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.

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📍 Recorded at Bucket List Podcast Studio, St. Louis, MO
🚘 The STL Bucket List Show is driven by Bommarito Automotive Group.

Michelle Tucker, President and CEO of United Way of Greater St. Louis, joins The STL Bucket List Show to talk leadership, community impact, and how collective giving and volunteer power support more than a million neighbors each year.

We cover:

• Her path from corporate leadership to the nonprofit sector, and what carries over
• How the region’s community campaign works, and why it matters
• 211, what to call it for, and connecting to 28,000+ resources
• United for Families, a two-generation approach that lifts entire households
• Volunteer power and how to plug in at stlvolunteer.org
• Leadership lessons, mentors, and choosing harmony over balance
• STL favorites, from Forest Park lunches and Balloon Glow to Leono and Turn

🖥️ Learn more or support: helpingpeople.org • stlvolunteer.org

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🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube
📍 Recorded at Bucket List Podcast Studio, St. Louis, MO
🚘 The STL Bucket List Show is driven by Bommarito Automotive Group.

St. Louis comedian Greg Warren joins host Luke Farrell ahead of a huge month — performing seven hometown shows at the St. Louis Funny Bone (Nov. 6–9, including a Sunday family matinee) and appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Dec. 15.

Greg shares stories from his early days at Mizzou and The Funny Bone, his decade-long career at Procter & Gamble before taking the leap into comedy full-time, and what it takes to stay sharp in an ever-changing industry.

We cover:

• Getting the call to perform on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
• Transitioning from corporate life to stand-up
• How consistency, writing, and “morning pages” shape great comedy
• Social media’s role in modern success — from Facebook Reels to YouTube specials
• Growing up in Kirkwood and representing STL on the national stage
• Barbecue favorites, Mizzou wrestling memories, and life on the road

🎟️ Tickets: stlouisfunnybone.com
📲 Follow Greg: @grockwarren | gregwarrencomedy.com

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube
 —
 The STL Bucket List Show is driven by Bommarito Automotive Group.

Support the show

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube
📍 Recorded at Bucket List Podcast Studio, St. Louis, MO
🚘 The STL Bucket List Show is driven by Bommarito Automotive Group.

Roughly 79 million people worldwide stutter. In St. Louis, the National Stuttering Association (NSA) is building connection, confidence, and community — so no one has to navigate it alone.

On this episode of The STL Bucket List Show, host Lucas Farrell sits down with Chad Mannisi (Chair of the NSA Board of Directors) and Christine Rose (Regional Chapter Coordinator & speech-language pathologist at SLU) to talk about creating safe spaces, advocacy, and resources for people who stutter and their families.

We cover:

• Why “you are not alone” matters: chapters, conferences, and everyday community
• The shift from “fixing” stuttering to acceptance + effective communication
• Self-advocacy for kids/teens (and how parents & teachers can help)
• Local resources: monthly STL chapters, rotating family/teens meetups, and SLU’s free speech clinic
• Practical tools: back-to-school guides, mock interviews, employer resources
• A new Missouri driver’s license note (“Speech Impair”) to help in first-responder interactions (rolling out)

🖥️ Get connected & resources: westutter.org
SLU clinic info: Search “SLU Speech-Language & Hearing Clinic”

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube
🚗 The STL Bucket List Show is driven by Bommarito Automotive Group

Support the show

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube
📍 Recorded at Bucket List Podcast Studio, St. Louis, MO
🚘 The STL Bucket List Show is driven by Bommarito Automotive Group.

The Old Orchard Fall Festival is back—and bigger. 

This week on The STL Bucket List Show, host Luke Farrell sits down with Madeleine Wiering, of Papillon Press, and Lexie Toomey, of First House, to share how Webster Groves’ Old Orchard District is turning Big Bend into a two-day neighborhood celebration.

Festival at a glance:

• 🗓️ Oct 25–26 • 10 AM–6 PM both days
• 📍 Old Orchard, Webster Groves (Big Bend Blvd between East Dale & Summit)
• 🎟️ Free to attend — RSVP encouraged

What to expect:

• Live music all day both days
• 30+ local makers and vendors
• Food trucks + neighborhood restaurants
• Kids’ make-and-take pumpkin crafts
• Petting zoo (12–3 PM behind Civil Alchemy)
• Saturday Night Market (4–9 PM) with drinks, a DJ, and late-night shopping

We cover:

• How a pre-pandemic neighborhood event is returning as a true community festival
• What families can expect (parking, layout, kids’ area, petting zoo times)
• The vendor experience (overnight tent security, easy load-in)
• How local sponsorships make it possible

🔗 More Details: Old Orchard Fall Festival
🖤 Presented by the Merchant & Business Association of Old Orchard with support from the City of Webster Groves.
 

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube.
🚘 The STL Bucket List Show is driven by Bommarito Automotive Group.

Support the show

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube
📍 Recorded at Bucket List Podcast Studio, St. Louis, MO
🚘 The STL Bucket List Show is driven by Bommarito Automotive Group.

The Old Orchard Fall Festival is back—and bigger. 

This week on The STL Bucket List Show, host Luke Farrell sits down with Madeleine Wiering, of Papillon Press, and Lexie Toomey, of First House, to share how Webster Groves’ Old Orchard District is turning Big Bend into a two-day neighborhood celebration.

