The Rise of Freight Orchestration with GoodShip's Derek Netelenbos
23/04/2026 | 49 min
In "The Rise of Freight Orchestration with GoodShip's Derek Netelenbos", Joe Lynch and Derek Netelenbos, VP of Partnerships at GoodShip, discuss how an orchestration layer unifies fragmented data to shift logistics from reactive manual tasks to proactive, AI-driven strategy. About Derek Netelenbos Derek Netelenbos is the VP of Partnerships at GoodShip, the all-in-one platform for freight orchestration and procurement, built for transportation teams, by transportation teams. Derek brings extensive experience building and scaling partnerships and revenue organizations across the logistics and technology sectors. Prior to GoodShip, Derek held leadership roles at Parade, Metafora, Convoy, Groupon and Expedia, where he built and led high-performing teams across sales, sales operations, business development, account management, and strategic partnerships. About GoodShip GoodShip is the all-in-one platform for freight orchestration and procurement, built for transportation teams, by transportation teams. GoodShip unifies freight data, surfaces real-time insights, and helps teams move from reactive decision-making to coordinated, data-driven execution. With the recent launch of Laney, the industry's first AI Transportation Analyst, teams can ask questions about their network and receive in-depth answers in seconds through an intuitive, conversational interface. Learn more at www.goodship.io. Key Takeaways: The Rise of Freight Orchestration In "The Rise of Freight Orchestration with GoodShip's Derek Netelenbos", Joe Lynch and Derek Netelenbos, VP of Partnerships at GoodShip, discuss how an orchestration layer unifies fragmented data to shift logistics from reactive manual tasks to proactive, AI-driven strategy. The "Orchestration" Solution: GoodShip acts as an orchestration layer that unifies disparate data from TMS, ERP, WMS, and visibility platforms. This allows teams to move from reactive, fragmented decision-making to coordinated, data-driven execution. Automated Scorecarding: One of the biggest pain points discussed was the manual effort required to create carrier scorecards. GoodShip automates this process, providing a "single source of truth" that both shippers and carriers can view simultaneously to ensure transparency and performance alignment. Laney, the AI Analyst: GoodShip introduced Laney, an embedded AI agent that allows users to ask complex, unstructured questions about their freight network. Instead of sifting through pivot tables, users can ask Laney to simulate scenarios—like the cost implications of reallocating volume from an underperforming carrier. Modernizing the RFP Process: Traditionally, RFPs were "root canal" events done once a year due to their complexity. GoodShip streamlines procurement, allowing shippers to run more frequent (e.g., quarterly) mini-bids with high-fidelity data, which reduces risk for carriers and leads to more resilient pricing. Expansion to LSPs and Brokers: While GoodShip started with a focus on shippers, the platform has officially expanded to help Logistics Service Providers (LSPs) and brokers. This helps the "sell side" respond to bids more efficiently and manage their own carrier networks with better intelligence. Rapid Deployment via Flat Files: To avoid the long implementation cycles common in logistics tech, GoodShip specializes in ingesting "flat file" data (spreadsheets, scraped emails, etc.). This allows them to go from contract signing to full deployment in just three to four weeks. Data as an Asset: Derek emphasized that every company's historical operating history is a "gold mine" of insights. Orchestration is the process of mining that data to uncover hidden efficiencies that were previously buried in tribal knowledge or disconnected systems. Learn More About The Rise of Freight Orchestration Derek Netelenbos | Linkedin GoodShip | Linkedin GoodShip Learn more about Shipper offering Learn more about Broker offering Meet Laney, GoodShip's AI Transportation Analyst Insight to Action with Ryan Soskin The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube
Navigating Energy Markets with Breakthrough's Matt Muenster
21/04/2026 | 1 h 6 min
