TTT Podcast | TN Truck Thought
TN Truck Thought is a monthly podcast that brings together industry experts to discuss the most challenging and controversial issues in trucking. Each episode covers new developments in government and research, along with practical and theoretical topics such as nuclear verdicts, supply chain disruptions, and the driver shortage. The show also includes a short Hot Topics segment with fresh takes on the biggest news stories of the month. It is hosted by Sean Garney of Scopelitis Transportation Consulting and produced by TrueNorth Companies.
Episodes
When a tow becomes a $150,000 problem
Send us Fan MailAbout the episode: Predatory towing disputes can escalate fast. Hear how trucking industry leaders are addressing the problem, warning signs, disputed tow bills and insurance considerations.About the podcast:TN Truck Thought is a monthly podcast featuring some of the brightest minds in trucking. Our carefully selected panel of industry experts get to the bottom of the most challeng
Decoding DataQs: A Better Process or Just a Longer "No"?
Send us Fan MailFMCSA is overhauling the DataQs challenge system. Here's what motor carriers need to know about the new process, what's still broken and how to protect your safety record. TN Truck Thought is a monthly podcast featuring some of the brightest minds in trucking. Our carefully selected panel of industry experts get to the bottom of the most challenging and controversial issu
Supreme Court Showdown: Inside Montgomery v. Caribe
Send us Fan MailThe Supreme Court’s Montgomery v. Caribe decision confirms that negligent selection claims against freight brokers can move forward nationwide. Here’s what the ruling means for brokers, carriers and fleet leaders, and why defensible processes matter more than ever. TN Truck Thought is a monthly podcast featuring some of the brightest minds in trucking. Our carefully selected panel
Clarity in Chaos: How to Manage Loud Fleet Data
Send us Fan Mail TN Truck Thought is a monthly podcast featuring some of the brightest minds in trucking. Our carefully selected panel of industry experts get to the bottom of the most challenging and controversial issues facing the industry today. In each episode, we take a deep dive into all things trucking, including: what's new in government and research, as well as practical and theoreti
Miles of Misunderstanding: The Truth About Trucking
Send us Fan Mail TN Truck Thought is a monthly podcast featuring some of the brightest minds in trucking. Our carefully selected panel of industry experts get to the bottom of the most challenging and controversial issues facing the industry today. In each episode, we take a deep dive into all things trucking, including: what's new in government and research, as well as practical and theoreti
Navigating the Trucking Insurance Process
Send us Fan MailMotor carriers rank insurance as one of their top concerns, landing at number three on the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) list of industry issues. If you’re trying to make sense of the insurance process, you need more than a checklist. You need a strategy that positions your business for stability and long-term success.In this episode of TN Truck Thought, Bert Ma
Demand or Supply: Where is the Trucking Industry Now and Where Is It Headed?
