The Huddle with John Furner

Buckle up: The 100th episode of The Huddle rolls into territory many never get to see —the cab of a Walmart truck. John reunites with longtime private fleet driver Janis Frazier. They first crossed paths in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, where Janis was delivering emergency supplies into devastated communities.   What follows is an inside look at the road life most of us never see: holiday highways buzzing with hurried drivers, the calm confidence it takes to steer an 80,000-pound rig, and the heart behind a job that keeps the company moving. If you want to know what really powers Walmart’s supply chain, start here. 

Matthew McConaughey has told stories that make us laugh, think and feel. But in this conversation with Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner, the actor and author of Poems & Prayers shares the one story that matters most — the one behind finding your own voice.  McConaughey visited Bentonville in early October to record a special episode of The Huddle to unpack how great stories connect us all. From growing up as the youngest at a table of big personalities to finding his own rhythm on screen, McConaughey shares what he’s learned about timing, patience and learning to speak from the heart.  

It's human nature to be curious about AI. Get the download on the growth of artificial intelligence, and hear how it can help you at work and in your personal life in an increasingly digital world, in the latest episode of The Huddle. John Furner peers into the future with Ronnie Chatterji, Chief Economist at OpenAI and distinguished professor at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.

Who’s excited for the holidays? We are!   The latest episode of The Huddle unwraps the items that will be making this holiday season extra special for everyone — spoiler: there’s an even cooler version of the Easy Bake Oven.🍦👀  Join Walmart U.S. Chief Merchandising Officer Latrice Watkins and John Furner to see how, with all these amazing deals, we might just be Santa’s new favorite helpers.

What do retail and football have in common? More than you’d think.  In this episode of The Huddle, John Furner sits down with NFL star Saquon Barkley to explore the shared fundamentals of great leadership: discipline, teamwork and the drive to keep improving.  Hear how lessons from the locker room can apply to the sales floor, and why showing up with heart makes all the difference.  Listen now and get inspired to lead with purpose — on any field. 

What do a 350-acre vision, a statue of Ol’ Roy and a career spent building what’s next all have in common? John Furner sat down with Cindi Marsiglio, SVP of Corporate Real Estate, for a conversation about what it took to bring the new Home Office to life and what it represents for the future of Walmart. Cindi also reflected on her 18-year Walmart journey, including her work to carry forward Sam Walton’s passion for sourcing products and services that are made, grown or assembled in the communities we serve. That path often led her into brand-new roles — like the one she holds today, helping turn a bold vision for our next chapter into a 350-acre workplace that many associates are already starting to call home. From a replica of Mr. Sam’s famous Ford F-150 to a sculptural tribute to his beloved dog, Ol’ Roy, the new Walmart Home Office is rich with stories from our past and built for the future we’re creating together. And with more than 2.4 million square feet of office space constructed from mass timber — much of it sourced right here in Arkansas — it also reflects our ongoing commitment to American-made materials and responsible growth. With Associates Week just around the corner, we can’t wait to welcome associates from across the globe to see it for themselves.

Today, shopping from the comfort of home is second nature. Fresh groceries delivered straight to your doorstep? Just another Tuesday.But ten years ago it was just a big idea to build trust by saving customers time. At initial test locations like our Ammon, Idaho Supercenter, Store Manager Jason Neville was setting a goal of fulfilling 30 orders a day. Today, Jason’s team fulfills upwards of 6,500 orders a week and brings in more than $25 million a year in delivery and pickup sales! And that’s just one of 170 Walmart stores to hit that $25 million milestone last year!Join Jason and me as we look back on the early days of Walmart’s delivery journey and talk about some of the people who helped turn a bold vision into a game-changing service powering our growth. All while helping create flexible roles and full-time careers.This episode is a reminder that when you think big and lead with passion, teamwork and trust, lives change — for the better. 

Join us in this episode of The Huddle as John chats with Walmart driver Julio Reyes – one of 49 drivers who delivered aid to those affected by Hurricane Helene – to reflect on the efforts and impact of Walmart’s Private Fleet.

This episode of The Huddle is a must-listen for anyone curious about the world of AI, regardless of your background. Whether you're a tech enthusiast eager to know about AI's latest developments or a novice looking to understand AI's impact, this episode has something for everyone. 

Happy New Year! I hope your 2025 is off to a great start.  For many in retail, an annual New Year’s tradition is attending the National Retail Federation’s “Big Show” in New York City. NRF is a great organization that advocates for the entire retail industry and works to highlight its massive economic impact and all the opportunities it brings. They call their January conference the “Big Show” because it brings 40,000 attendees together from over 100 countries, to learn about the cutting-edge innovation and technology. There’s nothing like the Big Show, and I’m so excited to join this weekend!   My first Huddle guest of the year is NRF’s President, Matt Shay. He joins me to talk about the history of the organization, the role it plays today, and what attendees will see at this year’s show. I’ve had the honor of chairing the NRF’s Board of Directors for the past three years, and I’ve learned so much working with some of Walmart’s partners (and competitors!) to make a difference on the issues we all care about. A strong, vibrant retail industry is good for ALL retailers, and we need to continue telling the stories of lives we’ve changed. I hope you enjoy this episode, and once again, Happy New Year!