This week on the Business Brief podcast, we're cooking with caffeine and cocoa. First, the show looks at caffeine consumption by Generation Z. Then, it covers the rising price of cocoa — and what that means for sweets producers and consumers holiday season.

This week's episode of the Business Brief podcast explores a Missouri business trying to make more environmentally friendly houses with straw. Plus, the podcast looks at a state tax aimed at helping conservation efforts.

This week's episode of the Business Brief podcast examines the rise of Chappell Roan, the pop music star with southwest Missouri roots. Plus, the show covers retail trends expected to shape this holiday shopping season.

This week's episode of the Business Brief podcast looks at how local farmers and researchers are working to boost a niche but growing crop – chestnuts. Plus, the show examines an uptick in demand for emergency contraception since the election.

This week's episode of the Business Brief podcast looks at how local farmers and researchers are working to boost a niche but growing crop – chestnuts. Plus, the show examines an uptick in demand for emergency contraception since the election.

This week's episode of the Business Brief podcast covers a spooky trend in the job market: ghost jobs.

Then, the show looks at the rising rate of small college closures in Missouri and what it means for prospective students.

This week, the Business Brief podcast discusses cannabis microbusiness licenses that may not be what they seem.

The show also covers and a new statewide loan program working to provide access to capital to struggling small business owners.

This week's episode of the Business Brief podcast looks at the implications of a measure that would legalize sports betting in Missouri.

Then, the show examines how the election could affect the future of federal funding for reproductive health care.

This week's episode of the Business Brief podcast examines potential consequences of a measure that would raise Missouri’s minimum wage to $15 an hour.

Then, the show features a conversation with the state official tasked with making things more equitable in the booming cannabis industry.

This week's episode of the Business Brief podcast examines what a proposal to legalize sports betting in Missouri really means for education funding.

Then, the show covers competing craft beer brewers coming together for the good of the industry.