Cool Times Podcast

Vince and Jenna Free · podesis.com

The Cool Times Podcast, hosted by Vince and Jenna Free, dives into the world of cold storage, construction, and supply chain innovation, blending industry expertise with real, unfiltered conversations. Featuring top operators, developers, and entrepreneurs, the show explores everything from building and operating cold facilities to navigating market trends, leadership challenges, and business growth. Known for its gritty, conversational tone, Cool Times goes beyond the job site—highlighting the people, stories, and mindset behind the industry while mixing in humor, personal insights, and a passion for doing things the right way.

82 episodes

18d ago latest

monthly cadence

English language

▶ Play latestRSS feed Website Business

https://podesis.com/feed/cool-times-podcast

Episodes 82

Why Relationships Matter More Than Revenue
18d ago · 1:00:00
A stranger pulls a young man aside on a construction site and asks one question: "What do you want to do with your life?" Twenty years later, that moment still echoes—not as nostalgia, but as a blueprint. Lead by showing up. Exceed what's expected. Keep your fingerprints on everything that matters. Josh Currie has spent three decades building cold storage facilities that keep food moving through America's supply chain. From his early days in concurrent enrollment and grocery retail to launching ThermCon as a specialized construction firm, he's navigated startups, shutdowns, and scaling—all whi
They Built Preferred Freezer. Now They're Reinventing Cold Storage.
1mo ago · 1:27:00
A man in his fifties sits in a New Jersey office, three decades of warehouse grit still visible in his hands, recounting a summer at sixteen when he dressed in a suit to secretly unload frozen containers before dawn. His parents had no idea. One sentence from the warehouse owner—just one—changed the trajectory of his entire life. This is the story of how two lumpers from the ground floor became architects of an industry transformation. Dan DiDonato, John Ingrassia, Gary Ortiz bring thirty-five years of cold chain mastery to Cool Times Podcast, built on concrete pours, pallet refurbishment, and
Building the Future of Food Processing with Nick Strube
1mo ago · 47:00
Nick Strube, Vice President at FoodTech, sits down with Vince Free to discuss the unsexy-but-essential world of cold storage and food processing construction. But the real story is simpler: two Wisconsin guys who graduated from UWM the same year, played bags at Brewers games, and somehow never crossed paths until now. Nick's been in the industry for twenty years because someone gave him a foot-in-the-door opportunity, and he just kept saying yes — to learning new tasks, to seeing how food actually gets made, to building the kinds of spaces that keep America fed. In this episode, you'll learn h
From Building Dry for Greek to Building Cold for Clients with Steve Chick
2mo ago · 51:00
Steve Chick, Director of Preconstruction at Greek Design Build, shares the unlikely path from porta-potty bathrooms to building pharmaceutical cold storage facilities. But this episode isn't just about construction — it's about the moment Steve realized his work saved his own family's lives. When his wife needed RhoGAM injections for both their daughters due to competing blood types, he discovered the drug came from a facility he'd built. Vince Free and Jenna Free explore how Greek's 90-year developer mindset shapes everything the company builds, why mentorship and relationships matter more th
Walmart to Albertsons: Inside 20 Years of Cold Storage Construction
2mo ago · 53:00
Kurt Madsen has been building cold storage for 21 years, but years ago, something shifted. What once drove him — the physical pride of finished buildings — gave way to something unexpected: caring more about the people he's helped grow than the projects he's completed. In this episode, Kurt (VP of Cold Storage and Distribution at Hanson Rice) walks through his journey from hotel construction burnout to discovering cold storage at a Walmart distribution center outside Reno, where a mentor named Harry Farrar grabbed hold of him and showed him the ropes. We talk about why Hanson Rice has stayed i
How AFAB Turned Ego Into Accountability
3mo ago · 39:00
