Channel 19 Experience Trucker Podcast

From Birmingham, England — 3,500 miles from American trucking — Tony breaks down the word that explains so much industry nonsense: externalities. Costs they create but you pay. While recovering from shoulder surgery that would’ve been ~$30K in the U.S. (and £500 in the UK), Tony lays out how trucking’s “bad math” hides the real costs on drivers. Using Dostoevsky’s Notes from Underground as a backbone, we dig into the LinkedIn math circus, deferred-maintenance shell games, gig-economy exploitation, the coming Crystal Palace of automation/surveillance — and why drivers are treated as the externality in everyone else’s equation. “Every question you ask is a nail driven up through their floorboards. Keep driving nails. Keep asking. Stay conscious, villains.” ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Intro from Birmingham 04:00 – Song: “Birmingham” – Broken Witt Rebels 06:00 – Quotes: Upton Sinclair & Socrates 11:00 – UK vs. US healthcare math (shoulder surgery) 14:00 – “Non-Domiciled CDL” emergency (and who really profited) 18:00 – LinkedIn Math Circus (Fuller/Miller/Miller) 27:00 – Drive Line: Externalities explained 30:00 – Notes from Underground (the consciousness problem) 33:00 – The Crystal Palace (autonomy, AI dispatch, surveillance) 36:00 – Socratic method as resistance: define your terms 41:00 – Post Trip: Villa train story & collective voice 47:00 – Next week preview (UK ride-along, Magna Carta, Kodiak) 🔎 TOPICS COVERED • What externalities really mean (McDonald’s trash example) • Underground Man’s “curse of knowing” vs. men of action • Craig Fuller’s admission about deferred maintenance & what it hides • The LinkedIn math circus: undefined terms everywhere • How Uber perfected trucking’s exploitation model • The Crystal Palace they’re building (and why we’re the support beams) • Non-domiciled CDLs & chameleon carriers (features, not bugs) • Birmingham train ride: collective voice vs. American isolation • Kodiak IPO timing (Diesel Damus called it) 🗣️ KEY QUOTES “It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.” — Upton Sinclair “I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think.” — Socrates 🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES Will Cook — A Driver’s Perspective Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570019885862 TJ Graff — Star Behaviors Assessment Star Behaviors → https://starbehaviors.com Star Advisor (FREE self-assessments) → https://starbehaviors.com/staradvisor.html “Big Cal” — Trucking with Coffee and Cal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564967548222 Chris Barber — Fighting for Freedom Website: https://cbtruckingltd.ca Mike Ritzema — Superior Trucking Payroll Service Website: https://truckingpayroll.com Deb LaBree — A Woman Trucker Website: https://awomantrucker.com Bobbi McGee — A Hard Shell Life Blog: https://hardshelllife.blogspot.com 🚚 UPCOMING TRUCK SHOWS • Barry Trahan’s Louisiana Truck Show — Rayne, LA — Oct 24–25 • Lee Owens’ American Truckers Jubilee — Searcy, AR — Oct 24–25 Full calendar: https://thetruckshowlist.com 🤝 SPONSORS Trucker’s Wealth — Financial strategies for drivers & owner-ops https://truckers-wealth.com Trans Carolina Permits — Permits, IFTA, compliance since 1977 https://transcarolinapermits.com True TMS — Cloud TMS: planning, rating, invoicing, reporting https://truetms.com 📬 CONNECT Email: https://channel19experience.com 🎵 MUSIC “Birmingham” — Broken Witt Rebels (support the artists) #️⃣ TAGS #Trucking #TruckingPodcast #Externalities #NotesFromUnderground #Dostoevsky #CrystalPalace #OwnerOperator #FreightWaves #CraigFuller #GigEconomy #Uber #SocraticMethod #DefineYourTerms #Channel19Experience #CDL #DriverShortage #NonDomiciledCDL #ChameleonCarriers #KodiakIPO #DieselDamus #Birmingham

