The STL Bucket List Show

On this episode of the STL Bucket List Show, we sit down with Tre G, founder of WerQfest, to explore how a festival that started as a last-minute virtual event during the pandemic has grown into one of St. Louis's most important celebrations of Black queer art, music, and community. Tre shares his journey growing up in St. Louis, performing from a young age, studying at Berklee College of Mus...

In our first edition of 'At the Table', Brittany Dwyer and Sauce Magazine sit down with James Beard Award-winning chef Loryn Nalic of Balkan Treat Box to talk about her journey, her love for St. Louis, and the story behind one of the city’s most celebrated restaurants coming off her 'Best Chef Midwest' James Beard Award. Loryn shares how family, culture, hard work, and communit...

On this episode of the STL Bucket List Show, we sit down with Tatyana Telnikova of Handlebar and Josh Smith of Neon Greens — two of the Grove neighborhood's most iconic business owners — to explore what makes this stretch of Manchester Avenue one of the most vibrant, inclusive, and exciting neighborhoods in St. Louis. Tatyana shares her unlikely journey from Moscow to St. Louis at age 16, how...

On this episode of the STL Bucket List Show, we sit down with St. Louis author, columnist, and novelist Debbie Baldwin to discuss her latest thriller, The Architect of Deception, a high-society murder mystery filled with secrets, privilege, and unexpected twists. Debbie shares her journey from growing up in St. Louis and attending Princeton and law school to building a career as a novelist. She re...

On this episode of the STL Bucket List Show, we sit down with filmmaker, storyteller, and My Friends and I founder Cami Cruz Thomas to discuss the making of Red Brick, Blue Tarp , a powerful new documentary examining the aftermath of the May 16 tornado and the ongoing recovery efforts across North St. Louis. Cami shares her journey from growing up in St. Louis and working for companies like Tesla...

On this episode of the STL Bucket List Show, we sit down with Michael Alter, owner and founder of Fitz’s, to discuss the story behind one of St. Louis’ most iconic brands and how a small soda startup grew into a regional institution recognized across generations. Michael shares the history of Fitz’s, from its roots as a legendary St. Louis drive-in restaurant to relaunching the brand in 1992 with...

On this episode of the STL Bucket List Show, we sit down with Katie of May’s Place and May’s Night Market to talk about building one of St. Louis’ most influential vintage brands and transforming a small local market into a citywide cultural event drawing more than 10,000 people. Katie shares the story behind launching May’s Place in South City, leaving the corporate fashion world behind, and crea...

On this episode of the STL Bucket List Show, we sit down with Ross Chaifetz and Andrew Haines of the St. Louis Shock to talk about building one of the fastest-rising franchises in professional sports and why St. Louis has become one of the biggest pickleball markets in the country. Ross shares the origin story behind the St. Louis Shock—from identifying pickleball as an emerging investment opportu...

On this episode of the STL Bucket List Show, we sit down with Ryan and Eleni, founders of The Quarter Butcher, to talk about building one of the most unique food businesses in Saint Charles County and bringing whole animal butchery to Dardenne Prairie. Ryan shares his journey from culinary school and fine dining kitchens—including time at Bulrush, Pastaria, and The Last Hotel—to discovering a pass...

On this episode of the STL Bucket List Show, we sit down with Sean Hamlin, co-founder of VHS Group and Race Haus, to break down how a home services and technology company unexpectedly evolved into one of the most exciting new motorsports experiences in St. Louis. Sean shares how VHS Group began with smart home installations, home theaters, and custom tech builds before expanding into golf simulato...

On this episode of the STL Bucket List Show, we sit down with David Stine and Stephanie Abbajay—owners of Stine Woodworking—to talk about their journey from Washington, D.C. to building one of the most respected custom woodworking brands in St. Louis. David shares how he went from practicing law to pursuing woodworking full-time, while Stephanie breaks down how their partnership—both in marriage a...

On this episode of the STL Bucket List Show, we sit down with Sarah Fenske—journalist, podcast host, and writer at St. Louis Magazine—to talk about her journey through the ever-changing world of media. She shares how she fell into journalism, built her career through traditional newsrooms, and adapted as the industry shifted from print to digital. From leading the Riverfront Times to launching a d...

