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What Does ‘Pride’ Really Mean? Ron Thurston on Identity & Impact
What if retail wasn’t a fallback plan, but a power move?
This week, Jim is joined by Ron Thurston, bestselling author, keynote speaker, and fierce advocate for the people who keep retail running.
In this episode, Ron’s not just talking shop. He’s reframing the conversation entirely as they dive deep into the real value of retail work and why it deserves more respect, more pride, and a brighter future in the age of A.I.
From stocking shelves to leading global brands like Gap and Apple, Ron has seen it all. His newest book, Human Pride, builds on that lived experience and delivers a bold message: Your career doesn’t have to be linear to be meaningful. And your skills are more powerful than you think.
Whether you’re just starting out or decades in, this conversation is a celebration of work that’s often overlooked but never irrelevant.
Episode Highlights:
0:00 - Introduction
1:54 - “How do we know each other?”
4:06 - Ron talks his book and what “pride” means to him
12:51 - Talking about “Human Pride”
20:46 - Jobs and A.I.
29:52 - Careers in retail
31:03 - “Retail is detail”, GAP’s renaissance
33:30 - Transferable skills (and how to market them)
36:31 - Don’t be afraid of new tech
40:09 - Stores reflecting consumers
40:33 - Episode wrap-up
ABOUT JIM FIELDING
Jim Fielding began his career on the department store floor, where he discovered a deep passion for face-to-face interaction and customer experience. That early spark launched a career spanning over 30 years in senior executive roles at some of the world’s most iconic retail and media brands, including Gap, Disney Stores, Claire’s, DreamWorks, and 20th Century Fox. Throughout his leadership journey, Jim became widely recognized for his commitment to developing talent and building inclusive, people-first cultures—believing that individuals perform at their best when they can bring their whole, authentic selves to work.
Today, Jim’s full-time focus is on sharing the lessons he’s learned. Through speaking engagements, coaching, writing, advocacy, and community building, he inspires leaders and organizations to create spaces where everyone feels safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.
CONNECT WITH JIM FIELDING
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimfielding/
Website: https://www.hijimfielding.com/
CONNECT WITH RON THURSTON
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rthurston/
Check out Ron’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/Retail-Pride-Celebrating-Accidental-Career/dp/1544515928
View all episodes
By Jim FieldingWhat if retail wasn’t a fallback plan, but a power move?
This week, Jim is joined by Ron Thurston, bestselling author, keynote speaker, and fierce advocate for the people who keep retail running.
In this episode, Ron’s not just talking shop. He’s reframing the conversation entirely as they dive deep into the real value of retail work and why it deserves more respect, more pride, and a brighter future in the age of A.I.
From stocking shelves to leading global brands like Gap and Apple, Ron has seen it all. His newest book, Human Pride, builds on that lived experience and delivers a bold message: Your career doesn’t have to be linear to be meaningful. And your skills are more powerful than you think.
Whether you’re just starting out or decades in, this conversation is a celebration of work that’s often overlooked but never irrelevant.
Episode Highlights:
0:00 - Introduction
1:54 - “How do we know each other?”
4:06 - Ron talks his book and what “pride” means to him
12:51 - Talking about “Human Pride”
20:46 - Jobs and A.I.
29:52 - Careers in retail
31:03 - “Retail is detail”, GAP’s renaissance
33:30 - Transferable skills (and how to market them)
36:31 - Don’t be afraid of new tech
40:09 - Stores reflecting consumers
40:33 - Episode wrap-up
ABOUT JIM FIELDING
Jim Fielding began his career on the department store floor, where he discovered a deep passion for face-to-face interaction and customer experience. That early spark launched a career spanning over 30 years in senior executive roles at some of the world’s most iconic retail and media brands, including Gap, Disney Stores, Claire’s, DreamWorks, and 20th Century Fox. Throughout his leadership journey, Jim became widely recognized for his commitment to developing talent and building inclusive, people-first cultures—believing that individuals perform at their best when they can bring their whole, authentic selves to work.
Today, Jim’s full-time focus is on sharing the lessons he’s learned. Through speaking engagements, coaching, writing, advocacy, and community building, he inspires leaders and organizations to create spaces where everyone feels safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.
CONNECT WITH JIM FIELDING
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimfielding/
Website: https://www.hijimfielding.com/
CONNECT WITH RON THURSTON
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rthurston/
Check out Ron’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/Retail-Pride-Celebrating-Accidental-Career/dp/1544515928