On this September 15th edition of What the Truck?! with host Malcolm Harris, FreightWavesTV kicks off Trucker Appreciation Week with a high-energy lineup. Malcolm chats with Jordan Spradling, VP of Transportation & Logistics at Pilot Flying J, about the company’s Road Warrior Contest in partnership with the Diesel Brothers—featuring a custom Kenworth W900 and $50,000 prize. Spradling shares insights on driver appreciation, leadership lessons, DEF terminal expansion, balancing cost efficiency with reliability, and the role of new safety technology like MirrorEye. Later, Malcolm welcomes longtime friend Chris Richards of CLN Worldwide (formerly Steam Logistics) for a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities shaping global trade. Richards discusses the volatility of tariffs, shifting supply chains from China to Mexico, bonded warehousing solutions, and why adaptability and trust are key in today’s international freight market. The episode blends industry insight with candid “What the Truck?!” moments—from hurricane fuel deliveries with police escorts to navigating unpredictable tariff hikes—while celebrating the people who keep freight moving. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
