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: 100

Trucking with OOIDA
Podcast Episodes
SCOTUS Poised to Settle Big Broker Liability Question [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:58
We may be one step closer to clearing up a long-standing legal question about broker liability. That question being, can freight brokers be held responsible for crashes involving motor carriers they hire? The Supreme Cou…
Driver Inc. 101: Ending the Predatory Scheme with Johanne Couture [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:34
There are new indications that the Canadian government is ready to get serious about Driver Inc., the employee misclassification scheme deemed by some to be the biggest threat facing the Canadian trucking industry. OOIDA…
The High Costs of Cargo Theft Come into View through ATRI Study [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:15
Cargo theft is a problem. That’s no surprise. But the American Transportation Research Institute’s newest report on cargo theft puts the problem into perspective. ATRI’s vice president, Jeff Short, walks us through what…
Lindsay Lawler: Connecting Through Music and Trucking [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:30
Lindsay Lawler wears a lot of hats – singer, songwriter, radio host, “queso queen” – but most of all, she wants to be known as a “connector.” And it comes through in work, whether that be through her music or her show We…
USDOT Follows OOIDA's Lead on Non-domiciled CDLs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:00
The U.S. Department of Transportation is clamping down on the issuance of non-domiciled CDLs. It’s a conversation that OOIDA has been driving. OOIDA director of government affairs Collin Long reacts to the big news. Plus…
Overcoming Obstacles in Trucking as a One-Armed Driver [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:00
The Guilty By Association Truck Show is underway and our very own Scott Thompson is there. We'll check in with him. We then speak with OOIDA Member, Richard Horvath about the challenges he’s faced getting his CDL with on…