA • Truck parking • And much more Featured Industry Specialists: • Host: P. Sean Garney, Co-Director at Sc...
Dec 12, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Send us a text About the Podcast: In this podcast, we take a different approach of just talking shop! Compliance vs safety, government regulations, crash rates, safety and all things about trucking and safety. Joining this episode are guests Jack Van Steenburg and Chad Graber. Topics Covered: • Insights into how government and enforcement work • Compliance versus Safety • Government regulations and priorities • Major hurdles in reducing crash rates • Why do crashes occur • And much more Featured...
Nov 07, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Send us a text ATRI has been publishing its Operational Costs in Trucking report since 2008 that brings in operational data on all things trucking and freight. This annual report has been influential in helping companies in benchmarking their performance to get ahead of and understand where they are and where they need to go. In this podcast episode, we explore the findings from the latest report and the impacts on the trucking industry. Joining this episode are guests Alex Leslie of ATRI and An...
Oct 10, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 24
Send us a text In an ever-evolving world, data and cyber security are at an all-time high. With the advancement in back office and vehicle technologies, interconnectivity of systems, AI, and analytics, cyber security has never been more needed to protect your business and your brand. In this podcast episode, we explore the cyber security significance, the impact on the trucking industry and what it will mean going forward. Joining this episode are guests Aaron Voss and Clay Swanson of TrueNorth ...
Sep 05, 2024•57 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Send us a text The “Chevron Doctrine”, a principle that was decided by the Supreme Court in 1984 and has had a significant influence over federal regulations, was recently overturned by this Supreme Court. This doctrine, a pillar of administrative law that has influenced federal rulemaking over the last 40 years, directed courts to defer to federal agencies when interpreting sometimes ambiguous statutes enacted by Congress. In this podcast episode, we explore the Chevron Doctrine, the recent dec...
Jul 31, 2024•53 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Send us a text Founded in 2014, LEAD ATA aims to "select, prepare, and transform the best and brightest in the truck industry today, to become our leaders of tomorrow." In this podcast episode, we explore the experiences of recent LEAD ATA graduates Manny Hoyt, Manager of Sales Marketing at TrueNorth, Chris Eckhart, Partner at Scopelitis Garvin Light Hanson & Feary, and Dana Spencer, Director of Safety at CRST. They share how the program has significantly impacted their professional lives an...
Jul 11, 2024•54 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Send us a text About the Podcast: Is there too much data in the trucking industry? Safety and efficiency are paramount in the ever-changing landscape of the trucking industry but how can data help us, what should carriers avoid, how can they navigate the noise, and what are some best practices to be used. Topics include: • Data Awareness and importance, understanding what you have and what you need • What is data important and why should carriers care? • How data has improved over time • Why som...
Jun 04, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Send us a text The #1 acute violation from FMCSA audits in 2023 was allowing drivers to operate with a suspended or revoked CDL. In the latest episode of the TN Truck Thought podcast, the team shares how fleets can manage compliance as a starting point for safety and to avoid violations, such as this one. They consider how technology can be leveraged in this process, with input from special guest Timothy J. Henry, CEO of Haul. Throughout the episode, the team also explores the interconnectedness...
May 02, 2024•59 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Send us a text All motor carriers unfortunately deal with the concern of crashes and how to prevent them. Industry can sometimes be challenged with how best to assess preventability when evaluating crashes, and some wonder whether they even should be making these assessments given the litigious environment in trucking today. FMCSA has understood the value and necessity of preventability by establishing their Crash Preventability Determination Program and through its safety rating process. Bert M...
Apr 03, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Send us a text About the Podcast: The independent contractor model is under scrutiny again. The wage and hour division issued a final rule modifying the analysis it uses to determine employee and independent contractor classification under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Greg Feary and Chris Gulker join the TN Truck Thought Podcast to discuss the implications of this act and how Independent Contractors should respond. Topics include: • DOL Rule Clarifications • The Power of Negotiation • Navigatin...
Feb 29, 2024•58 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Send us a text About the Podcast: Bert Mayo returns to the TN Truck Thought Podcast to flip the script on Sean and Steve and get their predictions on trucking-related legislation, regulations, and related actions for 2024. They consider the implications of an election year and the political climate, as well as other factors when making their predictions for what progress, or lack thereof, they expect to see and the impact it will have on motor carriers, drivers, and independent contractors. Topi...
Feb 08, 2024•58 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Send us a text In the FAST Act, signed into law in late 2015, Congress acted by instructing the FMCSA to establish the Beyond Compliance Program in response to trucking community interest. The Beyond Compliance program, which has been implemented in various ways in the US (in other transportation modes and EPA) and globally, reflects a recognition that safety measures should not solely be confined to regulatory mandates. FMCSA has yet to act on the direction of Congress, but there has been a rec...
Dec 14, 2023•55 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Send us a text About the Podcast: The American Trucking Research Institute (ATRI) releases an annual report on critical issues in the trucking industry. This report is based on a survey from industry practitioners to determine the most important issues they face. At the American Trucking Associations Management Conference and Exhibition event, the top five issues in this year’s report were released: • The economy • Truck Parking • Fuel Prices • Driver Shortage • Driver Compensation As years go b...
Oct 26, 2023•56 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Send us a text About the Podcast: One of the major challenges facing the FMCSA is the growing scale of the trucking industry. With hundreds of thousands of carriers operating millions of vehicles across the United States, conducting thorough inspections on each one is an impossible task. Currently, FMCSA is only able to inspect a fraction of the vehicles, leading to concerns about the effectiveness of their enforcement programs. However, it's important to note that inspections are just one part ...
