From Trucker to Trainer: James Murphy's CDL Training Secrets

From Trucker to Trainer: James Murphy's CDL Training Secrets

Author: Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association April 8, 2026 Duration: 1:03:45

Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life, they say. And if that were to apply to anyone, it applies to James Murphy. It’s quite apparent that the trucker-turned-CDL trainer loves what he does. From the trucking movies that inspired him to become a trucker in the first place to his pivot toward training and his impressions of the up-and-coming crop of truck drivers, we find out what makes James tick. Then we talk with someone James namedrops in the conversation: Sylvia Dodson of OOIDA, who’s been with the Association since the Reagan administration. Sylvia takes us back to those early days, and fills us in on what keeps her going (hint: it’s you).

Join the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and use code Podcast25 for a discounted membership: https://www.ooida.com/membership/

Tired of watching your rights eroded: https://fightingfortruckers.com/

Subscribe for FREE to Land Line Magazine (online or print): https://landline.media/subscribe/


Hosted by Ashley Blackford and Scott Thompson, Trucking with OOIDA is a direct line to the conversations that matter most on the open road. This isn't just industry talk filtered through a corporate lens; it's the authentic voice of the trucking community, reflecting the long-standing advocacy of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. Each episode blends necessary news analysis with the kind of stories and practical insights you'd share at a truck stop. You'll hear from seasoned over-the-road drivers, policy experts, and unexpected guests who all have a stake in the life and business of trucking. The discussions cut through the noise to tackle real-world challenges, from regulatory changes and market trends to the daily realities of life behind the wheel. Tuning into this podcast feels like catching up with well-informed friends who are as committed to the profession as you are. It’s where education meets entertainment, offering both a clear-eyed look at the business and a genuine connection to the people who keep freight moving. For anyone invested in the trucking industry, whether behind the wheel or in the office, these conversations provide valuable perspective and a solid sense of what's coming down the pike.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Trucking with OOIDA
Podcast Episodes
Safety Culture Starts with You [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:09
Whether you’ve got one truck or a thousand, it’s important to have people like Brendan Whisenant of CDL Legal in your corner. The industry expert joins the pod to talk about the importance of developing a safety culture…
Dolly Parton’s Last Stop [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:31
The world suffered a huge loss last week with the passing of Dolly Parton – but her memory will live on thanks to her music, her kindness, her philanthropy and so much more. That includes a brand-new truck stop in the he…
Building Trucks & Building Trust [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:22
Bryan Martin is in the “knocking your socks off” business – and business is good. The “boss man” of 4 State Trucks and Chrome Shop Mafia fills us in on what he’s been up to of late – and gives us a very early preview of…
You Know Him as FMCSA Administrator - But Do You Know Derek Barrs? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:06
The trucking community is quite familiar with FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs by now, but how much do we know about the man behind the title? The administrator joins us to talk about his small-town beginnings in Florida…
Todd Spencer Opens the OOIDA Photo Album [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:55
At OOIDA, we’re always thinking about the best ways to represent our members – and to do that, it helps to know where you’ve been. With that in mind, we decided to open up the archives this week for a little show-and-tel…
Kenny Ziglar’s Super Showing at SuperRigs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:37
If Kenny Ziglar II were in the market for a new nickname, “champ” would be a pretty good one. The Wyoming trucker just won his second straight Best of Show award at 44th annual Shell Rotella SuperRigs in Bristol, Tenness…
The Story Behind Big Belly & Son Trucking's YouTube Success [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:41
When it comes to YouTube, there’s no right or wrong way to find success. But it’s safe to say that Steven Howard has. The OOIDA life member has been an owner-operator for more than 20 years now, and in recent years has b…
Allen Lund's Life of Faith, Family & Freight [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:57
Allen Lund lived a remarkable life – and fortunately for us, it’s documented in a new biography called, “Be Good: The Allen Lund Story”. From a life-changing event as a young man that shaped his faith and his early days…
Freight Fraudsters Meet Their Match [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:40
The folks at Highway appear to be onto something. The load board has made a robust verification process a priority and the result is less fraud. Brent Tittle and John Tozer at Highway join the show to talk about how High…
Trucking Pastor Stops Apparent Kidnapping [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:53
Anthony Moore had one of those days recently where nothing seems to go right. The South Carolina-based trucker got hit with delays and detours thanks to two separate problems with his truck. After his wife said that God…