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.
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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.
Episode 78: Driver Appreciation Week: Family Values, Communication, and Keeping Trucking Personal with Derek Kivi
Keep Trucking Personal
37 minutes 43 seconds
2 months ago
Episode 78: Driver Appreciation Week: Family Values, Communication, and Keeping Trucking Personal with Derek Kivi
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.
Keep Trucking Personal
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.