🎙️ Episode 30: Things I Can’t Find – The Machinery Beneath Interview with Will Cook This week Tony sits down for a two-hour deep dive with Will Cook — 🚛 35-year driver, 🏆 ATA Million Mile Award winner, and 📚 author of The Driver Shortage and The Machine Behind the Wheel. Together they peel back the layers of the so-called “driver shortage,” exposing how mega-carriers, visa mills, and false freedoms fuel a system built on churn and set the stage for autonomous trucking. From Birmingham’s 🎸 Black Sabbath to America’s highways, the theme is the same: workers turned into disposable parts. Tony also talks about how “flexibility” pilots are really permission to exploit yourself longer, why cheap labor paves the way for automation, and Will talks about how truck-on-demand could change freight forever. 🎵 Featured Track “Paranoid” – Black Sabbath (1970) 👤 Special Guest Will Cook – A Driver’s Perspective 🔗 Facebook Profile 🔗 Amazon Author Page 🗂️ Topics Covered 🔍 The real story behind “driver shortage” claims 🎭 Dispatcher Appreciation Week thought experiment 🏛️ OOIDA’s role in trucking advocacy 🤖 Autonomous trucks & the future of linehaul 🌎 How mega-carriers use visa programs ⚖️ The disconnect between regulators and drivers 📏 Why training standards matter more than ever 📌 Mentioned Resources ✍️ Bobbi McGee’s Blog – A Hard Shell Life 🏛️ OOIDA (Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association) 🌟 TJ Graff – STAR Behaviors 🚛 CB Trucking Ltd – Chris Barber 💰 Mike Ritzema – Superior Trucking Payroll Service 👩‍🦰 Deb LaBree – A Woman Trucker 💼 Episode Sponsors 💵 Trucker’s Wealth 📑 Trans Carolina Permits 📝 Quote of the Week “None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 📡 Connect with Channel 19 Experience 📧 Email: channel19experience.com 📱 Facebook: facebook.com/channel19experience ⏭️ Next Week – Episode 31 Tony heads to England 🇬🇧 to ride with UK lorry driver Matt Rainer, explore Birmingham’s industrial history, and gain perspective on the American trucking crisis from across the pond. 🔖 Hashtags #Trucking #TruckDriver #DriverShortage #OOIDA #WillCook #TruckingPodcast #Channel19Experience #18Wheeler #SemiTruck #CDL #TruckingIndustry #OverTheRoad #OTR #OwnerOperator #TruckingLife #TruckingNews

🎧 S1E29 — Running Water Instead of Rain Down in the gulley where moonshiners survive when legitimate work won't pay. The Driver Shortage Series continues with TJ Graff (Star Behaviors) discussing behavioral assessments. Are they rain or just a better-designed spigot? Plus Charlie Kirk's murder, AI misinformation, and why drivers sell their souls for running water instead of rain. 👤 Guest: TJ Graff — Star Behaviors → https://starbehaviors.com 33 years in trucking, from Iraq/Afghanistan convoys to predictive hiring solutions 📣 Bulletin Board Chris Barber update — Crown's legal gymnastics continue → https://cbtruckingltd.ca AI misinformation — Jordan Love donations & Neil Diamond tears (all fake) Gary Buchs on wandering minds — truckers as creative thinkers ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 — Intro: Down in the Gulley 04:00 — Quote: Anaïs Nin "We see things as we are" 08:00 — Chris Barber court update 10:00 — AI fake news warning 12:00 — Gary Buchs: Wandering & creativity 16:00 — Charlie Kirk's murder & discourse 20:00 — Shane Britt: "WE not THEY" 23:00 — Mike Ritzema recap: 16% loss in purchasing power 26:00 — Irish education & real evaluation 33:00 — Interview: TJ Graff begins 1:53:00 — Post-Trip: Tunnelers & Birmingham 🔗 Sponsors & Friends 💰 Trucker's Wealth → https://truckers-wealth.com 📝 Trans Carolina Permits → https://transcarolinapermits.com 📊 True TMS → https://truetms.com 🚨 Upcoming Shows 🚚 Louisiana Truck Show — Oct 18-19, Rayne, LA → https://louisianatruckshows.com 🎪 American Truckers Jubilee — Oct 25-26, Searcy, AR 🗓️ Full schedule → https://thetruckshowlist.com 👥 Friends of the Show Big Cal — Trucking with Coffee and Cal  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564967548222 Deb LaBree → https://awomantrucker.com Gary Buchs — LinkedIn & Truck Business Network (Facebook) https://www.facebook.com/groups/1411125142399541 Mike Ritzema → https://truckingpayroll.com Will Cook — A Driver's Perspective (Facebook) https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570019885862 🎵 Music Brent Cobb — "Down in the Gulley"  https://youtu.be/r81io6k8Dm8?si=9jYccjeG96D6Uxia Previous: Metallica — "Bleeding Me" 📚 Coming Next Episode 30: Will Cook tunneling under the industry narrative 📬 Connect ✉️ Email: inbox@channel19experience.com 🌐 Website: https://channel19experience.com 🎤 Be a Guest: https://channel19experience.com/be-a-guest Key Topics: Behavioral assessments • 10,000-hour reality • Second Chance drivers • Driver Appreciation Week • Running water vs rain metaphor • Charlie Kirk • Socratic method • Driver shortage narrative • Predictive hiring • Star Logic platform #DriverShortage #BehavioralAssessments #TruckingLife #StarBehaviors #TJGraff  #DriverAppreciationWeek  #TruckingPodcast #Channel19Experience #PredictiveHiring #SecondChanceDrivers #TruckDriverRetention #TruckingIndustry #CDL #OwnerOperator #FreightRecession

