

St. Louis on the Air
St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis on the Air creates a unique space where guests and listeners can share ideas and opinions with respect and honesty. Whether exploring issues and challenges confronting our region, discussing the latest innovations in science and technology, taking a closer look at our history or talking with authors, artists and musicians, St. Louis on the Air brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 5, 2023 • 14min
Teen musicians in the Drum Warriors Ensemble take St. Louis’ biggest stage
This year’s Teen Talent Competition features the Drum Warriors Ensemble, a group of four young Black men from different St. Louis high schools who perform traditional African rhythms. They share how traditional African drumming and dance connects them with their heritage.

Apr 5, 2023 • 21min
How a new cookbook project plans to weave together the cultures of St. Louis
Roll up your sleeves and tie your apron — it’s time to get to cooking.
The International Institute of St. Louis and Global Foods Group have put out a region-wide call-to-action for residents and restaurants to submit their favorite dishes that use internationally-sourced ingredients. Professional chefs, hobbyists and amateurs are all welcome to share their top picks.

Apr 4, 2023 • 17min
Missouri History Museum crowns St. Louis as soccer capital of the U.S.
You would be hard pressed to talk about sports history without mentioning St. Louis — and that goes for soccer, too. St. Louis’ first Major League Soccer team is off to a record breaking first season, but City SC is far from the first notch in the region’s soccer timeline. Sam Moore, managing director of public history for the Missouri Historical Society, says St. Louis is justified to claim the title of first soccer capital in the U.S.

Apr 4, 2023 • 33min
‘There is nothing that I would change about being trans’: One family’s story of gender affirming care
What is gender affirming care? As officials and lawmakers seek to restrict it in Missouri, often lost is an explanation of what it entails. STLPR health reporter Sarah Fentem discusses her latest reporting on the facts behind gender affirming care. Susan Halla and her 22-year-old son
Joey Borrelli share their experience obtaining gender affirming care at Washington University’s gender clinic — and react to accusations against the clinic by former case manager Jaime Reed.

Apr 3, 2023 • 14min
4 new restaurants to try this April
Sauce Magazine staff writer Iain Shaw dishes on the top new St. Louis restaurants to check out this month, including Bagel Union, the Vandy, Fleur STL and Lola Jean’s Pizza.

Apr 3, 2023 • 20min
This local running club invites all to run through the 314
Ricky Hughes founded St. Louis Run Crew with inclusion in mind — specifically to introduce Black and brown people to running and to create a space where they can be comfortable. While most running clubs are inherently inclusive, Hughes would often find himself the only person of color in local running groups. He says the crew — which meets in Kiener Plaza Park — is “open to all faces, paces and laces.”

Apr 3, 2023 • 18min
A reporter found his story in an escape room. Then he became a main character in it
In 2014, Danny Wicentowski became obsessed with writing about an escape room — and became trapped in a way he never predicted. Wicentowski performed his story at St. Louis Public Radio as part of the Story Collider show “Variables” on February 13, 2023.

Mar 31, 2023 • 51min
Legal Roundtable: Facing down Missouri’s AG, Kim Gardner tells supporters she will run again
What’s next for St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner? Has attorney Al Watkins played himself into a lawsuit? What happens to Missouri’s gun laws now that a federal judge has ruled the state’s Second Amendment Preservation Act is unconstitutional? The Legal Roundtable tackles those cases, and more, with attorneys Eric Banks, Nicole Gorovsky and Mary Anne Sedey.

Mar 30, 2023 • 22min
SLSO international tour puts ‘St. Louis on the map’
The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is on its first international tour since 2017 — and the first under Music Director Stéphane Denève’s direction. Denève shares highlights from the tour, what it’s like to perform in different venues (“every hall is like a different instrument”) and what it means to represent the Gateway City abroad.

Mar 30, 2023 • 20min
How Black roller skaters put St. Louis skate style on the map
St. Louis' skate style is known across the country: it’s smooth. There are even several moves that are uniquely St. Louis. Skating is also particularly popular for many Black St. Louisans where skating happens at places such as Coachlite Skate Center in Bridgeton and Skate King in Pine Lawn. Longtime skater Xavier Alexander explains what makes St. Louis skate style special.


