In this episode of The STL Bucket List Show, Luke sits down with Lauren Healey, Executive Editor of Sauce Magazine, for a behind-the-scenes conversation about what it really takes to keep a legacy local publication alive, relevant, and growing in 2026.

Lauren shares the honest story of where Sauce was last summer, why the acquisition happened fast, and what the last six months have looked like rebuilding with a small team and a strong freelance bench. They talk about how modern media has changed, why print still matters, what performs online (yes, people love lists), and how Sauce’s work can tangibly move the needle for restaurants and small businesses across St. Louis.

They also get into Lauren’s path into journalism, from small-town life outside Springfield to building a career in magazines, and what she still loves about writing about food: telling stories that feel joyful, meaningful, and community-driven.

Plus: what’s coming next for Sauce in 2026, including upcoming issues, expanded distribution, and the return of Food Truck Friday this spring.

Listen now and stay tuned for a big year ahead for Sauce Magazine.

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📍 Recorded at Bucket List Podcast Studio, St. Louis, MO

This week, Luke sits down with Bernadette Faasen, owner of Cobalt Smoke & Sea, to talk about what it really takes to run a restaurant, build a loyal community, and create a dining experience that feels “worth it” every single time.

They get into:

• How Cobalt was designed to feel like an experience, not just dinner
• Balancing restaurant life with being a mom of three boys, and never missing a game
• Why the Let’s Get Cupid pop-up exists, and how it turns February into something fun
• What people misunderstand about owning a restaurant, and Bernadette’s advice for women building businesses
• Her STL favorites, from Katie’s Pizza & Pasta and Napoli to women-owned staples like Genovese Jewelers and Ju Ju Bs

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday.
📍Follow @stlbucketlist for more STL recs.

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📍 Recorded at Bucket List Podcast Studio, St. Louis, MO

From Vegas mega-resorts to St. Louis entertainment weekends, this episode goes behind the scenes with Mike Jerlecki, Vice President and General Manager for Hollywood Casino St. Louis and River City Casino (PENN Entertainment).

We talk about what it’s really like running a casino operation, how the guest experience is built from the ground up, and what’s coming next for sports betting in Missouri.

In this episode, we cover:

• Mike’s path through the casino industry, from valet to leadership, and why hospitality is the whole game
• What’s changing in gaming tech, cashless wallets, mobile betting, and responsible gaming controls
• The vision for new sports books at Hollywood and River City, massive screens, full-service food and drinks, and big-game energy
• How casinos impact St. Louis beyond entertainment, education funding, jobs, scholarships, and community partnerships
• Why live experiences still win, concerts, UFC, packed sports books, and the social “third space” people crave

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📍 Recorded at Bucket List Podcast Studio, St. Louis, MO

On this week's episode of The STL Bucket List Show, Luke sits down with Justin Mincher (President) and Tyson Cameron (Vice President) from Team St. Louis, a local organization building an inclusive community for LGBTQ+ people and allies through sports, social events, and healthy lifestyle programming.

From volleyball leagues that are at-capacity to pickleball socials that welcome total beginners, Team St. Louis is creating a true “third space” where people can move, meet friends, and feel like they belong.

In this episode, we cover:

• What Team St. Louis is, how it started, and why sports build community differently than typical rec leagues
• Pickleball + volleyball programs, divisions for all skill levels, and how they help newcomers find a team
• Why “third spaces” matter, and how they’re expanding beyond bar-centered social scenes
• Upcoming highlights like the Team St. Louis float trip and new ideas like a hiking club
• Their long-term vision, including building a future facility to support even more programming

✅ Learn more, register, or donate: teamstlouis.org
📲 Follow Team St. Louis on Instagram + Facebook for updates

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🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube
📍 Recorded at Bucket List Podcast Studio, St. Louis, MO

On this week's episode of The STL Bucket List Show, host Lucas Farrell sits down with Nick Sansone of Sansone Group. 

Nick is a St. Louis real estate leader with deep family roots in the region, and a huge passion for supporting local businesses, restaurants, and the community. In this conversation, Nick shares what it’s like building a family business where the company name is also the family name, and why relationships, trust, and showing up in real life still matter more than ever.

We cover:

• Nick’s St. Louis roots, Italian heritage, and early memories that still shape the family today
• The Sansone family approach to business, culture, and carrying a legacy forward
• Why relationship building is still the real “secret weapon” in real estate
• The old-school habits that stand out now, handwritten notes, follow-ups, and in-person meetings
• Nick’s favorite St. Louis staples, from The Hill to Carl’s Drive-In
• Advice for the next generation trying to break into real estate and stand out in an AI-heavy world

🎙️ New episodes drop every Wednesday.

📍 Follow STL Bucket List for more people, places, and stories that make St. Louis special.

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🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube
📍 Recorded at Bucket List Podcast Studio, St. Louis, MO

From North County and Jennings to film, music, and cinematic short-form storytelling, Eric “Remrod” Mayes has been using creativity to spotlight St. Louis for years.

In this episode of The STL Bucket List Show, Remrod shares how his early passion for music, photography, and film led to building a platform rooted in positivity, consistency, and community impact. We talk about what it really takes to stay creative long-term, why giving back to local businesses matters, and how he approaches short-form video in a way that feels both cinematic and authentic.

