Best National Retail Federation Podcasts (2025)

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The Bulldog Behind the Brand: Sauce Boss Pierre-Olivier Drouin on Building Quebec's Firebarns 20:45

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5d ago20:45

20:45

In this sizzling episode of The Food Professor Podcast, recorded live at the SIAL Canada food innovation show in Toronto, co-hosts Michael and Sylvain welcome Pierre-Olivier Drouin, Co-Founder of Firebarns, the fast-growing Quebec-based condiment company that brings flavour-first hot sauces to shelves across North America. Pierre-Olivier shares his…

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387. Behind the data: Insights from NRF’s top economists 21:51

7d ago21:51

21:51

As the retail industry continues to evolve, understanding the broader economic landscape has never been more important. On this episode of Retail Gets Real, two of NRF’s top economic minds — Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz and Executive Director of Research Mark Mathews — join the podcast to break down what’s driving the U.S. economy, what to expect…

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#117 A Big Beautiful Episode 31:41

7d ago31:41

31:41

Michael welcomes USA Rice's Jake Westlin back to explain why agriculture is excited about H.R. 1, aka Budget Reconciliation aka The Big Beautiful Bill. From more realistic reference prices and increased support for trade promotion to farm financials and conservation programs, Jake explains it all. He even gets Michael to (kind of) understand crop i…

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Decoding Canada's Culinary Culture with Laura Brehaut, National Post Food Reporter: SIAL Summer Bonus 23:42

12d ago23:42

23:42

In this live episode from the SIAL Canada show floor in Toronto, we welcome a very special guest: Laura Brehaut, Food Reporter at the National Post. With a thoughtful blend of experience in anthropology, media production, culinary training, and a deep journalistic instinct, Laura offers a compelling perspective on Canada's evolving food landscape a…

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Retail, Riesling, and Relationships: Ed Madronich, President of Flat Rock Cellars on Building a Brand That Lasts 16:10

20d ago16:10

16:10

In this special summer bonus episode of The Food Professor Podcast, co-Michael interviews Ed Madronich, President of Flat Rock Cellars, recorded live at the Ontario Craft Wineries Conference in Niagara Falls. As part of the podcast's summer series highlighting thought leaders in the Canadian food and beverage industry, this episode delves into Ed's…

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386. Inside Starbucks’ commitment to thriving communities 17:13

22d ago17:13

17:13

Starbucks may be best known for coffee, but its community impact goes far deeper. In this episode of Retail Gets Real, we’re joined by Kelly Goodejohn, vice president and chief social impact officer at Starbucks, to explore how the global brand is redefining what it means to serve communities — not just with beverages, but with bold action, local i…

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#116 On the Road: Louisiana Field Days 37:32

22d ago37:32

37:32

Michael Klein and Sarah Moran talk about their recent trip to rice field days in Louisiana. This episode features interviews with Drs. Ronnie Levy and Adam Famoso from the LSU AgCenter; Dr. Tim Walker from Horizon Ag; and Dr. Brian Ottis from RiceTec. Plus, a special winged guest and Sarah went to the Waffle House! With special guests: Dr. Adam Fam…

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Seeds of Change: Keith Currie, President at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, on the Future of Farming: SIAL Summer Bonus 29:30

27d ago29:30

29:30

In this insightful summer bonus episode of The Food Professor Podcast, co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois sit down with Keith Currie, President at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, live from the floor of SIAL Toronto. Representing more than 190,000 farmers and ranchers across the country and an eighth-generation farmer himsel…

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From Farm to Gold: Chantal Van Winden’s Camelina Oil Wins SIAL Innovation 2025: Summer Bonus Episode 23:59

1M ago23:59

23:59

In this special summer bonus episode of The Food Professor Podcast, recorded live at the SIAL Food Innovation Show in Toronto, co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois welcome two exceptional guests: Joanne McArthur, President of Nourish Food Marketing and co-chair of the SIAL Innovation jury, and Chantal Van Winden, CEO of Olimega and t…

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385. Lessons from a young retail leader 22:47

1M ago22:47

22:47

Meet one of the young leaders shaping the future of retail. Robert Davison Long was the 2022 NRF Foundation Next Generation Scholarship top recipient and he is now the team manager for Gucci in Tysons Corner, Va.. He joins us to talk about his personal journey in retail, how to “romance a product” and the lessons C-suite executives can learn from u…

