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
Why Doing Everything Yourself Will Kill Your Leadership Career | Brian Anderson
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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learned that long-term success is not built by doing everything yourself—it is built by developing people, challenging outdated thinking, and staying adaptable in rapidly changing environments.
In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Brian Anderson, Senior Vice President of Operations, Supply Chain & Distribution at Continental Services, for a conversation about leadership evolution, operational strategy, career growth, and the future of retail.
Brian reflects on his leadership journey from Michigan State University into a successful career with Aldi before transitioning into the fast-growing world of unattended retail and customer experience solutions. Throughout the conversation, he shares how early leadership failures, high-pressure opportunities, and difficult transitions shaped his approach to building high-performing teams and leading through uncertainty.
Jenn and Brian discuss:
- Why leadership growth requires moving beyond individual execution
- The importance of developing and empowering strong teams
- How taking professional risks accelerates long-term career growth
- What frictionless customer experience means in modern retail
- The growing role of AI and data analytics in supply chain and operations
- Why organizations must continuously challenge the status quo
- How hybrid work environments are changing consumer behavior
- The importance of adaptability in leadership and business strategy
- What candidates can do to stand out in interviews today
- Why authentic conversation matters more than rehearsed answers
- How failures and setbacks often create the strongest leadership lessons
Brian also shares practical insight into scaling operations across diverse client environments, balancing customization with operational efficiency, and creating workplace cultures where employees feel empowered to contribute ideas and challenge assumptions.
Whether you are an emerging leader, experienced operator, or professional navigating career growth, this episode offers thoughtful perspectives on leadership, innovation, and building a career that evolves alongside changing industries.
🎧 Listen now to hear candid insights on leadership, operational excellence, career development, and the mindset required to stay relevant in a rapidly changing business world.
Guest Links:
Connect with Brian Anderson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-anderson-msu/
Explore Continental Services: https://www.continentalserves.com/
Next Steps:
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For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn