St. Louis on the Air

Latest Episodes:

National Democratic party chairman says Missouri Democrats still matter Feb 21, 2025

Show notes

When Ken Martin announced his first national tour since taking on the high profile post of DNC chairman, it may have come as a surprise to some that he included Missouri as one of the stops. On the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, Martin talks about his goals for the party and why deep red states like Missouri are important.

Pritzker unveils $55.2 billion budget with no new taxes, compares Trump playbook to the Nazi movement Feb 21, 2025

Show notes

Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday compared President Donald Trump’s “authoritarian playbook” to the Nazi movement as he unveiled a $55.2 billion spending plan that also saves the state more than $400 million by nixing a health care program for adults who lack legal status. STLPR Metro East reporter Will Bauer joins the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air to discuss Pritzker’s address and budget proposal.

Women music producers battle for respect. In St. Louis, they’ve found sisterhood Feb 20, 2025

Show notes

Music producers are behind-the-scenes creators who make the drumbeat, and heartbeat, of many experiences we enjoy. But this corner of the industry is male-dominated, leaving little recognition and appreciation for the women in the field — despite their major contributions. St. Louis music producers Lexxiii Beatz and Volume Speaks share their experiences as women in music production, the sisterhood they’ve found among other musicians and the obstacles they’ve overcome.

North City native reflects on the growth since opening a Black-owned pharmacy Feb 20, 2025

Show notes

Due to past racial events, there is often a mistrust in communities with people of color when it comes to the healthcare system. Owner of GreaterHealth Pharmacy and Wellness, Marcus Howards recollects how Black people were experimented on during the Tuskegee experiment. He also discusses how GreaterHealth develops trusts and provides care for patients as a Black-owned pharmacy. The St. Louis native also reflects on the growth and obstacles since opening the pharmacy.

How to harvest invasive plants in helpful — and delicious — ways Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

Weeding out invasive species can feel like a never ending chore because of the rapid growth and spread rate. Missouri Botanical Garden associate scientist Wendy Applequist encourages traditional uses of these plants to help the ecosystem — and ourselves.

Shawn ‘Rab’ Fentress finds success in being an unabashed ‘Blerd’ — and encourages others to do the same Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

Social media has put art and entertainment from all corners of the world in the literal palm of your hand. Manga and anime (Japanese comic books and cartoons) hit mainstream American bookshelves and screens starting in the 1990s, and cross-cultural exchange has resulted in the development of distinct subcultures — including “blerds” or Black nerds. In this encore episode, St. Louis born and raised content creator Shawn “Rab” Fentress discusses the popularization of Blerd culture. Shawn has accumulated hundreds of thousands of followers for his distinct voice-overs of anime shows, which he calls “hood dubs,” and found success in creating online content with Nappy Boy Network, founded by rapper and singer T-Pain.

Coffee without exploitation: A SLU student's bold plan and a roaster's perspective Feb 17, 2025

Show notes

In the U.S. alone coffee has an economic value upwards of $340 billion dollars annually. But in the countries where coffee is grown, farmers and producers often face exploitation. St. Louis University student Firaol Ahmed started Moii Coffee, an online platform that aims to cut down on exploitation by connecting Ethiopian coffee farmers directly to U.S. roasters. STLPR reporter Marissanne Lewis-Thompson has that story, and then we check-in with Jason Wilson, owner of Northwest Coffee Roasting Company in St. Louis, about his work with Ahmed and how he’s grappling with a volatile industry.

A judge’s order has restarted abortion in Missouri. Here’s what happens next Feb 17, 2025

Show notes

This past Saturday, an abortion took place in a Missouri Planned Parenthood clinic. It’s something that hasn’t happened in the state since 2022. The development follows a judge’s ruling on Friday that’s again changed the legal landscape for abortion. St. Louis Public Radio health reporter Sarah Fentem discusses the impact of that ruling, and what’s changed since Missouri voters approved Amendment 3, which added abortion as a protected right in the Missouri Constitution.

‘How to Destroy Everything’ podcast returns to St. Louis and the mysterious ‘Royal Manor’ Feb 14, 2025

Show notes

The bizarre life of Richard Jacobs inspired the name of the podcast now trying to make sense of it. Since debuting in August, “How to Destroy Everything” has told the story of a "narcissist who destroyed a childhood, a marriage, a family, and a community." The podcast is produced by Jacobs’ son, Danny Jacobs, and Danny’s childhood best friend Darren Grodsky. The two have been peeling back the layers of who Richard Jacobs was, uncovering new mysteries, and exploring what remains of his former home in St. Louis, known as “The Royal Manor.” The podcast’s creators share insights from their ongoing podcast and the terrible man at its center —and what it means to return to St. Louis amid the popularity of the show.

Edwardsville man remembers his greatest love on first Valentine’s Day without her Feb 14, 2025

Show notes

For his first Valentine’s Day without his best friend and wife Aida Audia, recent widower Jeff Topal talks about his relationship with “the love of my life”: how they met, what they built and shared in health and through Aida’s illness, and what made their 45-year marriage so special. This conversation grew out of an exchange that first took place at a 2025 St. Louis Public Radio listening session in Collinsville, Illinois.

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