Top 5 Takeaways from the First 5 Crave Podcast Episodes

5 Big Ideas from 5 Powerful Conversations

Crave – The IFDA Podcast was launched to spotlight the people, ideas, and innovations shaping the future of foodservice distribution. From the loading dock to the boardroom, every episode brings fresh insight from industry leaders, disruptors, and champions of change. Whether you’re here for smart takes on AI or strategies to strengthen your workplace culture, Crave is designed to spark conversations that matter!

The first five episodes offer a dynamic mix of stories and strategies, touching on leadership, collaboration, business growth, tech innovation, and what it takes to build a workplace people love. 

Below, we’re sharing our top 5 takeaways from these powerful conversations! 

You can also check out the complete podcast playlists on YouTube: 

• Leadership & Professional Development: Watch now
• Culture, Collaboration, & Change: Watch now
• AI & Technology Trends: Watch now
• Business Growth & Food Distribution Insights: Watch now

 Episode 1: What is Crave – the IFDA Podcast?

In our debut episode, host Julien Leblanc and IFDA CEO Mark Allen introduce Crave, and why now is the right time for a podcast built for and by the foodservice distribution community.

Listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at the podcast’s mission: to bring fresh leadership insights, spotlight diverse perspectives, and help professionals across the industry lead with clarity in a rapidly changing landscape. Expect future episodes to feature a wide range of guests, from seasoned executives to culture experts and tech innovators.

Key takeaway: You don’t need to be a technologist to lead in a tech-driven world.

Julien and Mark discuss how leaning into technology isn’t about becoming a tech expert – it’s about using innovation to lead with purpose. This conversation is a reminder that real leadership happens when we take a step back from the day-to-day, reconnect with why we started, and focus on working on the business, not just in it.

If you’re looking to lead with more clarity, purpose, and impact, you won’t want to miss this episode!

Check out the episode on your favorite place to listen to podcasts: 

YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Episode 2: Collaboration in Leadership with Suzanne Rajczi

In this episode, Suzanne Rajczi, Past Chair of IFDA and former CEO of Ginsberg’s Foods, shares her approach to collaborative leadership, including how her values-driven decision-making supports employee growth, customer relationships, and long-term strategy.

Key takeaway: Trust and transparency fuel collaboration – and collaboration fuels everything else.

A strong company culture starts with authentic connection, and those small moments of humanity matter. Suzanne Rajczi reflects on the power of meeting people where they are, whether it’s chatting about family or understanding the values that drive your customer’s business. From internal team culture to external sales relationships, empathy, curiosity, and cultural awareness are more than soft skills – they’re strategic assets.

Check out the episode on your favorite place to listen to podcasts: 

YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify 

Episode 3: Leadership, Culture & Collaboration in Food Distribution with Rich Wolowski

In this episode, Rich Wolowski, President and CEO of Gordon Food Service offers a candid look at what it takes to lead a century-old company into the future. He shares how fostering collaboration, internally and with partners, has helped Gordon Food Service adapt to change, innovate at scale, and maintain strong relationships. 

Key takeaway: Growth begins with saying “yes”.

No matter your age or career stage, the willingness to raise your hand – to volunteer, take on new challenges, and step into the unknown – is one of the most powerful ways to grow. Whether you’re a college student looking to stand out or a seasoned professional seeking a new path, saying “yes” is how you get noticed, gain real-world experience, and build the kind of resilience that only comes from being in the arena.

Check out the episode on your favorite place to listen to podcasts: 

YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Episode 4: Scaling a $1B Food Company with Andrea Brule

In this episode, Andrea Brule, President of Sugar Foods, walks through the mindset shifts required to lead a billion-dollar brand—and how innovation, agility, and inclusion are core to that journey. She also shares why failing forward and staying human in leadership matters more than ever.

Key takeaway: Your company’s culture is determined by what you openly allow.

Company culture isn’t defined by your values on paper – it’s revealed by the worst behavior you’re willing to tolerate. If high performance excuses bullying or toxic habits, that becomes the culture, no matter what your mission statement says. Real leadership means holding the line, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Check out the episode on your favorite place to listen to podcasts: 

YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Episode 5: How to Build Workplaces That Don’t Suck with Hannah Ubi

In this episode, Hannah Ubl, workplace culture expert and co-founder of Good Company, pulls no punches in her discussion on how to create environments where people actually want to work. From rethinking generational stereotypes to setting the tone from the top, this episode is full of actionable insight.

Key takeaway: Asking the right question can unlock unheard voices.

Psychological safety starts at the top. Hannah Ubi shared how one CEO created a ripple effect of trust and transparency throughout the organization by ending every meeting with the simple question, “What am I missing?”. It signaled that feedback was not only welcome, but it was expected. This small habit empowered voices at every level and helped ensure the culture stayed aligned and responsive as the company grew.

Check out the episode on your favorite place to listen to podcasts: 

YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Want More Insights Like These?

Crave is just getting started, and the next wave of episodes is packed with equally powerful conversations. We’d also love it if you’d join the conversation – please comment on episodes or share what topics you want us to cover next!

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