Brandon Reeve and his new Chief Innovation Officer, Karan Patel, sit down with Vince Free and Jenna Free to pull back the curtain on what AFAB — Applied Fabricators — is actually building. The conversation covers a complete shop floor redesign using a paper doll exercise, Purdue engineering students driving lean manufacturing improvements, and a serious push for ISO compliance and FM testing. But the episode's real payload is cultural: Brandon walks through AFAB's values live and without notes — 'we not me,' gratitude on rush orders, owning mistakes, acting in good faith, rapid responsive reli
From Rooftop Punk Kid to Building the Nation's Tallest Freezer with Hector Castro
4mo ago · 1:17:00
In this high-energy and no-BS episode, Vince and Jenna Free sit down with Hector Castro, leader of the cold storage division at BELDON ROOFING, to talk about what it really takes to build cold storage facilities the right way. From his early days learning roofing on the job site to leading one of the most respected teams in the industry, Hector shares why integrity, mentorship, and doing things right the first time still matter—now more than ever. The conversation dives deep into industry gaps, poor standards, and the growing pains of new players entering the space—while also highlighting the
From Drums to Deals: Dave’s Cold Storage Playbook
4mo ago · 56:00
David Aschenbrand from Newmark joins us for what starts as a standard industry conversation but transforms into something much more human. Dave's extensive cold storage background spans material handling systems, CH Robinson, Preferred Freezer Services, and Bridge Industrial before landing at Newmark's cold storage practice. But this episode really takes off when we discover Dave's been drumming in a band called The Ghost Rodents for decades and builds custom furniture in his spare time. We dive into war stories from measuring freezers with pencils, coordinating 25 containers a day during an e
Celebrating Women In Construction with Brenttnie Smith
5mo ago · 37:07
Welcome back to Cool Times — where we talk all things cool in the cold storage construction world. And this week, we’re celebrating one of our favorite things: Women in Construction Month (yes, we’re claiming the whole month 🔥). In this episode, we’re joined by Brenttnie Smith, Business Development Lead at Reeves Young, who proves that the road into construction doesn’t have to be traditional to be powerful. From sports broadcasting to leading BD in industrial and cold storage, Brenttnie shares how betting on herself — and diving into the unknown — led to a career she truly loves. We talk:- H
Being Famous for Something with David Sours
7mo ago · 1:02:56
In this episode of Cool Times, Jenna and Vince sit down with David Sours, Senior Vice President at CBRE, for a deep dive into the evolution of cold storage real estate—and how one man’s obsession with buildings turned into a national platform. With 23 years at CBRE and a reputation for being famous for something, David unpacks how he became a go-to expert in refrigerated warehousing, why mentors matter, and what the data really says about speculative cold storage growth. From brine refrigeration systems to raising industrial roofs, this episode is packed with wisdom, laughs, and tactical advic
Slowing Down, Leveling Up – 2025 Reflections & 2026 Goals
7mo ago · 43:57
In this heartfelt and unfiltered episode, Vince and Jenna Free close out Season 5 of The Cool Times Podcast with an honest recap of 2025 and their hopes for 2026. From industry lessons and personal growth to podcast highlights and burpee challenges, the dynamic duo reflects on the wins, the hard leadership moments, and what it really means to slow down. Plus, they announce a special Cold Storage Nation challenge that gives back. Whether you're here for industry insights or relationship real talk, this one's for you. Cool Takeaways: ❄️ 2025 in One Word – For Jenna, it was refined; for Vince, re
Riding the Rapids with Matt Brower
8mo ago · 55:02
In this heartwarming and insightful episode, Vince and Jenna Free sit down with Matt Brower, VP of Development at BCCG, to talk about playing the long game in cold storage construction. Matt shares his journey from general construction into the cold space, how BCCG is growing as an ESOP-driven company, and why culture and trust are the cornerstones of their client relationships. From leadership lessons to launching a burpee challenge for charity, this episode proves that construction isn’t just about building buildings—it’s about building people, purpose, and partnerships. ❄️ Cool Takeaways:-
