Best Independent Store Operations Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 22: The Impact of Store Cleanliness 4:07

13h ago4:07

4:07

Smoke Break - Episode 22: The Impact of Store Cleanliness Episode Duration: 9 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he reveals how store cleanliness directly impacts customer perception, shopping behavior, and sales success. Learn proven strategies from real store transformations that show how smart cleaning systems, staff engagement, and attention t…

1
Beyond Organic: How Alexandre Family Farm Became America’s First Certified Regenerative Organic Dairy 1:03:56

5d ago1:03:56

1:03:56

In this powerful episode of GroceryPulse, host George Goodwin sits down with Stephanie Alexandre, co-founder of Alexandre Family Farm—America’s first certified regenerative organic dairy. Together, they explore how soil health, A2/A2 milk, and faith-driven leadership can transform the future of food. Stephanie shares the inspiring journey she and h…

1
Honoring a father's legacy: Tim Eacret of EZ Pete Interiors 21:03

5d ago21:03

21:03

Here's hoping the Memorial Day long weekend’s been a safe one for you. Today on the Overdrive Radio podcast, a special treat in the work of our own longtime Overdrive Extra contributor Long Haul Paul Marhoefer: https://overdriveonline.com/14865330Marhoefer spent time at the Mid-America Trucking Show with a man who’s been well on his way toward a st…

1
Episode 21: Mastering Efficient Checkout 3:54

5d ago3:54

3:54

Smoke Break - Episode 21: Mastering Efficient Checkout Episode Duration: 9 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he shares proven strategies for transforming slow, frustrating checkout experiences into swift, memorable interactions that keep customers coming back. Learn how independent store owners have dramatically reduced wait times and improved cu…

1
Small Fleet Champ C.W. Express: Owner Steve Wilson, from new headquarters, assesses growing pains 24:47

12d ago24:47

24:47

This week’s edition of the Overdrive Radio podcast features C.W. Express small fleet owner Steve Wilson, reigning Small Fleet Champ in the 11-30-truck division after a bit of a growth spurt for the fleet followed Wilson’s brush with death in 2022. The team he’d built around the dry van fleet sustained while he was in hospital for the better part of…

1
Episode 20: The Art of Greeting and Assisting Customers 4:33

14d ago4:33

4:33

Smoke Break - Episode 20: The Art of Greeting and Assisting Customers Episode Duration: 9 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he shares powerful stories and proven strategies for transforming customer experiences through effective greeting practices. Learn how independent store owners like you have significantly increased customer loyalty and sales…

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Leading the Organic Movement: Kelly Damewood of CCOF | GroceryPulse by Innovar Agency 1:00:03

15d ago1:00:03

1:00:03

In this episode of GroceryPulse, host George Goodwin sits down with Kelly Damewood, CEO of California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), to explore the future of organic agriculture — and what it takes to make organic the norm, not the exception. We talk grocery, farming, food trends, and the big picture of how certification, advocacy, and education…

1
Flatbed owner-op George Kincaid looks out at prospects of 'phenomenal' year ahead 46:21

19d ago46:21

46:21

"This year, if it goes like it has this past month, it'll be phenomenal." --George KincaidIn this week's edition of Overdrive Radio, an audio window on our feature story about flatbed-pulling owner-operator George Kincaid’s one-truck business, written attendant to the Quinwood, West Virginia-headquartered Kincaid getting the April Trucker of the Mo…

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Episode 19: Building Your Store's Reputation Through Service 4:43

22d ago4:43

4:43

Smoke Break - Episode 19: Building Your Store's Reputation Through Service Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he reveals strategies for developing and maintaining a stellar reputation that brings customers back again and again. Learn how exceptional service can become your store's most powerful competitive advantage in today's …

1
Kenworth W900: History, legacy, availability through 2026, and what's in store for the W990 27:09

26d ago27:09

27:09

In this week's edition of Overdrive Radio, we’re looking back at the long run of the W900 model from the Kenworth Truck Company. The W900's coming sunset has been among the biggest equipment news of the year -- uncovered ahead of the Mid-America Trucking Show, where the company unveiled the launch of the W900 Legacy Edition special series to close …