We take the red pill on trucking’s “driver shortage” narrative. Tony goes underground with Dostoevsky and Orwell to ask why drivers accept equations that don’t add up—why 2+2 can feel like 5 in this industry. From bankruptcy to Key West to accounting classes in Minnesota, this is a story about cages we call freedom, laments we call songs, and the splinter you’ve felt your whole career.   👤 Guest: Mike Ritzema (Superior Trucking Payroll Service) brings receipts on payroll, per diem, and what the numbers actually say in 2023–2025. If there’s really a shortage, why haven’t wages kept pace—while operating costs keep climbing? 📣 Bulletin Board: an all-pro rideshare driver named Angela; voices you’ll hear throughout the series (TJ Graff, Will Cook, Gord Magill); and PBS’s Driver (POV) featuring Desiree Wood / Real Women in Trucking. 🎬 Bonus: Morpheus does the scene better than I ever could → https://youtu.be/DRnr3MiGWmo?si=6OkVsOYLOGFD1wan   Stay for the 💰 Money Line and the 🧭 Post-Trip: Morpheus, Metallica, and modern math.   👥 Guest Mike Ritzema — Superior Trucking Payroll Service → https://truckingpayroll.com 🎙️ Podcast: Driven for Success   🔗 Sponsors & Friends of the Show 💰 Trucker’s Wealth — Financial tools for truckers → https://truckers-wealth.com 📝 Trans Carolina Permits — Compliance, IFTA, mileage & permits → https://transcarolinapermits.com 📊 True TMS — Cloud-based transportation management system → https://truetms.com ✍️ Deb LaBree → https://awomantrucker.com   🚨 Upcoming Truck Shows 🚚 Louisiana Truck Show — Oct 24–25, Rayne, LA → https://louisianatruckshows.com 🎪 American Truckers Jubilee — Oct, Searcy, AR (Lee Owens) → https://www.facebook.com/groups/912050416849260 🗓️ Full schedule → https://thetruckshowlist.com   🎵 Music Referenced Metallica — “Bleeding Me” • Audioslave — “I Am the Highway,” “Set It Off”   📚 Resources 🎬 Driver.film — PBS Documentary → https://driver.film/index.html 👥 Real Women in Trucking → https://www.facebook.com/REALWomeninTrucking ⭐ Star Behaviors (TJ Graff) → https://starbehaviors.com ✍️ Will Cook — A Driver’s Perspective → https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570019885862 📰 Gord Magill — Substack → https://autonomoustruckers.substack.com   📬 Connect ✉️ Email: inbox@channel19experience.com 🌐 Website: https://channel19experience.com 🎤 Book a Guest Spot: https://channel19experience.com/be-a-guest   ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 — Intro: Adding spice to the “shortage” 04:00 — Quote of the Week: Morpheus & the splinter 09:00 — Bulletin Board: Angela, the precision driver 11:00 — Voices in the Series: TJ Graff, Will Cook, Gord Magill 15:00 — PBS film Driver & safety in trucking 18:00 — Pre-Trip: Trucking as battleground 22:00 — Money Line: Going underground with Dostoevsky 29:00 — Learning the math: Why 2+2=5 in trucking 33:00 — Interview: Mike Ritzema — the payroll perspective 1:13:00 — Post-Trip: Healthcare & Orwell’s ghost     #DriverShortage #TruckingLife #OwnerOperator #TruckDrivers #FreightRecession #TruckingIndustry #CDL #TruckingPodcast #Channel19Experience #TruckDriverPay #SuperiorTruckingPayroll #DriverAppreciationWeek #TruckingMath #TwoPlus2Equals5 #Matrix #RedPill #TruckingReality #FreightRates #DriverRetention #TruckingCrisis

This week on the Channel 19 Experience, we’re loading up with dogs, demons, and the start of something big: the Driver Shortage Series. 🐾 Bulletin Board – Connections matter. From LinkedIn shout-outs to the quirks of cab-riding pets, we talk about what really keeps us grounded. 🚛 Pre-Trip – Are we really facing a “driver shortage”? Or is that just the industry’s favorite excuse to avoid the real monsters in the cave? 💰 Money Line – I share my personal story — from piling up trucks and chasing miles, to bankruptcy and hard lessons learned — scars, not trophies. 🔦 Preview – Next week kicks off the Driver Shortage Series, where we’ll shine the flashlight into the industry’s darkest corners. We’ll also shout out our friends, sponsors, and truck show family keeping this industry moving. 🕒 Timestamps 03:37 – Quotes of the Week (Oscar Wilde) 05:53 – Bulletin Board 1: Brian Woodring’s LinkedIn post  09:29 – Bulletin Board 2: Truckers’ pets & quirky rituals 13:13 – Pre-Trip: Driver Shortage Series Preview 19:09 – Money Line: Scars, not trophies — Tony’s trucking journey 31:19 – Post-Trip: Wrapping up, shout-outs, and upcoming truck shows 🔗 Sponsors & Friends of the Show 💰 Trucker’s Wealth – Financial tools for truckers → https://truckerswealth.com 📝 Trans Carolina Permits – Compliance, IFTA, mileage & permits → https://transcarolinapermits.com 📊 True TMS – Cloud-based transportation management system → https://truetms.com 🧾 Superior Trucking Payroll Services – https://truckingpayroll.com ✍️ Deb LaBree – https://awomantrucker.com 🚨 Upcoming Truck Shows Louisiana Truck Show – Oct 24–25, Rayne, LA → https://louisianatruckshows.com American Truckers Jubilee – Oct, Searcy, AR (Lee Owens) Full schedule → https://thetruckshowlist.com 📲 Connect & Be a Guest Website: https://channel19experience.com Email: inbox@channel19experience.com Book time: “Be A Guest” link on the site 🔥 Hashtags for YouTube & Social #TruckingPodcast #DriverShortage #OwnerOperator #TruckDrivers #TruckingLife #TruckShow #PetsInTrucks #MoneyLine #Channel19Experience

