Baked-In with Josh Allen

Episode 85: Ben Poremba | Bengelina Restaurant Group

On this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, I’m thrilled to be joined by Ben Poremba, the visionary chef and restaurateur behind the Bengelina Restaurant Group in St. Louis. Ben has made a name for himself not only as a culinary innovator but also as a community builder, transforming unproven neighborhoods into thriving dining destinations. With a portfolio of diverse concepts, he’s now taking on the ambitious challenge of opening six new restaurants in the Delmar Maker District, an up-and-coming part of St. Louis. Today, we’ll dive into his leadership philosophy, how he attracts and retains top talent, the ways he measures success across multiple ventures, and the impact he believes restaurants can have on the community at large. Whether you’re in hospitality or just passionate about leadership and growth, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Let’s roll...

Episode 84: Susan Trautman | Great Rivers Greenway

On this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, I’m thrilled to be joined by Susan Trautman, the retiring CEO of Great Rivers Greenway, an organization that has transformed the St. Louis region over the past 25 years. During her 15 years as CEO, Susan has been a driving force in connecting communities, fostering collaboration, and creating lasting green spaces that have reshaped the region’s landscape. We’ll dive into her leadership journey, exploring how she’s built a culture of innovation, stayed true to her values, and overcome obstacles to leave an indelible mark on both her organization and the community. Let’s roll…Busey Bank
 

Episode 83: Marc Connor | rootberry

In this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, Josh is joined by Marc Connor, the visionary co-founder of rootberry, a brand that’s redefining the frozen food space with its vegan-friendly meals, snacks, and energy bites. Over the years, Marc has navigated multiple business model pivots—starting with direct home delivery and now evolving into a CPG frozen item in traditional and specialty grocery across the country. Along the way, he’s built a purpose-driven brand, led his team through transformative change, and turned obstacles into opportunities. In this conversation, we’ll dive into his journey, the lessons he’s learned, and what it takes to lead with resilience and vision in a constantly evolving market. Let’s roll…

Episode 82: Dave Aronberg | Ladue H.S. Head Soccer Coach

This week, we’re diving into a fascinating conversation that bridges the worlds of high school sports and business leadership. I’m thrilled to welcome St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame 2024 Jimmy Dunn High School Soccer Coach of the Year David Aronberg of Ladue High School to the podcast. Coach Aronberg’s boys team just clinched the State Class 3 championship in November 2024—a incredible achievement that speaks volumes about his leadership and the culture he’s built within his program. But what makes this story even more compelling is how his approach to coaching mirrors the challenges businesses face every day: building a strong culture, developing leaders, onboarding new talent, and sustaining success in the face of constant change.
Full disclosure, I’m a big fan of Coach Aronberg. Not only is my 15 year old son, Eliot, a member of state championship squad, but my youngest, Emerson, is a student in Coach’s six grade social studies class. So I’ve seen firsthand how he cultivates leadership in young athletes and students and challenges them to be their best selves. Let’s roll…#highschoolsoccer #highschoolleadership #legacy #culture #statechampions

Episode 81: Jeff Stevens | WellBeing Brewing

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Jeff Stevens, the visionary founder of Wellbeing Brewing. If you’ve ever wondered how to build a mission-driven company that not only thrives in a competitive market but also challenges industry norms, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Jeff has taken the craft beer world by storm with a bold idea: creating non-alcoholic beers that don’t just taste great but also align with a lifestyle of balance, health, and mindfulness. From humble beginnings to national recognition, Wellbeing Brewing is redefining what it means to enjoy a beer. In this insightful conversation, we dive into the NA category and talk about who are his real competitors and who are his real consumers. We tackle the challenges of scaling a business while staying true to your core values? And what are the things that keep a founder like Jeff up at night? Pour yourself a glass and let’s roll…#brewing #nonalcoholic #stlouis #craftbeer

Episode 80: Matt LaMartina | Tony LaMartina Plumbing Co.

