Distribution Talk

Hosted by Jason Bader, Distribution Team

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Episodes

209

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Dive into the stories, struggles, and solutions from business owners and thought leaders in the wholesale distribution market.

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60 recent

August 5, 2026Episode 20840 min

Why Selling Your Business Is Harder Than You Expect: Revisiting Marshall Jones, The Distribution Team

Selling your company is one of the most challenging aspects of owning a business. In this revisited episode, longtime colleague and Distribution Team Senior Advisor Marshall Jones shares his firsthand perspective on the mental, emotional, and procedural challenges of a business sale. Jason and Marshall review a client case study highlighting critical aspects of securing a successful (and profitable!) sale and tips for avoiding deal-breaking pitfalls. CONNECT WITH JASON LinkedIn CONNECT WITH MARSHALL LinkedIn *** For full show notes and services visit: https://www.distributionteam.com Distribution Talk is produced by The Distribution Team , a consulting services firm dedicated to helping wholesale distribution clients remove barriers to profitability, generate wealth, and achieve personal goals. This episode was edited by The Creative Impostor Studios Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Moblico , INxSQL , and Profit2 .

July 22, 2026Episode 20744 min

What If Machine Learning Could Prevent Your Next Inventory Crisis? With Conor Leen, Lantern

Many distributors fall into the habit of making inventory decisions by gut instinct. Understandable? Yes, considering the vast amounts of historical data that purchasing teams must weigh against future marketplace volatility. Unavoidable? Also yes! Especially when purpose-built AI tools exist. Jason caught up with Conor Leen, co-founder and president of Lantern , to learn about the company's cutting-edge forecasting methodology and solutions to perennial supply chain pain points like overbuying, missed seasonal stock opportunities, and branch allocation mismanagement. The pair also discuss Lantern's "distribution first" origin story and service-oriented company culture. CONNECT WITH JASON LinkedIn CONNECT WITH CONOR Lantern LinkedIn *** For full show notes and services visit: https://www.distributionteam.com Distribution Talk is produced by The Distribution Team , a consulting services firm dedicated to helping wholesale distribution clients remove barriers to profitability, generate wealth, and achieve personal goals. This episode was edited by The Creative Impostor Studios Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Motivate , INxSQL , and Connected Peers.

July 8, 2026Episode 20637 min

Strategies for Modern Warehouse Management with Will Quinn, The Distribution Guy

What can distribution warehouse operators learn from the Roman Empire and United States Marine Corps? More than you might think, says Will Quinn, aka The Distribution Guy® . Jason caught up with Will to discuss the evolution of modern warehouse functionality and pragmatic strategies for improving company performance at the ground-level––from receiving and slotting to picking and packing. Will also shares insights from his latest book, Modern Warehouse Management: Steel-Toed Leadership That Drives Performance , a must-read field guide for distribution center leaders, warehouse managers, and frontline supervisors. CONNECT WITH JASON LinkedIn CONNECT WITH WILL The Distribution Guy® LinkedIn *** For full show notes and services visit: https://www.distributionteam.com Distribution Talk is produced by The Distribution Team , a consulting services firm dedicated to helping wholesale distribution clients remove barriers to profitability, generate wealth, and achieve personal goals. This episode was edited by The Creative Impostor Studios Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Moblico , INxSQL , and Profit2

June 24, 2026Episode 20541 min

Stop Dreading AI and Start Employing It as a Thought Partner with Jason Bader, The Distribution Team

It seems like everyone is using artificial intelligence these days, maybe even your top competitor. But widespread enthusiasm shouldn't deter you from putting AI tools through their paces. Nor should naysayers convince you that the tech is just a fad. So, how do you partner with AI to create distribution-focused solutions without abdicating your innate human expertise? You start by building better AI prompts. In this solo episode of Distribution Talk, host Jason Bader shares insights from his evolving relationship with generative AI, offering pragmatic tips for business owners and execs who want to gain confidence using models like Claude and ChatGPT. He also provides advice for avoiding the "machine mindset" trap—expecting predictable, repeatable outputs when using AI. For full show notes and services visit: https://www.distributionteam.com CONNECT WITH JASON LinkedIn *** Distribution Talk is produced by The Distribution Team , a consulting services firm dedicated to helping wholesale distribution clients remove barriers to profitability, generate wealth, and achieve personal goals. This episode was edited by The Creative Impostor Studios Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Motivate , INxSQL , and Connected Peers.

