Next Gen Trucking Talk with Lindsey Trent

Hosted by Lindsey Trent

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Jun 2026

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About the show

The Next Gen Trucking Association is a membership-based advocacy group solely dedicated to advancing the trucking industry as a career choice for the next generation through nationwide education and awareness initiatives. As a leading national nonprofit trade association, Next Gen Trucking Association (NGT) inspires, educates, and provides resources for young people and schools and promotes opportunities within the trucking industry. This podcast is all about steering the next generation towards careers in trucking. Who is doing it, how, and best practices. For more information contact Lindsey Trent at info@nextgentrucking.org.

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June 11, 202630 min

Can Formerly Incarcerated Individuals Build Successful CDL Careers? | Jason Wang Reair

Jason Wang, Founder and CEO of Free World, shares his remarkable journey from incarceration as a teenager to leading a national nonprofit that trains and places individuals with criminal histories into careers in the trucking industry. After spending years in the juvenile justice system and witnessing firsthand the challenges faced by people reentering society, Jason became determined to create opportunities for others seeking a second chance. Through Free World, he has built a program that removes barriers to employment by providing CDL training, financial support, transportation assistance, and long-term career coaching for participants.In this episode, Jason discusses how Free World partners with more than 160 trucking schools and carriers across the country to help individuals secure meaningful careers that provide family-sustaining wages and long-term stability. He explains why trucking has become a powerful pathway for economic mobility, shares inspiring success stories from program graduates, and addresses common misconceptions employers may have about hiring individuals with criminal records. This conversation highlights the life-changing impact of opportunity, the importance of workforce development, and how the trucking industry can play a vital role in strengthening both communities and the supply chain.https://freeworld.org/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonwaang/Thank you to our Sponsors!!!https://www.thekag.com/https://info.lincolntech-usa.com/https://www.longhaultrucking.com/https://www.lytx.com/https://www.lincolntech.edu/campus/nashville-tnhttps://www.odfl.com/https://www.republicservices.com/https://drive4roehl.com/https://www.ryder.com/en-ushttps://truckparkingclub.com/The Next Generation in Trucking Association is a non-profit trade association who is engaging and training the next generation of trucking industry professionals by partnering with high schools, community/technical colleges and private schools to connect to and launch training programs around North America.Visit our website: www.nextgentruckers.orgContact us at: info@nextgentruckers.orgFollow us on socials here:FacebookInstagramYoutubeLinkedInTikTok

May 28, 202627 min

Why Advisory Boards Matter in Trucking Education with Dave Dein - REAIR

In this re-release of Next Gen Talks, Lindsey Trent sits down with Dave Dein, CDL Coordinator and Instructor at Patterson High School, to discuss the importance of building strong advisory boards for trucking and logistics programs. Dave shares how Patterson High School launched one of the nation’s first high school truck driving programs and explains how meaningful partnerships with industry leaders helped shape the program from the very beginning.Throughout the conversation, Lindsey and Dave discuss how schools and employers can work together to create hands-on learning opportunities, career pathways, mock interviews, field trips, and real workforce connections for students. This episode offers practical insight for educators, administrators, and industry professionals looking to strengthen workforce development efforts and better connect students to careers in trucking and the supply chain.Thank you to our Sponsors!!!https://www.tenstreet.com/https://www.trimble.com/enhttps://www.ushertransport.com/https://www.benekeith.com/https://www.ancora.com/https://driverslegalplan.com/https://www.dottransportation.com/https://cargotransporters.com/https://acronaviation.com/driver-training-solutions/https://www.isaacinstruments.com/https://www.uti.edu/The Next Generation in Trucking Association is a non-profit trade association who is engaging and training the next generation of trucking industry professionals by partnering with high schools, community/technical colleges and private schools to connect to and launch training programs around North America.Visit our website: www.nextgentruckers.orgContact us at: info@nextgentruckers.orgFollow us on socials here:FacebookInstagramYoutubeLinkedInTikTok

