Baked-In with Josh Allen

Latest Episodes:

Food Is Love | Lasse Sorenson & Jason Pinkston May 23, 2025

Show notes

On this episode presented by Busey Bank, I’m joined by Chef Lasse Sorensen and producer Jason Pinkston, the duo behind Food is Love—a visually stunning, heart-forward food and travel series that started on St. Louis PBS and is now streaming on Amazon Prime and YouTube. We’ll talk about the show’s evolution from local kitchens to global cultures, the challenges of public TV funding, staying true to your mission while scaling, and what sets Food is Love apart in a crowded media landscape. Let’s roll…
#foodislove #chef #stlouis #pbs #creativecontent #bourdain

Episode 88: Mark Spewak | Spewak Training May 08, 2025

Show notes

On this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, I’m joined by one of my favorite humans, Mark Spewak, a passionate coach, entrepreneur, and the driving force behind the most connected running community in the region. Through his personalized coaching programs and unwavering support for runners of all experience levels, Mark has built more than just a business—he’s built a movement.

His approach is about much more than just race times or personal bests; it’s about fostering a sense of belonging, perseverance, and personal growth. In today’s conversation, we’ll explore how Mark’s own journey as an athlete and mentor inspired him to create a community that empowers others to achieve their goals—both on and off the road. Let’s roll…

Episode 87: Lia Weber | Made. by Lia May 02, 2025

Show notes

On this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, our guest is Lia Weber, founder and head pastry chef behind Made. by Lia — a beloved bakery that’s captured the heart of North County and beyond. Lia’s journey is a story of passion, persistence, and deep community roots. From launching her business out of a small apartment kitchen to opening a bright, welcoming storefront, she’s built more than just a bakery — she’s built a true community hub.

With a new cookbook on the way and big plans for the future, Lia is proof that when you lead with values and authenticity, incredible things can happen.

As a reminder, the best way to support the show is to share it with friends and to follow the podcast on your favorite podcast player. Now, let’s roll…

Episode 86: Tom & Shelley Niemeier | Space Architects Apr 25, 2025

Show notes

On this episode presented by Busey Bank, I’m thrilled to be joined by Tom and Shelley N, co-founders of Space Architects—a full-service architecture and design firm that’s redefining the way we think about space, community, and the built environment. Based in St. Louis, Space Architects is known for their collaborative, people-first approach to design. From revitalizing historic buildings to creating modern, purpose-driven spaces for education, nonprofit, residential, and commercial use, Tom and Shelley have built a firm rooted in vision, integrity, and long-term impact.

Their work is more than just architecture—it’s about elevating the human experience through thoughtful design. In this episode, we’ll explore the values that drive their creative process, how they’ve cultivated a strong team culture, and the ways they’re adapting and growing in a changing world. Whether you’re in business, design, or just curious about what makes great partnerships thrive, there’s something here for you. Let’s roll…

Episode 85: Ben Poremba | Bengelina Restaurant Group Mar 28, 2025

Show notes

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 Mar 21, 2025

Show notes

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 Mar 14, 2025

Show notes

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 Feb 20, 2025

Show notes

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 Feb 13, 2025

Show notes

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. Feb 06, 2025

Show notes

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…

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