Advertise on podcast: Crave - The IFDA Podcast

What if one conversation could transform the way you lead, build relationships, and connect with others? In this episode of Crave – The IFDA Podcast, host Julien LeBlanc sits down with Riaz Meghji, human connection expert, keynote speaker, broadcaster, and author of Every Conversation Counts: The 5 Habits of Human Connection That Build Extraordinary Relationships, for a powerful conversation about human connection, curiosity, emotional intelligence, and building meaningful relationships in business and life. Drawing from more than 10,000 conversations and 17 years in television, Riaz shares why genuine human connection starts with curiosity rather than assumptions and how leaders can create trust, psychological safety, and a stronger sense of belonging in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world. Together, they explore the art of meaningful conversations, the power of storytelling, active listening, vulnerability, and the importance of making people feel not just heard, but truly known. Riaz also shares practical strategies for creating memorable presentations, building stronger remote teams, improving workplace communication, and turning everyday interactions into opportunities for deeper connection. Through personal stories and lessons from improv, parenting, and professional experiences, Riaz challenges leaders to embrace difficult conversations, replace certainty with curiosity, and recognize that meaningful breakthroughs often begin with a single question. Whether you're leading a team, building customer relationships, working in foodservice distribution, or looking to strengthen your personal and professional connections, this conversation offers actionable insights to help you communicate more effectively, lead with empathy, and build relationships that last. Topics Covered: 👉 Why curiosity is the foundation of meaningful human connection  👉 Building trust, psychological safety, and stronger workplace relationships  👉 How to improve communication skills and emotional intelligence  👉 The power of storytelling and vulnerability in leadership  👉 Creating meaningful connections in remote teams and meetings  👉 The difference between feeling heard and feeling truly known  👉 Building authentic business relationships through better conversations  👉 Why human connection matters more than ever in the age of AI  👉 Lessons from improv, active listening, and accepting offers for connection  👉 Replacing assumptions with curiosity to strengthen relationships  👉 How courageous conversations create clarity and meaningful change  👉 Why great leaders prioritize people, empathy, and connection  Learn More About Riaz Meghji Explore Riaz Meghji's Book, Every Conversation Counts Explore More Episodes of Crave – The IFDA Podcast Learn More About IFDA #CravePodcast #IFDA #RiazMeghji #HumanConnection #Leadership #CommunicationSkills #EmotionalIntelligence  Learn more about Crave – The IFDA Podcast and future episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/

What does it take to build a high-performing culture, inspire people, and lead with purpose? In this episode of Crave – The IFDA Podcast, host Julien LeBlanc sits down with Ron Dunford, CEO of Schreiber Foods, for an inspiring conversation on leadership, resilience, personal growth, and the future of food distribution. Ron shares lessons from more than four decades of leadership, explaining why great leaders dream big, embrace difficult challenges, invest in people, and never stop learning. Drawing from experiences ranging from Ironman competitions to mountain climbing, nonprofit work, and leading one of the world's largest employee-owned food manufacturers, Ron reveals practical leadership principles that apply far beyond business. Together, they discuss building meaningful workplace culture, servant leadership, emotional intelligence, customer obsession, innovation, AI, mentorship, and why doing hard things builds stronger leaders. Whether you're leading a food distribution company, managing a team, or simply looking to become a better leader, this conversation is filled with actionable insights that will challenge the way you think about success. Topics Covered: 👉 Purposeful leadership and creating lasting impact 👉 Building high-performance teams and workplace culture 👉 Why great leaders dream big and embrace difficult challenges 👉 Leadership lessons from mountain climbing and Ironman training 👉 How to build resilient organizations through intentional leadership 👉 The importance of servant leadership and emotional intelligence 👉 Customer obsession and creating long-term partnerships 👉 Why company culture is defined by actions, not words 👉 Leadership habits that drive continuous growth 👉 Mentorship, coaching, and lifelong learning 👉 Innovation, execution, and continuous improvement 👉 AI's impact on food distribution and business leadership 👉 Why leaders should create experiences instead of chasing outcomes 👉 Personal development habits for high-performing leaders 👉 The future of foodservice and food distribution Learn more about Crave – The IFDA Podcast and future episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/

In this episode of Crave – The IFDA Podcast, host Julien LeBlanc sits down with Rick Jensen, President of Harbor Wholesale, to explore purposeful leadership, company culture, and the power of human connection in the food distribution industry. Rick shares insights from his 38-year journey in foodservice distribution, starting as a box boy in cash & carry retail to leading one of the Pacific Northwest’s most respected family-owned distribution companies. Together, they dive into why culture is more than words on a wall, how leaders shape organizational identity, and why every employee plays a role in building a thriving workplace culture. The conversation also explores mentorship, emotional intelligence, introverted leadership, team accountability, and the importance of creating meaningful experiences around the table. Rick discusses the lessons he’s learned from both great and difficult leaders, how mentorship and coaching have shaped his leadership style, and why intentionality is at the heart of impactful leadership. You’ll also hear powerful reflections on resilience in food distribution, innovation in hospitality and retail, frontline leadership, and why trust, purpose, and culture are essential for long-term success. This episode is a must-listen for leaders looking to build stronger teams, foster healthy workplace cultures, and lead with purpose in today’s evolving foodservice industry. Topics Covered: 👉 Why company culture is more than “words on a wall” 👉 Purposeful leadership and intentionality in business 👉 Building resilient teams through strong values 👉 How food distribution fuels communities and relationships 👉 Leadership lessons from difficult managers and mentors 👉 The importance of emotional intelligence in leadership 👉 Why mentorship and coaching matter for growth 👉 Leading as an introvert in a fast-paced industry 👉 How to identify and address toxic workplace culture 👉 Creating alignment through company core values 👉 Why every employee is responsible for culture 👉 The role of onboarding and training in leadership development 👉 Family business leadership and generational culture 👉 Innovation and entrepreneurship in food distribution 👉 The power of frontline experience in leadership 👉 Why “Life Happens Around the Table” resonates with customers 👉 Balancing accountability, empathy, and performance 👉 Building trust through consistency and authenticity 👉 Why foodservice remains a resilient, evolving industry 👉 How leaders create feelings, not just results 🌐 Learn more about Harbor Wholesale: Harbor Wholesale Foods 🌐 Explore Crave & upcoming episodes: Crave Podcast  🌐 About IFDA Learn more about Crave – The IFDA Podcast and future episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/

