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Inside Trader Joe's

Trader Joe's

Welcome to Inside Trader Joe's, the only podcast about Trader Joe's, by Trader Joe's. This one's the real deal, the "official" Trader Joe's podcast, if you will. Looking for stories about your favorite products? Curious about what makes your neighborhood TJ's tick? Or just excited about what's coming soon to your Trader Joe's? This, friends, is the podcast for you!

From our humble beginnings as a small chain of eclectic Southern California convenience stores, Trader Joe's has grown to become a national chain of 633 (and counting) neighborhood grocery stores, employing more than 70,000 Crew Members. How? By being comfortable with being different. Every episode takes you Inside Trader Joe's in a podcast series only Trader Joe's could deliver.

Let's go Inside Trader Joe's. And thanks for listening.

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S23 · E114
Yesterday · 22 min
Episode 114: Mapping One Neighborhood Trader Joe's, With A List
You've heard us say it time and time again – every Trader Joe's is as unique as the neighborhood in which it lives. And every customer in every Trader Joe's walks in with a unique list of their "must-have" products. In this episode of Inside Trader Joe's, we asked one of our fellow Crew Members in our Boston mothership to share his favorite TJ's product. He came with a list. And a map. Come along on this journey through one neighborhood's store, with one customer – who just happens to be a Crew Member, and who really did create this map from memory, as he thought about his list of faves. For fun, we're including the map here in the show notes. What would your map look like? Transcript (PDF)
S23 · E113
October 12 · 18 min
Episode 113: Trader Joe's Goes Viral
The internet is a vast and unpredictable place. One piece of predictability we've discovered is the ability to find fun and interesting ways to use Trader Joe's products in all kinds of places. Of course, you'll find those on traderjoes.com and on our Instagram and YouTube channels. What continues to surprise and amaze us, though, is just how many people outside Trader Joe's come up with and share their own fun and interesting ways to use Trader Joe's products – and the extent to which those ideas go viral. And whether it's a "hack" or a full-blown "recipe" (we're still debating whether or not there's a difference around here), we're always up for trying something new, and we love when other folks seem to love our products as much as we do! Transcript (PDF)
S23 · E112
September 21 · 20 min
Episode 112: Time for Tacos at Trader Joe's
Somewhere along the line, Taco Tuesday became a thing. And while we're all about alliteration (apparently), we feel it's important to point out that tacos are delicious every single day of every single week. This is especially true if you employ one of the absolutely-made-for-tacos marinated meats you'll find in the refrigerated case at your neighborhood Trader Joe's – Carne Asada Ranchera, Pollo Asado Chicken Thighs, or Al Pastor Diced Pork. Join us for a heated conversation with our resident expert on all things meat (and tacos!) for some insight into how we developed these additions to our meat case, as well as some pro-tips for prepping that will have you putting tacos on the menu every day that ends in y. Transcript (PDF)
S20 · E111
September 8 · 29 min
Episode 111: Can't Help Falling for this Trader Joe's Shopping List
It's almost fall, and at Trader Joe's, that's cause for thrills, excitement, and of course, PUMPKIN! This year, we have gourds of new Pumpkin products to share, including Pumpkin Spice Bark, Organic Pumpkin Pie Creamer, and Pumpkin & Spice Caramel Sauce. But this is the season of abundance, which means you'll also find seasonal treasures like Apple Pie à la Mode Ice Cream, Mandarin Crunch Pasta Salad, and London Fog Tea Concentrate. This is just a taste of what you'll hear in this episode of Inside Trader Joe's, and there's so much more to be discovered inside your neighborhood Trader Joe's! Transcript (PDF)
S23 · E110
August 17 · 28 min
Episode 110: Expect the Unexpected (Cheddar) at Trader Joe's
At Trader Joe's, our entire business begins with expecting the unexpected. When you spend your days searching for delicious new products and traveling the world in search of great values for customers, you never know what might happen. And while we knew from the beginning that Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar and Toscano cheeses were delicious values, we could never have predicted the success they'd find in our cheese cases. We recently visited the folks who work every day to bring us these spectacular, award-winning cheeses – including the Master Cheesemaker who's been on the scene from the beginning – and we walked away with even more appreciation for these fab fromage friends. Listen in, learn just enough to make you an amateur turophile, then head to your neighborhood Trader Joe's and pick up your favorite iteration of our Unexpected Cheddar and Toscano cheeses. Transcript (PDF)
S22 · E109
July 27 · 21 min
Episode 109: Trader Joe's 2026 Store Recipe Contest Winners