1
HR Lessons: One of the Largest U.S. Utility Companies w/ about 20 years of experince | Deborah Sanchez on GroceryPulse Podcast 1:01:44

28d ago1:01:44

1:01:44

In this episode of GroceryPulse, host George Goodwin sits down with HR consultant Deborah Sanchez, who brings nearly 20 years of experience advising one of California’s largest utility companies. From working her way up as a young mom to now consulting C-suite leaders, Deborah shares actionable insights on team culture, employee retention, and how …

1
Episode 18: Maximizing Sales Through Exceptional Service 5:02

28d ago5:02

5:02

Smoke Break - Episode 18: Maximizing Sales Through Exceptional Service Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he reveals practical strategies for transforming good customer service into increased sales. Learn how to train your team in service techniques that naturally boost transaction values and create more profitable customer int…

1
One small step, after step, hundreds of truckers improve life with Mother Trucker Yoga 26:15

1M ago26:15

26:15

This week on Overdrive Radio we track back to the Mid-America Trucking Show and the big news for the trucking community from podcast sponsor Howes. The Howes Hall of Fame added its 12th member when it honored Mother Trucker Yoga proprietor and fitness and wellness coach Hope Zvara at the show. You heard part of Zvara’s story when she was featured h…

1
Episode 17: Word of Mouth - Your Most Powerful Marketing Tool 4:55

1M ago4:55

4:55

Smoke Break - Episode 17: Word of Mouth - Your Most Powerful Marketing Tool Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he reveals strategies for turning satisfied customers into your most effective marketing team. Learn how to create experiences that inspire customers to spread the word about your store without spending a fortune on ad…

1
Truck drivers' English-language proficiency and the inspection problem, other issues 36:48

1M ago36:48

36:48

In this week's edition of Overdrive Radio, drop into our conversation with OOIDA Executive Vice President Lewie Pugh at the Mid-America Trucking Show. Pugh was fresh off a whirlwind round of a whole lot of other talking himself, including a MATS-opening breakfast panel discussion you heard here a couple weeks back, then prior to that on Wednesday t…

1
Episode 16: The Power of Customer Loyalty 4:55

1M ago4:55

4:55

Smoke Break - Episode 16: The Power of Customer Loyalty Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he reveals strategies for transforming casual shoppers into devoted customers who drive business growth. Learn how to build meaningful customer relationships that increase sales, encourage word-of-mouth marketing, and create a community a…

1
'Keep digging' with Dice Mayhem's Trucking, growing dump roots to long-term small fleet success 31:05

2M ago31:05

31:05

This week's edition of Overdrive Radio is another in our series highlighting contenders for 2025 Trucker of the Year, with Overdrive Senior Editor Matt Cole’s talk with Virginia-headquartered two-truck straight dump owner-operator business Dice Mayhem’s Trucking, headed up by owner-operator Hunter Hubbard and her husband, Tim. Hunter’s just about s…

1
Episode 15: Building a Culture of Compliance 6:12

2M ago6:12

6:12

Smoke Break - Episode 15: Building a Culture of Compliance Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez for the final episode in our compliance series as he shares strategies for transforming compliance from a set of rules into a core part of your store's identity. Learn how to create an environment where doing things the right way becomes …

1
Encouraging freight signs -- for now -- in ATBS annual owner-operator income update 1:14:27

2M ago1:14:27

1:14:27

In 2024, finally, as regular Overdrive readers will know, owner-operator income was up on a year-over-year basis. ATBS Vice President Mike Hosted makes that abundantly clear in this week's edition of Overdrive Radio, featuring the business services firm's March 25 update offering an economic outlook for the year ahead as well as lessons within the …

1
Episode 14: Regular Audits and Reviews - Your Path to Compliance Success 5:38

2M ago5:38

5:38

Smoke Break - Episode 14: Regular Audits and Reviews - Your Path to Compliance Success Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he shares proven strategies for implementing effective audit systems that protect your business and prevent compliance issues. Learn how regular reviews can transform from tedious tasks into valuable tools f…

