On this episode of On the Front Line: The Safety, Learning & Operations Podcast, Dr. Gina Anderson, speaks with Blake Grolmus, SVP of Government Relations at Iowa Motor Truck Association.

Blake challenges the "tenure trap" that keeps fresh voices on the sidelines. He shares why his best safety innovations came from people outside the safety team. Drivers who asked "why do we do it that way?" changed everything. He reveals his leadership approach: never ask someone to do what you wouldn't do yourself.

Tune in to discover why the best innovations come from unexpected voices, and how quiet leadership opens doors.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why breakthrough ideas come from non-experts in the room
• How to create space for newcomers in a longevity-driven industry
• The leadership lesson of being remembered for people, not accomplishments
• How small frontline changes move entire industries forward

Connect with Blake on LinkedIn HERE.

Want to learn more about Blake’s work? Check out the Iowa Motor Truck Association website HERE.

Check out the Luma Brighter Learning website HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Subscribe to On the Frontline for more insights on safety, compliance, learning, and operations in the world of mobile, distributed, and high-risk workforces.

On this episode of On the Front Line: The Safety, Learning & Operations Podcast, Dr. Gina Anderson speaks with Tom Johnston, Safety Manager at Keizer Management, LLC, who's spent nearly 30 years proving that the best safety culture isn't built on enforcement—it's built on empathy.

Tom shares why safety leaders must reject the "safety cop" mentality, how his role as a caregiver for his wife shaped his leadership philosophy, and what the transportation industry gets dangerously wrong about driver home time and mental health. His open-door approach and habit of daily kindness have earned his team multiple National Safety Council awards—not through rules, but through genuine connection.

If you're a safety manager, operations leader, or anyone responsible for people in high-risk work, this episode will challenge how you think about compliance, culture, and what it really means to bring everyone home safely.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why the "safety cop" approach fails and what works instead
• How caregiving experience translates to better safety leadership
• The #1 thing Tom would redesign in the transportation industry to reduce accidents
• Why letting drivers talk isn't a waste of time—it's a safety strategy
• How to identify team strengths and position people where they'll thrive
• Tom's advice for making kindness a daily leadership habit

Connect with Tom on LinkedIn HERE.

Want to learn more about Tom’s work? Check out the Keizer Management, LLC website HERE.

Check out the Luma Brighter Learning website HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Subscribe to On the Frontline for more insights on safety, compliance, learning, and operations in the world of mobile, distributed, and high-risk workforces.

On this episode of On the Front Line: The Safety, Learning & Operations Podcast, Dr. Gina Anderson speaks with Elizabeth Nicholson, Director of Education and Training for the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA). With experience spanning medical societies, airport associations, and now trucking, Elizabeth brings a member-first mindset to workforce development.

Elizabeth challenges the passive learning epidemic plaguing busy carriers—where employees complete training but nothing changes on the ground. She shares her vision for practical, application-based education where learners implement best practices, report results, and earn certification through real-world impact, not just screen time.

Tune in to discover why Elizabeth believes the greatest gift leaders can give is confidence—and why she's building TCA's reputation as the go-to destination for transportation education.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why "watch the video, check the box" training fails small carriers juggling seven roles
• How to shift from passive learning to application-based education with measurable results
• The power of listening to subject matter experts when you're not the content expert yourself
• How one committee meeting sparked an unbudgeted recruitment and retention training series
• Why investing in employee education is actually investing in their confidence—and your bottom line
• Leadership lessons from someone who wants to be forgotten but remembered for impact

Connect with Elizabeth on LinkedIn HERE.

Want to learn more about Elizabeth’s work? Check out the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) website HERE.

Check out the Luma Brighter Learning website HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Subscribe to On the Frontline for more insights on safety, compliance, learning, and operations in the world of mobile, distributed, and high-risk workforces.

On this episode of On the Front Line: The Safety, Learning & Operations Podcast, Dr. Gina Anderson speaks with William Lusk, Director of Education and Government Relations at the National Tank Truck Carriers, where he represents 500 member companies across North America.

William shares his journey of building trust by showing up, keeping promises, and connecting members with real solutions. With years of experience visiting facilities nationwide, he’s seen firsthand how innovation in driver recruitment, safety technology, and cargo tank inspections is shaping the industry. He also talks about what frontline leadership teaches us about humanity, how regulations affect companies in unexpected ways, and why genuine, consistent touchpoints matter more than formal meetings.

Tune in to hear how one leader is shaping the future of tank trucking through trust, connection, and a commitment to understanding the people he serves.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How trust and integrity form the foundation of effective industry advocacy
• The value of visiting member facilities to understand operational challenges firsthand
• What frontline leadership reveals about the struggles people face behind closed doors
• Innovative solutions emerging across the tank truck industry, from driver pipelines to virtual tank inspections
• The lasting impact of advocacy work and policy changes that benefit the entire industry
• Why regular communication matters more than scheduled committee meetings

Connect with William on LinkedIn HERE.

Want to learn more about William’s work? Check out the National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) website HERE.

Check out the Luma Brighter Learning website HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Subscribe to On the Frontline for more insights on safety, compliance, learning, and operations in the world of mobile, distributed, and high-risk workforces.

On this episode of On the Front Line: The Safety, Learning & Operations Podcast, Dr. Gina Anderson speaks with James McDaniel, serves as editor for Bulk Transporter and Refrigerated Transporter magazines, bringing two decades of journalism experience to the trucking industry.

Jason discusses his commitment to preserving print magazines despite industry trends toward digital-only content, and why physical publications still matter for connecting communities. Jason shares his perspective on SEO versus quality storytelling, the overwhelming nature of data in both media and trucking operations, and how telematics creates similar challenges for fleet operators. He talks about the role of AI in journalism and trucking.