This week lives up to its title: one minute I’m down bad from truck stop food poisoning, the next I’m fielding a life-changing job offer. From the gut-punch of sickness to a reflective Money Line about growth, forgiveness, and trucking wisdom — this episode walks the tightrope between the worst kind of week… and the best kind of change. 📍 Timestamps 00:00 – Breaker, Breaker 19: Cold Open 02:14 – Quote of the Week: Charles Dickens 03:17 – Bulletin Board: Brake Safety Week, Back to School, and Upcoming Shows 06:38 – Pre-Trip: Sicker Than a Dog at the Golden Corral 10:19 – The Money Line: Job Changes, Grace, and Trucking’s Hard Truths 33:10 – Line 4 Break – Reminder: No Interview This Week 33:35 – Post-Trip: Series Teaser – The Great Driver Shortage Debate 🔧 CVSA Brake Safety Week: August 24–30 Focus: Drums & Rotors → https://www.cvsa.org/news/2024-brake-safety-week/ 🚸 Back to School Reminder Kids, buses, and teachers are back on the road — stay sharp and keep ‘em safe. 🎶 Music This Week: White Buffalo – “Wish It Were True,” “Black and Blue,” “I Don’t Know a Thing About Love” 📢 Friends of the Show & Featured Resources: • Barry Trahan – Louisiana Truck Shows → https://www.louisianatruckshows.com (3rd Annual Show in Rayne, LA this October) • Lee Owens – American Truckers Jubilee → [Facebook Event Page – Searcy, AR] https://www.facebook.com/groups/912050416849260/announcements • Truck Show Listings → https://www.thetruckshowlist.com • TVC Pro-Driver – CDL Legal Services & Fuel Card → https://www.prodriver.com • Mike Ritzema – Per Diem, Tax, & Payroll → https://www.truckingpayroll.com • Mike Barbour – Trucker's Wealth → https://www.truckers-wealth.com • TrueTMS – Tanker Dispatch Software → https://www.truetms.com • Deb LaBree’s Blog – On Femininity & Freight → https://www.awomantrucker.com • I-95 Truckers – Photography by Al → https://www.instagram.com/i95truckers/ 📬 Be a Guest on the Show Got stories or insights from the road or the industry? We want to hear ‘em. 📧 inbox@channel19experience.com 📝 https://www.channel19experience.com/be-a-guest 📣 Support the Show Like, share, and subscribe. Leave a review if you dig the ride. Thanks for being part of the Channel 19 Experience. We’ve got work to do!  

From freight market headwinds to the scent of slow-smoked brisket in the backyard, Episode 25 delivers a full plate. We kick things off with a profit calculator comparison, dig into English Language Provision enforcement, and look at a rail merger that could shake up lanes. Then we ease into a Money Line that connects patience, timing, and Kawanna’s brisket to trucking economics. Finally, my co-pilot of over 20 years jumps on the mic for some laughs, memories, and a taste of her perspective on our mutual trucking lives. 📅 Timestamps: 02:15 – Quotes of the Week – Ward & Churchill on adapting under pressure 06:10 – Bulletin Board – My profit calculator vs. Overdrive’s 14:30 – Pre-Trip Part 1 – English Language Provision enforcement update 20:55 – Pre-Trip Part 2 – Rail merger: Union Pacific + Norfolk Southern 28:40 – Money Line – Brisket, patience, and the trucking economy 47:15 – Interview – Kawanna joins the show 1:12:40 – Post-Trip – Shoutouts, upcoming guests, and truck shows 🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned: Channel 19 Experience website: https://channel19experience.com Be A Guest page: https://channel19experience.com/be-a-guest Profit Calculator (Tony’s version): Email inbox@channel19experience.com for a copy Overdrive Profit Calculator: https://www.overdriveonline.com YouTube Tutorial – Tony’s Profit Calculator: https://www.youtube.com/@channel19experience Podcast Partners: Trans Carolina Permits:  https://transcarolinapermits.com TrueTMS:  https://truetms.com Truckers Wealth:  https://truckers-wealth.com Superior Trucking Payroll (Mike Ritzema): https://truckingpayroll.com A Woman Trucker (Deb LaBree): https://awomantrucker.com Louisiana Truck Shows (Barry Trahan): https://louisianatruckshows.com Truck Show Listings: https://thetruckshowlist.com 🎤 Contact the Show: Email: inbox@channel19experience.com Website contact form: https://channel19experience.com/contact #trucking #truckerpodcast #truckerslife #freightmarket #brisket #truckingindustry #truckdrivers #overdrive #railmerger #truckinglife #dieseldamus #channel19experience #owneroperator

