From geopolitical tensions impacting global energy markets to rising food costs and shifting delivery networks, today’s supply chains are navigating a perfect storm of disruption and transformation. At the same time, innovation is accelerating—from AI-powered logistics to tech-enabled food platforms redefining how we eat at home. The stakes are high, and the pace of change is only increasing… welcome to The Buzz, powered by project44! In this episode, hosts Scott Luton and Marty Parker explore how global conflict is impacting energy and supply chains, how rising cocoa prices are reshaping the food industry, and what Amazon’s shift away from USPS means for last-mile delivery. Plus, HelloFresh COO Dan Seidel joins us to share how AI, robotics, and supply chain innovation are transforming the home cooking experience. Key Learnings & Takeaways: Geopolitical conflict continues to disrupt global supply chains Oil price volatility impacts nearly every industry Cocoa shortages are driving product and pricing innovation Amazon’s delivery strategy shift could reshape last-mile logistics Strategy is evolving toward speed, flexibility, and resilience AI and robotics are enabling more responsive supply chains HelloFresh is redefining convenience, personalization, and freshness Disruption isn’t slowing down—but neither is innovation. The organizations that stay agile, customer-focused, and ready…

The data doesn’t lie, and in Q1 2026, it’s telling a story the freight industry hasn’t seen in years. In this special episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton and Karin Bursa welcome Bobby Holland, Director of Freight Business Analytics at U.S. Bank, and Bob Costello, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President at the American Trucking Associations, for a deep dive into the latest U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index for Q1 2026. The episode unpacks seven critical takeaways from the quarter, including a historic 12.9% spike in freight spending, a rare supply-side recovery driven by tightening capacity and surging fuel costs, and regional breakdowns across the West, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast, with stops on tariff impacts, cross-border trade with Canada and Mexico, and what a $7.22-per-gallon diesel price in California means for the broader economy. Together, they explore why this recovery is unlike anything we’ve seen since the pandemic boom, what the Goldman Sachs recession outlook gets right (and wrong), and how supply chain leaders can use real, verified freight data, not feelings, to make smarter decisions in an unpredictable 2026.   This episode is hosted by Scott W. Luton and Karin Bursa. Produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua…