1359. #TFCP - Freight Market Reality: Capacity, Rates, and Spot Market Tips!
Release Date: 01/06/2026
The Freight Coach Podcast
In this episode, we’ll hear what can happen when brokers aren’t financially prepared to weather market swings and how new regulations reshape the freight landscape with today’s returning guest, Ken Adamo from DAT Freight & Analytics! We break down the new FMCSA broker financial responsibility rule, why automatic authority revocation within seven days is a necessary step toward freight market stability, stronger broker compliance, and more reliable carrier payments, the current freight market conditions—rates are moving up, but volumes and gross margins are flat, putting real...
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Are freight rates really stabilizing, or are we just riding another seasonal spike, and what does tighter CDL enforcement mean for capacity in 2026? Tune in today to learn the current freight market trends using real lane data and a strong outbound Minneapolis market! We dig into why lane-specific pricing, seasonal volatility, and inverse market flows matter more than headline spot rates, how brokers can protect margins with consistent pricing strategies, and what tightening truckload capacity—down roughly 7.5% since 2023—means for carriers and brokers heading into a muted 2026...
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How bad has freight fraud really gotten, and what’s it costing the carriers who are doing things the right way? Today, we’ve got Pamela Polyak from Polyak Trucking back to the show to explain how fraud in trucking is escalating fast and why legitimate carriers are being forced to spend more time proving they’re real than actually moving freight! She talks about the outdated carrier vetting systems, rising insurance costs, stolen loads, and the growing compliance burden crushing small trucking companies, especially one-to-ten truck operations. We get into real solutions, including...
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Are you overcomplicating fitness before you even get started, or burning out chasing results that aren’t sustainable? In this episode, Robert Bain is back to explain what real, long-term fitness actually looks like—starting simple with daily movement and understanding that fitness is a personal, multi-year journey, not a 30-day transformation. We talk realistic training strategies that balance intensity and recovery, why hydration is non-negotiable for performance and muscle recovery, and how chasing social-media physiques sets most people up for frustration. Robert also shares...
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Most people don’t need more motivation — they need structure. In this episode, we break down how to design your day with intention so you stop reacting, start planning, and stack real wins. I’ll walk through the exact strategies I use to time-block, prioritize the right tasks, avoid distractions, and keep momentum when the day goes sideways. This isn't a theory. It's a simple system anyone can run — business owners, sales pros, leaders, or anyone tired of feeling behind. If you’ve ever said “there just aren’t enough hours in the day,” this episode will show you how to take...
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In this episode, I open up about what happens after you quit — the quiet work of learning to live without alcohol and rebuilding life from the ground up. I share how I replaced destructive habits with purpose, structure, and productivity, and what I did on the days motivation wasn’t there. If you’re thinking about getting sober — especially heading into a new year — this is a real, honest look at what life can become when “numbing out” is no longer an option! 📊📉 Don’t miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎...
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In this mashup replay episode, industry experts Ryan Schreiber and Bill Holaday cut through the hype around AI and automation in logistics and trucking, focusing on where real, measurable value is actually created! They explore why many companies only achieve incremental gains due to poor strategy, messy data, and weak integrations, and how both brokers and fleets, especially smaller operators, can unlock outsized returns by automating core operational workflows such as billing, compliance, document processing, and track & trace! These conversations provide you with practical guidance on...
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Are you chasing AI because it sounds good, or because it actually solves a real problem in your freight brokerage? And are you protecting your data, your margins, and your relationships while you do it? Let’s hear the real cost of AI in transportation and why proprietary AI and workflow automation can be a smarter long-term play in this episode with Herbert Orellana of Avanza BPO & Nearshoring and Sterling Engelhard of Data Gurus Group. We discuss AI adoption in freight brokerage, data security, private AI models, why optimizing your internal processes has to come before...
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Are legacy intermodal systems holding your operation back, and how long can the industry keep duct-taping technology together before it costs real market share? In today's episode, Alyssa Norcross from Revenova breaks down why intermodal freight still leans on AS/400 legacy systems that work but don’t integrate, forcing teams to juggle multiple platforms, spreadsheets, and manual processes just to move freight. We dig into how fragmented tools create inefficiencies, data risks, and slow response times, why AI-driven automation inside a unified TMS is the real path forward for...
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The trucking industry is heading into a pivotal year. In this episode, we break down trucking’s 2026 reality, where mergers and acquisitions collide with increased enforcement and regulation. We unpack why trucking M&A is expected to accelerate in 2026, driven by rate cuts, private equity interest, and consolidation into specialized freight segments. At the same time, states are expanding ICE 287(g) partnerships, increasing roadside enforcement tied to driver compliance, labor eligibility, and safety standards. This episode connects the dots between industry consolidation, labor...
info_outlineAre freight rates really stabilizing, or are we just riding another seasonal spike, and what does tighter CDL enforcement mean for capacity in 2026? Tune in today to learn the current freight market trends using real lane data and a strong outbound Minneapolis market!
We dig into why lane-specific pricing, seasonal volatility, and inverse market flows matter more than headline spot rates, how brokers can protect margins with consistent pricing strategies, and what tightening truckload capacity—down roughly 7.5% since 2023—means for carriers and brokers heading into a muted 2026 demand outlook.
We also get frank about the upcoming federal CDL compliance enforcement, why a uniform national standard is long overdue, and how safety-focused regulation can level the playing field for legitimate operators while seasonal tender rejection spikes and spot rate surges normalize post-holidays!
Resources / References
📊📉 Don’t miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎
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