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Jun 2026

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In-depth interviews with musical artists and other special features designed to learn more about them, their music and their perspective on life.

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10 recent

June 11, 202646 min

Old Dominion’s Ryan Haag Enjoys His ‘Grand’ New Mexico TDC Run

A former firefighter, Ryan Haag understands the importance of meeting the moment and how to perform under pressure. As a veteran professional driver with Old Dominion, Ryan deeply values the attention to detail that helps him stay safe on the road year after year. The ability to embrace the moment and his keen sense for detail are two of the leading reasons that Ryan has gone three-for-three in winning vehicle division State Championships in New Mexico. As Ryan shares with us on this edition of the podcast, his success at the State TDC went to a new level when he earned his first New Mexico Grand Championship in Albuquerque on May 16. The announcement of the 2026 State Grand Championship took Ryan by surprise. For Ryan, it was a moment to celebrate and to give thanks for all those who had inspired and supported him on a journey that now includes three trips to the Nationals. As you’ll hear during our conversation, Ryan credits Shane Ard, a fellow Old Dominion driver who had competed in the Nevada TDCs prior to moving to New Mexico and Ryan’s home terminal. Shane introduced the TDCs to his new friends in New Mexico and Ryan found immediate success with a state title. In addition to praising the support he has received from Old Dominion, Ryan also credits the encouragement he has received from his wife, Tessa, who has made countless new friends in her trips to the State TDCs and the Nationals. FRIEND OF THE PODCAST SPONSOR: The Lutzie 43 Foundation is our Friend of the Podcast for this episode of the NTDC 2026 Series. Founded to honor the legacy of Philip Lutzenkirchen, the Lutzie 43 Foundation is dedicated to make sure that the tragedy that took his life would never have to be repeated. Philip was a standout athlete, a beloved teammate, and a man of tremendous character. Today, the foundation that carries his name is working to change the driving culture across the Southeast and beyond by tackling distracted driving, impaired driving, and unsafe habits behind the wheel. To learn more about the Lutzie 43 Foundation and how you can use 43 Key Seconds to run through an important safety checklist before starting your vehicle, visit Lutzie43.org. The post Old Dominion’s Ryan Haag Enjoys His ‘Grand’ New Mexico TDC Run appeared first on PodWheels.

June 10, 202621 min

Examining Recent U.S. Supreme Court Decisions Impacting Transportation

For this episode of the podcast, Grawe Group Founder & CEO Doug Grawe examines two recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings that will bring a collection of considerations into a new focus for trucking and logistics companies. Over the course of the episode, Doug offers practical insights on legal considerations as well as approaches for compliance. Before offering observations on the Montgomery vs. Caribe Transport decision by SCOTUS that addressed broker liability, Doug discussed a May 28 ruling by the Court in the Flowers Foods vs. Brock case and its implications for arbitration clauses in carrier contracts. As Doug notes in his analysis, the question before the Supreme Court was if federal law only applies to interstate work, interstate issues and not intrastate issues, specifically with deliveries that go from Point A to Point B in the same state. As you will hear, the court in a 9-0 decision unanimously said federal law applies, and Doug walks listeners through why that decision is significant for trucking and logistics companies. While discussing the Montgomery decision and its future impact on negligent hiring claims against brokers, Doug focuses on the practical steps that both brokers and carriers can take to place themselves in the best position to move forward. For carriers, this includes proactively working to improve CSA scores, if needed. Brokers should review and refine their carrier vetting processes. Doug also notes the importance of understanding insurance policies and procedural protocols as part of the safeguards that should be in place. One of the key points coming out of Montgomery that Doug emphasizes in this episode is that juries do not expect brokers and carriers, or defendants in any type of case, to be perfect. Juries understand mistakes happen. What juries are generally not okay with is not trying. They want to see that you tried. They want to see that you took the time and energy to consider a variety of things and make a balanced decision. To learn more about the Grawe Group, visit the firm’s website, TheGraweGroup.com. The post Examining Recent U.S. Supreme Court Decisions Impacting Transportation appeared first on PodWheels.

