Baked-In with Josh Allen

On this week's episode presented by Busey Bank, I'm sitting down with Jill Butler, the founder and CEO of RedKey Realty Leaders, an independent brokerage based right here in St. Louis that has carved out a unique position in a crowded and often commoditized industry. Jill has built a business that’s deeply intentional about who they bring in, how they show up, and what they stand for—and in an ind...

On this episode presented by Busey Bank, I sit down with a founder whose story is a great reminder that some of the most impactful businesses don’t start with a grand plan—they start with a simple observation and the willingness to take a risk.   Andrew Glantz is the founder of GiftAMeal , a business he started while he was still a student, after noticing how often people take photos of their food...

On this week's episode presented by Busey Bank, we’re again tapping into one of the most explosive cultural and business stories of the last five years: the rise of women’s sports. Media coverage of women’s sports is up 275%, fan engagement is soaring, and the demand for women‑centered sports experiences is reshaping the landscape of entertainment and hospitality. And at the center of that movemen...

This week, we’re telling an unusually honest manufacturing story: how a legacy candy got shelved by a giant—and then came back without sanding off the edges that made it special. The brand is Switzer’s Licorice, born in St. Louis in 1888 when Frederick M. Switzer turned street‑cart candy into a company that would become a national licorice leader built on real licorice extract and a denser, chewie...

On this episode, presented by Busey Bank, I’m sitting down Julie Shih, the visionary behind DD Mau Vietnamese Eatery. Julie opened her first location in 2018 with a mission to deliver fresh, healthy, and flavorful Vietnamese cuisine in a fast-casual setting. Eight years later, she’s making bold moves—relocating her Webster Groves restaurant into a stunning 6,000-square-foot space that she and her...

On this episode presented by Busey Bank, we sit down with  Drea Ranek and Melissa Nieberle, the founders of Lusso Style—a design house that’s redefining fan gear for women. What started as a luxury boutique 25 years ago has grown into a national brand partnering with major teams and retailers, from STL CITY SC to Bass Pro Shops. Their mission? To deliver fan apparel that’s as stylish and intention...

On this episode presented by Busey Bank, I'm sitting down with Nick Bognar—multiple James Beard Award semifinalist, chef, and the creative force behind three of St. Louis’ most celebrated dining experiences: Indo, Sado, and the newly opened Pavilion. Nick’s culinary journey started in his family’s kitchens, where his mom, aunt, and grandmother taught him the power of hospitality and flavor. From t...

On this episode, presented by Busey Bank, I'm sitting down with Lisa Nichols—CEO of Technology Partners, host of the Something Extra podcast, and now author of the newly released book by the same name. For over 30 years, Lisa has led with purpose, building one of the most respected IT staffing and solutions firms in the Midwest, all while championing culture, transparency, and mutual wins. We have...

On this week's episode, presented by Busey Bank , I’m sitting down for the 2nd time with Dan Abel Jr., CEO of Bissinger’s Chocolates—a brand with over 350 years of heritage and a bold vision for the future. From handcrafted truffles to luxury retail boutiques, Dan is leading a nationwide expansion of Bissinger’s retail shops, bringing artisan chocolate experiences directly to consumers across the...

On this week's episode presented by Busey Bank, we're celebrating 100! We brought together some hospitality heavyweights - Mitch Meyers (BeLeaf Cannabis), Ben Hillman (Hi Pointe Drive In & Taco Buddha), Kevin Lemp (4 Hands Brewery), Kevin Nashan (Sidney Street Cafe & Peacemaker) and Qui Tran (Mai Lee & Nudo House) - for an engaging conversation in front of a live audience. We touched o...

On this week's episode, presented by Busey Bank, I’m sitting down with someone who’s redefining what it means to be a modern media entrepreneur—Alexis Zotos. After 15 years in broadcast journalism, Alexis made the bold leap from the newsroom to building her own brand, podcast, and digital presence. She’s a St. Louis native, a mom, and now a full-time content creator - We’ll talk about the business...

On this week's episode, presented by Busey Bank, I welcome back Katie Lee from Katie’s Pizza and Pasta . Katie has been on an absolute heater since she was guest #2 back in 2023, culminating with this past week’s announcement that her frozen pizza line is now available in 1,800 Target stores.  The perfect time to get her back on the pod and find out just how in the heck she managed to do that with...

