DRIVE with Jim Farley

• Jay Leno | A Love of Cars and Comedy

  Jim is joined by comedy legend Jay Leno, who takes him on a journey through his early life, his storied comedy career, and his love for cars. From revealing why pirates wore eye patches to reminiscing about Leno’s teenage summer jobs at car dealerships, their discussion spans a wide array of topics and laugh-out-loud moments. Among Leno’s intriguing stories and insights are his views on modern automotive technology, reflections on memorable guests from his time on “The Tonight Show,” and tales from his early days doing stand-up. Note from Jim Farley: In this episode, you'll hear Jay and I discuss Ford’s Mustang GTD and our goal of setting a record as the first American automaker to achieve a sub-7 minute lap at the historic Nürburgring track. In the time since we recorded this interview last fall, I'm pleased to say we did exactly that! And in April 2025, we returned to the track and beat our own time by shaving off more than 5 seconds. This was an incredible achievement and I’m so proud of our team!  00:00 Introduction 00:14 Pirate Eye Patch Explanation 03:08 Lessons from the Dealership 03:08 Falling in Love with Cars 04:30 Working at Foreign Motors in Boston 08:41 Motorcycle Enthusiasm 13:25 Technology and Historical Insights 18:22 The Art of Stand-Up Comedy 19:21 Memories of Chris Farley 20:39 Making Guests Comfortable on “The Tonight Show” 22:37 Unexpected Paths to Success 26:06 Favorite Guests and Stories 29:40 The Future of American Cars 35:35 Concluding Thoughts Follow Jim:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jim.Farley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimfarley98/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jimfarley98 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-farley/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jimfarley.bsky.social Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/jimfarley98 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• Frankie Muniz | From Malcolm to Motorsports

  Jim sits down with actor-turned-racing-driver Frankie Muniz. Best known for his titular role in the hit sitcom “Malcolm in the Middle,” Muniz shares his unexpected journey from child actor to passionate NASCAR driver. The conversation dives into his early life, his acting career, and his transition to racing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Muniz also reflects on the challenges of making a name for himself in the racing world, the joys of fatherhood, and how his competitive nature drives him to succeed. 00:00 Introduction 00:12 From Actor to Racer 00:54 Early Life and Acting Career 02:18 Challenges of Child Stardom 03:55 Appreciating Opportunities 05:45 Fatherhood and New Beginnings 08:00 Racing Passion and Competitiveness 09:45 Transition to Professional Racing 15:28 Passion for Racing 15:44 Malcolm in the Middle Reboot 15:53 Balancing Acting and Racing 16:39 NASCAR vs. Endurance Racing 18:51 Racing Accident and Recovery 23:53 Fatherhood and Racing 29:50 Conclusion Follow Jim:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jim.Farley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimfarley98/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jimfarley98 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-farley/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jimfarley.bsky.social Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/jimfarley98 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• Tim Peake | Race Cars and Rocket Ships

  Jim sits down with retired European Space Agency astronaut Tim Peake to discuss his remarkable career journey from aviation to space exploration. Tim describes the thrill of conducting a spacewalk, the rigorous training he underwent to prepare for his missions, and the “overview effect” of seeing the Earth from orbit. They also delve into Tim’s passion for cars and motorsports, comparing the adrenaline rush of being behind the wheel of a race car to the experience of launching into space. 00:00 Introduction 01:09 Britain's Aviation Legacy 02:41 Test Pilot School and WWII Pilots 04:36 Transition from Aviation to Space 06:07 Hollywood vs. Reality: Space Movies 07:39 The Overview Effect: Seeing Earth from Space 10:11 Human Body in Space: Challenges and Adaptations 16:55 The Space Economy 18:08 Risk and Stress Management in Space Missions 19:41 The Thrill and Challenges of Spacewalks 22:16 First Cars and Early Driving Experiences 25:47 Comparing Space Launches to Racing 28:53 Final Thoughts Follow Jim:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jim.Farley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimfarley98/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jimfarley98 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-farley/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jimfarley.bsky.social Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/jimfarley98 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• Mitch Albom | Lessons To Live By

  Jim talks with best-selling author and famed Detroiter Mitch Albom, known for his sports journalism career and the acclaimed books “Tuesdays with Morrie” and “The Five People You Meet in Heaven.” Mitch gives his profound insights on the changing media industry, the oft-overlooked importance of cherishing everyday moments, and his work with various charities in Detroit and Haiti. He also shares stories of his extraordinary driving misadventures around the globe and his conversations with his late college professor, Morrie Schwartz. 00:00 Introduction 01:05 Mitch Albom's Driving Adventures 03:17 Reflections on Journalism 05:59 The Impact of 'Tuesdays with Morrie' 13:33 Life Lessons and Everyday Moments 14:24 Themes of Heaven and Life 16:22 A Near-Death Experience 17:17 The Concept of Heaven and Its Significance 18:09 Reflections on Life and Death 19:52 The Changing Landscape of College Sports 22:59 The Importance of Community Service 27:49 Final Thoughts Follow Jim:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jim.Farley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimfarley98/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jimfarley98 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-farley/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jimfarley.bsky.social Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/jimfarley98 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. | Uncovering Ancestry

  Jim sits down with Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr., a renowned historian, filmmaker, Harvard professor, and host of the hit PBS docuseries “Finding Your Roots.” They talk about how genealogy can help people understand their identities, what we can learn from our ancestors, and Gates’ deep personal connection to his own family history. They also delve into Gates’ unique experiences with cars and the historical significance of the automobile industry for the African American community. 00:00 Introduction 01:05 Family History and Car Stories 03:54 College Days and Car Adventures 09:02 The Journey to Finding Your Roots 13:11 The Emotional Connection to Ancestry 17:39 Adoption and Ancestry: Navigating Complex Emotions 19:00 The Impact of DNA Testing on Identity 24:07 The Green Book: A Lifeline for African American Travelers 27:54 The Automobile's Role in African American History 29:56 Advice for the CEO of Ford Motor Company Follow Jim:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jim.Farley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimfarley98/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jimfarley98 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-farley/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jimfarley.bsky.social Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/jimfarley98 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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