May 14, 202644 min

Making Trucking a First Career Choice with Leah Shaver of NTI

In this episode of NextGen Talks, Lindsey Trent sits down with Leah Shaver, President and CEO of the National Transportation Institute (NTI), to discuss the importance of early talent development and why the trucking industry must begin investing in the next generation workforce now. Together, they explore the purpose behind the Career Catalyst Awards and highlight companies that are creating meaningful career pathways for young people through internships, apprenticeships, work-based learning, and partnerships with schools and communities.Throughout the conversation, Lindsey and Leah discuss the aging workforce within trucking, the challenges of attracting Gen Z talent, and the need to position trucking as a first career choice instead of a last resort. They share real-world examples of companies successfully building “sticky” careers by engaging with local schools, offering mentorship opportunities, supporting workforce development initiatives, and investing in long-term employee growth. The discussion also dives into the importance of communication, workplace culture, volunteerism, family engagement, and creating opportunities for young people to see themselves within the trucking industry.This episode is filled with practical ideas and inspiring examples for employers looking to strengthen their workforce pipeline, improve retention, and build stronger community connections. Whether you are a carrier, private fleet, educator, or industry partner, this conversation offers valuable insight into how trucking companies can invest in people, support future talent, and help create a stronger and more sustainable industry for years to come.https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahbshaver/https://driverwages.com/https://driverwages.com/braced-for-impact-2025-sees-a-shift-in-driver-wages-heres-what-changed-what-you-need-to-know-as-the-calendar-flips-and-other-insights-from-2025-your-fleet-can-use-in-2026/Thank you to our Sponsors!!!Sponsors 1https://www.performancefoodservice.com/https://www.descartes.com/homehttps://www.act1trucking.org/https://www.xpo.com/https://driverwages.com/https://atssimulation.com/https://www.mjai.com/https://www.averitt.com/https://www.dhl.com/us-en/home.html?locale=truehttps://fusionnow.io/https://gfs.com/en-us/https://forklift-simulator.com/The Next Generation in Trucking Association is a non-profit trade association who is engaging and training the next generation of trucking industry professionals by partnering with high schools, community/technical colleges and private schools to connect to and launch training programs around North America.Visit our website: www.nextgentruckers.orgContact us at: info@nextgentruckers.orgFollow us on socials here:FacebookInstagramYoutubeLinkedInTikTok

May 11, 202640 min

The Future of Driver Recruiting: Winning Gen Z with Speed & AI

This episode of NGT Talks features Lindsey Trent interviewing Fran from Double Nickel about how technology—especially AI—is transforming driver recruiting in the trucking industry. Fran explains that recruiting is a critical operational challenge tied directly to revenue, with fleets struggling to quickly connect with qualified drivers while balancing compliance and safety requirements. Double Nickel’s platform helps streamline the entire hiring process, from initial interest to onboarding, by automating repetitive tasks like outreach, screening, and paperwork. This allows recruiters to focus more on building relationships with drivers rather than spending hours on manual work. The conversation also highlights the high cost of hiring drivers, often between $4,000 and $10,000, and how inefficiencies and turnover significantly impact a company’s bottom line.The discussion also explores how expectations are shifting with younger generations entering the workforce. Gen Z candidates expect faster, more digital, and more transparent hiring experiences, and are less willing to complete lengthy applications or share sensitive information upfront. Fran emphasizes the need for trucking companies to modernize their processes, improve their online presence, and meet candidates where they are—often through mobile and digital channels. Looking ahead, AI is expected to level the playing field by giving smaller carriers access to tools that enable faster response times and more efficient recruiting. However, Fran stresses that the industry must also focus on retention, especially during the first 90–120 days, as turnover—not just hiring—is the core issue fleets must address.https://www.getdoublenickel.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/francisco-lopez-roualdes-7aa4b525/?locale=enThank you to our Sponsors!!!https://www.thekag.com/https://info.lincolntech-usa.com/https://www.longhaultrucking.com/https://www.lytx.com/https://www.lincolntech.edu/campus/nashville-tnhttps://www.odfl.com/https://www.republicservices.com/https://drive4roehl.com/https://www.ryder.com/en-ushttps://truckparkingclub.com/The Next Generation in Trucking Association is a non-profit trade association who is engaging and training the next generation of trucking industry professionals by partnering with high schools, community/technical colleges and private schools to connect to and launch training programs around North America.Visit our website: www.nextgentruckers.orgContact us at: info@nextgentruckers.orgFollow us on socials here:FacebookInstagramYoutubeLinkedInTikTok

April 9, 202630 min

Protecting Your Bottom Line—Understanding Downtime Claims in Trucking (Reair)

