The BizSTL Podcast

In this episode, host Mike Miller chats with Karen Branding, president and CEO of the St. Louis Regional Business Council, a collective of leading executives representing many of the largest companies in the metro area. The discussion touches on Branding's background, the future of downtown St. Louis, her view of the challenges facing the region, and the key initiatives the RBC plans to tackle in 2025 and beyond. Listen and follow The BizSTL Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available. This episode is sponsored by Jingle STL. Looking to elevate your company holiday celebrations? Book your party at JINGLE! at CarShield Field in O'Fallon, Missouri, November 22—December 31. Reserve themed holiday suites for a groups of every size. Have an idea for a future episode? Send your thoughts or feedback to podcasts@stlmag.com. Want to learn more? Subscribe to our BizSTL Leadership newsletter for more insights from local leaders on St. Louis’ business community. Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at lleppert@stlmag.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, host Mike Miller chats with Tara Gallina, co-owner of Take Root Hospitality, which counts Vicia, Winslow's Table, Bistro La Floraison, and Taqueria Morita in its portfolio of popular St. Louis restaurants. The discussion touches on the factors that make the local restaurant scene unique, how Take Root properties found their niche, the expansion of the company's catering and private event services, and industry trends, among other topics. Listen and follow The BizSTL Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available. This episode is sponsored by Jingle STL and supported by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Looking to elevate your company holiday celebrations? Book your party at JINGLE! at CarShield Field in O'Fallon, Missouri, November 22—December 31. Reserve themed holiday suites for a groups of every size. Have an idea for a future episode? Send your thoughts or feedback to podcasts@stlmag.com. Want to learn more? Subscribe to our BizSTL Leadership newsletter for more insights from local leaders on St. Louis’ business community. Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at lleppert@stlmag.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, host Mike Miller chats with Dr. Rhonda Brown, vice president of clinical operations for the caregiver support platform TCARE. The discussion focuses on the impact of TCARE's work, the company's journey from Wisconsin to St. Louis, and how it has benefitted from relocating to the region. Brown also explains how science informs TCARE's support practices, things employers should recognize about burnout, and more. Listen and follow The BizSTL Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available. This episode is sponsored by The Great Forest Park Balloon Race. For more than 50 years, the Great Forest Park Balloon Race has been wowing crowds in St. Louis. Want to be part of the magic in 2025? It’s never too early to become a sponsor. Learn more about how you can support this St. Louis tradition. Have an idea for a future episode? Send your thoughts or feedback to podcasts@stlmag.com. Want to learn more? Subscribe to our BizSTL Leadership newsletter for more insights from local leaders on St. Louis’ business community. Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at lleppert@stlmag.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, host Mike Miller chats with Marson Foods president and co-owner Jan Marson and chief operating officer Tyler Wallace. The conversation touches on the opening of the company's new $35 million, 150,000-square-foot production facility in Hazelwood and its embrace of automation. Marson also traces the history of the family business, including the decision to sell their former company, Nature's Bakery, to Kind, jumping back into the industry, and why they felt it was important to invest in St. Louis. Listen and follow The BizSTL Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available. This episode is sponsored by Jingle STL. Looking to elevate your company holiday celebrations? Book your party at JINGLE! at CarShield Field in O'Fallon, Missouri, November 22 to December 31. Reserve themed holiday suites for a groups of every size. Have an idea for a future episode? Send your thoughts or feedback to podcasts@stlmag.com. Want to learn more? Subscribe to our BizSTL Leadership newsletter for more insights from local leaders on St. Louis’ business community. Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at lleppert@stlmag.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, host Mike Miller chats with Nest founder Rebecca van Bergen. Nest helps hundreds of thousands of makers, artisans, and creative entrepreneurs in well over 100 countries run craft-based businesses, while also advancing gender equity and women’s economic opportunities all over the globe. The discussion focuses on the impact of Nest's work, how the organization's mission has evolved, the decision to relocate from New York to St. Louis during the pandemic, overseeing a fully-remote workplace, and more. Listen and follow The BizSTL Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available. This episode is sponsored by Fidelity. At Fidelity Investments’ Investor Center in Ladue, advisors put clients first by personalizing portfolios based on their unique goals, preferences, and needs. Fidelity’s experience in this space comes with a deep understanding of the unique needs of clients who are looking to manage their wealth now and into the future.  Have an idea for a future episode? Send your thoughts or feedback to podcasts@stlmag.com. Want to learn more? Subscribe to our BizSTL Leadership newsletter for more insights from local leaders on St. Louis’ business community. Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at lleppert@stlmag.