What freight market data should brokers actually be paying attention to, and what's just noise?

In this episode, FWF Director of Analytics Matthew "Shooter" McGavin walks through the freight market indicators that brokers should be tracking daily, weekly, and monthly. He explains how to translate that data into meaningful conversations with shippers and carriers and shares his personal favorite underrated indicator. Matthew also covers why two brokers can look at the same data and walk away with completely different takeaways.

If you're a newer broker trying to make sense of freight data, this episode gives you a practical starting point.

Inside Freight is produced by Fifth Wheel Freight, a third-party logistics provider based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, offering truckload, LTL, drayage, rail, over-dimensional, and expedited freight services across the US and Canada. Learn more at fwf.com.

What causes freight market cycles, and why are rate shifts so "surprising" even when everyone sees them coming? In this episode, FWF Director of Analytics Matthew "Shooter" McGavin answers both.

We cover how supply and demand interact with fuel costs, federal policy, and interest rates to move the market, why the freight cycle can't really be reliably predicted until it's already happening, and what newer brokers should focus on to avoid misreading macro trends at the lane level.

Inside Freight is produced by Fifth Wheel Freight, a third-party logistics provider based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, offering truckload, LTL, drayage, rail, over-dimensional, and expedited freight services across the US and Canada. Learn more at fwf.com.

What does it take to manage global logistics for one of the most recognizable names in beauty? What do shippers really think about their broker partnerships?

In this episode, we sit down with Cherylann Welch-Frazer, Senior Global Logistics Manager at Tarte Cosmetics, to talk through the realities of freight in the beauty and cosmetics industry, from ocean and air to OTR, customs compliance, and everything in between.

With over 25 years of experience in international logistics spanning fine art, luxury goods, fashion, tech, and e-commerce, Cherylann brings a rare mix of operational depth and compliance expertise to the conversation.

We cover what makes cosmetics uniquely challenging to ship, how viral social media moments create real supply chain pressure, and what shippers wish their broker partners understood. Whether you're a broker, carrier, or logistics professional, you'll walk away with a sharper view of what great shipper relationships actually look like.

In this episode: shipper-broker relationships, beauty industry supply chain, customs and trade compliance, international logistics, social commerce and TikTok Shop logistics, building a compliance team, servant leadership in supply chain

Inside Freight is produced by Fifth Wheel Freight, a third-party logistics provider based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, offering truckload, LTL, drayage, rail, over-dimensional, and expedited freight services across the US and Canada. Learn more at fwf.com.