The STL Bucket List Show

On this episode of the STL Bucket List Show, we’re joined by Riya Kurian, the founder of Next Horizon —a boutique travel planning company that curates personalized, meaningful trips across Europe and beyond.

Riya shares how a spontaneous year teaching in France ignited her passion for cultural connection and solo travel, eventually leading her to leave the corporate world and launch her own business. From planning once-in-a-lifetime honeymoons to advising on credit card points, Riya walks us through her unique process, her niche as a travel advisor who only books places she’s personally experienced, and what it means to travel intentionally, not just widely.

We also talk:

• How to avoid travel burnout and plan the perfect balance of structure and spontaneity
• Why Santorini might not be your favorite Greek island (and where to go instead)
• Underrated European destinations that deserve your bucket list
• How Riya is rediscovering STL one coffee shop at a time

Whether you’re planning your dream honeymoon, thinking about solo travel, or just looking to make your next trip smoother, Riya’s story and insights are packed with helpful tips, laughs, and inspiration.

📍 Learn more or book a consultation at: nexthorizontravel.com

Recorded at the Bucket List Podcast Studio in St. Louis.

Support the show

🎙 New episodes drop every Wednesday.

🔔 SUBSCRIBE FOR NEW EPISODES EVERY WEEK 🔔

🎧 LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts ▶ https://apple.co/36ycuuO Spotify ▶ https://spoti.fi/3svGoqS

🔗 CONNECT WITH STL BUCKET LIST: Instagram ▶ https://www.instagram.com/stlbucketlist Website ▶ stlbucketlist.com

🤝 WORK WITH STL BUCKET LIST Interested in partnering or sponsoring an episode? Email ▶ [email protected] Website ▶ https://www.bucketlistcreative.com

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

On this episode of The STL Bucket List Show, host Lucas Farrell sits down with Dr. Alex Garza, Chief Community Health Officer at SSM Health, to talk about the intersection of healthcare, community impact, and leadership in St. Louis.

Dr. Garza shares powerful insights from his career as an emergency physician, former head of the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force, and Army veteran. We dive into his mission at SSM Health to create healthier communities through innovation, compassion, and access to care, especially for underserved populations.

From the importance of mental health to lessons learned from leading through COVID-19, this conversation highlights how local healthcare leaders are shaping a better future for all St. Louisans.

Topics covered include
• Dr. Garza’s path from emergency rooms to public health leadership
• How SSM Health is addressing health equity across the region
• Reflections on leading during the COVID-19 pandemic
• What makes St. Louis special and how we can all help enhance community health 

Whether you're in healthcare or simply passionate about the wellbeing of your neighbors, this episode will leave you inspired.

Recorded at Bucket List Podcast Studio in St. Louis MO

Support the show

🎙 New episodes drop every Wednesday.

🔔 SUBSCRIBE FOR NEW EPISODES EVERY WEEK 🔔

🎧 LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts ▶ https://apple.co/36ycuuO Spotify ▶ https://spoti.fi/3svGoqS

🔗 CONNECT WITH STL BUCKET LIST: Instagram ▶ https://www.instagram.com/stlbucketlist Website ▶ stlbucketlist.com

🤝 WORK WITH STL BUCKET LIST Interested in partnering or sponsoring an episode? Email ▶ [email protected] Website ▶ https://www.bucketlistcreative.com

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

This week, Lucas sits down with Larry Hagner, founder of The Dad Edge and host of one of the top fatherhood podcasts in the world. Larry is a St. Louis native, a father of four boys, and a guy who’s made it his mission to help men become better husbands, stronger fathers, and more grounded leaders.

Lucas, a dad of two under two, gets real with Larry about the ups and downs of parenting, the pressure men feel to have it all together, and why creating community around fatherhood matters more than ever.

Larry shares the story of how The Dad Edge started from a place of personal struggle and turned into a global movement with millions of listeners. They talk about everything from being present with your kids to keeping your marriage strong through the chaos of raising a young family.

This episode is honest, motivating, and full of moments that any parent will relate to. Whether you’re a new dad, a seasoned parent, or someone just trying to grow, this one will hit home.

Recorded at the Bucket List Podcast Studio in St. Louis.

Support the show

🎙 New episodes drop every Wednesday.

🔔 SUBSCRIBE FOR NEW EPISODES EVERY WEEK 🔔

🎧 LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts ▶ https://apple.co/36ycuuO Spotify ▶ https://spoti.fi/3svGoqS

🔗 CONNECT WITH STL BUCKET LIST: Instagram ▶ https://www.instagram.com/stlbucketlist Website ▶ stlbucketlist.com

🤝 WORK WITH STL BUCKET LIST Interested in partnering or sponsoring an episode? Email ▶ [email protected] Website ▶ https://www.bucketlistcreative.com

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

This week on The STL Bucket List Show, host Lucas Farrell sits down with two of St. Louis’s most influential tastemakers: Gerard Craft, James Beard Award-winning chef and founder of Niche Food Group, and David Wolfe, co-founder of Urban Chestnut Brewing Company.