June 9, 202622 min

Previewing July’s Reliance Partners Trucking Matters Seminar Series in Nashville

In this episode, Reliance Partners Chief Revenue Officer Thom Albrecht leads a discussion that provides an insightful preview of the Fifth Annual Trucking Matters Seminar Series that will be held in Nashville, July 22-23. Thom’s guests on the podcast are Brandon Richards, the Chief Sales Officer for Reliance, and Brandon Alexander, the Executive Vice President of Sales at Reliance. They will be discussing what conference attendees can expect when making the trip to Nashville in July.  As you will hear, the Trucking Matters Seminar Series from Reliance Partners is designed for professionals across the trucking, transportation and logistics space who are focused on growth, risk management, safety and operational excellence. If you are involved in decision-making, compliance, safety, finance or operations, the Trucking Matters Seminar Series offers endless opportunities to gain valuable insights and network with leading experts in the industry. Over the course of this episode, Thom, Brandon and Jackson share insights about the conference’s sessions, panels and breakout discussions, including how Trucking Matters Seminar Series attendees will gain valuable perspectives from leading shippers, carriers and legal experts as well as leaders in the fields of insurance and cargo theft prevention — all of whom are involved with the trucking industry. As Thom shares, this year’s Trucking Matters event will feature a session with Jesse Elison, the Deputy Administrator for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The Trucking Matters Seminar Series is hosted by Reliance Partners at no cost for industry attendees, with the cost of travel and lodging being the responsibility of the attendee. If you are interested in attending the 2026 edition of the Trucking Matters Conference or would like more details, please click here. The post Previewing July’s Reliance Partners Trucking Matters Seminar Series in Nashville appeared first on PodWheels.

June 8, 202638 min

David Comings Returns To NTDCs As North Dakota Grand Champion

In his previous four trips to the Nationals, David Comings of FedEx Freight did not have to carry the added pressure of being a reigning National Champion. After winning the 5-Axle National title and also earning the NTDC Grand Champion’s trophy in 2025, David knew that everyone who follows the NTDCs across the country would have their eyes on this May’s North Dakota State TDC. As you will hear in this episode of the podcast, the challenge of carrying the extra weight of success achieved at the Nationals and the notoriety David has gained over the past year only provided added motivation when the State TDC took place in Fargo. While competing in 4-Axle, David punched his ticket to NTDC 2026 in Pittsburgh with a fifth consecutive state title. David also made it back-to-back State Grand Championships with his performance at the 2026 TDC. NTDC Historian Eugene Mulero had a chance to catch up with David not long after the North Dakota event was in the books for 2026. Eugene has David look back at the past 12 months and they look ahead to Nationals.  OUR FRIEND OF THE PODCAST SPONSOR: Founded in 2007, the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund is the only nationwide nonprofit that provides short-term relief to Class A OTR drivers suffering from an illness or injury that took them out of work within the last 365 days. The St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund also provides several free prevention health and wellness programs for OTR drivers in an effort to keep them on the road, including nicotine and smoking cessation, diabetes prevention, chronic disease management, at-home cancer screenings, and vaccine vouchers. To learn more about the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund and all of the offerings available from SCF, including how you can support their important work to help professional drivers and their families, visit TruckersFund.org. The post David Comings Returns To NTDCs As North Dakota Grand Champion appeared first on PodWheels.

June 3, 202620 min

Looking Back At An Amazing 12 Months With Miguel Sanchez of UPS

As the State TDC in Florida prepares to get underway in Daytona Beach this week, we want to share an interview that PodWheels Executive Producer Greg Thompson did with Miguel Sanchez in mid-March during the Safety Drive For A Cure charity event. At the time, Miguel, who won the Florida Grand Championship last year, was just a few weeks removed from having been selected as one of the new Captains on America’s Road Team. As you’ll hear in this episode, the Road Team selection and State Grand Championship was part of an incredible 12 months for the veteran UPS driver who had also won his first National Championship, claiming the Twins Division at NTDC 2025 last August. During his conversation with Greg, Miguel looks back at those experiences and he also shares how he is focused on the challenges ahead – including returning to the Florida State TDC as the reigning Twins Champ and Grand Champion title holder. FRIEND OF THE PODCAST SPONSOR: The Lutzie 43 Foundation is our Friend of the Podcast for this episode of the NTDC 2026 Series. Founded to honor the legacy of Philip Lutzenkirchen, the Lutzie 43 Foundation is dedicated to make sure that the tragedy that took his life would never have to be repeated. Philip was a standout athlete, a beloved teammate, and a man of tremendous character. Today, the foundation that carries his name is working to change the driving culture across the Southeast and beyond by tackling distracted driving, impaired driving, and unsafe habits behind the wheel. To learn more about the Lutzie 43 Foundation and how you can use 43 Key Seconds to run through an important safety checklist before starting your vehicle, visit Lutzie43.org. The post Looking Back At An Amazing 12 Months With Miguel Sanchez of UPS appeared first on PodWheels.

