Transportation Nation

Transportation Nation is brought to you by the Bennett Family of Companies and discusses all things in the transportation and logistics industry.

Transportation Nation is a leisure podcast hosted by Bennett Family of Companies, with 25 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Bennett Family of Companies hosts Transportation Nation, a leisure show with 25 episodes published.

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  Episode #27

  Charles Gracey on Choices, Charley Horses, and the Cost of Growing Fast

  Aug 17, 202629 min

  Charles Gracey — known in the industry as the "Dr. Phil of Trucking" — sits down with Lee Gentry and Jason Brady to talk about the choices that built (and broke) fleets over the last three years, why the drivers who show up every day deserve more than a headline, and what it really costs to live two lives at once: one at home, one on the road. In this episode: - Why the companies thriving right now stayed in their lane - How Charles went from shop floors and CDL miles to industry voice - The real math behind driver pay vs. the corporate talking points - What every driver at Shell Rotella SuperRigs told Charles when asked one question - Why accessibility beats ROI when it comes to earning driver trust - A look ahead to Stars, Stripes & White Lines at Echo Park, Nov 6–7 Plus a nod to Katlyn and baby Shepherd, and a reminder that none of our jobs exist without the American truck driver. Subscribe for new Transportation Nation episodes every week. Timestamps 00:32 Welcoming Charles Gracey 01:37 What keeps trucking execs up at night 02:33 Traits of companies still winning 03:56 How Charles became the "Dr. Phil of Trucking" 05:00 Growing up in the shop and old-school mentors 07:47 Military discipline shaping his career 10:19 Trucking's role in America's 250th birthday 13:07 Push to recognize drivers as first responders 14:00 The truth about driver pay 17:04 What drivers actually want from legislators 20:28 Why accessibility to drivers matters 23:37 Preview of Stars, Stripes and White Lines 26:51 The stories behind the rigs

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  Episode #26

  Punch Holes, Feed Crews, Keep the Trucks Rolling, with Harold Vice

  Aug 10, 202630 min

  What happens in the Strait of Hormuz doesn't stay in the Strait of Hormuz — it shows up at the pump, on the rig floor, and in every load hauled across the oil patch. In this episode of Transportation Nation, Lee Gentry sits down with Harold Weiss, President of American Eagle Transport, to unpack how Middle East tensions ripple through domestic drilling, trucking capacity, and gas prices. What we cover: - Why offshore drilling in the Gulf barely flinches at short-term price swings (hint: leases are planned years out) - How onshore shale plays — Permian, Haynesville, Eagle Ford — respond fast when wildcatters see an opening - The real story behind tight trucking capacity and why relationships beat rock-bottom rates - Rig count trends and what Baker Hughes numbers say about 2026 and 2027 - Why "drill, baby, drill" is more about self-sufficiency than shortage - Life as an owner-operator: make hay when you can Plus, Harold shares how American Eagle keeps 250+ field workers fed with fish fries at Port Fourchon and shale-site cookouts. Subscribe for weekly conversations with the people moving America. Timestamps 00:52 Why cookouts matter in oil country 03:16 How Iran unrest hits Gulf vs shale drilling 06:07 Wildcatters chasing short-term price swings 07:27 Capacity crunch and honest customer talk 10:09 Onshore vs offshore: two different animals 14:06 Drill baby drill and the permit reality 16:26 Why global uneasiness moves the pump price 18:44 Growth spurt: new hires and new territory 20:36 Chasing shale plays like a game of chess 23:22 Inside the American Eagle equipment mix 24:41 Reading the Baker Hughes rig count 26:21 Make hay when you can make hay

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  Episode #25

  Stars, Stripes & White Lines: Inside America's Must-See Truck Show!

