Candid With Candidates

By Jenn Hahn

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Image by Jenn Hahn

Category: Careers

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Episodes: 27

Description

If you’ve ever wondered how people actually build careers inside major organizations, not just what they post on LinkedIn, this podcast is for you.


Candid with Candidates is hosted by Jenn Hahn, founder and CEO of J Recruiting Services, a national recruitment firm specializing in retail, wholesale, and distribution. 


In each episode, Jenn sits down with corporate leaders, from CMOs and senior executives to rising directors, to talk through the real decisions, setbacks, and moments that shaped their careers.


This isn’t a highlight reel. These are thoughtful, honest conversations about what it takes to grow inside the corporate world, and how the people leading those organizations actually got there.


Whether you’re just starting out, managing a team, or already established in your career, you’ll hear stories that help you feel informed, encouraged, and more connected to your own professional path.


This podcast also serves as a space for leaders to share their perspectives and showcase their organizations, making it a valuable tool for both talent attraction and industry insight.


What you’ll learn from each episode:

-  How real people move from entry-level to executive roles

-  What leadership looks like behind the scenes

-  The soft skills and mindset shifts that matter most

-  How companies grow and retain top talent

-  Honest advice from people who’ve done the work


New episodes drop every second Tuesday, starting June 3rd.


 Make sure to follow Candid with Candidates wherever you get your podcasts, and get ready to hear the stories that don’t make it to the company bio.


Episode Date
How To Stay Relevant in a Rapidly Changing Industry With Aaron Gottlieb of Advantage Solutions
May 12, 2026
From Pet Industry Executive to Private Equity CEO: How Kristi Ross Scales Growth
Apr 28, 2026
From Box-Boy to President and CEO—An Interview with Ryan Adams of Gelson's Markets
Apr 14, 2026
Why Food Safety Is No Longer a Department: Ann Visser-Depp on Her Journey to Advising Top Retailers on Compliance Strategy and Supply Chain Accountability
Mar 31, 2026
How Larree Renda Built a 40-Year Career at Safeway — From Store Associate to EVP
Mar 17, 2026
30 Years of Leadership and the Culture Lessons That Still Win Today with James D. White
Mar 03, 2026
The Smart Way to Scale a CPG Brand: Fractional Sales and Retail Strategy with Robert Fascia & Tommy Renda of Vandelay Strategies
Feb 17, 2026
How NOT Fitting the Mold Has Led Her to Success, with PepsiCo Executive Leader Jackie LaPointe
Feb 03, 2026
From Fortune 500 to Startup: How Mark Heitke of DoorDash’s Symbiosys Learned to Win in Both
Jan 20, 2026
Executive Leadership in Grocery Retail: Kristin Popp on Strategy, Growth, and Career Development
Jan 06, 2026
Best of Leadership: Real Strategies from Real Leaders
Dec 16, 2025
Best of Candid Advice for Candidates: What Top Leaders Want Candidates to Know
Dec 02, 2025
Inside Retail Media: Rapid Growth & Building Calm in Chaos with Claire Wyatt, The Trade Desk
Nov 04, 2025
How Sheila Ebanks Leads Coca-Cola’s Large Store Division Across North America with Authentic, Inspirational Leadership and Two Core Beliefs About Her Own Career
Oct 21, 2025
A Chat With Chief Merchant: Rebecca Lupfer on Taking Your Career by the Horns and Growing From Internal Audit to the C-Suite
Oct 07, 2025
Energy Management as a Key Leadership Principle with Pat Mooney, VP at Wakefern
Sep 23, 2025
From Finance Aspirations to Supply Chain Transformation: How Jackie Doyle is Driving Strategic Growth at fairlife, LLC
Sep 09, 2025
Embracing Tech in Retail: Parag Shah of Think Blue on AI, E-Commerce & Customer Experience
Aug 26, 2025
Navigating Corporate Politics & Building Executive Presence: How to Climb the Corporate Ladder with Andrea Wasserman of The Executive Express
Aug 12, 2025
From Mopping Café Floors to Leading National Brands: How Candace Pappas Built a Bold Career in Beverage, Retail, and CPG
Jul 29, 2025
How Julian Semer Went from Finance to Shaping the Future of Retail Media at Albertsons
Jul 15, 2025
From Physical Therapy to Executive Leadership in Grocery Retail: Kendra Shaw’s Career Journey at Sprouts Farmers Market
Jul 01, 2025
From Banking to Ecomm Boss: Roadmapping & Real Leadership with Brooke Chambers
Jun 17, 2025
From Military background to President & CEO: Gabe Disbrow discusses the way answering the UNASKED QUESTIONS set him up for success.
Jun 03, 2025
How to Win the Jump Balls in Business - Build a Career You Love with Ashleigh Gage of Kellanova
Jun 03, 2025
From a Part-time Job at Sixteen, to Divisional VP. Curiosity, Courage, and Career Pivots with Kathy Sweigert of Giant
Jun 03, 2025
Trailer
May 13, 2025