Let’s Talk Logistics

Let’s Talk Logistics is a podcast that brings together some of the logistics industry’s top voices. Hosted by Rocket Shipping’s CEO Gabe Pankonin, each episode features founders, CEOs, and experienced leaders in the space who dig into the real issues, trends, and innovations shaping the world of freight. From supply chain dynamics to the impact of market shifts and pendulum swings, these conversations offer practical insights and a candid look at what’s happening in logistics today. Ideal for shippers and industry pros looking to stay informed in a rapidly evolving space. Tune in and let’s talk LOGISTICS!

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Episodes

2 days ago

Pat Martin, has helped turn Estes into the largest privately held LTL carrier in North America. Now he’s behind V53, a freight-focused VC fund backing software that actually gets used. This episode breaks down how Estes weathered Yellow’s collapse and a cyberattack in the same year, what most venture firms miss about selling to shippers and carriers, and why follow-through—not funding—is what separates the real players.
 
Key Chapters:
(0:00) Introduction and Background
(2:26) Differentiating EFW from Estes
(3:59) Pat Martin's Journey to Estes
(6:38) The Birth of V 53
(10:36) Venture Capital Insights
(24:16) Estes' Legacy and Private Ownership
(28:14) Current State of the LTL Market
(29:14) ESD's Performance and Market Dynamics
(30:09) Challenges in the LTL Industry
(31:37) Customer Expectations and Pricing
(33:18) Impact of Yellow's Closure
(36:02) Cyber Attack and Resilience
(39:38) Estes' Legacy and Success
(46:47) Future of LTL Pricing and Market Recovery
(52:09) Lessons Learned in Business
 
#LetsTalkLogistics #Estes #V53

4 days ago

DeJoy’s out. Commerce is circling. The USPS reorg just got a plot twist—and now a Wall Street exec wants to run your mail. Is this the start of privatization or just another political flex? Let’s get into it.
Key Chapters:  
(0:00) Introduction and Overview
(0:38) Trump Administration's Influence
(1:57) Union's Concerns and Legal Arguments
(3:15) Howard Lutnick's Vision for USPS
(4:19) Potential Changes and Challenges
(5:17) Financial Issues and Census Proposal
(7:38) Expanding USPS's Role
(10:38) Conclusion and Future Implications
 
#LetsTalkLogistics #ThisWeekinFreight #LTLNews ##USPS
#DeJoy #GovernmentReform #PostalService #Privatization
 

Thursday Mar 20, 2025

Reed Loustalot, went from ship posting to running marketing for one of the fastest-growing marketplaces in freight. Now, as CMO of Truck Parking Club, he’s tackling one of trucking’s biggest pain points—finding a place to park. We get into brand-building, distribution, and why attention is everything in logistics.
 
Key Chapters:
(0:00) Introduction and Background
(3:08) Truck Parking Club: The Airbnb for Truck Parking
(6:15) The Journey to Truck Parking Club
(7:31) Challenges and Growth in Truck Parking
(9:29) Innovative Solutions for Truck Parking
(17:25) Reed's Path to Success: From Brokerage to Marketing
(27:35) Starting the Hat Business
(28:23) The Power of Scarcity
(29:29) Accidental Marketing Genius
(30:52) Building Lost Freight
(42:36) Philosophy on Career and Family
(44:45) Future Plans and Reflections
(49:53) The Importance of Distribution
 
#LetsTalkLogistics #FreightNews #FreightTech #SupplyChainInnovation#LogisticsMarketing #TruckParking #TransportationTech

Thursday Mar 13, 2025

Dawn Favier, built GreenScreens.ai into a powerhouse in freight tech, and now Triumph Financial is acquiring it. We get into why GreenScreens wasn’t for sale, what made Triumph the right buyer, and how they built the industry’s most accurate AI-powered pricing.
 
Key Chapters:
(0:00) Introduction and Background
(0:36) Triumph's Acquisition of Green Screens
(1:21) Green Screens' Unique Selling Points
(3:21) Triumph's New Business Segment
(7:15) Dawn's Journey with Green Screens
(14:29) Raising Seed Funding
(18:06) Series A Funding Success
(21:17) Understanding Due Diligence
(26:02) Private Equity Exits and Recapitalization
(26:32) Bootstrapping and Fundraising Challenges
(26:57) Building and Managing Teams
(28:03) Green Screens Origin Story
(35:18) Navigating the Pandemic
(40:26) SaaS Metrics and Fundraising
(49:54) Lessons Learned and Future Plans
 
#LetsTalkLogistics #FreightNews #FreightTech #SupplyChainInnovation #AIinFreight #LogisticsLeadership #SaaS

Monday Mar 10, 2025

One ice cream load just blew the lid off broker transparency. A small carrier vs. TQL, a 44% broker margin, and a lawsuit that could rewrite the rules of freight. Is this the moment brokers finally get checked—or just another industry power play? Let’s get into it.
 