Festival at a glance:

• 🗓️ Oct 25–26 • 10 AM–6 PM both days
• 📍 Old Orchard, Webster Groves (Big Bend Blvd between East Dale & Summit)
• 🎟️ Free to attend — RSVP encouraged

What to expect:

• Live music all day both days
• 30+ local makers and vendors
• Food trucks + neighborhood restaurants
• Kids’ make-and-take pumpkin crafts
• Petting zoo (12–3 PM behind Civil Alchemy)
• Saturday Night Market (4–9 PM) with drinks, a DJ, and late-night shopping

We cover:

• How a pre-pandemic neighborhood event is returning as a true community festival
• What families can expect (parking, layout, kids’ area, petting zoo times)
• The vendor experience (overnight tent security, easy load-in)
• How local sponsorships make it possible

🔗 More Details: Old Orchard Fall Festival
🖤 Presented by the Merchant & Business Association of Old Orchard with support from the City of Webster Groves.
 

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube.
🚘 The STL Bucket List Show is driven by Bommarito Automotive Group.

Support the show

From North City & North County to the NFL and back home to lead, Brandon Williams’ journey has always been about team—and today that team is the 6–18-year-olds served by Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis.

On this week’s episode of The STL Bucket List Show, host Lucas Farrell sits down with Brandon (Hazelwood East alum, Wisconsin Badger, former 49er/Ram/Steeler) to talk about why out-of-school time matters and how BGCSTL is helping kids feel safe, seen, and supported across the region.

We cover:

• Growing up in STL: Ascension → Hazelwood/Parkway (DSEG) → Normandy → Hazelwood East (Hall of Fame)
• Wisconsin football, the NFL, and lessons carried into leadership
• Early athlete-tech efforts (Venture Draft) and a pivot into business (wealth management, AB, MBA, Battlehawks)
• Why 3–7pm is critical—and how Clubs meet needs with Power Hour homework help, mentorship, sports, arts, and STEM/STEAM
• Entry points: summer camp, after-school, and teen leadership (Keystone) that keep kids engaged through graduation
• How local businesses and neighbors can plug in: partnerships, volunteering, and support

 🌐 Learn more / support: bgcstl.org

The STL Bucket List Show is driven by Bommarito Automotive Group.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube

Support the show

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube
📍 Recorded at Bucket List Podcast Studio, St. Louis, MO
🚘 The STL Bucket List Show is driven by Bommarito Automotive Group.

This week we sat down with Amee Colvin from the Lutheran Elementary School Association (LESA) and Steve Crider, owner of 2nd Shift Brewing, to talk about Brew in the Lou, one of St. Louis’ favorite fall festivals celebrating local beer, food, music, and community.

Brew in the Lou returns this weekend at Francis Park, featuring more than 40 local breweries, distilleries, restaurants, and food trucks. The event supports scholarships and educational programs for local Lutheran schools.

Amee shares the story behind the event and its impact, while Steve talks about 2nd Shift Brewing’s role and what makes St. Louis such a great beer city.

Support the show

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube
📍 Recorded at Bucket List Podcast Studio, St. Louis, MO
🚘 The STL Bucket List Show is driven by Bommarito Automotive Group.

Jarrett Young, Head of School at City Academy, joins The STL Bucket List Show to share how a small independent school in North St. Louis is transforming opportunities for kids and families through access, love, and education.

We cover:

• Jarrett’s journey: North STL → St. Louis Public Schools → MICDS (DSEG) → Bowdoin → Harvard → back home to lead City Academy
• Why 100% of students receive financial aid, with families paying ~$3,900 toward a $28,000 education
• The City Academy model: no buses, daily meals, extended day, and parents as true partners
• Alumni success stories: a WashU tenure-track professor, an NYU student in urban planning, and rising leaders at MICDS
• Growth plans: expanding early childhood while staying “small & special”
• The $2.8M+ raised annually to keep the doors open and accessible

🖥️ Learn more / support: cityacademystl.org
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube
🚗 The STL Bucket List Show is driven by Bommarito Automotive Group

Support the show

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube
📍 Recorded at Bucket List Podcast Studio, St. Louis, MO
🚘 The STL Bucket List Show is driven by Bommarito Automotive Group.

At 16 years old, Joshua “Mr. Fresh” Danrich has taken a garage-born idea and turned it into a shelf-ready product now sold in 100+ Walmart stores across Missouri — plus Schnucks, Dierbergs, and Mobile On The Run.

On this episode of The STL Bucket List Show, host Lucas Farrell digs into Joshua’s journey from science-loving kid to CEO of Mr. Fresh, an air freshener & deodorizer brand made with 100% essential oils.

We cover:

• Pitching at Walmart Open Call (and landing the golden ticket)
• Formulating a product with a chemist + building in public
• Balancing school, sports, and a growing company
• Why his acronym F.R.E.S.H. = Faith to Rescue Every Soul from Hurt
• The mantra that fuels him: “I do it anyways”

🧴 Shop & learn more: befreshnow.com

📲 Follow: @mrfreshglobal

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube
 🚘 The STL Bucket List Show is driven by Bommarito Automotive Group

Support the show

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube
📍 Recorded at Bucket List Podcast Studio, St. Louis, MO
🚘 The STL Bucket List Show is driven by Bommarito Automotive Group.