Best Studio Xerxes Podcasts (2025)

1
Economic Update: Is There A Silver Lining? 39:12

13d ago39:12

39:12

Send us a text The current economic environment is on the minds of virtually everyone and we all have questions. So, why not ask an expert? We invited our friend Caleb Silver to provide his take on the general landscape, what might be coming and what it means to category managers and shopper insights.…

1
Raise Your Hand 48:52

1M ago48:52

48:52

Send us a text Laura-Lynn Freck has spent her entire career tackling new adventures, taking risks, creating her own roles, and ultimately making significant contributions to each organization she has touched. You can do the same if you are willing to raise your hand.By Studio Xerxes

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Category Management On A Bike 45:11

2M ago45:11

45:11

Send us a text Lauren Bijur discovered the power of food in an attempt to heal herself from health ailments. 20 years later, she works with Bob Mariano to develop the hit grocer, Dom's Kitchen and Market. Listen in to a fascinating story about courage, creativity, and category management.By Studio Xerxes

1
I Like Chaos 47:16

2M ago47:16

47:16

Send us a text John Nathenson has been a literal zig-zag, so much so it even confused the Host! Buckle your seat belt and follow the winding path to destination Catalytics.By Studio Xerxes

1
Not Just Data On A Page - Stories 52:22

3M ago52:22

52:22

Send us a text Are you ready for a wild ride? Follow Julie Craig as she shares fascinating stories spanning music, apparel, food, health, electronics, and more. During a truly winding path, she found her calling and has never looked back.By Studio Xerxes

1
Putting All The Pieces Together 43:58

3M ago43:58

43:58

Send us a text From insights to sales to category management and beyond, Rachelle Moore has continuously sought opportunities to put her career puzzle together. Now she's encouraging you to do the same. Dive into our latest ARCast episode and listen as Rachelle walks us through the winding path of her career growth journey.…

1
I Was Made For This 45:56

3M ago45:56

45:56

Send us a text Upon arriving in the U.S., Shivani worked at a Starbucks in Hollywood. Her ultimate goal was to get back into brand management - category and insights weren't even on the radar. But, once she had a taste, she found her calling.By Studio Xerxes

1
A True Space Pioneer 50:58

4M ago50:58

50:58

Send us a text In the 80’s and early 90’s, if anyone mentioned working in space planning, you might be mistaken for working at NASA. But, with contributions from Flora Delaney and others, the discipline is not only grew throughout retail and CPG, it became essential. Tune in as Flora shares how she helped establish the field.…

1
ARCast Anniversary! 54:59

5M ago54:59

54:59

Send us a text On Nov 30, 2022, ARCast was born. Since then, it's been a wild and crazy ride. 52 fantastic career stories as we put the spotlight on colleagues doing compelling work "in the trenches". Thanks to all our listeners and we look forward to 26 more awesome interviews in 2025. Happy Holidays!…

1
The Price Is Right 40:42

5M ago40:42

40:42

Send us a text You may want to be the manager who handles all 4 P's and makes decisions across the entire scope of an individual category. Or possibly you are Slava Gendlin. Meet the man who chose to be laser focused on only one: Price.By Studio Xerxes

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Billions of Butts 33:45

6M ago33:45

33:45

Send us a text If you have never heard of DUDE Wipes, you soon will - they are everywhere! Follow Susanna as she lands at the doorstep of a supernova, charged with building out their category management practice.By Studio Xerxes

1
A Winning Combination At Wells 51:54

6M ago51:54

51:54

Send us a text Renee Balliet is a passionate insights leader for over fifteen years, having worked on brands, innovation, product development, and retail. She has made her mark at Wells by building a team of Consumer, Sensory, and Shopper Insights from the ground up. Melanie Saffell spent her career in data and CPG in various roles including Channe…

1
Meet the Mindful Innovator 52:56

6M ago52:56

52:56

Send us a text Listen to the unlikely story of a former Deli Manager whose life turns upside when he meets a monk on the streets of New York. This chance connection (or maybe it was destined) guides Matt Mueller into discovering mindfulness can unlock the doors to unparalleled levels of innovation.By Studio Xerxes

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Consumers Are Shoppers First 38:13

7M ago38:13

38:13

Send us a text In a seemingly serious contradiction, Luke Cahill is a self proclaimed introvert who has spoken to thousands of complete strangers. Listen to Real Insight CEO & Chief Nerd as he explains why real conversations with shoppers still matter.By Studio Xerxes

1
Your BFF Behind The Scenes 54:17

7M ago54:17

54:17

Send us a text Why would becoming a "bestie" make a difference? Discover why Chris chose this route as a means to help organizations find their path forward in omnichannel retail.By Studio Xerxes

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Insight Opens Doors 44:21

8M ago44:21

44:21

Send us a text No team can truly be effective until it understands who they serve. Follow Lawrence as he takes us on a journey to learn why it takes real empathy to deliver value for his customers.

