by Jason Tieri | Aug 10, 2026 | Podcasts
Everything Gig Economy Podcast Related: https://gigeconomyshow.com/
Download the Audio Podcast: https://thegigeconomypodcast.buzzsprout.com
Love the show? You now have the opportunity to support the show with some great rewards by becoming a Patron. Tier #2 we offer free merch, an Extra in-depth podcast per month, and an NSFW pre-show https://www.patreon.com/thegigeconpodcast
Octopus is a mobile entertainment tablet for your riders. Earn 100.00 per month for having the tablet in your car! No cost for the driver!
https://playoctopus.page.link/HD2FBKJzFqRR35YE9
Your car stinks, use this! https://bit.ly/Driftsents
The Gig Economy Podcast Group Download Telegram 1st, then click on the link to join. https://t.me/joinchat/R42wUR2QGhCi2gBD
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gigeconomypodcast?
Subscribe on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK_bV7j7o1BzWtB4mt_4R8Q?view_as=subscriber
This podcast is produced by Hey Guys Media Group LLC http://www.heyguysmediagroup.com
Want to start your own podcast? Reach out to them today!
by Jason Tieri | Aug 10, 2026 | Blog
Download the audio podcast
Gig economy work is changing fast, and the day-to-day reality still swings between messy routes and new platforms that promise better pay. We talk through what it feels like when an Amazon-style route blows up into long gaps between stops, ballooning mileage, and frustration that drivers end up eating. We also dig into Better Trucks, a newer delivery app that shows a pay range but doesn’t clearly show miles or stop count up front. That missing info matters for any independent contractor doing delivery driving, because profit depends on route density, dead miles, and how smooth the driver app works when you’re out in the field.
From there, we shift into the bigger forces reshaping rideshare and delivery. Waymo and robotaxi tech are no longer a distant concept, they’re something drivers and riders are encountering in real cities. We discuss the ride feel, why self-driving can seem “herky jerky,” and the core tradeoff between caution and comfort. The key point is that autonomy is expanding in public, and gig workers should track it like any other market change. If robotaxis cut travel times and lower cost on longer trips, that pressure lands back on Uber and Lyft pricing and, eventually, driver earnings.
Money risk comes up again with Uber’s optional plan that charges a small per-mile amount to reduce a large deductible after an accident. For many rideshare drivers, a $2,500 deductible is not just a number, it can be weeks of lost income if the car is down and cash is tight. We break down how a few cents per mile adds up, who benefits if you drive 10,000 to 20,000 miles a year, and why “tiny weekly deductions” can feel different than facing a big bill at the worst time. We also connect this to broader security concerns, including fleet account hacks and why platforms keep adding ID checks and video verification.
Finally, we get into delivery drones, delivery robots, and why the details matter more than the hype. Drones may make sense for DashMart-style hubs and small non-perishable orders, but fast food logistics, windy days, and safe drop-off placement are real constraints. Ground robots may be more practical in dense areas, yet they still raise questions about theft, accessibility, and who is liable when something goes wrong. We also revisit a viral DoorDash case as a blunt reminder: privacy rules apply even when you’re “just delivering,” especially if you create content at customer homes. The future of gig work will reward drivers who adapt, protect themselves, and stay informed.
by Jason Tieri | Aug 3, 2026 | Podcasts
Everything Gig Economy Podcast Related: https://gigeconomyshow.com/
Download the Audio Podcast: https://thegigeconomypodcast.buzzsprout.com
Love the show? You now have the opportunity to support the show with some great rewards by becoming a Patron. Tier #2 we offer free merch, an Extra in-depth podcast per month, and an NSFW pre-show https://www.patreon.com/thegigeconpodcast
Octopus is a mobile entertainment tablet for your riders. Earn 100.00 per month for having the tablet in your car! No cost for the driver!
https://playoctopus.page.link/HD2FBKJzFqRR35YE9
Your car stinks, use this! https://bit.ly/Driftsents
The Gig Economy Podcast Group Download Telegram 1st, then click on the link to join. https://t.me/joinchat/R42wUR2QGhCi2gBD
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gigeconomypodcast?