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#115 USA Rice's New Man on The Hill 28:13

1M ago28:13

28:13

Michael Klein invites Shelby Young to ride shotgun and talk a bit about the 125th RMA Convention and their wild return trip. Then, meet new USA Rice VP Jake Westlin as he shares insights from the Senate, wheat world, and his first impressions of rice country. Don't miss this lively behind-the-scenes episode! With special guest: Jake Westlin, VP Gov…

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Smokin Jon's BBQ: Summer SIAL Food Innovation Show Bonus Episode 20:11

1M ago20:11

20:11

In this special summer bonus episode of The Food Professor Podcast, host Michael LeBlanc brings listeners straight to the SIAL Food Innovation Show floor for a flavorful conversation with Chef Jonathan Maters, co-founder of Smokin Jon’s BBQ & Company. Born in Newfoundland and based in New Brunswick, Jonathan shares how a pandemic-era pivot turned h…

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BBQ Legends, Bureaucracy & Back-to-School with guests Texas Monthly's Daniel Vaughn & Ransom Hawley, CEO of Caddle in the Hot Seat 1:18:56

2M ago1:18:56

1:18:56

The Food Professor Podcast closes out its fifth season (sort of) with a sizzling, two-guest double feature and a feast of food industry insights. Co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois kick things off with a robust news round-up, starting with the Competition Bureau’s lawsuit against DoorDash. The case alleges deceptive pricing practic…

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384. The digital strategy behind Mack Weldon’s growth 25:22

2M ago25:22

25:22

The story of Mack Weldon begins with a moment many men know all too well — standing in the underwear aisle, overwhelmed by choice and underwhelmed by experience. In this episode of Retail Gets Real, Brian Berger, founder and CEO of Mack Weldon, shares how frustration as a consumer inspired him to reinvent men’s basics with a focus on smart design, …

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Vince Sgabellone from Circana Dishes on Dining Trends, Pepper Predicament, and Aluminium, America & Grocery Shopping Trends 44:42

2M ago44:42

44:42

This episode of The Food Professor Podcast, recorded live at the SIAL Food Innovation Show in Toronto, opens with co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois breaking down the week’s top food and retail stories. First, they tackle the evolving Canadian political stance on supply management. Prime Minister Carney’s reversal in support of Bil…

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Brisket, Buc-ee’s & Big Ideas plus Spilling the Tea Tariff & guest Tonia Jahshan of Sipology Steeps Up Global Growth 54:11

2M ago54:11

54:11

This episode of The Food Professor Podcast is steeped in insights, storytelling, and smoky Texas flavour. Hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois kick off with a deep dive into the state of Canadian agri-food policy, tariffs, and food inflation before welcoming a very special guest: Tonia Jahshan, Founder and CEO of Sipology. Broadcasting …

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383. Amplifying the voices of small business owners 20:55

2M ago20:55

20:55

Small businesses power retail—they make up 98% of retailers in the country. Right now, small companies are grappling with economic and political uncertainty and facing an existential threat from tariffs. We talk to NRF vice president of advocacy and engagement Meghan Cruz about the devastating impact of tariffs and what NRF is doing to advocate for…

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#114 The 2025 National Restaurant Association Show 21:56

2M ago21:56

21:56

Michael is just back from eating his way across the 2025 National Restaurant Show in Chicago where he visited with members and investigated foodservice trends. Past show attendee Katie Maher stops by the studio to grill Michael about the show, and they listen to an interview from the show floor with Blaine Stewart of Heritage Rice Company. With spe…

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Canada's Food Inflation Crisis, Ag Minister an Animal Farm Fan, Selena Gomez Oreos, and Craft Wine Innovation, Resilience and Opportunity with Dan Sullivan from Rosehall Run Vineyards 53:46

2M ago53:46

53:46

This episode opens with alarming news about Canada's food inflation reaching crisis levels. Charlebois reveals that Canada now has the highest food inflation rate among G7 countries, primarily driven by countervailing tariffs that have backfired on Canadian consumers. The hosts explain how Prime Minister Carney quietly eliminated most food-related …

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New Liberal Cabinet & Ag Minister, Newfoundland Sugar Tax Fail, Cricket Bankruptcy Bugs Sylvain, and guest Adam Grogan, President & COO, Maple Leaf Foods 1:02:45