On this episode of the STL Bucket List Show, we sit down with the creator behind Ope Outdoors to talk about his journey to building a creative brand in St. Louis. He shares how studying chemistry led to a career he didn’t love, and how picking up a camera changed everything. What started as a creative outlet turned into photography, video work, and eventually Ope Outdoors, a brand inspired by the...

On this episode of the STL Bucket List Show, we sit down with NHL legend Chris Pronger to talk about his new book Earned and the mindset that shaped one of hockey’s most dominant careers. Pronger breaks down what “earned” really means to him — from making it to the NHL, to becoming a leader, to sustaining success through discipline, accountability, and consistency. He reflects on his early career...

On this episode of the STL Bucket List Show, we sit down with Ricky—founder of Run Crew—to talk about how running, community, and purpose are transforming lives across St. Louis. Ricky shares his journey from growing up in Jennings and pursuing sports and music, to facing depression during the pandemic—and how a simple decision to start running changed everything. What began as a personal outlet q...

On this episode of the STL Bucket List Show, we sit down with Halley Moore of GeekPack to explore how community, technology, and connection are helping women build stronger, more scalable businesses. Halley shares how GeekPack is redefining entrepreneurship by making tech more accessible and less intimidating for everyday business owners. From freelancers to established founders, the organization...

On this episode of the STL Bucket List Show, we sit down with Alex — a St. Louis real estate developer and investor — to talk about the transformation of Wash Ave and what it takes to build a thriving urban neighborhood. Alex shares his journey from engineering into real estate and how nearly two decades of investing in St. Louis led him to focus on the opportunity along Wash Ave. The conversation...

On this episode of the STL Bucket List Show, we sit down with Kendall Davidson — a St. Louis rapper, producer, filmmaker, and entrepreneur — to talk about his creative journey and the release of his new project, Rise. Kendall shares how growing up in St. Louis and starting in church music helped shape his creative foundation, eventually leading him into hip-hop, filmmaking, and producing his own m...

On this episode of the STL Bucket List Show, we sit down with Neil Salsich — musician, songwriter, and frontman of The Mighty Pines — to talk about his journey through the St. Louis music scene and the launch of his new podcast, Meet Me In Music, recorded right here at Bucket List Studios. Neil shares how years of performing, songwriting, and hustling as a working musician led to new creative oppo...

On this episode of the STL Bucket List Show, we sit down with Nathan, the founder of Up Late, to talk about how a late-night food concept turned into one of St. Louis’ most recognizable community staples. Nathan shares the story behind Up Late’s rapid growth — from early pop-ups and packed block parties to expanding locations, building a brand, and navigating the realities of restaurant ownership....

Is workplace culture just perks and pizza… or is it how your team feels on Sunday night before Monday morning? In this episode of The STL Bucket List Show, Lucas Farrell sits down with Jamal Cornelious — executive coach, leadership strategist, and host of Gateway to Growth — to talk about what it really takes to build meaningful careers and stronger workplace culture in St. Louis. From navigating...

Is Energizer Park home to the best food hall in the country… that just happens to be inside a stadium? In this episode of The STL Bucket List Show, Lucas Farrell sits down with STL CITY SC’s Matt Sebek (Chief Experience Officer) and Chef Gerard Craft (Flavor Officer) to break down how they’ve transformed match day into one of the most unique food and fan experiences in the country. From launching...

In this episode of The STL Bucket List Show , Luke sits down with Megan Brandt, Ryan Brandt, and Bethany Jobe of Stone Reserve , a St. Louis–based stone distribution warehouse redefining how homeowners, designers, and fabricators experience natural stone. The conversation explores Stone Reserve’s roots as a family business, their deep ties to fabrication, and what sets them apart from traditional...

In this episode of The STL Bucket List Show , Luke sits down with Lauren Healey , Executive Editor of Sauce Magazine , for a behind-the-scenes conversation about what it really takes to keep a legacy local publication alive, relevant, and growing in 2026. Lauren shares the honest story of where Sauce was last summer, why the acquisition happened fast, and what the last six months have looked like...

This week, Luke sits down with Bernadette Faasen , owner of Cobalt Smoke & Sea , to talk about what it really takes to run a restaurant, build a loyal community, and create a dining experience that feels “worth it” every single time. They get into: How Cobalt was designed to feel like an experience , not just dinner Balancing restaurant life with being a mom of three boys , and never missing a...