Growing Belleville thru Community Chats

In what could be considered as the Hottest Podcast of the year, we discuss: - The May 28th event at the Lincoln Theatre called:The M Factor 2: Before the Pause- What the event involves including a before Sip and Shop event with down town businesses and an after party at Bennies Pizza Pub - Why every woman 30 and above should attend - Hormone therapy for men and women - PremierU and what they can d...

In this episode we sit down with Randy Ellington of Pallet Sales and Recycling and discuss: - The pallet industry - How he got started in it - How AI and and advanced technology are shaping his industry - Much More

In this episode we talk to Deborah Graves and discuss: - Her path from Nurse to President of a hospital - BJC Memorials commitment to Belleville - The great things the Memorial Foundation does - All the good things happening at both Memorial locations - Much more

In this episode we sit down with Lynette Linnemeier of the Barkery and discuss: - How they got started - Her love for dogs and animals in general - What all they offer -How Belleville has been great supporting them so far -Much More

In this episode we sit down with the new Superintendent of BTHS District #201, Dr. Marshaun Warren.

In this episode we sit down with the new President and CEO of the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce, Maribeth Bendick and Discuss: - Her past and how it lead her to her new position - What drew her to the Chamber - Her plans moving forward - Growing up in Belleville and her connection to and love for the city - Much more

In this episode we sit down with Steve and Rob of the newly opened Belleville Books and discuss: - Transplanting to Belleville to open a book store - How they fell in love with Belleville - How they were able to buy the building they are in - How they restored the building - How they were embraced by the community - Much more

In this episode we sit down with Belleville's newest Author, Andy Bridgeman and discuss: - His life long dream to write a novel - His transition from Insurance Agent to author - His first acclaimed Novel released this past September - The challenges of writing a book - His love for the Chamber when they lived here - How they still run their insurance agency in Belleville - How happy he is that he...

In this episode we sit down with Kevin Richter and Patrick Mathis and discuss: - Their humble beginnings - The importance of thick walls in an office - Their Strategic Growth - Their love for the Chamber - Their 40 years in the Belleville Community - much more

In this episode we sit down with Dr. Katie Rybak and discuss: - What drove her to open Embody Her Health - What she has learned in her first year in business - Why she chose the Belleville Area - How she assembled the best employees to help launch - The difference between Embody Her Health compared to other practices -There June 9th event - Much More

In this episode we sit down with Althoff Varsity Basketball Coach Greg Leib and discuss:  - How he got started in coaching - How bad it started - The journey he's been on the past 25+ years - All the great players he has coached over the years - How he has gotten more out the things beyond basketball - much more

In this episode we sit down with former Althoff, SLU and Australian NBL All-Star Kevin Lisch and discuss: His SLU and Althoff basketball days His decision to join the NBL and his journey in Australia His time playing in Puerto Rico and Europe His Coaching days after his Playing dyas His growing family's decision to move back home The Transition from basketball career to his new career How he g...

In this episode we sit down with the new Fire Chief of the Belleville Fire Department, Stephanie Mills and Discuss: - Her becoming the first female Fire Chief in Belleville - How she views it as more than just being the first Female Chief - Her Journey from Teacher to Fire Chief - How 9/11 effected her career - How she ended up in Belleville - Her plan for the department - Recruiting - Much More

In this episode we sit down with Jeff and Zach Bair of Grimm and Gorly, Pour @322 and The Bungalow and discuss: - Their newest venture: The Bungalow - How they got started and added their coffee shop, Pour @322 - How Grimm and Gorly has become a big part of Belleville - How they focus on the community - Their love for downtown - Their love/ hate (kinda) relatinship with the holidays - Much more

In this episode we sit down with Steve Hemmer from Joe and Onie’s and discuss: Steve's background with businesses in downtown Belleville Why he opened joe and Onie's His love for downtown Belleville Why he chose Ronnoco coffee to be served How downtown businesses thrive off each other Much more

In this episode we sit down with Renea of Copper Fire to discuss: - Her love of downtown Belleville and why they invest in it - The challenges of opening the bar and restaurant - How the business has turned into her pride and joy - Their new event space and all the unique aspects they have incorporated into it - How they focus on making music a big dynamic for their venue -Much more

In this episode we sit down with MLB Draftee Zander Mueth and former Belleville East Lancer and discuss: - What draft night was like - His Journey to the MLB draft - How he plans to make an impact on the Pittsburgh Pirates Organization - We get insights from his pitching coach (and brother of our co-host) Brett Huber - much more

In this episode we sit down with Chris Pondoff of Illinois Recovery Center and discuss: - The mission of the new rehab center in Swansea - Why he and his partners decided to open the Rehab Center in this area - Chris' own sobriety and giving back - The challenges they faced with opening this center - Much more

In this Episode we sit down with Mary Lamie of the St. Louis Regional Freightway and Bi State Development and discuss: - How imperative the St Louis Regional Freightway has been in helping the Metro East grow - Why the St Louis Regional Freightway was formed - How they are working for a possible fix to trains stopping and blocking Highway 15 in East St Louis - How they have helped the improvements...

In this episode we sit down with Mark Mueller of Mueller Furniture to discuss: - How he got started in the family business - How and why they have focused on expansion - How and why they still invest in their Belleville location - The journey to opening their 4th location and warehouse in Fairview soon - How he has navigated working in and growing a family business - Much more

In this episode we sit down with the CEO of Hospice of Southern Illinois, Amy Richter, and discuss: Her path to becoming CEO of Hospice of Southern Illinois How she became President of the Board for the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce What Leadership Belleville did for her How the Chamber has helped her company How an admitted introvert has used the chamber to grow personally Plus much more

In this episode we sit down with Bennie Parr of Bennies Pizza and Pub - How and why he decided to launch Bennies Pizza and Pub - The idea behind it - Their 5 year anniversary party coming up - Where the name and logo came from (very cool story) - How they come up with new and crazy pizza ideas (Ever had a green bean casserole pizza?) - How the "community" of Belleville Main Street has he...

In this episode we sit down with Lisa Elbe of Without Limits Team Galaxy Cheer Squad and Discuss: - How they selected to go to Germany for the Special Olympics to cheer on team USA! - How the team was notified they were chosen and their reaction - How she got involved with the organization - All the great things the organization does - How you can contribute Much more

In this episode we sit down with Natalie Jablonski and Melissa Fanning of the United Way and dsicuss: - How they got involved with the United Way - How they focus on the Metro East -The impact the United Way has on the community -How to get involved with United Way and much more

In this Episode we sit down with Jason Frazier of Mindseye and discuss: - How Mindseye helps the blind on a daily basis -How great of an organization they are - How you can help by just reading the newspaper, magazine or other aspects - How they got started - How Jason got started with Mindseye - The impact they have had - Much More