Stories from the River Podcast explores the personal journeys of our very own Memory Makers. Whether it's interviews or standalone narratives, Stories from the River will bring you closer to what it's like to thrive together, wherever in the company you may be. We'll share personal experiences from our stores, Distribution Centers, Call Centers, and corporate campuses, giving listeners a front row seat to what it's really like to be a Memory Maker furnishing life's best memories every day.
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May 19, 2026Episode 3591 hr 3 min
Building Winning Teams Through Culture | Stories from the River #359
Watch full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PjT9Z-7YZgk Consistency, servant leadership, and a strong team culture are at the heart of building lasting success. In this episode of Stories from the River, Charlie Malouf sits down with Dana Mallory, Broad River Retail's 2025 Senior Retail Leader of the Year and newly promoted Regional Manager. Dana reflects on her journey from humble beginnings in retail to leading the transformation of the "Savage South" region through intentional leadership, accountability, and a deep commitment to developing people. Books mentioned: Think Again by Adam Grant - https://www.amazon.com/Think-Again-Power-Knowing-What/dp/1984878123/ Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes. Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail
May 18, 20263 min
Why Client-Based Structures Win Over Guests
Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/H2r4Bf7qDD0 In this spotlight of episode 358, Charlie Malouf and David Moraco reflect on a successful year with the Wolfpack, discussing what drove their achievements and the sense of impact they felt. David talks about running strong numbers throughout the year while acknowledging ongoing opportunities for growth. They highlight the importance of consistency, focusing on key behaviors, and the persistent effort to engage with every guest. David also mentions transitioning some Memory Makers to strengthen the group, emphasizing that the goal goes beyond just transactional interactions. Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes. Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail
May 14, 20262 min
Preparing Future Leaders through Real-World Sales Experience
Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/H2r4Bf7qDD0 In this spotlight of episode 358 of Stories from the River, Charlie Malouf and David Moraco discuss the impact and value of the senior sales manager role. Charlie explains that this position was conceptualized as a way for individuals new to the company to learn the system through hands-on experience. David reflects on his personal journey, highlighting how the senior sales manager role provided deeper insight into company processes, bridging the gap between traditional retail experience and Broad River's specialized structure. Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes. Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail
May 12, 2026Episode 35833 min
Building Teams That Make a Difference | Stories from the River #358
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/H2r4Bf7qDD0 Leadership, culture, and a commitment to serving others are essential ingredients for building strong teams and lasting impact. In this episode of Stories from the River, Charlie Malouf welcomes David Moraco, General Manager at Broad River Retail, to share his journey from retail leadership roles across the country. David reflects on joining Broad River Retail in 2024 through a transitional leadership role designed to immerse outside leaders in the company's systems, language, and culture—an experience that helped prepare him for rapid growth into broader leadership responsibilities. The conversation explores David's passion for creating a culture of giving among his Memory Makers, particularly through support for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Hope to Dream. He discusses his approach to increasing guest engagement and charitable impact in an outlet environment, while also emphasizing the importance of ownership, vision, and relationship building in retail leadership. David also shares lessons from transitioning into larger operations, developing future leaders, and creating experiences that turn guests into lifelong clients. Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes. Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail
May 11, 20263 min
The Future of Data Insights Making Business Smarter
Watch full episode: https://youtu.be/2aPU-4PUXNk In this spotlight of episode 357, Charlie Malouf and Lee Vang dive into how asking deeper questions about data use leads to more actionable insights and drives a culture of learning within the organization. They discuss how data from business intelligence isn't just about collecting numbers; it's about transforming those figures into strategies for improvement. They emphasize the importance of using data to identify coaching opportunities and pinpoint successes or areas for growth, fostering a smarter, more adaptive organization where Memory Makers continually refine their practices based on concrete results. Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes. Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail
May 7, 20266 min
Balancing Data Security and Accessibility in Today's Digital World
Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/2aPU-4PUXNk In this spotlight of episode 357, Charlie Malouf and Lee Vang talk about the importance of leveraging large language models to explore the massive trove of organizational data, delving into overlooked areas for new insights. They emphasize the critical need to maintain data integrity and discuss strategies for protecting sensitive information. This includes adopting a "fortress security mindset"—traditionally used in network or infrastructure security—and applying it to data management. The discussion also highlights challenges such as determining the appropriate level of data access, weighing whether to share a decade's worth of information or limiting access to just the current fiscal year to mitigate exposure risks. Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes. Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail
May 5, 2026Episode 35743 min
How Business Intelligence Became Fundamental at Broad River | Stories from the River #357
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2aPU-4PUXNk Clarity, resilience, and a commitment to building the right systems can transform how an organization operates and grows. In this episode of Stories from the River, Charlie Malouf welcomes Lee Vang, Senior Business Intelligence Developer, to reflect on his journey at Broad River Retail and the pivotal role he played in rebuilding the company's business intelligence foundation. Joining during a time of significant transition, Lee shares how he stepped into a near non-existent BI environment and took on the challenge of creating the infrastructure needed to support leaders and Memory Makers with accurate, actionable data. Lee discusses the evolution of data-driven decision making across the organization, including the development of foundational tools like the HFC KPI and Truth Report, and the integration of modern platforms such as ThoughtSpot and Power BI. He highlights the importance of data integrity, system alignment, and making insights accessible across all levels of the business. Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes. Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail
May 4, 20262 min
What Sets Broad River Retail Apart
Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/JMWamVoY-FY In this spotlight of 356, Bo Pennebaker takes a moment before concluding to express heartfelt gratitude and admiration for the Charlie Malouf and the Broad River organization. Drawing on personal experience from working with a variety of retailers over the years, Bo highlights the unique culture and purpose-driven spirit that sets Broad River apart. He emphasizes the significance of not just achieving impressive results and metrics, but also the remarkable way in which these outcomes are accomplished. He describes the organization's culture as authentic and tangible, noting that it is something one can feel, smell, and taste—evidence of Broad River's distinct approach. Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes. Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail
April 30, 20263 min
Inside Ashley's Biggest Product Launch Ever
Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/JMWamVoY-FY In this spotlihg episode of 356, Charlie Malouf and Bo Pennebaker highlight the historic launch of the Ashley Luxe Collection, described as the largest launch in Ashley's history. Bo shares insights on the significance of this new offering, which is exclusive to Ashley stores. Unlike past product rollouts that primarily targeted internal markets and existing customers, this launch represents a new level of ambition, including eye-catching digital billboards in Times Square and robust social media engagement. Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes. Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail
April 28, 2026Episode 35648 min
Inside Ashley's Next Chapter with Bo Pennebaker | Stories from the River #356
Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/JMWamVoY-FY Charlie Malouf welcomes Bo Pennebaker, EVP, Licensee Operations of Ashley Global Retail, for a conversation rooted in shared history, industry experience, and a passion for retail. In this episode of Stories from the River, Charlie and Bo reflect on their Mississippi roots, long-standing friendship, and the career paths that shaped Bo's journey—from manufacturer's rep to retail owner, and now to executive leadership within Ashley's global network. They discuss the evolution of his role following the sale of his business, including his work with DSG and his current focus on real estate, operations, and supporting Ashley's licensees. The conversation also explores the launch of the Ashley Luxe Collection, the brand's largest introduction to date, aimed at engaging a younger, design-focused customer. They highlight the importance of storytelling, adaptability in a shifting retail landscape, and the role of culture in driving performance. Books mentioned: How to Get a Return on Failure by John C. Maxwell - https://www.amazon.com/How-Get-Return-Failure-Smarter-Return/dp/B0GR1JCLVD/ Procrastination Proof by Jon Acuff - https://www.amazon.com/Procrastination-Proof-Never-Stuck-Again/dp/154090380X Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will Guidara - https://www.amazon.com/Unreasonable-Hospitality-Remarkable-Giving-People/dp/0593418573 Podcasts mentioned: The Learning Leader Show with Ryan Hawk - The Only Thing That Separates Great from Everyone Else | Will Guidara - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqIJZlJC6tU Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes. Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail
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