Let’s Talk Logistics

Let's Talk Logistics with Will Nitze

Will Nitze took IQBAR from his kitchen to 10,000+ retail doors—without wasting cash or losing control. Kickstarter, Amazon, and scaling a CPG brand the smart way. No fluff, just what actually works.
 
Key Chapters:
(0:00) Introduction and Background
(0:51) Kickstarter Success: Unconventional Strategies
(1:31) Building the Network: Harvard Connections
(3:50) The IQ Bar Concept: Brain and Body Nutrition
(7:25) From Harvard to Entrepreneurship: Personal Journey
(10:12) Navigating the CPG Space
(12:48) E-commerce and Retail Expansion
(18:11) Building and Managing a Small Team
(28:04) Logistics and Operations
(31:15) Challenges with FBA Logistics
(33:52) Fundraising Journey and Strategies
(35:57) Importance of Capital Efficiency
(45:15) Impact of COVID on Business Operations
(46:20) Future of Health and Wellness Market
(53:41) Tech Stack and Operational Tools
(57:52) Vendor Relationships and Management
(1:03:15) Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts
 
#LetsTalkLogistics #FreightNews #FreightTech #SupplyChainInnovation#Ecommerce #CPG #RetailLogistics #StartupGrowth

MyCarrier vs. Project44: The Fight Over Freight Data

A 700% price hike. An ulterior motive to cut ties. A lawsuit that exposed everything. MyCarrierTMS and Project44 went from partners to courtroom rivals—and it's escalating fast. Listen to hear about how it all went down.
Key Chapters:  
(0:00)  Introduction and Overview
(00:18) Who are Project 44 and MyCarrier
(00:45 The Partnership and Its Downfall
(2:12) Project Raptor: The Secret Plan
(3:42) Legal Battles and Public Exposure
(5:35) Lessons from the Feud
(9:41) Future Trends in LTL Freight Tech
(13:26) Final Thoughts and Takeaways
#LetsTalkLogistics #ThisWeekinFreight #LTLNews #LegalNews

Let's Talk Logistics with Krystian Gebis

Krystian Gebis, co-founder of FreightCaviar and ShipperCRM, went from self-driving trucks to fixing how brokers find shippers. He breaks down turning a meme page into a business, using AI to clean up prospecting, and what’s actually working in freight sales.
 
Key Chapters:
(00:00) The Beginning of Freight Caviar and Shipper CRM
(1:33) From Self-Driving Trucks to Robotics
(6:06) Building the Team and Celebrating Wins
(11:53) The Purpose and Evolution of Shipper CRM
(13:45) Challenges and Innovations in Prospecting
(28:39) Funding and Growth Milestones
(36:24) Gaming Adventures and Early Tech Interests
(38:23) Correlation Between Gaming and Reaction Time
(39:49) Journey into Software Engineering
(43:36) Building ShipperSeer: Challenges and Strategies
(1:03:03) Future of AI and Open Source Models
(1:19:30) Lessons from Past Ventures
(1:22:12) Connecting on Social Media
 
#LetsTalkLogistics #FreightNews #FreightTech #SupplyChainInnovation #FreightSales #LogisticsAI #Prospecting #CRM

Trump Tariffs and the De Minimis Exemption

The rules of trade are shifting fast—Section 321 started as a paperwork fix, but now it’s a global trade cheat code. Billions in duty-free imports, enforcement cracks, and Congress finally paying attention. Is it a free-market win or a policy failure? Let’s get into it.
Key Chapters:  
(0:00)  Introduction and Overview
(0:18) Historical Background and Evolution
(1:21) Shift Towards Free Trade
(2:02) The 2015 Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act
(2:28) Global Impact and Concerns
(3:49) Impact on American Businesses
(5:08) Complexities and Inflation Effects
(6:19) Policy Debates and Future Considerations
(10:34) Congress vs. Presidential Powers
(12:12) Conclusion and Final Thoughts
 
#LetsTalkLogistics #ThisWeekInFreight #LTLNews #TradeLoopholes
 

Let's Talk Logistics with Gero Keil

Gero Keil , shares how Levity is using AI to solve real logistics challenges. From DeepSeek's game-changing potential to automating the email chaos in freight, this episode explores smarter strategies for scaling in the freight world. If you’re not thinking about AI yet, this is your wake-up call.
 
Key Chapters:
(0:00) Introduction and Background
(0:35) Founding Levity: The Early Days
(1:37) AI in Business Automation
(2:16) DeepSeek vs. ChatGPT
(3:20) Impact of AI on Business Costs
(7:49) Levity's Approach to Automation
(14:42) Voice AI and Future Plans
(16:26) Journey of Levity's Founders
(18:31) Navigating the AI Landscape
(27:25) Building a Lean Team
(35:25) AI's Role in Logistics
(39:28) Personal Life and Background
(44:07) Challenges in Hiring and Firing
(48:11) AI's Role in Logistics and Market Impact
(1:02:11) Usage-Based Pricing Models for AI
(1:07:57) Specialization and Business Growth
(1:10:53) Connecting and Future Events
 
#LetsTalkLogistics #FreightNews #FreightTech #SupplyChainInnovation #LogisticsLeadership #AIinFreight #SmartLogistics #FreightAutomation

The AI 'Sputnik Moment'

The rules of AI are shifting fast—DeepSeek’s R1 AI model is breaking new ground with open-source innovation, low-cost training, and global implications. What does this mean for the future of tech?
 
