In this episode of Supply Chain Decoded, host Jenni Ruiz sits down with Kara Smith Brown, founder and CRO of LeadCoverage, and author of the Amazon bestseller The Revenue Engine to break down what most supply chain companies get wrong about marketing and go-to-market strategies.

Kara shares how getting fired (and making babies) sparked her entrepreneurial journey, and how a kismet collaboration with co-founder Will Haraway led to the creation of LeadCoverage. From there, she’s helped drive hundreds of millions in revenue for clients by shifting them from outdated tactics (hello, cold calls) to modern, data-driven strategies centered on sharing good news, tracking interest, and following up.

This episode tackles:

- The #1 mistake companies make before launching a marketing campaign

- The difference between strategic intent data and AI—and why lumping them together is a big problem

- Why follow-up is a lost art and 35 touch points might just be your magic number

- How Kara’s framework works for scrappy startups and enterprise giants alike

- What “random acts of marketing” really look like (and how to sniff them out)

- The story behind her viral Girl Scout cookie experiment and its surprising freight lessons

Whether you’re a marketer, a founder, or anyone in between, Kara’s straight-shooting advice will challenge you to think deeper, measure smarter, and lead better.
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Disclaimer: All views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Transfix, Inc. or any parent companies or affiliates or the companies with which the participants are affiliated, and may have been previously disseminated by them. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are based upon information considered reliable, but neither Transfix, Inc. nor its affiliates, nor the companies with which such participants are affiliated, warrant its completeness or accuracy, and it should not be relied upon as such. All such views and opinions are subject to change.


Supply Chain Decoded | Feat. Kara Smith Brown, LeadCoverage & author of Amazon bestseller, "The Revenue Engine"

In this episode of Supply Chain Decoded, host Jenni Ruiz sits down with Ken Beyer, CEO of Transportation Insight and Nolan Transportation Group, to unpack what it takes to lead two powerhouse logistics organizations through economic shifts, technological transformation, and cultural growth. With more than $15 billion in freight under management and 20,000 loads moved daily, Ken shares how the Beon Digital Logistics Platform is reimagining shipper and carrier relationships—from port to porch.

Ken opens up about scaling without losing entrepreneurial spirit, why investing in people and tech during downturns matters, and what the "Law of the Harvest" means for building resilience in a volatile market. From optimizing SKUs amid tariff uncertainty to increasing carrier productivity through digital workflows, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways for anyone navigating the current freight landscape.

If you're wondering how to future-proof your network or just need a reminder of the power of people-first leadership, this one's for you.
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Disclaimer: All views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Transfix, Inc. or any parent companies or affiliates or the companies with which the participants are affiliated, and may have been previously disseminated by them. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are based upon information considered reliable, but neither Transfix, Inc. nor its affiliates, nor the companies with which such participants are affiliated, warrant its completeness or accuracy, and it should not be relied upon as such. All such views and opinions are subject to change.


Supply Chain Decoded | Feat. Ken Beyer, Transportation Insight & Nolan Transportation Group

Insurance might not be the sexiest topic in freight—but it should be. In this episode of Supply Chain Decoded, host Jenni Ruiz sits down with Taylor Walker, Chief Insurance Officer at Loadsure, and Michael Kennedy, VP of Partnerships, to unpack one of the most misunderstood (and mission-critical) aspects of logistics: cargo insurance.

Together, they decode the difference between hard and soft insurance markets, the rise of theft and fraud in 2025, and why too many brokers are unknowingly flying blind on coverage. They break down what a truly tech-powered, usage-based model looks like—and how it’s saving brokers serious money and margin. Spoiler: you can set it up in under a minute.

You’ll also hear why almonds are a hot theft target, what happens when hay combusts, and how rejected strawberries can derail a week. If you're a freight broker still relying on outdated policies, this episode might just save your business.

