Saint Louis In Tune

The St. Louis Jewish Film Festival is not just about watching films; it’s a tapestry of community connection and storytelling that transcends generations. Kicking off from March 15th to 26th, this festival is a celebration of diverse narratives that remind us of our shared humanity. John Wilson, the festival's cultural arts director, reveals the heart and soul behind this year’s lineup. This marks...

Sandy Weltman, a harmonica virtuoso with an impressive backstory, graces the podcast with his lively tales and musical insights. He kicks things off with a delightful connection to St. Louis sports legend Stan Musial, sharing how both he and Musial have a shared love for the harmonica. As the conversation unfolds, we explore the world of his love for musical instruments and their personal signific...

Emma Klues, joins us to talk about the Great Rivers Greenway (GRG), a regional public agency which helps connect St. Louis City, County, and St. Charles County with a network of scenic greenways. From lush trails perfect for biking, walking, and running to the history, partnerships, and community engagement, Emma explains the mission of the Great Rivers Greenway and how it came to life in 2000. Ur...

A vibrant circus mystery unfolds at Circus Harmony, where somersaulting sleuths are hot on the trail of a cookie caper! It’s not just any cookie, folks; someone’s pilfered the precious chocolate chip treat from the cookie jar, and the show titled 'Mysterioso' promises a whirlwind of acrobatics and intrigue as performers fly through the air and twist on wheels to solve this delicious whodunit. Jess...

Rebekah Coste, the founder of St. Louis Mom, shares her inspiring journey of motherhood and community building. She opens up about her unique experiences, starting from her days as a new mom in France to her current mission of supporting moms in St. Louis. Rebekah reminisces about the challenges of motherhood – from diaper changes to school drop-offs – and how important it is to have a support sys...

Carlos Bedoya and Scott Marlin bring the St. Louis music scene to life in this engaging episode, where they share their experiences as part of Grand Allusion, a tribute band dedicated to the iconic Styx. With a background as an electrical engineer, Carlos has an interesting perspective on how technology intersects with music, giving listeners a unique glimpse into the world of sound design and liv...

Gordon Meyer is a dynamic force in the entertainment industry, and his journey from a 12-year-old voice actor to the mastermind behind Hollywood's Master Storytellers is nothing short of inspiring. He started his career early, voicing Buster Brown for a commercial, and quickly transitioned into interviewing big names in Hollywood. One of the highlights of his career was creating and hosting Hollyw...

In this episode of Saint Louis in Tune, hosts Arnold Stricker and Mark Langston review shows from the past year, share Christmas songs you may want to avoid, and highlight some of the best jokes of the year. The hosts reflect on the community-driven aspects of their show, celebrating some of their top episodes on topics like tariffs, local festivals, personal stories of loss, and historical figure...

Christopher Alan Gordon takes us on a captivating journey through time as he unveils the poignant stories captured in his latest book, "Letters Home from World War II: St. Louis, Messages of Hope and Heartbreak from the Front Lines." We get to peek into personal correspondence that emerged from one of history's most tumultuous periods. Gordon's exploration isn't just about the letters; it's a reve...

Exploring the grand tapestry of St. Louis history, the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis emerges not just as a sacred space but as a monument to time itself. Our conversation with John C. Guenther dives into the architectural marvel that is the Cathedral Basilica, weaving through its 352-year history—from its early log church days in 1770 to the stunning mosaics that now grace its walls. We remini...

Get ready to embrace the great outdoors like never before at the Gateway Outdoor Expo + Summit, happening November 14th through 16th at the St. Charles Convention Center! This event is the ultimate playground for outdoor enthusiasts, and I had the chance to catch up with Brad Kovach, the founder and deputy director at River City Outdoors, who’s practically a legend in the local outdoor community....

Picture this: A world where the Holocaust is just a tiny footnote in the grand saga of World War II, where Auschwitz is a mere mention in a history book, overshadowed by the local chemical industry. Sounds unreal, right? Well, that was the reality in post-war West Germany—a time when many folks were keen to sweep the past under the rug. Enter Fritz Bauer, a Jewish judge who had a front-row seat to...

Andrew Leland joins us for a deeply engaging chat about his life and his memoir, The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight. This isn't just any old memoir; it's a journey through the intricate layers of navigating life as someone experiencing blindness. Picture this: Andrew, a writer and audio producer, begins to lose his sight but instead of retreating into darkness, he dives headfir...

