SCF’s Diane Hutsell Discusses Driver Appreciation and New Role As Executive Director
In this episode of the Highway To Hope, we feature an in-depth conversation with Diane Hutsell, who is celebrating her first National Truck Driver Appreciation Week since her appointment as the Executive Director of the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund. Diane, who joined SCF just before MATS in 2025 as the Director of Philanthropy, was appointed by the SCF Board of Directors to wear a second hat as the organization’s Executive Director on August 24.
Diane shares what she has learned about the trucking industry and SCF’s work on behalf of the people behind the wheel and their families since she joined SCF. She also talks to us about her past experience in leading non-profit organizations and what interested Diane in applying to serve as SCF’s Executive Director. She shares her philosophy of leadership and she notes the respect she has for the legacy within the industry that SCF has established. She is looking forward to celebrating the organization’s 20th anniversary next year and carrying the work of SCF forward into the future.
At the heart of the conversation you’ll hear Diane’s care and concern for professional drivers, and that is one of the reasons that we held this interview just prior to National Truck Driver Appreciation. We ask Diane directly about Driver Appreciation Week at the 15:27 mark of the episode. She also shares a story about a professional driver and his family that remains an inspiration that she carries while working to lead SCF.
The post SCF’s Diane Hutsell Discusses Driver Appreciation and New Role As Executive Director (https://podwheels.com/scfs-diane-hutsell-discusses-driver-appreciation-and-new-role-as-executive-director/) appeared first on PodWheels (https://podwheels.com).
29 Aug 2026
Rigs Without Cigs: Larry Sonnabend Celebrates Seven Years As Non-Smoker
For this episode of the series, SCF Health and Wellness Manager Julie Dillon introduces us to Larry Sonnabend, a veteran professional driver who successfully utilized SCF’s Rigs Without Cigs program after struggling for years with attempts to quit smoking. In sharing his story, Larry looks back on the day seven years ago when, through the help of SCF’s first-ever driver health initiative, he was able to become tobacco free.
As you will hear, Larry notes the important role that Julie and the structure that SCF set up played in being able to go the distance after trying other programs and wanting to quit for years. Larry describes how smoking used to shape every part of life on the road, including route planning and choosing fuel stops in particular states based on cigarette prices.
Not long after joining the Rigs Without Cigs program, Larry encountered some major life stress points, with a separation from his wife that ultimately ended in divorce at the top of the list. Despite those personal challenges, Larry was able to stay strong in his commitment to stop smoking, and he credits the accountability check-ins and the steady encouragement from the Rigs Without Cigs program community as major keys to his success.
The conversation in this episode covers practical replacements that helped Larry stay tobacco free, especially sunflower seeds, flavored toothpicks, prepped food, and more water. Larry also breaks down the financial cost of smoking on the road, estimating thousands of dollars a year in cigarette spending. In addition, Larry talks about the health changes he noticed after quitting, including better sleep, less morning coughing, and realizing how constantly sick he had felt while smoking. To learn more about SCF’s Rigs Without Cigs Program, please click here (https://www.truckersfund.org/wellness-resources/rwc/).
The post Rigs Without Cigs: Larry Sonnabend Celebrates Seven Years As Non-Smoker (https://podwheels.com/rigs-without-cigs-larry-sonnabend-celebrates-seven-years-as-non-smoker/) appeared first on PodWheels (https://podwheels.com).
30 Jul 2026
Returning To A Calling: Julie Dillon’s Journey Back To SCF To Lead Health Initiatives
For this episode of the Highway To Hope, Julie Dillon is our special guest. As you will hear, Jule shares her inspiring return to the Saint Christopher Trucker’s Relief Fund after a personal family journey. In her second tour of duty as SCF’s Health & Wellness Manager, Julie talks about her history with SCF and she discusses her passion for driver health and well-being.
We look at addressing the challenges that professional drivers can encounter with their health and how the SCF has developed programs that can help. Julie looks back at the success of the “Rigs Without CIGs” program over the past nine years as well as the work being done through SCF’s Healthy Habits For The Long Haul (https://www.truckersfund.org/healthy-habits/). As mentioned in the episode, the next session for Healthy Habits For The Long Haul is set to begin in mid-August. If you would like to learn more about Healthy Habits For The Long Haul, including how to sign up for the next session, please click here (https://www.truckersfund.org/healthy-habits/).
The post Returning To A Calling: Julie Dillon’s Journey Back To SCF To Lead Health Initiatives (https://podwheels.com/returning-to-a-calling-julie-dillons-journey-back-to-scf-to-lead-health-initiatives/) appeared first on PodWheels (https://podwheels.com).
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Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 20 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
17
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
60
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