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