Imagine curling up with a steaming bowl of soup that wraps around you like a warm hug. That's the sort of comfort that Anne Carpenter, a soup aficionado with over 30 years of experience, brings to the table. In our conversation, we unwrap her latest book, Soup for You, where she dishes out not just recipes but also wisdom on elevating your soup game. We explore the magic of summer soups, a topic m...

Tim Warrick is not just a tenor; he’s a powerhouse of barbershop harmony, and this episode captures his essence beautifully. With roots that trace back to singing at age four, Tim has built a career that intertwines his passion for music with a dedication to education and community. Our conversation kicks off with Tim recounting his early days in a barbershop quartet, illustrating the thrilling jo...

Terry Howell, the Chief Operating Officer of the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum, takes us on a captivating journey through the rich tapestry of aviation history. Nestled in McMinnville, Oregon, this museum is not just a collection of aircraft; it’s a vibrant hub dedicated to preserving the stories of those who flew them and the technology behind the machines. The museum has earned its stripes...

Rick Lewis is more than just a chef; he's a culinary storyteller whose journey is as flavorful as his dishes. His career began in a mom-and-pop restaurant, where he honed his skills and learned the essence of what it means to create comforting, heartfelt food. Fast forward to today, and Rick has made a name for himself in the St. Louis food scene, with his restaurant, Grace Meat + Three, earning a...

In a lively discussion about stuttering, the episode shines a light on the often-overlooked community of individuals who stutter. Our guests, Christine Rose, Jamie Saunders-Anglin, and Molly Porzel, offer a wealth of knowledge and personal anecdotes that enrich the conversation. Christine, a seasoned speech-language pathologist, drives home the point that stuttering is not merely a speech problem...

The Neon Museum of St. Louis is not just a place; it's a vibrant testament to the intersection of art, history, and science, all wrapped up in the glow of neon lights. Executive director, Deborah Katon lights up the captivating journey of the museum located on the neon highway, Route 66. The Neon Museum, which started as a pop-up gallery showcases local artists' neon works, rare neon clocks and si...

Parks are like the little green lungs of a city, and in St. Louis, they’re practically bursting with stories! We kick things off by boasting about our beloved parks, the perfect spots for a picnic, a casual stroll, or a wild bike ride to nowhere. But wait, did you know there’s a park that was saved by the "Real Housewives of Jefferson County?" Yep, that’s right! We dive into the juicy details of h...

OxFest is not just a music festival; it’s a celebration of community, giving, and the joy of coming together to support a good cause. In this episode, we sit down with the charismatic Ken Boland, who has been the emcee of OxFest since its inception. The episode takes you on a journey through the festival’s history, starting from its birth around a campfire to its current status as a beloved annual...

Get ready for a heart-to-heart with Nick Gusman on a musical journey which takes us from St. Louis to the streets of England! This episode is like getting a backstage pass to his creative mind as we explore the ins and outs of his latest project, “Plenty of Room.” As he gears up for a show at Joe's Cafe on August 28th, Nick shares the details about the double album—yes, two volumes of music! The a...

Trivers Architecture has carved a niche in the architectural landscape by emphasizing the importance of adaptive reuse and historic preservation. Celebrating 50 years in the business, Joe Brinkmann, Joel Fuose, and Amy Gilbertson sat down with us to share their philosophy on creating buildings that stand the test of time. The conversation kicks off with what adaptive reuse actually means, with Joe...

Tennessee Williams’s legacy continues to flourish in St. Louis, thanks to the vibrant Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis, now celebrating its 10th anniversary. In this episode, we have a delightful chat with Carrie Houk, the mastermind behind the festival. She opens up about her journey from a small festival idea to creating one of the most prominent Tennessee Williams festivals in the United S...

The podcast kicks off with a bang as we dive into the upcoming concert featuring Mr. Blue Sky, A Tribute to the Electric Light Orchestra. Our guest, Jeff Faulkner, takes us behind the scenes of what makes this tribute band a must-see. From their stellar setlist that keeps evolving with new surprises to their dazzling light shows, Jeff shares how they aim to capture the essence of ELO and leave fan...