Stay Connected***No longer adding new episodes*** On The Record was co-hosted by Sheilah Kast and Ashley Sterner. Sheilah and shared conversations with audacious artists, intrepid scientists, community leaders and more. And of course, tales from the beloved Stoop Storytelling Series.
On The Record was produced by Melissa Gerr. Jon Ehrens created the theme music. Louis Umerlik designed the logo.
Copyright: © 2024 WYPR Baltimore
High utility bills are ripping through many customers’ budgets. The General Assembly is considering several bills it hopes would increase how much electricity is generated in Maryland. The Public Service Commission, which sets the rates electricity and gas companies can charge, says it's studying “lessons learned” from the multi-year rates it has set for Baltimore Gas & Electric. None of this attention holds much promise of helping consumers soon. To try to understand some of the factors, we reached out to David S. Lapp, the state people’s counsel, whose office advocates for residential utility customers.
Rebekah Opher has received a 2024 Baltimore Weaver Award for her work in addressing food insecurity for unhoused people in the city. The award, which includes $5,000 in grant funds given by Weave: the Social Fabric Project, an offshoot of the Aspen Institute with support from M&T Bank. One of her projects is Aunt Beck's Place, providing Sunday dinners for people experiencing homelessness.
President Trump’s executive orders put funding for the arts in peril. How might that affect Baltimore’s art landscape? Cara Ober of Bmore Art weighs in, and reminds us why we should care: “The arts, and artists are there to really sustain us during difficult times. It’s entertainment, but it’s there to feed our souls.” Plus, she says get out and experience art now, and offers these highlights: Reverie and Alchemy at Towson University Center for the Arts Gallery, LAYERS: The Art of Contemporary Collage at MICA, Soil to Skin at Silber Art Gallery, and James Rouse: En Plein Air, at Grimaldis Gallery.
Brian Higginson tells us a stoop story about working to center his artistic imagination on Charm City. There are a couple of live stoop events happening next week! On Wednesday March 5, The Road Less Traveled: stories about forging unique career paths. And on Thursday March 6, BE: Stories of Mental Health: personal tales about the challenges, surprises, struggles, and triumphs of improving mental health. More information about live events and the Stoop podcast is at Stoopstorytelling.com.
Among the flurry of executive orders President Trump has signed in his first month in office are a series of directives targeting transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people. Among other things, these orders attempt to ban gender affirming care for youth, bar transgender people from serving in the military, and forbid trans athletes from participating in women’s sports. Court challenges are underway, but the executive orders and the way leaders both inside and outside of government are interpreting them are already having a big impact on trans people in the US. We hear from Dr. Zack Berger, who provides gender affirming hormone treatment through the Johns Hopkins Center for Transgender and Gender Expansive Health about his experiences.
People with autism spectrum disorder often have difficulty with imitating other people's actions. Kennedy Krieger is developing a diagnostic tool called the "Computerized Assessment of Motor Imitation" (or CAMI); it's a one-minute tool that uses motion-tracking technology to distinguish children with autism from those with ADHD or neurotypical peers. We hear how it works from Dr. Stewart Mostofsky, the director of the Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Laboratory for Neurocognitive and Imaging Research.
Scores of children in Maryland have died from abuse and neglect in recent years -- one of the worst records in any state. We hear from Baltimore Banner investigative reporter Jessica Calefati why that news is just now reaching the public, and what’s being done.
“I Am A Child Of God Inc.” helps middle and high school students in and around Baltimore find confidence and community, through weekly dinners, college tours, a scholarship program, and summer youth retreats. The group's founder and executive director Dr. Erin Lonon has received a Weaver Award grant to further her nonprofit's work.
The Jewish Museum of Maryland is full of historical and cultural treasures. Now they’re even more accessible -- with new interactive, state-of-the-art displays! We hear about the renovation from executive director Sol Davis. "Picturing Past and Present" happens Sunday, February 23.
Today, two Stoop Stories: Rev. Cristina Paglinauan talks about finding her voice. And Andrea Chamblee tells a story about tapping into her power. More information about the Stoop Storytelling Series - including upcoming live events and the Stoop podcast - is at stoopstorytelling.com.
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
