DRIVE with Jim Farley

Tom Pelphrey on Identity, Discipline, and Loving the Work

May 13, 2026·32 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Jim Farley welcomes noted actor Tom Pelphrey (Ozark, Task) to DRIVE, discussing road trips, family, and how Pelphrey defines success. The conversation centers on separating identity from acting, how sobriety and self-reflection helped Tom stop measuring life by reviews and awards, and why focusing on the work itself—not outcomes—improved both his happiness and performance.  00:00 Open 01:19 Road Trip Favorites 02:09 Blue The Road Dog 04:16 Driving Endurance 07:16 Giants Family Fandom 09:47 Redefining Success 11:36 Sobriety And Perspective 12:58 Love The Work 17:05 Empathy Through Reading 21:05 Shaking Off Characters 25:03 Fatherhood Changes Choices 31:44 Closing DRIVE with Jim Farley is produced by Jesse Baker and Eric Nuzum of Magnificent Noise. Our production staff includes Sabrina Farhi and Kristen Mueller with help from Lori Arpin, Angela Brewer, Max Owen-Dunow, Anne Roberts, Samantha Singhal, Darnell Macon, Brandon Kennedy, and Mark Truby.  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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