ASA’s “Embracing the Future” podcast focuses on the ever-evolving landscape of technology, innovation and disruption within wholesale distribution. With guest speakers who are thought leaders, seasoned practitioners and tech visionaries, our discussions will spark curiosity and offer actionable strategies that resonate with daily challenges. Whether it’s demystifying AI and robotics or exploring the future of supply chains, we will equip you with knowledge and curiosity needed to embrace technology and propel your company’s success.
The future belongs to those who embrace change. Tune in and unlock your potential!
What Actually Works When Distributors Start Using AI
The Embracing the Future podcast is part of ASA’s Embracing the Future initiative and focuses on real-world applied AI in wholesale distribution. This episode is a practical conversation with Brian Hopkins, COO of Distribution Strategy Group, about what actually works when distributors start using AI: daily habits and repeatable skills, where companies get value versus where they stall, the data and ownership required to move past pilots, common first-use mistakes, and the first move a distributor should make on Monday morning.
15 May 2026
CRM Implementation Lessons from Distribution Leaders
Season 1, Episode 5: In this episode, ASA’s Nils Swenson sits down with Charlie Parham, CEO of Pepco Sales, and Scott Stockham, CRO at RepFabric, to explore what CRM implementation really looks like inside distribution organizations.
Drawing from firsthand implementation experience and broader industry visibility, Charlie and Scott discuss why CRM initiatives begin, where adoption struggles emerge, and how process design, data quality, leadership alignment, and change management ultimately determine success or failure.
The conversation explores sales adoption challenges, implementation pitfalls, organizational readiness, and the operational realities of building a CRM strategy that sales teams will actually use.
This is a candid, experience-driven conversation for distributors evaluating CRM, customer intelligence, and broader digital transformation initiatives.
Have a question or topic? Listen to our latest episode and join the conversation!
16 Feb 2026
Beyond the Hype: A Practical Look at Robotics
Season 1, Episode 4: In this episode, ASA’s Nils Swenson sits down with Steve Baer, Chief Logistics Officer at First Supply, to examine what robotics really looks like inside a working distribution operation.
Drawing from his experience leading a multi-year implementation, Steve explains how automation requires disciplined process design, clean data, and strong integration — and how robotics is fundamentally reshaping labor inside the warehouse.
The discussion explores ROI expectations, operational complexity, cybersecurity risk, change management, and the realities of scaling automation across facilities.
This is a candid, experience-driven conversation for distributors evaluating how robotics may alter their workforce model and long-term operating strategy.
24 Nov 2025
Cybersecurity Readiness with Rachel Wilson
In this episode, ASA’s Nils Swenson sits down with Rachel Wilson - Head of Wealth Management Data Security & Infrastructure Risk at Morgan Stanley and former senior executive at the NSA - to unpack the real cyber threats facing PHCP and PVF distributors today. Rachel offers clear, practical steps every business can take now, from employee training and patching discipline to ransomware readiness, incident response playbooks, and navigating insurance gaps. She also breaks down emerging risks like AI-driven scams and the coming impact of quantum computing. This is an essential conversation for any leader looking to strengthen their organization’s cyber resilience.
23 Sept 2025
No Opportunity Too Small : Cybersecurity Lessons from Distribution
Season 1, Episode 2: Join Jeremy Fuller of Texas Plumbing Supply as he moderates a candid panel discussion with Christopher Schrameck (WinSupply), Travis Slone (NIBCO), and Michael Maloney (Coburn Supply). Together, they share firsthand experiences and lessons learned from real-world cyber incidents across the PHCP and PVF industry.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why no business is “too small” to be a cyber target
How ransomware, email fraud, and AI-driven attacks are impacting distributors and manufacturers
What steps companies are taking to train employees, strengthen defenses, and build response plans
How cross-functional teams and third-party partnerships can improve resilience
This conversation highlights the evolving cybersecurity threats facing our industry and practical actions every business can take to prepare.
Have a question or topic? Listen to our latest episode and join the conversation
27 Jun 2025
Building a New Data Standard
ASA CEO Mike Adelizzi and Jeremy Fuller discuss ASA's new Product Data Standard and how it streamlines product data to improve efficiency for the PHCP and PVF industry in this interview.
6 Nov 2024
Why We Must Address Product Data Standardization
Season 1, Episode 1: Welcome to Embracing the Future, the podcast the podcast designed for ASA wholesale distributor, supplier, and manufacturer partner members who want to peek around corners with the latest data, insights, and best practices addressing disruption and innovation.
In our first episode, ASA VP of Innovation Beth Ladd is be joined by Jeremy Fuller, Vice President at Texas Plumbing Supply Co. as they discuss the importance of product data standardization including:
Why data standardization and why now?
What are the top challenges for standardizing data?
How can data standardization advance the wholesale distribution industry?
Have a question or topic? Email Beth Ladd at bladd@asa.net (mailto:bladd@asa.net). Listen to our latest episode and join the conversation!
Embrace the Future of Wholesale Distribution.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 7 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
15
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
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