1272. #TFCP - Mileage, Maps, and Margins: Optimizing Freight for Profitability
Release Date: 08/28/2025
The Freight Coach Podcast
Today, Bill Holaday of EBE Technologies joins us to talk about productivity in the trucking business and the role of automation in driver retention, cash flow, and safety compliance! We dive into how automation, document scanning, OCR, and AI integrations are helping fleets, from small operators to truck carriers, to unlock measurable ROI, Bill's real-world insights from visiting over a thousand trucking companies across North and Central America, and a driver-friendly tech that simplifies workflows and accelerates billing. If you’re evaluating technology investments, this conversation...
info_outlineThe Freight Coach Podcast
The harsh reality of entrepreneurship? Most businesses fail—not because of a lack of effort, but due to cash flow issues, technical missteps, and a lack of focus. In this replay mashup episode, Alex Schick and Matthew Zarzycki share their lessons from building a business with resilience. Learn why niche specialization, financial management, and effective strategies are significant to thrive in a changing market! 📊📉 Don’t miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎 🎬🎯 #TheFreightCoach Morning Show is LIVE...
info_outlineThe Freight Coach Podcast
Do your marketing strategies keep you stuck in the past or position you for long-term growth? In today's episode with Mike Marut, discover how Revenova transformed its marketing approach, moving from outdated outreach and dormant social media into a people-first strategy powered by leadership visibility and authentic content! You’ll hear how their native AI gives them a true edge in the crowded TMS space, why conferences matter for brand awareness, and how empowering employees to create content fuels confidence and sales! 📊📉 Don’t miss out on the latest market trends by...
info_outlineThe Freight Coach Podcast
What’s really going on in today’s produce and freight markets? Why are growers taking massive hits while carriers in Florida see rates spike overnight? In this episode, Cody Koehler is back to break down the ripple effects from California’s record harvest challenges, Florida’s severe capacity shortages after new regulations, the Pacific Northwest’s rate swings driven by onion and potato harvests, and why fraud prevention has become the number one competitive edge for brokers. We also discuss how capacity relationships, pricing transparency, and customer education create...
info_outlineThe Freight Coach Podcast
How much stronger would small carriers be if cash flow were no longer their biggest struggle? I’m excited to bring two Seans on the show, Denim’s Sean Smith and Truckstop’s Sean Dehan! In this episode, we talk about Truckstop’s acquisition of Denim and why this strategic decision is a game-changer for the transportation industry. Plus, we cover how the integration of 20+ years of factoring expertise with cutting-edge fintech is transforming payments from a manual, holiday-delayed process into a 24/7/365 automated system that delivers cash in under a minute! From reducing invoice...
info_outlineThe Freight Coach Podcast
What do today’s freight market conditions really tell us, and how can carriers and brokers use data the right way to stay profitable? Dean Croke from DAT Freight & Analytics joins us to break down the real story behind flat spot rates, capacity velocity, and why AI-driven data isn’t always reliable! Dean and I also talk about the financial discipline it takes for owner operators to survive, the importance of tracking P&Ls and return on capital, and how strong broker-carrier partnerships deliver real value! About Dean Croke Dean is the Prinicpal Analyst at DAT Freight &...
info_outlineThe Freight Coach Podcast
Why do so many veterans face challenges that most of us never see? Today’s episode is going to be meaningful with Matthew Parker, as he shares his incredible life journey and what shaped his leadership principles of honor, kindness, and sacrifice. We dive into the hard truths about veteran transition struggles, from underemployment and corporate bias to the heartbreaking veteran suicide crisis that claims dozens of lives every day, the gaps in significant support for veterans, the need to better translate military experience into civilian careers, the importance of real actions over...
info_outlineThe Freight Coach Podcast
In today’s episode, Cameron Pechia is back to talk about succeeding in freight sales and building a customer base from scratch! Cam shares the reality of starting at zero, long hours, side hustles, and the grit it takes to keep pushing forward, why most sales reps fail, from lack of niche focus to missing systems, and how dialing in daily prospecting, clear business plans, and CRM tools can change the game. We also hit on the size of the freight market, the power of niche and regional focus, and why building authority with prospects matters more than chasing everyone. This episode is...
info_outlineThe Freight Coach Podcast
Are broker transparency rules the solution to today’s freight challenges, or should we be focusing more on enforcement and safety? We’re excited to bring The Armchair Attorney back to the show, Matt Leffler, to break down the FMCSA’s latest delay on broker transparency updates, why the current 371.3 requirements remain unchanged, and what this means for brokers, carriers, and shippers! We delve into how market dynamics, tighter margins, and reduced consumer spending are shaping rates, and why stricter enforcement of maintenance and safety regulations could have a greater impact on the...
info_outlineThe Freight Coach Podcast
How is AI really reshaping freight brokerages, and what’s the reality behind all the hype? Today, we have S&P Global’s Eric Johnson back on the show to discuss the latest trends in AI and freight tech! We dive into how major companies are approaching AI differently, why 95% of enterprise AI projects show no ROI yet, the gap between marketing promises and actual performance, our insight on training large language models, balancing automation with human skills, and creative problem-solving! About Eric Johnson Eric Johnson is the Journal of Commerce's Senior Editor, Technology,...
info_outlineHow do you make sure your drivers aren’t caught off guard during holiday runs? Are you really getting the most accurate routing data for your RFPs? Mark Lukenbill of MileMaker is back to dive into mileage standardization, why truck-specific routing beats Google Maps every time, and how MileMaker’s API delivers real-time traffic, weather, tolls, and even maintenance cost calculations.
If you want to see how route optimization and consistent mileage data can make or break your shipper negotiations, this is one you don’t want to miss!
About Mark Lukenbill
Mark Lukenbill Jr. is a seasoned leader with 17 years of experience in the transportation and supply chain industry, where he has played an instrumental role in helping start-ups commercialize innovative technological solutions. His deep expertise in business operations, combined with his strategic acumen, has positioned him as a trusted advisor within the industry. Mark's contributions to transportation extend beyond logistics—he brings a unique ability to bridge the gap between emerging technologies and practical business applications.
In addition to his professional pursuits, Mark is deeply committed to community service. As the founder of a Kansas City-based nonprofit organization, Transportation Club of Kansas City, www.tc-kc.org, he channels his entrepreneurial spirit into fostering collaboration and growth within local communities. His dedication to giving back reflects his passion for creating meaningful impact beyond the business world.
Above all, Mark is a devoted husband and proud father of three. Whether coaching his children's sports teams or cheering them on from the sidelines, his family is the cornerstone of his life, and he strives to be actively involved in nurturing their passions and growth.
Connect with Mark
- Website: https://www.milemaker.com/
- Email: [email protected]
📊📉 Don’t miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎
🎬🎯 #TheFreightCoach Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to break down transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars!
🤝 Shoutout to my sponsors!👇
- Denim | https://info.denim.com/chrisjolly
- SPI Logistics | https://spi3pl.com/
- Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
- NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/
🚚 Ditch your carrier packet, drive more carrier sales, and get better load coverage with seamless digital onboarding, TMS integration, and smart load coverage by visiting https://brokercarrier.com/.
🚀🔥 To sign up for my Newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/iNoHco, get in touch with me through the social media channels below, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!👇
▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw
📷 https://www.instagram.com/thefreightcoach/