This week on the Oakley Podcast, Jeremy Kellett sits down with producer Anna Belle Burrow and longtime Oakley team member Corey Huey to look back on how the show started, evolved, and grew into a 100,000-subscriber podcast. They walk through the early days of CDs, basic video shoots, and audio-only recordings launched during COVID as a way to communicate with owner-operators, and how partnering with Heard Media helped them learn podcasting and distribution. The conversation covers the studio’s transformation, favorite and most surprising episodes (including Luigi, Major General Bob Walters, JanTran, and episodes with Oakley leadership and drivers), as well as how driver stories, authenticity, and listener feedback have turned the podcast into a powerful tool for recruiting, retention, and brand-building. They close by reflecting on lessons learned about the trucking industry, the importance of celebrating truck drivers, and their excitement for the show’s future growth and content.
Key topics in today’s conversation include:
- Welcome to Episode 300 of the Oakley Podcast (0:48)
- Anna Belle’s Background, Family, and Hobbies (5:05)
- Corey’s Role at Oakley and Life Outside Work (6:17)
- Discovering What a Podcast Is and COVID Communication Needs (10:44)
- Finding Heard Media, Getting Set Up, and First Gear Purchases (12:24)
- Early Episode Topics and Twice-a-Week COVID Updates (15:22)
- Transition to Video and When the Show “Turned the Corner” (16:14)
- Jeremy’s Comparison of Episode 1 vs. Episode 300 (18:38)
- Lighting, Cameras, Set Changes, and Brick Wall Backdrop (22:48)
- Growth of the Show and Role of Owner Operators (25:05)
- Using the Podcast as a Recruiting and Retention Tool (30:39)
- Funniest and Most Unfortunate Recording Moments (32:03)
- Listener Feedback That Keeps the Team Motivated (35:29)
- Lessons Learned About Trucking and Driver Stereotypes (38:24)
- Importance of Content Planning and Staying Current (42:58)
- Future Vision for the Show and New Types of Content (45:18)
- Hitting 100,000 Subscribers and How To Support the Channel (47:08)
- Final Reflections, Gratitude, and Closeout (49:01)
Oakley Trucking is a family-owned and operated trucking company headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas. For more information, check out our show website: podcast.bruceoakley.com.