Key Topics:

• Why insurance cycles don’t always mirror freight cycles
• How theft, impersonation, and fraud are rewriting risk models
• The rise of on-demand cargo insurance and holistic freight protection
• What brokers get wrong about liability (and how to fix it)
• Real claims stories—from nuts to railcar fires
• Why tech-forward doesn’t mean mega-fleet only

This is the freight insurance episode you didn’t know you needed—until now.
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Disclaimer: All views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Transfix, Inc. or any parent companies or affiliates or the companies with which the participants are affiliated, and may have been previously disseminated by them. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are based upon information considered reliable, but neither Transfix, Inc. nor its affiliates, nor the companies with which such participants are affiliated, warrant its completeness or accuracy, and it should not be relied upon as such. All such views and opinions are subject to change.


Supply Chain Decoded | Feat. Taylor Walker & Michael Kennedy, Loadsure

After more than a year, The Transfix Take is officially back! Justin Maze, market expert at NFI Industries, joins Jenni Ruiz to break down the last seven days in freight, starting with a stagnant national average rate per mile of $1.61. From severe storms in the Midwest to Tropical Storm Mario hitting Southern California, weather made its mark, while seasonal patterns echo what we saw throughout 2024.

Maze dives into each region: Southeast and Coastal markets trending downward, the South seeing volatility in border markets, the Midwest and Northeast showing signs of seasonal pressure, and the West Coast tightening up as Christmas tree season approaches. Plus, the duo looks ahead to RFP season and what shippers, brokers, and carriers can expect in a market that’s still oversupplied with capacity.

This and more on the Transfix Take!
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Disclaimer: All views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Transfix, Inc. or any parent companies or affiliates or the companies with which the participants are affiliated, and may have been previously disseminated by them. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are based upon information considered reliable, but neither Transfix, Inc. nor its affiliates, nor the companies with which such participants are affiliated, warrant its completeness or accuracy, and it should not be relied upon as such. All such views and opinions are subject to change.


Transfix Take Podcast | Week of Sept 23 - We're back!

The freight market may look steady, but don’t let that fool you — subtle shifts are already setting the stage for a volatile November.

This week on The Transfix Take, Jenni Ruiz and NFI’s Justin Maze break down what’s happening across every region as Q4 heats up. From weather disruptions to policy curveballs, here’s where things stand — and where they’re headed next.

In this episode:
• Minimal week-over-week rate changes, but Midwest tightening continues
• Flatbed activity climbs 5% across the Southeast amid local freight pressure
• Coastal and South regions remain soft as the Northeast stays stagnant
• Weather watch: storms, snow, and possible tornado activity impacting freight lanes
• The latest on federal transportation funding withheld from California — and why it matters

Plus, Jenni shares a few shoutouts for FreightTech 25 hopefuls and the Transfix team at F3.

Tune in for a full regional breakdown and Maze’s forecast for the final stretch of October.
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Disclaimer: All views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Transfix, Inc. or any parent companies or affiliates or the companies with which the participants are affiliated, and may have been previously disseminated by them. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are based upon information considered reliable, but neither Transfix, Inc. nor its affiliates, nor the companies with which such participants are affiliated, warrant its completeness or accuracy, and it should not be relied upon as such. All such views and opinions are subject to change.


Transfix Take Podcast | Week of Oct 21: Calm Before the Freight Storm: Regional Trends, Weather Impacts, and Policy Watch

This week on Supply Chain Decoded, host Jenni Ruiz sits down with Ryan Goodwin, Senior Director of Advanced Supply Chain at Trinity Industries and Adjunct Professor of Supply Chain Management at TCU — a leader whose approach to automation and change management is reshaping how the rail industry thinks about data, technology, and people.

Ryan’s face recently appeared on the NASDAQ billboard in Times Square — a moment that symbolizes how far he’s taken his mission to eliminate “drudgery” from supply chain work through AI and automation. In this conversation, he shares the story behind that moment and the philosophy that got him there.

Together, Jenni and Ryan decode:

AI in the wild: How Trinity Industries uses large language models to manage supplier communication — cutting through thousands of purchase orders without a single EDI integration.

Swivel chair to seamless workflows: The real meaning of moving from manual to integrated systems and what it takes to make automation actually work for people.

The classroom meets the boardroom: What teaching the next generation of supply chain professionals has revealed about AI adoption, critical thinking, and human judgment in the age of LLMs.

Built or bought: How companies can balance in-house innovation with SaaS partnerships in an era of “AI provider fatigue.”

