Podcast Listing

In this What's in Store episode of Fresh Take with IDDBA, Kat Shanahan talks with Abby Despins, IDDBA’s new Vice President of Education and Industry Relations, about her path from manufacturer-side leadership into her new role at the association and what she hopes to build for members in the months ahead.

This month on Fresh Take with IDDBA (What's in Store), Kat Shanahan, Vice President of Marketing and Membership at IDDBA, sits down with Kevin Ryan, Founder and CEO of Malachite Strategy and Research, for a smart, timely conversation about what product innovation looks like in a world shaped by viral trends, fast-moving consumer behavior, and constant digital feedback. As brands face pressure to react more quickly than ever, Kevin explains why the answer is not to chase every trend, but to build a better system for listening, learning, and identifying the signals that actually matter.

Fresh Take with IDDBA hits the road in this What’s in Store segment, bringing you an interview recorded live at BakingTECH 2026 in Chicago. Together, guest Josh Bickford, President of Clyde’s Donuts, and host Kat Shanahan, VP of Marketing and Membership at IDDBA, explore how breakfast bakery is changing, from evolving morning habits to the rise of affordable indulgence.

Josh shares some memorable stories from Clyde’s history as a family business going back over a century, as well as insights into how shoppers are balancing budget, wellness, and joy. Together, Kat and Josh discuss bakery's continuing evolution from utilitarian to functional, the questions shoppers ask themselves before selecting a treat, and emerging portioning and packaging trends.

Learn about the impact of technology, tips on harnessing an emotional connection to customers, and what is capturing shoppers' attention right now in a world where social media is making a big impact on what you see in the bakery case.

Want to be a guest on the podcast or learn more about IDDBA? Reach out to us at education@iddba.org. 

To learn more about IDDBA and becoming a member, head here:
https://www.iddba.org/membership/join-iddba/membership

Register for #IDDBA2026 in Orlando, June 7-9:
https://www.iddba.org/register

In this episode of Fresh Take with IDDBA, host Kat Shanahan welcomes back Heather Prach, former VP of Education and Industry Relations at IDDBA, for a conversation that is equal parts reflective, fun, and forward-looking.

Heather shares behind-the-scenes stories from What’s in Store Live, including the now-legendary scorpion tasting that had the trade show floor buzzing, and explains why curiosity, surprise, and word-of-mouth moments matter so much when designing live experiences. From igniting conversation across a show floor to thinking differently about protein trends and consumer engagement, this episode offers insight into how memorable experiences are built on purpose.

In this episode of Fresh Take with IDDBA (What’s in Store), Heather Prach, VP of Education and Industry Relations at IDDBA, sits down with John Stefanik, VP of Sales & Marketing at Ditsch USA, for a lively conversation about pretzel craft, category innovation, and what’s next for bakery.