Cool Times Podcast - podcast cover

Cool Times Podcast

Vince and Jenna Freewww.cooltimespodcast.com

Hosted by business & life partners, Vince and Jenna Free, The Cool Times Podcast talks all things cool about the cold storage industry. Hear from general contractors to product vendors as they share their cool stories and products, in one of the fastest growing industries today. Learn more at https://www.freezconstruction.com/

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Episodes

Vapor Armour - Game Changer! Part 2 of 2

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 ...

Jun 25, 202530 minEp. 66

Vapor Armour - Game Changer! Part 1 of 2

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 investigati...

Jun 18, 202529 minEp. 65

NOT A COMMODITY: A True Story of Relational Leadership By Bret Wedding

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...

May 21, 202557 minEp. 64

Designing tomorrows Cold Storage buildings with Michael Cody

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 ...

May 07, 20251 hr 5 minEp. 63

Thinking inside the Coldbox with Marko Dzeletovich

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....

Apr 29, 202559 minEp. 62

Cool Returns: Real estate insights from Sean Gilbert of Saxum

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 c...

Apr 09, 202550 minEp. 61

Controlled Environment Building Association (CEBA) with Brian Lynch

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 ...

Mar 26, 202546 minEp. 60

Women in Construction with Jenna Free

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 ...

Mar 12, 202541 minEp. 59

Racking systems with Steve Wilson

Cold Storage is Going Higher—Literally! Automation, ASRS, and smart warehouse design are reshaping cold storage—and Steve Wilson of Slate River Systems (SRSI) is at the center of it all. Vince and Jenna Free sit down with Steve to break down how data-driven automation is making cold storage operations more efficient, cost-effective, and ready for the future. From pallet shuttles to warehouse management systems, Steve shares how SRSI is helping businesses build smarter, not just bigger. Cool Take...

Feb 26, 202538 minEp. 58

Rolling the Dice: Life and Cold Storage in Sin City

In this episode of the Cool Times Podcast, hosts Vince and Jenna Free are joined by Josh Lewis, President of RL Cold, to discuss the evolving cold storage industry. They explore RL Cold's unique customer-centric approach to developing cold storage facilities, the impact of COVID-19 on the industry, and the importance of sustainability and automation. Josh shares insights on the challenges of growth and execution, key trends in the industry, and valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Story N...

Jan 30, 202551 minEp. 57

Sponsorship Spotlight with Iceberg Mechanical

In this episode of the Cool Times Podcast, hosts Vince and Jenna Free welcome James Price, a regional sales manager at Iceberg Mechanical. James shares his extensive experience in the refrigeration industry, discussing the growth of Iceberg Mechanical, the importance of custom refrigeration solutions, and the innovations in low charge systems. The conversation also touches on the future of refrigeration technology, including the role of AI, and the significance of relationships within the indust...

Jan 07, 202536 minEp. 56

Design. Build. Better. with Dan Crist

In this episode of the Cool Times Podcast, hosts Jenna, and Vince Free welcome Dan Crist, the President of A M King, to discuss the intricacies of the cold storage construction industry. Dan shares his journey from a large international contracting firm to becoming a key player in A M King, emphasizing the importance of the design-build approach and the challenges faced in cold storage projects. The conversation also delves into the role of technology in enhancing efficiency and safety on job si...

Dec 11, 20241 hr 14 minEp. 55

Low Ox with Wagner Group!

In this episode of the Cool Times Podcast, hosts Vince and Jenna Free welcome Frank Siedler from Wagner Group, a leading fire protection company specializing in low oxygen systems for cold storage facilities. Frank shares insights into the evolution of Wagner Group, its innovative fire protection solutions, and the challenges faced in the cold storage industry. The conversation delves into the importance of education regarding fire safety, the technical aspects of oxygen levels, and the future o...

Nov 06, 202449 minEp. 54

Industrial Refrigeration with EVAPCO

In this episode of the Cool Times Podcast, Vince and Jenna Free speaks with Kurt Liebendorfer, Vice President of Industrial Refrigeration Business Development at EVAPCO. Kurt shares his extensive journey in the refrigeration industry, detailing his experiences from the food and beverage sector to significant projects in the petrochemical and energy industries. The conversation delves into innovative refrigeration technologies, particularly the rise of CO2 systems, and the challenges faced in des...

Oct 23, 202446 minEp. 53

Long Game Legacy

In this episode of the Cool Times Podcast, host Vince and Jenna Free interviews Russell Leo, CEO of RLS Logistics. They discuss the current state of the logistics industry, the growth and services of RLS, and the importance of family legacy in business. Russell shares insights on the challenges and opportunities in the cold storage sector, as well as his personal journey in the family business. The conversation also touches on future plans for RLS, advice for the next generation, and the signifi...

Oct 09, 202434 minEp. 52

Commitment, Integrity, and Relationships with Bobby D.

In this episode of Cool Times Podcast, Bobby Degregorio, VP of Business Development at ESI Group Design Build, discusses his background in the military and his transition to the cold storage industry. He highlights the importance of relationships and integrity in the industry and shares his experiences and challenges in business development. Bobby D emphasizes the need for a positive attitude, discipline, and realistic expectations in the long sales process. He also talks about the strong cultur...

Sep 26, 202444 minEp. 51

The New Age of Cold Chain

Burnie Taylor, Chief Development and Solutions Officer at Arcadia Cold, joins the Cool Times podcast hosted by Jenna and Vince Free, to discuss the new age of cold storage construction. Arcadia Cold is a growing cold storage company that focuses on customer service and building a strong culture. Burnie shares insights into their strategy for selecting facility locations, their approach to building design, and the importance of people and processes in delivering exceptional customer service. He a...

Sep 12, 202439 minEp. 50

Staying Current with Industry Trends and Technology with Dwight Clark

In this episode of the Cool Times podcast, Hosts Vince and Jenna Free interviews Dwight Clark, the President and CEO of Jamison Door Companies. They discuss Dwight's background, the history of Jamison, and the various products the company offers, including cold storage doors, high-speed roll-up doors, and specialty doors for performing arts centers and jet engine test cells. Dwight also talks about his involvement with the Global Cold Chain Alliance and the importance of staying current with ind...

Aug 14, 202433 minEp. 49

Cool Solutions for Hot Problems: Fire Safety in Cold Storage

In this episode, Hosts Vince and Jenna Free interviews Vince Humphreys,Senior Construction Sales at J.F. Ahern Co. about fire protection in cold storage construction. They discuss the history and background of Ahern, the different types of fire protection systems, and the importance of product classification and flu spacing. They also touch on the challenges of protecting different types of products and the impact of thermal issues in cold storage facilities. The conversation covers market trend...

Jul 10, 20241 hr 3 minEp. 48

Catching Up with Weiland

In this episode of The Cool Times Podcast, hosts Vince and Jenna Free welcome the team from Weiland Doors, including Carl Weiland, Calvin Mueller, and Christina Sirek, to discuss the company's recent growth and developments. They highlight Weiland Doors' focus on meeting the specific needs of the cold storage industry, emphasizing the introduction of CS grade hardware. The team shares success stories and reflects on the company's supportive and collaborative culture, emphasizing gratitude and te...

Jun 12, 202435 minEp. 47

Financing the Cold Storage Industry

Nelson, Principal Investment Portfolio Manager at BGO. Will discusses BGO's focus on cold storage investments globally, highlighting their approach and motivation. He explains the process of partnering with localized development teams and the factors influencing project locations. The conversation delves into assessing viability and returns on investment, considering rising costs and market uncertainties. Will shares insights on the impact of macroeconomic factors like interest rates and the pot...

Apr 17, 202440 minEp. 46

Rowing in the Same Direction

In this episode of The Cool Times podcast hosted by Vince and Jenna Free, they welcome guest Colin Williams from Williams Company, a project manager in the cold storage industry. Colin discusses his company's journey from its founding in 1920 to its recent resurgence in the cold storage sector. He highlights pivotal projects, including a major renovation for Sysco after a tornado, showcasing their ability to thrive in operational facilities. The conversation delves into industry dynamics, the im...

