St. Louis on the Air

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How Missouri Botanical Garden hopes to bring extinct plants back from the dead Feb 20, 2023

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Missouri Botanical Garden’s Conservation Scientist Matthew Albrecht and Herbarium Director Jordan Teisher are hoping to bring extinct plants back from the dead. The two scientists are part of a global “de-extinction” project with sixty other herbaria that will result in attempting to germinate seeds of extinct plant species, some of which have not been seen alive in the wild for over a century. Producer Miya Norfleet talked with Albrecht and Teisher about the project and what it means for conservation efforts in the future.

Police implicit bias training may impact belief, but not behavior, WashU study finds Feb 20, 2023

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Washington University researcher Calvin Lai discusses his latest study showing that the daylong implicit bias-oriented training programs commonly used by most police departments are unlikely to reduce racial inequity in policing.

The hearts and scars of St. Louis author Adina Talve-Goodman Feb 17, 2023

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Adina Talve-Goodman lived a life on the edge of death. Born with a congenital heart condition, St. Louis-born author underwent a heart transplant at 19. Yet, tragically, more than a decade later, she was diagnosed with cancer. She died in 2018, at the age of 31. She left behind a trove of published and unpublished essays, drafts and other writings. That material now comprises the new collection, “Your Heart, Your Scars,” which was published last month by Bellevue Literary Press. Sarika Talve-Goodman and Hannah Tinti remember the life and work of Adina Talve-Goodman, and share how they compiled the new essay collection.

La Pâtisserie Chouquette takes the crown with their Mardi Gras king cakes Feb 17, 2023

Show notes

Simone Faure, owner/chef of La Pâtisserie Chouquette, talks about baking the traditional New Orleans Mardi Gras king cake. The bakery opened in St. Louis in 2013 and was recently named a semifinalist in the annual James Beard Awards for outstanding bakery.

New Music Circle’s concert will have you questioning what you know about music Feb 16, 2023

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New Music Circle has evolved in tandem with boundary-pushing musical movements since 1959. Board members Alex Cunningham and Josh Levi discuss the upcoming New Music Circle concert and how the artists demonstrate the technological potential of experimental music.

Meet Lamar Johnson’s attorney. She never gave up hope for his release Feb 16, 2023

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Lamar Johnson gained freedom this week after spending 28 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Among the attorneys who worked to secure Johnson’s release was Lindsay Runnels, who represented Johnson since 2015. Johnson called Runnels a sister, a friend and “God’s best angel.” Runnels reflects on the journey that led to Johnson’s release and describes what it was like to experience it in the courtroom.

‘Pillars of the Valley’ cements the nearly forgotten history of Mill Creek Valley Feb 16, 2023

Show notes

Damon Davis’ latest — and largest — work of art, “Pillars of the Valley,” took five years to go from concept to installation. For author Vivian Gibson, the formal recognition of her beloved childhood neighborhood Mill Creek Valley is worthy of celebration. Gibson brought new attention to the neighborhood's history with her 2020 book, “The Last Children of Mill Creek." The two reflect on the years of work that brought them to this moment — and the work left to do.

New Afghan Community Center promises to support Afghan refugees in St. Louis Feb 14, 2023

Show notes

Afghans in St. Louis are welcoming newly arrived Afghan refugees with more support thanks to the new Afghan Community Center. The center also houses a new Afghan Chamber of Commerce, which will provide a number of educational services and mental health programs. Moji Sidiqi, Afghan Community Development Program Manager at the International Institute of St. Louis, and business owner Gul Totakhil discuss what community support means in action — and how they will continue to embrace fellow refugees who have escaped from Afghanistan.

Roz and Ralph grew up in St. Louis — and found love decades later, living 1,500 miles apart Feb 14, 2023

Show notes

Roz Lewy and Ralph Insinger discuss their book, "Beyond Beyond: A Chance Encounter, an Online Courtship and the Language of Love," which details how the couple fell in love late in life via the exchange of hundreds of emails.

This director decided to film in St. Louis before he wrote the script Feb 13, 2023

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Filmmaker Daniel Lawrence Wilson thinks that St. Louis can — and should — be the industry’s next premier filming location. Wilson, now living and working in Los Angeles, returned to St. Louis to film his directorial debut, “A Brush of Violence.” The film is the first to be sponsored by the nonprofit St. Louis Filmworks, and features many recognizable locations in St. Louis including Webster University, the Pulitzer Arts Foundation, Laumeier Sculpture Park, and the Magnolia Hotel. Wilson joined St. Louis on the Air to discuss how the city would benefit should it become a popular filming location.

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