Inventory decoded: Why this age-old topic remains the most misunderstood — and why Ryan calls it both the light and liability of the supply chain.

From his early days measuring warehouse shelves in a suit to building bots that talk to suppliers in natural language, Ryan offers a rare, grounded look at what digital transformation really looks like in practice — and why collaboration between humans and AI will define the next decade of supply chain innovation.

🎧 Listen now to explore the future of automation, education, and decision-making — straight from one of rail’s most forward-thinking minds.
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Disclaimer: All views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Transfix, Inc. or any parent companies or affiliates or the companies with which the participants are affiliated, and may have been previously disseminated by them. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are based upon information considered reliable, but neither Transfix, Inc. nor its affiliates, nor the companies with which such participants are affiliated, warrant its completeness or accuracy, and it should not be relied upon as such. All such views and opinions are subject to change.


Supply Chain Decoded | Feat. Ryan Goodwin, Trinity Industries & TCU

It’s the calm before the holiday chaos — or is it?

This week on The Transfix Take, Jenni Ruiz and market expert Justin Maze break down how October closed out and what to expect as we roll into November. Despite a government shutdown entering its fourth week and tender volumes hitting an all-time low for October, the national average rate per mile held its ground with a modest 2 % month-over-month gain.

Here’s what’s moving the market:

📊 Rates steady thanks to Midwest strength, while demand stays weak nationwide

🌪 Category 5 hurricane near Jamaica could spark relief freight into South Florida

🌧 Flooding and flash storms slow the South as the Coastal region continues to loosen

🌽 Midwest leads gains, expected to drive national increases through November

🗺 Northeast and South soften, while the West Coast preps for its late-season upswing

🔮 Maze’s November outlook: expect roughly a 2 % national rate bump, driven by holiday volatility and seasonal freight out of the West

With the shutdown stretching on and inflation still in play, Jenni and Maze look ahead to what could make or break the end of 2025 for brokers, shippers, and carriers alike.

This and more on The Transfix Take!
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Disclaimer: All views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Transfix, Inc. or any parent companies or affiliates or the companies with which the participants are affiliated, and may have been previously disseminated by them. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are based upon information considered reliable, but neither Transfix, Inc. nor its affiliates, nor the companies with which such participants are affiliated, warrant its completeness or accuracy, and it should not be relied upon as such. All such views and opinions are subject to change.


Transfix Take | Week of Oct 28 – Rates Hold, Shutdown Lingers, and November Outlooks

In this episode of Supply Chain Decoded, Jenni sits down with longtime friend and former Transfixer, Jack Pendergast, now Associate Director of Logistics at City Harvest, New York City’s first and largest food rescue organization. Together, they trace Jack’s journey from brokerages and fine art freight to purpose-driven logistics—moving millions of pounds of food and essentials to New Yorkers who need it most. 

Jack pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to keep a city fed: timing deliveries to food pantries with limited storage, navigating NYC traffic with a veteran union driver fleet, and managing peak season as holiday demand, marathons, and food drives all collide. He also shares how City Harvest is responding in real time to crises like government shutdowns—getting fresh food to military families, TSA workers, and other federal employees missing paychecks. 

They dive into why people, not just KPIs and tech, are the real backbone of any supply chain—from drivers and warehouse teams to community partners—and how City Harvest is thoughtfully modernizing its tech stack without losing sight of its mission: rescuing food that would otherwise go to waste and getting it into the hands of New Yorkers for free. 

Listen in to hear:

• How Jack’s brokerage background prepared him for nonprofit logistics
• What makes food rescue and produce logistics uniquely challenging
• Why relationships with drivers and community partners make or break operations
• Simple ways you (and your company) can support City Harvest this season 

Plus, learn how you can get involved in giving back during this holiday season. 
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Disclaimer: All views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Transfix, Inc. or any parent companies or affiliates or the companies with which the participants are affiliated, and may have been previously disseminated by them. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are based upon information considered reliable, but neither Transfix, Inc. nor its affiliates, nor the companies with which such participants are affiliated, warrant its completeness or accuracy, and it should not be relied upon as such. All such views and opinions are subject to change.




