Blue Ribbon Podcast
by Blue Ribbon Logistical Solutions
Formerly known as The American Truck Driver Podcast, The Blue Ribbon Podcast is a show about how thrive and survive in the Trucking Industry as an Owner/Operator. Hosted by Larry W. Long and Chris Polk, this podcast will give you all the tools and information you need to become a successful Owner/Operator.
Episodes
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EPISODE 252: Who Controls the Freight?
This week we are joined by Steve Vest and Woflgang Wendland. The conversation will be about who is controlling the freight market - carriers or brokers? Steve is the owner of Nationwide Equipment Transportation. Wolfgang is a former owner/operator. All of our Links:...
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EPISODE 251: Is It Still Worth It to be an Owner/Operator?
We are going to talk about how to survive as an owner/operator in the current and future markets. All of our Links: https://beacons.ai/blueribbonlogistics Pittsburgh Power: https://pittsburghpower.com Podcast Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/podcast Blue Ribbon Facebook:...
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EPISODE 250: FIRE Without Fuel. Can AFFTRA Ignite Real Change or Will it Burn Down the Industry?
I got an email from Audrey Walleser, a PhD candidate in American Law and Policy who has 25 years of professional experience in constitutional law, political structure, statutory authority, and regulatory integrity. She had quite a bit to say about the Constitutionality of the AFFTRA and its goals...
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EPISODE 249: Broker and Carrier Conversation
This week we are joined by Annique Lesage, a broker from Small World Ventures, and Francisco Landeros, owner of Dogstar Logistics, LLC. This is going to be a conversation between three people who are successful in their operations. The desired outcome is for carriers and drivers to learn about…
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EPISODE 248: It's Phriday with Phil
Tonight we will have an update on the Blue Ribbon Platform Division. Phridays with Phil are always informative and entertaining. All of our Links: https://beacons.ai/blueribbonlogistics Pittsburgh Power: https://pittsburghpower.com Podcast Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/podcast Blue...
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EPISODE 247: OPEN TOPIC: Q&A
Lots of things to talk about this week. Are the brokers taking too much? Should the government set minimum rates for carriers and pay for drivers? We will talk it over. All of our Links: https://beacons.ai/blueribbonlogistics Pittsburgh Power: https://pittsburghpower.com Podcast Website:...
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Episode 246: AUGUST 2025 FINANCIAL REPORT
It's time for the monthly financial report. We will break down the latest numbers and give you an update on the fleet. All of our Links: https://beacons.ai/blueribbonlogistics Pittsburgh Power: https://pittsburghpower.com Podcast Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/podcast Blue Ribbon...
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Episode 245: Does Landstar Take 35% of My Money?
It's been five years since we covered this topic in depth. When I made the first video, I did not have the experience and understand that I do now. We are going to go deep and provide an in depth breakdown of where the money comes from and how it is divided between the tractor, the trailer, the...
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Episode 244: Trucking Insurance with Jeremy "Red Beard" McClure
This week we are joined by Jeremy McClure aka Red Beard on TikTok. He specializes in commercial insurance and we're going to answer all your questions (and mine) about Trucking Insurance. All of our Links: https://beacons.ai/blueribbonlogistics Pittsburgh Power: https://pittsburghpower.com…
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EPISODE 243: TRUCKING BUSINESS STRUCTURES
I've had a lot of discourse on social media this week talking about taxes and business structure. It's been frustrating because there a lot of people that believe things that are simply and demonstrably untrue. We are going to talk about the BASICS of setting up a business, especially a Trucking...
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Episode 242: Defining the Mission: Saving Owner/Operators
Many are led to path of self-employment because they seek an opportunity to escape the limitations that come with being employed by someone. We must recognize that an employer holds all the risk that an employee does not. When you start a business, you take on that risk and you must recognize it...
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EPISODE 241: Remembering Carl Bonecutter
On June 16, 2025 we received the devastating news that our good friend Carl Bonecutter passed away after long battle with a lung disease. We paid our respects at his funeral, but we would like to take this opportunity for all of the Blue Ribbon folks whose lives (and trucks) were touched by Carl…
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Episode 240: BATTLE! New Trucks vs Old Trucks. Who Will Win?
It's the battle you've all been waiting for. Chris, Phil and Blake are going to have it out over the idea that old trucks (1999-2007) are better than old trucks. Who will win? (It's Chris, by the way) All of our Links: https://beacons.ai/blueribbonlogistics Pittsburgh Power:...
