On this episode of On the Front Line: The Safety, Learning & Operations Podcast, Dr. Gina Anderson, speaks with Lindsey Trent, President and Co-Founder of Next Generation in Trucking Association, reveals why nearly 60% of Gen Z turns to TikTok and Instagram for career guidance, and how the industry must meet them there with authentic voices, not polished corporate messaging.

Lindsey reveals why authenticity beats polish when reaching Gen Z, how giving employees a platform to share their stories creates loyalty, and why listening to young voices isn't just good PR—it's the key to solving the industry-wide talent crisis. She also shares NextGen's groundbreaking "What is Trucking?" social media campaign and the simple ways companies can get involved in their own communities.

If you're struggling to attract and retain younger talent, this conversation offers practical strategies for making an impact in your own backyard.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
*Why 60% of Gen Z explores careers on social media—and what trucking must do to show up there
*How NextGen works state-by-state to build relationships that create CDL, supply chain, and diesel tech programs
*The power of employee-generated content: Why real stories beat corporate messaging every time
*How connecting young people to industry professionals reinvigorates current employees

Connect with Lindsey on LinkedIn ,https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindseytrent/

Want to learn more about Lindsey’s work? Check out the Next Generation in Trucking Association website, https://nextgentrucking.org/

Check out the Luma Brighter Learning website, https://lumabrighterlearning.com/

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply, https://www.learningwithgina.com/otfl-guest/

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In Season 3, Episode 11 of the I Love Learning Podcast, Dr. Gina Anderson sits down with Melissa Cohen, personal branding and LinkedIn strategist, to explore identity, career transitions, and the mindset shifts that lead to meaningful growth. Melissa shares how being laid off from her dream job forced her to confront who she was beyond her title—and how that moment led her to build a purpose-driven brand rooted in authenticity and self-trust.

From redefining leadership to practicing self-compassion and making small but powerful changes, this episode is packed with insight for professionals navigating change, burnout, or reinvention.

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if this episode resonates with you!

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In Season 3, Episode 10, I’m joined by Taylor Vandersteenhoven, who has spent her entire career in the trucking industry and she shares a simple habit that completely rewired the way she feels about herself and her life: gratitude.

Taylor starts every morning and every night with a quick journal entry:
3 things she’s grateful for
3 good things that happened that day

That’s it. Simple… but powerful.
Because when you start and end your day focusing on what’s good, your mindset gets lighter—and when you focus on the light, you naturally feel lighter.

Taylor’s #1 tip to prevent burnout:
Learn how to say NO.
Protecting your energy and putting your needs first will take you further (and keep you healthier) than saying yes to everything and everyone.

She also talks about:
🔹 paying attention to how you speak to yourself
🔹 cutting out unnecessary noise
🔹 stopping negative thoughts before they spiral

Because at the end of the day… it’s all about mindset.

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Season 3, Episode 9 begins 2026 with a deeply moving and honest conversation about self-care, love, and survival. In this episode, “Carolyn Dowdy”, we sit with a story that so many caregivers live, but few talk about out loud.

When Carolyn’s husband suffered a stroke, her life changed in an instant. Overnight, she became a caregiver, carrying the weight of responsibility, fear, and love all at once. Through exhaustion and uncertainty, Carolyn learned a powerful truth the hard way: you cannot pour from an empty cup. Without boundaries and self-love, burnout doesn’t just harm the caregiver, it also impacts the person they are trying so desperately to care for.

Carolyn shares how choosing happiness, practicing gratitude, and protecting her mental health became acts of love, not selfishness. By focusing on positivity and honoring her own needs, she found the strength to show up fully and compassionately for her husband.

This episode is a reminder that caregivers matter too. Your well-being is not optional, it’s essential.
For practical mental health tools and self-care strategies for caregivers, visit Carolyn’s website:
👉 https://caregivermentalwellness.com/

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On this episode of On the Front Line: The Safety, Learning & Operations Podcast, Dr. Gina Anderson, speaks with Nikki Thomas, Vice President of Industry Affairs at the American Trucking Association and leader of ATA Women in Motion. Nikki has three years of transforming how the trucking industry supports women and 20+ years in program and event management.

Nikki explains how a partnership with Trucker Path solved the critical truck parking safety gap for women drivers, why "leading from the front" means making others shine, and how she's building networks that keep talent in the industry. Her approach to innovation—taking one step, trying one new thing, and showing up excited—demonstrates why community-centered leadership creates lasting impact.
If you're navigating male-dominated industries, building inclusive programs, or leading teams through innovation, this episode will show you the power of strategic partnerships and quiet persistence.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
--How Nikki's strategic partnership with Trucker Path created a safety solution accessed 64 million times
--Why leadership means creating opportunities for others to shine, not chasing titles
--The seven critical safety features women drivers identified for truck stops
--How forward-thinking technology and virtual training tools are attracting the next generation to trucking
--Why starting earlier with student outreach could transform industry talent pipelines

Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-thomas-0520/

Want to learn more about Nikki's work? Check out the American Trucking Association website https://wim.trucking.org/home?ssopc=1

Check out the Luma Brighter Learning website, https://lumabrighterlearning.com/

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply, https://www.learningwithgina.com/on-the-front-line/

Subscribe to On the Frontline for more insights on safety, compliance, learning, and operations in the world of mobile, distributed, and high-risk workforces.

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I sat down with Jillian McLaughlin, Emotional Intelligence Coach, Leadership Trainer, Keynote Speaker, and Founder of McLaughlin Mentoring Inc. Jillian helps leaders grow and improve their teams with a focus on emotional intelligence and human-centered leadership culture. She shared with us that we need to find your word to shape your your year. Such a powerful conversation to end the year. Let's bring more emotional intelligence into 2026. Share what your word will be for 2026.

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on has been part of the transportation industry since 1987, spending three decades as a professional driver before transitioning into a safety leadership role. One of the greatest challenges in that transition was building confidence. After years of working independently behind the wheel, Don had to learn to speak up, share his ideas, and contribute in new ways. As his insights began to gain traction and receive positive feedback, his confidence grew and with it, a strong sense of purpose and impact.

Tip from Don:
You don’t have to be the smartest person in the room and sometimes it’s better if you aren’t. Staying open to others’ perspectives helps prevent getting stuck in one way of thinking and creates opportunities to learn, grow, and lead more effectively.

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When Josee was just 12 years old, she longed for a new bicycle, a simple dream, but one her family couldn’t afford. Instead of letting disappointment settle in, she let that moment light a fire inside her. She picked up a paper route, began babysitting, and worked for the bike she imagined herself riding.

Josee says she’s learned something powerful along the way: every hurdle in her life has held the potential to become an opportunity. We’re all going to face obstacles, some small, some life-shifting, but what matters most is how we choose to meet them. Often, it’s the smallest, quietest acts of determination that end up changing everything.

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Dr. Courtney Beck shared her career in sports laid a strong foundation of life lessons for her. After spending 3 years away, she realized she had another chance to be part of a team again when her coach allowed her to walk back on. Through this small action, she attributes so much personal growth and confidence. Sometimes it’s little things that have the biggest impact or teach you the biggest lessons in your life.

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