In "Navigating Energy Markets with Breakthrough's Matt Muenster", Joe Lynch and Matt Muenster, Chief Economist at Breakthrough, discuss how data-driven transparency and strategic fuel management help shippers navigate global energy volatility and decarbonization. About Matt Muenster Matt Muenster, Chief Economist at Breakthrough, brings extensive expertise spanning energy, freight, and sustainability across global supply chains. In his role, Matt leads a team of supply chain analysts who deliver actionable market intelligence to some of the world's largest enterprise shippers across the food, beverage, retail, and packaging industries.Known for translating complex market dynamics into practical insights, Matt serves as a trusted advisor to executive leaders navigating energy market volatility, freight cycles, and decarbonization goals. He is a sought‑after speaker at industry conferences and a frequent contributor to leading business and logistics publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and Logistics Management. Matt holds a master's degree in economics from Bowling Green State University and a bachelor's degree from St. Norbert College. About Breakthrough Breakthrough, a U.S. Venture company, is a leading provider of sustainable fuel and freight solutions that reduce costs, improve network efficiency, and decarbonize transportation. Powered by more than $35 billion in annual freight spend data, advanced technology, and deep market expertise, Breakthrough delivers freight optimization and actionable strategies for the world's leading brands, helping transform transportation into a more effective and sustainable ecosystem. Breakthrough is a multi-year Top Food Chain Technology honoree from Food Shippers of America, Owens Corning Supplier of the Year, and recipient of the 2025 Top Supply Chain Projects Award from Supply & Demand Chain Executive and Food Logistics. Key Takeaways: Navigating Energy Markets In "Navigating Energy Markets with Breakthrough's Matt Muenster", Joe Lynch and Matt Muenster, Chief Economist at Breakthrough, discuss how data-driven transparency and strategic fuel management help shippers navigate global energy volatility and decarbonization. Navigating "Strait Talk" Volatility: Energy volatility, driven by geopolitical macro forces and refining constraints, has replaced freight rates as the primary driver of transportation costs in 2026. Precision Through Market-Based Reimbursement: Moving beyond lagging, "one-size-fits-all" indexes, Breakthrough aligns fuel reimbursements with real-time variables including time, price, taxes, and specific origin/destination pairs. The Referee Effect and Strategic Fairness: By removing fuel from margin negotiations, Breakthrough acts as a neutral party, allowing shippers and carriers to build trust and focus on service and long-term partnerships. Data-Driven Risk Management via the FELIX Platform: Shippers utilize FELIX (Freight, Energy, Load, Information, and eXperience)—Breakthrough's strategic transportation intelligence platform—to move from reactive cost management to proactive risk management in an AI-driven economy. Sustainability as an Operational Lever: Breakthrough helps enterprise shippers integrate alternative energy adoption and route optimization into their broader risk-management strategies to hedge against diesel volatility. Impact on Freight Behavior and Capacity: Energy market disruptions are directly influencing carrier equipment investments and purchasing decisions, which in turn affects linehaul rates and capacity availability through the remainder of 2026. Learn More About Navigating Energy Markets Matt Muenster | Linkedin Breakthrough | Linkedin Breakthrough Breakthrough - Knowledge Hub Breakthrough - Events Breakthrough - Exclusive Content SmartWay | US EPA The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube
OCM: The New Standard for Global Imports with Century's Jim McCullen
14/04/2026 | 1 h 4 min
In "OCM: The New Standard for Global Imports with Century's Jim McCullen", Joe Lynch and Jim McCullen, Chief Technology Officer at Century Supply Chain Solutions, discuss how Origin Cargo Management provides the upstream visibility and tactical control necessary to optimize global supply chains before goods ever leave the factory. About Jim McCullen Jim McCullen serves as Chief Technology Officer at Century Supply Chain Solutions, bringing over 30 years of deep expertise in logistics technology, digital transformation, and innovation. He leads global technology teams that pioneer Century's proprietary VIZIV platform, an end-to-end supply chain technology platform designed to manage every aspect of operations with precision, visibility, and scalability. By transforming complex global supply chains into efficient, data-driven ecosystems, VIZIV empowers smarter decisions, anticipates disruptions, and unlocks precision visibility and efficiency. Jim is shaping the future of logistics through decades of hands-on leadership and a visionary approach to human-AI partnership and scalable integrations. His forward-thinking strategy strengthens Century's technological leadership, propels