Hire Truckers Podcast

Hosted by Aaron Craddock

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Explore the world of driver recruiting with the Hire Truckers Podcast! Join us as we talk to recruiting experts, offering industry insights, marketing trends, and motivation to enhance your recruiting skills. Whether you're a seasoned recruiter or just starting, our podcast is here to help you level up your game in the trucking industry.

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60 recent

October 19, 2026Episode 8043 min

AI Will Dramatically Change What Recruiters Can Do

In this episode, Ginger Craddock sits down with Daniel Kelly to explore how AI is changing driver recruiting and helping fleets create better experiences for both recruiters and drivers. --- AI is creating new opportunities to automate repetitive recruiting tasks without removing the human connection that makes recruiting effective. Daniel explains how AI-powered phone assistants, conversational applications, and automated follow-ups can help fleets engage drivers faster, answer questions after hours, and collect important information before a recruiter steps in. The conversation also explores how AI can uncover valuable insights from driver conversations, improve advertising creative, and connect recruiting data across different systems. Ginger and Daniel discuss why accurate information, transparency, and human judgment remain essential as fleets adopt new technology. About This Week's Guest: Daniel Kelly Daniel Kelly is a member of the Hire Truckers team, working across technology development and recruiting solutions. With a background in web development and graphic design, he brings a practical perspective on AI automation, conversational technology, and creating more efficient recruiting experiences. CONNECT WITH DANIEL KELLY LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielkellyio/ CONNECT WITH HIRE TRUCKERS Ginger Craddock on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginger-craddock/ Hire Truckers: https://hiretruckers.com/

October 12, 2026Episode 7925 min

Balance is a Myth, When Seeking Real Growth and Change

In this episode, Aaron Craddock challenges the idea of perfect work-life balance and shares how leaders can navigate demanding seasons of business and personal growth. --- In trucking, recruiting, and leadership, some seasons demand more time, energy, and attention than others. Aaron shares how his priorities have shifted throughout his entrepreneurial journey, from growing Hire Truckers and adapting recruiting strategies to pursuing personal health goals and making intentional time for his family. He also explains why effective leadership requires flexibility rather than rigid routines. Whether it's spending more time developing recruiters, testing new strategies, or responding to changing market conditions, leaders need to recognize where their attention is most valuable. The key isn't making every area of life perfectly balanced. It's understanding the opportunities in your current season, recognizing what needs attention, and protecting the priorities that matter most. CONNECT WITH HIRE TRUCKERS Aaron Craddock on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-craddock/ Hire Truckers: https://hiretruckers.com/

October 5, 2026Episode 7822 min

Fleet Leaders Can Build Momentum Through Q4 into Q1

Aaron Craddock shares how recruiting and fleet leaders can navigate the pressure of Q4 without losing momentum or burning out. --- After a difficult stretch for the trucking industry, many recruiting teams and fleet leaders are entering Q4 already exhausted. Aaron shares a practical approach for those moments when everything feels urgent: pause, get the noise out of your head, identify the one thing that matters most, and start there. He also explains why fleets shouldn't lose sight of their driver recruiting pipeline as the year winds down. How you show up in Q4 can shape the start of Q1. From giving your team room to recover to staying consistent with recruiting efforts and remembering your bigger purpose, this episode is about finishing the year with focus instead of simply pushing until you burn out. CONNECT WITH HIRE TRUCKERS Aaron Craddock on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-craddock/ Hire Truckers: https://hiretruckers.com/

September 28, 2026Episode 7747 min

What Drivers Need to Know Before Becoming an Owner-Operator

Ginger Craddock and David Withers discuss what professional drivers need to understand before making the leap from driving a truck to owning and operating a trucking business. --- Truck ownership can still create opportunity, but owning the equipment is only the beginning. David breaks down the financial discipline behind successful ownership, including understanding cost per mile, operating expenses, cash flow, maintenance reserves, and the difference between revenue and profit. They also discuss how drivers can evaluate ownership opportunities, why the right support system matters, and what changes when an owner grows from one truck into a fleet. David shares why successful owners approach trucking as a business from day one and consistently do the fundamentals that keep that business profitable. About This Week's Guest: David Withers David Withers is a transportation leader at Expediter Services with decades of experience across recruiting, driver relations, safety, and operations. He works with professional drivers and independent contractors as they navigate truck ownership, business growth, and opportunities within the trucking industry. CONNECT WITH DAVID WITHERS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-withers-b658978/ Expediter Services: https://essuccessintrucking.com/ CONNECT WITH HIRE TRUCKERS Ginger Craddock on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginger-craddock/ Hire Truckers: https://hiretruckers.com/

September 21, 2026Episode 7627 min

What 3 Decades in Trucking Teaches You About Leadership

Aaron Craddock and Mark Roesler discuss what strong leadership looks like when the trucking industry is anything but predictable. Drawing on more than three decades at Acme Truck Line, Mark shares how his experience from owner-operator to executive shaped the way he leads drivers and teams. He explains why strong leaders don't need to rely on titles, why they should surround themselves with people willing to challenge their thinking, and why listening is one of the most important leadership skills. They also discuss leading through difficult freight cycles, creating stability without overreacting, and adapting the business while staying true to its core. Mark shares his perspective on the aging driver workforce, the need to bring younger people into trucking, and the legacy he hopes to leave as a leader: making people feel respected, heard, and valued. About This Week's Guest: Mark Roesler Mark Roesler is a longtime transportation leader at Acme Truck Line with more than three decades of experience in the trucking industry. Beginning his career as an owner-operator, Mark has grown into executive leadership while also serving the broader industry through the Texas Trucking Association. CONNECT WITH MARK ROESLER LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-roesler-ba5ab977/ ACME Truck Line: https://www.acmetruck.com/ CONNECT WITH HIRE TRUCKERS Aaron Craddock on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-craddock/ Hire Truckers: https://hiretruckers.com/

