St. Louis on the Air

Latest Episodes:

Farrah Fazal’s 'North Star': Former St. Louis journalist details reporting on conflict zones abroad Nov 15, 2018

Show notes

Witnessing famines, children starving to death, makeshift doctor’s offices and refugee camps, former St. Louis reporter Farrah Fazal details harrowing stories of people stuck in conflict zones and those trying to make it to host Don Marsh.

Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin shares insight on presidential administrations, future of politics Nov 14, 2018

Show notes

Doris Kearns Goodwin is an award-winning American biographer, historian, and political commentator that specializes in analyzing the administrations of United States presidents, which she refers to as "her guys." Host Don Marsh talks to Goodwin about her perspective on the current state of political affairs.

Local author expands, updates illustrated timeline of St. Louis' 250 years and counting Nov 13, 2018

Show notes

About four years ago, Carol Shepley was busy putting the final touches on her visually oriented history of St. Louis as the city celebrated 250 years. But there was still much more St. Louis history yet to be told, including about the tragedy and unrest that rocked the region that same month that she finished her book.

Jazz critic discusses genre’s roots, reinventions, representations ahead of St. Louis event Nov 13, 2018

Show notes

On Tuesday's St. Louis on the Air, host Don Marsh spoke with jazz critic for NPR's Fresh Air Kevin Whitehead. Whitehead is the author of "Why Jazz: A Concise Guide," and his upcoming book, "Play the Way You Feel," will be released in 2019.

Former Dartmouth president details U.S. detachment from military service, Vietnam vets’ experiences Nov 12, 2018

Show notes

Much has changed about the nature of warfare in the 100 years since the end of World War I, including the percentage of American adults who have served in the U.S. military. "I'm of the over-75 generation, [and] 52 percent of us are veterans," historian James Wright said on St. Louis on the Air. "The Vietnam generation, about 37 percent are veterans. And of course the current generation, in their 20s and early 30s, it's about 2 percent … it's clear which way this demographic is moving."

Delving into the history of the Jefferson Barracks Military Post Nov 12, 2018

Show notes

Host Don Marsh talks to Mark Trout, president and CEO of the Missouri Civil War Museum, about the history and influence of the Jefferson Barracks Military Post, the oldest operational military installation in the region.

‘He was always a step ahead’: Buckminster Fuller’s lingering influence on St. Louis, the world Nov 09, 2018

Show notes

For decades, R. Buckminster Fuller was known around the globe for his scholarship and his vision of a future that could work for everyone aboard what he described as “spaceship earth.” By the middle of the 20th century, he saw two possible destinations on humanity’s horizon – utopia or oblivion – and his lectures and writings still resonate today.

A tale of hijackings, rescues and a legendary St. Louis helicopter pilot Nov 09, 2018

Show notes

Host Don Marsh goes behind the headlines with the Riverfront Times’ Danny Wicentowski about his newly published deep dive into the memorable life of Allen Barklage, a legendary St. Louis helicopter pilot.

STLPR's Abigail Censky on how women candidates fared nationally, locally in the midterms Nov 09, 2018

Show notes

St. Louis Public Radio's Abigail Censky takes a close look at how things turned out this week for the record number of women candidates running for office in Missouri.

Conductor Stéphane Denève set to ‘build the romance’ with St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Nov 08, 2018

Show notes

Host Don Marsh talks to St. Louis Symphony Orchestra's new music director Stéphane Denève about his "musical marriage" with the organization.