In Part 1 of this two-part series, Tyler Kivi looks back at the roots of trucking through the story of his grandpa, who drove truck in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. This episode focuses on the fundamentals that shaped the industry long before GPS, cell phones, electronic logs, and modern comforts. Trucking back then required self-sufficiency, responsibility, pride, and grit. Drivers treated the truck, the freight, and their reputation as their own. Problems were handled in the moment, integrity mattered, and professionalism was expected. Many of the challenges drivers face today are not new. Competition, tight rates, long days, bad weather, and pressure from every direction existed decades ago too. What has changed is how those challenges are handled and the standards the industry is willing to accept. This episode reflects on where trucking came from and why pride, ownership, and discipline still matter today. Those fundamentals built careers, earned trust, and carried the industry through hard times.

As the year comes to a close and New Year’s resolutions start to build, Tyler Kivi shares a timely message about standards, discipline, and preparation. With winter hitting hard across the Midwest, this episode is a reminder that cold weather does not care about intentions or plans. It quickly exposes shortcuts and reveals the difference between cheap effort and best effort. Winter raises expectations. Customers still expect loads on time, families still expect drivers home safely, and equipment still demands attention. The cold does not care if you are tired or in a hurry. Tyler walks through what real preparation looks like during the toughest months of the year, from slowing down and increasing following distance to taking the time for proper pre trips and equipment checks. This episode highlights why the standards you set right now matter. The habits built in the cold, the grind, and the hard days are the ones that carry into the year ahead. Being prepared and disciplined may not be flashy, but it is professional, consistent, and trusted. As the new year approaches, Tyler challenges drivers to raise their standards, stay prepared, and make decisions that get them home safely every time. That is how winter becomes manageable and how the year starts the right way. Happy New Year from Tyler and the Keep Trucking Personal podcast.

In this special, no-agenda Christmas episode of the Keep Trucking Personal podcast, Tyler Kivi slows things down and speaks straight from the heart. With Christmas just days away, Tyler shares a message for anyone on the road, or at home, who may be feeling joyful, heavy, tired, grateful, or uncertain. He reflects on the true Christmas story: a real moment in history, rooted in humility, love, and showing up without having everything figured out. This episode isn’t about trucking strategy or lessons behind the wheel. It’s about presence. It’s about remembering that you don’t have to have it all together, that you’re not walking alone, and that love and grace meet people exactly where they are. From the team at Kivi Bros. Trucking, Tyler offers gratitude to drivers and families for the sacrifices they make every day, and a reminder that hope, light, and love don’t wait for permission.

In this episode of the Keep Trucking Personal podcast, Tyler Kivi speaks directly to the drivers, carriers, and industry professionals who didn’t tune out when the work got uncomfortable. This is a conversation about real hard work, not the highlight-reel version, but the kind that reveals who is built for the long haul and who was only here for the easy stretch. Tyler breaks down what’s happening in the freight market right now, including a rising truckload rejection index and what tightening capacity could mean for carriers heading into the end of the year and into 2026. He shares why, despite positive signals, strong demand is still the missing ingredient, and why service, professionalism, and relationships continue to be the true differentiators at Kivi Bros. Trucking and across the industry. The episode also touches on compliance changes, English language proficiency enforcement, winter conditions, and how these factors are reshaping capacity and carrier operations. Tyler reflects on the collective pressure felt across the industry during the holiday season, from drivers and dispatchers to leadership and shippers, and reminds listeners that feeling stretched doesn’t mean you’re behind. Tying the conversation to preparation rather than perfection, Tyler shares a reflection rooted in faith, emphasizing that preparation often goes unnoticed but gives pressure its purpose. This episode is an acknowledgment of the weight the industry carries and a reminder that showing up, even under pressure, matters.

In this episode of the Keep Trucking Personal podcast, Tyler Kivi takes a direct and honest look at what hard work really means in the trucking industry, especially in a tight and pressure filled market like December. Building on last week’s overwhelming response from drivers and team members across the industry, Tyler talks about the role of discipline, consistency, mental toughness, and daily habits that are built when no one is watching. He explains how pressure is part of the job, why there is no perfect week coming to save you, and how the way you communicate, prepare, and show up on hard days is what separates the average from the exceptional. Tyler shares personal insight from his own fitness routine to show why results often lag behind effort and why discipline builds you from the inside out long before progress becomes visible. He closes with practical reminders about taking ownership, controlling what you can control, and setting daily standards that help you win December and your career. This episode will challenge you, motivate you, and strengthen your mindset as you keep trucking personal.

