Podcast Episodes

288: Oakley’s Trucking Success at Port 33: Growing from 40 to 150 Trucks

This week on the Oakley Podcast, Jeremy Kellett takes the Oakley Podcast on the road to Oakley’s Port 33 terminal in Catoosa, Oklahoma, to spotlight terminal manager Justin Jolly and operations manager Kyle Haney. They share the origin story of the Oklahoma terminal, from working out of an RV on a dusty gravel lot to running about 150 trucks today, while explaining how the port’s barge, grain, fertilizer, and local industrial freight created a powerful home‑time‑friendly operation. Kyle walks through day‑to‑day dispatch realities (breakdowns, tires, planning, and tight coordination with North Little Rock and Reserve), and both men stress relationship‑based dispatch, face‑to‑face communication with drivers, and proactive communication with customers. Key takeaways: Oakley’s growth in Oklahoma has been steady and intentional, built on dependable service, clean and professional owner‑operators, integrated barge‑truck logistics, and a strong culture of transparency and trust with both drivers and customers. Don’t miss this episode! 

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287: From the Road to the Bank: How ATBS Helps Truckers Take Control of Their Finances

This week on the Oakley Podcast, Jeremy Kellett sits down with Todd Amen, president of ATBS, to break down the 2026 trucking market, how recent tax law changes (including the Big, Beautiful Bill Act) impact owner operators, and what truck drivers should be doing right now in tax season. They cover extensions, quarterly estimated taxes, the power of the qualified business income deduction, and how per diem really works in simple, practical terms. Todd explains common, often-overlooked deductions specific to truckers, how the ATBS app helps track income, expenses, and per diem, and why maintaining reserves and smart money management separate profitable owner-operators from those who struggle. The episode closes with guidance for drivers who are behind on taxes, free tools available from ATBS, and how Oakley owner operators compare financially to the broader industry.

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286: Building Better Truck Stops: TravelCenters of America’s Plan to Serve Today’s Driver

This week on the Oakley Podcast, Jeremy Kellett sits down with Louis Ule, Vice President of Sales at TravelCenters of America (TA Petro), to discuss the history and growth of TA since its founding in 1972, its merger with Petro, and the expansion to around 370 locations, including many franchises. They dive into what TA is known for among professional drivers, including large parking lots, amenities, and efforts to keep facilities clean and safe through technology like enhanced lighting, cameras, and live video monitoring. Louis addresses driver feedback on hot topics such as paid parking, showers, and the upcoming overhaul of the TruckSmart app and loyalty program. The conversation also covers TA’s community involvement (Truckers Against Trafficking, St. Christopher Fund, Women in Trucking), its NASCAR partnership, and the changing landscape of professional driving. Key takeaways are that TA is investing heavily in infrastructure, safety, technology, and loyalty improvements, and is actively seeking and acting on driver feedback to improve the on-the-road experience.

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About The Show

The Oakley Podcast is a trucking industry podcast that educates and empowers owner-operators by providing relevant industry, market, and company news in a digestible audio format.