The Liquid Trucking Podcast

Driver Fatigue: Industry Problem or Personal Responsibility?

Driver fatigue isn't just about getting more sleep; it's about surviving a broken system that works against you. In this hard-hitting episode, three experienced Liquid drivers pull back the curtain on the industry's secret: structural problems that make proper rest nearly impossible.
Mikal Donut Duncan, Jason Defoor, and Burt Morris bring their experience to the fatigue debate. Is it your fault when truck parking is unavailable after hour 9? Should drivers bear all the blame when trip planning ignores biology? They tackle sleep apnea realities, the difficulty in finding safe parking spots, and effective rest management strategies behind the wheel.
If you're a pro driver fighting to stay alert, an owner-operator managing your own schedule, or a safety manager trying to reduce incidents, this conversation delivers actionable insights. You'll hear unfiltered truths about fatigue from drivers who live it daily. You’ll get straight talk about sleep deprivation, HOS pressures, and what needs to change.
The Liquid Trucking Podcast drops weekly with insider perspectives from the road. Subscribe now.

Connor's Legacy: Building All-Abilities Parks for Kids

Some conversations change you. When Jennifer Sheldon sat down with us to talk about her son Connor, the room shifted. Her other son, Liquid driver Mikal "Donut" Duncan, sat beside her as they shared a story of loss that became a mission. Jennifer, a special needs professional, lost Connor to Down syndrome complications far too young. But here's where the story shifts. Instead of letting grief consume them, they launched the Connor Sheldon Memorial Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to building all-abilities parks and ADA-compliant playgrounds where kids with autism, Down syndrome, and other disabilities can play alongside their peers.
This isn't your average trucker interview. Amanda and I both lost it during this conversation, and we're leaving it in because real emotion matters. Whether you're a professional driver, parent of a special needs child, ADA advocate, or just someone who believes every kid deserves a swing set they can actually use, you need to hear Connor's story.
Bring tissues. This all-inclusive park movement is changing communities, one playground at a time.

What Cannabis Changes Mean for Truckers & Clearinghouse Guide

What does the recent Executive Order on cannabis rescheduling mean for professional drivers and motor carriers? Director of Compliance Jesse Keebler cuts through the confusion in this must-hear episode of the Liquid Trucking Podcast. You'll discover what's changing with marijuana moving to Schedule 3, what stays the same for DOT regulations, and how this impacts your fleet's drug testing requirements. Plus, meet Amanda Casey, Bulldog's dynamic new podcast host! This radio veteran shares her trucking connections and brings fresh energy to the show.

ISAAC ELDs & Trucker Trivia: Tech That Actually Works

Ever wonder why some ELD systems make drivers want to throw their tablets out the window while others work? Sam Sussenguth, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at ISAAC Instruments, joins Liquid Trucking's VP of Safety, Jason Eisenman, to break down the reasons fleets switch ELD providers and why the tech-service combo matters more than price alone. Then Vic "The Brown Bandit" Walker returns to defend his legendary Trucker Trivia title against challengers Jimmy Travis and John Harrington.

2026 Freight Market Goals: Liquid's Growth Strategy

Want the truth about where freight is headed? VP of Safety and HR Jason Eisenman breaks down Liquid Trucking's 2026 game plan in an unfiltered conversation about freight market realities and sustainable growth.
We discuss Liquid's transloading facility expansion, new APU technology being tested for driver comfort, and the big news: our strategic brokerage acquisition. Jason explains how returning to basics, focusing on customer service, company core values, and maintaining consistent loads and miles, keeps Liquid financially stable while others face difficulties. After, Marcus flips the script with a hilarious crystal ball segment that'll have you laughing all the way to your next delivery.

New Year Special: Liquid Truck Drivers Reflect on 2025

What did 2025 really look like behind the wheel? In this New Year's Eve special, join Mike Stanfield, Mikal 'Donut' Duncan, Polar Bear, and Jason DeFoor for the most honest conversation you'll hear from pro drivers this year. These Liquid veterans don't hold back sharing their biggest accomplishments, the goals that slipped away, broken resolutions, and unforgettable moments from 2025. We dig deep into what worked, what didn't, and the aspirations driving us into 2026. No corporate fluff, just real drivers talking real life.

Truckers' Christmas: Holiday Feasts, Traditions & Wishlist

Ready for the ultimate Christmas celebration on wheels? This special holiday episode brings you straight to the heart of trucker traditions with your favorite Liquid Trucking drivers sharing what makes the season bright on the road.
Thomas Goode, Burt Morris, and Mikal "Donut" Duncan share their cherished Christmas memories, family traditions, and the holiday feasts that keep them going. We're building the Mount Rushmore of Christmas treats, revealing some seriously sweet tooth confessions. VP of HR and Safety Jason Eisenman and Business Development specialist Nick Meyer join us for hilarious dad jokes and reveal the ultimate trucker wishlist, perfect for anyone shopping for the driver in their life. 
Tune in for warm conversations, plenty of laughs, and insider tips on celebrating Yule season behind the wheel. Subscribe now and never miss the fun!

ELD Updates & 4-Wheeler Safety: Meet the Pilot Behind Your Tech

Ever wonder what it's like to be both a company pilot AND an IT director? Darian Mateo lives this double life every day at Liquid Trucking, and his story will blow your mind.
In this employee spotlight episode, Darian takes us behind the scenes of managing Liquid's ISAAC tablet rollout and ELD systems while moonlighting as Chief Company Pilot. Discover how giving the founder of Liquid Trucking, Roger Schmidt, flying lessons turned into an incredible dual-role career opportunity. From pre-trip inspections in the hangar to troubleshooting dispatch scheduling systems, Darian's got expertise most people can only dream about.
But we're not just talking tech and aviation. We challenge Darian's legendary trivia knowledge (spoiler: we fail), hear wild anecdotal stories from the cockpit, and dive deep into "The Top 5 Things 4 Wheelers Don't Understand About Trucking", including the truth about stopping distance, blind spots, and why cutting off a semi is playing Russian roulette.

Personal Finance for Truck Drivers: Retirement & Investing

Ready to take control of your financial future? In this episode of the Liquid Trucking Podcast, we sit down with Matt MacKellar and Tim Spencer, two drivers who are crushing their retirement savings goals. Matt's living lean in his cab and banking over half his income while Tim's navigating the world of stocks, crypto, and index funds. They break down real strategies for building wealth on the road, maximizing your 401K, Roth IRA, smart moves with Bitcoin, and the S&P 500. But it's not all success stories; we dig into their biggest financial regrets and what they'd do differently. Then we shift gears and roast some of the worst financial decisions in history: Beanie Babies, Pets.com, Blockbuster versus Netflix, and more epic failures. If you're a driver grinding towards retirement, paying off debt, or just trying to level up your financial literacy, this laid-back conversation is packed with insights. Tune in and start making your money work as hard as you do.

Trucking Up History: Strange Trucking Laws Every CDL Driver Should Know

Buckle up for the weirdest road trip through America's most bizarre trucking laws.  Ever gotten pulled over and thought, "Wait, THAT'S illegal?" You're not alone. In this episode of The Liquid Trucking Podcast, we're diving deep into the strangest, most head-scratching trucking and traffic laws still on the books across the United States.