Episodios

  • Generational Grit Part 5: Debt, Disruption, and Dalton

    Generational Grit Part 5: Debt, Disruption, and Dalton
    Oct 3 2025
    In part 5 of Fuller Speed Ahead: Generational Grit, Craig Fuller sits down with trucking legend Max Fuller for a raw look at his career. Max shares shocking stories from his early days working for his father, Clyde Fuller, in the 1970s—including using questionable tactics to keep the business afloat and Max’s bold move to defy his father’s low-profile approach to branding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    34 m
  • Generational Grit Part 4: The Road to U.S. Xpress

    Generational Grit Part 4: The Road to U.S. Xpress
    Jul 18 2025
    In Part 4 of our Generational Grit Series, FreightWaves Founder and CEO Craig Fuller sits down with his father, Max Fuller, the visionary founder of U.S. Express, for a deeply personal and revealing conversation. Max shares the untold story of his turbulent relationship with his own father, Clyde, an intimidating yet ultimately generous figure who played a pivotal role in Max’s early career. Discover how a broken-down car led to an unexpected reconciliation and a life-changing opportunity. But the grit doesn’t stop there. Max opens up about the dramatic sale of Southwest Motor Freight, his father’s company, and the shocking events that unfolded under a new, deceptive owner. Witness the strategic genius and sheer determination that led Max to walk away from that chaos and, against all odds, lay the foundation for not one, but two trucking powerhouses: U.S. Express and Covenant Transport. This is a raw, honest look at the resilience required to build a legacy in the world of freight. Follow the Fuller Speed Ahead Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 m
  • Generation Grit Part 3: Vegas Gambles & Financial Fixes

    Generation Grit Part 3: Vegas Gambles & Financial Fixes
    Jul 11 2025
    Welcome back to Fuller Speed Ahead: Generation Grit! In this gripping third installment, Craig Fuller continues his conversation with his father, Max Fuller, pulling back the curtain on the dramatic mid-1970s era of the family’s trucking empire. This episode is packed with incredible stories from a period of rapid change in American logistics: - Interstate Expansion: Discover how the completion of the interstate system opened up new frontiers for nationwide freight. - Max’s Early Hustle: Hear how a young Max started his own side trucking business, strategically competing for loads and learning the ropes. - Old School Operations: Get a fascinating glimpse into the days of “punch card” computers, manual truck tracking, and the immense trust placed in drivers. - Clyde’s High Stakes: Max reveals his father Clyde’s heavy gambling habits and how his trips to Las Vegas impacted the company’s finances. - The Secret Slush Fund: Learn how Max, as a young accounting student, secretly managed the company’s books and confronted his explosive father to save the business from financial ruin! - Deregulation Anticipation: Understand the excitement and opportunities brought by the impending Motor Carrier Act of 1980. This is a raw, honest, and often hilarious look at the challenges and triumphs of building a trucking dynasty. Max’s financial ingenuity and Clyde’s unforgettable character shine through in this must-watch episode. Don’t miss this crucial chapter in the Fuller family’s “Generation Grit” saga! Follow the Fuller Speed Ahead Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    29 m
  • Generation Grit Part 2: The 17-Year-Old Trucking Tycoon

    Generation Grit Part 2: The 17-Year-Old Trucking Tycoon
    Jul 4 2025
    Welcome back to Fuller Speed Ahead: Generation Grit! In Part 2 of our captivating interview, Craig Fuller continues his conversation with his father, Max Fuller, unraveling more incredible stories from the family's deep roots in the trucking industry. This episode picks up where we left off, diving into the aftermath of Clyde Fuller's (Craig's grandfather) notorious legal battles and his ingenious, often audacious, methods for building a trucking empire in a heavily regulated era. Max shares: The surprising twist of the Athens Express company, and how Max's mother bravely navigated its unexpected debt. Clyde's clever pivot to the leasing business and how he continued to find "gray areas" to operate, even after his co-op was shut down. The astonishing tale of Max, at just 17 years old, becoming the registered owner of Southwest Motor Freight – a "shell company" used to acquire precious ICC authority and expand the family's reach across the country. A fascinating glimpse into the "Wild West" logistics of the 1970s, where trucks literally changed door signs mid-route to switch operating authorities! The pivotal moment Max faced an ICC commissioner, interrogated about his role in the rapidly growing, unconventional business. This episode is packed with personal anecdotes, strategic maneuvers, and the sheer grit that defined the early days of American trucking. Discover how the Fuller family navigated legal loopholes and built a network against all odds. Don't miss this thrilling continuation of a true trucking dynasty's origin story! Stay tuned for Part 3 next week as the saga continues! #FullerSpeedAhead #GenerationGrit #TruckingHistory #Logistics #SupplyChain #FreightWaves #FamilyBusiness #MaxFuller #ClydeFuller #ICC #TruckingLegends #Freight #TruckingIndustry #Entrepreneurship #americanhistory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    23 m
  • Generational Grit Part 1: Clyde Fuller & The Dawn of Trucking

    Generational Grit Part 1: Clyde Fuller & The Dawn of Trucking
    Jun 27 2025
    Step back in time to the formative years of the logistics industry! In this episode of “Fuller Speed Ahead,” host Craig Fuller sits down with his father, Max Fuller, to unearth the incredible, often wild, history of their family’s journey in trucking.Part 1 dives deep into the legend of Clyde Fuller – Craig’s grandfather and a true pioneer of long-haul trucking. Max paints a vivid picture of the “Wild West” days before and during the heavily regulated era of the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC). Discover how Clyde, a charismatic “hell-raiser,” navigated a complex landscape, from hauling chickens with one truck to cleverly leveraging “shipper co-ops” to grow his business, often pushing the boundaries of the law. You’ll hear captivating stories about: - The early, highly profitable days of trucking and the respected role of drivers. - The challenges of gaining ICC authority and how Clyde found “gray areas” to operate. - The dramatic real-life events, including a controversial “quickie divorce” and a memorable run-in with a lawyer that landed Clyde (technically) in jail. - How Clyde’s audacious personality shaped his approach to business and life. -This is more than just industry history; it’s a raw, unfiltered look at the grit, determination, and colorful characters that built the foundation of modern logistics. Don’t miss this fascinating glimpse into the origins of a trucking empire! Stay tuned for Part 2 next week, where the story continues! Follow the Fuller Speed Ahead Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    28 m
  • From "Internet Truckstop" To Industry Leader: Kendra Tucker On 30 Years Of Truckstop

    From "Internet Truckstop" To Industry Leader: Kendra Tucker On 30 Years Of Truckstop
    Mar 26 2025
    Freightwaves founder and CEO Craig Fuller speaks with Truckstop CEO Kendra Tucker about the company's 30th anniversary and its unique perspective on the evolution of the freight technology industry. Follow the Fuller Speed Ahead Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    23 m
  • The freight identity crisis and ending double brokering

    The freight identity crisis and ending double brokering
    Jul 14 2023
    Craig Fuller, Founder and CEO of FreightWaves sits down with Jordan Graft, Founder and CEO of Highway to discuss the freight identity crisis and what it takes to end double brokering. Follow the Fuller Speed Ahead Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    34 m
  • How Truckstop Is Navigating Dynamic Changes in the Trucking Market

    How Truckstop Is Navigating Dynamic Changes in the Trucking Market
    Apr 26 2023
    FreightWaves CEO Craig Fuller sits down with Truckstop CEO, Kendra Tucker, to discuss how Truckstop is managing volatility in the trucking market, providing technology so carriers can grow and be profitable, and relating personal stories of her time in cabs with truckers. Follow the Fuller Speed Ahead Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    27 m