In this episode of the Keep Trucking Personal podcast, Tyler Kivi reflects on the momentum coming out of November, one of the toughest months in transportation, and how Kivi Bros. Trucking drivers did the impossible and won the month. With December bringing an even shorter work window, winter weather, and the busiest holiday stretch of the year, Tyler breaks down how drivers can repeat that success through mindset, preparation, and grit. He explains why November was such a standout, how to mentally prepare for a short month with full-month responsibilities, and what winning December really looks like on the road. Tyler emphasizes the importance of urgency, treating every load and every day like it matters, and owning your plan instead of hoping things go right. He also discusses controllable versus uncontrollable challenges, from weather to maintenance delays to holiday closures, and why confidence, communication, and preparation matter more than ever. Tyler closes with a challenge for every driver: after your pre-trip each morning, tell yourself, “I can win today.” Winning starts in your mindset long before it shows up in your paycheck. Let’s win December together!

In this special Thanksgiving episode of the Keep Trucking Personal podcast, host Tyler Kivi pauses the hustle of the season to speak directly to the men and women who keep our industry and country moving. While most people are gearing up for time with family, long weekends, and full tables, America’s drivers are often gearing up for one of the busiest weeks of the year. Tyler breaks down a truth many people overlook: every single part of Thanksgiving: the food, the fuel, the heat, the clothes, the décor, the supplies - all of it reaches families because of the hard work and sacrifice of truck drivers. Tyler shares his gratitude not only for the drivers at Kivi Bros. Trucking but for drivers across America. He reflects on the tough decisions drivers make every day, the unseen challenges they navigate, and the professionalism they bring to every mile. From flatbed to heavy haul, intermodal to end dump, regional to over-the-road: every division, every driver plays a vital role. This episode is a reminder that behind every truck is a real person with a family, responsibilities, and dreams. And a message to every driver spending Thanksgiving on the road or at home: We see you. We appreciate you. And we are grateful for you.

In this episode of the Keep Trucking Personal podcast, Tyler Kivi from Kivi Bros. Trucking takes a deeper look at winter driving and reveals the real risk drivers face during the colder months. It is not the snow, ice, or wind. It is overconfidence. Tyler explains how complacency slowly replaces discipline, how the familiar can start to feel safe when it is not, and why winter exposes drivers who stop respecting the season. He breaks down the difference between experience and complacency, the small habits that erode over time, and the dangers that appear when shortcuts become normal. Tyler also shares practical reminders about securement, pre trips, equipment checks, braking, stopping distances, and the need to stay alert when the first flakes hit the ground. Most of all, he talks about professional pride and how returning to the basics can keep drivers safe when the weather turns. Winter does not cause most accidents. Cutting corners does. This episode shows drivers how to stay sharp, stay intentional, and stay safe as the season approaches.

Winter changes everything... the weather, the roads, and even your mindset. In this episode of Keep Trucking Personal, host Tyler Kivi of Kivi Bros. Trucking talks about what it really means to face the season head-on - not just with tire chains and extra gloves, but with grit, preparation, and heart. Tyler draws a moving parallel between life on the road and the story of perseverance from the book of John, reminding listeners that strength doesn’t come from avoiding the storm, but from learning how to stand in it. Whether you’re battling whiteouts in Minnesota or personal challenges off the road, this episode is a reminder that a man who refuses to quit is dangerous: dangerous to fear, doubt, and excuses. Tune in for encouragement, perspective, and a reminder that the most powerful thing you can do this winter is to keep moving forward - one mile, one moment, one choice at a time.

In this episode of Keep Trucking Personal, host Tyler Kivi from Kivi Bros. Trucking dives into one of the most common challenges on and off the road: conflict. From shippers and receivers to fellow drivers and even dispatch, everyone faces moments that test their patience. Tyler shares real stories and practical advice on how to stay calm, professional, and in control when tensions rise. He explains that the loudest person doesn’t win, the calmest one does, and shows how composure and respect can turn stressful encounters into opportunities for leadership. Listeners will learn simple ways to respond instead of react, handle rude people with professionalism, and protect their peace while setting the standard for others. Whether you are behind the wheel or leading a team, this episode is a reminder that professionalism is strength under control and that how you leave a conversation matters more than how you started it.

