Shows
Candid With CandidatesHow Amy Niemetscheck Became CEO of Certco: Career Growth, Leadership, and Business AcumenWondering what it takes to lead a billion-dollar, retailer-owned grocery wholesaler—and how does someone go from public accounting to the CEO seat without following a traditional executive path?In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn sits down with Amy Niemetscheck, President and CEO of Certco Inc., to discuss her career journey from CPA to controller, CFO, and ultimately President and CEO. Amy shares how deep financial expertise, cross-functional curiosity, and a commitment to understanding the full business prepared her to lead a complex organization owned by more than 200 independent grocery retailers.Amy gi...
2026-05-2642 minCandid With CandidatesHow To Stay Relevant in a Rapidly Changing Industry With Aaron Gottlieb of Advantage SolutionsAfter 24 Years in Retail, Aaron Gottlieb Says Career Growth Starts in the Field—Not the Office.In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Aaron Gottlieb, Executive Vice President of New Business Development for Retailer & Experiential Services at Advantage Solutions and President of Daymon Japan, to explore a career shaped by intentional moves, cross-functional experience, and a commitment to understanding how businesses truly operate.Aaron shares how an early piece of advice—to leave corporate headquarters and gain field experience—fundamentally changed his perspective and accelerated his career. He also reflects on the...
2026-05-1234 minCandid With CandidatesFrom Pet Industry Executive to Private Equity CEO: How Kristi Ross Scales GrowthWhat does it truly take to step into a CEO role—and how do you build a career that prepares you for that level of leadership?In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Kristi Ross, CEO of Three Dog Brands, joins Jenn Hahn for a thoughtful conversation on executive leadership, career progression, and driving growth within a private equity-backed organization.As CEO of Three Dog Brands, Kristi shares her journey from marketing and sales leadership to her first CEO role, offering insight into how diverse experiences, strategic decision-making, and strong networks contributed to her career ad...
2026-04-2836 minCandid With CandidatesFrom Box-Boy to President and CEO—An Interview with Ryan Adams of Gelson's MarketsWhat does it take to build a long-term career in grocery retail—and ultimately step into the President & CEO role?In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Ryan Adams, President & CEO of Gelson's Markets, to discuss his career journey from entry-level store roles to leading a premium regional grocery organization. With more than 25 years of experience across large national retailers and independent operations, Ryan shares the key decisions, challenges, and leadership principles that shaped his path to the C-suite.Ryan provides a clear and practical perspective on executive leadership, highlighting th...
2026-04-1441 minCandid With CandidatesWhy Food Safety Is No Longer a Department: Ann Visser-Depp on Her Journey to Advising Top Retailers on Compliance Strategy and Supply Chain AccountabilityBehind every compliant supplier file and traceable product movement is a disciplined system—and a leader ensuring it works.In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn speaks with Ann Visser-Depp, Food Industry Leader and Partner at ReposiTrak, about a professional journey that spans hospitality, accounting, procurement, executive leadership, and now food safety and compliance strategy across the grocery supply chain.Ann reflects on her unconventional path from high school cashier to vice president, and ultimately to the vendor side of the industry. Rather than following a linear trajectory, her growth was shaped by cu...
2026-03-3138 minCandid With CandidatesHow Larree Renda Built a 40-Year Career at Safeway — From Store Associate to EVPWhat does it take to build a four-decade leadership career in one of the most complex and competitive industries in retail—without a traditional corporate path?In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Larree Renda, retired Executive Vice President of Safeway, Inc., to discuss her remarkable career journey—from starting as a grocery bagger at age 16 to ultimately overseeing major corporate functions supporting nearly 4,000 stores across North America.Larree shares how resilience, curiosity, and a commitment to continuous learning helped her rise through the ranks of a Fortune 500 company during a ti...
2026-03-1758 min
Omni Talk RetailWalmart Goes All-In On DSLs, Costco Makes A Tariff Pledge & Kroger Anoints An AI Chief | Fast FiveIn this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, Chris and guest host Jenn Hahn of J Recruiting Services discussed:
Walmart expanding its digital shelf label technology to all 4,600 of its US stores, completing what is likely the single largest ESL rollout in retail history (Source)
Costco CEO Ron Vachris is publicly pledging to return any tariff refunds directly to members through lower prices (Source)
Kroger creating a new Chief Data and AI Officer role by elevating Milen Mahadevan, president of its 84.51 analytics subsidiary, to lead its en...
2026-03-1149 min
Retail Fast FiveWalmart Goes All-In On DSLs, Costco Makes A Tariff Pledge & Kroger Anoints An AI Chief | Fast FiveIn this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, Chris and guest host Jenn Hahn of J Recruiting Services discussed:Walmart expanding its digital shelf label technology to all 4,600 of its US stores, completing what is likely the single largest ESL rollout in retail history (Source)Costco CEO Ron Vachris is publicly pledging to return any tariff refunds directly to members through lower prices (Source)Kroger creating a new Chief Data and AI Officer role by elevating Milen Mahadevan, president of its 84.51 analytics subsidiary, to le...
2026-03-1149 min
Omni Talk RetailWalmart Goes All-In On DSLs, Costco Makes A Tariff Pledge & Kroger Anoints An AI Chief | Fast FiveIn this week’s Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, Chris and guest host Jenn Hahn of J Recruiting Services discussed:Walmart expanding its digital shelf label technology to all 4,600 of its US stores, completing what is likely the single largest ESL rollout in retail history (Source)Costco CEO Ron Vachris is publicly pledging to return any tariff refunds directly to members through lower prices (Source)Kroger creating a new Chief Data and AI Officer role by elevating Milen Mahadevan, president of its 84.51 analytics subsidiary, to le...
