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…

In this episode of Logistics With Purpose®, presented by Vector Global Logistics in partnership with Supply Chain Now, hosts Enrique Alvarez and Kristi Porter sit down with Benjamin Reich and Ronny Horvath from Accenture for a powerful conversation about the future of supply chain, AI, resilience, and human-centered leadership. From AI-driven logistics and supply chain orchestration to trust, culture, and meaningful workplace relationships, this episode explores what it really takes to build resilient supply chains in a rapidly changing world. Benjamin and Ronny share practical insights on how organizations can adopt AI without waiting for “perfect” data, why curiosity and adaptability matter more than ever, and how companies can balance automation with humanity. You’ll also hear personal stories about their journeys from Germany to leading global transformation initiatives across the U.S., lessons learned from companies like Porsche and IBM, and why the future of logistics depends just as much on people and trust as it does on technology. Whether you’re a supply chain leader, technology enthusiast, logistics professional, or someone curious about how AI is reshaping business, this conversation delivers practical takeaways, leadership wisdom, and an inspiring look at the future of work.   This episode is hosted by Enrique…