On this episode, Braden sits down with Chef Liz Schuster of Tenacious Eats to explore her journey into the hospitality industry, her deep passion for films, and how she merges the two through her immersive "dinner and a movie" experiences.

She shares insights into her creative process, the importance of doing things the right way, and the dedication it takes to be a pioneer in her craft. Chef Liz's commitment to storytelling through food make this a conversation you won't want to miss.

You can follow Chef Liz on Instagram at @Tenacious_eats or visit her website www.tenaciouseatsstl.com to see a full list of events.

On this episode, Braden sits down with James Beard Award winning chef and culinary visionary, Gerard Craft. They discuss his upbringing, expressing his creativity through graffiti art, early days as a photographer, his unexpected pivot to the culinary world, and his latest venture, Expat BBQ-a 16,000 sq ft, globally inspired concept at City Foundry STL. They recorded the episode on all three stories of the restaurants, while trying several dishes.

Expat BBQ reimagines traditional American BBQ by infusing it with flavors from around the world, including China, Vietnam, Brazil, Afghanistan, and more. The expansive venue features a full service dining room, cocktail bar, private event space, and terrace. They are open Wednesday-Sunday.

You can follow him at @gerardcraft on Instagram. For more information on Expat, visit ww.expatstl.com

On this special episode, Braden takes you to the red carpet of Nelly's Black & White Ball that took place on December 15, 2024 in Downtown St. Louis. This incredible night of giving back supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Harris-Stowe State University.

Braden caught up with the all-star lineup of guests including Nelly, Ashanti, Murphy Lee (Lunatics), Jermaine Dupri, Kyjuan (Lunatics), Slo Down (Lunatics), Mason Wynn (Cardinals), Mikayla Mcghee (Miss Missouri), Sydney Thomas (Influencer/Model), Richard Fortus (Guns N Roses), Michael Claiborne (Hall of Fame Broadcaster), Blanco Brown (Country Singer), Brian Michael Cox (Grammy Award Winning Producer), and more.

Nelly and Metro Boomin announced that they will be having the "Smoking Hayride Festival" coming to St. Louis which will be half country and half hip hop.

On this episode, Braden sits down with Mario Iaccarino, behind Casa Don Alfonso at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. Mario shares the captivating story of his family’s culinary heritage, rooted in the traditions of Naples, Italy, and how they’ve brought their authentic flavors to the Midwest.

From the art of creating dishes steeped in love and tradition to the inspiration behind Casa Don Alfonso’s warm and welcoming atmosphere, Mario reveals the secrets to crafting a truly unforgettable dining experience. Whether you're a foodie, a lover of Italian culture, or someone who appreciates the fusion of tradition and innovation, this episode is packed with insights that will leave you inspired—and maybe a little hungry.

You can book your reservation to Casa Don Alfonso at https://www.casadonalfonsostlouis.com/

On this episode, Braden goes on a walk around Kennedy Forrest with Amy Witt, Forest Park Ecologist. She gives us an inside look on the work the dedicated team at Forest Park does to enhance the park for millions of visitors every year.

Braden has recently announced his partnership with Forest Park Forever where he'll give you all an inside look on the incredible work they do on his @BradENSTL platform. Follow www.forestparkforever.org as they celebrate everything Forest Park means to us and look forward to sustaining it for the generations ahead.

In this special episode, Braden reconnects with Matt Menietti from STL Startup Week 2024. Returning from Season 1, Episode 4 of Ope Cast, Matt recaps last year’s event, shares exciting new highlights for this year, and dives into what’s next. STL Startup week is taking place November 11-15 around St. Louis.

For more details, visit stlstartupweek.com

Ope Cast is BACK! Braden kicks off Season 3 with Larry Kirchner of Scarefest and Blacklight Attractions. Larry is a prominent figure in the haunted house industry and the mastermind behind several renowned attractions in St. Louis, including The Darkness, Creepyworld, and Lemp Haunted House. Known for his innovative approach, he also runs Blacklight Attractions, which specializes in designing themed attractions, and heads Scarefest, a company producing events and resources for the Halloween and haunt industry.

His work has transformed St. Louis into a hotspot for immersive haunted experiences, drawing locals and visitors alike. The Darkness, in particular, is famous for its intense, movie-quality sets, 3D elements, and high-tech scares, making it one of the top-rated haunted houses in the country.

Larry's s annual involvement with the TransWorld Halloween & Attractions Show also drives him and his team to innovate and revamp these attractions yearly. This dedication not only fuels his success but also sets a high bar within the industry, attracting other haunt professionals worldwide to witness his latest designs and creation You can follow Larry on all socials at @Scarefest or his website www.scarefest.com

On this episode, Braden sits down with one of the most notable names in St. Louis sports, Tom Ackerman. Tom is the Director at KMOX in St. Louis, the flagship station for the Cardinals (MLB) and Saint Louis University (NCAA), hosting radio shows for both teams. He's also a co-host of Total Information A.M., the top-rated show at the station, providing listeners with news, traffic, weather, business and sports each weekday morning. In addition to radio, he calls college basketball play-by-play on TV for the Missouri Valley Conference and host on the video board at Scottrade Center during Blues home games. I’m also the play-by-play broadcaster for SLU women’s basketball.

He shares his journey into media, love for St. Louis, integrity in his role, involvement in UCP Heartland, love for food, and much more.

You can follow Tom on X at @ackerman1120