2026-03-1149 minCandid With Candidates30 Years of Leadership and the Culture Lessons That Still Win Today with James D. WhiteSustainable success in business rarely comes down to strategy alone. More often, it is culture—the behaviors, expectations, and leadership standards inside an organization—that determines long-term performance.In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn speaks with James D. White, a 30-year operating executive whose career spans consumer packaged goods, retail, restaurants, and more than two decades in the boardroom.James has held leadership roles at organizations including The Coca-Cola Company, Nestlé Purina PetCare, Gillette, and Safeway. He later became CEO of Jamba Juice in 2008—during the Great Recession—where he led a successfu...
2026-03-0334 min
Omni Talk RetailConverse In Crisis, Target Trials ChatGPT Ads & C-Stores Push The In-Store AI Envelope | Fast FiveIn this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, guest host and resident talent expert Jenn Hahn, joined Chris and Anne to discuss:
Converse employees being instructed to work from home ahead of layoffs and restructuring at the struggling Nike brand (Source)
Co-op launching a gender pay gap toolkit ahead of new UK regulations (Source)
Target and Albertsons testing conversational advertising inside ChatGPT (Source)
American Eagle building its largest creator community yet with a rewards-based micro-influencer program (Source)
Independent convenience stores deploying AI voice insights...
2026-02-1858 min
Omni Talk RetailConverse In Crisis, Target Trials ChatGPT Ads & C-Stores Push The In-Store AI Envelope | Fast FiveIn this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, guest host and resident talent expert Jenn Hahn, joined Chris and Anne to discuss:Converse employees being instructed to work from home ahead of layoffs and restructuring at the struggling Nike brand (Source)Co-op launching a gender pay gap toolkit ahead of new UK regulations (Source)Target and Albertsons testing conversational advertising inside ChatGPT (Source)American Eagle building its largest creator community yet with a rewards-based micro-influencer program (Source)Independent convenience stores deploying AI...
2026-02-1858 min
Retail Fast FiveConverse In Crisis, Target Trials ChatGPT Ads & C-Stores Push The In-Store AI Envelope | Fast FiveIn this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, guest host and resident talent expert Jenn Hahn, joined Chris and Anne to discuss:Converse employees being instructed to work from home ahead of layoffs and restructuring at the struggling Nike brand (Source)Co-op launching a gender pay gap toolkit ahead of new UK regulations (Source)Target and Albertsons testing conversational advertising inside ChatGPT (Source)American Eagle building its largest creator community yet with a rewards-based micro-influencer program (Source)Independent convenience stores deploying AI...
2026-02-1858 minCandid With CandidatesThe Smart Way to Scale a CPG Brand: Fractional Sales and Retail Strategy with Robert Fascia & Tommy Renda of Vandelay StrategiesWhat does it take to successfully scale a CPG brand in today’s complex retail environment—without overspending on talent or sacrificing strategy?In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn sits down with Robert Fascia, Owner of Vandelay Strategies, and Tommy Renda, President of TCR Consulting and Partner at Vandelay Strategies, to discuss how fractional sales and strategy leadership can deliver an outsized impact for emerging and growing CPG brands.Drawing from decades of combined experience across retail, merchandising, finance, and vendor leadership, Robert and Tommy shared how they partner with brands as frac...
2026-02-1734 minCandid With CandidatesHow NOT Fitting the Mold Has Led Her to Success, with PepsiCo Executive Leader Jackie LaPointeWhat does it take to lead one of the largest retail markets at PepsiCo while staying grounded, authentic, and energized?In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Jackie LaPointe, Director of Retail for PepsiCo’s Southwest Market, to explore her career journey and leadership approach behind a $500M+ business spanning Arizona, New Mexico, and West Texas.Jackie shares how her career began with hands-on sales roles at Boston Beer Company, why leaving a company she loved was one of the most difficult—but necessary—decisions she made, and how embracing opport...
2026-02-0332 min
Grocery From Her Seat, Insights for Independent GrocersJenn Hahn: How A Humble Leader Built A National Recruiting Firm For GrocersA chance encounter at a college career fair led Jenn Hahn into the Aldi training program, where she learned the store from the floor up and ran multiple locations at 22. That early trial by fire shaped a leadership style built on humility, directness, and full accountability—traits she later used to launch J Recruiting Services, a national search firm serving independent grocers, wholesalers, and CPG partners.We unpack how Jenn scaled from “laptop at the kitchen table” to a sophisticated team by refusing to post and pray, demanding premium candidate and client experience, and hiring for strategic thinki...
2026-02-0129 min
Omni Talk RetailLightning Round: Netflix AI, Rotisserie Chicken & Mushroom Coffee | Fast Five ShortsThis Lightning Round segment of the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, closes out the show with rapid-fire takes on pop culture, consumer trends, and the lighter side of retail. From Netflix’s AI predictions and rotisserie chicken subscriptions to mushroom coffee and internet-fueled food trends, Chris Walton and guest host Jenn Hahn keep things fast, fun, and unpredictable. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here. #LightningRound #RetailCulture #ConsumerTrends #OmniTalk #RetailFastFiveThis podcast uses the foll...
