Candid With Candidates
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.
- Update frequency
- every 11 days
- Average duration
- 35 minutes
- Episodes
- 11
- Years Active
- 2025
From Finance Aspirations to Supply Chain Transformation: How Jackie Doyle is Driving Strategic Growth at fairlife, LLC
When 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 spe…
Embracing Tech in Retail: Parag Shah of Think Blue on AI, E-Commerce & Customer Experience
What 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 S…
Navigating Corporate Politics & Building Executive Presence: How to Climb the Corporate Ladder with Andrea Wasserman of The Executive Express
Do 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 …
From Mopping Café Floors to Leading National Brands: How Candace Pappas Built a Bold Career in Beverage, Retail, and CPG
Ever 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, S…
How Julian Semer Went from Finance to Shaping the Future of Retail Media at Albertsons
What 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 h…
From Physical Therapy to Executive Leadership in Grocery Retail: Kendra Shaw’s Career Journey at Sprouts Farmers Market
What 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 Direc…
From Banking to Ecomm Boss: Roadmapping & Real Leadership with Brooke Chambers
What 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 …
From 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 Superm…
How to Win the Jump Balls in Business - Build a Career You Love with Ashleigh Gage of Kellanova
What 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…
From a Part-time Job at Sixteen, to Divisional VP. Curiosity, Courage, and Career Pivots with Kathy Sweigert of Giant
In 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 sh…
Trailer
Conversations 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 Candi…