The Oven Light

Hosted by Rick Oleshak & Tricia McNamara

Business Science Education

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Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Industrial & artisan baking doesn't have to be so complex. Let the expert team from AB Mauri North America shed some light on ingredients, finished baked goods & everything in between to help you have a successful & fun baking experience.

Listen to episodes

49 recent

August 6, 202631 min

DONUT STOP BELIEVING

Chad Larson – the new CEO for Mel-O-Cream Donuts International based in Springfield, Illinois – visits with ABMNA Vice President of Marketing Rick Oleshak in this episode of ‘The Oven Light.’ The tag team dives into the exciting world of donuts, the ever-changing baking industry, taking inspiration from 16th U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, how DeVry University doesn’t have a mascot and a whole lot more. Check it out wherever you are – enjoying a chocolate-covered Long John donut and a cup of Joe in the morning, taking a walk on campus in the afternoon or finding that quiet time post-dinner in the family den. We’re ready…are you? The switch is now on…we’re a go for ‘The Oven Light’:

July 22, 202641 min

BAR NONE, THIS CHOCOLATE RULES

Dan Abel Jr. – Chief Chocolate Officer for Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier based in St. Louis, Missouri – visits with ABMNA Vice President of Marketing Rick Oleshak in the next episode of ‘The Oven Light.’ The duo discusses everything from the retail growth of the Bissinger’s brand, the high-end design of boutique storefronts, the origins of Florida’s Rollins College mascot – the Tars, and so much more. Listen wherever you are – sightseeing on a summer vacation day, listening 1970s funk band Hot Chocolate on the turntable or indulging in a bite of premium chocolate during a quiet moment. It’s that time: let’s flip the switch…’The Oven Light’ is now on.

June 16, 202629 min

SPILLING THE TEA

Stephanie Berez – Vice President of Marketing for Twinings North America – visits with ABMNA Vice President of Marketing Rick Oleshak in the next episode of ‘The Oven Light.’ They discuss everything from pairing teas with the perfect moments to working on iconic consumer brands for companies like Church & Dwight and Cadbury Adams and from obtaining an Ivy League degree to founding a marketing and strategy consultancy, and so much more. Listen wherever you are – watching the spring rain fall while savoring a cup of Twinings Strawberry Raspberry Instant herbal tea Refresher, enjoying an overstuffed hoagie sandwich, or checking out the local baseball scene. We’re ready…are you? Let’s flip the switch.

May 29, 202629 min

FLIPPING THE SWITCH: NICK FALLUCCA ON PIZZA INNOVATION, FLAVOR, AND COMMUNITY

Nick Fallucca is Chief Product & Innovation Officer for Palermo’s, the Milwaukee-based frozen pizza manufacturer known for brands like Screamin’ Sicilian and Urban Pie and also one of the largest private label and food service manufacturers in the country. Nick visits with ABMNA Vice President of Marketing Rick Oleshak in the latest episode of ‘The Oven Light.’ They discuss everything from formulating that perfect pie to highlighting favorite pizza toppings, from creating event and co-working spaces to giving back through local food banks, and much, much more. Listen wherever you are – watching pro hockey and basketball playoffs on TV, enjoying a meal of bratwurst, cheese curds & frozen custard, or taking a post-dinner stroll to work off that heavy meal of meat, cheese & dairy. It’s that time – time to flip the switch. Are you ready for ‘The Oven Light’?

February 4, 202628 min

BAKING, BAKING, BAKING – OI OI OI

Barry Clayton – American Society of Baking Hall of Fame-elect and a former senior vice president with AB Mauri North America – visits with ABMNA Vice President of Marketing Rick Oleshak in this latest episode of ‘The Oven Light.’ They discuss everything from baking enzyme technology to New Zealand All Blacks rugby, from living in America to exponential innovation, and everything in between. Listen wherever you are – including watching that football playoff game or biting into a Kiwi lolly cake, which is made with crushed malt biscuits, sweetened evaporated milk & fruit-flavored candy, by the way. It’s now time to flip the switch. Who’s ready for ‘The Oven Light’?

November 26, 202528 min

A BEAM OF LIGHT FROM BEMA’S OWN

Kerwin Brown, President & CEO of BEMA – Bakery Equipment Manufacturers & Allieds – visits with AB Mauri North America Vice President of Marketing Rick Oleshak in the latest episode of ‘The Oven Light.’ They discuss Kerdog’s longtime career within the baking industry, the importance of connection-driven experiences, the #1 baking trade show in North America - IBIE, his ‘On A Roll’ podcast, the impact of AI and kindness & so much more. Listen wherever you are – driving to a big college football or basketball game, enjoying a hot ham & cheese breakfast sammie or listening to your new favorite podcast…umm, ‘The Oven Light’, of course. Now it’s time to flip the switch…let’s go for ‘The Oven Light’.

October 23, 202529 min

The ABCs of A-S-B

Kristen Spriggs, Executive Director of the American Society of Baking based in Indianapolis, joins AB Mauri North America Vice President of Marketing Rick Oleshak for the latest episode of ‘The Oven Light.’ The duo discusses Kristen’s nearly three-year tenure at ASB, her previous work in the events industry & at a midwestern basketball powerhouse university, the ever-evolving world of industrial & artisan baking, new demands from today’s baked goods consumers, living in ‘Circle City’ and a whole ton more. Listen wherever you are – watching an open wheel race on TV, enjoying dunking a cake donut in a hot latte or even limping along in early morning traffic. Flip the switch. It’s time again for ‘The Oven Light’.

August 11, 202531 min

LET’S GET THE BALL ROLLING

Erin Ball, Executive Director of the Grain Foods Foundation based in Washington D.C., joins AB Mauri North America Vice President of Marketing Rick Oleshak for the latest episode of ‘The Oven Light.’ The duo discusses the benefits of grain foods in a healthy diet, the changing face of the food industry today, consumer-led drives and demands, juggling an active nation’s capital, the importance of managing the little details and a whole lot more. Listen wherever you are – waiting in the grocery checkout line, waiting in the doctor’s office or waiting for the paint to dry. Flip that switch. Let’s go! It’s time for ‘The Oven Light’.

June 30, 202531 min

EVERYBODY HAVE FUN TONIGHT

Two founding members of the iconic 80s New Wave & Modern Rock band Wang Chung – Jack Hues and Nick Feldman – join AB Mauri North America Vice President of Marketing Rick Oleshak for a fascinating episode of ‘The Oven Light.’ The trio dives into a dynamic era of popular music, the real meaning behind the band’s name, life on the road including food choices, the uniqueness of having Wang Chung woven into just having fun and so much more. Listen wherever you are, listening to tunes on the morning commute, searching for albums at the retro market or just hanging out on the beach with good friends. It’s time. Let’s flip the switch for ‘The Oven Light’…and as Wang Chung would suggest, Let’s Go!

May 9, 202528 min

HE WHO WEARS PLAID IS TOTALLY RAD

Leading international business growth and customer experience expert Jay Baer – who is also an established purveyor of tequila – joins AB Mauri North America Vice President of Marketing Rick Oleshak for an excellent episode of ‘The Oven Light.’ The duo dives into connecting with customers, enjoying the perfect bottle of tequila, finding cool plaid clothing, being recognized as a global marketing guru, writing best-selling books, having the honor of being in the Professional Speakers Hall of Fame and so much more. Listen wherever you are – sipping a margarita on the beach, shopping for that stunning, new outfit on your laptop or just playing bocce ball with good friends. Flip the switch. It’s time for ‘The Oven Light’…let’s go!