Key Chapters:  
(0:00) Introduction and Overview
(0:42) What Makes DeepSeek R1 Unique?
(1:47) Efficiency and Cost of Training R1
(2:43) Open Source Approach and Its Implications
(3:45) Performance and Limitations of R1
(6:25) Geopolitical Implications of R1
(7:42) Future Possibilities and Ethical Considerations
(14:29) Conclusion and Final Thoughts
 
#LetsTalkLogistics #ThisWeekinFreight #LTLNews 

ZYN, J.B. Hunt, and the 2025 Inauguration

The rules are changing fast—whether it’s the FDA shocking the nicotine industry with the news about ZYN, Mexico's overhauling trade policies with the 321 Rule, or this historic 2025 U.S. presidential inauguration adapting to last-minute chaos.
 
Key Chapters:  
(00:00) Introduction and Overview
(00:17) FDA Authorizes ZYN Nicotine Pouches
(02:26) Mexico's New Trade Policies
(04:26) Challenges of the Upcoming Presidential Inauguration
(07:32) Connecting the Dots: Regulation, Adaptation, and Global Forces
(14:53) Implications and Takeaways
(17:53) Conclusion and Final Thoughts
 
These shifts have ripple effects far beyond headlines - so let's break down what they mean for businesses, industries, and logistics as a whole. 
 
#LetsTalkLogistics #ThisWeekinFreight #LTLNews

Let's Talk Logistics with Tim Higham

Tim Higham, founder of Ascend TMS, shares his journey from bootstrapping a brokerage to building a game-changing TMS platform. Hear how he disrupted the freight tech space with a no-nonsense approach to profitability, employee retention, and AI-driven innovation. Discover what’s driving real change in freight technology.
Key Chapters:
(0:00) Intro to the Ep
(0:56) The Birth of Ascend TMS
(1:45) Challenges and Successes in Building a TMS
(3:49) Profitability and Business Philosophy
(4:25) Tim's Story and Industry Insights
(5:25) Competing Against VC-Backed Competitors
(5:39) The Evolution of Technology in Logistics
(14:20) Shipper CRM: A Game-Changer
(30:15) Employee Retention and Company Culture
(36:50) Investing in the Right People
(38:50) The Role of Referrals in Hiring
(39:49) Golden Handcuffs: Myth or Reality?
(41:42) Company Hierarchy and Roles
(44:08) Choosing the Right Tech Stack
(51:37) The Pitfalls of VC Funding
(1:01:30) Advice for Founders: Avoiding Common Mistakes
 
#LetsTalkLogistics #FreightNews #FreightTech #SupplyChainInnovation #LogisticsLeadership #TransportationTech
 

Let's Talk Logistics with Eric Krueger

Eric Krueger shares how Navix is shaking up LTL freight audit and payment with a tech-first approach. Learn how automation and transparency are helping brokerages optimize cash flow and streamline operations.
Key Chapters:
(0:00) Intro to the Ep
(0:52) Challenges in LTL Pricing and Freight Bill Audit
(1:19) The Birth of Navix
(3:14) Navix's Expansion and Success
(4:45) The Importance of Cash Flow in Brokerage
(6:17) Strategies for Managing Billing Variances
(14:04) The Role of Trust and Transparency
(23:23) Navix's Journey and Future Plans
(32:06) Life of a Freight Tech Founder
(33:24) Life in Minnesota
(35:20) Journey into Technology
(38:17) Building Navix
(39:44) AI and Automation in Freight
(48:40) Hiring and Team Building
(59:42) Conclusion
 
#LetsTalkLogistics #FreightNews #FreightTech #LTLShipping #LogisticsInnovation

Let's Talk Logistics with Matthew Leffler

Matthew Leffler, the Armchair Attorney, dives into freight’s legal chaos, broken agency models, and the rise of AI in logistics. Discover what’s reshaping the industry and how shippers can stay ahead of the curve.
 
Key Chapters:
(0:00) Intro to the Ep
(3:37) Hot Topic on World Wide Express
(8:04) Private Equity buying the Industry 
(13:40) Glorified Agent Models with the Right Company
(19:01) EBITDA and Private Equity
(23:01) EBITDA and Showing Profit
(27:31) DAT’s Acquisition of Trucker Tools
(33:30)Longshoremen Strike
(36:26)AI’s role in Logistics
(40:25) Freight Market Fluctuations
(43:00)Industry Trends
(56:27)Trucking Insurance Gaps
(59:30) Debating USPS Privatization
(1:05:00) Holiday Traditions & Reflections
 
#LetsTalkLogistics #FreightNews #FreightGameChangers #FreightAgencyTruths
#LogisticsDisrupted #AIinFreight