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Matt LaMartina, owner of Tony LaMartina Plumbing Co., a family business serving St. Louis since 1982. When Matt’s father, a beloved and larger-than-life plumber, passed away in 2023, Matt found himself stepping into a role he had never planned for. Despite having worked in the company for a decade, Matt is not a licensed plumber and initially came from a career in pharmaceutical sales, armed with an MBA and a fresh perspective on business.
In this candid conversation, Matt shares the challenges and triumphs of taking over a business as the next generation—from earning the trust of a skilled team with all of the institutional knowledge to navigating the emotional weight of filling his father’s shoes. We’ll explore how Matt’s background in sales and business education prepared him to lead, the unique strategies he’s implemented to drive growth, and his vision for the future of Tony LaMartina Plumbing Co.
So, grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and get ready to be inspired as we explore what it means to lead with intention, adapt to change, and keep a legacy alive. Let’s roll…

Episode 79: Sarah Schlafly | Mighty Cricket

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Sarah Schlafly, the founder of *Mighty Cricket*, a company that’s revolutionizing the food industry with products made from—you guessed it—cricket protein. Sarah is not only building a brand in an emerging industry but also tackling some of the biggest challenges in food sustainability and consumer perception.  Sarah found herself this week in the middle of President Trump’s political agenda with the recent freeze on federal grant dollars—including $650,000 she had secured threw the USDA to grow her business—and how she’s adapting to this unexpected hurdle**.  Additionally, we touch on her experience on the new Amazon game show “Buy It Now”, how she’s overcoming the ‘ick factor’ of an insect-based food source, building a direct-to-consumer brand, and navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship in a space that’s still finding its footing.  From leadership lessons to her vision for the future of alternative protein, this episode is packed with insights for anyone interested in innovation, resilience, and thinking outside the box. Let’s roll…
**Please note, as of the release of this podcast on January 30, the federal government’s freeze on funding has been rescinded. It doesn’t change the impact and chaos created by the initial action, so Sarah’s challenges and the unexpected online hate that has accompanied the freeze certainly remains valid and important.#proteinpowder # crickets #newtechnology #research #trumpfreeze #science

Episode 78: Ruth Kim | #RuthUnleashed

On this week's episode presented by Busey Bank, I am joined by Ruth Kim, a powerhouse leader with decades of experience at Fleishman-Hillard, where she served as General Counsel, Senior Vice President, and Senior Partner. Ruth played a pivotal role in shaping the culture and strategy at one of the world’s leading communications agencies.
Now, in what she calls "Ruth 2.0," she’s redefining retirement (or rewirement) as an amplifier, connector, and advisor to businesses and nonprofits. Through her work—and her signature hashtag #RuthUnleashed—Ruth is helping organizations thrive while staying true to their purpose.
We'll take a deep dive into Ruth’s career, exploring the lessons she learned at Fleishman-Hillard, her approach to leadership and growth, and how she’s channeling her expertise into her current mission of empowering others. Let’s roll…#leadership #rewirement #retirement #amplifier #connector

Episode 77: Gerard Craft | Niche Food Group - Redux

On today's episode presented by Busey Bank, I welcome back Chef Gerard Craft who joined me originally all the back on episode #3. Gerard is a culinary powerhouse and the driving force behind Niche Food Group, which includes some of the most beloved dining concepts in the St. Louis region, like Pastaria, Brasserie, and the newly launched Expat BBQ. As a James Beard Award-winning chef, Gerard’s name is synonymous with innovation and excellence in the food world, but his impact goes far beyond what’s on the plate.
In this episode, we’ll dive into the leadership lessons Gerard has learned while scaling a business known for both creativity and consistency. We’ll explore how he’s fostered growth—not just in terms of restaurants, but in cultivating a team culture rooted in values like honesty, innovation, and resilience. And we’ll hear how Gerard approaches challenges, like opening new concepts and leading the charge for a thriving St. Louis dining scene.
Whether you’re a foodie, an entrepreneur, or someone passionate about leadership and culture, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. So grab a seat at the table, and let’s roll…

Episode 76: Rachel Burns | Bold Spoon Creamery

On this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, I’m joined by Rachel Burns, founder of Bold Spoon Creamery, a St. Louis-based company known for its experimental, adult-focused ice cream flavors like Goat Cheese with Fig Jam and Vanilla Crème Brûlée. Burns, who has an MBA with an emphasis in finance, brings 20-plus years of institutional investment experience, client management and a lifelong love of ice cream to running Bold Spoon. In this conversation, we’ll explore how Rachel leveraged $150,000 in grants to double Bold Spoon’s production capabilities and her strategic decisions for growth while staying true to the company’s commitment to sustainability and local sourcing. Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking for insights on scaling sustainably, a leader curious about building mission-driven culture, or simply a fan of great ice cream with an inspiring story behind it, this episode is packed with lessons you won’t want to miss. Let’s roll…
Photo: Feast Magazine