June 10, 2026Episode 20437 min

What It Takes to Join and Lead a Family Business: Revisiting Seth Gordon, Glacier Supply Group

Seth Gordon traded a career in finance for the family HVAC distribution business. Today, as CEO of Glacier Supply Group, he brings a fresh perspective to the industry while navigating the challenges of next-generation leadership. In this revisited conversation, Jason chats with Seth about his journey from finance to duct fittings, the importance of connecting with mentors, and the Glacier team's wildly successful implementation of EOS, the Entrepreneurs Operating System. CONNECT WITH JASON LinkedIn CONNECT WITH SETH LinkedIn *** For full show notes and services visit: https://www.distributionteam.com Distribution Talk is produced by The Distribution Team , a consulting services firm dedicated to helping wholesale distribution clients remove barriers to profitability, generate wealth, and achieve personal goals. This episode was edited by The Creative Impostor Studios. Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Moblico, helping businesses do more business on mobile devices. Profit2, helping distributors charge the right price. INxSQL Distribution Software , integrated distribution ERP software designed for the wholesale and distribution industry.

May 20, 2026Episode 20341 min

The Next Era of Wholesale Distribution Is Data-Driven with Renata Morgan, Rheem Northeast Distribution

From Profit21 and ERP consolidation to AI-powered knowledge capture, Renata Morgan shares how modern distributors are evolving beyond "the way we've always done it." What happens when one of the biggest names in HVAC manufacturing invests in independent distribution? A new entity emerges, swiftly followed by conversations around safeguarding the distributor's company culture, autonomy, and institutional knowledge. Jason connects with Renata Morgan, president of Rheem Northeast Distribution (RND), a collection of four manufacturer-owned distributors, to learn more about Rheem's foray into this side of the channel. They discusses innovating under an established brand umbrella, retaining critical process knowledge as experienced employees retire, and giving back to the professional community. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Applied AI for Distributors 2026 HARDI BLUE HAWK Epicor Prophet21 RECOMMENDED EPISODES Agentic AI and the Future of Distribution with Ian Heller of Distribution Strategy Group CONNECT WITH JASON LinkedIn CONNECT WITH RENATA Rheem Northeast Distribution LinkedIn *** Distribution Talk is produced by The Distribution Team , a consulting services firm dedicated to helping wholesale distribution clients remove barriers to profitability, generate wealth, and achieve personal goals. This episode was edited by The Creative Impostor Studios Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Motivate, the #1 Distributor AI Automation Platform. Mention Distribution Talk for 50% off of installation. INxSQL Distribution Software , integrated distribution ERP software designed for the wholesale and distribution industry. Connected Peers, connecting key employees in distribution's leading organizations.

May 6, 2026Episode 20255 min

Using AI to Enhance Employee Collaboration and Commitment with Adriana McLane and Dirk Beveridge

If you aren't ready for a roundtable discussion on artificial intelligence, employee empowerment, and Aristotle, then you aren't prepared for the future of wholesale distribution. Jason caught up with Adriana McLane, founder of Fulfilling Strategy , and Dirk Beveridge, founder of Unleash Wholesale Distribution , for a lively and informative examination of how wholesale distribution's relationship with AI is evolving—and which of the industry's core tenets will endure. CONNECT WITH JASON LinkedIn CONNECT WITH ADRIANA Fulfilling Strategy LinkedIn CONNECT WITH DIRK Dirk Beveridge LinkedIn *** For full show notes and services visit: https://www.distributionteam.com Distribution Talk is produced by The Distribution Team , a consulting services firm dedicated to helping wholesale distribution clients remove barriers to profitability, generate wealth, and achieve personal goals. This episode was edited by The Creative Impostor Studios Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Profit2, helping distributors charge the right price; and INxSQL Distribution Software , an integrated distribution ERP software designed for the wholesale and distribution industry.

