Breaking Barriers in Trucking with James Hazelton of FreeWorld | A Trucking Podcast
Miles and Mentors Trucking Podcast
Release Date: 01/29/2025
Mastering Freight Preparedness with Claudia Catlett | A Trucking Podcast
Miles and Mentors Trucking Podcast
What if the key to protecting your cargo was preparation—not reaction? In this episode of Miles and Mentors: A Trucking Podcast, freight fraud prevention expert Claudia Catlett returns to share frontline strategies that every carrier should know. As Risk Manager at General Transportation and a key voice in the Freight Fraud Task Force, Claudia brings deep insights into cargo theft, insurance challenges, and why proactive networking is more than just smart—it’s essential. Whether you're an owner-operator, a growing fleet, or just launching into logistics, this episode is packed with...
info_outline
From Construction to Driver Recruitment with Rodney Spillman | A Trucking Podcast
Miles and Mentors Trucking Podcast
What happens when life pivots you from construction into logistics? For Rodney Spillman, it meant building a career from the ground up - one conversation at a time. In this episode of Miles and Mentors: A Trucking Podcast, host Alex chats with Rodney Spillman, Driver Recruitment Manager at TransAm Trucking. Rodney shares his journey into the industry, the realities of driver recruitment today, and what it takes to go from company driver to owner-operator- and beyond. With firsthand insights into the challenges of running a trucking business, Rodney offers transparent advice on startup costs,...
info_outline
From Entry-Level to CEO with Matt West | A Trucking Podcast
Miles and Mentors Trucking Podcast
How far can mentorship, grit, and people-first leadership really take you in the logistics industry? Matt West proves it can take you all the way to the top. In this episode of Miles and Mentors: A Trucking Podcast, host Alex talks with Matt West, CEO of Route Consultant, about his journey from entry-level roles to leading one of the most dynamic consultancy firms in the route-based logistics space. With over 20 years in the automotive sector before jumping headfirst into logistics, Matt shares what it took to start over, scale fast, and lead with vision. Listeners will get real insights on...
info_outline
4th Generation Trucker Running a Family Legacy Business | Trucking Podcast
Miles and Mentors Trucking Podcast
What does it take to sustain a trucking company for over 80 years — and still remain hands-on in every shift? Jason Reed, President and CEO of Reed’s Fuel and Trucking, reveals the power of legacy, logistics precision, and putting people first. In this episode of Miles and Mentors: A Trucking Podcast, host Alex sits down with Jason Reed — fourth-generation trucker and head of Reed’s Fuel and Trucking — to talk about multi-generational leadership, extreme service demands, and the real numbers behind running a 40-truck fleet. Based in Eugene, Oregon, Jason’s team hauls wood residuals...
info_outline
From Roofing to Freight Leadership with Jeff Dickinson | A Trucking Podcast
Miles and Mentors Trucking Podcast
What does it really take to survive — and thrive — in the logistics industry for over 45 years? How do you turn decades of failure and mentorship into a thriving freight business? Jeff Dickinson lays it all out. In this episode of Miles and Mentors: A Trucking Podcast, host Alex sits down with Jeff Dickinson — founder of RGTX Logistics Solutions, industry veteran, and host of The Storytelling Chronicles — to explore his journey from roofing contractor to logistics leader. Known across the industry as The Bodacious Cowboy, Jeff shares hard-earned wisdom on business building, carrier...
info_outline
Trucking Insurance & Risk Management with Claudia Catlett | A Trucking Podcast
Miles and Mentors Trucking Podcast
Is your trucking business protected from the biggest risks on the road? Are you unknowingly making mistakes that could cost you thousands in claims? Claudia Catlett breaks down the essentials of risk management and insurance in the trucking industry. In this episode of Miles and Mentors: A Trucking Podcast, host Alex sits down with Claudia Catlett of General Transportation to discuss the critical mistakes many trucking professionals make when it comes to insurance, risk management, and fraud prevention. With experience managing claims and insurance for a fleet of 50+ trucks, Claudia shares...
info_outline
Blake Lappen on AI, Trucking Efficiency, and Financial Strategy | A Trucking Podcast
Miles and Mentors Trucking Podcast
Is AI in trucking moving faster than we think? Are truckers leaving money on the table with outdated financial strategies? Blake Lappen returns to tackle the biggest shifts happening in the industry right now. In this episode of Miles and Mentors: A Trucking Podcast, host Alex welcomes back Blake Lappen, founder of Spot On and No Dwell, for his second appearance. Blake shares insights on improving trucking efficiency, leveraging AI in logistics, and key financial lessons from his journey of building, failing, and scaling back up in the industry. He discusses how No Dwell is tackling driver...