2026-01-3104 min
Omni Talk RetailAmerican Eagle’s Logistics Gamble | Fast Five ShortsThis Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, breaks down American Eagle’s decision to shut down Quiet Logistics after acquiring the company for $360 million. Chris Walton and guest host Jenn Hahn discuss why selling logistics tech proved harder than expected, when retailers should avoid becoming software companies, and what this means for future retail tech bets. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here.#AmericanEagle #RetailLogistics #RetailTech #Omnichannel #RetailStrategy #OmniTalk #RetailFastFiveThis podcast uses the foll...
2026-01-3105 min
Omni Talk RetailGrocery’s Quiet Lunch Takeover | Fast Five ShortsThis Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, looks at why grocery stores are increasingly winning lunchtime trips from quick-service restaurants. Chris Walton and guest host Jenn Hahn discuss how ready-to-eat meals, pricing pressure, and changing consumer routines are driving this shift and why lunch may be grocery’s most underrated growth opportunity. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here. #Grocery #Foodservice #RetailTrends #LunchRush #RetailStrategy #OmniTalk #RetailFastFiveThis podcast uses the following third-party services for anal...
2026-01-3105 min
Omni Talk RetailInside Amazon’s Layoffs and What Culture Has to Do With It | Fast Five ShortsThis Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, unpacks Amazon’s plan to eliminate 30,000 corporate roles as CEO Andy Jassy targets bureaucracy and organizational bloat. Chris Walton and guest host Jenn Hahn explore why this move is about structure... not just AI... and what retail leaders can learn about talent, layers, and operational discipline. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here.#Amazon #RetailLayoffs #RetailLeadership #AIinRetail #RetailStrategy #OmniTalk #RetailFastFiveThis podcast uses the following third-party services for...
2026-01-3113 min
Omni Talk RetailIs Rural America Dollar General’s Secret Weapon Against Amazon? | Fast Five ShortsThis Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, examines Dollar General’s rapid expansion of same-day delivery and why rural America may be its biggest competitive advantage over Amazon. Chris Walton and guest host Jenn Hahn discuss how physical proximity, store density, and cost structure give Dollar General an edge — and why convenience doesn’t always require cutting-edge tech. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here. #DollarGeneral #Amazon #LastMileDelivery #RuralRetail #RetailStrategy #OmniTalk #RetailFastFiveThis podcast uses the...
2026-01-3107 min
Omni Talk RetailIs Walmart’s AI Reset the Future of Retail Leadership? | Fast Five ShortsThis Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, breaks down Walmart’s sweeping leadership reorganization as the retailer reshapes its structure to accelerate AI-driven growth. Chris Walton and guest host Jenn Hahn discuss why Walmart elevated the Chief Growth Officer role, how centralized platforms change accountability, and what this shift signals about the future of retail leadership and execution. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here. #Walmart #RetailLeadership #RetailAI #RetailStrategy #OmniTalk #RetailFastFiveThis podcast uses the...
2026-01-3108 minOmni Talk RetailLightning Round: Netflix AI, Rotisserie Chicken & Mushroom Coffee | Fast Five ShortsThis Lightning Round segment of the Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, closes out the show with rapid-fire takes on pop culture, consumer trends, and the lighter side of retail.
From Netflix’s AI predictions and rotisserie chicken subscriptions to mushroom coffee and internet-fueled food trends, Chris Walton and guest host Jenn Hahn keep things fast, fun, and unpredictable.
⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/2z-nIHsIgfQ
#LightningRound #RetailCulture #ConsumerTrends #OmniTalk #RetailFastFive
2026-01-3004 minOmni Talk RetailInside Amazon’s Layoffs and What Culture Has to Do With It | Fast Five ShortsThis Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, unpacks Amazon’s plan to eliminate 30,000 corporate roles as CEO Andy Jassy targets bureaucracy and organizational bloat.
Chris Walton and guest host Jenn Hahn explore why this move is about structure... not just AI... and what retail leaders can learn about talent, layers, and operational discipline.
⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/2z-nIHsIgfQ
#Amazon #RetailLayoffs #RetailLeadership #AIinRetail #RetailStrategy #OmniTalk #RetailFastFive
2026-01-3013 minOmni Talk RetailAmerican Eagle’s Logistics Gamble | Fast Five ShortsThis Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, breaks down American Eagle’s decision to shut down Quiet Logistics after acquiring the company for $360 million.
Chris Walton and guest host Jenn Hahn discuss why selling logistics tech proved harder than expected, when retailers should avoid becoming software companies, and what this means for future retail tech bets.
⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/2z-nIHsIgfQ
#AmericanEagle #RetailLogistics #RetailTech #Omnichannel #RetailStrategy #OmniTalk #RetailFastFive
2026-01-3005 minOmni Talk RetailIs Walmart’s AI Reset the Future of Retail Leadership? | Fast Five ShortsThis Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, breaks down Walmart’s sweeping leadership reorganization as the retailer reshapes its structure to accelerate AI-driven growth.
Chris Walton and guest host Jenn Hahn discuss why Walmart elevated the Chief Growth Officer role, how centralized platforms change accountability, and what this shift signals about the future of retail leadership and execution.
⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/2z-nIHsIgfQ
#Walmart #RetailLeadership #RetailAI #RetailStrategy #OmniTalk #RetailFastFive
2026-01-3008 minOmni Talk RetailIs Rural America Dollar General’s Secret Weapon Against Amazon? | Fast Five ShortsThis Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, examines Dollar General’s rapid expansion of same-day delivery and why rural America may be its biggest competitive advantage over Amazon.
Chris Walton and guest host Jenn Hahn discuss how physical proximity, store density, and cost structure give Dollar General an edge — and why convenience doesn’t always require cutting-edge tech.
⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/2z-nIHsIgfQ
#DollarGeneral #Amazon #LastMileDelivery #RuralRetail #RetailStrategy #OmniTalk #RetailFastFive
2026-01-3007 minOmni Talk RetailGrocery’s Quiet Lunch Takeover | Fast Five ShortsThis Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, looks at why grocery stores are increasingly winning lunchtime trips from quick-service restaurants.
Chris Walton and guest host Jenn Hahn discuss how ready-to-eat meals, pricing pressure, and changing consumer routines are driving this shift and why lunch may be grocery’s most underrated growth opportunity.
⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/2z-nIHsIgfQ
#Grocery #Foodservice #RetailTrends #LunchRush #RetailStrategy #OmniTalk #RetailFastFive
2026-01-3005 minOmni Talk RetailWalmart's Big Shake-Up, The Lunch Rush & What We Think About Amazon's Layoffs | Fast FiveIn this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, Chris and guest host Jenn Hahn discussed:
Walmart's sweeping leadership changes as new CEO John Furner reorganizes for AI transformation (Source)
Dollar General expanding same-day delivery to 17,000+ rural stores to compete with Amazon (Source)
Amazon planning 30,000 corporate job cuts—the largest in company history (Source)
Traditional grocers stealing lunch customers from quick-service restaurants (Source)
American Eagle shuttering Quiet Logistics after a $360 million bet gone wrong (Source)
And Jenn Hahn also helped us hand out this month's Om...
2026-01-2855 min
Omni Talk RetailWalmart's Big Shake-Up, The Lunch Rush & What We Think About Amazon's Layoffs | Fast FiveIn this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, Chris and guest host Jenn Hahn discussed:Walmart's sweeping leadership changes as new CEO John Furner reorganizes for AI transformation (Source)Dollar General expanding same-day delivery to 17,000+ rural stores to compete with Amazon (Source)Amazon planning 30,000 corporate job cuts—the largest in company history (Source)Traditional grocers stealing lunch customers from quick-service restaurants (Source)American Eagle shuttering Quiet Logistics after a $360 million bet gone wrong (Source)And Jenn Hahn also helped us ha...
2026-01-2855 min
Retail Fast FiveWalmart's Big Shake-Up, The Lunch Rush & What We Think About Amazon's Layoffs | Fast FiveIn this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, Chris and guest host Jenn Hahn discussed:Walmart's sweeping leadership changes as new CEO John Furner reorganizes for AI transformation (Source)Dollar General expanding same-day delivery to 17,000+ rural stores to compete with Amazon (Source)Amazon planning 30,000 corporate job cuts—the largest in company history (Source)Traditional grocers stealing lunch customers from quick-service restaurants (Source)American Eagle shuttering Quiet Logistics after a $360 million bet gone wrong (Source)And Jenn Hahn also helped us ha...
2026-01-2855 minCandid With CandidatesFrom Fortune 500 to Startup: How Mark Heitke of DoorDash’s Symbiosys Learned to Win in BothWhat does it take to build a successful career in an industry that didn’t even exist when you started—and to continue evolving as the business scales, transforms, and accelerates?In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn sits down with Mark Heitke, Head of Commerce Media Strategy at Symbiosis, a DoorDash company, to explore his unconventional career journey and the leadership lessons gained along the way. From studying film and learning to code, to helping build Best Buy Ads into a leading retail media organization, to joining a 17-person startup that was ultimately acquired by D...
2026-01-2041 minCandid With CandidatesExecutive Leadership in Grocery Retail: Kristin Popp on Strategy, Growth, and Career DevelopmentWhat does it truly take to lead at the executive level in grocery retail—and how do you build a career that grows alongside the business?To launch Season 2 of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn sits down with Kristin Popp, Executive Vice President of Woodman’s Food Market, Inc., for an in-depth conversation on leadership, career development, and long-term impact in an ever-evolving industry.With nearly 30 years at Woodman’s, Kristin shares her journey from working in accounting and HR while in college to overseeing company-wide operations, corporate functions, and strategic planning for a 20-store, employ...
2026-01-0634 minCandid With CandidatesBest of Leadership: Real Strategies from Real LeadersLeadership looks polished from the outside—but the real lessons come from the unfiltered, in-the-trenches experiences of those who’ve lived it. This episode brings you those lessons directly. Jenn Hahn brings together the most valuable, most practical, and most resonant leadership moments from six distinguished executives across retail, CPG, e-commerce, merchandising, operations, and retail media.This episode features perspectives from:Rebecca Lupfer, Chief Merchant, The Giant CompanyPat Mooney, VP of HBC & Non-Foods, WakefernGabe Disbrow, President & CEO, LeeversSheila Ebanks, Head of Retail, North America, Coca-ColaBrooke Chambers, E-Commerce Leader, KrogerClaire Wyatt, Retail Media Executive, The Trade DeskEa...
2025-12-1639 minCandid With CandidatesBest of Candid Advice for Candidates: What Top Leaders Want Candidates to KnowSeason one delivered more insight, practical advice, and behind-the-scenes truth than we could possibly contain in individual episodes. So in this special mash-up episode, we pulled together the most valuable, most actionable, and most candid moments from four standout leaders across the retail, CPG, supply chain, and marketing sectors.These are the insights leaders rarely get to say out loud in a formal interview setting—but absolutely wish candidates knew.This episode features advice from:Julian Semer, Director of In-Store Retail Media at AlbertsonsParag Shah, Co-Founder of Think Blue an...
