Baked-In with Josh Allen

Episode 27: Andy Cohen

On this week’s episode of the Baked-In Podcast presented by Busey Bank, Josh has the immense pleasure of talking to Andy Cohen – TV personality, best-selling author, award-winning producer and his cousin. Josh is always incredibly appreciative of time he gets to spend with Andy and they discuss their shared experience of growing up in their family’s food business, the lightening in a bottle creation of the world’s most popular reality soap opera and navigating celebrity with the two new additions to his family. Andy is, well, Andy – warm, engaging, generous, insightful. This one is a real treat.
#andycohen #realhousewives #realitytv #family #customcookies

Episode 26: Ben Hillman

On this week’s episode, Josh has the chance to catch up with Ben Hillman, president of the chef-inspired burger joint Hi-Pointe Drive-In and co-founder of Chicken Out all through his family’s private equity company, Lewis & Clark Capital. For someone in his early thirties, Ben has his hands in a lot of cookie jars and has found success with a very people-first philosophy. It’s exciting for Josh to talk with young leaders so focused on developing and growing their people even in the midst of the fast-paced restaurant industry. They talk about a ton of stuff including site selection, closing underperforming locations and staying close to your teams.

Episode 25: Rick Wolf

On today’s episode, Josh goes deep into the mind of Rick Wolf, creator and proprietor of Found Vintage, Found by the Pound and Mednik-Riverbend – one of the most vertically integrated company concepts around. They discuss the booming industry of donated and recycled clothing, $900 vintage t-shirts and monkey fur. Rick outlines the fascinating path traveled by an article of clothing placed in a local donation box and how it fuels a global industry for concert t-shirts, used Levis and recycled furs. Rick truly understands the secret sauce of this crazy world of textiles.
 
 

Episode 24: Joe Edwards

On this week’s episode, Josh has the chance to catch up with Joe Edwards, the “Duke of Delmar”, who is the visionary and developer behind the Delmar Loop – one of the 10 greatest streets in America (per the American Planning Association 2007). Joe opened his first business – the iconic restaurant, Blueberry Hill – in 1972 with the hope of revitalizing a once popular high fashion district in St. Louis, MO. During the next 50+ years, Joe has added music venues, a hotel, additional restaurants, a bowling alley, and, most recently, a mini golf spot to the now bustling entertainment district. Josh and Joe discuss the early challenges, pushing all chips into the center of the table on multiple occasions and his optimistic vision for the future.
#STL #DelmarLoop #minigolf #blueberryhill #renovation

Episode 23: The Dierberg Family

On this week’s episode, Josh had the honor of sitting with the Dierberg family – the 3rd and 4th generations of leadership at the grocery chain with St. Louis roots dating back to 1854. Bob Dierberg, Greg Dierberg and Laura Dierberg Padousis shared insights into multi-generational family businesses, how the definition of success has evolved over the years and charting a path into the future with the next generations in mind. The Dierberg family has been instrumental in helping Josh’s bakery, Companion, grow over the last 30 years and it was pleasure for him to sit with those who have been so impactful on his own entrepreneurial journey.

Episode 22: Dave Wolfe - Urban Chestnut Brewing Company

On this week’s episode, Josh sits down with David Wolfe, co-founder of the Urban Chestnut Brewing Company in St. Louis. David, along with his co-founder Florian Kuplent, worked together in the New Products and Innovations division at Anheuser Busch InBev before embarking on their own craft brewing adventure in 2011. A lot has changed in the industry in the last dozen years, and Josh and David discuss the industry challenges coming out of the pandemic, UCBC’s commitment to sustainability and their success with local & regional collaborations. David is a brewing industry veteran with lots of knowledge to share on the state of beer. Prost!
 
#podcast #craftbeer #stlmade #AB #german

Episode 21: Melany Robinson - Sprouthouse

On this week’s episode, Josh had the opportunity to catch up with Melany Robinson (LinkedIn: @melany-robinson) of Sprouthouse (LinkedIn: @sprouthouseagency) – a communications agency with offices in 11 markets across the US focused on helping clients in the restaurant and hospitality industry tell their story well beyond traditional PR. They talk a lot about food’s changing landscape and the power of listening even when your job is communicating. Melany brings such a unique perspective as a well-connected player who’s not stuck behind a stove.
#sprouthouse #linkedin #pr #culinaryworld #hospitality

Episode 20: Brian Lagerstrom - YouTube Chef!

On this week’s episode, Josh has the great opportunity to sit with @brian_lagerstrom, chef and YouTube sensation. Brian, who spent time working with both @nichefoodgroup and @loafersstl before leaving professional kitchens behind and embarking on a career behind the camera. What started as a pandemic side hustle has blossomed into a full-time gig – with Brian hitting the elusive 1 million subscriber threshold in July 2023. They talk about the secret sauce of content creation that honors his vision while resonating with his growing audience, the art of revenue generation and the challenges of such a metric driven profession. Super cool to peel back the onion of a whole new frontier.
#podcast #youtube #chef #influencer #contentcreator

Episode 19: Rick Erwin - City Museum

On this week’s episode, Josh sits with Rick Erwin, creative director at the City Museum in downtown St. Louis. Housed in the former warehouse of the International Shoe Company, the museum is the brainchild of internationally acclaimed and classically trained sculptors Bob and Gail Cassilly. The 625,000 square foot museum is full of all the weird and wonderful things cities leave behind. Rick leads the team of artists and certified playground engineers as they continue to build and expand the ever-evolving playground. They talk about the history of the museum, the inspiration to keep building and multiple leadership transitions including the death of Bob Cassilly in 2011 and the sale of the museum in 2018. Great to learn a little of the secret sauce of one of the region’s most celebrated attractions.
 

Episode 18: Michael Rubenstein - Wally’s!

On this week’s episode, Josh has the chance to sit with Michael Rubenstein of Wally’s. Established in 2020, Wally's is a luxury travel center proud to serve as the Home of the Great American Road Trip. Specializing in great service, delicious food, clean restrooms, and retail souvenirs for everyone. They discuss the challenges of ramping up from 0 to 250 teammates in less than 3 years, building core values while serving thousands of customers daily and where the brand is headed in the future. Michael is truly a leader who believes that the devil is in the details. Buckle up and enjoy the show.