Featuring: Barry Trahan, Load Calculator Breakdown, Autonomous Freight, and Hard Lessons from Recent Carrier Closures In this jam-packed episode of the Channel 19 Experience, we hit the brakes and check the books. From three big-name carrier shutdowns to a forgotten Stephen King flick that feels eerily relevant — this week, we’re talking about the math, the margins, and the mayhem shaping today’s freight world. Whether you're leased on, running your own authority, or just watching the market shake, this one’s for you. Stick around as we close with a spotlight on the Louisiana Truck Show with Executive Director Barry Trahan. He shares firsthand experiences and the impact of the show on the trucking community. Get ready to rev your engines and tune in for another informative and engaging episode! 04:17 Quotes of the Week 05:46 Bulletin Board - 3 More Trucking Closures 10:45 Pretrip - "Trucks" Movie Review 15:48 Money Line - Know Your Number, Know Your Business 31:54 Interview - Barry Trahan, Executive Director of Louisiana Truck Shows 01:20:51 Post Trip 🔗 Mentioned Resources & Tools: 📦 Barry Trahan’s Louisiana Truck Show https://www.louisianatruckshows.com https://www.facebook.com/LouisianaTruckShow 📊 Truck Business Network (Gary Buchs) https://www.facebook.com/groups/TruckBusinessNetwork 📉 Free Load-Based P&L Calculator: 👉 Request via email: inbox@channel19experience.com 📘 OOIDA Cost of Operations Calculator: https://www.ooida.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/OOIDA-Cost-Per-Mile-Calculator.xlsx 🛢️ Fuel Price Checkers: https://www.dieselboss.com/diesel-prices.htm https://www.promiles.com/ifta/fuelprice/ 📺 Watch "Trucks" (1997) on Amazon Prime: https://amzn.to/4lg6Xd1 🤝 Friends of the Show & Sponsors: 🔧 Trans Carolina Permits https://www.transcarolinapermits.com 💸 Superior Trucking Payroll Service (Mike Ritzema) https://www.truckingpayroll.com 🚛 TrueTMS https://truetms.com 👩‍✈️ Trucker's Wealth https:truckers-wealth.com 📬 Contact & Community Have a question, feedback, or want a copy of the calculator? Email: inbox@channel19experience.com Or visit: https://channel19experience.com

In this episode of the Channel 19 Experience, we’re cranking up the spotlight on something every trucker has—but not everyone uses to full power: professionalism. We kick things off with a challenge from business thinker Dale Dauten: “What ELSE could we do?” That question rolls straight into a powerful LinkedIn post by Landstar agent Elissa Wallace, who reminds us that showing up clean, calm, and on time still matters. Then we ride into The Money Line, where we break down the impact of customer service in trucking—and why being the face of the freight isn’t just a saying, it’s a responsibility. Our guest this week is the one and only Deb LaBree—Landstar BCO, trucking coach, Women In Trucking legacy team member, and all-around trucking powerhouse. We talk about her article “Just Whose Customer Is It Anyway?”, the power of attitude at the dock, and why service can be your best strategy when freight is slow and times are tough. If you’ve ever asked, “Why should I be the one to step up?”—this is your episode. Because sometimes, you’re not just hauling the load... you are the load’s reputation. 🛑 Stick around for a preview of next week’s Customer Etiquette Guide—you won’t want to miss it. ⏱️ Chapters: 0:00 – Intro 1:15 – Quote of the Week: Dale Dauten 4:10 – Bulletin Board: CB Legacy Lives On 8:55 – Pre-Trip: Elissa Wallace and “That Magical Freight Moment” 13:22 – The Money Line: You’re Not Just the Driver, You’re the Difference 27:45 – Interview: Deb LaBree 53:10 – Post Trip: Shoutouts & What’s Coming Up Next 🔗 Links Mentioned: Deb’s website: https://awomantrucker.com Connect with Deb on LinkedIn: Deb LaBree Check out upcoming truck shows: http://thetruckshowlist.com Join the Channel 19 community: https://channel19experience.com 🎧 Don't forget our partners: Trucker's Wealth:  https://truckers-wealth.com Trans Carolina Permits:  https://transcarolinapermits.com TrueTMS:  https://truetms.com Superior Trucking Payroll:  https://truckingpayroll.com 👍 Like, Subscribe & Share if you believe truckers are more than just steering-wheel holders. 📩 Contact us at inbox@channel19experience.com  

