Épisodes

  • Episode 101: Dan Abel Jr. | CEO Bissinger's Chocolates

    Episode 101: Dan Abel Jr. | CEO Bissinger's Chocolates
    Nov 18 2025
    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 country. We’ll dive headfirst into the strategy behind scaling with soul—why Dan chose to grow retail now, how he’s building teams that reflect the company’s values, and what it means to preserve craftsmanship in a world of automation. We’ll explore the new chocolate campus in St. Louis, the balance between wholesale and direct-to-consumer growth, and how culture, purpose, and quality remain at the heart of every decision. Speaking of quality and purpose, I'm excited to welcome a new partner for the show - The Normal Brand - clothing rooted in Midwestern values. They’re giving listeners 15% off one purchase of regularly priced clothing. Just use the code BAKEDIN at checkout. Head to thenormalbrand.com and find your new favorite fit. Let's roll...
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    1 h et 3 min
  • Episode 100 - Live From 4 Hands!

    Episode 100 - Live From 4 Hands!
    Oct 27 2025
    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 on current projects and challenges, the value of collaborations, the evolution of leadership and the amazing spirit of the St. Louis community. Lots of insights from some real seasoned pros. We also want to give a shout out to a new supporter of the show - St. Louis' own The Normal Brand. Great people, great story (episode #67) and some damn fine clothes. And they're offering listeners a one-time 15% off promotion. Just use the code BAKEDIN at checkout.
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    1 h
  • Episode 99: Alexis Zotos | Modern Media Entrepreneur

    Episode 99: Alexis Zotos | Modern Media Entrepreneur
    Oct 7 2025
    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 behind the pivot—how she’s monetizing her platforms, what it takes to run her own media operation, and whether storytelling or sustainability drives her strategy. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to leave a legacy career and build something from scratch, this episode is for you. Let’s roll… #stlouis #companionbaking #joshallen #alexiszotos #modernmedia #socialmedia
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    45 min
  • Episode 98: Katie Lee | Katie's Pizza and Pasta

    Episode 98: Katie Lee | Katie's Pizza and Pasta
    Sep 22 2025
    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 only a small team of dedicated bakers. Plus, how she’s building an incredible group of talented chefs and food professionals, many of which she’s attracted from outside of St Louis. All the while filming a documentary on the Target launch, building new restaurants, and doing her best to be a mom and staying grounded. So cool to give her a few minutes to share a little long form decompression from all that’s happening. Let’s go… #katielee #katiespizza #target #wholefoods #stlouis #companionbaking
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    50 min
  • Episode 97: Dr. Cliff Redford | Worldwide Vet

    Episode 97: Dr. Cliff Redford | Worldwide Vet
    Aug 29 2025
    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 the streets of India, his journey is anything but ordinary. We’ll talk about the making of his award-winning documentary Dr. Cliff Worldwide Vet, the leadership lessons he’s learned from working in war zones and remote communities, and how involving his kids in his work has shaped both his family and his legacy. If you’ve ever wondered how passion, purpose, and a little bit of risk can transform a career — this episode is for you. Let’s roll… #veterinarian #cliffredford #animals #warzones #DrCliff
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    43 min
  • Episode 96: Aaron Park | Arch Apparel

    Episode 96: Aaron Park | Arch Apparel
    Aug 22 2025
    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—navigating shifting fashion trends, economic headwinds, and the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship. In this episode, we dive into what it means to lead a creatively driven business, how mental health ties so intimately with small business ownership, and why Aaron believes small businesses can—and should—play a role in civic transformation. #stlouis #apparel #civicpride #australian #entrepreneuer
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    54 min
  • Episode 95: Craig Kaminer | Sophisticated Living St. Louis

    Episode 95: Craig Kaminer | Sophisticated Living St. Louis
    Aug 15 2025
    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—leading Sophisticated Living St. Louis, a luxury lifestyle magazine that’s not only survived the digital revolution, but thrived in it. In a time when print is often considered obsolete, Craig has built an omnichannel media powerhouse that reaches tens of thousands of affluent readers through elegant storytelling, high-impact visuals, and a hyper-local lens. We’ll explore how he launched the magazine, the evolution of luxury media, and why Sophisticated Living continues to be the go-to resource for brands that want to connect with the city’s most influential voices.
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    54 min
  • Episode 94: Jennifer Williams | STL Closet Co.

    Episode 94: Jennifer Williams | STL Closet Co.
    Jul 24 2025
    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 companies in the U.S., all while staying deeply rooted in her St. Louis community. In this episode, we’re talking about the grit it takes to grow from nothing and the values that shape a thriving company culture. We’ll also explore how she leads with heart, gives back with purpose, and keeps moving forward — even when the world throws curveballs. Let’s roll… #closets #organization #innovation #leadership
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    48 min