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ABOUT THE SHOW

Ron Thurston, the best-selling author of RETAIL PRIDE, has a question for leaders who are inspiring excellence in their frontline teams: “What do you do... differently?"

FRONTLINE FRIDAYS WITH RON THURSTON is where retail and hospitality change makers get candid on leadership strategy and personal career growth.

PRESENTED LIVE ON LINKEDIN.
Listen anytime on-demand via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

UPCOMING GUESTS

It's a wrap on Season 1 of FRONTLINE FRIDAYS!
We'll be back in January 2025 with Season 2 | Until then? Get your binge on with all 22 episodes of Season 1 right here.

LATEST EPISODE

Crafting Purpose-Driven Retail Teams
With Chris Freeman | SVP Store Ops, Custom Framing & Artistree Manufacturing, Michaels

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Previous Episodes

Crafting Purpose-Driven Retail Teams
With Chris Freeman SVP Store Ops, Custom Framing & Artistree Manufacturing, Michaels
Listen
Making Curiosity Your Competitive Edge
With Karrie Helm Senior Director of Stores, EVEREVE
Listen
The Role of Retail in Elevating Luxury Hospitality
With Nailah Nash Director of Retail, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
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The Radical Shift In Restaurant Training
With Ashley Helkenn Senior Director of Training, Bonchon
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Is Mindfulness Retail’s Missing Piece?
With Fil D'Urbano Chief Leadership and Mindfulness Officer, Ardene.
Listen
Balancing Creativity and Operations in Retail Design
With Brandon Lee Creative Director & Owner, Brandon Lee Designs
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Building Ride or Die Customer Relationships
With Lance Orso General Manager, Dallas Harley-Davidson
Listen
Honest Coaching Advice Nobody’s Giving You
With Kate Sargent Founder & Principle, KJS Career Coaching & Consulting
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Small Changes That Make a Big Difference
With Jo Cox & Jennifer Steichen Regional Manager of Retail & VP of Retail, Blu Dot
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Store Visits that Catapult Retail Careers
With Yolanda Vega Director of Stores (Southeast & Central US), Zadig&Voltaire
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Addressing Bias in Retail Decision-Making
With Michelle Emery Former VP of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Macy's
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Hiring For Potential, Not Credential
With Sherrica Hill Director, Solutions Design & Delivery, Jobs for the Future (JFF)
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Running Your Perfect Pilot Project
With Michael Saldaña Senior Retail Operations Manager, UNTUCKit
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Finding Career Growth When You Feel Stuck
With Brian Librach Author of "The Retail Leader’s Roadmap"
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Becoming the Mentor They Need to Succeed
With Laura Ravo Retail Guru, Executive Coach, Author
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Inspiring the Next Wave of Retail Talent
With Kelly Anderson Retail Director, Akris
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Embracing Vulnerability in Modern Management
With Payton McFaden Director of Global Sales Operations, Peloton
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Asset Protection’s Key Role in Modern Retail Leadership
With Khristopher Hamlin VP of Asset Protection, Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA)
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Developing Your Authentic Leadership Style
With Matthew Goodfriend Sr. Manager of Learning & Development, GameStop
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Visual Merchandisers as the New Keepers of Company Culture
With Adimika Jaia Owens Brand Experience Executive (Floor & Decor, Forever 21, Bloomingdale’s)
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Building True Community Among Your Retail Teams
With Paula Angelucci District Director, Adore Me
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Fostering Proud Frontline Career Paths in Retail & Hospitality
With Samantha Rubino Director Training & Communications, Pollo Tropical
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MEET YOUR HOST

Ron Thurston

Ron Thurston is on a lifelong mission to celebrate, elevate, and empower the retail industry and its people.

In 2023, he co-founded OSSY, a full-service agency platform that connects retailers, candidates, and solution providers to create thriving retail careers and businesses.

With over 30 years of experience leading retail stores and operations for America’s most prominent brands, such as Gap, Saint Laurent, Apple, Bonobos, and INTERMIX, Ron has developed a deep expertise in retail strategy, management, and innovation.

Ron is the author of RETAIL PRIDE, an Amazon bestseller that inspires retail professionals to take pride in their accidental careers. He hosts the RETAIL IN AMERICA podcast and tour, where he traveled across the country in an Airstream trailer in 2022-2023 to discover and share the untold retail success stories and the incredible people behind them.

Ron’s work has set him up as one of the most influential voices in retail and retail tech, and he serves on the Advisory Board of YOOBIC and several emerging retail technology platforms, including Ometria, Reflex, and Vendoor.

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YOOBIC

We have one simple mission at YOOBIC: Create a better everyday working experience for frontline teams while helping business drive performance at scale. It’s why we built a digital workplace dedicated to overcoming deskless workers’ challenges.

YOOBIC is an AI-powered Frontline Employee Experience Platform trusted by 350+ businesses and enterprises around the world. Our mobile app gives business leaders and frontline teams the performance tools they need to communicate, learn, and work — all in one place, right in the palm of their hand. Check out what YOOBIC can do. And follow YOOBIC on LinkedIn to join our global community of frontline leaders.

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