Supply Chain Decoded | Feat. Jack Pendergast, City Harvest

The Thanksgiving surge is officially here — and for the first time in weeks, every region in the U.S. saw rates climb.

This week on The Transfix Take, Jenni Ruiz and market expert Justin Maze break down why the holiday push is giving carriers the upper hand, even as consumer demand remains muted and freight volumes stay historically low. With Black Friday on deck and winter weather circling parts of the country, the next few days could set the tone for the rest of the year.

Here’s what Maze and Jenni unpack:

📈 National rate pressure builds, with holiday disruptions pushing gains in every major region

🦃 Southeast heats up, driven by seasonal holiday commodities like citrus, sweet potatoes, and turkeys

🚚 Coastal region jumps nearly 1%, with freight to the Northeast spiking more than 2.5%

🌪 South shows steady gains, though storms across Texas and Oklahoma could create pockets of volatility

❄️ Northeast posts the smallest increase, despite lake-effect snow and unusual lane behavior

🌲 Midwest and West Coast emerge as the week’s breakout markets — Christmas tree season, produce, and tightening capacity push both regions to the top

🔮 December forecast: Maze expects a brief pullback after Thanksgiving, followed by a sharper climb in the back half of the month as capacity exits the market for holiday downtime

Plus, Jenni and Maze share Thanksgiving plans — and a definitive ranking of the best Thanksgiving sides.

This and more on The Transfix Take!
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Disclaimer: All views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Transfix, Inc. or any parent companies or affiliates or the companies with which the participants are affiliated, and may have been previously disseminated by them. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are based upon information considered reliable, but neither Transfix, Inc. nor its affiliates, nor the companies with which such participants are affiliated, warrant its completeness or accuracy, and it should not be relied upon as such. All such views and opinions are subject to change.


Transfix Take Podcast | Week of Nov 25 – All Regions Up as Thanksgiving Tightens Capacity

Winter weather is here — and so is the first major freight shock of December.

This week on The Transfix Take, Jenni Ruiz and market expert Justin Maze break down the impact of a sweeping nor’easter, early-season snow across the Midwest and Northeast, and the stunning closure of 10 Roads Trucking, the largest carrier shutdown since Yellow. With more than 2,500 trucks leaving the road, Maze explains why this could be the first of several ripples in an already depressed freight market.

Here’s what Jenni and Maze cover:

❄️ Nor’easter disruptions bring snow, ice, and road closures across PA, New England, and the Midwest

🚚 10 Roads Trucking shuts down, sending shockwaves through an industry still battling low volumes

📈 National average rate per mile creeps upward as winter weather and post-Thanksgiving pressure tighten capacity

🌤 Southeast leads gains, with freight to the Coastal region jumping nearly 6%

🌊 Coastal region strengthens, driven by increasing rates into the Northeast

🤠 South sees modest holiday-driven gains, but Maze expects rates to cool unless a deep freeze hits

🌽 Midwest volatility grows, especially on lanes heading into the Northeast amid heavy snowfall

🗽 Northeast dips slightly overall, but winter weather is likely to reverse that trend next week

🌲 West Coast resumes its slow climb, led by the Pacific Northwest as Christmas trees, produce, and seasonal freight pick up

Plus, Jenni and Maze talk driver safety in dangerous winter conditions and share a special Giving Tuesday message in support of the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund, which provides critical assistance to drivers affected by shutdowns, illness, and financial hardship. Interested in donating? Use these links:

• Donate via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/biz/profile/freightfantasyleague
• Donate via Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/freightfantasyleague

This and more on The Transfix Take!
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Disclaimer: All views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Transfix, Inc. or any parent companies or affiliates or the companies with which the participants are affiliated, and may have been previously disseminated by them. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are based upon information considered reliable, but neither Transfix, Inc. nor its affiliates, nor the companies with which such participants are affiliated, warrant its completeness or accuracy, and it should not be relied upon as such. All such views and opinions are subject to change.


Transfix Take | Week of Dec 3 – Winter Weather Tightens Capacity as a Major Carrier Shuts Down

Welcome to the Transfix Take On, a show for the logistics and supply chain world where we switch gears into the hot topics of trucking. For more information, visit: www.transfix.io

New tracks tagged #transfix