St. Louis on the Air

Latest Episodes:

Kirkwood Teen Joanna Serenko Makes It To Top 9 On NBC's 'The Voice' May 12, 2020

Show notes

Kirkwood native Joanna Serenko debuted to a national audience on NBC’s “The Voice” on Feb. 24. After the coronavirus upended live performances, the show went on a brief hiatus and returned with many performers singing at home — including Serenko. Serenko talks with host Sarah Fenske about her journey thus far on the singing competition — and her musical journey in St. Louis, which includes her training at Webster University’s School of Music and JazzU at the Bistro.

Walter Johnson Explains Why St. Louis Is 'The Broken Heart Of America' May 11, 2020

Show notes

Walter Johnson’s new book tells the story of St. Louis’ history. In Johnson’s telling, it’s a messy, often ugly struggle where racism is paramount. The historian and Harvard University professor talks to host Sarah Fenske about his book “The Broken Heart of America: St. Louis and the Violent History of the United States" and what we can learn about America by examining St. Louis.

COVID-19 Brings Diversity Of Older Adults Into Focus Alongside Vulnerabilities May 11, 2020

Show notes

It comes as no surprise that older individuals are more at risk for COVID-19 and the crisis has revealed longstanding disparities regarding systematic racism and ageism in the St. Louis area. Nancy Morrow-Howell, the director of the Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging at Washington University, hopes the revelation of the disparities will lead to improvements, such as a deeper understanding of older adults as the diverse individuals that they are. Morrow-Howell talks with host Sarah Fenske about both the challenges and opportunities she foresees in the months and years ahead.

St. Louis Mayor Details Specifics Of May 18 Reopening May 08, 2020

Show notes

Almost two months have passed since St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson declared the coronavirus pandemic a public health emergency. Following the declaration, Krewson ordered many venues, bars, and restaurants to close. Now Krewson says the city will ease public health restrictions starting May 18. In this interview, host Sarah Fenske talks to Krewson on about what reopening St. Louis will look like, the city’s decision to clear an encampment of homeless people downtown, and a digital program the city’s Department of Health is using to conduct COVID-19 contact tracing.

Missouri's Former Governor Explains Why Jim Bakker Is Not A Coronavirus Villain May 08, 2020

Show notes

In March, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt filed a lawsuit against Branson-based televangelist Jim Bakker, alleging Bakker had touted a product called “Silver Solution” as a treatment for the coronavirus. Consumers, Schmitt suggested, could be victimized by the false information. Former Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon argues that the lawsuit violates Bakker’s First Amendment rights. Nixon explains to host Sarah Fenske why he thinks the televangelist is getting shafted by the state’s attorney general.

St. Louis Trans Individuals Face Challenges In Coronavirus Pandemic May 07, 2020

Show notes

Transgender and non-binary individuals have it hard. And it’s gotten worse since the coronavirus pandemic hit the St. Louis area. Some don’t have access to cars and some are homeless. Sayer Johnson, co-founder and executive director of the nonprofit Metro Trans Umbrella Group talks to host Sarah Fenske about the challenges trans and non-binary people face before and during the coronavirus pandemic. Ashe Valentine, who is non-binary, also joins the conversation to discuss the challenges they’re facing through this time.

Photographer Nate Burrell Discusses His 'Covid Days' May 07, 2020

Show notes

Photographer Nate Burrell has captured musicians for more than a decade, shooting album art for St. Louis’ rising stars in the scene, including Pokey LaFarge and Kevin Bowers. But when the coronavirus shut down bars and music venues, Burrell turned his eye to a different series of images: Capturing the new normal that the coronavirus brought upon the city. Host Sarah Fenske talks to Burrell to discuss his two-week project, “Covid Days” and what he has observed in his journey throughout St. Louis.

How Vitendo4Africa Helps African Immigrants Get Their Footing In St. Louis May 07, 2020

Show notes

Geoffrey Soyiantet, a Kenyan immigrant, founded Vitendo4Africa 10 years ago to support African immigrants in St. Louis. He joins host Sarah Fenske to discuss the organization's work, as well as its unique partnership with the St. Louis Zoo. Mike Fitzgerald, a veteran journalist who recently wrote a cover story for the RFT about the group, joins Fenske and Soyiantet to explain what native-born residents can learn from the African immigrants in this pandemic.

Nearly Complete 'Kinloch Doc' Explores Rich History Of All-Black City 'Hanging On By A Thread' May 06, 2020

Show notes

The story that Alana Woodson has devoted so much of her time over the past few years to telling is far from a simple one. After all, it’s about Kinloch, Missouri — a once-thriving suburb that has nearly disappeared. Her father’s childhood home there is no more. And what was once a community of 6,500 black St. Louisans has dwindled to less than 200 residents today. But Woodson, who goes by Alana Marie professionally, has stayed the course, interviewing dozens of people and gathering countless hours of footage for her ongoing documentary project “The Kinloch Doc.” A short version of the film was screened at festivals in 2018 and 2019, and is available to view online. The feature-length iteration is currently in its rough-cut stage, and Woodson has been crowdfunding to help cover post-production expenses. She and her team launched a Kickstarter campaign April 10, and with just a handful of days left to raise funds, they’ve now surpassed their goal of $20,000, drawing support from several hundred backers.

Exploring Afro-Latin Music’s Midwestern Impact May 06, 2020

Show notes

Host Sarah Fenske discusses the political and cultural significance of Afro-Latin music here in the Midwest with Pablo Sanhueza and Carmen Guynn. Sanhueza is known as the region’s premier salsa and Latin jazz percussionist and Guynn is a salsa instructor and the artistic director and owner of Almas Del Ritmo Dance Company. Ten years ago, she founded the St. Louis International Salsa Bachata Congress.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

St. Louis on the Air

Related Podcasts

1

2

3

4

5

6