Fast Forward STL
<p><em>Fast Forward STL</em> is a business and innovation podcast hosted by entrepreneur, investor, producer, and CEO of The Nitrous Effect companies, Keith Alper. Each episode features leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators doing remarkable work connected to St. Louis and the greater region. Together, they explore ideas, stories, and strategies that shape growth, spark curiosity, and occasionally make you say, “I didn’t know that.” From bold startups to legacy organizations reinventing themselves, the conversations dig into how people build, create, and solve real problems, and why it matters to our city’s future. The goal is simple: learn, explore, and help move St. Louis...
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Why St. Louis Needs United Way Now More Than Ever
In this episode of Fast Forward STL, host Keith Alper sits down with United Way of Greater St. Louis CEO Michelle Tucker and campaign co-chairs Chris Zimmerman, president and CEO of the St. Louis Blues, and Ryan Davis, managing partner at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner. For more than a century, United Way has supported people across the region, reaching 1 in 3 residents each year and fielding more than 250,000 calls annually through its 211 helpline. Tune in as the group discusses the challenges facing St. Louisans, why United Way’s work matters now more than ever, and how you can make a difference through this year’s campaign, running September 15–December 31. Watch on YouTube, and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. Love the show? Be sure to follow or subscribe. See related stories and resources from this episode at https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/fast-forward-stl/episode-TKTKTK Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGmdXtX9NEhHsFKPnlX-sLmL&si=1nKDfMtmRLjbB07i Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6GMNrMGxJcajuyAsnAAkTa Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fast-forward-stl/id1862226079 This episode is sponsored by Greater St. Louis, Inc. and supported by Royal Banks of Missouri. Greater St. Louis, Inc. brings civic and business leaders together to advance economic growth across all 15 counties. Growth. People. Place. Prosperity. Discover what’s next at https://greaterstlinc.com/ New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/ Have an idea for a future episode? Email podcasts@stlmag.com. Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Email advertisting@stlmag.com.The Story Behind The Nitrous Effect’s Keith Alper
In this episode of Fast Forward STL, the tables turn on host Keith Alper as St. Louis Magazine business editor Eric Schmid, who writes the daily St. Louis Business newsletter, steps behind the mic to ask the questions. Get to know Alper as he reflects on everything from his first job at Six Flags to his work today as CEO of The Nitrous Effect, a collective of marketing and events agency. He shares why he’ll never leave St. Louis, his thoughts on AI, and the importance of giving young people opportunities. Watch on YouTube, and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. Love the show? Be sure to follow or subscribe. See related stories and resources from this episode at https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/fast-forward-stl/episode-20 Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGmdXtX9NEhHsFKPnlX-sLmL&si=1nKDfMtmRLjbB07i Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6GMNrMGxJcajuyAsnAAkTa Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fast-forward-stl/id1862226079 This episode is sponsored by Greater St. Louis, Inc. and Vistage St. Louis. Greater St. Louis, Inc. brings civic and business leaders together to advance economic growth across all 15 counties. Growth. People. Place. Prosperity. Discover what’s next at https://greaterstlinc.com/ New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/ Have an idea for a future episode? Email podcasts@stlmag.com. Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Email advertisting@stlmag.com.
Live: The Business of Sports in St. Louis
<p>This special episode of Fast Forward STL Live was recorded before a live audience at St. Louis CITY SC’s corporate headquarters. Presented by <a href="https://greaterstlinc.com/" rel="nofollow">Greater St. Louis, Inc.</a>, CEO Ron Kitchens kicked off the discussion, and host Keith Alper interviewed an all-star panel:</p> <ul> <li>Brad Dean (President & CEO, Explore St. Louis)</li> <li>Marc Schreiber (President, St. Louis Sports Commission)</li> <li>Carolyn Kindle (CEO & Member of Ownership Group, St. Louis CITY SC)</li> <li>Chris Zimmerman (CEO, St. Louis Blues);</li> <li>Anuk Karunaratne (President of Business Operations, St. Louis Cardinals)</li> </ul> <p>Tune in to hear from some of the region’s leading sports voices to explore the powerful connection between sports and business in the St. Louis economy. Whether you work in the sports or entertainment industry or just love sports, this episode will get you excited about where our region is headed. Watch on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGmdXtX9NEhHsFKPnlX-sLmL" rel="nofollow">YouTube</a>, and listen on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fast-forward-stl/id1862226079" rel="nofollow">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6GMNrMGxJcajuyAsnAAkTa" rel="nofollow">Spotify</a>, or your favorite podcast platform. Love the show? Be sure to follow or subscribe.</p> <p>See related stories and resources from this episode at https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/fast-forward-stl/episode-19</p> <p>Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGmdXtX9NEhHsFKPnlX-sLmL&si=1nKDfMtmRLjbB07i </p> <p>Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6GMNrMGxJcajuyAsnAAkTa</p> <p>Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fast-forward-stl/id1862226079 </p> <p><strong>This episode is sponsored by <a href="https://greaterstlinc.com/" rel="nofollow">Greater St. Louis, Inc.</a>, supported by <a href="https://www.stlcitysc.com/" rel="nofollow">St. Louis CITY SC</a>, <a href="https://vistagestl.com/" rel="nofollow">Vistage Chair St. Louis</a>, and <a href="https://www.logicsystems.com/" rel="nofollow">Logic Systems</a>; and in partnership with <a href="https://nitrouseffect.com/" rel="nofollow">The Nitrous Effect</a>.</strong> Major sporting events bring visitors, investment, and national attention to the city while creating opportunities to showcase St. Louis on a larger stage. <a href="https://greaterstlinc.com/newsroom/" rel="nofollow">See how Greater St. Louis, Inc. is driving St. Louis forward.</a></p> <p>New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/</p> <p>Have an idea for a future episode? Email podcasts@stlmag.com. </p> <p>Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Email advertisting@stlmag.com. </p> <p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener" rel="nofollow">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>Explore St. Louis and the Business of Tourism
<p>In this episode of <em><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/fast-forward-stl/" rel="nofollow">Fast Forward STL</a></em>, host Keith Alper speaks with Brad Dean, president and CEO of Explore St. Louis. From leading tourism growth in Puerto Rico to now driving conventions, meetings, concerts, and major events in St. Louis, Brad is helping shape the future of St. Louis as one of America’s great destination cities. Tune in to hear lessons learned through his previous roles in Puerto Rico and Myrtle Beach, what he loves about St. Louis, what he’s accomplished so far and what’s ahead, and what it will take to move the region forward. Watch on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGmdXtX9NEhHsFKPnlX-sLmL" rel="nofollow">YouTube</a>, and listen on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fast-forward-stl/id1862226079" rel="nofollow">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6GMNrMGxJcajuyAsnAAkTa" rel="nofollow">Spotify</a>, or your favorite podcast platform. Love the show? Be sure to follow or subscribe.</p> <blockquote></blockquote> <p>See related stories and resources from this episode at https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/fast-forward-stl/episode-18</p> <p>Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGmdXtX9NEhHsFKPnlX-sLmL&si=1nKDfMtmRLjbB07i </p> <p>Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6GMNrMGxJcajuyAsnAAkTa</p> <p>Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fast-forward-stl/id1862226079 </p> <p><strong>This episode is sponsored by <a href="https://www.stlmag.com/fast-forward-stl-live/" rel="nofollow">Fast Forward STL Live</a>. </strong>Join host Keith Alper on September 16 for a discussion about the business of sports in St. Louis as he interviews an all-star panel, featuring Carolyn Kindle, St. Louis CITY SC; Chris Zimmerman, St. Louis Blues; Anuk Karunaratne, St. Louis Cardinals; Brad Dean, Explore St. Louis; and Marc Schreiber, St. Louis Sports Commission. <a href="https://www.stlmag.com/fast-forward-stl-live/" rel="nofollow">Get tickets.</a></p> <p>New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/</p> <p>Have an idea for a future episode? Email podcasts@stlmag.com. </p> <p>Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Email advertisting@stlmag.com. </p> <p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener" rel="nofollow">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>