1
Freight markets and fraud, insurance, towing: Small-biz challenges dominate trucking-issues panel 49:14

2M ago49:14

49:14

Back from the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, this Overdrive Radio edition kicks off continuing coverage as all of us here at Overdrive spent the show fanning out across convention center grounds to cover just as much as possible. The fruits of that labor you’ve seen just a small sampling of to date, the lot of it collected with …

1
Episode 13: Training Your Team for Compliance Success 5:48

2M ago5:48

5:48

Smoke Break - Episode 13: Training Your Team for Compliance Success Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he shares proven strategies for developing effective compliance training programs that stick. Learn how to transform procedures from paper documents into daily practices that protect your business and customers. Episode Overvi…

1
Leading Retail: Lessons from James W. Keyes, Former 7-Eleven & Blockbuster CEO by Innovar Marketing Agency | GroceryPulse Podcast 1:16:53

2M ago1:16:53

1:16:53

In this episode of GroceryPulse by Innovar Agency, host George Goodwin welcomes James W. Keyes, former CEO of 7-Eleven and Blockbuster, and Chairman of Wild Oats Marketing LLC. James brings decades of leadership experience from some of the most iconic brands in retail, and today, he shares his unique insights on leadership, innovation, and the futu…

1
Overdrive's new Partners in Business playbook, start-to-finish resource for an owner-operator career 19:40

2M ago19:40

19:40

In this Overdrive Radio edition, big news: We’re releasing today our brand-new Partners in Business playbook for owner-operator business, start to finish. The 2025 reboot of the PIB program is a total revamp designed with the decidedly mobile professional trucker in mind. You can access it today at https://overdriveonline.com/pib For more than two …

1
Episode 12: Navigating the World of Regulatory Compliance 5:57

2M ago5:57

5:57

Smoke Break - Episode 12: Navigating the World of Regulatory Compliance Episode Duration: 6 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he breaks down essential compliance strategies that protect your business, customers, and reputation. Learn how regulatory adherence can become a competitive advantage rather than just a necessity. Episode Overview Master …

1
Tony Justice: Top billing at MATS, honoring a mother's legacy, prospects for new record 33:13

3M ago33:13

33:13

This week’s edition of Overdrive Radio starts with a brief part of "Truck Stop," earmarked by today's guest for a special place in his heart the last time we hosted him. That'd be trucker-songwriter Tony Justice, who back then in 2023 spoke to the inspiration the song took from Justice’s mother’s long work at a couple of different East Tennessee tr…

1
Episode 11: Balancing Short-Term Sales with Long-Term Success 9:29

3M ago9:29

9:29

Smoke Break - Episode 11: Balancing Short-Term Sales with Long-Term Success Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he shares essential strategies for finding the perfect balance between immediate sales boosts and sustainable business growth. Learn how to create promotions and pricing approaches that drive both today's revenue and t…

1
Episode 10: Building Trust Through Honest Pricing and Promotions 5:43

3M ago5:43

5:43

Smoke Break - Episode 10: Building Trust Through Honest Pricing and Promotions Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he shares strategies for creating transparent pricing and promotions that build lasting customer relationships. Learn how honest business practices can become your store's most powerful competitive advantage. Episod…

1
Trucker of the Month Kenny Wingate leans into the pride, and brass tacks, of owner-op trucking 34:20

3M ago34:20

34:20

The voice you'll hear at the top of this Overdrive Radio edition is that of Overdrive's February Trucker of the Month Kenny Wingate. Clearly, he knows of what he speaks when he invokes the feeling -- "nothing like it," he said -- that he associates with best of trucking as an owner-operator, running your own game when times are good. It's part of w…

1
Sebastian Öhrn, Founder of Myrqvist / Premium Footwear 24:08

3M ago24:08

24:08

Myrqvist's journey began in 2016, starting small — like most things do — but with a clear vision: to craft high-quality footwear with a timeless design at a fair price. A product designed to stand the test of time and trends alike. How do they balance top-tier craftsmanship with a modest price point? At Myrqvist, they take pride in their dedication…

