‘Over the Road’ episode 2: Why we drive

Updated Jun 28, 2021

Previously on Over the Road: Channel One-Nine Special -- CB handles

The Over the Road podcast today continues its 16-week series of episodes for a national audience. The co-production between PRX’s Radiotopia and Overdrive features primary episodes every two weeks narrated by Indiana-based Moeller Trucking driver and former owner-operator “Long Haul Paul” Marhoefer. On off weeks, Overdrive Senior Editor Todd Dills hosts mini-episodes with the Channel One Nine Special, answering listener questions about trucking.

If you subscribe to Over the Road via a smartphone-app podcast player like Apple Podcasts, Pocketcasts, Spotify or Stitcher (all available free of charge), new episodes will automatically be delivered to your smartphone. Find options for subscribing with some helpful how-to information via this link to Overdrive’s story with episode 1. Or visit OvertheRoad.fm and follow links at the bottom of the page to your choice among a variety of podcast players.If you subscribe to Over the Road via a smartphone-app podcast player like Apple Podcasts, Pocketcasts, Spotify or Stitcher (all available free of charge), new episodes will automatically be delivered to your smartphone. Find options for subscribing with some helpful how-to information via this link to Overdrive’s story with episode 1. Or visit OvertheRoad.fm and follow links at the bottom of the page to your choice among a variety of podcast players.

For primary episode 2, “Why we drive,” Marhoefer and contributing producer Lacy Roberts offer up this tale of two truckers, built around Grand Island, Nebraska. It’s the home location of reefer hauler Grand Island Express, where former real-estate agent (and more) Kenyette Godhigh-Bell is approaching the anniversary of her maiden voyage in trucking as a company driver, and the home shop of third-generation owner-operator Jared Sidlo, cattle hauler. Godhigh-Bell contemplates eventual truck ownership after decades doing other work, most recently real estate. Meanwhile, Sidlo, in his 30s, wonders whether the money and his pristine custom Pete are worth the miles and time away from a young family.

Next in the Over the Road series: Channel One-Nine Special: Our favorite roads

Showcase your workhorse
Add a photo of your rig to our Reader Rigs collection to share it with your peers and the world. Tell us the story behind the truck and your business to help build its story.
Submit Your Rig
Reader Rig Submission