On this episode presented by Busey Bank, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Cliff Redford, better known as Dr. Cliff Worldwide Vet. Dr. Cliff has been running Wellington Veterinary Hospital in Ontario, Canada for 25 years, but his impact stretches far beyond the clinic walls. From treating foxes and bald eagles at Canada’s busiest wildlife rehab center to performing surgery on a monkey in...

On this week's episode presented by Busey Bank, I'm joined by someone who’s not just built a brand, but helped shape the identity of a city. Aaron Park is the founder of Arch Apparel , a streetwear company rooted in St. Louis pride and creative grit. Born in Melbourne, Australia, Aaron came to Missouri for college and never looked back. Over nearly a decade, he’s turned Arch into a cultural staple...

On this week's episode presented by Busey Bank, I sit down with Craig Kaminer, a New York native turned St. Louis tastemaker, whose career spans decades in high-profile public relations and luxury branding. From Microsoft and Tiffany to the Italian Government Tourist Office, Craig’s resume reads like a masterclass in influence. But what’s truly remarkable is his pivot—from publicist to publisher—l...

On this episode presented by Busey Bank, I sit down with a powerhouse of passion, perseverance, and perfectly organized closets — Jennifer Williams, founder of  Saint Louis Closet Co.  At just 25, Jennifer left grad school, maxed out her credit cards, and took a leap of faith to start her own business — and what a leap it was! Fast forward to today, she’s built one of the largest custom closet com...

On this episode presented by Busey Bank, I'm joined by Adam Tilford, co-founder of Session Taco and the business mind behind concepts like Milagro Modern Mexican and the brand-new Lapez Mod Mex, started out studying physical therapy before realizing… he hated touching people. After a quick detour in real estate, he joined forces with his brother and chef, Jason, and took a $20,000 leap into the re...

On this week’s episode, presented by Busey Bank, I’m joined by someone who has done it all—built a $350 million consulting powerhouse, led digital transformations for Fortune 500 giants, and now? He’s turning that same business brilliance toward one of the most urgent health challenges of our time: Alzheimer’s. Ron Daugherty is the founder of Daugherty Business Solutions and now the visionary forc...

On this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, I’m joined by someone who doesn’t just cook food—he crafts experiences. After nearly two decades working in acclaimed kitchens across the country and the globe—from Belgium to Blue Hill at Stone Barns—Chef Alec Schingel has finally gone solo. And he’s doing it with intention. His brand-new fine dining concept, Robin Restaurant, just opened its doors...

In this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, we’re excited to feature one of the city’s most impactful new initiatives: the UMSL EIC Entrepreneurship Certificate program, now open to the public for the very first time. Whether you're a brand-new startup or a seasoned business owner looking to scale, this program is designed to give entrepreneurs at every stage the tools, knowledge, and connecti...

On this episode presented by Busey Bank, I’m joined by Chef Lasse Sorensen and producer Jason Pinkston, the duo behind Food is Love —a visually stunning, heart-forward food and travel series that started on St. Louis PBS and is now streaming on Amazon Prime and YouTube. We’ll talk about the show’s evolution from local kitchens to global cultures, the challenges of public TV funding, staying true t...

On this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, I’m joined by one of my favorite humans, Mark Spewak, a passionate coach, entrepreneur, and the driving force behind the most connected running community in the region. Through his personalized coaching programs and unwavering support for runners of all experience levels, Mark has built more than just a business—he’s built a movement. His approach is...

On this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, our guest is Lia Weber, founder and head pastry chef behind Made. by Lia — a beloved bakery that’s captured the heart of North County and beyond. Lia’s journey is a story of passion, persistence, and deep community roots. From launching her business out of a small apartment kitchen to opening a bright, welcoming storefront, she’s built more than just...

On this episode presented by Busey Bank, I’m thrilled to be joined by Tom and Shelley N, co-founders of Space Architects—a full-service architecture and design firm that’s redefining the way we think about space, community, and the built environment. Based in St. Louis, Space Architects is known for their collaborative, people-first approach to design. From revitalizing historic buildings to creat...

On this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, I’m thrilled to be joined by Ben Poremba, the visionary chef and restaurateur behind the Bengelina Restaurant Group in St. Louis. Ben has made a name for himself not only as a culinary innovator but also as a community builder, transforming unproven neighborhoods into thriving dining destinations. With a portfolio of diverse concepts, he’s now taking...