Sep 28, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Send us a text Is A Captive the Right Insurance Solution for You? Dan Cook, Practice Leader at TrueNorth, emphasizes the importance of knowing if your company will benefit from an insurance captive. With the ongoing hurdles in the transportation industry such as labor shortage, high inflation, and un-predictable freight rates, it is hard to stay competitive in this market. The group discusses the different types of captives such as single-parent, group, and heterogenous captives. Industry specia...
Aug 17, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Send us a text Independent Contractors have been under scrutiny from law and policy makers, an ongoing theme since 2017. Will Hart, owner-operator at Dart Transportation, shares his personal experience as an independent contractor and how these legislative decisions impact him and his family. Accompanied by Bill Webb, Executive Director of Truckers Service Association, and leader of the coalition for independent contractors, emphasizes the importance of giving these drivers a platform to share t...
Jul 13, 2023•52 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Send us a text About the Podcast: Public comments on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's proposed changes to the Compliance, Safety, Accountability program closed on May 16. Some major themes stuck out in the comments, and this episode takes a deep dive into those topics and predictions on what potential changes could have on the trucking industry - both for drivers and motor carriers. Industry specialists featured in this discussion: • Host, Sean Garney, Co-Director at Scopelitis ...
Jun 01, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Send us a text About the Podcast: In this episode we cover the topic of dashcams and what isn't being talked about in the Trucking Industry. Industry experts featured in this discussion: • Host, Sean Garney, Co-Director at Scopelitis Transportation Consulting • Co-Host Steve Keppler, Co-Director at Scopelities Transportation Consulting • Guest John Bilbis, Senior Safety & Loss Control Specialist at TrueNorth Companies • Guest, Steve Stanaszak, Partner at Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson &am...
May 04, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Send us a text In this episode we cover the topic of a new way to look at driver education in the Trucking Industry. Industry experts featured in this discussion: • Host, Sean Garney, Co-Director at Scopelitis Transportation Consulting • Co-Host Steve Keppler, Co-Director at Scopelities Transportation Consulting • Guest, Bert Mayo, Vice President of Risk Solutions at TrueNorth Companies • Guest, Dr. Gina Anderson, CEO Luma Brighter Learning at Luma About the Podcast: TN Truck Thought is a monthl...
Apr 11, 2023•51 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Send us a text In this episode we cover the topic of FMCSA's valentine gift of CSA to the Trucking Industry. Industry experts featured in this discussion: • Host, Sean Garney, Co-Director at Scopelitis Transportation Consulting • Co-Host Steve Keppler, Co-Director at Scopelities Transportation Consulting • Guest, Bert Mayo, Vice President of Risk Solutions at TrueNorth Companies About the Podcast: TN Truck Thought is a monthly podcast featuring some of the brightest minds in trucking. Our carefu...
Mar 09, 2023•57 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Send us a text In this episode we cover the topic of Independent Contractors in the Trucking Industry and responding to Washington D.C. Industry experts featured in this discussion: • Host, Sean Garney, Co-Director at Scopelitis Transportation Consulting • Co-Host Steve Keppler, Co-Director at Scopelities Transportation Consulting • Guest, Greg Feary, President and Managing Partner at Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary, P.C. • Guest, Chris Gulker, Senior Vice President of Transportati...
Feb 09, 2023•46 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Send us a text In this episode we cover the topic of Christmas in the Trucking Industry and what gifts we want to see! Industry experts featured in this discussion: • Host, Sean Garney, Co-Director at Scopelitis Transportation Consulting • Co-Host Steve Keppler, Co-Director at Scopelities Transportation Consulting • Guest, Bert Mayo, Vice President of Risk Solutions at TrueNorth Companies About the Podcast: TN Truck Thought is a monthly podcast featuring some of the brightest minds in trucking. ...
Dec 22, 2022•57 min•Ep. 5
Send us a text In this episode we cover the topic of driver behavior in the trucking industry. Industry experts featured in this discussion: • Host, Sean Garney, Co-Director at Scopelitis Transportation Consulting • Co-Host Steve Keppler, Co-Director at Scopelities Transportation Consulting • Guest, John Biblis, Senior Safety Loss Control Specialist of TrueNorth • Guest, Dan Murray, Senior Vice President of ATRI Where to find the study: https://www.cvsa.org/news/2022-osd-week-results/ About the ...
Dec 08, 2022•46 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Send us a text In this episode we cover the topic of universal identification in the trucking industry. Industry experts featured in this discussion: • Host, Sean Garney, Co-Director at Scopelitis Transportation Consulting • Co-Host Steve Keppler, Co-Director at Scopelities Transportation Consulting • Guest, Bert Mayo, Vice President of Risk Solutions at TrueNorth Companies About the Podcast: TN Truck Thought is a monthly podcast featuring some of the brightest minds in trucking. Our carefully s...
Oct 27, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Send us a text In this episode we cover the topic of the next generation in the trucking industry. Industry experts featured in this discussion: - Dave Dein, Developed a training program that introduces high schoolers to trucking and a co-founder of Next Gen Trucking - Steve Keppler, Co-Director at Scopelitis Transportation Consulting - Your Host, Sean Garney, Co-Director at Scopelitis Transportation Consulting About the Podcast: TN Truck Thought is a monthly podcast featuring some of the bright...
Sep 29, 2022•39 min•Season 1Ep. 2
