St. Louis on the Air
4,431 episodes — Page 46 of 89
‘Wrestling at the Chase’ details pro wrestling’s St. Louis heyday
In the 1960s and '70s, “Wrestling at the Chase” regularly drew crowds to the Chase Park Plaza Hotel — and thousands more watched the matches on TV. Historian Ed Wheatley explores the highlights along with listeners.
First openly trans person to run for Missouri legislature shares why she quit
Kendall Martinez-Wright’s mental health issues led to a suicide attempt and her decision to suspend her campaign. In this episode, the Democrat from Palmyra opens up about what happened — and how she’s finding a way forward.
Doing business with a medical marijuana company? Your bank may balk
The medical marijuana industry in Missouri is thriving. But accessing banking has proven a struggle for many dispensaries and even vendors doing business with them — even though their businesses are legal. St. Louis accountant David Smith explains why.
BioSTL invested in Benson Hill when it needed money. Now it’s worth $2 billion
Ag-tech startup Benson Hill is now a publicly traded company worth $2 billion. Charlie Bolten of BioGenerator explains how BioSTL helped the St. Louis company get its start — and go public in less than a decade.
Wealthy neighborhoods attract more biodiversity in St. Louis. It’s called the ‘luxury effect’
More money, more animals. Washington University scientist Solny Adalsteinsson explains how St. Louis topped the list in a recent study looking at the “luxury effect” across 20 cities — and why that’s not a good thing.
STL.works helps St. Louisans land well-paid jobs, no college required
A two-year-old initiative from the Regional Business Council aims to recruit, train and mentor kids for skilled labor jobs as early as high school. Leader Art McCoy discusses its impetus -- and the big payday for people who participate.
‘A Culinary History of Missouri’ explores the history of what we ate and how we cooked it
Author Suzanne Corbett discusses her new book detailing the “foodways and iconic dishes” of the Show Me State — and shatters some myths about famous St. Louis food innovations.
How Steph Del Rosso turned anger into laughter in 'The Gradient'
Playwright Steph Del Rosso discusses her play about a startup that aims to rehabilitate men accused of sexual misconduct. “The Gradient” makes its world premiere at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis.
Why Jimiyu — and orangutans and big cats too — are getting COVID-19 shots
The St. Louis Zoo is vaccinating mammals against COVID-19, including chimpanzees, orangutans, lemurs, foxes and most of the zoo’s big cats. Dr. Sathya Chinnadurai explains why these species are being prioritized.
St. Louis is overhauling its 911 system to fix long hold times
Wait times for 911 calls in St. Louis far exceed national standards. Interim Public Safety Director Dan Isom explains the complicated process of merging three dispatch centers to one and how that could fit into expanding the Cops and Clinicians program.
Local unions face uncertainty after Carpenters union shutters St. Louis regional council
The United Brotherhood of Carpenters was long a political powerhouse in the St. Louis region — but now the organization has shuttered its St. Louis office and moved leadership to Chicago. Two experts analyze possible reasons for the shakeup and explore the potential fallout.
Wash U scientists to continue Mars research with $11.8 million NASA contract renewal
Most of what mankind knows about Mercury, Venus, Mars and Earth’s moon sits on servers in St. Louis thanks to researchers at Washington University. Earth and planetary sciences professor Raymond Arvidson discusses his department's latest $11.8 million contract renewal with NASA.
Rams and Kroenke again try to move trial outside St. Louis in ‘extraordinary’ challenge
Former Missouri Appellate Court Judge Booker Shaw discusses the latest Hail Mary attempt by Stan Kroenke and the NFL — and why even a loss may not be enough to stop their efforts to move the trial from St. Louis
‘Summer in St. Louis,’ a reflection on love and revolution, brings home Berlin festival win
"Summer in St. Louis'' recently won Best Super Short Drama at the Berlin Flash Film Festival. Director Câmi Thomas shares how the film reflects her love for her community and the “constant narrow avoidance of danger” in St. Louis.
Scholars call for more attention to Native American knowledge, impacts in fight against climate change
Ahead of the “Indigenous Knowledge & Sustainability” conference kicking off in St. Louis, two Native American scholars discuss how some solutions to climate change can cause great harm to indigenous communities.
Hundreds gather to honor St. Louisans lost to COVID during pandemic's first 19 months
A large crowd and energetic choir came together at the Sheldon Concert Hall on Saturday night for Requiem of Light, a public memorial honoring the thousands of St. Louisans lost to COVID-19. In this episode, we share reflections and musical highlights.