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, host Mike Miller chats with Alaina Macia, president and CEO of MTM. The discussion focuses on the ways in which MTM has experienced significant growth in recent years, including the company's embrace of mergers and acquisitions. Macia, who serves as chair of the Regional Business Council, also provides an assessment of the local business landscape and ways the region can continue to evolve. Listen and follow The BizSTL Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available. This episode is sponsored by Miss Augusta. Looking for an unforgettable experience? The best events are on the water! Join Miss Augusta for daily public cruises, or book a private charter for your special occasion. Their 105-foot, climate-controlled, three-level yacht offers stunning scenery along the Missouri River, fresh daily-prepared food, lunch and dinner cruises, live entertainment, and more. Have an idea for a future episode? Send your thoughts or feedback to podcasts@stlmag.com. Want to learn more? Subscribe to our BizSTL Leadership newsletter for more insights from local leaders on St. Louis’ business community. Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at lleppert@stlmag.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, host Mike Miller chats with Tamara Keefe of Clementine's Naughty & Nice Creamery. The discussion focuses on Clementine's growth over the past decade, including Keefe's investment in a 25,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Baden and expansion plans for Kansas City. Keefe also shares insights into the challenges of funding the company's growth, managing a local business, and how her leadership approach has evolved. in Listen and follow The BizSTL Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available. You may also enjoy: How a St. Louis–based AI startup plans to help voters cut through boring bureaucracy This episode is sponsored by City of Maplewood. Celebrate and support the amazing Black entrepreneurs who infuse Maplewood with innovation, passion, and diversity. When you support local Black-owned businesses, you help build a stronger, more inclusive community. Learn more. Have an idea for a future episode? Send your thoughts or feedback to podcasts@stlmag.com. Want to learn more? Subscribe to our BizSTL Leadership newsletter for more insights from local leaders on St. Louis’ business community. xInterested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at lleppert@stlmag.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, host Mike Miller chats with Scott Morris, director of the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. In his role, Morris works with students and local entrepreneurs to help them execute ideas and grow their businesses. The conversation touches on Morris' background in the private sector and the strategies he used to help businesses grow. Morris also explains his new career in academia, how UMSL's Anchor Accelerator is striving to meet the needs of local entrepreneurs, ways the local business ecosystem is equipped to help startups grow. Listen and follow The BizSTL Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available. This episode is sponsored by Royal Banks of Missouri. For sixty years, Royal Banks of Missouri has been proud to be your local community bank. Set your business up for success with their treasury management specialists. Visit royalbanksofmo.com to learn more about their business banking options. Have an idea for a future episode? Send your thoughts or feedback to podcasts@stlmag.com. Want to learn more? Subscribe to our BizSTL Leadership newsletter for more insights from local leaders on St. Louis’ business community. Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at lleppert@stlmag.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, host Mike Miller chats with Hello Citizen founder and CEO John Stamm. The St. Louis-based startup harnesses artificial intelligence to help businesses, voters, government officials, and others stay on top of all of the topics and ideas being discussed in local and state government through digestible meeting recaps. In this conversation, Stamm discusses how he's leveraging AI to inform people about their community, how businesses can benefit from such a service, and what it's like to launch a startup in St. Louis, among other topics. Listen and follow The BizSTL Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available. You may also enjoy: How a St. Louis–based AI startup plans to help voters cut through boring bureaucracy This episode is sponsored by Third Degree Glass. Consider booking your next corporate event in one of Third Degree Glass' stunning spaces—they can accommodate anything from a staff happy hour or off-site meeting to a large fundraiser. Add on a live glass blowing demo or hands-on experience for a memorable team building activity! Have an idea for a future episode? Send your thoughts or feedback to podcasts@stlmag.com. Want to learn more? Subscribe to our BizSTL Leadership newsletter for more insights from local leaders on St. Louis’ business community. Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at lleppert@stlmag.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, host Mike Miller chats with Ole Tyme Produce's president and CEO Joan Daleo. For more than 50 years, Ole Tyme Produce has been a St. Louis mainstay in the food distribution business. But when the pandemic arrived and the restaurant industry froze, Ole Tyme Produce reached a pivot point. It was up to Daleo and her team to come up with creative new ways to diversify revenue streams—and quick. Over the last few years, the business has enjoyed fascinating growth. Hear how Deleo oversaw a reimagining of the business in real time, some of the lessons she learned, and what it takes to inherit a family business and lead it into a new era of growth and innovation. This episode is sponsored by Royal Banks of Missouri. For sixty years, Royal Banks of Missouri has been proud to be your local community bank. Set your business up for success with their treasury management specialists. Visit royalbanksofmo.com to learn more about their business banking options. Have an idea for a future episode? Send your thoughts or feedback to podcasts@stlmag.com. Want to learn more? Subscribe to our BizSTL Leadership newsletter for more insights from local leaders on St. Louis’ business community. Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at lleppert@stlmag.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.