Apr 03, 202443 minEp. 45

Celebrating Women in Construction - McKenna Migas

In this episode of The Cool Times podcast, hosts Vince and Jenna Free sit down with guest McKenna Migas, Project Engineer at Fisher Construction Group to discuss her experiences in the construction industry. McKenna shares insights from her challenging yet exciting job site projects, highlighting the importance of confidence and boldness, especially for women entering the field. The conversation delves into the unique challenges of construction, including navigating limited space and managing di...

Mar 20, 202430 minEp. 44

Celebrating Women in Construction - Kathryn MacMillan

In this episode of Cool Times Podcast, hosted by Vince and Jenna Free, Kathryn MacMillan, Director of Business Development at FCL Builders, joins the conversation to share her experiences and insights as a woman in the construction industry. Kathryn traces her interest in construction back to childhood experiences with architecture and construction-related activities. She discusses her role at FCL Builders and the company's commitment to customer service and excellence in construction projects. ...

Mar 06, 202438 minEp. 43

Grab a Beer, We’ll Take it From Here

In this episode of The Cool Times podcast hosted by Vince and Jenna Free, they welcome guests Brandon Reeve, President at Applied Fabricators, Inc., and Andrew Bye, Director of Operations at Applied Fabricators, Inc. They discuss the growth and success of Applied Fabricators over the years. Brandon shares the history of AFAB, which began as a family business in 1984, focusing on sheet metal fabrication for commercial roofing. The conversation delves into AFAB's three divisions: cold storage, com...

Feb 21, 202449 minEp. 42

Innovating Cold Storage Solutions with Peter Goffredo

In this episode of the Cool Times Podcast, hosts Vince and Jenna Free welcome Peter Goffredo, VP of Operations at Frazier, for a discussion on the growth of Frazier in the material handling industry, especially in cold storage. They delve into Frazier's product line, covering traditional manual warehouse racking to automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS). Peter shares insights into the challenges and unique aspects of the industry, emphasizing its crucial role in supply chains. The hosts ...

Feb 01, 202444 minEp. 41

2024 Mindset Mastery

In this episode of the Cool Times Podcast hosted by Vince and Jenna Free, the hosts reflect on the highlights and takeaways from 2023. They emphasize the importance of reflection and preparation for success in 2024. The episode features a special guest, Joe Jardine, a licensed marriage and family therapist and performance mindset coach. Joe shares insights on core values, the equation of wisdom plus activity equals identity, and the significance of a plan and self-talk system for success in the ...

Dec 28, 20231 hr 2 minEp. 40

Selectivity vs. Density with Todd Jessup

Welcome to The Cool Times Podcast, hosted by Vince Free and Jenna Free, where they explore all things cool in the cold storage construction industry. In this episode, they are joined by Todd Jessup, the President of FLEXSPACE and Co-founder of FlexCold. The discussion revolves around innovative cold storage solutions, the challenges faced in the industry, and the growth of FlexCold. Todd discusses the inception of FLEXSPACE around 2014, focusing on introducing innovative technology like mobile r...

Nov 15, 20231 hr 1 minEp. 39

What is CEBA and Why You Need to be There!

Welcome to The Cool Times Podcast, hosted by Vince Free and Jenna Free. In this week's episode, the hosts sit down with Brian Lynch, the Executive Director of CEBA (Controlled Environment Building Association) and Executive Vice President in GCCA (Global Cold Chain Alliance). Together, they dive into the world of controlled environment building, discussing the history, mission, and impact of CEBA and GCCA. They explore the challenges and triumphs faced by the industry during the pandemic, emphas...

Nov 06, 202351 minEp. 38

The FCL Experience

In this episode of The Cool Times podcast, hosts Vince and Jenna Free are joined by a special guest, Cory Singer, the Vice President of Business Development and Pre-Construction at FCL Builders. Cory shares his insights into the cold storage and industrial construction industry, discussing challenges, market trends, and strategies for managing growth. Cory discusses the booming demand in the warehousing and e-commerce sectors, emphasizing the lack of overbuilding and sustained demand in the mark...

Oct 24, 202353 minEp. 37
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