You’ll hear:

• How growing up in STL shaped his creative path
• Why spotlighting local businesses is bigger than content
• His process for shooting, scripting, and editing short-form videos
• The balance between creativity, family, and consistency
• A first look at Half Order, his upcoming documentary exploring Chinese cuisine and Black culture in St. Louis

Whether you’re a creator, entrepreneur, or someone who loves discovering the stories behind STL’s hidden gems, Remrod’s perspective offers a thoughtful look at how culture, community, and creativity intersect.

🔗 Connect with Remrod: www.remrod.com | @remrod

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🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube
📍 Recorded at Bucket List Podcast Studio, St. Louis, MO

From Dallas to downtown St. Louis, from corporate banking to coaching and community building, Britteney Ofodile has been quietly shaping spaces that help women lead with confidence and grow with purpose.

In this episode of The STL Bucket List Show, Britteney shares how moving to a city where she knew no one became the catalyst for building Her Move, a digital community for mompreneurs and ambitious women, and how she ended up consulting for one of downtown’s buzziest spots, The Moniker. We also get into the difference between customer service and true hospitality, what it takes to build social capital in St. Louis, and why moms deserve more than a “thank you” text.

You’ll hear:

• How a stay at home season pushed her to reinvent herself
• The story behind Her Move and creating community for mompreneurs
• What she’s learned helping build The Moniker into a downtown staple
• The real difference between customer service and hospitality
• How to show up for the moms in your life in small but powerful ways
• Why collaboration and “bringing something to the table” matters in STL

Whether you are a mom, an entrepreneur, or just someone trying to find your lane in St. Louis, Britteney’s story is a reminder that you can start over, build something new, and still honor your values and your family.

🔗 Connect with Britteney:
@brittanythecoach
brittanythecoach.com

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🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube
📍 Recorded at Bucket List Podcast Studio, St. Louis, MO

St. Louis is a city of neighborhoods, and for Maryann Vitale Alles, home is where everything starts.

In this episode of The STL Bucket List Show, host Lucas Farrell sits down with Maryann, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties, to talk about growing up on The Hill, building a 500 agent company, and why values and culture matter just as much as sales volume.

From first time buyers and luxury homes to tornado recovery and hyper local neighborhood expertise, Maryann shares how her team helps families make one of the biggest decisions of their lives and why St. Louis is still one of the most affordable and underrated markets in the country.

We talk about:

• Growing up on The Hill and what home means to Maryann
• How she went from agent to CEO and co-founding Select Properties
• Building teams, mentoring agents, and creating micro leaders
• Why affordability, schools, and walkable neighborhoods set STL apart
• How agents support neighborhoods like Benton Park, Cottleville, Edwardsville, Kirkwood, Webster, and more
• Practical advice for first time homebuyers in today’s market
• The new Neighborhood Series partnership with STL Bucket List

If you love St. Louis, are thinking about buying or selling, or just want to understand our market a little better, this conversation will give you a new appreciation for the place we call home.

🌐 Learn More: bhhsselectstl.com

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🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube
📍 Recorded at Bucket List Podcast Studio, St. Louis, MO

Saving lives with one small case.

This week on The STL Bucket List Show, host Luke Farrell sits down with Dani Wilder and Matt Bitner-Glindzicz, the founders of nCase Technologies — a St. Louis startup on a mission to make carrying naloxone (Narcan) as simple as carrying your keys.

What began as a tragic loss in college led to an idea that could change public health nationwide. Their patented naloxone keychain case is waterproof, discreet, temperature-resistant, and designed to increase the likelihood that people carry lifesaving medication with them.

In this episode, we cover:

• The opioid epidemic in America — and why young adults are the most impacted
• How a medical student and an engineer teamed up to rethink harm reduction
• The design process behind the nCase keychain and their early product testing
• Winning Arch Grants and scaling a mission-first startup
• The realities of building a company as partners (and fiancés)
• Why education, stigma reduction, and accessibility matter more than ever
• How St. Louis can support harm-reduction work right now

🔗 Learn more: ncasetechnologies.com
🔗 Order a case: ncasetechnologies.com/shop

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🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube
📍 Recorded at Bucket List Podcast Studio, St. Louis, MO

Belonging, big stages, and brave voices with The St. Louis Children’s Choirs

This week on The STL Bucket List Show, Luke sits down with Ben Nordstrom (Executive Director) and Dr. Alyson Moore (Artistic Director) of the St. Louis Children’s Choirs, an iconic program that has been shaping young singers and leaders for 48 seasons.

They talk about how SLCC blends musical excellence with character growth, why belonging is at the heart of every rehearsal, and what happens when 400 kids from across the region step on stage at places like Powell Hall and Carnegie Hall.

We cover:
🎵 How singing in a choir builds confidence, discipline, and communit
🧠 Why music education boosts language, curiosity, and overall learning
🎤 The audition process, tuition assistance, and making sure cost is never a barrier
🎄 A look inside Illuminate, their December 7 holiday concert at Powell Hall
🏙️ Why children’s voices are one of the brightest stories in St. Louis

Learn more, donate, or grab concert tickets at slccsing.org.

Support the show

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube
📍 Recorded at Bucket List Podcast Studio, St. Louis, MO