1
New battery-powered auxiliary A/C system: Small fleet owner looks to move truck-to-truck for better ROI 18:15

3M ago18:15

18:15

Jamie Hagen's got the inside scoop, but won't divulge the name of the new Mack tractor model set to be debuted next month in New York in this year of Mack's 125th anniversary as a company. Small Fleet owner Hagen has actually driven one hand-built production model already around the company’s test track hidden behind the walls, and come June he exp…

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Episode 9: Using Data to Drive Pricing and Promotion Decisions 5:53

3M ago5:53

5:53

Smoke Break - Episode 9: Using Data to Drive Pricing and Promotion Decisions Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he reveals how to transform your store's data into powerful pricing and promotion strategies. Learn practical approaches to analyze sales information and make data-backed decisions that boost your profits. Episode Ove…

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Adem Oygur, Founder of Adem London / Bespoke Hairstyling and Organic Products 18:10

3M ago18:10

18:10

Belgravia stylist Adem Oygur’s journey began in a small town east of Istanbul, where he spent his childhood on his family’s hazelnut farm. Much of his time was spent planting, nurturing and harvesting hazel trees, although his true dream lay in hairstyling. At just 14, Adem made the bold decision to move to Istanbul, where he began his career as a …

1
Episode 8: Mastering Promotions That Drive Sales 6:03

3M ago6:03

6:03

Smoke Break - Episode 8: Mastering Promotions That Drive Sales Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he shares proven strategies for creating promotions that boost sales while protecting profits. Learn how to design and implement effective promotions that build customer loyalty and grow your business. Episode Overview Master essen…

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Get in where you fit in: Hotels4Truckers revamped for truck parking-friendly, discounted bookings 21:09

3M ago21:09

21:09

In this week's edition of Overdrive Radio, Hotels4Truckers.com proprietor Dan Fuller, former driver and independent owner-operator, details completion of a project years in the making. The website and now mobile app as well got its start simply as a cataloging of hotels around the nation where parking a tractor and 53-foot trailer was not only poss…

1
Episode 7: Smart Pricing Strategies That Work 5:45

3M ago5:45

5:45

Smoke Break - Episode 7: Smart Pricing Strategies That Work Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he shares practical pricing strategies that help maximize your store's profitability while maintaining customer satisfaction. Learn how to implement pricing approaches that work for both your business and your customers. Episode Overv…

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Don't be an unwitting accomplice to cargo theft: Cautionary tale, steps to mitigate risk 21:55

3M ago21:55

21:55

Today, a bit of a hypothetical that is really not hypothetical at all, though we’ll withhold names with multiple court cases pending. But consider the scenario: You engage with a broker you feel you know is legitimate for a load of copper moving toward the Northeast. You drop that load for $1,600, you ultimately get paid, and you go on about your b…

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'Road less traveled': Trucker of the Month Ken Brodeur takes control with authority 24:05

4M ago24:05

24:05

In this week's edition of Overdrive Radio, January Trucker of the Month Ken Brodeur, owner-operator out of Escondido, California, tells the tale of his circuitous path to trucking over three decades of prior IT tech and music-industry careers. He leased and then purchased his first and current truck in 2016, a new Kenworth W9 that he’s kept in grea…

1
Episode 6: Building Strong Communication and Supplier Relationships 6:20

4M ago6:20

6:20

Smoke Break - Episode 6: Building Strong Communication and Supplier Relationships Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he shares practical strategies for developing effective communication systems and strong supplier partnerships that enhance your store's operations. Learn how to create robust networks that support your business …

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Grocery Media’s Impact: Trends, Insights, and the Shelby Report Bob Reeves by Innovar Marketing Agency | GroceryPulse Vol. 11 52:19

4M ago52:19

52:19

In this episode of Grocery Pulse by Innovar Agency, host George Goodwin sits down with Bob Reeves, Executive Vice President and Associate Publisher at Shelby Publishing. As a grocery media expert and USC Food Industry Management Program alumnus, Bob shares insights from over two decades of documenting and influencing the grocery industry. The conve…

