Why Curiosity Beats Career Planning

Send us Fan MailSara Reeves is our industry’s energy bunny. She’s been on both ends of the spectrum while working at a big company horsepower like General Mills and nimble quick moves of Albanese.  Between these recognizable CPGs, Sara also made a surprising move.  Throughout it all, she remains true to herself. Learn about it all in this electric episode of ARCast. 

Send us Fan MailWith over half of the United States shopper population covered, Dan doesn’t want you to SWAG.  84.51 continues to build a powerful insights engine to help strategists understand when to zig and when to zag.  Tune in as Dan Brach, who is at the center of much of what his organization is developing, gives us a lesson on the value of shopper insights and more. 

Send us Fan MailBrad Bock and Molly Lusk of CIBA Solutions share their unconventional paths into category management and what it takes to become a trusted retail partner. They also explore how AI, changing shopper behavior, and new sources of data are reshaping the function—and why the future will require greater flexibility, curiosity, and a willingness to think differently.

Send us Fan MailAldi Flywheel is starting to churn and making huge moves in the US. Lidl is coming right behind them. Listen to a fascinating episode as Markus Schroder (ex-Aldi) and Carsten Kortum (ex-Lidl) share their experience and predictions.

Send us Fan MailMIT finds 95% of organizations cannot yet measure firm-level ROI. McKinsey finds two-thirds haven't scaled AI beyond isolated use cases. Category management and shopper insights is not immune to this challenge. So where are you in the company (or personal) AI journey? 

Send us Fan MailDo you think there is a correlation between how you feel about your job and performance?  Tanya Jones-Fosu uses specific criteria to judge where she will engage including create something new every day, solve puzzles, and align to her core values.  The result: exciting roles, organizational impact and recognition.  What about you?

Send us Fan MailThere are certainly noticeable differences between U.S. and European retail.  But slowly, the American landscape is taking cues from its overseas counterparts.  Whether it is Private Label, aggressive competitors, technology or other factors, the U.S. arena is definitely seeing shifting sands many times driven by companies from the European front.  Follow Olivier Delangre as he gives us insights on these topics and more in this latest episode of ARCast Tech Talks.

Send us Fan MailALERT: Category Managers – you have seen how GLP-1s have changed the food landscape.  Are you ready for another one?  Government policy will soon bring another wave to hit stores.  Get a hint at what the new MAHA Access program may do to your strategy in this revelatory episode with Carmen Brace.

Send us Fan MailHow does a concert violist become an accomplished category management and shopper insights professional?  In today’s episode, find out what formula Elizabeth Beilman used to walk off the symphony stage and become a dynamic leader in our industry.

Send us Fan MailCareers rarely go as planned, and that’s a good thing. Kate Foxbower of Welch’s joins ARCast to share how curiosity, mentorship, and asking “one more why” shaped her path across insights, category management, and beyond. A candid conversation on growth, learning, and building a meaningful career in today’s evolving retail landscape.