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Episode 239: Making a Good Impression to Customers
In this episode, we're going talk about what it takes to build and maintain a profitable fleet and tips on how you can make a better impression on potential customers and employers. All of our Links: https://beacons.ai/blueribbonlogistics Pittsburgh Power: https://pittsburghpower.com Podcast...
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EPISODE 238: TRUMP, TARIFFS, and TRUCKING
There is a lot of speculation about what is going to happen to the market with the threat of tariffs. Blake and Chris are going to discuss what they think is going to happen and how to prepare yourself for it. All of our Links: https://beacons.ai/blueribbonlogistics Pittsburgh Power:...
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Episode 230: Setting Yourself Apart
Setting yourself apart in the trucking market requires a combination of exceptional service and clear communication. Building a reputation for reliability and excellent customer service is crucial; ensure timely deliveries and maintain open lines of communication with customers, brokers and…
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Episode 229: 2024 Year in Review
2024 was a rough year for everyone and every industry. Too many trucks, not enough loads, low rates, parts shortages and out of control inflation. In this episode we are going to break down the Top 5 trucks in the Blue Ribbon fleet and show you exactly how much each one made. We will also reveal...
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Episode 228: A Very Important Announcement
On tonight's podcast, we will share significant details about the future of Blue Ribbon and the podcast.
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Episode 225: Post Election Show Live in West Virginia
Larry and Chris are together in Hurricane for a new driver orientation. We will discuss the election and its effects on the Trucking economy.
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EPISODE 219: Avoiding SCAMS in the Trucking Industry
A lot of Landstar drivers have been contacted in the last few months by someone who has access to a LOT of data that they should NOT have access to. The scammer is trying to get fuel card numbers under the guise of there having been an accident to they can steal the fuel money. There isn't a lot...
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Episode 216: What is a Lease?
Lease Purchase. Lease a Truck. Lease to a Carrier. There seems to be way too much confusion about what a lease is and what it is not. We are going to clear this up on this episode.
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Episode 215: 2024 FINANCIAL REPORTS AND BREAKDOWN
This is going to be a big episode. We have some numbers from the last 90 days that we are going to share with you about our operation, and the results are fascinating. Tune in while we breakdown three months of data to the penny and show you how we are making a profit in 2024.
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Episode 214: Live from the Shop
Chris got hung up in the shop doing a wheel seal, so this episode was canceled and then un-cancelled when he ran out of parts. Rocky Rockefeller from N Florida MD Alignment jumped on and we had a good talk about truck suspensions.
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Episode 212: Stop Criticizing Things You Do Not Understand
There is nothing wrong with offering reasonable criticism of a service, product or person. What is NOT reasonable is criticizing from absolute ignorance. We will dive into it this evening.
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Episode 210: The $14,000 Zip Tie
You know we end up with some wild shop stories, and we have another one for you tonight. We will also catch up what is happening at the new shop and more.
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Episode 202: New Shop Grand Opening
SINCE THE EPISODE WAS PUBLISHED, THE OPENING DATE OF THE MD ALIGNMENT SHOP HAS BEEN CHANGED TO JUNE 17, 2024
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Episode 200: Mid America Trucking Show 2024 Wrap Up
We're back from MATS and the 2024 Blue Ribbon Awards Banquet, We will catch you up on what we've been up to and our experience in Louisville.
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Episode 199: Landstar Heavy Haul and Platform with BCO Phil Frese
Larry is off this week. Landstar Heavy Haul BCO Phil Frese will be joining us to talk all things Heavy Haul and Platform. Get your questions ready!
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Episode 197: Guest Co-Host Justin Martin
Larry had a medical procedure today, so he is at home resting. Justin Martin from Freightwaves will be joining us.
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Episode 196: How Can Shops be THIS Bad?
$10,000 for a FUEL FILTER???? We took a truck to a shop this week to diagnose a problem. We were given a $10,000 estimate to replace the turbo and the EGR cooler. We didn't trust the diagnosis so we brought the truck 700 miles back to West Virginia. What did we find? A $35 fuel filter that needed...
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Episode 195: Success in Business Requires Hard Work
There is no escaping hard work to succeed in business. Short cuts don’t work.
About this show
Formerly known as The American Truck Driver Podcast, The Blue Ribbon Podcast is a show about how thrive and survive in the Trucking Industry as an Owner/Operator. Hosted by Larry W. Long and Chris Polk, this podcast will give you all the tools and information you need to become a successful Owner/Operator.
Hosted by
Blue Ribbon Logistical Solutions
Categories