Moms of the Lou

Real talk about real stories from St. Louis moms.

Moms of the Lou is a kids podcast hosted by STL Mom, with 53 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

STL Mom hosts Moms of the Lou, a kids show with 53 episodes published.

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  Moms of the Lou

  CommonGround: Rhonda Oesch

  Sep 17, 202622 min

  Rebekah & Lauren chat with Rhonda Oesch, a farmer of Missouri CommonGround in this latest episode of Moms of the Lou. Rhonda discusses her journey in farming and agriculture education, and the work she does to help mothers learn more about food production. She empowers mothers who provide meals for their families around the dinner table and brings clarity for common misconceptions regarding food labels. She loves talking about food, family, and farming! This episode is sponsored by St. Luke’s Hospital . St. Luke’s is a trusted partner in every phase of your family’s health journey. Connect with St. Luke’s Hospital on Facebook and Instagram and schedule your appointment today! Missouri CommonGround is a group of volunteer farm women who share their real-life farming experiences and answer questions about food and farming. With so many food choices available, Missouri CommonGround serves as a resource to educate consumers about their food and dispel popular food myths. Rhonda and her husband farm corn, soybeans, wheat, hay, and cattle in northwest Missouri. She is a mother of three adult children, has two grandchildren and teaches agriculture education part-time. Rhonda is a strong advocate for the agricultural industry. Her passion for agriculture has grown out of the realization that it affects everyone’s daily lives. As an ag teacher, farm wife, and mom, her favorite place to spend time with friends and family is around the dinner table, which is why she believes everyone should feel confident in the food they eat. Her love of cooking grew out of the need to feed her family and wants moms across the U.S. to feel confident and free of guilt about what they feed their families. We hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! To learn more about Moms of the Lou you can go to stlouismom.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook . You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! This episode was produced by St. Louis Mom . It was recorded and edited by STL Bucketlist Studios in St. Louis, Missouri.

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  Moms of the Lou

  Best Chef of the Midwest: Loryn Nalic

  Sep 3, 202636 min

  This episode of the Moms of the Lou podcast features Loryn Nalic, owner of Balkan Treat Box and Telva at the Ridge . She just won the 2026 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Midwest. Loryn discusses her journey in the restaurant industry, starting with her Bosnian husband and learning to cook Balkan cuisine. She highlights the difficulties of balancing work and motherhood, the importance of flexibility for working mothers, and the emotional rewards of celebrating achievements and milestones with her children. She also includes recommendations for dining & Balkan cuisine at some of her favorite restaurants in St. Louis! This episode is sponsored by St. Luke’s Hospital . St. Luke’s is a trusted partner in every phase of your family’s health journey. Connect with St. Luke’s Hospital on Facebook and Instagram and schedule your appointment today! Chef Loryn Nalic is the chef and co-owner of Balkan Treat Box and Telva at the Ridge in St. Louis, Missouri. What began as a bold little food truck in 2017 has grown into one of the country’s most celebrated restaurants, known for its soulful, wood-fired interpretation of Balkan cuisine. In 2023, Loryn and her family expanded their vision with the opening of Telva at the Ridge, a restaurant and café inspired by the rich culinary traditions and evolving flavors of the Balkans. Loryn’s culinary journey began long before Balkan Treat Box. She spent years baking bread, working in pastry, cooking, serving, and managing events at some of St. Louis’ most respected restaurants. Her path took a transformative turn when she met her husband, Edo, a Bosnian refugee. Through his memories of home, Loryn discovered the cuisine and culture of the Balkans. Together, they traveled throughout the region, learning traditional techniques, tasting regional specialties, and recreating the dishes he missed most. Today, Balkan Treat Box and Telva remain true family businesses. Edo, his brother Emir, and their father Fadil work alongside Loryn every day. Together, they honor the traditions of Balkan cooking while bringing fresh perspectives and creativity to every dish, creating food that celebrates culture, craftsmanship, and community. In 2026, Chef Loryn Nalic received the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Midwest, one of the highest honors in American dining. Prior to her win, she earned four James Beard Award semifinalist nominations and one finalist nomination in the same category, reflecting years of national recognition for her culinary excellence. Her restaurants have also received numerous national and regional accolades, including: • Food & Wine – Best Bites of the Year • Bon Appétit – Top 50 Restaurants in America • St. Louis Business Journal – Best Food Truck • Feast Magazine – Best New Restaurant • St. Louis Magazine A-List – Best Food Truck • Ian Froeb’s 100 Best St. Louis Restaurants – #1 Best Restaurant • St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Best New Restaurant • Sauce Magazine – Best New Restaurant and People's Choice Award Loryn’s work has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, Travel + Leisure, The Wall Street Journal, The Drew Barrymore Show and The Splendid Table. She has served as a guest chef aboard the Windstar James Beard Cruise through the Balkans and is a sought-after speaker at culinary, hospitality, and entrepreneurship conferences. Recognized as one of America’s leading voices on Balkan cuisine, Loryn combines personal storytelling with deep culinary expertise to share the traditions, history, and evolving flavors of the region with audiences around the world. We hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! To learn more about Moms of the Lou you can go to stlouismom.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook . You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! This episode was produced by St. Louis Mom . It was recorded and edited by STL Bucketlist Studios in St. Louis, Missouri.