Send us Fan Mail About the Podcast: New federal rules on non-domicile CDLs and enforcement crackdowns on drivers’ English language proficiency are creating significant angst in the trucking industry. When coupled with stubborn economic uncertainty, many wonder how this will all impact their business in the coming weeks and months. As a featured guest on the TN Truck Thought podcast, Avery Vise, vi
Breaking Down CVSA’S 2025 Annual Conference and What It Means for You
Send us Fan MailHeld in Denver, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) 2025 Annual Meeting brought together federal and state enforcement officials, carriers and industry experts to explore how safety and compliance are evolving on the road. The meeting highlighted several emerging trends that are reshaping the landscape of commercial vehicle safety. From a crackdown on electronic logging
Portable Benefits in Trucking: A Game-Changer for Independent Contractors
Send us Fan MailIn the ever-evolving world of transportation, one topic is gaining traction among industry professionals, motor carriers, policymakers and independent contractors alike: portable benefits.Legal and insurance experts Greg Feary (Scopelitis Law Firm) and Chris Gulker (TrueNorth Companies), along with hosts P. Sean Garney and Steve Keppler, explored how portable benefits could impact
Pushups to Paychecks: The Hidden Cost of Neglecting Drivers
Send us Fan MailIn the world of transportation, we talk a lot about safety – hours of service, compliance, vehicle maintenance and more. But what if we’re missing a critical piece of the puzzle? What if the real root cause of many safety issues isn’t just what happens on the road, but what’s happening in the lives of the drivers behind the wheel?In this episode of the TTT Podcast, hosts P. Sean Ga
English Language Proficiency Enforcement: Your Questions Answered
Send us Fan MailThe 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
Trucking Accidents and How to Handle Them: A Legal Viewpoint
Send us Fan MailAbout 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 emotion
Lawsuit Abuse and Nuclear Verdicts in Trucking: Past, Present and Future
Send us Fan MailAbout 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,
The Road Ahead: Autonomous Trucks in 2025
Send us Fan Mail 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 Texa
What Can Drivers and Motor Carriers Learn from NTSB Truck and Bus Crash Investigations
Send us Fan MailThe 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 Cur
Reflecting on the 2024 Trucking Industry
Send us Fan MailTis 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
Talking Shop with Jack Van Steenburg on All Things Trucking and Safety
Send us Fan MailAbout 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 regul
Analyzing Trucking’s Operational Costs: ATRI’s Latest Report
Send us Fan MailATRI 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
Cyber Security: What We Need to Know in the Trucking Industry
Send us Fan MailIn 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
How the Loper Bright SCOTUS Decision on Chevron Could Impact Trucking
Send us Fan MailThe “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 s
How LEAD ATA Shapes the Future of the Trucking Industry
Send us Fan MailFounded 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
Trucking and Data: What do Fleets Need to Know?
Send us Fan Mail 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
Compliance, Risk, and Insurability: Connecting Safety and Technology
Send us Fan Mail 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 gues
Truck Crashes - Preventing the Preventable
Send us Fan MailAll 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 establ
Navigating Trucking's Independent Contractor Terrain: New DOL Rule
Send us Fan MailAbout 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 Contrac
What Will the Government Bring to the Trucking Industry in 2024?
Send us Fan Mail 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 e
Beyond Compliance: Truck Safety Is More Than Just Following Regulations
Send us Fan Mail 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 confin
What You May Have Missed in ATRI’s Trucking Industry Critical Issues Report
Send us Fan Mail 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 relea
FMCSA'S Thoughts on Safety Ratings: What You Need to Know
Send us Fan MailAbout 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 effectivene
Evaluating Your Insurance Options in Trucking: Are Captives a Good Fit?
Send us Fan MailIs 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
Trucking Ambassadors: Defending the IC Model in Trucking
Send us Fan MailIndependent 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
The CSA Comments Are In: What's the Verdict?
Send us Fan MailAbout 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 c
Dashcams in Trucking: What You Need to Know
Send us Fan MailAbout 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 Specia
A New Way to Look at Driver Education
Send us Fan MailIn 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. G
Reacting to FMCSA’s Valentine. CSA: to the Trucking Industry
Send us Fan MailIn 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 CompaniesAbout the Podca
Independent Contractors: Responding to Washington D.C.
Send us Fan MailIn 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, G
Santa Tell Me, Is Trucking Naughty or Nice?!
Send us Fan MailIn 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 CompaniesAbout the
Trucking and Crashes: How Important is Driver Behavior?
Send us Fan MailIn 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 Pre
Universal Identification: Fact or Fiction?
Send us Fan MailIn 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 CompaniesAbout the Podcast: TN Tr
The Next Generation
Send us Fan MailIn 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 Transportati
Safety vs. Compliance
Send us Fan MailWelcome to the very first episode of the TN Truck Thought Podcast! In this episode we cover the topic of Safety vs. Compliance in the trucking industry. Industry experts featured in this discussion: - Bill Zenk, Transportation Principal Practice Leader at TrueNorth- Bert Mayo, VP of Risk Solutions at TrueNorth - Steve Keppler, Co-Director at Scopelitis Transportation ConsultingYou