1
Beat the 'winner's curse' of auction-type negotiations for better freight rates 39:49

4M ago39:49

39:49

With this week's edition of Overdrive Radio, we pick up where longtime Overdrive contributor, former OTR owner and current business coach Gary Buchs left off on the Overdrive Extra blog last week: https://www.overdriveonline.com/15736116/ There, as regular readers will know, he penned and published notes on the "fine art" of rates negotiation, with…

1
Episode 5: Mastering the Details in Inventory Management 6:31

4M ago6:31

6:31

Smoke Break - Episode 5: Building a Sales-Focused Store Culture Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he shares strategies for developing and implementing effective sales techniques in your convenience store. Learn how to train your team to transform routine transactions into valuable customer experiences that drive repeat busines…

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Cutting Distractions in Grocery with Sleke by Innovar Marketing Agency | GroceryPulse Vol. 10 36:13

4M ago36:13

36:13

In this episode of Grocery Pulse by Innovar Agency, host George Goodwin, a fourth-generation grocer and retail strategist, sits down with Austin and Brennen, co-founders of Sleke. Sleke is revolutionizing workplace productivity with its “smart dumb phone,” designed to eliminate distractions and enhance focus. The conversation explores the impact of…

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How to build the 'Remarkable One Truck Company': NASTC, Kevin Rutherford on ROTC progress 38:42

4M ago38:42

38:42

"The goal of this program is to take one truck and figure out how to squeeze the maximum amount of profit out of that truck." --Kevin Rutherford on NASTC's ROTC joint effort with his businessKevin Rutherford's Let's Truck and other initiatives are likely well-known to Overdrive readers. We last heard his voice here in Overdrive Radio from the confe…

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Staying young, learning more: Master of the owner-operator craft Alan Kitzhaber, Trucker of the Year 33:34

4M ago33:34

33:34

"Constantly trying to learn new things just keeps you keeps your mind young. It keeps you going. When you stop learning, you kind of just stagnate and drift away." --Owner-operator Alan KitzhaberOverdrive Radio listeners will recognize the voice at the top of the podcast this week as that of longtime owner-op Alan Kitzhaber of Eau Claire, Wisconsin…

1
Episode 4: Smart Inventory Management 5:58

4M ago5:58

5:58

Smoke Break - Episode 4: Smart Inventory Management Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez as he shares practical inventory management strategies that help independent store owners maintain optimal stock levels and maximize profits. Learn how to balance customer demand with smart ordering practices while minimizing waste. Episode Over…

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Hacked? How trucking owner-ops can contain the damage -- or better yet, avoid it in the first place 33:44

5M ago33:44

33:44

"Theft increased 1,445 percent from the first quarter in 2022 to the first quarter in 2024." --Kathleen Dasal, retired from the Ansonia commercial credit bureauDasal presented at this past November’s annual conference of the National Association of Small Trucking Companies – and emphasized that huge increase in cargo theft over these last years, ai…

1
Episode 3: Exceptional Service and Community Engagement 8:56

5M ago8:56

8:56

Smoke Break - Episode 3: Building Excellence Through Service and Community Connection Episode Duration: 8 minutes Join host Mike Hernandez for insights on transforming your convenience store into a beloved community institution through exceptional service and meaningful local engagement. Learn practical strategies to create lasting connections with…

1
Olympic Insights for Grocery Leaders: Krysta Palmer on Grit, Shopping Habits & Food Trends | GroceryPulse Vol. 9 51:28

5M ago51:28

51:28

Olympic Insights for Grocery Leaders: Krysta Palmer on Grit, Goals & Shopping Trends | GroceryPulse Vol. 9 In this exciting episode of the GroceryPulse Podcast, George Goodwin welcomes Krysta Palmer, Olympic Bronze Medalist and USA Diving National Team member, to explore what grocery leaders and store owners can learn from athletes. Krysta shares h…

1
Tour-haul 'special forces': Small fleet owner Josh Rickards building the team with owner-ops 37:33

5M ago37:33

37:33

For every story of difficulty expanding beyond a single truck with leased owner-operators, there's probably more than one tale of success. The latter's been the story the last several years for owner-operator Josh Rickards, whose Rickards Transportation Services business as of late November was up to a total of five owners leased on in addition to …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Independent Store Operations Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen