Show-Me MO Success welcomes back its first-ever return guest. Assistant Director Mike Quinata fills in for host Luke Dietterle to catch up with Jennifer Bardot, founder and CEO of the G.R.I.T. Platform, Growth, Resilience, Intention, Tenacity whom listeners first met in June 2024 after her keynote at MU Extension's Elevate Conference. Two years later she's published two more anthologies, opened what began as a women's association to all leaders, built out the G.R.I.T. Academy, launched a podcast production company, and grown a St. Louis community into one with members in Washington DC, Florida and Kansas.

Listen in as Jennifer and Mike discuss why she opened the community to men, how the Academy and coaching pods fit together, and the introverted member who went from joining the community to speaking on stage in front of 280 people. Her advice for anyone waiting to feel ready: start before you have it figured out.

Show-Me MO Success brings you stories of success from businesses and communities across Missouri, listen to her first episode here.

What does it take to build lasting bridges across communities? Host Luke Dietterle talks with Dr. Dwayne T. James (MU Extension, St. Louis County) and Deon Williams, a community development leader focused on economic opportunity and neighborhood revitalization, about the Civic Collaboration Fellows program, a year-long leadership experience uniting elected officials, business and civic leaders, and residents working to strengthen their communities. Dwayne, a co-instructor since 2020, shares how the program turns passion into action, while Deon reflects on how his fellowship year reshaped his approach to leadership. Together they explore the program's immersive travel, the ongoing recovery from the tornado that struck St. Louis's north side, and what it takes to connect across communities.