  Jul 27, 202621 min

  The engine of America’s economy isn’t just the freight—it’s the unwavering pride and purpose carried by those behind the wheel. Get ready for the inside scoop on one of trucking’s hottest—and most meaningful—events: Stars, Stripes & White Lines, the national championship show bringing together the industry’s most elite rigs and passionate drivers. In this episode, your co-hosts go behind the scenes at the Mid America Truck Show to unpack what makes Stars, Stripes & White Lines at Echo Park Racetrack (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway) more than just a truck show. From jaw-dropping custom builds to the camaraderie and patriotic spirit that unites attendees, you’ll hear firsthand stories from builders, judges, and longtime participants about why this event has rapidly become a must-attend in the trucking world. Special guests include custom builder Cody, who reveals the inspiration and creative process behind his one-of-a-kind “Dark Horse” truck; show veteran Speaker E, who shares why this event outshines others across the country; and insiders Speaker B, Speaker F, and Speaker G, who take you through show highlights, new competition classes, and the heartwarming impact of supporting Wreaths Across America. A few moments you won’t want to miss: The wild story behind an epic 90-day truck build challenge and a never-before-seen custom wheel design. Insight into the selection process for the national championship—what it takes for a rig to earn that coveted “golden ticket.” The inspiring reason why so many in the trucking community rally around this show: honoring veterans and raising funds to place wreaths at Andersonville National Cemetery. If you’re curious about what it takes to build a championship show truck, the power of trucking community, or the role of patriotism in the industry—this episode is for you. Subscribe for more conversations like this that drive the spirit of America’s highways! Subscribe now for more powerful conversations, behind-the-scenes stories, and a closer look at the people and innovations fueling America’s highways. CHAPTERS: 00:16 Why Stars, Stripes & White Lines Is a Must-Attend Show 01:21 Standing on the Track with Elite Truck Builders 02:36 Inside the 90-Day “Dark Horse” Truck Build 03:07 Custom Innovations to Impress Show Judges 04:30 Handcrafted Wheels and Paint: The Dark Horse Story 05:51 “Everybody Wants to Win This Show”: The Competitive Spirit 06:33 Hitting 103 MPH in a Peterbilt on the Racetrack 08:00 Selecting the First Entries for the National Championship 09:54 Why This Is “The Greatest American Truck Show” 10:17 National Championship for a Good Cause: Wreaths Across America 12:18 Why Truckers Love Driving on the Echo Park Racetrack 13:00 Variety on Display: Trucks, Jeeps, Motorcycles, Show Cars 14:05 How to Qualify for the National Championship & New Classes 16:12 Patriotic Truck Displays Return for 2024 17:10 The Legendary Golf Ball Drop from a Huey Helicopter 18:44 “The Trucking Community Gives Back Like Nobody’s Business” 19:12 How to Register for SSWL and What’s New This Year 20:14 Final Reflections: Trucking as a Calling, Not Just a Job

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  Episode #24

  Diedrik Hoogstraten on Washington at 22, Before the Statue

  Jul 20, 202635 min

  Screenwriter Diedrik Hoogstraten grew up in socialist-era Holland watching American sitcoms and dreaming of a country he'd only seen on TV. Now a naturalized citizen, he co-wrote "Young Washington" — the July 4th release timed to America's 250th anniversary. In this episode, Diedrik joins Lee Gentry to talk about the story behind the film and the man behind the myth. What we cover: - How director Jon Erwin's vision for Wonder Project (with Diedrik's wife Kaitlyn leading the business side) brought the movie to life - Why the film starts when George Washington is 11 and ends at age 22 — decades before 1776 - Washington's early failures, including the tactical errors that helped start the French and Indian War - The influence of his mother Mary and the idea that "failure is a tutor sent by God" - Making family-friendly films without sacrificing production value - What's next: a follow-up film titled "1776" and Diedrik's screenplay for "God's Smuggler" Diedrik's perspective as someone who chose America adds a layer you don't often hear in conversations about the Founding Fathers. Catch "Young Washington" in theaters now. Timestamps 00:37 Welcoming Diedrick Hoogstraten 01:36 How Wonder Project and the film came together 04:03 Becoming American: a Dutchman's patriotism 09:02 Inside Young Washington's story 14:03 Failure as a tutor: forging character 18:27 A film for every American, not left or right 21:15 Wonder Project's mission for family entertainment 25:16 Lessons for young audiences today 28:47 Anti-fragility and America's second chances 31:01 What's next: 1776 and God's Smuggler 32:40 Why audiences should see Young Washington

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  Episode #23

  Wreaths Across America from MATS

  Jul 13, 202618 min

  Every December, millions of wreaths make their way to veterans' graves across the country. Behind that mission is a network of truckers, sponsors, and volunteers who make it happen. In this episode, Katlyn Foulks and Lee Gentry sit down with guests from Mid-America Truck Show to talk about Wreaths Across America and the trucking industry's role in carrying that mission forward. What we cover: • Courtney George on the 2025 numbers — 3.1 million wreaths, 727 loads, 5,994 locations • Lee Gentry on Bennett's journey from 3,000 wreaths in 2017 to over 20,700 at Andersonville National Cemetery • Van Brown on Bull Snot, the Christmas stockings for truckers, and how Don Queeney pulled him in a decade ago • Brett Hutto of Truck Parking Club on laying wreaths at Arlington for a friend's parents • A firsthand account of the convoy and ceremony at Andersonville • Details on the Stars, Stripes and White Lines Truck Show, November 6–7 at Echo Park Speedway Learn more about Wreaths Across America and how to get involved at wreathsacrossamerica.org. Timestamps 00:16 Cold open: why this mission matters 00:37 Courtney George on Bennett's role 01:21 Bennett's wreath delivery growth since 2017 02:48 New cross-dock to ease trucker logistics 04:15 2025 by the numbers: 3.1 million wreaths 04:53 Chasing trucks to honor every sponsor 06:09 Van Brown enters: the golf ball drop origin 06:45 Bull Snot stockings for wreath haulers 08:52 Stars, Stripes and White Lines truck show 09:25 Patriot Mobile's Andersonville experience 11:41 Brett Hutto on Truck Parking Club's support 15:26 Laying wreaths at Arlington for a friend

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