This week on The Transfix Take, Jenni Ruiz and market expert Justin Maze break down the latest trends as Q4 2025 kicks off. Rates are holding steady, but regional shifts and a few policy curveballs are keeping things interesting.

Here’s what’s moving the market:

• A return to seasonal norms after weeks of volatility

• Flatbed load-to-truck ratios up 8.4%, signaling tightening in project and construction freight

• A nor’easter and West Coast storms bringing rain, wind, and early snow to key markets

• West Coast lanes heating up while the Southeast and Coastal regions cool off

• A continued slow decline in the South, while the Midwest holds steady

• The ongoing impact of non-domicile CDL regulations — and why Maze says the real effects are still months away

Plus, Jenni gives a shoutout to Freightwaves' new WHAT THE TRUCK?!? host, Malcolm Harris, and recaps Carly Gunby’s appearance on the show to talk RFP strategies and how to beat AI fatigue in freight.

To watch Carly's appearance on WHAT THE TRUCK?!? click here: https://youtu.be/F-tYNwc6zFs?si=UGUqk12djOUyxrYA

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 Oct 14 – Freight Market Steadies, but CDL Ruling Signals Long-Term Change

In a male-dominated industry that often rewards polish over honesty, Amber Romando shows up with zero filters and total heart. From her beginnings as a dispatcher at UPS to becoming COO of Spartan Logistics and President of CSCMP Chicago Roundtable, Amber has carved out a career defined by grit, grace, and guts.

In this conversation with host Jenni Ruiz, Amber opens up about betting on herself before LinkedIn even existed, the mentors who changed her life, and how she learned to turn tragedy into legacy. She talks candidly about what it means to be a woman navigating conferences, boardrooms, and truck yards—and why she refuses to play small or play nice when the stakes are high.

This is a masterclass in showing up fully, leading with empathy, and staying authentic no matter who’s in the room. Whether you’re a logistics veteran or just someone trying to find your footing in a tough industry, Amber’s story will make you laugh, nod, and maybe even take a few notes.

Authenticity. Advocacy. No apologies. Amber’s got all three—and she’s using them to change the game.
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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. Amber Romando, Spartan Logistics

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

The freight market is cooling just as the temperatures drop — and with Thanksgiving around the corner, things are about to get interesting.

This week on The Transfix Take, Jenni Ruiz and market expert Justin Maze break down the state of the freight market as we hit the midpoint of November. The national average rate per mile dips slightly to $1.66, and while capacity remains loose, early winter weather could shake things up in key regions.

Here’s what Maze and Jenni unpack:

📉 Rates hold mostly flat across the board — down just a couple of cents week-over-week

🌨 Winter weather hits the Midwest and Northeast, but capacity hasn’t tightened yet

📊 Southeast and Coastal regions stay steady, with movement depending on destination

📉 South softens as rates continue to trend downward in Dallas and Fort Worth

🌽 Midwest leads gains with early snowfall pushing rates higher in Chicago and Indianapolis

🗽 Northeast continues to decline, though lake-effect snow could bring short-term spikes

🌲 West Coast begins to heat up as the Pacific Northwest enters produce and Christmas tree season

Maze shares his outlook heading into Thanksgiving and predicts where volatility will surface first as Q4 freight picks up.

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 Nov 11 – Freight Cools as Winter and Holiday Demand Collide

In this very special edition of Supply Chain Decoded, we are honored to sit down with not one, but three titans of the industry: Eddie, David, and Kenny Lund. Recorded during their annual family hunting trip, the brothers join Jenni to pull back the curtain on the legacy of their father, Allen Lund, and the groundbreaking values that shaped a freight empire.

We dive deep into their new book, Be Good: The Allen Lund Story, which chronicles how Allen transitioned from rescuing a friend at C.H. Robinson to pioneering the modern brokerage model. From the cinematic "Wasatch fire" moment that redefined Allen’s faith and purpose to the "Monday Night Therapy" sessions that helped the family pen this history, this episode is about much more than moving freight.

Join us as we decode the heart of a family business that prioritizes drivers, treats employees like kin, and famously voted "not to participate" in a recession.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Origin Story: How Allen Lund’s early days and a "baptism by fire" led to the creation of a logistics powerhouse.
• The Matriarch: The critical, often unsung role Kathy Lund played in building the company's benefits and culture.
• Old School vs. New School: Why the Lunds believe AI should never replace the human relationship and the lost art of talking to drivers.
• The Secret Sauce: Decoding the Lund legacy in one simple, powerful line: "Be good, work hard, go to mass".

Whether you’re looking to decode the origins of the modern freight brokerage or simply want to hear a story about a family that continues to bet on relationships over algorithms, this episode is a must-listen. Be sure to pick up a copy of "Be Good: The Allen Lund Story" to experience the full legacy. And as Allen himself always said at the end of a call instead of goodbye—be good.

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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. Eddie, Kenny, and David Lund, Allen Lund Company

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

Supply Chain Decoded | Feat. Eddie, Kenny, and David Lund, Allen Lund Company

Transfix

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