Busch Stadium could be hurting the Cardinals’ offense. Now they’re looking for a change
The Cardinals' offense is better on the road than it is at Busch Stadium. This episode of "St. Louis on the Air" discusses what role the stadium itself plays, and looks into how physics can affect the game.
‘Art Along the Rivers’ celebrates centuries of art at the confluence
St. Louis Art Museum’s new show features art inspired by, and made within, the region where the three most powerful rivers in the U.S. come together. The curators explain the road trips and rare finds that brought the exhibit together.
How The St. Louis Chamber Chorus Found A Way To Sing Again, Masks And All
As the St. Louis Chamber Chorus returns to the stage after 20 months, artistic director Philip Barnes discusses choirs in the age of COVID-19 and masks you can actually sing in.
Missouri Has Entered ‘Demographic Winter,’ With More People Dying Than Being Born
As of 2020, more people are dying than being born in Missouri. St. Louis University professor Ness Sandoval explains how we got here and what it will take to rebound from that decline.
Osage Nation Sees Donation Of Missouri Acreage Just After ‘Devastating’ Picture Cave Auction
The Native American Rights Fund donated 20 acres of ancestral Osage lands in Lafayette County, Missouri, to the Osage Nation this month. Andrea Hunter, the director of the Osage Nation Historic Preservation Office, discusses the gift, and the sale of Picture Cave, in this episode.
Michael Politte Has Served 22 Years For Murdering His Mother. Experts Say He’s Innocent
Michael Politte was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for allegedly murdering his mother as a 14-year-old. Attorneys and advocates explain the growing body of evidence that he’s actually innocent — and Politte tells his story.
‘The City Has The NFL By The Throat’: Legal Roundtable Digs Into Rams’ Litigation
The Legal Roundtable digs into litigation around mask mandates and how Zoom testimony affects the right to confront your accuser — and the panelists disagree as to whether they’d settle with the NFL and Stan Kroenke or take their chances at trial.
How 12 Acres Of Cornfield Became A Maze At Eckert’s Millstadt Fun Farm
At Eckert’s Farm in Millstadt, Illinois, there’s an intricate 12-acre corn maze that, this year, honors health care workers. Hugh McPherson of Maize Quest talks about the precise high-tech operation of corn mazes.
The Bail Project Closes St. Louis Office As Cash Bail Use Sharply Declines
The Bail Project is closing its St. Louis office after nearly four years. CEO Robin Steinberg explains why, and discusses how the bigger fight against cash bail continues, with former St. Louis-based “bail disruptor” Mike Milton.
Bonus: Leonard Slatkin On Building A Better Pipeline For Conductors
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Conductor Laureate Leonard Slatkin lays out possible solutions to the lack of native-born music directors in American orchestras and the lack of a thoughtful career path for talented assistant conductors.
The Cherokee Street Statue Is Gone, And Its Sculptor Is Fine With That
Artist Bill Christman never considered his Cherokee Street statue, installed in 1985, among his best work. He explains why — and shares its design process and why he’s not upset about the sculpture’s removal.
Laclede's Landing Concert Series Brings New Life To St. Louis Riverfront
A new concert series is now up and running in what may seem like an unlikely place: Laclede’s Landing. It hasn’t come without complications. Drew Jameson of Jamo Presents discusses what the concert series has to offer and how it’s part of a larger effort to revive downtown St. Louis.
How STL Juntos Helped Latinos Lead Missouri In Vaccinations
The Latino community is leading Missouri in vaccination rates — thanks to a local volunteer group connecting local Spanish speakers with both resources to navigate the pandemic and health professionals.
Bonus: Nikki Glaser Is Getting Ready For What Comes After Comedy
Comedian Nikki Glaser recently started taking voice lessons. In this bonus podcast episode, she explains how she has a new job in mind.
Deep-Diving Nine PBS Film Explores History Of 7 Navy Ships Named St. Louis
“USS St. Louis: Centuries of Service” highlights the first USS St. Louis’ role fighting piracy and the slave trade, “Lucky Lou’s” escape from Pearl Harbor, and the current crew’s reflections on their vessel and the city she honors. The documentary is produced, written and narrated by St. Louisan Kara Vaninger.
From St. Louis, An Afghan Contemplates His Homeland
Born in Afghanistan, Qais Meraj has made a life in St. Louis. He discusses his work as an interpreter for the U.S. military, his family’s journey and his fears for loved ones left behind.
Comedian Nikki Glaser On St. Louis Living, FBoy Island And More
Comedian Nikki Glaser talks about reacquainting herself with her hometown after moving back to St. Louis in 2020, what her hit HBO Max show “FBoy Island” taught her about love and more.