June 1, 202643 min

Thanking Listeners, Celebrating A Milestone and Chatting With Jeremy Steger

It’s a milestone edition of the NTDC Podcast as we take some time to thank our listeners for inspiring us to reach 250 total episodes for our series. PodWheels Executive Producer Greg Thompson is joined by NTDC Historian Eugene Mulero as they look back on the journey to 250, discussing what has made the series continue to grow at a remarkable pace over the past three-plus years. As you will hear, both Greg and Eugene note that our listeners, our guests and everyone who has been supportive of our efforts stand at the heart of the success this podcast series has achieved. Also, as we continue to feature professional drivers who are on the Road To Pittsburgh, we will share an interview that Eugene recorded recently with XPO’s Jeremy Steger. Runner-up in the 4-Axle Class in Minneapolis at NTDC 2025, Jeremy joins us at the 25:49 mark of the episode, talking to us about returning to the Nationals as the 2026 4-Axle Champion from the state of Wisconsin. OUR FRIEND OF THE PODCAST SPONSOR: Founded in 2007, the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund is the only nationwide nonprofit that provides short-term relief to Class A OTR drivers suffering from an illness or injury that took them out of work within the last 365 days. The St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund also provides several free prevention health and wellness programs for OTR drivers in an effort to keep them on the road, including nicotine and smoking cessation, diabetes prevention, chronic disease management, at-home cancer screenings, and vaccine vouchers. To learn more about the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund and all of the offerings available from SCF, including how you can support their important work to help professional drivers and their families, visit TruckersFund.org. The post Thanking Listeners, Celebrating A Milestone and Chatting With Jeremy Steger appeared first on PodWheels.

May 30, 202631 min

North Dakota’s Scott Meyers Reflects On Achieving TDC Career ‘Cycle’

On May 9th, Scott Meyers of FedEx Freight heard his name called as the Sleeper Class Champion at the North Dakota TDC. As Scott shares with us during this episode of the podcast, this moment at the North Dakota Championship banquet went beyond earning another state title and securing a spot at NTDC 2026 in Pittsburgh. For Scott, this year’s Sleeper Class TDC crown completed his quest to capture all eight CDL divisions at the North Dakota TDC. In baseball terms with a single, double, triple and home run in the same game, Scott now owns a career “cycle” in TDC competition. Over the course of the interview, he tells us how winning the Sleeper Class was also a way to honor the man who inspired Scott to get behind the wheel as a professional driver. A three-time State Grand Champion in North Dakota, Scott talks to us about the importance of paying it forward, introducing interested drivers to try their hand at the TDCs. As you will hear, one of the people Scott inspired to get involved in the State TDCs is none other than David Comings, the reigning National Grand Champion. David was unaware of the State and National competition until he pulled into the FedEx Freight Fargo facility some seven years ago and asked Scott why he had cones on the yard. Scott gave David a tour of his practice course for the Nationals in 2019 and David was ready to compete when the NTDC resumed in 2022 following the pandemic. FRIEND OF THE PODCAST SPONSOR:  The Lutzie 43 Foundation is our Friend of the Podcast for this episode of the NTDC 2026 Series. Founded to honor the legacy of Philip Lutzenkirchen, the Lutzie 43 Foundation is dedicated to make sure that the tragedy that took his life would never have to be repeated. Philip was a standout athlete, a beloved teammate, and a man of tremendous character. Today, the foundation that carries his name is working to change the driving culture across the Southeast and beyond by tackling distracted driving, impaired driving, and unsafe habits behind the wheel. To learn more about the Lutzie 43 Foundation and how you can use 43 Key Seconds to run through an important safety checklist before starting your vehicle, visit Lutzie43.org. The post North Dakota’s Scott Meyers Reflects On Achieving TDC Career ‘Cycle’ appeared first on PodWheels.

