What’s New In The Lou with Alexis Zotos

Alexis Zotos
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Welcome to What’s New in the Lou with Alexis Zotos, your go-to guide for what’s fresh, fun, and happening around St. Louis. A weekly interview style show featuring the people and events that make St. Louis special. 

  1. 5d ago

    EP 63: Inside Siteman Cancer Center — Advancing Cancer Care in St. Louis

    When it comes to cancer care, access to leading experts, innovative research, and a team dedicated to each patient can make a meaningful difference. Here in St. Louis, Siteman Cancer Center brings together specialized care and groundbreaking research to help advance the future of cancer treatment. In Episode 63, Alexis Zotos sits down with Dr. Whitney Grither, a gynecologic surgeon with WashU Medicine and Siteman Cancer Center, to discuss what makes Siteman a leading cancer center in our region and why access to specialized care matters. Dr. Grither specializes in the surgical treatment of gynecologic cancers, helping patients navigate complex diagnoses and treatment decisions. This important conversation explores how research translates into new treatment possibilities, the role of clinical trials, and the importance of having access to this level of medical expertise right here in the St. Louis region. It’s an informative conversation about the future of cancer care, the importance of specialized expertise, and the research and resources available to patients and families in our own backyard. Important links:  - Make an appointment now at Siteman Cancer Center https://siteman.washu.edu/easy-access-to-expert-cancer-care/ - Listen to This is Cancer, a podcast featuring nationally renowned WashU Medicine physicians, incredible cancer survivors talk about the life-saving care they received at Siteman. https://siteman.washu.edu/podcast-landing/#about

    EP 63: Inside Siteman Cancer Center — Advancing Cancer Care in St. Louis

  2. Oct 19

    EP 62: Mound City Film Festival

    What makes St. Louis and the Midwest so special? The Mound City Film Festival is bringing those stories to the big screen and creating an experience that goes far beyond the movies. In Episode 62, Alexis Zotos explores the Mound City Film Festival, returning for its second year as a one-day celebration of the people, creativity, landscapes and ideas that make this region unique. On Saturday, November 7, 2026, the festival brings together local, regional and national filmmakers for a festival focused on the environment. Plus visual artists, live music, craft beverages, food and outdoor recreation. It’s more than a film festival, it’s an opportunity to celebrate the people shaping our region, connect with the community and see St. Louis and the Midwest from a new perspective.

    EP 62: Mound City Film Festival

  3. Oct 12

    EP 61: Qui Tran of Nudo House & Mai Lee

    St. Louis has a rich food scene, and few families have helped shape it quite like the Tran family. From the beloved Vietnamese restaurant Mai Lee to the ramen and Vietnamese-inspired dishes at Nudo House, Qui Tran is carrying on a family legacy while making his own mark on the local dining scene. In Episode 61, Alexis Zotos sits down with Qui Tran to talk about growing up in the restaurant business, the story behind Mai Lee, and how he brought his own vision to life with Nudo House. Qui shares what it takes to keep a family restaurant legacy thriving while continuing to evolve, how Vietnamese food has found its place in St. Louis, and what he’s learned from building restaurants in an ever-changing industry.

    EP 61: Qui Tran of Nudo House & Mai Lee

  4. Oct 5

    Ep 60: Neon Greens: From greenhouse to table

    What happens when a career in film and television leads you to hydroponic farming? For Josh Smith, it led to Neon Greens, a farm-to-table salad spot in St. Louis with a bigger mission behind it. In Episode 58, Alexis Zotos sits down with Josh to talk about his unexpected journey and how it all comes down to his love of storytelling. Neon Greens in The Grove neighborhood of St. Louis features a connected greenhouse where they grow the majority of the lettuce featured in their salads. Josh shares what inspired the career pivot, what he discovered while learning how to grow food in a completely different way, and why he believes St. Louis can rethink the way we eat. Plus we chat about touring the greenhouse, why they opened up a breakfast concept called Biscuit Town inside the restaurant and what comes next for Neon Greens.