In ‘The State Must Provide,’ Adam Harris Explores Racial Disparities In Higher Education
Atlantic staff writer Adam Harris discusses his new book “The State Must Provide,” which explores the long history of inequality in higher education, and offers a provocative remedy for the funding woes of historically Black colleges.
For Leonard Slatkin, Classical Music’s ‘Crossroads’ Requires Boldness
Leonard Slatkin, conductor laureate of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, discusses his new book and what it will take for classical music to thrive again.
For Somi Kakoma, ‘Dreaming Zenzile’ Was Years In The Making
Grammy-nominated jazz singer Somi Kakoma has spent almost seven years turning the story of South African singer Miriam Makeba into a musical. She discusses its world premiere in St. Louis — and plans for Off Broadway.
Downtown St. Louis Aldermen See Challenges, Cause For Optimism
Downtown St. Louis has been hard-hit during the pandemic, with office workers replaced by troublemakers on many evenings. Aldermen Jack Coatar and James Page discuss the issues facing the neighborhood and Mayor Tishaura Jones’ plan to tackle them.
Writer Jeannette Cooperman On How Today’s Humans Shuttle ‘In And Out Of Doom’ Every Day
In her timely essay for Washington University’s Common Reader, longtime St. Louis journalist Jeannette Cooperman explores the often surreal contrasts between “our quiet, lamp-lit private life” and “the shadows outside our window” in the contemporary world. She shares excerpts and reflections with producer Evie Hemphill in this episode.
After 8 Intensive Weeks And An Influx Of $50K, Business Owners Reflect On Accelerator’s Merits
The University of Missouri-St. Louis DEI Accelerator program wrapped up its inaugural cohort earlier this year. In this encore from May, we listen to two participants who thrived as part of the program.
'Ghost Army' Inches Closer To Achieving High Honors
During WWII, 1,100 men formed the "Ghost Army." Their job was to deceive enemy troops — and they did. We listen to this encore from May 2021. The effort is now just 15 U.S. senators away from approval.
In ‘Crushed’ Podcast, St. Louis Native Explores ‘98 Home Run Race
Sports writer Joan Niesen goes deep on baseball’s steroid era in her podcast, Crushed.” Her conversation with Sarah Fenske originally aired on April 9, 2021.
10 Years Sober, Katie Collier Talks Addiction In The Restaurant Industry
In this encore episode, the chef and co-owner of Katie’s Pizza & Pasta Osteria reflects on a decade of sobriety and what it took to achieve that milestone.
‘The Joy and Transformative Power of Lifelong Learning’ With Tom Vanderbilt
In this encore presentation, author Tom Vanderbilt talks about his new book, "Beginners: The Joy and Transformative Power of Lifelong Learning," which highlights his year-long experience tackling new skills.
Marc Maron On ‘WTF,’ St. Louis And The Magic Of A Good Conversation
The acclaimed comic joins us to discuss his return to touring and the ongoing enthusiasm for his groundbreaking podcast.
How The Urban League Chips Away At Vaccine Hesitancy, One Shot At A Time
Ever wonder what drives vaccine hesitancy? Fred Scott got his vaccine this morning and explains why. We also talk with James Clark of the Urban League about the organization’s efforts to get more shots in arms.
How Pfizer’s Chesterfield Staff Raced The Clock To Develop, Manufacture And Test Its COVID Vaccine
The manufacturing of every Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine dose produced to-date has started in Chesterfield, Missouri. The company also tests every batch. Justin Sperry, head of R&D at the site, explains how and what it took to develop the vaccine.
Paul Artspace Leaves Florissant Home To Offer Residencies Across St. Louis, And The World
The original Paul Artspace is located just over a mile from a busy thoroughfare in north St. Louis County. While founder Mike Behle says the group will still host bonfires and other occasional events on the property, the actual artist residencies will take place elsewhere moving forward.
New St. Louis City Counselor Comes With New Mandate For Police Abuse Cases
In defending claims of police abuse, St. Louis officials have generally prioritized protecting taxpayers over making victims whole. That strategy will change with a new city counselor, journalist Bill Freivogel explains
For Singer-Songwriter Yannon, Pandemic Isolation Provided Inspiration
Kara Yannon delves into her her music journey, and preview tracks from her first album “Cohesion," ahead of its debut on Oct. 3.
Pop Up Prairie Wants To Add Patches Of Prairie To St. Louis Parks
In 2015, Jeff Harris and his sister Leigh Harris founded the nonprofit with a goal to turn 10% of city parks into native prairie restorations within the next 10 to 20 years.