From Vegas mega-resorts to St. Louis entertainment weekends, this episode goes behind the scenes with Mike Jerlecki, Vice President and General Manager for Hollywood Casino St. Louis and River City Casino (PENN Entertainment).

We talk about what it’s really like running a casino operation, how the guest experience is built from the ground up, and what’s coming next for sports betting in Missouri.

In this episode, we cover:

• Mike’s path through the casino industry, from valet to leadership, and why hospitality is the whole game
• What’s changing in gaming tech, cashless wallets, mobile betting, and responsible gaming controls
• The vision for new sports books at Hollywood and River City, massive screens, full-service food and drinks, and big-game energy
• How casinos impact St. Louis beyond entertainment, education funding, jobs, scholarships, and community partnerships
• Why live experiences still win, concerts, UFC, packed sports books, and the social “third space” people crave

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🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube
📍 Recorded at Bucket List Podcast Studio, St. Louis, MO

On this week's episode of The STL Bucket List Show, Luke sits down with Justin Mincher (President) and Tyson Cameron (Vice President) from Team St. Louis, a local organization building an inclusive community for LGBTQ+ people and allies through sports, social events, and healthy lifestyle programming.

From volleyball leagues that are at-capacity to pickleball socials that welcome total beginners, Team St. Louis is creating a true “third space” where people can move, meet friends, and feel like they belong.

In this episode, we cover:

• What Team St. Louis is, how it started, and why sports build community differently than typical rec leagues
• Pickleball + volleyball programs, divisions for all skill levels, and how they help newcomers find a team
• Why “third spaces” matter, and how they’re expanding beyond bar-centered social scenes
• Upcoming highlights like the Team St. Louis float trip and new ideas like a hiking club
• Their long-term vision, including building a future facility to support even more programming

✅ Learn more, register, or donate: teamstlouis.org
📲 Follow Team St. Louis on Instagram + Facebook for updates

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🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube
📍 Recorded at Bucket List Podcast Studio, St. Louis, MO

On this week's episode of The STL Bucket List Show, host Lucas Farrell sits down with Nick Sansone of Sansone Group.

Nick is a St. Louis real estate leader with deep family roots in the region, and a huge passion for supporting local businesses, restaurants, and the community. In this conversation, Nick shares what it’s like building a family business where the company name is also the family name, and why relationships, trust, and showing up in real life still matter more than ever.

We cover:

• Nick’s St. Louis roots, Italian heritage, and early memories that still shape the family today
• The Sansone family approach to business, culture, and carrying a legacy forward
• Why relationship building is still the real “secret weapon” in real estate
• The old-school habits that stand out now, handwritten notes, follow-ups, and in-person meetings
• Nick’s favorite St. Louis staples, from The Hill to Carl’s Drive-In
• Advice for the next generation trying to break into real estate and stand out in an AI-heavy world

🎙️ New episodes drop every Wednesday.

📍 Follow STL Bucket List for more people, places, and stories that make St. Louis special.

Support the show

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube
📍 Recorded at Bucket List Podcast Studio, St. Louis, MO