enduring innovation, and positions the company for competitive advantage in an increasingly dynamic world. About Century Supply Chain Solutions Century Supply Chain Solutions is a tech-enabled global logistics provider with operations across more than 70 countries. Delivering end-to-end supply chain solutions across ocean, air, ground, and warehousing, Century is supported by a strong physical presence at key origin and destination markets. At the core of Century's offering is Origin Cargo Management (OCM), a comprehensive, upstream solution that manages the flow of goods from purchase order issuance through supplier coordination and origin execution. By working directly with suppliers, carriers, and partners at origin, Century ensures shipments are compliant, optimized, and ready for efficient global transport before they leave the factory. Century's proprietary platform, VIZIV® is powered by predictive AI and provides real-time visibility and optimization across supply chains. Combined with decades of expertise and boots-on-the-ground support, Century helps optimize performance, manage risk, and keep supply chains a step ahead in a dynamic global market. Key Takeaways: OCM: The New Standard for Global Imports In "OCM: The New Standard for Global Imports with Century's Jim McCullen", Joe Lynch and Jim McCullen, Chief Technology Officer at Century Supply Chain Solutions, discuss how Origin Cargo Management provides the upstream visibility and tactical control necessary to optimize global supply chains before goods ever leave the factory. OCM as the Global Orchestrator: Jim defines Origin Cargo Management as the "middleman" between thousands of global vendors and transportation providers, ensuring supply chains are optimized before goods even leave the factory. Solving the "Goldilocks" Inventory Dilemma: OCM provides the precision needed to keep inventory lean—avoiding the high costs of overstocking while ensuring products are available exactly when the consumer demands them. The Power of "Automation Exhaust": Using the VIZIV® platform, Century captures data from AI routing engines. This "exhaust" allows for deep scenario planning and smarter decision-making based on trusted, cleansed data. Tactical Agility via "Vibe" Technology: Century's Vibe system allows importers to instantly "flip a switch" to halt or divert cargo during disruptions (like tariff changes or port fires), replacing manual chaos with automated control. Direct Cost Savings & ROI: Century drives value by consolidating smaller shipments into full containers (CFS-CY) to eliminate "shipping air" and utilizes duty reduction programs to strip inland origin costs from taxable goods. Giving Logistics Teams "Superpowers": By providing a single source of truth, OCM shifts logistics teams from "messy execution" and manual tracking to a proactive, consultative role backed by certified performance facts. Upstream Action for Downstream Gain: The most impactful supply chain decisions happen at the origin. By managing the "black hole" of vendor bookings and factory compliance, Century ensures a smoother, more predictable journey to the final destination. Learn More About OCM: The New Standard for Global Imports Jim McCullen | Linkedin Century Supply Chain Solutions | Linkedin Century Supply Chain Solutions How Bissell is Transforming Global Inbound Logistics with Century | Full Interview Automation Exhaust: The Next Generation of Business Information The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube
REPOST: Smarter Landside Logistics with Brian Kobza
09/04/2026 | 35 min
In "Smarter Landside Logistics", Joe Lynch and Brian Kobza, Chief Commercial Officer at IMC Logistics, discuss leveraging IMC's asset-based capacity, actionable visibility, and end-to-end services—all underpinned by strong relationships—is essential for achieving greater control and cargo velocity in the critical first and last mile of the supply chain. About Brian Kobza Brian Kobza is the Chief Commercial Officer at IMC Logistics, with over 20 years of experience in the transportation and supply chain industry. His expertise covers various aspects of the sector, including positions at marine terminals, ocean carriers, ports, and landside logistics companies. In his current role, he oversees all commercial activities and new initiatives to ensure profitability and market leadership through a focus on customer experience and cargo velocity. Brian firmly believes that relationships are vital in this industry, and that enterprise growth and supply chain efficiency can be attained through fostering deeper customer relationships and partnerships. Prior to his appointment with IMC Logistics, Brian