In the Bulletin Board segment, we uncover a legacy that stretches across generations—a Facebook post from Nick Clendaniel led us to a CB card collection, a long-lost documentary, and a family whose handles were as legendary as their road stories. Ground Shaker. Tear Drop. Pepsi Girl. Dream Weaver. This is CB radio culture at its finest. In the Pre-Trip, we check the gauges with our Quote of the Week and take a winding book review detour through Lot Lizards by Fred Greene.  Then in The Money Line, things get personal. A prank call turns into a gut check. A forgotten trucking memoir makes us question how we define freedom. And a Facebook fight over what it means to be an "Owner Operator" pushes host Tony to reevaluate his own assumptions. This segment isn’t just about trucking—it’s about how the American Dream got rebranded… and sold off. Whether you’re a CB veteran or a new-school driver trying to make sense of today’s freight landscape, this episode’s got something for you. It’s raw, it’s reflective, and it’s one for the archives. 📡 This one’s a double-clutch hit of history, heart, and hard truth. Don’t miss it AND don't for get to press Subscribe Check out all of our content on https://channel19experience.com Other Podcast Links: CB Cards Post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16dYjRNEJX/ "On the Boulevard" Documentary YouTube Link:  https://youtu.be/QrPCKWvITww?si=GtOU8LFelRDN63ny Brooke and Jubal Second Date Update (Rachel and Josh):  https://youtu.be/VWHcC4vxAA0?si=leeghQBfnXwA0DDj Trucker's Wealth:  https://truckers-wealth.com Trans Carolina Permits:  https://transcarolinapermits.com TrueTMS:  https://truetms.com 00:12 Episode Intro 03:25 Pretrip Topic 1 - Quote by Elizabeth Thornton 04:29 Pretrip - Breaker One-Nine for Ground Shaker – A CB Legacy Lives On 12:43 Pretip - Website 14:30 Pretrip - Lot Lizards by Fred Greene Book Review 19:14 Money Line - When Assumptions Break Down and Independence Gets Redefined 40:46 Post Trip

Welcome back to the Channel 19 Experience Trucker Podcast! This week, we're double-clutching through trucker culture, road wisdom, and real-world experience. 🛑 First up, we lay down the law on Parking Lot Etiquette—the do’s, don’ts, and downright disgusting. If you’re backing in with your high beams on or leaving your lunch wrappers in the lot, this one’s for you. 🎪 Then we roll into a recap of my day at the Walcott Jamboree at the legendary Iowa 80 Truck Stop. From historical rigs and the Trucker Olympics to a little diesel-fueled prophecy that may or may not have jammed up an overpass—yeah, that happened. 💰 In the Money Line, we talk about adjustment—not your fifth wheel, but your mindset. Tony shares a critical turning point in his trucking career: going from chasing leftovers on the fax machine to learning how real truckers play the game, maximize miles, and level up when the road throws curveballs. 📢 New website is live! Check out our fresh setup, new resources, and etiquette quizzes: 👉 https://channel19experience.com 🔔 Like, Subscribe, and Share with a fellow driver who needs to hear it. 📨 Got a story to tell or a topic you want covered? Drop a comment or reach out on the site. 📦 This episode is sponsored by: Superior Trucking Payroll Service:  https://truckingpayroll.com Trucker's Wealth:  https://truckers-wealth.com Trans Carolina Permits:  https://transcarolinapermits.com TrueTMS:  https://truetms.com 🧠 Key Topics: • Trucker Parking Lot Etiquette • Walcott Jamboree recap • Reefer freight lessons & backhaul strategy • Learning dispatch dynamics • How to “look for a better move” in trucking • Trucking history at Iowa 80 Museum #truckingpodcast #channel19 #truckstopetiquette #WalcottJamboree #moneyline #freightlife #parkinglotproblems #owneroperator #truckhistory #cbculture #truckerstories

This week on the Channel 19 Experience, we’re blowing the smoke off the stack and diving straight into a red, white, and blue mess of headlines and hard truths. It’s Independence Day weekend, and we’re talking freedom with responsibility—starting with a whiny UK article about American trucking policy that didn’t even make it out of first gear. We break down freight fraud with real talk from brokers and dispatchers—Jason Rabine and Clint Larby expose the double-dealing dumpster fire that’s still burning on the load boards. Then in the Money Line, we dig into a 2011 FMCSA report showing that Limited English Proficiency drivers have higher crash and violation rates—and how California, of all places, practically ghosted enforcement. And don’t miss our interview with Ryan Carraux from D&E Transport, the dispatcher wrangling Danger Dave and Mile Marker Mike. He shares what it’s  like on the ops floor, how dispatchers survive the madness, and who he’d bet on when it really counts (spoiler: somebody’s feelings are gonna get hurt). Grab a hot dog, hit that Jake brake, and tune in—because freedom ain’t free, and trucking sure as hell ain’t easy. Visit our website for more great content:  https://channel19experience.com Episode Links: The Independent Article about speed limiters:  https://www.aol.com/rules-remove-safety-devices-semi-161102341.html Jason Rabine LinkedIn Post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jason-rabine-b0416533_this-is-how-screwed-we-are-last-week-i-posted-activity-7345480131521519618-cRNM?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAADNVXgBMjEgyDD14uXXQCA9fIAN7pG2Ur8 Clint Larby LinkedIn Post:  https://www.linkedin.com/posts/clint-larby-1b630b198_aita-activity-7343320805839147008-RTMc?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAADNVXgBMjEgyDD14uXXQCA9fIAN7pG2Ur8 USDOT Report on ELP and Safety:  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/9462 Don't Forget to Visit our Partners: Superior Trucking Payroll Service:  https://truckingpayroll.com Trucker's Wealth:  https://truckers-wealth.com Trans Carolina Permits:  https://transcarolinapermits.com TrueTMS:  https://truetms.com Make sure to like, follow, subscribe, and share.  We've got work to do!