In this episode of the Keep Trucking Personal podcast, host Tyler Kivi reflects on one of the most powerful lessons he’s learned - both in life and in trucking: the impact of those who give without expecting anything in return. Tyler shares personal stories of the people who shaped him along the way - from Mike Foerst, who taught him discipline and accountability in the shop; to Derek, who opened doors and shared years of operational wisdom; to Kaitlyn, whose belief and honesty continue to fuel his growth; and Swan Webb, whose mentorship in data and analytics helped Tyler see the numbers behind the business in a whole new way. Through these real stories, Tyler reminds us that true success isn’t measured by recognition, paychecks, or prizes - it’s found in the quiet, consistent act of building others up. Whether you’re leading a team, running loads, or simply trying to be a better human, this episode is a call to give more, expect less, and keep the human side of trucking strong.

In this powerful episode of Keep Trucking Personal, host Tyler Kivi of Kivi Bros. Trucking dives deep into one of the toughest challenges in trucking, and in life, the slow drift. It’s not always the big storms that knock us off course; sometimes it’s the quiet moments when we stop paying attention. Tyler shares an honest look at what happens when good drivers and good people start to drift. Through real stories and hard-earned wisdom, he talks about the habits that keep you grounded, the temptations that pull you off track, and the pride that comes from staying the course. This episode is about more than trucking; it’s about discipline, integrity, redemption, and purpose. Tyler reminds listeners that the road rewards those who stay consistent, do the small things right, and keep their focus when the world gets loud. And for anyone who’s slipped or lost their way, this conversation offers hope: you can always pull over, reset, and get back on the road.

In this episode of Keep Trucking Personal, host Tyler Kivi reflects on a powerful week spent with the Kivi Bros. Trucking team in Minnesota - a trip filled with clarity, connection, and reminders of what real leadership looks like. From working alongside CEO Derek, whose mix of humility and humor sets the tone for the company, to witnessing the relentless drive of Dakota and the entire team, Tyler shares what it means to lead from within and stay grounded through uncertainty. As news of Montgomery Transport’s sudden closure ripples through the industry, Tyler dives deep into the lessons hidden in hardship. He explores what it means to stay anchored in truth - in faith, integrity, and unity - even when the world feels shaky. Drawing from Mark 8:22, where Jesus heals a blind man in two touches, Tyler reminds listeners that clarity and strength sometimes take time. This episode is a heartfelt message about grace, truth, and resilience. It’s for every driver, every team member, and every leader learning to stand firm when the noise gets loud. Tyler’s reminder is simple but powerful: when your anchor is set in truth, you won’t drift when the wind blows - you’ll stand tall, steady, and ready to keep trucking personal.

In this episode of Keep Trucking Personal, host Tyler Kivi shares a message that’s simple but powerful - one question that can change how we lead, how we show up, and how we finish strong: “How can I help?” Tyler breaks down why this phrase carries so much weight when it’s genuine and how real confidence comes from being willing to lift others up, not from having all the answers. He shares personal reflections from the road, lessons from leadership, and a reminder that help isn’t a word - it’s an action. From drivers lending a hand on a tough load to dispatchers checking in after a long week, Tyler highlights the ripple effect that small acts of help can create: at work, at home, and on the road. “How can I help?” isn’t about saying yes to everything; it’s about leading with confidence and care. Real leaders build influence through trust, not authority, and helping others often gives you the energy you didn’t know you needed. Tyler challenges listeners to use two simple phrases once a day - “How can I help?” and “Happy to help.” - and truly mean them. Because sometimes, helping someone else is exactly what gives you the motivation to finish strong.

On this episode of the Keep Trucking Personal podcast, host Tyler Kivi sits down for Part 2 with Kaitlyn Kivi of Kivi Bros. Trucking to unpack the repeatable habits that help drivers win, starting on day one. They dig into how trust is built early through frequent, clear updates, especially in the first 30/60/90 days, and why bullet-point texts, quick “I’m loaded” check-ins, and immediate heads-ups when something feels off create confidence on both sides. Kaitlyn explains how planning and time management turn “I do 600 miles a day” talk into real outcomes. She also shares why professionalism at shippers, receivers, and truck stops sets the bar for everyone, and how safety - anchored by consistent pre- and post-trips and smart use of data - prevents costly mistakes. The conversation also covers closing the loop with paperwork so billing and pay keep moving, how mentorship sharpens veterans while accelerating rookies, and the number-one rookie mistake to avoid: never assume, always confirm. Small guesses can turn into big problems fast. As Tyler puts it, “Time is your biggest currency in trucking - you can’t get it back once it’s spent.”

