The Cypress Truck Lines Podcast

MirrorEye & SMARTdrive: Trucking Tech from the Cab

MirrorEye cameras and SMARTdrive systems are becoming more common on trucks each year, but what is it really like to drive with them? In Episode 9 of the Cypress Truck Lines Podcast, we hear honest insights from two drivers who have experienced it firsthand. Angel Escoto and Kevin Barritt, both drivers and trainers at Cypress, share their real-world experiences with driver-facing cameras and advanced driver assistance systems: the adjustment period, the genuine safety wins, the frustrations, and everything in between. No corporate spin, just cab-level honesty from guys who have logged the miles with this tech. Then, Tech Director Shannon Brougham flips the lens, sharing what it's like to select drivers as test pilots for emerging trucking tech before it’s rolled out fleet-wide. New episodes are released weekly. Subscribe now so you never miss a mile.

Low Country Loading: Flatbed Secrets from the Dock

Low Country Loading Service doesn't just load flatbeds; they make or break your run before you ever leave the yard. In this episode of the Cypress Truck Lines Podcast, we sit down with all four Low Country Managers, Juan Perez, Michael Mena, Michael Allen, and Martin Olphert, covering operations out of Palatka, Wilmington, Apollo, and Jacksonville. These guys live on the dock, and they're sharing everything you need to know about proper tarping techniques, secured versus unsecured loads, how wallboard gets staged, and the do's and don'ts that every flatbed driver needs to hear straight from the source. Drivers, here's your chance to understand what the loading crew needs from you and exactly how they'll have your back in return. Hit play. You won't want to miss this one.

Cypress Trucking College: Trust the Process to Your CDL

What does it take to go from zero to flatbed driver at one of the Sun Belt's most trusted trucking companies? In Episode 7 of the Cypress Truck Lines Podcast, we're going straight to the source on Cypress Trucking College. Ken Coderre and Lawrence Jones, the Director and lead instructor who are the heartbeat of CTC, walk us through the entire process from the inside. We're talking orientation, first week out, the trainer-trainee relationship, OTR vs. local vs. regional routes, and what makes CTC's FMCSA-compliant program stand apart with a 99% pass rate that leaves the Federal Standard in the dust. If you've ever wondered whether you have what it takes, or whether Cypress is the right home for your driving career, Ken and Lawrence answer every question you didn't know to ask. Trust the process; it works. Hit play and find out why.
Ready to level up your trucking career? Hit subscribe and join the Cypress community.

Driver Training Secrets: The Cypress Trainer-Trainee Bond

Ever wonder what truly occurs between a truck driver trainer and trainee during those first crucial weeks? This episode puts the entire driver training process at Cypress Truck Lines under a microscope.
Join us as we sit down with three experienced trainers, Angel Escoto, Ryan Widgery, and Jimmie Henry, who collectively share decades of real-world training wisdom. You'll discover what separates successful trainees from those who struggle, how to prepare for orientation and your first week out, and why "The Cypress Way" philosophy creates safer, more confident professional drivers.
If you're a new CDL holder weighing career options, an owner-operator considering Sun Belt Trucking opportunities, a fleet executive refining training programs, or a retired driver thinking about returning to flatbed work, this conversation delivers insider knowledge you won't find in any manual.
Our trainers share honest stories about regional and OTR challenges, trainee preparation mistakes, and the personalized approach that sets Cypress apart.
Ready to level up your trucking career? Hit subscribe and join the Cypress community.

CertainTeed & Cypress: 28-Year Flatbed Trucking Partnership

In this episode of the Cypress Truck Lines Podcast, we sit down with Debbie Master, Plant Manager at CertainTeed's Palatka gypsum manufacturing plant, to reveal the secrets behind one of the most successful shipper-carrier partnerships in Sun Belt trucking.
Cypress hauled the very first load out of Palatka, and that handshake has grown into something extraordinary. You'll discover how CertainTeed invested $240 million into factory expansion while Cypress expanded their flatbed operations to match. This isn't just a business story; it's a masterclass in how owner-operators, fleet executives, and manufacturers can build relationships that foster mutual success.
If you're a professional driver evaluating carriers, a fleet owner seeking shippers, or a plant worker interested in the logistics of wallboard and gypsum distribution, this conversation offers valuable insights on driver fitness programs, operational excellence, and long-term strategies in the trucking industry.
Subscribe now and join the Cypress Truck Lines community.

Driver & Company Health: Fitness Habits + Trucking Metrics

Ready to master the balance between driver fitness and business performance? This episode of the Cypress Truck Lines Podcast delivers the ultimate roadmap for professional flatbed drivers and fleet owners who refuse to compromise on health or profitability.
First, physical therapist Dr. Mark Manera reveals insider secrets to changing your nutrition and fitness habits on the road, because progress beats perfection every time. You'll discover practical strategies for driver health that work with the realities of the Sun Belt trucking schedules.
Then, Cypress Truck Lines owner Thad Penland breaks down the company's performance indicators that drive results. We dive into the 2025 metrics, miles hauled, loads completed, on-time delivery rates, and what these numbers signal for growth opportunities in 2026.
Subscribe now and join the Cypress Truck Lines community.

Load Securement Essentials: Flatbed Safety Secrets

Every flatbed driver knows one poorly secured load can end your career, or worse. In this week’s episode of the Cypress Truck Lines Podcast, we cut through the noise and deliver straight-talk load securement training you can use today.
Join Load Securement Instructor Cecil Clark Jr from Cypress Trucking College, veteran driver trainer Jim Keeley, and Safety Manager Sharee Dehart for an unfiltered conversation about flatbed cargo securement. You'll discover the critical differences between proper strapping techniques and dangerous shortcuts, why bungees fail when you need them most, and the tarping mistakes that cause costly load shifts on the highway. Sharee also shares their career journey in trucking safety and breaks down essential SOPs every professional driver needs to know.

The Cypress Story Pt. 2: Building a 500-Truck Legacy

In Part 2 of The Cypress Story, Dave Jr., Thad, Aaron, and Matt Penland, alongside Pete Peterson and Clay Hamblen, share the defining moments that transformed their operation from a scrappy flatbed outfit into a 500-truck Sun Belt trucking leader. You'll hear about the expansion decisions that kept them up at night, how they weathered economic downturns that killed their competitors, the fleet management innovations that set them apart, and the family dynamics that either make or break a multi-generational trucking business.

The Cypress Story Pt. 1: One Truck to Flatbed Empire

What does it take to build a trucking company from one beat-up flatbed to a 500-truck powerhouse? The Cypress Truck Lines Podcast pulls back the curtain on real trucking history you won't hear anywhere else. Join the Penland brothers, Dave Jr., Thad, Aaron, and Matt, along with "VP of Everything" Pete Peterson and safety expert Clay Hamblen, as they tell the unfiltered story of Cypress Truck Lines. From midnight wrenching sessions to landing major gypsum and flatbed hauling contracts with clients like Ploof, these episodes reveal the hard-won wisdom of Sun Belt trucking legends.

The Cypress Truck Lines Podcast Trailer

Here's a little taste of what our podcast will bring each week!