Key Chapters:  
(0:00) Introduction and Overview
(0:49) A Legal Battle Begins
(2:38) The Stakes and Implications
(4:48) Potential Industry-Wide changes
(5:04) Retaliatory Tariffs and Trade Wars
(7:04) FMCSA’s Role and New Regulations
(11:21) Conclusion and Final Thoughts
 
#LetsTalkLogistics #ThisWeekinFreight #LTLNews #FreightScandal #BrokerTransparency #TruckingLawsuit  

Thursday Mar 06, 2025

Brent Orsuga, has spent 16 years placing top freight talent and watching 3PLs finally ditch mediocrity. We break down why companies are upgrading instead of expanding, how AI only works if your team is already elite, and what top brokerages are doing to stay ahead.
Key Chapters:
(0:00) Introduction and Background
(0:38) Market Shifts and Hiring Trends
(1:40) AI in the Workplace
(3:08) Introduction to Pinnacle Growth Advisors
(5:06) The Importance of Always Hiring
(11:08) Personal Branding and Business Growth
(19:52) Recruiting Strategies and Market Insights
(32:02) Storytelling: The Key to Sales Success
(33:20) Revenue Generation and Promotion Strategies
(34:36) Focusing on High Performers
(42:18) The Role of Intangibles in Sales
(49:29) Maintaining High Standards in Recruitment
(51:20) The Importance of Execution in 3PL
(53:12) Handling Employee Turnover
(57:36) Lessons Learned in Business
(1:00:40) Crazy Recruiting Stories 
#LetsTalkLogistics #FreightNews #FreightTech #SupplyChainInnovation #LogisticsLeadership #HiringTrends

Monday Mar 03, 2025

Freight tech just landed a $160M win with Greenscreens.ai’s acquisition, but Trump’s fresh tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China might throw a curveball. Can AI rise above the trade chaos—or is this a meltdown in the making? Here’s the breakdown.
 
Key Chapters:  
(0:00) Introduction and Overview
(0:28) Greenscreens.ai Acquisition
(2:36) How Greenscreens.ai Works
(4:25) Impact of New Tariffs
(5:04) Retaliatory Tariffs and Trade Wars
(7:15) Connecting the Dots: AI and Tariffs
(8:40) Conclusion and Final Thoughts
 
#LetsTalkLogistics #ThisWeekinFreight #LTLNews ##Tariffs #TradePolicy #GlobalTrade

Monday Feb 24, 2025

DeJoy is out, Trump is eyeing control, and privatizing USPS is back on the table. Is this shift a political power play for the White House…or the beginning of the end for the Postal Service as we know it?
Key Chapters:  
(0:00) Introduction and Overview
(1:02) Conflicting Reports and DeJoy's Resignation
(3:21) Implications for the Average Person
(5:02) Potential Legal and Political Battles
(8:33) Impact on E-commerce and Rural Areas
(9:50) Future of USPS: Privatization Pros and Cons
(10:45) Key Developments to Watch
(12:57) Conclusion and Final Thoughts
#LetsTalkLogistics #ThisWeekinFreight #LTLNews #USPS

Thursday Feb 20, 2025

Will Jenkins, built and sold a billion-dollar brokerage, ditched the corporate playbook, and launched Journey to fix how brokers hire and train. We get into his exit, why AI is the future of sales training, and what’s actually working in freight right now.
 
Key Chapters:
(0:00) Introduction and Background
(1:37) Navigating Non-Compete Clauses
(03:49) Building Relationships and Business Growth
(5:10) Transitioning from Freight Brokerage to Recruiting
(7:45) From College Football to Freight Brokerage
(10:12) The Birth of Molo: A Startup Story
(12:43) Challenges of Starting a Freight Brokerage
(14:58) Selling Molo: A Milestone Achievement
(18:41) The Journey Continues: Building a New Venture
(20:34) The Importance of Learning and Development
(22:27) Leveraging AI and Technology in Training
(30:15) Marketing and Branding in Freight Brokerage
(34:58) Investing in SHIP CRM
(35:19) Strategic Partnerships and Customer Acquisition
(36:15) The Future of Logistics and Market Consolidation
(39:19) Effective Sales Training Methodologies
(46:15) Challenges in Recruiting and Retaining Talent
(56:55) Journey's Future and AI Integration
(1:04:57) Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts
 
#LetsTalkLogistics #FreightNews #FreightTech #SupplyChainInnovation,#FreightSales #LogisticsGrowth #Recruiting

Monday Feb 17, 2025

RFK Jr. wants to flip SNAP on its head—less junk food, more fresh produce, and a total shake-up for the food industry. Big brands will have to adapt, logistics will get messy, and prices? They’re not staying put. Smart reform or a supply chain disaster? Let’s get into it.
Key Chapters:  
(0:00)  Introduction and Overview
(0:07) RFK Jr.'s Vision for SNAP Benefits
(1:01) Impact on Consumers: Everyday Changes
(1:26) Impact on Big Food Companies
(2:09) Logistical Challenges and Solutions
(4:48) Opportunities for Innovation
(5:22) Technological and Collaborative Solutions
(6:02) Public Health Implications
(6:43) Papa Murphy’s and the SNAP Loophole
 
#LetsTalkLogistics #ThisWeekinFreight #LTLNews #FoodIndustry
 

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We Want to Hear from YOU!

Interested in diving deeper into what you hear on Let’s Talk Logistics? Whether you’re an LTL professional with thoughts on the latest episode or a logistics leader looking to share your insights, we’d love to connect.

 

Reach out to join the conversation, continue the discussion, or even explore the possibility of filming an episode with Gabe. Let’s keep the LTL dialogue going—one connection at a time.

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