In this episode of Keep Trucking Personal, host Tyler Kivi sits down with his wife and colleague Kaitlyn Kivi, who has recently stepped into the role of Driver Specialist at Kivi Bros. Trucking. Together, they unpack what it means to truly support drivers beyond the dispatch board: through trust, relationships, and consistent communication. Kaitlyn shares her day-to-day approach to operations, the fast-paced problem-solving her role demands, and how empathy makes all the difference in reducing stress and increasing success on the road. From the habits that lead to bigger paychecks and smoother home time to the “old school” trucking mindset they want to bring back, Tyler and Kaitlyn highlight how strong relationships fuel long-term success in trucking. This is Part 1 of their conversation - tune in next week for Part 2 as they dive even deeper into the keys to driver success.

In this episode of the Keep Trucking Personal podcast, host Tyler Kivi of Kivi Bros. Trucking shares a message for National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Tyler talks about what most people miss when they see a truck on the highway. They notice the load: steel, lumber, cars, or equipment, but not the person behind the wheel. He highlights the focus, patience, and responsibility it takes to do the job safely, and the sacrifices drivers make for their families and for the country. You’ll hear why Kivi Bros. Trucking believes their drivers are the best on the road, why appreciation can’t be limited to just one week, and why the company will always stand up for the people who keep America moving. Whether you’re a driver, part of a trucking family, or someone who simply depends on what drivers deliver, this episode is a reminder to look beyond the freight and see the professional behind it.

In this episode of the Keep Trucking Personal podcast, host Tyler Kivi welcomes his brother, Derek Kivi, CEO of Kivi Bros. Trucking, for a candid conversation about what Driver Appreciation Week really means on and off the calendar. They open with timely housekeeping on tire chain season - especially Colorado’s I-70 west of Denver - and why preparation, equipment, and quick walk-arounds matter. From there, Tyler spotlights a strong August across driver specialists, CSRs, and drivers, framing appreciation as more than free lunches; it’s about daily respect, clear expectations, and setting drivers up to earn. Tyler and Derek dig into how technology has reshaped shipping and receiving - from barcode check-ins to app-driven workflows - and the mixed impact that has on drivers navigating different facilities, rules, and layouts. The throughline is communication: calling ahead, confirming protocols, and sharing updates early and often to prevent ripple-effect delays. Derek also explains how family values show up at Kivi Bros. Trucking through leadership by example: weekend yard work, proactive load adjustments, and staying close to the details so drivers can move safely, legally, and profitably. The episode closes on a lighter note with Derek’s first car, the trucking songs that stick, and the advice he’d give his 18-year-old self about focus and discipline. Throughout, the message is consistent: drivers are the heartbeat of this industry. Appreciation shouldn’t be confined to a week; it should be embedded in how companies plan, communicate, and lead every day.

In this episode of the Keep Trucking Personal podcast, Tyler Kivi begins with stories from his early days crossing the Canadian border, highlighting the pressure drivers feel even when every document is in order. Those experiences set the stage for a bigger conversation... driver turnover. Turnover doesn’t just impact companies; it affects drivers, their families, and the entire industry. Tyler breaks down why turnover rates in trucking are so high, what it really costs to switch jobs, and how job-hopping often resets benefits, seniority, and pay, leaving drivers further behind instead of ahead. He emphasizes the importance of communication, building relationships, and sticking it out when challenges arise, rather than abandoning trucks or chasing the next “shiny” opportunity. With practical insight and a call for integrity, Tyler makes the case that tenure builds trust, trust creates opportunity, and stability pays off - for drivers, companies, and the families behind every mile.

In this episode of the Keep Trucking Personal podcast, host Tyler Kivi of Kivi Bros. Trucking takes on the elephant in the room - the way truck drivers are treated both inside and outside the industry. He shares a powerful personal story about being denied access to a restroom at a shipper and reflects on what it reveals about the daily sacrifices drivers face: long hours, time away from family, poor health outcomes, and far too little respect. But this conversation doesn’t stop at calling out the problem; it focuses on the solutions drivers can control. From building healthier habits on the road to dressing for professionalism, mentoring fellow drivers, and giving back to the industry, Tyler reminds us that respect isn’t handed out - it’s earned, lived, and built mile after mile. This episode also explores the harsh realities of truck driver health and lifespan statistics while offering practical ways to take back control: eating better, focusing sharper, carrying yourself with professionalism, and investing in others. Tyler highlights the paradox of the road - that when you give, you also grow - and calls on both drivers and office staff to rebuild respect inside the industry. Also referenced in this episode is Episode 73, where Tyler discusses Project 61 and the importance of truck driver health. You can listen to that episode here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-73-sit-up-front-hard-work-health-and-hustle/id1734971414?i=1000720692509