Chris Geden is a “boots on the ground” community leader in the City of St. Louis. He’s best known for his career working with Youth in the City, and for helping start the Tower Grove Farmers Market. 

Chris joins the podcast to “Speak Up” about better serving our region’s Youth, and explain how the Tower Grove Farmers Market got started. As always, Chris keeps this conversation fun yet 100% real as he offers his perspective on St. Louis.

Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show!

Cara Spencer is the Alderwoman of the 20th Ward, and a candidate for Mayor in the City of St. Louis.

Cara joins the podcast to discuss her campaign's platform, innovative solutions to the City's biggest problems, and the strategies she would use to make St. Louis "the next fastest growing city in the nation."

https://caraspencer4mayor.com/

This week producer LRKR  and Co-hosts Lucas and Quinton are taking time to reflect on the last ten episodes of the podcast.

In this episode, we discussed the moments that have impacted us during the podcast, connecting underlying themes and thoughts that speak to the relationship that we have with St. Louis and individuals that live here.

A “Crew Review” will drop after every 10th episode, as a way to briefly overview our previous conversations. Check out our previous episodes (0 - 10) as well.

Thanks to everyone for listening, and joining us on this journey. 

Our guest this week is Dr. Ryan Pride. Ryan is a certified Leadership Coach, Industrial/Organizational Psychologist, Yoga Instructor, keynote speaker, and author.  He combines experience working in Fortune 500 companies with knowledge from Psychology and Eastern philosophy to help transform leaders/individuals.

Ryan is the founder of the Moksha Institute.  His vision is to revolutionize the management consulting field, which has become replete with those only concerned about financial gain.  The idea of a caring consultant that is dedicated to creating thriving organizations and engaged people is foreign today.   However, employee wellbeing continues to decline; with most of our time spent at work, this affects every person on the planet.

Ryan has over 15 years of experience working with Fortune 500 companies across the world.  He has built and led his own Organizational Development function, was the VP of HR for two of the largest furniture companies in the world, serves as a leadership coach to CEOs and Business Leads across multiple industries, and provides life coaching to those seeking to change their life.

https://www.mokshainstitute.com/

Mac McKenzie is the Founder and Owner of Mac's Local Buys and Mac's Local Eats.

In this episode of Speak Up St. Louis, we discuss his intro to the world of food, his focus on responsibly-sourcing proteins and fresh ingredients, and his love of smash burgers.  Mac is a man of many talents, a consumer advocate, and an all-around cool dude. Tune in to this week's episode and if you like what you hear, make sure to subscribe!

https://www.macslocaleats.com/

Segun Babalola is the President of the St. Louis African Chamber of Commerce.

As the son of a diplomat, Segun has lived all over the world. Born in Nigeria, he lived in the Ivory Coast, Tunisia, and Paris, before making his way to Missouri for college. His focus on local politics and economic development led him to found a local African Chamber of Commerce to strengthen our immigrant community, and help facilitate trade between St. Louis and the African continent.

In this episode, we discuss Segun's international journey to St. Louis, his global perspective on local issues such as immigration, media, race and merger, and the opportunities for commerce between Africa and STL.

Do not miss this fascinating and lively conversation!  Segun is a Man of the World, and we are lucky to have him here in St. Louis.

https://www.africanchamberstl.com/

Jason Gerhardt is the President of the Permaculture Institute and Director of Confluence Farms, a 250 acre regenerative agriculture site located in Florissant MO, on the bluffs of the Missouri River.

Jason joins Speak Up St. Louis to discuss Permaculture Design, how it's being implemented at scale on Confluence Farms, and how it can be leveraged to improve St. Louis as a whole. We also explore the importance of natural systems, the interconnectedness of cities, landscapes, and people, and Jason's practice of Zen Buddhism.

This is a profound conversation with a very cool, and very wise dude. We are lucky to have Jason Gerhardt and Confluence Farms in St. Louis, and wish them well as they begin this project!

https://permaculture.org/

Lynn Peemoeller is a Food Systems Planner, and a faculty member at WashU. Her work blends natural science, urban planning, policy, agriculture, food, culture, activism, and the arts.

Her family recently moved to St. Louis after living in Chicago, Berlin, and New York City. Lynn joins the podcast to discuss our local food system, urban planning, St. Louis culture, and her perspective on our city as a newcomer. 

Thanks for listening and enjoy! And remember St. Louis, SPEAK UP!

Sal Martinez is a  legend in the world of St. Louis Community Development.

Sal is the Executive Director of Employment Connection, founder of the North Newstead Association, and former leader of the St. Louis Housing Authority. 

Sal joins the Speak Up St. Louis podcast to discuss his roots as a political organizer in the 1990s,  his development work in North St. Louis, how to stop the violence in St. Louis, and what it means to be a dedicated servant of the community.

Thanks and enjoy the show!

Alex Henry is a University City based filmmaker and Hip-Hop producer.

Alex has been recording Hip-Hop music in St. Louis since 1991, and has worked with some of the most legendary local rappers including the St. Lunatics, Da Hol 9, and Pretty Willie.

Big AL joins Speak Up St. Louis to talk about the history of Hip-Hop in St. Louis, growing up in U-City, the legendary SAINTS Roller Rink, and what St. Louis needs to do to get back on top.

Huge shout out to Alex for joining us, thanks for sharing your wisdom, stories, and perspective!

https://www.facebook.com/stlmediacompany

https://www.facebook.com/colorsoundcreate