3M ago1:02:45

1:02:45

In this insightful episode of The Food Professor podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois explore Canadian food politics and industry developments before sitting down with Adam Grogan, President and COO of Maple Leaf Foods, for a revealing conversation about the company's evolution and future. The episode begins with a discussion of Ca…

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382. How San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan combats organized retail crime 29:45

3M ago29:45

29:45

Organized retail crime (ORC) is not a victimless crime — it can have a devastating impact on the real people behind retailers. Summer Stephan, San Diego County District Attorney, joins us to discuss the fight against organized retail crime. We explore laws and initiatives to combat the insidious issue, plus what local businesses can do to protect t…

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#113 The Science and Secrets of Rice Seed Production 57:38

3M ago57:38

57:38

Retired rice breeder extraordinaire Steve Linscombe talks with Randy Ouzts from Nutrien, Tim Walker of HorizonAg, and Brian Ottis of RiceTec about the challenges of seed production, breeding methods, hybrid vs. pure line development, determining seeding rates, and how weather and technology shape the seed supply. Discover the cutting-edge practices…

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Sylvain says "Howdy" to Texas A&M, Canadian Food Sentiment Index No. 2, and from Farm to Global Table: Gilles Froment, International Dairy Federation President and Lactalis Canada SVP 57:32

3M ago57:32

57:32

In Season 5, Episode 35 of The Food Professor podcast, co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois deliver an information-packed episode with significant developments in both personal and industry news. Sylvain Charlebois opens with a major announcement about joining Texas A&M University on August 1st to lead their #1-ranked Masters in Agribusi…

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Live from SIAL Show in Toronto: Canada’s Post-Election Food Policy, Trade Barriers & Exports and guest Martin Lavoie, President & CEO of Groupe Export Agroalimentaire Québec 59:38

3M ago59:38

59:38

n Season 5 of The Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois take listeners inside the bustling SIAL Food Innovation Show in Toronto, bringing fresh insights on global food trends and the shifting dynamics of agri-food trade. The episode kicks off with their live reflections on the show floor, surrounded by global exhibitors…

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381. The innovators driving the future of retail 26:48

3M ago26:48

26:48

One thing is constant in retail: change. Innovation is the cornerstone of the industry. We’re joined by Seth Webb, executive vice president of Tusk Strategies, and Sucharita Kodali, vice president and principal analyst of Forrester Research, to discuss the transformative trends, cutting-edge technologies, and emerging solution providers that are sh…

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Canada's Missing Agri-Food Election Agenda, RoundUp for Roundup and Jake Karls, Co-Founder & Chief Rainmaker, Mid-Day Squares 54:02

3M ago54:02

54:02

In Season 5, Episode 33 of The Food Professor Podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois deliver a dynamic episode split between urgent food policy news and an in-depth interview with Jake Karls, Co-Founder and Chief Rainmaker of the powerhouse better-for-you brand Mid-Day Squares. Kicking off with the news segment, Sylvain and Micha…

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#112 Rice, Resilience, Representation, and Research Mentors 36:00

3M ago36:00

36:00

Dr. Angelia Seyfferth, Professor of Biogeochemistry and Plant-Soil Interactions, shares her journey from humble beginnings to having a lab with her name on it at one of the most prestigious research universities in the country. She talks about her innovative study of arsenic uptake in rice, the trouble of salt water intrusion, and growing rice wher…

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Canada’s Food Inflation Spikes, Investors & Innovators with Elysabeth Alfano, CEO of VegTech™ Invest 51:19

3M ago51:19

51:19

The episode kicks off with breaking economic news: while Canada’s overall inflation slowed to 2.3% in March, food inflation surged to a staggering 3.2%—a monthly jump not seen since 1983. Sylvain attributes the spike to Ottawa’s counter-tariffs, rising ingredient costs, and shifting sourcing strategies as Canadian grocers de-Americanize their suppl…

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380. How Vera Bradley transformed a legacy brand 24:49

4M ago24:49

24:49

Vera Bradley, the beloved purse, travel and accessory retailer, recently refreshed their brand look and strategy to increase brand awareness and expand their consumer profile. Vera Bradley’s CEO, Jackie Ardrey, joins us to discuss the brand’s transformation, the Vera Bradley customer and how the company stays ahead in the ever-evolving retail indus…

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North American Trade Lawyer Mark Warner on Tariffs, Trade & Trump: A Global Food Fight Begins 59:22

