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!
Episodes

Thursday Apr 17, 2025
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
Eric Johnson, from JOC stopped by to talk about freight, media, and what happens when AI starts doing everyone’s job—including journalists. We got into the chaos around tariffs, why broker CEOs stay quiet, and where SaaS in freight tech might be heading. A little spicy, a lot relevant. Worth the listen.
Key Chapters:
(0:00) Introduction and Background
(1:13) Eric's Background and JOC Overview
(5:07) Discussion on AI and Media
(6:38) Challenges in Journalism and Media Trust
(11:58) Impact of AI on Journalism
(26:18) Role of CEOs in Public Discourse
(32:31) Current State of the Logistics Market
(33:05) Impact of Tariffs on Competition
(35:39) Wall Street and Supply Chain Dynamics
(36:41) Logistics Expertise and Tariff Predictions
(40:31) E-commerce and Tariff Concerns
(50:52) Future of SaaS in Logistics
(59:27) Specialization and Career Advice
(1:03:44) Concluding Thoughts and Predictions
#LetsTalkLogistics #FreightNews #FreightTech #Tariffs #AIinMedia #SaaSInFreight #TruckloadMarket #ModernFreight

Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
The 2025 3PL rankings are out, and the picture isn’t exactly pretty. Slower growth, shifting positions, and trade pressure are forcing even the biggest names to rethink their playbook.
Key Chapters:
(0:00) Introduction to the Top 3PLs in North America 2025
(0:31) Current Market Overview and Key Players
(2:03) New Entrants and Market Dynamics
(2:42) Acquisition Activity in 2024
(4:08) Segment Analysis: Freight Brokerage and Contract Carriers
(5:37) Segment Analysis: Warehousing and Cold Storage
(6:40) Segment Analysis: Ocean and Air Freight Forwarders
(7:23) Trade Uncertainty and Economic Impact
(10:46) Future Outlook and Long-Term Projections
(12:14) Conclusion and Final Thoughts
#LetsTalkLogistics #ThisWeekinFreight #LTLNews #FreightRankings#LogisticsStrategy #TradeUncertainty #3PLInsights #MergersAndAcquisitions

Thursday Apr 10, 2025
Thursday Apr 10, 2025
Jesse Buckingham, helped sell Trucker Tools and ran private equity-backed freight tech—now he’s building AI agents to kill the busywork in brokerage. We get into why scaling with headcount is dead, how mid-size brokers can punch above their weight, and what AI actually means for freight.
Key Chapters:
(0:00) Introduction and Background
(1:02) Founding and Early Days of Vooma
(7:29) Agent AI and Its Impact
(13:04) AI in Logistics and Brokerage
(16:30) Future of AI in the Industry
(21:35) Opportunities for Mid-Market Brokers
(26:20) Challenges in Truckload Brokerage
(26:35) Future Plans for Vooma
(27:45) Jesse's Background and Journey
(30:14) Life in San Francisco
(33:07) AI and Logistics
(38:19) Building a Company with AI
(43:16) Predictions for AI Adoption in Logistics
(46:10) Lessons Learned in Building a Company
#LetsTalkLogistics #FreightNews #FreightTech #AgenticAI #FreightBrokers #LogisticsInnovation #SupplyChainAI #DigitalFreight

Thursday Apr 03, 2025
Thursday Apr 03, 2025
Bharath Krishnamoorthy, left law to fix how money moves in freight. We get into why brokers struggle with cash flow, how Denim is leveling the playing field, and why automation—not headcount—is the path to growth.
Key Chapters:
(0:00) Introduction and Background
(0:57) Meeting the Co-Founder and Early Ventures
(1:47) Transition to Law and Realization
(2:08) Starting the Company and Initial Struggles
(3:48) Challenges of Starting a Business in 2019
(4:00) Life in Virginia and College Days
(5:42) Defining FinTech and Payment Networks
(6:06) Brokerage Challenges and Financial Arbitrage
(14:07) Risk Management and Decision Making
(19:59) Future of Logistics and Partnerships
(27:20) Scaling with Technology and Automation
(31:56) Maximizing Productivity Through Team Size Management
(34:22) Managing AI Agents
(41:34) Employee Turnover and Workflow Improvement
(44:58) The Evolution of TMS and Industry Predictions
(50:45) LTL Market Dynamics and Broker Challenges
(56:15) Personal Insights and Future Plans
(59:52) Lessons Learned: Avoidable Mistakes in Business
#LetsTalkLogistics #FreightNews #FreightTech #CashFlowInFreight #ModernBroker #DenimVerified

Thursday Mar 27, 2025
Thursday Mar 27, 2025
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

Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
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
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
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
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
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

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.