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
Mar 25, 2022 • 31min
Washington Park Cemetery volunteers vow to correct historic Black gravesite’s neglect
Washington Park Cemetery, a century-old Black cemetery in north St. Louis County, is seeing new attention from volunteers after decades of neglect. Producer Emily Woodbury visits the site and talks to descendants of people buried there, while community advocate Aja Corrigan shares her hope for renewal.
Mar 25, 2022 • 23min
As the pandemic raged, Kathy Gilsinan found ‘The Helpers’
St. Louis-based journalist Kathy Gilsinan discusses her new book about the people who tried their best to help others during the COVID-19 pandemic — and how not getting the marriage proposal she expected led her to her first book proposal.
Mar 24, 2022 • 7min
Dogs get a rare treat for National Puppy Day: a ride on the St. Louis Wheel
Pups rode free on the Ferris wheel at St. Louis' Union Station on March 23, 2022. STLPR's Lara Hamdan checks in with local people and their pets on how that played out.
Mar 24, 2022 • 17min
As Marko Polo, kid favorite Mark Pagano launches a solo act
Local musician Mark Pagano is leading the way for St. Louis’ “kindie” music scene, making charming kids’ music their parents also listen to. He explains how his band FIRE DOG fell into kids’ music and the reason for his new moniker.
Mar 24, 2022 • 29min
Daylight saving time year-round would make our lives worse, Wash U expert says
A switch to permanent daylight saving time might seem appealing for those who enjoy lighter evenings. Wash U’s Erik Herzog discusses research that shows it could have dangerous effects on health and safety and our natural biological rhythms.
Mar 23, 2022 • 16min
Drill sergeant-turned-photographer shines light on unhoused veteran
Jerry Tovo is a successful commercial photographer, but instead of glossy advertisements or models, his new exhibition at the International Photography Hall of Fame turns the focus on homeless veterans. A former drill sergeant, Tovo discusses his past in the military, the challenges of finding his subjects, and his hopes for change.
Mar 23, 2022 • 20min
Cleanup of big Edwardsville oil spill continues, but pipeline concerns persist
A spill from Marathon Petroleum unleashed around 165,000 gallons of crude oil in and around Edwardsville. For nearby residents like Toni Oplt, the environmental disaster raises questions — and concerns about the next spill. The Sierra Club also shares its concerns.
Mar 23, 2022 • 18min
Camp Indigo Point will bring LGBTQ youth together this summer
Camp Indigo Point is a week-long summer camp for LGBTQ youth. While some camps exist like this on the coasts, this one — located in southern Illinois — is the one of the first in the Midwest. It’s now drawn kids from 19 different states, and will take place for the first time this June. The response from parents and kids has been greater than the founders ever anticipated.
Mar 23, 2022 • 19min
How Lance Geiger became a YouTube star with ‘The History Guy’
Lance Geiger is “The History Guy” on YouTube. The former corporate trainer was laid off in 2015, and in 2017, he launched the channel. He recently surpassed 1 million subscribers and his videos have more than 2.7 million total views. In this episode, Geiger shares his unusual path to becoming a YouTube star.
Mar 22, 2022 • 13min
Alcohol costs U.S. employees 232 million workdays, Wash U study finds
Adults who struggle with alcoholism miss an average of 32 workdays a year — double the number of workers who don’t suffer from alcohol use disorder. Two Wash U psychiatrists discuss their new study — and how workplaces hold the solution.