Doorway to Success
9mo ago · 1:09:14
In this laid-back and info-packed episode, Vince and Jenna Free welcome Glen Oltmanns Vice President at Senneca Holdings at Senneca Holdings—and longtime friend of the show. Glen shares his decades of experience in cold storage construction and door solutions, unpacking how Senneca’s portfolio of brands has evolved and adapted with the industry. From traffic doors to high-performance insulated doors, Glen walks us through how Seneca became a one-stop-shop for the cold chain. You'll hear stories from job sites, bacon factories, and even a naval island—plus some laughs about California traffic,
Laying it on the line with Layton
11mo ago · 1:10:00
In this dynamic episode, Vince and Jenna Free sit down with Thomas Gubbins, Director of Business Development, and Sean Doherty, Senior Project Manager, of Layton Construction to talk about building more than just cold storage facilities. From Sean's journey from owner to GC, to Thomas’ sports agency beginnings with Green Bay legends, the episode blends industry insight with some serious laughs. The Layton team opens up about how they broke into the cold market, what sets them apart from other national builders, and how they’re pushing toward $100M+ in cold storage projects this year—all while
Good Vibes & Vibe Coding
1y ago · 51:47
In this high-energy episode, Vince and Jenna Free dive into the fascinating world of cold storage automation with Alex Reed, Sales Director at Swisslog. From high-bay warehouses to software-powered solutions, Alex breaks down how Swisslog has been revolutionizing automation in the cold chain—especially in challenging environments like deep freeze. With 125 years of experience, Swisslog is no rookie, and Alex shares stories that are both hilarious (think conveyor mishaps involving women’s underwear) and insightful (like the real challenges of retrofitting brownfield facilities). Whether you're
Know the Unknown with Voxel
1y ago · 59:06
After over two years in the making, Brian Benson finally joins Vince and Jenna in the studio—and the wait was worth it. As Director of Solutions Engineering at Voxel, Brian brings a wealth of experience from his decades in cold storage, combined with cutting-edge AI technology designed to make warehouses safer and smarter. From managing one of the most dangerous warehouses in the western U.S. to partnering with Voxel to prevent injuries and save operational costs, Brian shares how proactive visibility is transforming the cold chain. If you’ve ever wondered how AI can reduce injuries, improve e
Going Down the Oregon Trail with Jeremy Bentley
1y ago · 1:00:24
In this episode of the Cool Times Podcast, hosts Vince and Jenna Free sit down with Jeremy Bentley, Director of Architecture at Power Construction's Cold and Food Group. Jeremy shares his journey from Lincoln Logs to leading some of the industry’s most innovative cold storage designs. With nearly two decades of experience—starting with United Insulated Structures and now shaping the future at Power—Jeremy offers deep insights into evolving building standards, design/build collaboration, and the quirks that make the cold storage world so unique. Get ready for a behind-the-scenes look at how sma
Vapor Armour - Game Changer! Part 2 of 2
1y ago · 29:39
In Part 2 of this Cool Times Podcast special, hosts Vince and Jenna Free dig deeper with Eric Finnerty, President and CEO of Vapor Armor, to get into the science, skepticism, and energy savings that make his system so revolutionary. Eric breaks down how Vapor Armor challenges conventional thermodynamics, why traditional frost ribbon details fall short, and how a properly designed perimeter seal can save customers millions. From debates with roofers and thermal contractors to 40 million square feet of real-world results, this episode is a no-BS look at why Vapor Armor isn’t just a product—it’s
Vapor Armour - Game Changer! Part 1 of 2
1y ago · 29:39