Breaker 1-9, buckle up. We’re rolling through freight storms and economic truth bombs in this one. In Episode 19 of the Channel 19 Experience Trucker Podcast, we kick things off with stories that cut deep—like Pat Hill’s tribute to truckers and their wives, shared by Koolhand Danny C. Hall. Then we head down under to Australia with Brendon Ryan’s letter, “The Breaking Point,” and compare how bad it really is across the trucking world. But the real thunder rolls in when Dieseldamus makes his first appearance. He ain’t Wall Street. He ain’t D.C. He’s a diesel-soaked, CB-crackling freight prophet who reads the smoke signals of this industry—and his prediction? A massive capacity collapse, consumer collapse, and freight rate spike that could break the system wide open. We wrap it all up with a grounded convo with Todd Waldron, VP of Carrier Experience at Truckstop.com. We talk fraud, tools, and what’s next for the load board world. No fluff. Just facts, freight, and the voices that keep the wheels turning. 🚛 Topics Covered: Pat Hill’s “Truckers and Trucker Wives” – a tribute to grit and grease The state of trucking in Australia vs. America Dieseldamus Forecast: inflation trap, labor purges, capacity collapses, and what comes next Tech talk and trucking trends with Truckstop.com’s Todd Waldron Episode Links: Danny C Hall's Facebook Post - Pat Hill Story: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1E2iS7MuSu/   Brendon Ryan's "The Breaking Point": https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15vgYXXtyc/ What the Truck?!? Podcast interview with DOT Secretary Duffy:  https://youtu.be/d1lZIb-84z0?si=YrNB86no_-blZ1HY Truckstop.com:   https://truckstop.com Superior Trucking Payroll Service:  https://truckingpayroll.com Trucker's Wealth:  https://truckers-wealth.com Trans Carolina Permits:  https://transcarolinapermits.com TrueTMS:  https://truetms.com Make sure to like, follow, subscribe, and share.  We've got work to do!  

S1E18 Trucker Poetry, Three Arm Trucking and Danger Dave Returns In this exciting episode, Tony delivers a wealth of trucking stories and industry insights. This week, we have a special poem reading of a poem written by Sherae Moore, founder and president of the SHE Trucking Foundation. Tony shares his own rollercoaster trucking journey, with a funny incident featuring a book, 'Three Arm Trucking and Other Tales from the Highway' by Gary Bricken. In the interview segment, Danger Dave returns, recounting his adventurous and challenging week as an owner-operator. Don't miss out on exclusive tips, stories, and interviews that connect the dots of the trucking life.  Be sure to visit our website for more content https://channel19experience.com Fuel Island Etiquette Form Link:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf2HPnobsWOgYlVrilHFj_A7Zf-JDFYGyiSuAaqPJPgvUAO_w/viewform Other Show Links: Superior Trucking Payroll Service:  https://truckingpayroll.com Trucker's Wealth:  https://truckers-wealth.com Trans Carolina Permits:  https://transcarolinapermits.com TrueTMS:  https://truetms.com Make sure to like, follow, subscribe, and share.  We've got work to do! 03:05 Pretrip Topic 1 - Sharae Moore's Poem "10 Hours Down" 05:33 Pretrip Topic #2 - I've had it wiht this industry 11:42 Pretrip Topic #3 - Three Arm Trucking 15:53 Money Line 31:35 Interview 1 - Danger Dave Returns 01:36:33 Post Trip

S1E17 Finding Trucking Friends, Per Diem and 2 interviews - Eric Verdiguel and Mike Ritzema In this episode of the Channel 19 Experience Trucker Podcast, host Tony celebrates Father's Day and shares heartfelt messages for all types of fathers. The show covers a range of topics including safety tips for the summer driving season, a bulletin board discussion from Reddit about making friends on the road, and detailed insights into the benefits of paying per diem for truck drivers. Special guests include Eric Verdiguel discussing his career in trucking and new technology, and Mike Ritzema from Superior Trucking Payroll Service, who explains the ins and outs of per diem . Don't miss the post-trip segment and the shout-outs to community members and other trucking resources. Like, follow, subscribe and be sure to visit our website for more content https://channel19experience.com Fuel Island Etiquette Form Link:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf2HPnobsWOgYlVrilHFj_A7Zf-JDFYGyiSuAaqPJPgvUAO_w/viewform Other Show Links: Superior Trucking Payroll Service:  https://truckingpayroll.com Trucker's Wealth:  https://truckers-wealth.com Trans Carolina Permits:  https://transcarolinapermits.com TrueTMS:  https://truetms.com 03:32 Pretrip - Quick Hitter - Kids on the road 04:55 Pretrip - Bulletin Board - Finding Friends 11:50 Pretrip - Forgive Me Waymo 22:01 Interview #1 - Eric Verdiguel 01:19:56 Money Line - What is an Owner Operator? 01:31:02 Interview #2 - Mike Ritzema 02:19:23 Post Trip