May 26, 202633 min

A True Gem: Adam Heim Talks About His Second Idaho Grand Championship

A veteran of State TDC competitions since 2007 who has brought home NTDC trophies in recent years, Adam Heim from FedEx Freight has established a standard of success that now includes multiple Grand Champion crowns from the state of Idaho. Adam followed up his second-place finish at NTDC 2025 in the Flatbed Division by winning his second Idaho Grand Championship in three years after earning the 2026 5-Axle Division title for the Gem State. Joining us for his first-ever media interview, Adam recalls the encouragement he received from a co-worker during one of his first days at FedEx Freight. As he shares with us, the recommendation was for Adam to look into giving the TDCs a try. From that first TDC in 2007 when he placed ninth to the present day, Adam has never finished lower than ninth at both the state and national levels. As you’ll hear, Adam credits his dedication to preparation, which includes his wife, Stephanie, quizzing him on Facts For Drivers and working with him on his Pre-Trip practices. Adam also notes that he’s taken much of the knowledge gained from getting ready for competition into his daily routine driving for FedEx Freight. For those starting out in competition or for veterans looking for tips on how to prepare, Adam shares a collection of valuable insights. OUR FRIEND OF THE PODCAST SPONSOR: Founded in 2007, the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund is the only nationwide nonprofit that provides short-term relief to Class A OTR drivers suffering from an illness or injury that took them out of work within the last 365 days. The St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund also provides several free prevention health and wellness programs for OTR drivers in an effort to keep them on the road, including nicotine and smoking cessation, diabetes prevention, chronic disease management, at-home cancer screenings, and vaccine vouchers. To learn more about the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund and all of the offerings available from SCF, including how you can support their important work to help professional drivers and their families, visit TruckersFund.org. The post A True Gem: Adam Heim Talks About His Second Idaho Grand Championship appeared first on PodWheels.

May 21, 202634 min

Safety Impact Team In Action: Real-World Examples For Use Of DataQs

In this Safety Matters edition of the podcast, we close out our series exploring the Seven BASICS that are part of the FMCSA’s Compliance, Safety and Accountability Enforcement Program. Reliance Partners Safety Impact Team members Mark Barlar and Daniel Vega lead us through a series of Case Studies in which they have worked with motor carriers to successfully challenge BASIC violations through the DataQ system. They will also discuss how motor carriers have implemented internal processes to improve their respective safety profiles. In addition to providing an overview for their approach with DataQs and citing specific examples through the Case Studies they are sharing, Mark and Daniel discuss the importance of audit preparation for companies that are in Alert Status with the FMCSA. You will also hear Mark and Daniel recommend running MVRs at least twice a year to ensure CDL validity, due to the reality that automated systems do not monitor all 50 states simultaneously. This episode was originally shared on May 13th as part of the Reliance Partners live webinar series on the Seven Basics. To learn more about Reliance Partners, please visit the company’s website by clicking here. The post Safety Impact Team In Action: Real-World Examples For Use Of DataQs appeared first on PodWheels.

May 20, 202631 min

Jamie Sowder Returns To Nationals As Tennessee’s Grand Champion

Jamie Sowder from FedEx Freight was not expecting to hear his name called as the Grand Champion of the Tennessee State TDC. As Jamie shares with us in this edition of the podcast, he was thrilled to be returning to the NTDCs as Tennessee’s Flatbed Division title winner. For Jamie, the victory in Flatbed represented his third career trip to the Nationals. Jamie was last part of the NTDCs in 2023 when he claimed third place in the Flatbed Division As Jamie tells us, the Grand Championship for the Volunteer State had never really been on his radar. After the Grand Champion announcement, the joy and the opportunity to celebrate another milestone could be traced back to 2014 when Jamie accepted the invitation of fellow FedEx driver Dave McGee, a long-time TDC competitor, to enter the Tennessee TDC. As he notes in our conversation, Jamie has continued to incorporate the training and lessons he’s learned through the TDC program into his daily work of being prepared and staying safe on the road with each mile. The attention to detail that success in the TDC often requires is the perfect mindset to take on the road. Approaching his 20-year anniversary with FedEx Freight, Jamie is grateful for all the support he’s received over the years and the doors that have opened through participating in the TDC, including the opportunity to be a member of the Tennessee Trucking Association’s Road Team. FRIEND OF THE PODCAST SPONSOR: The Lutzie 43 Foundation is our Friend of the Podcast for this episode of the NTDC 2026 Series. Founded to honor the legacy of Philip Lutzenkirchen, the Lutzie 43 Foundation is dedicated to make sure that the tragedy that took his life would never have to be repeated. Philip was a standout athlete, a beloved teammate, and a man of tremendous character. Today, the foundation that carries his name is working to change the driving culture across the Southeast and beyond by tackling distracted driving, impaired driving, and unsafe habits behind the wheel. To learn more about the Lutzie 43 Foundation and how you can use 43 Key Seconds to run through an important safety checklist before starting your vehicle, visit Lutzie43.org. The post Jamie Sowder Returns To Nationals As Tennessee’s Grand Champion appeared first on PodWheels.