April 22, 2026Episode 20144 min

Why Hiring Gen Z Might Be Your Next Power Move: Revisiting Dr. Lee Allison, Texas A&M University

From mentorship to communication skills, discover how the next generation is redefining sales careers—and why distributors need to rethink their talent strategy now. Jason revisits his conversation with Dr. Lee Allison, Professor of Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution at Texas A&M University , to explore academia's role in preparing graduates for successful careers in distribution, the reciprocal value of mentorships, and the power of merging STEM talents with effective communication skills. CONNECT WITH JASON LinkedIn CONNECT WITH LEE LinkedIn *** For full show notes and services visit: https://www.distributionteam.com Distribution Talk is produced by The Distribution Team, a consulting services firm dedicated to helping wholesale distribution clients remove barriers to profitability, generate wealth and achieve personal goals. This episode was edited & mixed by The Creative Impostor Studios. Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode: INxSQL Distribution Software , an integrated distribution ERP software designed for the wholesale and distribution industry; and Moblico, helping businesses do more business on mobile devices.

March 25, 2026Episode 20036 min

Agentic AI and the Future of Distribution with Ian Heller of Distribution Strategy Group

AI is here. Now what? If you're a distributor who's struggling to answer, you're in good company. Distributors as a whole are cautious about buying into broad-appeal solutions. But, they're not Luddites. Instead, they want products that provide industry-focused context and bottom-line value. There's no better ambassador for AI and how to successfully apply the tech to distribution than Ian Heller, co-founder and chief strategy officer of the Distribution Strategy Group, and host of the innovative Applied AI for Distributors 2026 summit. There's also no better way to toast the 200th episode of Distribution Talk than with this conversation between two longtime friends. Jason caught up with Ian to discuss the future of AI in distribution, the expanding use of agentic AI, and the exciting program of expert knowledge, topics, and implementation strategies scheduled for this year's summit. CONNECT WITH JASON LinkedIn CONNECT WITH IAN Distribution Strategy Group Applied AI for Distributors 2026 LinkedIn *** For full show notes and services visit: https://www.distributionteam.com Distribution Talk is produced by The Distribution Team , a consulting services firm dedicated to helping wholesale distribution clients remove barriers to profitability, generate wealth, and achieve personal goals. This episode was edited by The Creative Impostor Studios Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Connected Peers , providing virtual communities for wholesale distributors; and INxSQL Distribution Software , an integrated distribution ERP software designed for the wholesale and distribution industry.

March 11, 2026Episode 19937 min

Teaching Distributors How to Structure Pricing for Profit with Colin Dees, Dees Consulting

There's an adage that says those who cannot do, teach. Colin Dees is a welcome exception. He's an adjunct professor, researcher, author, speaker, and consultant. Colin founded Dees Consulting, LLC , to help distributors optimize profitability and growth. Jason caught up with his longtime friend to learn more about his expertise in supply chain management and customer pricing strategies. The pair also explores the rewards of lifelong learning, be it in the classroom or on the warehouse floor. CONNECT WITH JASON LinkedIn CONNECT WITH COLIN Website LinkedIn *** For full show notes and services visit: https://www.distributionteam.com Distribution Talk is produced by The Distribution Team , a consulting services firm dedicated to helping wholesale distribution clients remove barriers to profitability, generate wealth, and achieve personal goals. This episode was edited by The Creative Impostor Studios Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Profit2, helping distributors charge the right price; and INxSQL Distribution Software , an integrated distribution ERP software designed for the wholesale and distribution industry.