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No More Broad Strokes 41:56

8M ago41:56

41:56

Send us a text We have moved beyond the era of pulling one lever and solving all your problems. The business is more challenging and the shopper landscape is exponentially complex, so we need to think and act differently. Shiraz helps us uncover some current and future solutions to start our journey.…

1
Everything Ends on a Shelf 28:25

9M ago28:25

28:25

Send us a text Frank Castaneda has that classic story of moving from a grocery store clerk to director of category management. Learn how throughout the journey, he always remembered the basics while becoming a leading trusted advisor.By Studio Xerxes

1
Riding the White Claw Rocketship 30:04

9M ago30:04

30:04

Send us a text Life can be hard when you’re a David among Goliaths. Find out how Justin used critical insights to identify an emerging segment of an age-old category.

1
CFO Chronicles 27:55

9M ago27:55

27:55

Pinpointing Profit - Focus Areas for SMB Finance Pros – Guest Mike Skillingstad (Serial CFO and Founder of EBM Technologies)By Studio Xerxes

1
Small Steps, Big Impact 5:09

10M ago5:09

5:09

Essential Reporting for SMB Success – Guest is Dan Pesek (Fractional CFO for BlueOps Partners)By Studio Xerxes

1
Buyers Don't Care About Brands 41:40

10M ago41:40

41:40

Send us a text Early in his career, Simon Dunn worked on a myriad of interesting businesses from Liquor to Produce to Household Cleaners. He learned what drives success between category partners and now wants to share that knowledge with brands from around the world.

1
Beyond the Books 9:17

10M ago9:17

9:17

Recognizing Finance Needs and Starting Strong as a New CFO - Guest is Dan Pesek (Fractional CFO for BlueOps Partners)By Studio Xerxes

1
Ask The Question Beyond The Data 41:35

10M ago41:35

41:35

Send us a text With endless streams of data at our disposal, it is easy to spend your time justifying ways to use it. But Ella's career was cut from a different cloth, shaped by what she lacked. In this episode, discover how starting with a question can lead to a better solution.

1
In Transition? Be Encouraged 35:03

10M ago35:03

35:03

Send us a text From the likes of Pepsico, Dr. Pepper, Kantar and more, Lindsey Gladden has had a major impact across the globe through her expertise in shopper insights. Now we get insights from her about looking for her next role, the state of the market in downturn and why she remains positive.

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Give Them The Respect They Deserve 45:26

11M ago45:26

45:26

Send us a text Zel Bianco has focused over 30 years on CPG, honing his software company to make the lives of category managers easier. Now he asks leaders to think differently and join him in this mission. Listen to another compelling episode as Zel tells them how.By Studio Xerxes

1
The Day My World Changed 48:31

11M ago48:31

48:31

Send us a text You just celebrated your 30th birthday when suddenly you find yourself leading the Center of Excellence at one of the largest CPG companies in the world. What do you do? Let Alex take you on a ride as he shares this unbelievable story along with other fascinating steps along his career arc.…

1
It's OK To Be Afraid 46:28

12M ago46:28

46:28

Send us a text Follow the story of Brandon Warshaw as he goes from The White House all the way to where he is now at Harmonya. Learn how Brandon used a "does it freak me out" metric to assess opportunities along his journey.By Studio Xerxes

1
Relationships Matter 40:30

1y ago40:30

40:30

Send us a text Nobody values people more than Brian Rutherford. He treasures a career that was "gifted" to him by mentors and looks to pass it along through interactions with customers, shoppers, and teammates. Understand why Brian truly believes relationships matter in this captivating episode of ARCast.…

1
The 1P Entrepreneur 1:02:21

1y ago1:02:21

1:02:21

Send us a text Seeing a planogram as a summer intern was all it took for Dan Desmarais to be captivated by category management. Over the next 30 years, learning about the data and how it could influence supply chain shaped his career from sales to entrepreneur. Tune into this fascinating episode of ARCast.…

1
From Cashier to Category Manager 34:57

1y ago34:57

34:57

Send us a text Initially unsure of her career aspirations, Nina Palazzolo placed herself on the front lines of retail. And fell in love. Learn how Nina navigated through her fascinating journey to where she is today at Kodiak Cakes.By Studio Xerxes

1
Category Management and the Art of Telling Stories 27:45

1y ago27:45

27:45

Send us a text There is so much value in this interview, we decided to run it again! Take a listen to ARCast's most popular episode. Get in the trenches as James talks to one of the best category managers around, Dan Thaler at Simply Good Foods. Learn about how Dan leverages a childhood passion as well as early experiences with data to master the a…

1
The Chairwoman 35:36

1y ago35:36

35:36

Send us a text Stacey Ring-Sanders has been an integral part of pivotal moments in our industry including the meteoric rise of Kashi, the recent transformation of Kellogg's, the turbulent days of COVID, and the expansion of the CMA. Take time to listen as she shares learnings about professional development, team building, and dealing with conflict.…