    Ep 60: Neon Greens: From greenhouse to table

  5. Sep 28

    EP 59: Brewing the Next Chapter with Kaldi’s Coffee

    For decades, Kaldi’s Coffee has been part of the St. Louis coffee scene, growing from a local coffee shop into a beloved regional brand while staying rooted in the community. In Episode 59, Alexis Zotos sits down with owners Tricia Zimmer Ferguson and Tyler Zimmer to talk about the story behind Kaldi’s, what it’s like to build a family-owned business, and how the company has evolved over the years. Tricia and Tyler share their perspective on the changing coffee industry, what makes St. Louis such an important part of Kaldi’s story, and what they’re excited about as the brand looks toward its next chapter. It’s a conversation about coffee, family, entrepreneurship, and building a St. Louis business that continues to grow while staying true to its roots. Kaldi’s Coffee has been named USA Today’s Best Coffee Chain for the past two years and they’re up for the honor again in 2026. If Kaldi’s has been part of your morning, your neighborhood, or your coffee routine, you can help them go for three in a row. Vote once a day through October 19th at https://kaldiscoffee.com/pages/2026-usa-today-vote

    EP 59: Brewing the Next Chapter with Kaldi’s Coffee

  6. Sep 21

    Episode 58: 10 Years of Nathaniel Reid Bakery

    It’s been 10 years since Nathaniel Reid opened the doors to his namesake bakery, creating some of St. Louis’ most celebrated pastries, breads and desserts. In Episode 58, Alexis Zotos sits down with owner and baker Nathaniel Reid to talk about his journey in the baking world, why he ultimately chose to move back to St. Louis, and what has kept him here for the past decade. Nathaniel also gives Alexis a look at what’s coming to the bakery this fall, from seasonal flavors and favorites to what customers can look forward to as the bakery heads into one of its busiest times of year. It’s a conversation about coming home, building a lasting business, and the craft behind creating a bakery that has become a beloved part of the St. Louis food scene.

    Episode 58: 10 Years of Nathaniel Reid Bakery

  7. Sep 14

    Episode 57: A New Chapter for Lona’s Lil Eats

    For years, Lona’s Lil Eats has been serving up vibrant, made-from-scratch dishes that blend Asian flavors with soul food and now, Chef and Owner Lona Luo is bringing her beloved restaurant to a whole new part of the St. Louis region. In Episode 56, Alexis Zotos sits down with Lona to talk about the opening of her new Kirkwood location and the evolution of the Lona’s Lil Eats story. The 4,500-square-foot restaurant expands the community-driven dining experience into St. Louis County bringing all of the fresh, customizable wraps, bowls, salads, whole fish, and handmade sauces that have made Lona’s a local favorite. The conversation goes back to the beginning from Lona's childhood in rural China to her first stand at Soulard Market to now owning two restaurants.  It’s a conversation about food, family, community, and a big new chapter for one of St. Louis’ most unique restaurants. This episode is brought to you by Kaldi's Coffee.

    Episode 57: A New Chapter for Lona’s Lil Eats

  8. Sep 7

    Episode 56: Frizz Fest: Celebrating Natural Hair, Beauty & Community

    For nine years, Frizz Fest has been bringing St. Louis together to celebrate natural hair, beauty, culture, creativity, and community. In this episode, Alexis Zotos sits down with sister-in-laws Leslie and Valerie Hughes, the women behind Frizz Fest, to talk about how the festival started, how it has grown over the past nine years, and why creating a space centered around natural hair and self-expression continues to be so important. The 9th annual Frizz Fest takes place September 19 at Tower Grove Park, bringing together vendors, beauty professionals, creatives, and the community for a day celebrating individuality and embracing natural beauty.

    Episode 56: Frizz Fest: Celebrating Natural Hair, Beauty & Community
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4.3
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About

Welcome to What’s New in the Lou with Alexis Zotos, your go-to guide for what’s fresh, fun, and happening around St. Louis. A weekly interview style show featuring the people and events that make St. Louis special. 

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