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
How to Win the Jump Balls in Business - Build a Career You Love with Ashleigh Gage of Kellanova
What does it take to lead a high-performing team in the fast-paced world of CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) while staying grounded, authentic, and purpose-driven?
In this powerful episode of Candid with Candidates, host Jenn Hahn sits down with Ashleigh Gage, Senior Director of Portfolio Development at Kellanova (formerly Kellogg Company), to unpack her remarkable 20+ year career journey in the manufacturing and consumer packaged goods space.
From her start in Acosta’s leadership development program to navigating category management at Campbell’s and now leading cross-functional strategy at Kellanova, Ashleigh shares candid advice on leading remote teams with top results, building trust quickly in a new role or organization and staying open to advice and ideas from mentors.
Whether you’re looking to build upon a career you've already started or make a transition, this episode is packed with honest wisdom and practical takeaways you won’t want to miss.
What you'll learn:
- How to WIN in business through long-term trust in an industry where "people always come back together"
- Why turning your camera on is more than just etiquette, it’s leadership in a remote-first world
- How to manage career growth and motherhood with her very own 80/20 rule for her life
- Why your next opportunity may come from someone you impressed a decade ago
- How to show up to an interview without too much of the word "we"
- Why she thinks sweeping the floor early in her career made all the difference
Connect with Ashleigh
Next Steps:
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For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn