Forward Thinking - The Freight, Logistics & Supply Chain Podcast
Forward Thinking is an Australian podcast focused on freight forwarding, logistics, and supply chain. Hosted by Sam Smeaton of LogiHire, it features conversations with people across the Australian freight industry, from operations coordinators and customs brokers to sales leaders, executives, and business owners. Episodes cover freight forwarding careers, logistics recruitment, sales and business development, operational best practices, leadership, and supply chain innovation. It offers practical advice and industry insights for anyone working in warehouses, operations, sales, or running a freight business.
Episodes
#15 - Why companies waste millions on spare parts — and how AI is fixing it
How much money is sitting unused on warehouse shelves?In Episode 15 of Forward Thinking, I sit down with Tim McLain, co-founder of Lexin, to unpack one of the most overlooked areas of supply chain: MRO — maintenance, repair and operating materials.Tim has spent his career working across supply chain, heavy industry and mining, including senior roles at BHP, where he saw firsthand how easily busine
#14 - From Everest to Freight - Johnny Davison, Hitrak Founder & CEO
In this episode, I sit down with Johnny Davison, founder of Hightrak, a transport management system built by freight people for freight operators.Johnny's path into logistics is anything but typical. He grew up in Auckland, became a certified mountain guide, spent six months in Antarctica, guided Denali and summited Everest in 2010. Endless logistics planning in base camps turned out to be the per
#13 - Ben Young: The Frank Green Founder Making Plastic Pallet Wrap Extinct
Ben Young built Frank Green into a household name, selling as many water bottles in Australia as there are Australians. Now he's taking on a problem the entire logistics industry has ignored: single use plastic pallet wrap.In this episode, Ben shares the Frank Green origin story, the hard lessons of scaling a physical product globally, and the Christmas peak that cost the business over a million d
#12 - From the Boardroom to Behind the Wheel: Joe Joseph, JD Refrigerated Transport
Joe Joseph started out as an accountant at Ernst & Young and spent 20 years in consumer goods before walking out of the boardroom and into the cab of a truck. Fourteen years on, JD Refrigerated Transport runs more than 120 drivers across Southeast Queensland.Joe joins Sam to talk through how he built the business from a single 14-pallet truck, why cold chain comes down to people and process ra
#11 - Nick Gavos: Breaking the Stigma That Age Equals Knowledge
Nick Gavos turned 21 the day we recorded this episode. He's already a national award winner, an IFCBAA Young Professionals panellist, and an aspiring licensed customs broker at his family business, Gavos Freight Solutions.Nick grew up in the industry, learning from his father while competing as a national karate athlete through high school. In this episode, he shares how he went from sweeping
#10 - Why "Good Enough" Is Costing Businesses Millions
In this episode of Forward Thinking, Sam Smeaton sits down with Chris Roe, Principal Advisor at FR8 Advice, to unpack the hidden cost of “good enough” in supply chain and logistics.With more than 25 years across freight forwarding, operations, sales, leadership, and advisory, Chris shares practical insights on where businesses are losing money without realising it and why comfortable inefficiency
#09 - What it takes to build a modern logistics business
Hannah Hurckes is the Founder & CEO of Boss Lady Logistics and author of The Leadership Reset.In this episode, we get into what it actually takes to build a logistics brand that stands out. Not just moving freight, but building something people recognise and trust.Hannah breaks down her move from operator to founder, how she’s approached growth, and what most people in logistics miss when it c
#08 - Why Most Salespeople Fail in Logistics
Sam sits down with Michael Altamore, National Sales Manager at Civic Transport Services — a same-day carrier doing over 150,000 deliveries per month. They get into what actually makes a great salesperson in transport, why moving into management isn't always the right call, how the industry shifted post-COVID, and the one piece of advice Michael would give anyone starting out today.In this episode:
#07 - How LinkedIn Is Changing Logistics Sales
In this episode of Forward Thinking, I sit down with Jose Coronel from Miami to talk about what’s really happening inside freight forwarding right now.We cover:– Growing up in a family freight business– Why most forwarders are still selling the wrong way– The biggest mistakes sales teams make– How LinkedIn and cold outreach can actually drive real conversations– Consolidation, tariffs and where th
#06 - Shipping Wisdom with Amanda Bradfield
This episode, I’m joined by Amanda Bradfield, Head of International Freight & Logistics at FTA.Amanda has spent nearly three decades in freight forwarding and global trade, and brings a sharp, no-nonsense view of what’s really happening across shipping, ports, and supply chains right now.We cover:• How Amanda fell into logistics at 17 and never looked back• What actually changed in shipping po
#05 - Why your logistics marketing isn't working (and how to fix it)
In this episode, I sit down with Pete Lynagh, founder of Haul Agency, a marketing firm that specialises in logistics and freight. Pete shares how he went from being an electrician to running a full-service digital agency focused exclusively on the logistics sector, and why most companies are still stuck posting “truck pics” instead of building real online brands.If you work in freight forwarding,
#04 - Why price and service aren't enough in logistics anymore
Price and service still matter in freight forwarding, but they no longer win on their own.Sam talks with Sean Crook, Co-Founder and Director of Neolink, about why logistics decisions now hinge on visibility, technology, and data-driven insight. Sean shares how a beer marketing mishap led him into freight, the early grind of building Neolink, and why the old “price and service” pitch falls short.Th
#03 - How Freight professionals can avoid being left behind
In this episode, Sam speaks with Johann Psaila, sales leader and founder of Blueprint Coaching, about how freight professionals can future-proof their careers. With over 20 years’ experience across shipping lines and freight forwarders, Johann shares what sets top performers apart – from hunger and discipline to building a strong personal brand.They dive into:Why most sales teams rush to hire and
#02 - The Freight industry's biggest problem no one wants to talk about
In this episode of Forward Thinking, Sam Smeaton speaks with Paul Zalai, co-founder and director of the Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA). They discuss the evolution of FTA, the challenges facing the freight forwarding and logistics industry, and the impact of AI and automation on talent. Paul shares insights on policy advocacy, customs broker shortages, and the importance of building a pipeline
#01 - "They think all freight forwarders are dumb"
Ep 1 - "They think all freight forwarders are dumb", with Arman Muhović from Northline Logistics. In this first episode of Forward Thinking, Sam Smeaton from LogiHire sits down with Arman Muhović, International Trade Lane & Pricing Manager at Northline. Arman shares how he carved out a unique role managing global agent relationships and why pricing, trust, and hustle still drive results in fre
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