Each year, around this time, we reveal the winner of our annual Store Recipe Contest. While most of our contests center customer recipes, this one features recipes directly from the folks who know our products best – the Crew Members who work in our stores. This year, we received submissions from stores across the country, and we were stunned by both the quantity and the quality of the recipes – sweet, savory, and spicy recipes you could serve for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert. We prepped, we cooked, and we ate our way to four delicious Runners-Up and one standout Winner. Listen in for all the details, point your browser to traderjoes.com for all the recipes, then head to your neighborhood Trader Joe's to pick up everything you'll need to make your favorites. Transcript (PDF)
July 13 · 8 min
Trader Joe's Wine Club: Summery Bubbles with Calsecco
Welcome to another episode of the Trader Joe's Wine Club, brought to you by Inside Trader Joe's. In this sip-sized segment, we're popping the cans on a new arrival in our wine section, Trader Joe's Calsecco. That whimsical name is a nod to the wine's California origins, as well as the Prosecco-style in which this brut bubbly is crafted. If you're looking for a super sipper for summertime barbecues, picnics, and pool parties… you'll want to listen in for a quick intro, then head to your neighborhood Trader Joe's to pick up a few four-packs! Transcript (PDF)
S22 · E108
June 29 · 15 min
Episode 108: Hey East Pasadena, What's In Your Trader Joe's Shopping Cart
In this episode of Inside Trader Joe's, we're taking you inside our customers' shopping carts to find out what keeps them coming back to Trader Joe's again and again. For this edition of our Customer Cart Conversations, we go to Trader Joe's number 32 in East Pasadena, California. Captain Jadez gets up close and personal with the contents of customers' carts, with questions about favorites. Along the way, we get some insights into how Trader Joe's brings a little joy and deliciousness into their busy lives. We even talk to some Crew Members who share their go-to product recommendations for customers (and podcast listeners!). What's in YOUR cart? Transcript (PDF)
S22 · E107
June 15 · 24 min
Episode 107: Trader Joe's Swings Into Summer
With the official start of summer still a week away, perhaps we're getting ahead of ourselves, but we just can't help it. We just get so excited for summer to start! Maybe it's the longer days. Maybe it's the warmer weather. Maybe it's spending more time with family and friends (see above, longer days). Or maybe it's just the exciting new products coming to our stores. In this episode of Inside Trader Joe's, we have a great list of new things to share – like Main Squeeze Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Creamy Dreamy Whipped Ricotta, Spicy Queso Dip, Buffalo Sauce, and Cookies & Creme Cookie Mix. Listen in for more from our list, then make YOUR list and head to your neighborhood Trader Joe's so you can get your summer started! Transcript (PDF)
S22 · E106
June 1 · 27 min
Episode 106: Trader Joe's Finds the Goat - in Wisconsin
Sometimes, a discussion about The GOAT can be polarizing. Whether it's an athlete, a writer, an actor, a musician, or any other professional, judging the Greatest Of All Time is an inherently subjective endeavor. When it comes to cheese, though, it's easier, especially when GOAT is in the actual name of the cheese. In this episode of Inside Trader Joe's, we talk to our resident cheese expert about Goat Cheese, and we travel to Wisconsin to talk to the folks who start with goat's milk from local farmers and make the chevre magic happen. It's a blaaaaast! Transcript (PDF)
S22 · E105
May 18 · 26 min
Episode 105: The Future of Trader Joe's Depends on These Grads
Joining us for this episode of Inside Trader Joe's is a group of Trader Joe's shoppers from the high school Class of 2026. They represent, quite literally, the future, not just for Trader Joe's, but for all of us. We chatted with them about their favorite TJ's products and the way they cook, got their feedback about some new products that haven't quite made their way to the shelves at Trader Joe's just yet. Most importantly, they schooled us on some current slang – let's just say, this episode hits! Transcript (PDF)
April 27 · 11 min
Trader Joe's Wine Club: Sublime Springtime Sipping
Welcome to another episode of the Trader Joe's Wine Club, brought to you by Inside Trader Joe's. In this sip-sized segment, we're going big on the bottles you're going to want on your table this spring and summer. And we mean big. Literally. Le Beau Sud Vermentino-Sauvignon Blanc, from France, and TABLE Red Blend from California's Santa Barbara County are on our wine shelves in one-liter bottles. That's upwards od 33% more wine in every bottle, and at prices that would scream value even for a traditional 750mL package. These are quintessentially quaffable wines, ready for picnics and barbecues, wedding showers and all kinds of celebrations. Listen in for a quick intro, then head to your neighborhood Trader Joe's to pick up a bottle of each! Transcript (PDF)
S21 · E104
April 6 · 46 min
Episode 104: Inside Trader Joe's Goes Back to the Future
One-hundred-and-sixty-two years ago, we started a podcast. Well, actually, it wasn't quite that long ago. We started Inside Trader Joe's in 2018, thinking it would be a five-episode opportunity for us to tell our story from our point of view. And now here we are, eight years and more than 100 episodes later. Our crystal ball did not reveal this future, and yet, as we look back on those original episodes – the First Five, if you will – we're struck by how much remains the same. We're still all about the products, our Values still guide us, we're definitely dedicated to not taking ourselves too seriously, the store is still most definitely our brand, and we take great pride in being good neighbors, in every neighborhood Trader Joe's. Take a little walk down memory lane with us as we revisit the First Five. And keep listening for more – just like you'll always find new products in your neighborhood store, we always have more stories to tell! Transcript (PDF)
