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/

In this special episode of Crave – The IFDA Podcast, host Julien LeBlanc sits down with industry leaders to share a major announcement from IFDA and unpack how collaboration, networking, and cross-functional leadership can transform organizations across foodservice distribution.

Guests Angie Dark  and Aaron Kerkhoff discuss why bringing sales, operations, marketing, transportation, and leadership together in one room in San Antonio can break down silos, spark innovation, and create powerful “aha” moments that drive measurable business growth.

From mentorship stories and customer experience strategies inspired by brands like Disney and Chick-fil-A, to practical examples of ideas implemented after conferences, this episode highlights why investing in people, learning, and industry community is one of the fastest ways to accelerate results and retention.

Whether you’re a distributor, operator, manufacturer, or emerging leader, this conversation will help you rethink collaboration, leadership development, and the true power of industry connection.

Topics Covered

👉 The big IFDA conference announcement
👉 Breaking down silos between departments
👉 Why cross-functional collaboration multiplies results
👉 How conferences create real business wins
👉 Mentorship and networking that accelerate careers
👉 Retaining employees through professional development
👉 Customer experience strategies that build loyalty
👉 Generational communication in today’s workforce
👉 Turning insights into actionable business changes

Timestamps

00:00 Special Announcement + Guest Introductions
01:34 Why People Love the Foodservice Industry
04:17 Major IFDA Conference Reveal
05:23 Breaking Down Organizational Silos
08:22 Networking That Drives Growth
10:48 Turning Insights Into Strategy
12:07 Mentorship Stories That Changed Careers
15:47 Real Examples of Ideas Implemented
17:55 Generational Communication Insights
19:10 Leadership Perspective Shifts
21:12 Why Investing in Learning Matters
22:12 Retention Through Employee Development

Learn more about Crave – The IFDA Podcast and future episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/

As Crave enters Season 2, host Julien LeBlanc opens the year with a powerful leadership reset — reflecting on the biggest insights from 2025 and laying the mindset foundation for success in 2026.

This solo episode distills lessons from industry leaders across foodservice distribution into 10 critical leadership insights covering culture, trust, collaboration, habits, mindset, experience, systems, and change leadership.

From building psychologically safe teams… to creating clarity across your organization… to designing habits that drive consistency — this episode is a must-listen for distributors, manufacturers, operators, and emerging leaders looking to grow stronger teams and more resilient businesses.

If your goal is to become 1% better every day, this episode will give you the frameworks to make 2026 your most intentional, disciplined, and impactful year yet.

Topics Covered

👉 What “culture” really means beyond words on a wall
👉 Why trust scales faster than strategy
👉 The Stockdale Paradox & navigating uncertainty with clarity
👉 Collaboration as a true growth strategy
👉 How to create psychological safety on your teams
👉 Understanding your full value chain & customer experience
👉 Why experience is your brand
👉 Systems, habits & consistency that drive performance
👉 Making Mondays better: building cultures people want to belong to
👉 Change leadership, clarity & 2026 mindset shifts

Timestamps

00:00 Why Now Is the Right Time for Crave
00:59 Welcome to Season 2 + 2025 Recap
02:01 The 10 Leadership Insights Framework
03:07 Mindset, Reality & the Stockdale Paradox
06:07 Why Leadership Confidence Matters
07:19 Rally Cries, Clarity & Alignment
08:38 Collaboration & Clarity as Growth Strategy
10:49 Trust, Psychological Safety & High-Performing Teams
12:51 Understanding the Full Value Chain
14:06 Building Culture That Makes Mondays Better
15:00 Mentorship, Habits & End-in-Mind Thinking
17:02 Experience Is Your Brand
18:40 Habits, Systems & Consistency
19:32 Culture Through Standards, Not Slogans
21:31 Leading Change in 2026
22:33 Final Challenge & Season 2 Outlook

Like, comment & subscribe for more leadership conversations from across the foodservice distribution world.

Learn more about Crave – The IFDA Podcast and future episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/

In this episode of Crave – The IFDA Podcast, host Julianna Blau sits down with Paul Saval, President & CEO of Saval Foodservice, a fourth-generation leader who has spent more than 40 years shaping culture, driving innovation, and navigating the evolving landscape of foodservice distribution.

Paul shares a candid look at the principles that guide his leadership — from building a conscious, values-based culture… to staying customer-obsessed… to transforming crisis into opportunity.

You’ll hear powerful stories about perseverance during COVID, generational transitions, partnerships rooted in trust, and why leaders must balance patience, persistence, empathy, and accountability.

This is a masterclass in modern leadership, resilience, and leading people-first organizations in a fast-changing world.

Topics Covered:

👉 What “culture” really means in a family-run distribution business
👉 The power of conscious leadership: responsibility, integrity & emotional mastery
👉 How Saval centers drivers as the heart of the customer experience
👉 What most companies miss during mergers & acquisitions
👉 How COVID transformed Saval’s purpose, partnerships & community impact
👉 Generational leadership: balancing tradition with innovation
👉 Why leaders must be learners: listening, evolving & adapting
👉 Decision-making speed vs. scale: small distributor advantages
👉 Technology, AI & preparing for the next wave of efficiency
👉 Patience + Persistence: Paul’s two-word leadership philosophy

🌐 Learn more about Saval Foodservice: https://www.savalfoods.com/
🌐 Explore Crave & upcoming episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/
🌐 About IFDA: https://ifdaonline.org/

Like, comment & subscribe for more leadership conversations from across the foodservice distribution world.

Learn more about Crave – The IFDA Podcast and future episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/

In this episode of Crave – The IFDA Podcast, we sit down with René Diaz, President & CEO of Diaz Foods, a multigenerational food-distribution leader with a remarkable story grounded in grit, gratitude, and giving back.

From immigrating to the U.S. with nothing… to running one of the most respected Hispanic food companies in America, René shares the principles that shaped him: consistency, service, culture, and community impact.

We explore how Diaz Foods blends family values, hard work, and data-driven innovation — and why empathy, discipline, and cultural pride still win in a fast-moving market.

This conversation is a masterclass in leadership, legacy, and the power of showing up.

Topics Covered:

• Growing from a small family grocery store to a major distributor
• Why consistency beats talent — every time
• Mentorship, community leadership & paying it forward
• The value of culture, diversity & shared tables
• Balancing empathy with accountability
• Partnership lessons: from handshake deals to AI-powered pricing
• Robotics, automation & the future of distribution
• How food — and family — build stronger communities
• “Yes, it's possible”: a mindset that transforms careers

More about this episode: 

Learn more about Diaz Foods: https://www.diazfoods.com/

Like, comment & subscribe for more powerful leadership conversations from across the food-service distribution world.

Learn more about Crave – The IFDA Podcast and future episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/

Learn more about Crave – The IFDA Podcast and future episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/

In this special live edition of Crave – The IFDA Podcast, recorded at the IFDA Solutions Conference, industry leaders share powerful insights on leadership, workforce development, technology, and the future of foodservice distribution.

Gia Dowling, VP of People & Culture at Nicholas and Company, on the role of culture in strengthening teams and retaining talent.

Learn more about Crave – The IFDA Podcast and future episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/