What happens when changing immigration laws and ramped-up enforcement collide with America’s trucking industry? Find out in this eye-opening episode of Transportation Nation as we welcome David Heller, Senior Vice President of Safety and Government Affairs at the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), for a no-nonsense look at the seismic regulatory shifts about to hit the road.

Hosts Lee Gentry and Caitlyn Folks sit down with David Heller, a trusted voice in trucking policy with over two decades of experience shaping safety and regulation across the nation. Together, they untangle the complex web of immigration, licensing, and safety enforcement that’s redefining what it means to be a professional truck driver in 2026—and what these changes mean for carriers, drivers, and the American economy.

Key takeaways from this episode:
Learn why stricter enforcement on non-domiciled CDLs and English language proficiency is creating dramatic shifts in driver availability—and what this means for carriers large and small.

Discover how truck driver training schools are coming under unprecedented scrutiny, and why enforcement isn’t just about drivers, but every link in the trucking safety chain.

Hear the untold impact of truck parking shortages, including the surprising ways it affects not just driver livelihoods but the safety of everyone on the road.

Along the way, David Heller dispels myths, shares data-driven insights (did you know 3.8% of all CDL holders could be sidelined?), and explains how policy changes are affecting labor, rates, and the standard of professionalism across the industry.

Don’t miss this candid, informative, and forward-looking conversation—essential listening for anyone in or around the world of trucking, logistics, or transportation policy.

Subscribe for more conversations like this, and stay ahead of the curve on the issues shaping the future of transportation.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Industry Shift: Prioritizing American Drivers
02:29 TCA’s Mission to Improve Industry Safety
04:07 Immigration & Licensing: Impact on Safety and Jobs
07:32 Enforcement Ramps Up: Non-Domiciled CDLs and English Proficiency
10:00 Executive Orders Shifting Regulatory Landscape
13:07 Capacity Crisis: 300,000 Drivers May Exit Industry
16:51 Trucking Schools Under Scrutiny
20:01 Compliance Reviews: Safety Fitness Determination Explained
22:06 Hours of Service Flexibility Pilot Program
25:15 ELD Enforcement: Cracking Down on Fraudulent Logging
26:14 Truck Parking Shortage: $7,000 Lost Per Driver Annually
28:59 Congressional Push for $755 Million in Truck Parking
30:21 Closing: Safety, Parking, and What’s Next

Christmas truly wouldn’t be possible without our highway heroes: the real Santas behind the wheel! On today’s Christmas episode of Transportation Nation, Katlyn and Lee are joined by Bennett’s founder and CEO, Marcia Taylor, and President David Pittman—sitting down to talk about the true reason for the season, and the people who keep it moving.

Together the Bennett team reflects on:
Trucking’s role in Christmas—72% of all Christmas gifts are delivered by truck.

Touching family traditions, from homemade crosses beneath the Christmas tree to the legendary Bennett Christmas party surprise wedding.

The power of giving: how Bennett supports Toys for Tots, local schools, and charitable causes, all rooted in faith and community spirit.

This conversation is your invitation to remember what we’re celebrating this week—and to champion and thank all those working tirelessly behind the scenes to deliver the magic of Christmas.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Christmas Meaning: The Birth of Christ
01:07 Honoring Truck Drivers as Real Santas
02:11 Eye-Opening Trucking Industry Christmas Stats
04:24 Marcia Taylor on Family Traditions
08:29 Favorite Scripture: Isaiah 9:6
11:01 Creating a Family Cross Tradition
14:14 Heartfelt Giving: Bennett's Pay It Forward
18:28 Wedding at Bennett Christmas Party Story
22:21 Bennett’s Santa Tradition Through the Years
29:21 Wreaths Across America: Honoring Fallen Heroes
35:04 Emotional Impact of Placing Wreaths on Graves
38:10 The Power of Giving: Taylor Foundation Milestone
42:43 Highway Heroes: Recognizing Truck Driver Sacrifice
47:17 Lee’s Christmas Scripture Reflection
50:49 Closing Prayer & Three Wise Hosts
51:06 Surprise Christmas Poem Honoring Drivers

Is it possible to be thankful in all situations, even the ones that involve fleas? On today’s special Thanksgiving episode of Transportation Nation, the Bennett team gathers to reflect on the true meaning of thankfulness, no matter what life throws your way.

Lee and Katlyn welcome Vice President Lynette Mathis to their brand new podcast studio, sitting down to share company history stories, reflect on Thanksgiving family traditions, and ask Lynette about some of the personal values that have shaped her four decades with Bennett.

Together the three talk about:

• The powerful Bennett company traditions that make Thanksgiving so meaningful, from welcoming drivers at home to serving hundreds in their community
• A remarkable true story from World War II about discovering purpose and divine gratitude even in hardship—a lesson anchored in the unforgettable phrase: “Be thankful for the fleas”
• Insights into Bennett’s culture of appreciation, giving, and faith—from the Taylor Family Foundation’s charitable giving, to heartfelt moments of prayer with NASCAR drivers

Whether you’re at home or on the road this holiday season, this conversation will inspire you to find the blessings in every circumstance, embrace gratitude as a daily practice, and value the community around you—including the unsung heroes this Thanksgiving.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Intro: Gratitude Even When You Have Fleas
01:11 Welcoming Lynette Mathis, 40 Years at Bennett
04:41 Reflecting on Thanksgiving Traditions & Giving Thanks
06:53 Humor: Stone Age Fax Machines & Building Fires
09:00 Foundations of Gratitude: Thanksgiving Beyond One Day
12:30 Dictionary Definition: Thanksgiving is Gratitude to God
15:04 Key Lesson: Giving Thanks in Every Circumstance
18:03 The Fleas That Inspired Faith: Corrie Ten Boom’s Story
21:47 Powerful Quote: Thankful Even for Fleas
25:25 Trusting God Through Hard Times
28:44 Giving Back: The Taylor Family Foundation’s Impact
31:30 Closing Prayer for Drivers & Listeners
33:45 If You Have a Turkey, Thank a Trucker
34:32 Drivers as Heroes: Final Thank You & Farewell