September 14, 2026Episode 7556 min

How a Driver-First Culture Improves Recruiting and Retention

Ginger Craddock and Marina Ivanov discuss what fleets have to do to prove they truly value their drivers and why culture can become a competitive advantage in recruiting and retention. --- Marina shares how Apex Transit Solutions built a driver-focused culture around respect, communication, quality equipment, sustainable pay, home time, and understanding drivers as individuals. She explains why taking care of drivers requires more than slogans and how the everyday decisions a fleet makes ultimately determine whether great drivers choose to stay. They also discuss recruiting for the right fit, scaling without losing the personal connection, creating second-chance opportunities, and using AI without replacing the human relationships drivers value. Marina shares why fleets should examine the entire driver experience, from the first recruiting interaction forward and make sure what they promise matches what drivers actually experience. About This Week's Guest: Marina Ivanov Marina Ivanov is a leader at Apex Transit Solutions, where she has helped build a driver-focused fleet culture centered on respect, safety, communication, and long-term relationships. With deep personal and professional roots in trucking, Marina brings firsthand perspective on driver recruiting, retention, fleet operations, and creating a workplace where professional drivers feel valued. CONNECT WITH MARINA IVANOV LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marina-ivanov-4a9144194/ Apex Transit Solutions: https://apextransitllc.com/ CONNECT WITH HIRE TRUCKERS Aaron Craddock on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-craddock/ Hire Truckers: https://hiretruckers.com/

September 7, 2026Episode 7429 min

How to Build a Safety Culture That Goes Beyond Compliance

Aaron Craddock and Brian Fielkow discuss why fleet safety has to go beyond compliance and become part of how the entire organization operates. Brian explains why safety is not simply the responsibility of a safety department. Leadership has to make it a non-negotiable value, while operations must carry that commitment into everyday decisions around dispatch, productivity, incentives, and driver management. They also discuss how involving drivers in organizational change can improve buy-in, why the first 90 days are critical for integrating new drivers into a fleet's culture, and how peer mentorship and consistent check-ins can strengthen both safety and retention. Brian also shares creative ways fleets can involve employees' families and make safety something that extends beyond the workplace. About This Week's Guest: Brian Fielkow Brian Fielkow is the author of Making Safety Happen and a transportation leader focused on helping organizations build stronger safety cultures. His approach emphasizes leadership accountability, operational ownership, employee engagement, and creating systems that make safety part of everyday business decisions. CONNECT WITH BRIAN FIELKOW Brian Fielkow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfielkow/ Making Safety Happen EBook CONNECT WITH HIRE TRUCKERS Aaron Craddock on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-craddock/ Hire Truckers: https://hiretruckers.com/

September 1, 2026Episode 7346 min

Beyond the CDL: What Defines a Professional Truck Driver

Join Ginger Craddock and Jared Whitson as they discuss what it really means to be a qualified professional driver in today’s trucking industry. Having a CDL is only the beginning. Ginger and Jared explore how stronger enforcement, safety standards, specialized experience, technology, and coachability are changing what fleets should look for when hiring professional drivers. They also discuss AI and telematics in driver safety, drug testing, the cost of doing safety right, and why trucking leaders and professional drivers need a voice in the conversations shaping the industry in Washington. About the Guest Jared Whitson helps lead safety and compliance across the Bennett family of companies. With roughly two decades of transportation experience spanning operations, risk, compliance, and safety, Jared brings deep expertise in driver qualification, specialized transportation, safety technology, and regulatory compliance. Links Follow Jared Whitson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-whitson-51765857/ Bennett Website: https://www.bennettig.com/ Follow Ginger Craddock on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginger-craddock/ Hire Truckers Website: https://hiretruckers.com/

August 24, 2026Episode 7228 min

The Driver Market Is Tightening. Is Your Fleet Ready?

Join Aaron Craddock and Ginger Craddock as they discuss how changing freight conditions, tighter driver capacity, and new regulations are reshaping driver recruiting. The market may still feel uncertain, but fleets are already thinking differently about capacity, retention, and driver quality. Aaron and Ginger break down why the strongest transportation companies are building their recruiting infrastructure now instead of waiting until qualified drivers become even harder to find. Links Follow Ginger Craddock on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginger-craddock/ Follow Aaron Craddock on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-craddock/ Hire Truckers Website: https://hiretruckers.com/

August 17, 2026Episode 7123 min

5 Ways to Build a Positive Culture in Trucking

Join Aaron Craddock as he breaks down the leadership principles behind building a high-performing culture. --- Culture can make or break a team. In this solo episode, Aaron shares the principles he’s using to build a stronger organization, from doing hard things and pursuing growth to assuming positive intent, communicating directly, and listening more. For transportation and recruiting leaders, it’s a practical look at how the standards you set and the way you lead can shape team performance, recruiting success, and long-term growth. Follow Aaron on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-craddock/ Hire Truckers Website: https://hiretruckers.com/