In Part 1 of this two-part Cool Times Podcast special, Vince and Jenna sit down with Eric Finnerty, President and CEO of Vapor Armor, to unpack the origin story of one of the cold storage industry’s most impactful innovations. Known across the industry as “The Beard,” Eric shares how a roof failure and a bold idea launched Vapor Armor, a company now synonymous with ice-free cold storage and cutting-edge vapor barrier solutions. From roofing jobs in the Pacific Northwest to forensic investigations and a 15-year condensation-free guarantee, Eric takes us through the early battles, industry skept
NOT A COMMODITY: A True Story of Relational Leadership By Bret Wedding
1y ago · 57:18
Get ready for a masterclass in leadership, legacy, and loyalty in cold storage construction. Vince and Jenna welcome back industry legend and now author Bret Wedding, EVP at Fricks, to talk about his new book Not a Commodity: A True Story of Relational Leadership. With humor, heart, and honesty, Brett shares powerful lessons from the battlefield to the boardroom—reminding us that trust, care, and character are what truly set businesses apart. If you're ready to lead with purpose and connect on a deeper level, this episode is not to be missed. ❄️ Cool Takeaways:- You Are the Brand: Bret breaks
Designing tomorrows Cold Storage buildings with Michael Cody
1y ago · 1:05:02
In this insightful and entertaining episode, Vince and Jenna sit down with Michael Cody, Director of Industrial Cold and Food at Ware Malcomb, to dig deep into the world of cold storage design. From industry collaboration and field-grown teams to next-gen detail innovation (like the soon-to-be-patented expansion joint lid detail), Michael shares what makes great architectural work in cold storage tick. Plus, we dive into 3D printing, whiskey preferences, and the secret power of a “Hot Tub Board Meeting.” Cool Takeaways: ❄️ The Power of Collaboration – Michael shares how working closely with co
Thinking inside the Coldbox with Marko Dzeletovich
1y ago · 58:35
In this fun and insightful episode, Vince and Jenna sit down in-studio with Marko Dzeletovich, founder of ColdBox Builders, and his son Max to talk about legacy, leadership, and how ColdBox became one of the most respected names in cold storage construction. Marko shares the story of scaling the company through explosive growth, why culture always beats cash, and how to keep things cool—even through the chaos. Max jumps in with fresh energy as the next generation of ColdBox begins to take shape. From maple syrup candles to rebranding revelations, this episode is packed with laughs, insights, a
Cool Returns: Real estate insights from Sean Gilbert of Saxum
1y ago · 50:06
In this fun and insightful episode, Vince and Jenna sit down with Sean Gilbert of Saxum Real Estate to talk about how Saxum went from boutique developments to becoming a national leader in cold storage and food processing facilities. Sean shares how strategic focus, smart partnerships (like with Arcadia Cold), and a commitment to team culture helped Saxum scale to over $3 billion in assets. From beard-growing tactics to real estate war stories, this episode is packed with laughs, strategy, and cold hard insights. Cool Takeaways: ❄️ Niche Expertise Pays Off – Saxum shifted its focus to cold sto
Controlled Environment Building Association (CEBA) with Brian Lynch
1y ago · 46:27
In this episode of Cool Times Podcast, Vince and Jenna Free welcome back Brian Lynch for a deep dive into everything happening at CEBA (Controlled Environment Building Association) and the broader GCCA (Global Cold Chain Alliance). Brian shares key updates, insights into strategic growth, member benefits, upcoming events, and how CEBA is shaping the future of controlled environment building through collaboration, education, and leadership. Cool Takeaways: ❄️ What CEBA Is: CEBA supports experts building controlled environment facilities, from food storage to clean rooms. ❄️ Membership Growth: N
Women in Construction with Jenna Free
1y ago · 40:49
In this special episode of Cool Times Podcast, host Vince Free sits down with his wife, Jenna Free, COO of Freez Construction, to celebrate Women in Construction Week and discuss the evolving landscape for women in the industry. They share personal stories, insights into leadership and business growth, and the progress made in increasing female representation in construction. Jenna reflects on her upbringing in the industry, her leadership journey, and the lessons she would pass on to aspiring women in the field. Cool Takeaways: ❄️ Family Influence – Jenna shares how growing up in a constructi