4M ago59:22

59:22

In this power-packed episode of The Food Professor Podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois bring listeners up to speed on one of the most complex and fast-moving stories in the global food and agriculture sector: the unfolding international tariff war. Appropriately titled “The Global Tariff War Edition,” this episode features a t…

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#111 The Federal Reserve Banking System and Rice 43:22

4M ago43:22

43:22

What, how, and why does the Federal Reserve do what it does? Hosts Michael Klein and Deborah Willenborg dive into a lively, humorous, and insightful conversation with Matuschka Lindo Briggs of the Little Rock branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis to get to the bottom of it all. From the Fed's ag advisory council to the Beige Book, and fro…

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Tariffs, Trade, and Terroir: Trump's Liberation Day global earthquake, guest Michelle Wasylyshen, President & CEO, Ontario Craft Wineries 49:53

4M ago49:53

49:53

This episode of The Food Professor Podcast brings together global trade drama and local wine opportunity. In the opening news segment, Michael and Sylvain react to the latest trade bombshell from Donald Trump: sweeping new tariffs aimed at dozens of countries, with Canada & Mexico left off—for now. They dig into how this could reshape the Canadian …

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379. Whole Foods’ holistic approach to merchandising and customer service 24:12

4M ago24:12

24:12

Whole Foods places its whole focus on serving and nourishing its shoppers. Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, chief merchandising and marketing officer for Whole Foods Market, joins us to talk about how Whole Foods stays ahead of food trends, builds trust with its customers and leads the industry in high-quality sourcing. She also shares her career journey, what …

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10 Years of Liberal Ag Policy, Body Cams & guest Chef Tuệ Nguyễn 53:34

4M ago53:34

53:34

In the latest episode of The Food Professor Podcast, we dive into a wide range of topics, from international trade tensions to the evolving role of social media in the culinary world. We kick off the episode with the announcement that Canada will be the country of honour at the SIAL Food Innovation Show, reflecting on the importance of celebrating …

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#110 The ROI of Rice Checkoff 35:05

4M ago35:05

35:05

The check off program is at times controversial, but do growers who pay into the program (and even those who don't) receive a good value for what they contribute? In this episode, Michael talks with Dr. Lanier Nalley, professor of ag economics at the University of Arkansas about his research into the ROI of the Arkansas check-off. Growers see order…

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China Tariffs Dramatic Impact, McDonald's Takes Another Run at a Veggie Burger & WeCook's Fresh Meal Revolution with Michel Gagné, CEO 52:11

4M ago52:11

52:11

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois take on some of the hottest topics, shaking up the Canadian food industry. There's plenty to discuss, from McDonald's latest attempt to crack the plant-based market with a new veggie burger to the disruptive impact of China's tariffs on Canadian seafood and …

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378. How Coach captivates consumers with visual storytelling 25:52

4M ago25:52

25:52

Coach is a visionary of visual storytelling and experiences. Giovanni Zaccariello, SVP of global visual experience for Coach, joins us to discuss the evolution of visual merchandising and how he tells Coach’s story to a global audience. He also shares the moment that changed his career trajectory and his advice for taking risks and following your g…

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Loblaw T's Off on Trump Tariffs, China and Europe Hit Back Creating Risks & Opportunities, guest Smoke's Poutinerie President & COO Mark Cunningham 1:10:10

5M ago1:10:10

1:10:10

In this episode of The Food Professor podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois tackle pressing issues in Canada's food industry before interviewing Mark Cunningham, President and Chief Operating Officer of Smoke's Poutinerie. The episode begins with the hosts discussing Loblaw's decision to place "T" labels on products affected by tari…

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#109 E-commerce Evolution and the Future of Retail 41:48

5M ago41:48

41:48

How has the digital revolution changed the way we shop? Hosts Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon explore shifts in consumer behavior, from online grocery orders to AI-powered shopping assistants. E-commerce marketing expert Eric Martindale joins to discuss the future of retail, how brands can thrive in this space, and why digital shelf space is the new…

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Trump Tariff Attack Reality, Grading Canada's Response and Special Guest Industry Icon John Pigott, CEO of Morrison Lamothe 58:21

5M ago58:21

58:21

The latest episode of The Food Professor Podcast delivers a timely and insightful discussion on the state of Canadian agriculture, the impact of Trump's tariffs, which Canadian politicians had the best response to, and what it means for the food industry. Hosts Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois break down new trade restrictions' economic and p…