info_outline
Marketing & the Truck Parking Crisis with Neal Revane | A Trucking Podcast
Miles and Mentors Trucking Podcast
Is truck parking the biggest hidden challenge in logistics today? In this episode of Miles and Mentors: A Trucking Podcast, host Alex sits down with Neal Revane, Director of Marketing at Freight Ninja LLC, to discuss two major topics in trucking: the role of marketing in logistics and the ongoing truck parking crisis. Neal shares his journey from digital marketing in the medical device and manufacturing industries to leading Freight Ninja’s marketing strategy in trucking. He breaks down how marketing is evolving in logistics, how truck parking affects the industry, and what Freight Ninja is...
info_outline
Navigating Logistics with Hunter Woodfin | A Trucking Podcast
Miles and Mentors Trucking Podcast
In this episode of Miles and Mentors: A Trucking Podcast, host Alex sits down with Hunter Woodfin, Southeastern Sales Executive at PCT Logistics, Inc. and co-host of The Logistics Lounge. Hunter shares his journey from studying Logistics and Intermodal Transportation at Georgia Southern University to becoming a key player in the drayage and refrigerated LTL industry. From his early days navigating the complexities of freight brokerage to his current expertise in refrigerated LTL logistics, Hunter provides valuable insights into mentorship, networking, and career growth in trucking and...
info_outline
How Katie Kaczmarek Went from Retail to Freight Brokerage Success | A Trucking Podcast
Miles and Mentors Trucking Podcast
In Episode 28 of Miles and Mentors: A Trucking Podcast, host Alex sits down with Katie Kaczmarek, Training Coordinator at Bridge Logistics, to discuss her unconventional career shift into freight brokerage and logistics leadership. Starting in men’s clothing sales, Katie made a bold transition into the trucking and logistics industry, proving that adaptability, networking, and mentorship are key to long-term success. She shares her early challenges, the importance of strong company culture in freight, and how Bridge Logistics' training programs help develop top-tier freight brokers. If...
info_outlineThousands of individuals with a criminal record struggle to find stable jobs—but what if trucking could be the answer?
In this episode, James Hazelton of FreeWorld shares how his organization is transforming lives by helping justice-impacted individuals earn their CDL and secure long-term careers in trucking. As an advocate for second-chance hiring, James dives into the barriers former inmates face, the power of mentorship, and how companies can benefit from hiring motivated drivers ready for a fresh start.
Whether you're an industry leader, an employer, or someone looking for an inspiring story of resilience, this episode delivers eye-opening insights into trucking’s role in reducing recidivism and building stronger communities.
📍 Episode Highlights
- 00:01:24 – How James unexpectedly found his way into trucking.
- 00:03:07 – The mission of FreeWorld and how they help formerly incarcerated individuals.
- 00:04:28 – The role of mentorship and community in driver success.
- 00:07:49 – James’ diverse experience in trucking: driver, recruiter, operations, and beyond.
- 00:10:40 – The biggest hiring challenges second-chance drivers face.
- 00:12:42 – How FreeWorld supports new drivers with training, stipends, and job placement.
- 00:17:22 – The driver retention problem and how it affects hiring strategies.
- 00:19:34 – The need for more skilled diesel mechanics and FreeWorld’s expansion plans.
- 00:21:30 – How mentorship shaped James' career and personal growth.
- 00:27:12 – Advice for truckers: safety, employer research, and career planning.
- 00:31:24 – How employers can get involved in second-chance hiring through FreeWorld.
🎙 About Our Guest
James Hazelton is a trucking industry professional and passionate advocate for second-chance employment. As a key representative of FreeWorld—a nonprofit dedicated to helping formerly incarcerated individuals launch careers in trucking—he works to connect drivers with employers who believe in giving people a second chance.
With experience in operations, recruiting, safety, and business development, James provides valuable insight into how trucking can be a powerful tool for reducing recidivism and creating sustainable career paths.
🌍 Learn more about FreeWorld: https://www.joinfreeworld.com
📧 Contact James Hazelton: [email protected]
🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameshazelton
📢 Stay Connected with The Miles and Mentors Podcast
🚛 Get expert insights from trucking and logistics leaders who have “put in the miles” and are here to mentor you!
🌐 Podcast Website: https://www.milesandmentorspodcast.com
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/milesandmentorspodcast
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/milesandmentorspodcast
🎧 Watch & Listen:
📺 YouTube: https://youtu.be/UhOtnD5kFk8
🎙 Listen on your favorite podcast platform!
🚛 Want to Be Featured?
Are you a leader in trucking or logistics with an inspiring story to share? Let’s talk! Reach out to us at [email protected].