2025-12-0217 minCandid With CandidatesInside Retail Media: Rapid Growth & Building Calm in Chaos with Claire Wyatt, The Trade DeskWhat does it take to lead in one of the fastest-growing, high margin areas of advertising and retail?In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn sits down with Claire Wyatt, GM of Client Services & Retail at The Trade Desk, to discuss her career path from would-be NASA engineer to retail media leadership and the lessons she’s learned along the way.Claire shares how she:Transitioned from an equity analyst to retail media in what we call a “slingshot move”Scaled Albertsons’ retail m...
2025-11-0438 minCandid With CandidatesHow Sheila Ebanks Leads Coca-Cola’s Large Store Division Across North America with Authentic, Inspirational Leadership and Two Core Beliefs About Her Own CareerIn this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn speaks with Sheila Muniz Ebanks, Head of the Large Store Division for Coca-Cola North America, about her leadership journey from driving truck in the industry to reporting directly to the Chief Customer Officer in all of North America. Sheila reflects on the pivotal career transitions that shaped her path—from her early days at Frito-Lay, to leadership roles at Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, and now driving national retail partnerships at The Coca-Cola Company. She outlines how her leadership philosophy has evolved from tactical, to strategic, to inspirational, and why cre...
2025-10-2138 minCandid With CandidatesA Chat With Chief Merchant: Rebecca Lupfer on Taking Your Career by the Horns and Growing From Internal Audit to the C-SuiteWhat does it take to lead one of the most critical functions in grocery retail—especially when your path didn’t begin in the aisle?In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn sits down with Rebecca Lupfer, Senior Vice President and Chief Merchant at The GIANT Company, to unpack her uniquely well-rounded career journey—from internal audit and strategy to merchandising, operations, CFO and now Chief Merchant.Rebecca shares how she developed her leadership approach across functions, the pivotal moment she stepped away from the familiar, and why effective merchandising today demands both strate...
2025-10-0736 minCandid With CandidatesEnergy Management as a Key Leadership Principle with Pat Mooney, VP at WakefernIn this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn speaks with Pat Mooney, Vice President of Health & Beauty Care and Non-Foods at Wakefern Food Corp.—the $21B retailer many consumers haven’t heard of, but whose unique business model has shaped regional retail in the Northeast for decades.Pat shares insights from his 16-year career journey, starting from a rotational “leader in training” role to leading complex merchandising, logistics, and replenishment strategies. He explains how Wakefern’s cooperative structure empowers small businesses with the scale and resources of a large enterprise, while keeping local ownership and customer intimacy a...
2025-09-2345 minCandid With CandidatesFrom Finance Aspirations to Supply Chain Transformation: How Jackie Doyle is Driving Strategic Growth at fairlife, LLCWhen your company is growing fast—and your supply chain needs to grow faster—how do you build the structure, strategy, and team to keep up?In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn speaks with Jackie Doyle, Vice President of Supply Chain Strategy and Transformation at fairlife, about what it really means to future-proof operations while scaling a business at speed.Jackie shares her journey from a 15-year career in industrial manufacturing to leading strategic transformation in the CPG space. She opens up about building a new team from scratch, accelerating her own care...
2025-09-0930 minCandid With CandidatesEmbracing Tech in Retail: Parag Shah of Think Blue on AI, E-Commerce & Customer ExperienceWhat does it take to transform legacy retail systems into future-ready strategies—without losing sight of what matters most?In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Parag Shah, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer of Think Blue, to explore his journey from grocery store aisles to executive boardrooms—and now to reimagining how the industry uses data, technology, and good old-fashioned merchant instinct to drive smarter growth.Parag shares how his 25-year corporate career—from buyer to VP at Wakefern and then head of merchandising and digital at The Giant Company—shaped h...
2025-08-2642 minCandid With CandidatesNavigating Corporate Politics & Building Executive Presence: How to Climb the Corporate Ladder with Andrea Wasserman of The Executive ExpressDo you feel like you’re excelling in your role but can’t really figure out how to crack the code to get to that next level? In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Andrea Wasserman, Executive Coach and Founder of The Executive Express, whose career spans leadership roles at Nordstrom, Yahoo, Verizon, and more in VP and C suite roles. Andrea brings firsthand insight from both sides of the hiring table—having led high-performing teams and now coaching rising leaders to get that next big promotion.Together, they unpack the str...
2025-08-1245 min
The People Dividend PodcastEpisode 078: Attract Talent and Improve Employee Retention"There's nothing more important if you're looking to grow and scale than making sure you get the right people." Jen Hahn In this episode of The People Dividend, host Mike Horne sits down with Jen Hahn, founder and CEO of J Recruiting Services, to explore what it takes to create meaningful connections between talent and opportunity. Jen shares her expertise on strategic hiring practices, the power of generalist experience, and the evolving landscape of talent acquisition. The discussion highlights how companies can scale effectively by improving their recruitment strategy, investing in wo...
2025-08-0528 minCandid With CandidatesFrom Mopping Café Floors to Leading National Brands: How Candace Pappas Built a Bold Career in Beverage, Retail, and CPGEver wonder how someone goes from mopping café floors to leading at the executive level for two powerhouse brands?In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Candace Pappas, SVP of Marketing at Blake’s Beverage Company and Blake Farms, for a no-fluff, straight-talking conversation about rising through the ranks, leading in two dynamic industries, and what happens when you stop waiting for permission.Candace’s story is full of game-changing pivots—from starting as an AGM at Argo Tea to becoming its President & COO, leading the brand’s expansion across the U.S...