In this episode of Crave – The IFDA Podcast, host Julien LeBlanc sits down with Brenna Garrett, Senior Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer at Sysco, to explore how leadership, culture, and innovation are shaping the future of food distribution. Brenna shares her journey from retail at Macy’s to leading one of the largest global foodservice organizations, offering a fresh perspective on why foodservice is still a “young” and rapidly evolving industry. She breaks down how strong culture drives high-performance teams, why trust is the foundation of success, and how leaders must consistently reinforce vision and expectations. From navigating supply chain complexity to embracing AI as a tool — not a crutch — this conversation dives deep into the balance between technology and human connection in a relationship-driven industry. You’ll also hear powerful leadership lessons on saying yes to new opportunities, learning from frontline employees, breaking down silos in large organizations, and why internal partnerships are just as critical as external ones. This episode is a must-listen for leaders looking to build resilient teams, foster innovation, and lead with clarity in a fast-moving industry. Topics Covered: 👉 Why culture matters more than strategy in leadership 👉 Building high-performance teams through trust & consistency 👉 Transitioning from retail to food distribution leadership 👉 Why foodservice is still a “young” and evolving industry 👉 Lessons from sports on team chemistry & culture 👉 Using AI as a leadership tool — not a replacement 👉 Balancing technology with human relationships 👉 The importance of internal vs. external partnerships 👉 Breaking down silos in large organizations 👉 Leading through change with clear vision & messaging 👉 Career growth: why saying “yes” creates opportunity 👉 The value of frontline experience (drivers, warehouse teams) 👉 Leadership development through books, podcasts & learning 👉 Creating a culture of innovation and continuous improvement 👉 Staying calm, focused, and consistent as a leader 🌐 Learn more about Sysco: https://www.sysco.com/ 🌐 Explore Crave & upcoming episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/ 🌐 About IFDA: https://ifdaonline.org/ Learn more about Crave – The IFDA Podcast and future episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/

In this episode of Crave – The IFDA Podcast, host Julien LeBlanc sits down with Dick Tracy, CEO of Dot Foods, to explore how culture, servant leadership, and trust drive long-term success in foodservice distribution. As a second-generation leader of one of the largest food industry redistributors in North America, Dick shares how Dot Foods has built a people-first culture that serves as a true competitive advantage — especially during times of crisis and change. From leadership development and mentorship… to creating an environment employees want to be part of… to embracing technology and AI without losing the human element — this conversation is packed with actionable insights for modern leaders. You’ll hear how strong culture is tested during challenges, why trust is the foundation of great partnerships, and how servant leadership can transform teams and performance. This episode is a must-listen for leaders focused on building resilient teams, scaling culture, and staying competitive in a rapidly evolving industry. Topics Covered: 👉 Why culture is a true competitive advantage in business 👉 What servant leadership looks like in action 👉 How to build a workplace employees don’t want to leave 👉 The role of mentorship & leadership development programs 👉 How to measure and maintain a strong company culture 👉 Why “boomerang employees” are a sign of success 👉 Building trust-driven partnerships that last 👉 Playing the long game in business vs. short-term wins 👉 Embracing AI & technology in food distribution 👉 Why failure and experimentation drive innovation 👉 Leadership mindset: positivity, perspective & resilience 👉 Dick’s leadership philosophy: being a “matchmaker” of talent Timestamps: 00:00 What Does Culture Mean to You as a Leader? 00:23 Why Culture is a Competitive Advantage 01:14 Welcome to Crave + Intro 02:26 Dick Tracy’s Journey at Dot Foods 03:42 Defining Culture: Actions vs. Words 05:10 Building a People-First Workplace 07:06 Measuring & Maintaining Culture 10:04 Why Employees Leave — and Come Back 11:18 Culture After COVID & Workplace Shifts 12:58 Listening to Employees: Surveys + Roundtables 14:05 Culture in Times of Crisis 15:17 Observing Culture Through Behavior 16:05 Hiring for Character & Servant Leadership 17:19 Leadership Development & Mentorship Programs 18:46 Creating Teams That Go “All In” 19:09 Building Strong Business Partnerships 20:09 Trust, Transparency & Shared Growth 21:28 Non-Negotiables in Partnerships 23:19 Playing the Long Game in Business 25:00 Strategy, Patience & Leadership Decisions 26:01 Technology in Distribution: Challenges & Opportunities 27:24 AI, Innovation & Experimentation 28:43 Building a Culture That Embraces Change 30:12 Why the Food Industry is Full of Opportunity 31:32 Leadership Word: “Matchmaker” 32:46 Leadership, Perspective & Staying Positive 34:23 Final Thoughts on Leadership & Growth 🌐 Learn more about Dot Foods: https://www.dotfoods.com/ 🌐 Explore Crave & upcoming episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/ 🌐 About IFDA: https://ifdaonline.org/ Learn more about Crave – The IFDA Podcast and future episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/