Recorded at STL Bucket List Studios, this episode dives into their exciting new partnership: a permanent Fordo's Killer Pizza location inside the Urban Chestnut taproom in The Grove.

From the art of wood-fired pies to the evolution of Urban Chestnut as a community hub, Gerard and David share their vision for creating authentic, elevated, and accessible food and drink experiences in the heart of St. Louis. They also dive into their shared values, the power of local collaboration, and what’s next for this powerful STL duo.

Support the show

🎙 New episodes drop every Wednesday.

🔔 SUBSCRIBE FOR NEW EPISODES EVERY WEEK 🔔

🎧 LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts ▶ https://apple.co/36ycuuO Spotify ▶ https://spoti.fi/3svGoqS

🔗 CONNECT WITH STL BUCKET LIST: Instagram ▶ https://www.instagram.com/stlbucketlist Website ▶ stlbucketlist.com

🤝 WORK WITH STL BUCKET LIST Interested in partnering or sponsoring an episode? Email ▶ [email protected] Website ▶ https://www.bucketlistcreative.com

🎧 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, we sit down with Chris Hoffmann, CEO of Hoffman Brothers, one of St. Louis’ most respected family-owned companies. Chris shares his personal journey from Kirkwood kid to Marine Corps officer to business leader, opening up about lessons from the military, leadership growth, and what it means to scale a business while staying rooted in values.

We dive into:

• Hoffman Brothers’ rapid growth from 45 to 650+ employees
• The launch of Hoffmann Brothers University, a tuition-free trades training program
• Their $100K tornado relief donation and ongoing community partnerships
• What it’s like building a legacy business with family
• Chris’s favorite STL spots for family fun, date nights, and getting outdoors

Plus, we officially announce our new show This Week in St. Louis, powered by Hoffmann Brothers, dropping every Thursday to spotlight local events, concerts, openings, and hidden gems.

This is a feel-good, purpose-driven conversation that celebrates what makes STL so special.

Support the show

🎙 New episodes drop every Wednesday.

🔔 SUBSCRIBE FOR NEW EPISODES EVERY WEEK 🔔

🎧 LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts ▶ https://apple.co/36ycuuO Spotify ▶ https://spoti.fi/3svGoqS

🔗 CONNECT WITH STL BUCKET LIST: Instagram ▶ https://www.instagram.com/stlbucketlist Website ▶ stlbucketlist.com

🤝 WORK WITH STL BUCKET LIST Interested in partnering or sponsoring an episode? Email ▶ [email protected] Website ▶ https://www.bucketlistcreative.com

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

This week on The STL Bucket List Show, we're joined by award-winning journalist and local storyteller Alexis Zotos to talk about her brand new podcast, What’s New in the Lou — recorded right here at Bucket List Podcast Studio.

After years on your TV screens reporting the biggest stories in St. Louis, Alexis is taking her deep community knowledge and unmatched storytelling skills to the mic. We dive into what inspired her to launch this new project, the future of local media, and how she’s continuing to spotlight the people, places, and stories that make St. Louis so special.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The vision behind What’s New in the Lou
• The transition from TV anchor to podcast host
• Favorite hidden gems and STL go-to spots
• Why local storytelling still matters
• What’s next for Alexis and how she’s evolving her brand

Follow @alexiszotos on Instagram and tune in to What’s New in the Lou wherever you get your podcasts.

Support the show

🎙 New episodes drop every Wednesday.

🔔 SUBSCRIBE FOR NEW EPISODES EVERY WEEK 🔔

🎧 LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts ▶ https://apple.co/36ycuuO Spotify ▶ https://spoti.fi/3svGoqS

🔗 CONNECT WITH STL BUCKET LIST: Instagram ▶ https://www.instagram.com/stlbucketlist Website ▶ stlbucketlist.com

🤝 WORK WITH STL BUCKET LIST Interested in partnering or sponsoring an episode? Email ▶ [email protected] Website ▶ https://www.bucketlistcreative.com

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

This week on The STL Bucket List Show, host Lucas Farrell sits down with Andrew Haines, the Chief Operating Officer of St. Louis Shock Pickleball, the city’s brand-new professional pickleball team making waves both locally and nationally.