served in operational and commercial roles at Global Container Terminals, The Port of Virginia, CSX, Hyundai Merchant Marine, and Maersk. In addition to professional roles, Brian holds volunteer positions as the 2025 President for the Traffic Club of New York and as an Advisory Board Member at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Brian is a proud alumnus of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, where he earned a BS in Marine Engineering and secured his United States Coast Guard 3rd assistant engineer's license. Further enhancing his business acumen, Brian obtained an MBA in International Business from Amberton University. About IMC Logistics IMC Logistics provides smarter landside logistics, giving clients greater control through the first and last mile. Starting as a regional drayage provider with just one truck and one driver, IMC Logistics has grown across the U.S. to be a leading marine drayage operator in the U.S. IMC Logistics provides drayage, container storage, transloading, intermodal rail, chassis provisioning, project logistics, SmartStacks and destination cargo management services. IMC Logistics delivers their clients' supply chains with actionable visibility, asset-based truck capacity, industry leading sustainability, and long-established regional expertise across the nation. Key Takeaways: Smarter Landside Logistics In "Smarter Landside Logistics", Joe Lynch and Brian Kobza, Chief Commercial Officer at IMC Logistics, discuss how to achieve greater cargo velocity, supply chain efficiency, and market leadership by leveraging actionable visibility, asset-based capacity, and deeper customer relationships across the first and last mile. Freight Market Reality: The industry is currently navigating an unprecedented 3.5-year freight recession, emphasizing the critical need for operational discipline and stable partnerships to ensure market survival and cargo velocity. The IANA Imperative: The Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) and the IANA Expo 2025 in Long Beach are essential for the intermodal industry, serving as the primary platform for crucial collaboration, shared insights, and showcasing future-focused technology. Relationships Drive Efficiency: Fostering deeper customer and partner relationships is the most vital philosophy for achieving both enterprise growth and significant supply chain efficiency across the first and last mile. IMC's Asset-Based Leadership: IMC Logistics, the largest drayage provider in the USA, demonstrates that true "smarter landside logistics" means leading with asset-based truck capacity, ensuring reliable service and market stability. Actionable Visibility: Modern logistics demands more than simple tracking; the key differentiator is providing actionable visibility—data that enables clients and partners to make immediate, informed decisions, thereby improving predictability. Combating Industry Risks: A major focus must be placed on deploying robust strategies to combat growing threats like freight fraud, cargo theft, and cyber-security vulnerabilities to protect supply chain integrity and valuable assets. Sustainability Leadership: Integrating industry-leading sustainability is a core requirement; IMC, as a market leader, is driving this by investing in EV and Hydrogen drayage vehicles at the Port of Long Beach to significantly reduce emissions. Cargo Velocity Mandate: Smarter commercial strategy must be anchored in two non-negotiable goals: rapidly increasing cargo velocity and maintaining a relentless focus on the superior customer experience. Learn More About Smarter Landside Logistics Brian Kobza | Linkedin IMC Logistics | Linkedin IMC Logistics | YouTube IMC Logistics | Video IMC Logistics (@imclogistics) | Instagram photos and videos IMC Logistics | Facebook Drayage and Landside Logistics | IMC Logistics Cargo Security | IMC Logistics The Intermodal Industry's Next Chapter: A Chat with IMC's Donna Lemm The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube
REPOST: The Dark Funnel Demystified: Unlocking Hidden Sales with Jennie Malafarina
07/04/2026 | 1 h 3 min