In this episode of NGT Talks, Lindsey Trent talks with Kelsea, an attorney who specializes in a unique niche within the trucking industry: helping companies recover lost income, known as downtime claims, after accidents. Kelsea shares how her appreciation for truck drivers began early in life and evolved into a career focused on supporting small businesses and trucking professionals. Through her work, she helps fleets and owner-operators recover not only repair costs, but also the income they lose when their trucks are out of service.Kelsea explains that many trucking companies are unaware they are entitled to these losses, even though downtime can be one of the most financially damaging impacts of an accident—especially for smaller fleets. Her firm operates nationwide and works on a contingency basis, allowing companies to pursue claims without upfront costs. She emphasizes that proving liability and clearly documenting financial losses are essential steps in securing compensation.The conversation also outlines key actions drivers and companies should take following an accident, including securing dash cam footage, documenting the full scene, gathering witness statements, and filing claims with the at-fault party’s insurance. Kelsea stresses that acting quickly and keeping detailed records can make a significant difference in the outcome. Ultimately, her work helps protect trucking businesses and ensures they have the resources to recover and keep moving forward.https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelsea-eckert-516a0b3a/https://www.downtimeclaims.comThank you to our Sponsors!!!https://www.tenstreet.com/https://www.trimble.com/enhttps://www.ushertransport.com/https://www.benekeith.com/https://www.ancora.com/https://driverslegalplan.com/https://www.dottransportation.com/https://cargotransporters.com/https://acronaviation.com/driver-training-solutions/https://www.isaacinstruments.com/https://www.uti.edu/The Next Generation in Trucking Association is a non-profit trade association who is engaging and training the next generation of trucking industry professionals by partnering with high schools, community/technical colleges and private schools to connect to and launch training programs around North America.Visit our website: www.nextgentruckers.orgContact us at: info@nextgentruckers.orgFollow us on socials here:FacebookInstagramYoutubeLinkedInTikTok

March 19, 202635 min

Show the Truck, Share the Story: How Associations Can Inspire Future Drivers

In this episode of NGT Talks, Lindsey Trent sits down with John Hausladen, President of the Minnesota Trucking Association, to discuss his 30-year journey in the trucking industry and the people who make it so impactful. John shares how the industry’s strong community ties—often built through family-owned companies—create a powerful culture of service, professionalism, and pride. The conversation explores the workforce challenges facing trucking today, including recruiting quality drivers and technicians, and highlights how introducing people to trucking—often simply by letting them climb into a truck—can change perceptions and spark career interest.John also shares how the Minnesota Trucking Association is tackling workforce development through innovative initiatives like their Youth Engagement Toolkit, career outreach partnerships with schools, and a year-long Next Leader leadership development program that prepares the next generation of industry leaders. Throughout the conversation, Lindsey and John emphasize the importance of investing in people, strengthening connections between education and industry, and creating meaningful experiences that help young people see trucking as a rewarding career path. Together, they reinforce a powerful message: the future of trucking depends on engaging and developing the next generation of talent.https://www.mntrucking.org/https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-hausladen-845a481b/https://vimeo.com/1109673321Thank you to our Sponsors!!!https://www.performancefoodservice.com/https://www.descartes.com/homehttps://www.act1trucking.org/https://www.xpo.com/https://driverwages.com/https://atssimulation.com/https://www.mjai.com/https://www.averitt.com/https://www.dhl.com/us-en/home.html?locale=truehttps://fusionnow.io/https://gfs.com/en-us/https://forklift-simulator.com/The Next Generation in Trucking Association is a non-profit trade association who is engaging and training the next generation of trucking industry professionals by partnering with high schools, community/technical colleges and private schools to connect to and launch training programs around North America.Visit our website: www.nextgentruckers.orgContact us at: info@nextgentruckers.orgFollow us on socials here:FacebookInstagramYoutubeLinkedInTikTok

March 5, 202632 min

How Driving Simulators Are Transforming CDL Training and Preparing the Next Generation of Drivers

In this episode of NGT Talks, Lindsey Trent sits down with Kimberly Gilles of Driver Training Solutions to discuss how simulation technology is transforming driver training and workforce development across the trucking industry. Gillis shares her journey from a 26-year career in emergency medical services into trucking safety and training, where she now helps fleets, schools, and training organizations prepare safer and more confident drivers through advanced driving simulators. The conversation highlights how modern CDL simulators create immersive, real-world training environments that allow students to safely practice high-risk scenarios such as adverse weather, emergency braking, backing maneuvers, and tire blowouts before operating an actual commercial vehicle.The episode also explores how simulation supports both education and industry by improving safety, increasing training efficiency, and creating consistent learning experiences for students and professional drivers alike. Beyond training, simulators are becoming powerful career exploration tools that help modernize the image of trucking and engage Gen Z learners through technology-driven experiences. Mobile simulation units and workforce initiatives like Be Pro Be Proud are introducing thousands of students to trucking careers nationwide, helping build confidence while breaking misconceptions about the industry. As simulation technology continues to evolve, it is expected to play an increasingly important role in preparing the next generation of professional drivers and strengthening the future workforce pipeline.https://acronaviation.com/driver-training-solutions/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-gilles-5a24ab255/Thank you to our Sponsors!!!https://www.thekag.com/https://info.lincolntech-usa.com/https://www.longhaultrucking.com/https://www.lytx.com/https://www.lincolntech.edu/campus/nashville-tnhttps://www.odfl.com/https://www.republicservices.com/https://drive4roehl.com/https://www.ryder.com/en-ushttps://truckparkingclub.com/The Next Generation in Trucking Association is a non-profit trade association who is engaging and training the next generation of trucking industry professionals by partnering with high schools, community/technical colleges and private schools to connect to and launch training programs around North America.Visit our website: www.nextgentruckers.orgContact us at: info@nextgentruckers.orgFollow us on socials here:FacebookInstagramYoutubeLinkedInTikTok

February 19, 202635 min

Key Oil: Building a Safety Culture That Attracts the Next Generation

In this episode of NGT Talks, Lindsey Trent sits down with David Murphy and Dylan West from Key Oil to discuss how they transformed their company’s safety culture and built one of the safest tank fleets in Kentucky. David shares how he entered trucking after serving in the Marine Corps, eventually moving into safety leadership within the waste and fuel industries. When he joined Key Oil in 2013, the company had received FMCSA warning letters and lacked a formal safety department. Through intentional leadership, the implementation of forward- and inward-facing cameras, consistent driver coaching, and a commitment to culture change, Key Oil dramatically improved its CSA crash indicators—now operating at zero across multiple DOT numbers.Dylan, who began his career as a tow truck driver before hauling fuel and becoming a behind-the-wheel instructor, explains how hands-on training and technology have been central to their success. From customizing their Lytx camera system to building an in-house driving simulator, their approach focuses on coaching rather than punishment. They emphasize catching drivers doing things right, building camaraderie through friendly simulator competitions, and using data to proactively address trends. The result has been improved driver buy-in, stronger retention, and industry recognition—including multiple Safety Professional of the Year awards and Safest Tank Fleet honors.Throughout the conversation, both leaders stress that safety is not just about compliance—it’s about leadership, consistency, and relationships. By hiring and developing younger drivers, rewarding excellence (including million-mile drivers), and staying deeply involved with the Kentucky Trucking Association, Key Oil has built a culture where drivers want to stay and retire. The episode reinforces NGT’s mission to promote professional, skilled, and diverse careers in trucking while highlighting how strong safety leadership attracts and retains the next generation of talent.https://www.keystops.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/t3-dwest/https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-murphy-cds-b7791b12/Thank you to our Sponsors!!!https://www.tenstreet.com/https://www.trimble.com/enhttps://www.ushertransport.com/https://www.benekeith.com/https://www.ancora.com/https://driverslegalplan.com/https://www.dottransportation.com/https://cargotransporters.com/https://acronaviation.com/driver-training-solutions/https://www.isaacinstruments.com/https://www.uti.edu/The Next Generation in Trucking Association is a non-profit trade association who is engaging and training the next generation of trucking industry professionals by partnering with high schools, community/technical colleges and private schools to connect to and launch training programs around North America.Visit our website: www.nextgentruckers.orgContact us at: info@nextgentruckers.orgFollow us on socials here:FacebookInstagramYoutubeLinkedInTikTok

February 5, 202626 min

Building the Workforce from the Inside Out: Fastenal’s Approach to Talent Development