In this episode, Andrew shares how pickleball has exploded across St. Louis, what it takes to launch a pro sports team in this fast-growing space, and what fans can expect from their first major event happening July 17–20 at Chaifetz Arena. Whether you're a longtime player or just hearing about pickleball for the first time, this conversation dives into the excitement, community, and strategy behind building something big in STL.

🎾 Get tickets and info: stlshock.com
📍 Event Dates: July 17–20, 2025
📍 Location: Chaifetz Arena, St. Louis, MO

Tap in to hear how the St. Louis Shock is putting our city on the national pickleball map.

Support the show

🎙 New episodes drop every Wednesday.

🔔 SUBSCRIBE FOR NEW EPISODES EVERY WEEK 🔔

🎧 LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts ▶ https://apple.co/36ycuuO Spotify ▶ https://spoti.fi/3svGoqS

🔗 CONNECT WITH STL BUCKET LIST: Instagram ▶ https://www.instagram.com/stlbucketlist Website ▶ stlbucketlist.com

🤝 WORK WITH STL BUCKET LIST Interested in partnering or sponsoring an episode? Email ▶ [email protected] Website ▶ https://www.bucketlistcreative.com

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

In this special episode, host Lucas Farrell welcomes two of the minds behind one of St. Louis’ most celebrated coffee brands—Eric Peters and Conor VanBuskirk, the crew behind Upshot Coffee and the Official Coffee Partner of STL Bucket List.

This conversation is personal. Upshot isn’t just another local business to Lucas, it’s part of his weekly routine. From brewing his daily espresso to bringing his family into the shops on the weekends, Upshot has been a staple in his life for years. Their commitment to intentional coffee, warm hospitality, and community-first culture is exactly what STL Bucket List was built to celebrate.

Eric and Conor share their journey from launching a tiny shop in Cottleville to becoming a defining name in St. Louis coffee culture. They talk about how their friendship shaped the brand, how they balance creativity and growth, and what it means to serve something more meaningful than just coffee. This one is full of heart, hustle, and love for all things St. Louis.

In This Episode, We Cover
What makes Upshot different in a city full of great coffee
Lucas’ personal love for the brand and his weekly visits
How Upshot became the Official Coffee Sponsor of STL Bucket List
The power of community and creating experiences beyond the cup
What’s next for the Upshot team in 2025 and beyond

Support the show

🎙 New episodes drop every Wednesday.

🔔 SUBSCRIBE FOR NEW EPISODES EVERY WEEK 🔔

🎧 LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts ▶ https://apple.co/36ycuuO Spotify ▶ https://spoti.fi/3svGoqS

🔗 CONNECT WITH STL BUCKET LIST: Instagram ▶ https://www.instagram.com/stlbucketlist Website ▶ stlbucketlist.com

🤝 WORK WITH STL BUCKET LIST Interested in partnering or sponsoring an episode? Email ▶ [email protected] Website ▶ https://www.bucketlistcreative.com

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

Laurie and Dodie - two friends who didn’t see menopause coming and definitely didn’t expect it to feel this overwhelming. When the symptoms showed up (and no one had warned us), we went looking for answers and came up short on anything that felt truly supportive.

Support the show

🎙 New episodes drop every Wednesday.

🔔 SUBSCRIBE FOR NEW EPISODES EVERY WEEK 🔔

🎧 LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts ▶ https://apple.co/36ycuuO Spotify ▶ https://spoti.fi/3svGoqS

🔗 CONNECT WITH STL BUCKET LIST: Instagram ▶ https://www.instagram.com/stlbucketlist Website ▶ stlbucketlist.com

🤝 WORK WITH STL BUCKET LIST Interested in partnering or sponsoring an episode? Email ▶ [email protected] Website ▶ https://www.bucketlistcreative.com

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

This week on The STL Bucket List Show, host Lucas Farrell sits down with Brent Labovitz, a dedicated personal injury attorney and lifelong St. Louisan who’s made it his mission to fight for justice on behalf of everyday people. From his early days in law school to becoming a trusted name in injury law, Brent shares what drives his passion, how he connects with clients, and why giving back to the local community matters just as much as winning in the courtroom.

Support the show

🎙 New episodes drop every Wednesday.

🔔 SUBSCRIBE FOR NEW EPISODES EVERY WEEK 🔔

🎧 LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts ▶ https://apple.co/36ycuuO Spotify ▶ https://spoti.fi/3svGoqS

🔗 CONNECT WITH STL BUCKET LIST: Instagram ▶ https://www.instagram.com/stlbucketlist Website ▶ stlbucketlist.com

🤝 WORK WITH STL BUCKET LIST Interested in partnering or sponsoring an episode? Email ▶ [email protected] Website ▶ https://www.bucketlistcreative.com

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