2025-07-2946 minCandid With CandidatesHow Julian Semer Went from Finance to Shaping the Future of Retail Media at AlbertsonsWhat does it really take to build a business inside a business?In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Julian Semer, Director of In-Store Media at Albertsons, to unpack how a finance background, entrepreneurial drive, and deep curiosity led him to one of the most innovative and fast-evolving areas in retail.Julian shares how he went from building KPI models in finance to launching an in-store media business within a Fortune 100 company. He offers clear, strategic insights into what it takes to build from the ground up, communicate complexity across s...
2025-07-1538 minCandid With CandidatesFrom Physical Therapy to Executive Leadership in Grocery Retail: Kendra Shaw’s Career Journey at Sprouts Farmers MarketWhat if the career you thought you’d never pursue turned out to be exactly where you were meant to lead?In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Kendra Shaw, District Director of Operations at Sprouts Farmers Market, to explore the unexpected turns, defining moments, and leadership lessons that shaped her 20+ year career in retail.Kendra shares her journey from a small town in Indiana to leading over 1,000 employees across a fast-growing region at Sprouts. Along the way, she reflects on nearly two decades with Aldi, hard-earned lessons in corporate ve...
2025-07-0134 min
Bringing the Human back to Human Resources233. Maintaining Humanity in AI-Integrated Recruitment feat. Jennifer HahnGo to https://cozyearth.com and use code HUMANHR for 40% off their best-selling sheets, pajamas, towels, and more. And if you get a post-purchase survey? Let them know you heard about Cozy Earth right here.In this episode, Traci Chernoff and Jennifer Hahn discuss the integration of AI in recruiting, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a human touch in the hiring process. They explore how AI can enhance efficiency, the strategic role of recruiters, and the significance of personal branding in resumes. The conversation also addresses fears surrounding AI in the workforce and the...
2025-06-2438 minCandid With CandidatesFrom Banking to Ecomm Boss: Roadmapping & Real Leadership with Brooke ChambersWhat does it take to break into digital commerce and lead one of the fastest-moving segments in retail without a traditional background?In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Brooke Chambers—Ecommerce Director, Kroger —to unpack her unconventional path into retail, and the lessons that have defined her leadership ever since.What You’ll Learn:What it truly means to lead a digital marketplace for a national retailerHow to roadmap your career by anchoring to your “why”The importance of self-reflection and career staminaPractical advice for...
2025-06-1735 minCandid With CandidatesFrom Military background to President & CEO: Gabe Disbrow discusses the way answering the UNASKED QUESTIONS set him up for success.What if your non-traditional background is the very thing that sets you apart?In this episode of Candid with Candidates, host Jenn Hahn sits down with Gabe Disbrow, President & CEO of Leever’s Supermarkets, for an open and energizing conversation about leadership, ownership, and the power of showing up with purpose, especially when the path isn't linear.From his start in the military to his entry level role at Target, his executive roles with ALDI, and now leading a 100% employee-owned grocery chain, Gabe shares the pivotal moments, missteps, and mindset shifts th...
2025-06-0343 minCandid With CandidatesHow to Win the Jump Balls in Business - Build a Career You Love with Ashleigh Gage of KellanovaWhat does it take to lead a high-performing team in the fast-paced world of CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) while staying grounded, authentic, and purpose-driven?In this powerful episode of Candid with Candidates, host Jenn Hahn sits down with Ashleigh Gage, Senior Director of Portfolio Development at Kellanova (formerly Kellogg Company), to unpack her remarkable 20+ year career journey in the manufacturing and consumer packaged goods space. From her start in Acosta’s leadership development program to navigating category management at Campbell’s and now leading cross-functional strategy at Kellanova, Ashleigh shares candid advic...
2025-06-0340 minCandid With CandidatesFrom a Part-time Job at Sixteen, to Divisional VP. Curiosity, Courage, and Career Pivots with Kathy Sweigert of GiantIn this very first episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Kathy Sweigert, Mid-Atlantic Division Vice President at The Giant Company, for an unfiltered conversation about where she started, navigating career pivots, and building a team in a culture of CARE. Kathy shares how she went from bagging groceries at 16 to overseeing 100+ stores across multiple banners in her DVP role today. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who’s ever wondered how to grow in their career without waiting for permission.What You'll Learn: How...
2025-06-0332 minCandid With CandidatesTrailerConversations with top executives - who they are, how they made it, and their candid advice for you.In this trailer episode, host Jenn Hahn, founder and CEO of J Recruiting Services, introduces Candid with Candidates, a podcast that shares unfiltered conversations with corporate leaders across retail, wholesale, and distribution.This isn’t the polished version you hear on stage. It’s the honest advice you’d normally only get over coffee, insight into career shifts, leadership growth, and the lessons that shaped them along the way.Each e...
2025-05-1303 min
Girl, Take the Lead!226. Interview Like a Pro: Bring the Energy, Tell Your Story with Impact, and Own Your BrandJenn Hahn, Millennial, joins us and is the Founder & CEO of J Recruiting Services, a niche recruiting firm that partners with leading retail brands across the U.S. to deliver top-tier talent. When she isn't leading her team in recruiting strategy and solutions, she is a wife, mom to three busy kids and anavid yogi. In 2017, Jenn founded J Recruiting Services to serve the industry she knows and loves—retail. Her team’s mission is clear: deliver exceptional results that encourage both clientsand candidates to expect more from external recruiters. They’re more than just r...