In "The Dark Funnel Demystified: Unlocking Hidden Sales", Joe Lynch and Jennie Malafarina, the CEO of Virago Marketing, discuss how businesses can drive measurable revenue growth by understanding and leveraging the invisible customer journey. About Jennie Malafarina Jennie Malafarina is the CEO of Virago Marketing, a Cleveland-based agency helping transportation and logistics companies turn marketing into a revenue-driving engine. Since taking the lead at Virago in 2020, she has elevated the agency's impact—guiding strategies that deliver measurable results aligned with client growth goals. With over a decade of experience in freight tech and B2B marketing, Jennie has held leadership roles at Trimble Transportation, Banyan Technology, and Transportation Insight, and has taught marketing at The University of Akron. She also co-founded FR8MVMT, a platform for innovation in trucking, and hosts the FR8 Marketing Gurus podcast. Jennie is known for aligning marketing with business strategy to drive scalable growth through demand generation, content, and sales enablement. She holds a master's degree in communication from Cleveland State University. About Virago Marketing Virago Marketing is a full-funnel marketing agency specializing in the transportation and logistics industry. We help companies align sales and marketing to drive measurable revenue growth—whether through strategic campaigns, content that converts, or complete marketing department support. Our team combines deep industry knowledge with modern marketing execution to deliver demand generation, brand awareness, and pipeline acceleration. From startups to enterprise providers, our clients rely on us to cut through the noise, clarify their message, and connect with the right audience at the right time. With flexible engagement models—from project-based work to full fractional CMO support—Virago is the partner logistics companies trust to turn marketing into a growth engine. Key Takeaways: The Dark Funnel Demystified: Unlocking Hidden Sales In "The Dark Funnel Demystified: Unlocking Hidden Sales", Joe Lynch and Jennie Malafarina, the CEO of Virago Marketing, discuss how businesses can drive measurable revenue growth by understanding and leveraging the invisible customer journey. The "Dark Funnel" is a Reality, Not a Myth: The episode will explain what the dark funnel is—the invisible customer journey that happens before a lead officially enters the sales process. Listeners will learn how potential buyers are influenced by content, social media, and word-of-mouth without ever directly interacting with a company, and why it's crucial to understand this hidden process. Aligning Marketing with Business Strategy is Non-Negotiable: Jennie Malafarina, with her extensive experience at Virago Marketing, emphasizes that marketing isn't just about generating leads. It's a revenue-driving engine that must be directly tied to a company's overarching business and growth goals, turning it into a strategic partner rather than a cost center. Content is the Currency of the Dark Funnel: The podcast will highlight how high-quality, valuable content—from blog posts and whitepapers to podcasts and social media discussions—serves as the primary way to influence buyers in the dark funnel. Jennie will share insights on creating content that answers customer questions and builds trust long before they are ready to buy. Sales and Marketing Alignment is Key to Unlocking Hidden Sales: A central theme will be the necessity of a seamless partnership between sales and marketing teams. The episode will cover how Virago Marketing helps companies create a unified strategy where marketing generates qualified conversations and sales is equipped with the right tools and information to close deals, ensuring no opportunities from the dark funnel are lost. Industry Expertise is a Competitive Advantage: Drawing on her background in transportation and logistics, Jennie will explain why deep industry knowledge is essential for effective marketing. Virago Marketing's success lies in its ability to speak the language of its clients and their customers, allowing them to create messaging that truly resonates and cuts through the noise. Demand Generation > Lead Generation: The episode will likely differentiate between old-school lead generation and modern demand generation. Jennie will discuss how focusing on building market-wide awareness and interest (demand generation) is a more sustainable and effective long-term strategy for filling the sales pipeline, especially when considering the dark funnel. Measuring the Unmeasurable: Tracking Dark Funnel Impact: The podcast will provide practical advice on how to measure the impact of marketing efforts that don't result in immediate, trackable leads. Listeners will learn about alternative metrics and signals that indicate success in the dark funnel, such as brand mentions, website traffic trends, and engagement with un-gated content, proving the ROI of these "unseen" activities. Learn More About The Dark Funnel Demystified: Unlocking Hidden Sales Jennie Malafarina | Linkedin Virago Marketing Virago Marketing | Linkedin FR8MVMT | Linkedin FR8MVMT FR8 Marketing Gurus Podcast The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube