The Rundown with Rene Knott

🎬 THIS WEEK ON THE RUNDOWN WITH RENE KNOTT 🎬

This week, DeMaurice Smith, former Executive Director of the NFL Players Association and author of Turf Wars, joins Rene Knott for a revealing conversation about leadership, power, perseverance, and the business of professional football.

This episode is a preview of a special LIVE edition of The Rundown, scheduled for Monday, November 16, at 7:00 PM at the Clark Family Branch of the St. Louis County Library.

For 14 years, Smith represented NFL players through some of the most consequential battles in league history, negotiating landmark labor agreements, challenging billionaire team owners, and fighting for player rights.

Now, in his book Turf Wars: The Fight for the Soul of America's Game, Smith pulls back the curtain on the power struggles, personalities, and decisions that shaped the modern NFL.

From negotiating with NFL owners to standing up for players on and off the field, Smith shares lessons about leadership, accountability, and what it takes to challenge powerful institutions.

It's a conversation that goes far beyond football — exploring who holds the power, who benefits, and what it takes to stand up for what you believe in.

🖤 LEADERSHIP.
💛 POWER.
🖤 PURPOSE.

Join us for a special evening of conversation about football, leadership, and the stories behind Turf Wars.

📅 Monday, November 16 | 7:00 PM
📍 Clark Family Branch, St. Louis County Library

Watch this week's episode, then join us LIVE on November 16!

#TheRundown #ReneKnott #DeMauriceSmith #TurfWars #NFL #NFLPA #Leadership #StLouis #LiveRundown

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🎬 THIS WEEK ON THE RUNDOWN WITH RENE KNOTT 🎬

From the music industry to mentoring the next generation, Marlon Whitfield is building on a family legacy that began long before him.

This week, Marlon Whitfield joins Rene Knott for a conversation about music, entrepreneurship, youth empowerment, and the importance of knowing where you come from.

Marlon shares stories about working with St. Louis hip-hop artist Murphy Lee, his journey through the entertainment and business worlds, and his passion for creating opportunities for young people.

Through the Whitfield Foundation for Success, Marlon is helping expose St. Louis youth to new possibilities through film, technology, education, and hands-on learning experiences.

But perhaps the most compelling part of his story is his family heritage.

Marlon reflects on the legacy of his great-grandfather, Rev. Owen Whitfield, who helped lead the historic 1939 Missouri sharecroppers' protest for economic justice. That commitment to opportunity and community empowerment continues to influence Marlon's work today.

From hip-hop connections to helping young people discover their potential, this episode explores how one man's journey connects music, history, business, and service.

🖤 MUSIC.
💛 MENTORSHIP.
🖤 LEGACY.
💛 PURPOSE.

Watch this week's episode of The Rundown with Rene Knott.

🎬 New episodes every Friday.

#TheRundown #ReneKnott #MarlonWhitfield #MurphyLee #WhitfieldFoundation #StLouis #STLHipHop #YouthEmpowerment #FamilyLegacy #Mentorship #Community

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🎬 THIS WEEK ON THE RUNDOWN WITH RENE KNOTT 🎬

What does it take to lead one of the region’s most important offices in the criminal justice system?

This week, Melissa Price Smith, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney, joins Rene Knott for a conversation about justice, leadership, public safety, and the challenges facing our community.

From her years in the courtroom to becoming the first woman to serve as St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney, Price Smith shares her perspective on the responsibilities of the office and the decisions that affect victims, families, and the broader community.

The conversation explores the balance between accountability and fairness, the importance of public trust, and the challenges of leading an office responsible for prosecuting criminal cases across St. Louis County.

Beyond the courtroom, Rene and Melissa discuss leadership, public service, and the experiences that have shaped her approach to the law.

🖤 JUSTICE.

💛 LEADERSHIP.

🖤 COMMUNITY.

New episodes every Friday.

#TheRundown #ReneKnott #MelissaPriceSmith #StLouisCounty #Justice #Leadership #PublicSafety #StLouis #Community

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This week on The Rundown with Rene Knott, attorney and former Missouri State Representative Don Calloway joins Rene to discuss his journey through law, business, and politics—and the case that could define his legal career.

Calloway and his legal team have filed a $549 million lawsuit on behalf of Lincoln University graduates, alleging decades of unequal funding for the historically Black institution.

From the corporate boardroom to the courtroom, Calloway shares his story and explains why this fight is about more than money. It's about opportunity, equality, and generations of students.

Don't miss this week's conversation on The Rundown with Rene Knott.

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This week on The Rundown, Rene sits down with Katie Lee, founder of Katie's Pizza & Pasta Osteria, for a conversation about a journey that goes far beyond pizza.

Katie opens up about overcoming addiction, the complicated but lasting influence of her father, and the determination it took to turn a St. Louis restaurant into a rapidly growing national brand. Her new memoir, Unemployable, traces that path from addiction and recovery to entrepreneurship and expansion. Today, Katie’s includes restaurants, a growing packaged-food business, and products sold in thousands of stores nationwide. 

It’s a conversation about resilience, family, risk, and what happens when someone refuses to let their past determine their future.

This week, Katie Lee joins Rene Knott on The Rundown.

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On this special MATI mini edition of The Rundown, Rene Knott sits down with legendary super producer, singer, and musician Wyclef to talk about the influences behind his music and what keeps him inspired. Along the way, Wyclef shares memorable stories—including that first meeting with the King of Pop.

A short episode with a music legend and stories worth hearing. Watch Wyclef Jean on The Rundown with Rene Knott.

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Tamara Keefe joins Rene Knott for a conversation about entrepreneurship, purpose, community, and the story behind Clementine’s Ice Cream.

Tamara’s journey with ice cream started long before Clementine’s became a St. Louis favorite. As a child, a simple hand-crank ice cream maker helped turn Sunday afternoons into a family ritual — and showed her how food could bring people together. Clementine’s later grew from that idea of connection into a small-batch ice cream brand with multiple St. Louis-area locations, nationwide shipping, catering, and its signature Naughty, Nice, and Non-Dairy flavors.

In this episode, Tamara talks with Rene about leaving corporate life, building a brand from scratch, creating flavors with personality, and why ice cream has always been about more than dessert.

And there’s a special treat in this week’s episode. During what would normally be our commercial break, Rene takes a moment to catch up with Wyclef Jean for a quick conversation.

It’s an episode about courage, creativity, community — with a little surprise along the way.

🖤 PURPOSE.
💛 FLAVOR.
🖤 COMMUNITY.

Watch this week’s episode of The Rundown with Rene Knott.

New episodes every Friday.

#TheRundown #ReneKnott #TamaraKeefe #ClementinesCreamery #WyclefJean #StLouis #STLFood #Entrepreneurship #Community #FoodCulture

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THIS WEEK ON THE RUNDOWN WITH RENE KNOTT 

Kyjuan of the world-famous St. Lunatics joins Rene Knott for a conversation about music, culture, business, and staying rooted in St. Louis.

Proudly representing University City and St. Louis, Missouri, Kyjuan reflects on his journey from hip-hop success to new ventures in business, music, fashion, comedy, and peacemaking.

From stages around the world to conversations that bring people together, Kyjuan has carried his own brand of fashion, jokes, smokes, and St. Louis pride everywhere he goes — all while waving the St. Louis flag.

This episode is about legacy, growth, creativity, and what it means to keep representing your city with purpose.

New episodes every Friday.

#TheRundown #ReneKnott #Kyjuan #StLunatics #UniversityCity #StLouis #STLMusic #HipHopCulture #StLouisPride #MusicLegacy

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🎬 THIS WEEK ON THE RUNDOWN WITH RENE KNOTT 🎬

Mike Bush joins Rene Knott for a conversation about storytelling, service, and a historic career in St. Louis journalism.

For more than four decades, Mike Bush has been one of the most trusted and treasured voices in local news. After 41 years at KSDK 5 On Your Side, Mike recently signed off from the anchor desk, closing a remarkable chapter in St. Louis television history.

In this episode, Rene sits down with Mike to reflect on the stories, people, moments, and lessons that shaped his career — and what it means to serve a city with consistency, heart, and integrity.

It’s a conversation about legacy, journalism, purpose, and the power of telling stories that matter.

🖤 JOURNALISM.
💛 LEGACY.
🖤 ST. LOUIS.

Watch this week’s episode of The Rundown with Rene Knott.

New episodes every Friday.

#TheRundown #ReneKnott #MikeBush #KSDK #5OnYourSide #StLouis #Journalism #LocalNews #Storytelling #Legacy

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🎬 THIS WEEK ON THE RUNDOWN WITH RENE KNOTT 🎬

Anthony Slaughter returns to The Rundown — becoming the first guest to appear for a second episode.

Rene and Anthony’s connection goes back to their days together at KSDK, where they were not only colleagues in the newsroom, but also developed a true friendship built on respect, shared experiences, and real conversation.

Now, both are exploring life after the news.

In this episode, Rene and Anthony talk about new ventures, personal growth, the transition from television news into new chapters, and what it means to live fully and authentically.

Anthony also opens up about his personal journey, including the courage it takes to embrace who you are and share that truth with the world.

It’s a conversation about friendship, reinvention and purpose.

Watch this week’s episode of The Rundown with Rene Knott.

New episodes every Friday.

Support the show

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