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  Episode #1

  The Stories of St. Louis Moms

  Aug 20, 20269 minS3

  Rebekah and Lauren, hosts of the Moms of Lou podcast, kick off their third season by introducing themselves and their mission to support St. Louis moms. Rebekah founded St. Louis Mom in 2018 after moving back to St. Louis from Paris, aiming to help new moms find resources. Lauren joined as the social media manager in 2021. Both emphasize the unique and shared experiences of motherhood in St. Louis and highlight local events, resources, and family-friendly activities, aiming to promote the city's cultural offerings and support for families. The Moms of the Lou podcast releases biweekly on Thursdays, available on various platforms! This episode is sponsored by St. Luke’s Hospital . St. Luke’s is a trusted partner in every phase of your family’s health journey. Connect with St. Luke’s Hospital on Facebook and Instagram and schedule your appointment today! Rebekah Coste is the founder and owner of St. Louis Mom. Born and raised in St. Louis, she loves the city for its rich history and small-town feel, Cardinals baseball, and gooey butter cake! Rebekah has a bachelor’s degree in Magazine Journalism and a minor degree in French from the University of Missouri-Columbia. During her time at Mizzou, she completed internships with Associated Press Television News in Brussels, Belgium, Standard & Poors in New York, New York, and Alive Magazine in St. Louis. She returned to St. Louis where she worked in corporate communications, client proposals, and sales and account management communications at Express Scripts for five years. She then moved to Paris, France for three years to teach English in a French high school. She met and married her husband, Jean-Christophe, in France, and became a mom there, too! She is thrilled to be home in St. Louis. She is a full-time stay at home mom to three beautiful daughters and a son. She proudly became a French citizen in the summer of 2024! The Costes reside in Kirkwood. Rebekah is passionate about encouraging and equipping mothers on their motherhood journey. Her hope for St. Louis Mom is that it will be a powerful tool for building community between mothers and a space where mothers know how powerful their role is in raising up the next generation. Lauren lives in Kirkwood with her husband, Eric, and their two daughters, Claire and Frances. Both she and her husband are transplants, Lauren originally from San Diego and her husband, Charleston, SC. They’ve called St. Louis their home since 2013. Lauren taught both first and third grade for 10 years before becoming a full-time stay at home mom. Moving to a new city without friends or family forced her to get outside her comfort zone and establish friendships and discover all that St. Louis has to offer families. She understands the immense value of community which is what brought her to St. Louis Mom. We hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! To learn more about Moms of the Lou you can go to stlouismom.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook . You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! This episode was produced by St. Louis Mom . It was recorded and edited by STL Bucketlist Studios in St. Louis, Missouri.

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  Moms of the Lou

  Mercy Hospital with Tricia McGusty

  Jun 25, 202629 min

  Tricia McGusty, the new president of Mercy Hospital, discusses her transition from Houston to St. Louis, her background in hospital administration, and her goals for Mercy. She emphasizes the need to improve patient access and mentions ongoing renovations, including a new patient tower and emergency department expansion. Tricia highlights the importance of preventive care and affordable healthcare, noting Mercy's efforts to navigate insurance gaps and provide cost-effective services. Click here to schedule your appointment at Mercy Hospital. This episode is sponsored by Swap the Playroom . Clear out the clutter and get toys that keep things fresh and exciting by renting toys through Swap the Playroom! Tricia McGusty serves as president of Mercy’s St. Louis communities, leading operations and strategy for Mercy’s hospitals and clinics in the St. Louis area. She joined Mercy in 2026, bringing more than 25 years of health care experience, the last 15 of which were in leadership roles at large hospitals. Prior to Mercy, Tricia served in executive leadership roles with HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest, most recently as chief operating officer. Tricia McGusty earned her master’s in business administration from the University of Houston Downtown and her bachelor’s in biology and psychology from Houston Baptist University. While with HCA, she completed their executive development program. Learn more about Tricia and her new role at Mercy Hospital. We hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! To learn more about Moms of the Lou you can go to stlouismom.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook . You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! This episode was produced by St. Louis Mom . It was recorded and edited by STL Bucketlist Studios in St. Louis, Missouri.

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  Moms of the Lou

  Take Root Hospitality with Tara Gallina

  Jun 11, 202624 min

  This episode of the Moms of the Lou podcast features Tara Gallina of Take Root Hospitality. She talks about her journey from South Florida to New York City, where she attended culinary school and worked for Blue Hill at Stone Barns. She met her husband, Michael, at Blue Hill and they moved back to St. Louis in 2015 and eventually opened Vicia in 2017. In 2019, they acquired Winslow's Table. Tara emphasizes the importance of community and family, balancing work and motherhood. Check out their Father’s Day cookout at Vicia on June 21st! Tara Gallina is the co-owner and Chief Experience Officer of Take Root Hospitality , recognized as a hospitality-first leader in the St. Louis culinary community. She is dedicated to cultivating deep relationships with Midwest farmers, breeders, and fishers, translating their stories into thoughtful guest experiences at Vicia, Winslow’s Table, and Bistro La Floraison. Tara oversees front-of-house standards and an education-driven service culture, elevating every detail from beverage programs to takeaway offerings while maintaining a core focus on integrity and sustainability. Her path began after leaving a career in HR to study at the International Culinary Center in New York City, followed by a formative F.A.R.M.S. apprenticeship at Blue Hill at Stone Barns. During her tenure there, she gained a grounding in sustainable agriculture and mastered various front-of-house roles, eventually rising to lead bartender and senior service captain. Today, working alongside Michael Gallina, she connects her teams to food sources and ensures the farming community is integrated into every facet of the guest experience. We hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! To learn more about Moms of the Lou you can go to stlouismom.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook . You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! This episode was produced by St. Louis Mom . It was recorded and edited by STL Bucketlist Studios in St. Louis, Missouri.

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