2025-04-1651 min
Building the Creative LifeBuilding the Creative Life, Episode 16: seen and heardEp 16: seen and heard
Building the Creative Life is a podcast about choosing to prioritize creativity as we build a life that supports the lens of empathy, truth, joy, kindness, and anti greed.
This week, in an episode filmed on Halloween, Chrishaun and Jenn geek out about the finale of Agatha All Along. They reflect on the first season of Building the Creative Life and share their goals for season two.
To learn more about Chrishaun’s games and the world of The Shaman States of America: li...
2025-01-1356 min
This Caregiver Life ™E73: Flex LifeIn this episode, Jenn and Mar dive into the realities of the “Flex Life,” exploring the constant need to adjust and adapt to the demands of caregiving, often at a moment's notice. They discuss how these quick pivots impact their day-to-day lives, emotions, and personal goals. Join us as we unpack the unique resilience required in a caregiver’s journey.
2024-11-0732 minThis Caregiver Life ™E:72 - Catching UpIn this episode, we are sharing all the feels about #thiscaregiverlife. From gladiolas, to grace, and even guilt, Mar and Jenn share the ups and downs of caregiving. Key takeaways: plan your rest time, allow yourself to be flexible (it’s okay, really), and use your back burner when plans need to change. Read Anne Lemott’s “Bird by Bird”: https://amzn.to/4cangDX. Try the Ozlo Sleep Buds: https://amzn.to/3VcBHk6. Let’s be friends on the FINCH self-care app:
https://app.befinch.com/invite/Yns6. (Invite code F1XZ6E6VMM). SHOP MarHaven originals on Etsy: https://www.etsy.c...
2024-06-0749 min
Chris DeMakes A PodcastTaylor Rice and Ryan Hahn discuss Local Natives "When Am I Gonna Lose You"In this episode, Taylor Rice and Ryan Hahn of Local Natives unveil the behind-the-scenes journey of crafting their 2019 single, "When Am I Gonna Lose You." They reveal that the song underwent a staggering 57 different versions, each a labor of love to achieve perfection. From Taylor's raw personal inspiration to Ryan's lyrical contributions and producer Shawn Everett's innovative techniques, they showcase the magic that brought this hauntingly beautiful track to life. The emotional resonance of the composition mirrors the ride up California's coastline described in the song, offering an intimate glimpse into the artistry that defines this modern masterpiece.
2024-05-201h 08
Woo Woo WednesdayEp 193: Creative Entrepreneurship: Honoring Your Creativity And Manifestor Challenges With Jacky Franco (Client Spotlight)In this episode, I'm joined by my friend Jacky Franco, owner of Dog Friendly Living. We have a total girlfriend chat about the joys and struggles of being a creative business owner and the importance of honoring our creative impulses while allowing space for rest and rejuvenation. We also go into topics like pressures and expectations placed on us by family, especially when they clash with our own desires and goals. How she navigates living as a Manifestor Human Design type. Whether you're a fellow creative entrepreneur or simply navigating the complexities of following your passion, this...
2024-05-151h 36
Woo Woo WednesdayEp 187: Trusting Your Journey: How the Dots Connect in Hindsight With Stephanie StewartIn this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with my good friend Stephanie Stewart, the powerhouse behind The Aesthetic Method. We had such a heart-to-heart about how life's journey always seems to connect the dots, especially when we look back. Stephanie shared her incredible personal story, starting from a tragic accident and leading to her inspiring path today. We geeked out about the importance of trusting our gut feelings and staying true to ourselves in business. It's all about authenticity, which not only builds trust within ourselves but also among our team. So get co...
2024-04-2442 min
Woo Woo WednesdayEp 180: Early Risers vs. Night Owls: Is One More Succesful Than The Other? (Pizza Friday)In this episode, we tackle the age-old question: does waking up early equate to success? We challenge the saying that early risers are inherently more successful. This Pizza Friday I am joined by my husband for a candid discussion about the pros and cons of embracing the early morning hours as a pathway to success. With a whole lot of laughs, we unpack the early bird myth and offer alternative perspectives on the age old saying. Whether you're a night owl or an early bird, this episode brings a lot of back and forth on t...
2024-03-2937 min
Woo Woo WednesdayEp 175: Embracing Your Unique Path to Business Success With Jenn Hahn (Client Spotlight)In this episode, we are uncovering how much of an impact trusting your unique gifts and trusting your intuition in business is. I'm joined by one of my Immersion clients, Jenn Hahn, who shares her journey of doubling down on her unique gifts and leveraging her Human Design and Gene Keys to transform her business and life. Tune in to discover how Jenn's intuitive approach has not only increased her revenue but also brought life-changing positive changes to her overall well-being as a mother, wife and friend! Group Coaching Program! Jenn's LinkedIn
2024-03-1359 minThis Caregiver Life ™E70: Give Your Mind a RestJenn and Mar welcome in 2024 with a new podcast episode!
In "Give Your Mind a Rest" they chat about the usefulness of developing a meditation mindfulness practice. Food meditation is one of their favorites because, you know, why not. Food is a source of joy at times, so why not incorporate it into your daily practice?
There are a variety of meditation practices to employ. It is our hope you will find one that works for you and it becomes one of your many supportive tools in your caregiver...
2024-01-0537 minThis Caregiver Life ™New episodes coming in 2024!Mar & Jenn are excited to reconnect with you. We have all new episodes coming for 2024, but of course our episodes are always evergreen. We look forward to hearing from you on our social media pages on Facebook and LinkedIn. Please let us know what’s important to you as you live This Caregiver Life.