S1E16 Where to put my tandems, First Etiquette Quiz and a Trip Back Home - Interview with Verlen Larsen In this episode we debut the Bulletin Board, this weeks is about Where to put my tandems.  We also debut the first Etiquette Quiz starting with the Fuel Island Etiquette Quiz.  Before we get into the interview Tony talks a little about his trip back home to Minnesota.  Verlen Larsen joins the show this week and shares his perspective on his career in trucking and the English Language Proficiency enforcement changes. This episode focuses on the simple yet powerful concept of 'do.' From inspiring actions to motivating words, this script is all about taking initiative. Join us as we explore what it means to 'do' and how small actions can lead to big changes. Like, follow, subscribe and be sure to visit our website for more content https://channel19experience.com Fuel Island Etiquette Form Link:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf2HPnobsWOgYlVrilHFj_A7Zf-JDFYGyiSuAaqPJPgvUAO_w/viewform Other Show Links: TrueTMS:  https://truetms.com Trans Carolina Permits:  https://transcarolinapermits.com 00:00 Intro 02:34 Pretrip Topic 1 - Bulletin Board 09:26 Pretrip Topic 2 - Fuel Island Etiquette Quiz 13:24 Pretrip Topic 3 - Trip Back Home 28:25 Interview 1 - Verlen Larsen 01:36:50 Money Line 01:40:05 Post Trip

In this Memorial Day episode of the Channel 19 Experience Trucker Podcast, host Tony covers a range of topics vital to the trucking community. From the latest enforcement of English language requirements for CDL drivers, updates on the Aurora self-driving trucks pilot program, to Warner Enterprises’ decision to cut their 401k match, Tony touches on the key issues impacting drivers today. He also reflects on Memorial Day, sharing personal anecdotes and the importance of commemorating those who have served. Tune in for a blend of industry news, personal reflections, and actionable advice for truckers! Like, follow, subscribe and be sure to visit our website for more content https://channel19experience.com Other Show Links TrueTMS:  https://truetms.com Trucker's Wealth:  https://truckers-wealth.com Trans Carolina Permits:  https://transcarolinapermits.com 00:00 S1E15 Memorial Day Reflections and Trucking Legacy 02:33 Pretrip Topic 1 - English Language Enforcement 07:52 Pretrip Topic 2 - Aurora Autonomous Trucks 11:34 Pretrip Topic 3 - Wonderful Werner 16:32 Money Line - Memorial Day 30:15 Post Trip #Trucker #TruckingLife #TruckersOfYouTube #TruckerPodcast #TruckingPodcast

Welcome to Episode 14 of the Channel 19 Experience Trucker Podcast. We kick off with an in-depth discussion on personal conveyance and the regulatory challenges stemming from ELD mandates. Tony shares insights from his career and the complexities involved in balancing truckers’ realities and regulatory demands. Additionally, Tony introduces a new segment, the Trucker's Book Corner, featuring a review of the book 'Julia,' a fresh perspective on George Orwell's '1984.' In the Money Line segment, truck parking issues take center stage, exploring the parking crisis in the US, and proposing potential solutions. This episode features an engaging conversation with British truck driver Matt, who shares his experiences across the UK, Europe and Russia, providing a comparative view of trucking challenges and practices. Stay tuned after the interview for community updates and upcoming truck show announcements. Don't forget to like, follow, and subscribe for more real stories from the blacktop. Ten-four, drivers! Channel 19 Experience:  https://channel19experience.com Other Show Links Trucker's Wealth:  https://truckers-wealth.com TrueTMS:  https://truetms.com Trans Carolina Permits:  https://transcarolinapermits.com 02:24 Pretrip Topic 1 - Personal Conveyance 18:26 Pretrip Topic 2 - 1984 and Julia - Truckers Book Corner 36:09 Money Line - Truck Parking in the USA 52:14 Interview - UK Lorry Driver Matt 02:05:35 Post Trip

In this special Mother's Day episode of the Channel 19 Experience Trucker Podcast, host Tony celebrates the amazing mothers in the trucking industry. The episode features discussions on various trucking challenges including mental health awareness for May, fuel island etiquette, and an exploration of trucking in the UK. Special guests include Danger Dave and Mile Marker Mike to discuss Mike's recent mechanical troubles, 1099s and Broker Transparency.  Also Mike Barbour from Truckers Wealth joins the podcast to , who discuss reasons truckers struggle to retire and the steps they can take to secure their financial future. Tune in for an informative and heartfelt episode dedicated to the hardworking moms behind the wheel and beyond. Channel 19 Experience:  https://channel19experience.com Other Show Links Check A Vet: https://checkavet.org Trucker's Wealth:  https://truckers-wealth.com TrueTMS:  https://truetms.com Trans Carolina Permits:  https://transcarolinapermits.com Superior Trucking Payroll Service: https://truckingpayroll.com

On episode 12 Tony returns from Birmingham, England, sharing his enriching experience at the UK Commercial Vehicle Show. Tony delves into current hot topics like global tariffs, 'speak English' enforcement with Trump's order, and even ties in his newfound passion for Aston Villa football to the trucking world. This episode offers a international look at both the cultural and regulatory landscapes of trucking with engaging discussions on truck driver pay, government regulations, and both the unique and similar challenges faced by the UK trucking community. Channel 19 Experience:  https://channel19experience.com Other Show Links: TrueTMS:  https://truetms.com Trucker's Wealth:  https://truckers-wealth.com Trans Carolina Permits:  https://transcarolinapermits.com