Candid With Candidates
If you’ve ever wondered how people actually build careers inside major organizations, not just what they post on LinkedIn, this podcast is for you.
Candid with Candidates is hosted by Jenn Hahn, founder and CEO of J Recruiting Services, a national recruitment firm specializing in retail, wholesale, and distribution.
In each episode, Jenn sits down with corporate leaders, from CMOs and senior executives to rising directors, to talk through the real decisions, setbacks, and moments that shaped their careers.
This isn’t a highlight reel. These are thoughtful, honest conversations about what it takes to grow inside the corporate world, and how the people leading those organizations actually got there.
Whether you’re just starting out, managing a team, or already established in your career, you’ll hear stories that help you feel informed, encouraged, and more connected to your own professional path.
This podcast also serves as a space for leaders to share their perspectives and showcase their organizations, making it a valuable tool for both talent attraction and industry insight.
What you’ll learn from each episode:
- How real people move from entry-level to executive roles
- What leadership looks like behind the scenes
- The soft skills and mindset shifts that matter most
- How companies grow and retain top talent
- Honest advice from people who’ve done the work
New episodes drop every second Tuesday, starting June 3rd.
Make sure to follow Candid with Candidates wherever you get your podcasts, and get ready to hear the stories that don’t make it to the company bio.
Candid With Candidates
Latest Episodes
Leadership Under Pressure: Culture, Courage & Transformation
Leadership is often tested most when the path forward is least certain. Organizational change, business turnarounds, rapid growth, and industry disruption require leaders to make difficult decisions while keeping their teams aligned, engaged, a...
From Walmart to the Arizona Cardinals: Shaun Mayo on Building Teams, Careers, and Modern HR
What does it take to build a successful executive career across industries—and ultimately become Chief People Officer for an NFL organization?In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn speaks with Shaun Mayo, Chief People Offic...
From Meat Cutter to Senior Vice President: Ralph Woodward on Leadership, Resilience, and Building a 43-Year Career
What does it take to build a lasting leadership career in grocery retail—and continue growing through decades of industry change, organizational transformation, and evolving customer expectations?In this episode of Candid with Candid...
How to Navigate Industry Layoffs and Build an Even Better Career with Senior Director of Marketing & Communications, Shannon Clark
What does it take to build a resilient leadership career when the path is anything but linear?In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn sits down with Shannon Clark, Senior Director of Marketing & Communicatio...
Why Doing Everything Yourself Will Kill Your Leadership Career | Brian Anderson
After more than 15 years in retail leadership, Brian Anderson learned that long-term success is not built by doing everything yourself—it is built by developing people, challenging outdated thinking, and staying adaptable in rapidly changing en...