Listen to this episode to hear how Jason is shaping the future of trucking media while staying true to the fundamentals of good storytelling and community connection.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Jason's background in journalism and his transition into trucking media over the past 20 years
• The mission of Bulk Transporter and Refrigerated Transporter magazines to share best practices and spotlight industry leaders
• The historical connection between the magazines and the National Tank Truck Carriers association since 1937
• The fight to preserve print magazines in an industry moving toward digital-only content
• The challenges of SEO-focused content versus in-depth storytelling and quality journalism
• The proper role of AI in journalism and business operations

Connect with Jason on LinkedIn HERE.

Want to learn more about Jason’s work? Check out Bulk Transporter, Refrigerated Transporter magazines website HERE.

Check out EndeavorB2B, Jason’s parent company website HERE

Check out EndeavorB2B, Jason’s parent company podcast, The Fleet Lead HERE.

Check out the Luma Brighter Learning website HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Subscribe to On the Frontline for more insights on safety, compliance, learning, and operations in the world of mobile, distributed, and high-risk workforces.

On this episode of On the Front Line: The Safety, Learning & Operations Podcast, Dr. Gina Anderson speaks with Ed Nagle III, CEO of Nagle Companies, a transportation business grounded in dignity, respect, and genuine care for people.

Ed shared his philosophy on leading by example and treating employees as family rather than just workers. He talks about the importance of continous improvement through both technology and process refinement, the value of learning in motivating teams, and how staying connected through industry conferences and vendor relationships helps guide innovation. Ed opens up about his faith-based moral compass and how doing what's right guides his decision-making. He explains how success at Nagle Companies depends on investing in people, building relationships over chasing volumes, and contributing to the community through various charitable activities.

Tune in to discover how dignity and respect transform workplace culture and why investing in people's growth creates stronger business outcomes.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Ed's philosophy on leading by example through dignity and respect
• How developing employees to their greatest potential benefits the company
• The role of learning in creating motivation and ownership among teams
• Faith-based values as a moral compass for business decisions
• The evolution of technology in transportation and work-life balance
• Building consultative partnerships with vendors to guide innovation

Connect with Ed on LinkedIn HERE.

Want to learn more about Ed's work? Check out Nagle Companies website HERE.

Check out the Luma Brighter Learning website HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Subscribe to On the Frontline for more insights on safety, compliance, learning, and operations in the world of mobile, distributed, and high-risk workforces.

On this episode of On the Front Line: The Safety, Learning & Operations Podcast, Dr. Gina Anderson speaks with Amy Roosa, founder and CEO of the Safety Rack, a nonprofit organization working to close the personal protective equipment gap for women across all industries.

Amy shares her journey from safety professional to nonprofit founder. She experienced firsthand the challenges of wearing men's extra-large safety gear when she needed a medium or small. Amy explains her three founding principles of education, research, and advocacy through what she calls the "Errors Initiative." She opens up about the importance of listening to understand rather than respond. Amy believes that stopping to truly hear women's experiences was her breakthrough moment at a 2018 safety conference.

Tune in to discover how Amy's quiet leadership is building community and moving the industry toward safer workplaces for everyone.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Amy's journey from safety professional to nonprofit founder
• The Safety Rack's mission to close the PPE gap for women workers
• Research findings showing injury rates linked to poorly fitting safety equipment
• The three founding principles: education, research, and advocacy (the "Errors Initiative")
• How listening and understanding drives meaningful change in workplace safety
• The importance of data in convincing employers and manufacturers to make changes
• Innovation emerging in women-specific safety equipment over the past five years
• Building community and connection within the safety industry
• Leading with purpose while facing barriers and skeptics

Connect with Amy on LinkedIn HERE.

Want to learn more about Amy's work? Check out The Safety Rack website HERE.

Check out the Luma Brighter Learning website HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Subscribe to On the Frontline for more insights on safety, compliance, learning, and operations in the world of mobile, distributed, and high-risk workforces.

On this episode of On the Front Line: The Safety, Learning & Operations Podcast, Dr. Gina Anderson speaks with Melissa Anderson, Fleet Safety Manager at Walmart Transportation, who has spent over three decades in an industry she truly loves. Growing up in a truck cab taught her that authentic leadership comes from understanding the people you serve.

Melissa reveals the gap between safety regulations and real-world trucking challenges. She explains how Walmart's Driver Ambassador Program creates direct lines of communication between stores and drivers. This cuts through corporate red tape to solve problems quickly. She opens up about her personal approach to managing 300 drivers. She also touches on leadership lessons from her Army father. Melissa believes the best managers lead with both heart and mind.

Tune in to discover how genuine care for people transforms workplace culture and creates safer roads for everyone.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How growing up in trucking and learning from an Army father shaped Melissa's authentic leadership approach
• Why current hours of service regulations fail drivers and what policymakers need to understand about real trucking life
• The story behind Walmart's Driver Ambassador Program and how it bridges communication between retail stores and transportation teams
• Why knowing your people personally - their families, birthdays, and life situations creates stronger safety culture
• How leading with heart and building genuine relationships transforms both drivers and organizations
• What it means to receive recognition for quiet leadership that creates lasting impact without seeking the spotlight

Connect with Melissa on LinkedIn HERE.

Want to learn more about Melissa's work? Check out Walmart's Driver Ambassador Program website HERE.

Check out the Luma Brighter Learning website HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Subscribe to On the Frontline for more insights on safety, compliance, learning, and operations in the world of mobile, distributed, and high-risk workforces.