The Road Ahead: New Season, Tackling Isolation, Retention, and Industry Changes

Are you ready for a new season of Drive, where we get real about the challenges facing truck drivers today — and the practical steps we can all take to make this industry stronger?

This season kicks off with a shift. Chelsea Faulkner is stepping into the host seat, and she’s bringing a fresh focus to the conversations ahead. In this first episode, Chelsea and Zac Elsts talk about what’s next for Drive — and why driver connection is at the heart of it all.

From isolation and mental health to communication breakdowns and retention issues, it all circles back to one thing: how well drivers are connected — to their company, their community, and their own goals.

Chelsea shares why that connection piece is personal for her and previews what’s ahead this season: conversations with industry leaders, stories that need to be heard, and real steps we can all take to improve how we support drivers from the cab to the C-suite.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why driver connection is the key to solving retention and mental health challenges

• How industry changes, from policies to workforce expectations, impact drivers

• What drivers and companies can do to create stronger communication and support systems

Resources:

• HandledNow Website

• HandledNow on Facebook

• Zac on LinkedIn

• Chelsea on LinkedIn

Episode Highlights:
(00:00) Welcome to the new season of Drive
(01:08) What’s ahead: Key themes and conversations for this season
(02:39) Industry trends impacting drivers today
(03:57) Why driver connection is more important than ever
(04:49) Actionable steps to strengthen connection in trucking
(06:03) Where to follow and subscribe for updates