2024-01-0200 minThis Caregiver Life ™See you later 2023As we near the end of 2023 Mar gives a quick update and a look ahead to 2024. We look forward to posting more episodes in 2024.
As always we hope to hear from our listeners on ideas for future content, questions they may have, and thoughts they'd like to share.
Our Facebook page can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/thiscaregiverlife
Mary's email: maryhahnward@gmail.com Jenn’s email: jenniferjenkins724@gmail.com
2023-12-1707 minThis Caregiver Life ™E69: Caregiver MaintenanceIn this episode, we chat about good sleep, good maintenance tips for caregiving, and ways we have learned to cope with all things caregiving.
Interested in a Meditation Mouse? Find one for yourself here: https://amzn.to/3J19dVl https://amzn.to/3J19dVl
Coming soon: Navigating the NICU
Jenn explores tiny miracles of life inside the hospital's most precious, and sometimes scariest, ward: the NICU.
2023-05-2433 min
This Caregiver Life ™E67: The long and the short of itJenn and Mar take a deep dive into caregiver burnout and distrust. Between them, they have 50 years of caregiving. Over the years they have had their emotional, and physical, ups and downs as caregivers. They have had, and still have, periods of burnout. Burnouts are more quickly resolved now than in years past. They talk about essential coping strategies that have shortened burnout periods and have developed, and encourage others, to use their list as it is or as a starting point for developing one of their own:
Use a "Feelings Wheel" to help identify what you are e...
2021-10-0455 minThis Caregiver Life ™E66: The Road to ResiliencyDr. Naomi Baum joins Mary and Jenn to talk in-depth about resiliency. Self-care is an overused phrase today. It's so common that it's easy to overlook its value and to be intentional about it. The same can be said for resiliency. The term, the concept, is used frequently though not necessarily effectively. Dr. Baum breaks it down for us.
Dr. Baum is a psychologist and resiliency expert. Over the last twenty years, she has dedicated herself to "creating and implementing resilience-building programs for those exposed to trauma, be it terrorism, war or natural disaster." (https://www.naomibaum...
2021-09-0651 minThis Caregiver Life ™E65: Growing Bountiful GardensJenn and Mar took some time off to tend to their gardens. They each have two gardens. One is where they grow their indoor and outdoor plants. They share the ways in which gardening, toiling in the soil, has positively impacted their mental health and how it lends itself to mindfulness. It helps to lighten the load. It took Mar quite a while to embrace gardening, she wasn't an easy convert...feel free to drop a line of encouragement for her.
The other one, the one closest to their heart, is their families. Each of their families h...
2021-08-1134 minThis Caregiver Life ™E63: Got Sleep?What keeps you up at night? In this episode of #thiscaregiverlife we explore insomnia related to caregiving, tactics to help you cope, and resources you may find useful. We also read an excerpt of writing from caregiver and listener, Theresa Coomer. Read Theresa's blog, Peanut Butter in My Purse and Vitamin C in My Pocket: https://coomercaregiving.blogspot.com/.
If you're like a lot of caregivers, you likely find yourself saying "I'm exhausted", or "I can't sleep through the night". Fall asleep or waking up and being unable to return to sleep plague caregivers like us! Here a...
2021-04-2136 minThis Caregiver Life ™E62: Write Where You AreWe all know how important it is for caregivers to focus on themselves. In this episode, Mar and Jenn discuss the powerful impact writing can have in the life of a caregiver. From journaling in a notebook to poetry and novels, caregivers everywhere are discovering the healing power of writing. Learn about writing prompts, which we will share in upcoming episodes and on social media.
Want to dig deeper? Read Ann Lamott's Bird by Bird.
Your hosts are authors, too. Though they have six books between them, they aren't done yet! Each has another book in...
2021-03-3138 minThis Caregiver Life ™E61: Alexa, Help me with caregivingAfter receiving an Alexa Echo Show for Christmas, Jenn found there were a number of tools that for caregivers and their loved ones, including the Care Hub. This free feature of Alexa-enabled devices works with the Alexa App and allows caregivers to remotely check in on care recipients. With an Echo device at your loved one's home and the Alexa app on your phone, you can see if they are being active, help set reminders and make list, and even get notified if they ask Alexa for help. Listen in as Mar and Jenn discuss technology and caregiving, and...
2021-02-2318 minThis Caregiver Life ™E60: Every Day is National Caregivers DayJoin us to celebrate our 60th episode and two years of podcasting. Mar and Jenn are thankful for your support and to everyone who has shared this podcast to help other caregivers get through this caregiver life.
If you are an author and would like your book considered for review on a future podcast, please see our website for submission details.
Do you care for a loved one with Alzheimer's or memory disease? Visit wearehfc.org to find support and resources.
*Hear strange noises during this episode? No worries, that's our special guest, Jen...
2021-02-1945 minThis Caregiver Life ™E58: Goodbye to 2020!Well, we made it to the end of 2020. What will 2021 look like? Who knows, but what we do know is that we will move forward with deliberate actions to make a difference.
We wrap up the year with a reflection on our phenomenal growth. Thank you to our listeners around the globe, including those in the UK, Canada, Ireland, India, and Jamaica! This year we published over 1200 minutes of content over 33 episodes, and our followers increased 240%!
Links we mentioned in the show:
David Kessler and Brené on
Grief and Finding Meaning, https://brenebrown.co...
2020-12-2447 min