In this episode of NGT Talks, Lindsey sits down with Liz from Fastenal, a founding member of Next Gen Trucking and a longtime leader passionate about workforce development. Liz shares her personal journey, starting with Fastenal 20 years ago in a part-time distribution center role and growing into her current position supporting HR best practices across distribution centers nationwide and internationally. Her story highlights how word-of-mouth opportunities, strong company culture, and internal growth pathways can shape long, fulfilling careers.Liz discusses why Fastenal’s people-first culture and commitment to promoting from within have kept her engaged for two decades. She explains how clear communication, strong onboarding, leadership access, and transparent career conversations help employees grow—whether they aim to advance within Fastenal or balance work with continuing education. For young people exploring alternatives to a traditional four-year college path, Liz outlines entry-level opportunities in distribution, driving, and operations, emphasizing work ethic, accountability, and ownership as key traits for success.A major focus of the conversation centers on Fastenal’s innovative work with high schools. Liz describes hands-on classroom workshops that combine short instruction with interactive activities—such as miniature forklift relays, safety challenges, and team-based problem solving—to make careers in manufacturing, logistics, and safety engaging and memorable. These experiences often lead to facility tours, deeper student-employer relationships, and clearer career pathways. Liz also shares insights on Gen Z, noting that students coming from career and technical education programs tend to be more focused, prepared, and goal-oriented.The episode wraps with a powerful call to action for employers and educators. Liz encourages listeners not to let fear hold them back from working with schools, reminding them that meaningful partnerships often begin with a simple conversation. She highlights growing investments in CTE programs, Fastenal’s expanding involvement with FFA and scholarships, and the long-term impact of connecting students to real-world career opportunities early. Together, Lindsey and Liz underscore a shared belief: supporting youth today strengthens communities, industries, and the future workforce for everyone.https://www.fastenal.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-rivera-8493151b2/Thank you to our Sponsors!!!https://www.performancefoodservice.com/https://www.descartes.com/homehttps://www.act1trucking.org/https://www.xpo.com/https://driverwages.com/https://atssimulation.com/https://www.mjai.com/https://www.averitt.com/https://www.dhl.com/us-en/home.html?locale=truehttps://fusionnow.io/https://gfs.com/en-us/https://forklift-simulator.com/The Next Generation in Trucking Association is a non-profit trade association who is engaging and training the next generation of trucking industry professionals by partnering with high schools, community/technical colleges and private schools to connect to and launch training programs around North America.Visit our website: www.nextgentruckers.orgContact us at: info@nextgentruckers.orgFollow us on socials here:FacebookInstagramYoutubeLinkedInTikTok

January 22, 202648 min

Building Safer Pathways: How Ancora Brings CDL & Skilled Trades Training to Employers and Colleges

In this episode of NextGen Talks, host Lindsey Trent sits down with Natalie Williams, a leader in workforce and post-secondary education and the driving force behind Ancora Training. Natalie shares her journey from campus leadership to launching employer-based training models—and how Ancora now partners with community colleges, employers, and government agencies across the country to deliver turnkey CDL training. Together, they dig into why outsourcing training can help fleets stay compliant, consistent, and safety-focused, and what companies can do after licensure to support new drivers through mentorship, phased training, and apprenticeship-style onboarding.The conversation also expands beyond the driver seat into high-demand skilled trades—especially transportation refrigeration (reefer) technician training, a growing gap fleets are feeling as seasoned technicians retire. Natalie explains how Ancora brings training directly to worksites, integrates soft skills to develop professional drivers (not just license holders), and prepares instructors to teach effectively—not just drive well. Lindsey and Natalie close by looking at what’s ahead in 2026, including stronger pathways with secondary and post-secondary partners, increased thought leadership, and the shared mission of building a safer, more prepared next generation of trucking and logistics professionals.https://www.ancoratraining.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-williams-54469032/Thank you to our Sponsors!!!https://www.pfgc.com/https://www.descartes.com/homehttps://nationalapprenticeship.org/https://driverwages.com/https://www.xpo.com/https://www.atstrainingsystems.com/The Next Generation in Trucking Association is a non-profit trade association who is engaging and training the next generation of trucking industry professionals by partnering with high schools, community/technical colleges and private schools to connect to and launch training programs around North America.Visit our website: www.nextgentruckers.orgContact us at: info@nextgentruckers.orgFollow us on socials here:FacebookInstagramYoutubeLinkedInTikTok