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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Jim delves into the vibrant world of online car auctions with Randy Nonnenberg, co-founder and president of Bring a Trailer. Jim shares his personal experience as a longtime Bring a Trailer user, highlighting the site's active community and trust-building ethos. Randy shares the origins of the site and anecdotes about memorable auctions. They also cover the resurgence of DIY car culture, the social connections fostered through online car auctions, and advice for managing a thriving business.

00:00 Introduction

01:09 Navigating Bring a Trailer

06:23 Building Trust in Online Car Sales

13:07 The Rise of 80s and 90s Cars

15:07 Hands-On Car Culture Resurgence

20:49 Future of Classic Car Hobby

23:58 Advice for Leading Ford

27:28 Conclusion

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Jim talks with Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Nicole Malachowski, a combat veteran and the first female pilot for the Air Force's renowned Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron. They discuss her incredible journey from childhood dreams of becoming a pilot to overcoming significant personal adversity. Nicole opens up about her experience with a brain infection that ended her military career, her philosophy of “yield to overcome,” and how she has reinvented herself as a leadership consultant and speaker. The conversation also delves into the importance of team dynamics, the joy of family road trips, and the relentless pursuit of mastering one's craft. 

00:00 Introduction

00:52 Meet Colonel Nicole Malachowski

01:34 Early Dreams and Determination

02:12 Civil Air Patrol and First Flights

03:11 The Joy and Challenges of Flying

04:02 The Drive and Focus Behind Success

06:50 Overcoming Obstacles and Learning from Failure

08:26 The Importance of Self-Awareness and Personal Values

10:00 Embracing Vulnerability in Leadership

12:28 Mastery and Precision in Flying

19:35 Teamwork and Joint Force in the Military

23:10 Adjusting Back to Regular Life

25:05 A Life-Changing Road Trip

29:20 Overcoming Adversity

30:55 Resurgence and Compassion

38:52 Leadership and Teamwork

43:57 The Power of Outside Perspectives

44:33 Conclusion

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Jim sits down with hip hop artist and auto enthusiast T-Pain to discuss their love for cars. T-Pain, co-founder of Nappy Boy Automotive, talks through his custom car collection and explains his philosophy of combining new technologies with classic aesthetics. The conversation covers T-Pain's newfound love for drifting after learning from world-champion drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr., how to pair the right music with the right ride, and the similarities between the automotive and music industries.

00:00 Introduction

00:58 T-Pain's Unique Car Collection

01:49 Evolution of Car Customization

05:25 Daily Drivers and Special Rides

09:33 Drifting Adventures

14:06 Musical Journey Begins

15:37 Starting Young: A Lifelong Passion for Cars

15:49 The Emotional Connection Between Cars and Music

16:34 Music Preferences for Different Cars

19:35 Regional Car Cultures and Music

22:34 The Importance of Innovation in Music and Cars

30:20 Advice for the CEO of Ford Motor Company

31:03 Conclusion

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Jim talks with Lexie ‘Limitless’ Alford, who holds two world records for visiting every country by age 22 and driving an electric vehicle around the globe. Lexie reveals the challenges of documenting her travels, encountering unique cultures, and overcoming logistical hurdles. She also discusses the significance of solo travel, her adventurous upbringing, and her reflections on global and American identities.

00:00 Introduction

00:57 Lexie Limitless: The Record-Breaking Traveler

01:33 The Challenge of Recalling Every Country

02:29 Unique Experiences on Flights

06:17 The Realities of Solo Travel

09:42 Pride in American Identity

10:58 Adapting to Global Cuisines

12:57 Documenting a World Record

15:27 The North Korea Challenge

17:35 Circumnavigating the Globe in an Electric Ford Explorer

25:32 Personal Reflections and Lessons Learned

30:04 Advice for Aspiring Travelers

31:32 Cultural Misunderstandings and Memorable Stories

40:06 Final Thoughts

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Jim Farley is joined by the iconic Vicki Butler-Henderson, British racing driver and former Top Gear presenter. They talk about Vicki’s early love of cars, from her grandfather's 1930s racing days to her own early karting adventures; their thoughts on the UK's car culture; fun memories from the racetrack; and Vicki's role as a pioneer for women in the industry.

00:00 Introduction

00:25 Meet Vicki Butler-Henderson

01:27 A Family Passion for Racing

03:37 The UK's Car Culture

05:27 The Sunroof Debate

06:53 The Iconic Mk1 Fiesta

07:34 The Front-Wheel Drive Revolution

10:51 The Challenges of Being a Presenter

16:31 Jeremy Clarkson: The Icon

18:41 Leadership and Learning

21:57 Breaking Barriers in the Car Industry

23:46 Advice for the CEO of Ford

31:10 Closing Remarks and Gratitude

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