Subscribe on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK_bV7j7o1BzWtB4mt_4R8Q?view_as=subscriber
This podcast is produced by Hey Guys Media Group LLC http://www.heyguysmediagroup.com
Want to start your own podcast? Reach out to them today!
by Jason Tieri | Aug 3, 2026 | Blog
Download the audio podcast!
Summer can expose every weak spot in gig work. When college towns thin out and demand drops, you either panic or you get systematic about “stacking apps” so your wheels keep turning. We talk through the practical reality of running multiple platforms at once: turning on Instacart, Spark, Roadie, and especially Amazon Flex-style routes to fill the dead space between better offers. The key gig economy skill is not loyalty, it is optionality. When one app slows, you need a backup plan that still fits your car, your schedule, and your risk tolerance, so your weekly earnings do not hinge on a single algorithm.
Amazon delivery blocks can still be a lifeline when the market is soft, but the details matter more than the headline rate. A high-paying route close to home can outperform a “good” offer that sends you deep into the boonies with long unpaid miles back. We also dig into newer delivery options like Veho, where routes can feel like a blind bag: posted at night with limited clarity, then revealed later with a heat map and tighter pricing. That uncertainty is a real operational issue for drivers, because package count and vehicle capacity are not optional details. The takeaway is to treat every platform as a business contract: know the commitment, know the downside, and do not gamble your night just to lock in a spot.
On the non-delivery side, BabyQuip shows how the gig economy is expanding beyond rideshare and food. Renting baby gear like cribs and car seats can create surprisingly steady extra income with fewer miles and less customer friction, especially when most orders go to Airbnbs and travelers who do not want to fly with bulky gear. But this “micro-rental business” comes with its own constraints: storage, inventory investment, cleaning, and seasonal demand. A five-star review, a strong tip, and even a free mattress can make the model feel exciting, yet it still works best when you track true profit after time, space, and wear, not just gross revenue.
We also cover platform news that directly affects drivers and customers. DoorDash is shifting to a fee structure that varies by order size and distance, including possible long-distance fees over 10 miles and “farther away” labels that prime customers to blame price on the driver. At the same time, a New York City deactivation rule aimed at transparency gets temporarily blocked, which highlights the core tension: companies want fast removals for safety, while drivers want clear reasons and a real appeal process. Add Uber cutting customer service staff while “embracing AI,” plus the Waymo versus Uber robotaxi partnership getting rocky, and the pattern is clear: efficiency is rising, but accountability is not guaranteed. If you drive or deliver, protect yourself with diversification, documentation, and habits that reduce preventable disputes before an app’s decision becomes your problem.
by Jason Tieri | Jul 27, 2026 | Podcasts
Everything Gig Economy Podcast Related: https://gigeconomyshow.com/
Download the Audio Podcast: https://thegigeconomypodcast.buzzsprout.com
Love the show? You now have the opportunity to support the show with some great rewards by becoming a Patron. Tier #2 we offer free merch, an Extra in-depth podcast per month, and an NSFW pre-show https://www.patreon.com/thegigeconpodcast
Octopus is a mobile entertainment tablet for your riders. Earn 100.00 per month for having the tablet in your car! No cost for the driver!
https://playoctopus.page.link/HD2FBKJzFqRR35YE9
Your car stinks, use this! https://bit.ly/Driftsents
The Gig Economy Podcast Group Download Telegram 1st, then click on the link to join. https://t.me/joinchat/R42wUR2QGhCi2gBD
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gigeconomypodcast?
Subscribe on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK_bV7j7o1BzWtB4mt_4R8Q?view_as=subscriber
This podcast is produced by Hey Guys Media Group LLC http://www.heyguysmediagroup.com
Want to start your own podcast? Reach out to them today!