S21 · E103
March 9 · 29 min
Episode 103: Trader Joe's Springs Into a Bunch of Great New Products
It's almost spring. Finally. Winter has certainly made the most of itself, and we are jumping into the opportunity to welcome this season of renewal the best way we know how – with a whole bunch of new Trader Joe's products! While delicious new snacks and sweets lead the way – we're talking Salted Caramel Mochi and Sweet Onion Pretzel Sticks – we also have a chance to chat about new Meat and Seafood offerings, and talk Tulips with our resident experts. And unlike some episodes of ITJ that feature predominantly limited availability items, this one is jam-packed with great stuff we're planning to offer every day, in every Trader Joe's store. Listen in, then make your own list and visit your neighborhood store to get the goods. Transcript (PDF) How to Create a Spring Tulip Arrangement
S21 · E102
February 16 · 27 min
Episode 102: This Blonde Chocolate Walks Into Trader Joe's
Sometimes a chocolate bar is just a chocolate bar. And sometimes it's something else entirely. Sometimes it's an experience, and sometimes that experience comes with a remarkable history. Trader Joe's Blonde Bar, our first foray into the world of blonde chocolate, is this kind of chocolate bar. Join us as we pay a visit to our Italian bean-to-bar chocolate supplier, where the third generation of the founding family is both honoring their history and embracing modern technologies to push the boundaries of what's possible. Transcript (PDF)
S21 · E101
February 2 · 21 min
Episode 101: Trader Joe's Gets Fresh (and Deli) for 2026
At Trader Joe's, we take product quality, freshness, and value very seriously. In every part of the store, every day. So, when we sat down with a couple of our Category Managers to talk about how they approach freshness and quality, as well as innovation and great taste, there was a lot to discuss. In this episode we're up close and personal with our Fresh and Deli folks. What's the difference between Fresh and Deli? Listen in and find out. We're also sharing some sneak peaks into some new products you'll be seeing in our refrigerated cases… very soon. Transcript (PDF)
S21 · E100
January 26 · 17 min
Episode 100: The 17th Annual Customer Choice Awards
The votes are in, and the time has come to reveal the winners of the 17th Annual Trader Joe's Customer Choice Awards! Seventeen years of celebrating our customers' favorite products, as voted by you, our customers. It's just as exciting to us this year as it was in year one. Favorite cheese? It's here. Favorite snack? It's a crunchy one. Favorite Trader Joe's product overall? It's delicious! We have the results, including a couple of surprises – headscratchers, really, and we're here for 'em. Listen in for all the details, and visit traderjoes.com for the full list. We close out this episode with a little self-indulgence (even more than usual!), and a look toward what's ahead. Transcript (PDF)
S20 · E99
January 12 · 20 min
Episode 99: The Cheesiest Episode of Inside Trader Joe's. Ever.
Eat More Cheese. This is not just a piece of advice, it's one of the New Year's Resolutions we're certain we'll be able to keep in 2026. In this episode of Inside Trader Joe's, we talk to our Category Manager for Cheese, who shares her passion for all things fromage, and takes us inside the world of cheese at Trader Joe's, and beyond. Whether you're a regular visitor to the cheese case at your neighborhood Trader Joe's, or you're checking out the shreds, spreads, wedges, and wheels for the first time, there's something here for you, and you might even discover a new favorite! Transcript (PDF)
S20 · E98
Dec 15, 2025 · 27 min
Episode 98: Trader Joe's Went to Sonoma And All You Get Is Some Incredible Sparkling Wine
Hard as it may be to fathom, we're headed into the home stretch, with almost an entire year in the rearview mirror. This is a time of parties and celebrations, gatherings of families and friends. All of these occasions could benefit from bubbles, specifically those you'll sip in a glass of crisp and refreshing sparkling wine. In this episode of Inside Trader Joe's, we're traveling to Sonoma, deep in the heart of California's wine country, where some of our favorite sparkling wines are carefully crafted and bottled. Travel with us to Northern California, then make the short trek to your neighborhood Trader Joe's and pick up a bottle of your favorite bubbly. It'll make any occasion special. Transcript (PDF)
S20 · E97
Dec 1, 2025 · 26 min
Episode 97: We Wish You A Trader Joe's Holiday Shopping List
Oh by golly there's a lot to discover this holiday season at your neighborhood Trader Joe's! In this episode of Inside Trader Joe's, we're sharing an inside look at just a few – okay, 16, so... several? – of our favorite finds for this festive season. Breakfast goodies and crunchy cookies. A quartet of trios ready for gifting to the foodies on your list (including yourself!). Cheeses for all the occasions. And salads and apps to make every gathering great. Tune in, make a list, then hop on your sleigh and head to TJ's to pick up everything you need (and want!) to make your holidays merry and bright. Transcript (PDF)

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