1
From Buyer to Business Maven 40:18

1y ago40:18

40:18

Send us a text Michelle Ojulah orchestrated a decorated career in the UK retail scene, making her mark with founder-led companies such as Cath Kidston, Boden, George and Monsoon. But, entrepreneurism was calling so she decided to make a change. Join us as Michelle shares how she navigated her journey to where she is today.…

1
Faith To Keep Trying 43:55

1y ago43:55

43:55

Send us a text After coming to the US from Nigeria at age 18, Modupe Ladeji has spent a career continuously growing, with a mindset to never give up and take calculated risks. From his start in gas stations to the largest retailer in the world and now at a startup, listen as Mo walks us through the steps in his journey.…

1
All Sides Of The Table 40:42

1+ y ago40:42

40:42

Send us a text It is rare to find a person who has sat on all sides of the desk until you meet Mark Samuels. As a manufacturer, retailer, solution provider and consultant, Mark helps us learn a tremendous amount about the industry in this fascinating ARCast episode.By Studio Xerxes

1
A Tribute To Her Parents 23:48

1+ y ago23:48

23:48

Send us a text Her parents immigrated to the U.S. to find opportunities for themselves and their future family. Learn how Yanira brings their dreams to reality in this heartwarming episode of a category management professional just starting her career.By Studio Xerxes

1
No Boundaries - Category Management in the EU 32:31

1+ y ago32:31

32:31

Send us a text Could you do category management in the European Union? Listen to Robert Skowron from Hasbro as he shares the category management landscape in locations such as Warsaw.By Studio Xerxes

1
A Man Of The People 31:06

1+ y ago31:06

31:06

Send us a text Have you ever experienced a terrible boss? This is a must listen especially for leaders (or potentials) on how to be truly effective.By Studio Xerxes

1
The Road Less Traveled 34:39

1+ y ago34:39

34:39

Send us a text Have you experienced a left turn along your career? Hear how Trey’s unconventional path gave him the fuel needed to build the Category Management function at Talking Rain Beverage Company.By Studio Xerxes

1
I'll Prove Them Wrong 32:43

1+ y ago32:43

32:43

Send us a text At times you have to go to extraordinary lengths because they don't believe in you - that's Suzanne Shriner's story. Learn how this scrappy, determined professional rose above it, and let them know they were sadly mistaken.By Studio Xerxes

1
The Man Who Started It All 34:22

1+ y ago34:22

34:22

Send us a text Imagine a world where category management does not exist. Almost hard to fathom, huh? Learn the inspiration that drove Dr. Brian Harris to develop a concept and methodology that continues to thrive over 30 years later.By Studio Xerxes

1
Introducing The Candy Man 30:18

1+ y ago30:18

30:18

Send us a text No, not Sammy Davis Jr....the real Candy Man is David Brindise at Ferrero USA. Listen as he shares incredible insights on the Candy category with bonus highlights about the inner-workings of the Convenience channel.By Studio Xerxes

1
Keeping It Simple 33:48

1+ y ago33:48

33:48

Send us a text The KISS method may be old but it will never die. Learn how Rob Mould applies this idea along with other learnings to build an incredible career that spans both retail and foodservice.By Studio Xerxes

1
We're Not Just The Power Company 40:17

1+ y ago40:17

40:17

Send us a text Tom Tester is as passionate as you get when it comes to space planning. Find out what drives him and why he believes his role is so vital to the businesses he serves.By Studio Xerxes

1
You Must Serve Before You Lead 40:23

1+ y ago40:23

40:23

Send us a text Faced with taking on a new team with several concerns and seemingly ripe for turnover issues, Dante walked into a situation that just couldn’t be ignored. Learn how he applied recommendations of industry colleagues and most importantly, his wife, to become an effective Servant Leader.By Studio Xerxes

1
I Want To Help You Shop 44:59

1+ y ago44:59

44:59

Send us a text Her team has one overriding goal: they want to help you shop. Discover how category management and a true understanding of her consumer prepared Corliss to tackle one of world’s most compelling technologies: Alexa.By Studio Xerxes

1
Lattice vs. Ladder 27:43

1+ y ago27:43

27:43

Send us a text Your career path most likely will not be linear and that's OK! Listen as Tiffany shares how making lateral moves and having a variety of unique experiences can enrich your journey.By Studio Xerxes

1
Just call her Meriyem the Builder 31:49

2y ago31:49

31:49

Send us a text Few people can say they have experience building category management programs in multiple continents - Meriyem can. Follow her journey as she takes on projects for some the most iconic retailers in the world.By Studio Xerxes

1
From Dentist Chair to Data Analytics 29:32

2y ago29:32

29:32

Send us a text When one’s desire to succeed outweighs their desire to be comfortable, you end up with Jamie Beale. Learn how she made a transformational move from healthcare to category management – this story is guaranteed to inspire you.By Studio Xerxes

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