St. Louis on the Air

Before she became a celebrity, a war hero and civil rights activist, Josephine Baker was a girl growing up in early 20th-century St. Louis. Historical fiction writer Sherry Jones has a new book out inspired by Baker’s remarkable life and is headed to her late heroine’s hometown this week to discuss it at Left Bank Books. Jones talks about the book, “Josephine Baker’s Last Dance,” and the woman beh...

Tussles over abortion rights are nothing new in the Show-Me State, and St. Louis Public Radio's Jo Mannies has observed many political and legal battles over the years since Roe v. Wade. She looks back with STLPR's Jeremy D. Goodwin.

For the 23rd year in a row, Twangfest is gathering musicians from around the country in St. Louis this week for a four-day-long celebration of Americana music. Described by its all-volunteer organizers as “the big top of a musical three-ring circus,” the nonprofit festival is this time around bringing in everyone from the Columbia, Missouri-based Burney Sisters and The Delines of Portland, Oregon,...

Tan France is best known for his role as fashion expert on the hit Netflix series “Queer Eye,” where he and the rest of “the Fab 5” transform people’s lives – and bridge social divides – with inspiring lifestyle makeovers. Now France has a brand-new memoir out titled “Naturally Tan.” St. Louis Public Radio’s Kae Petrin discusses it with France ahead of his sold-out event this weekend at St. Louis...

Phish, the Vermont-spawned jamband will open its summer tour with two shows at Chaifetz Arena this month. For a band that’s one of the country’s top touring acts, Phish remains strangely misunderstood. St. Louis Public Radio reporter Jeremy D. Goodwin explores the popularity and nuances of Phish with musicologist Jake Cohen, who presented at the first-ever Phish Studies Conference at Oregon State...

In conversation with executive producer Alex Heuer, Charles Glenn looks back on many fond memories singing the national anthem before St. Louis Blues home games.

Krister Ungerböck often works with high-profile CEOs, coaching them on best practices when it comes to leadership, communication and employee engagement. But his efforts to help people lead well extend beyond the upper echelons of organizational management and into everyday workplaces as well as family life. St. Louis Public Radio’s Jeremy D. Goodwin talks with Ungerböck ahead of his appearance at...

Since 2007, the Muslim Community Services of St. Louis have annually put together a Memorial Day barbecue to serve patients and staff at the Jefferson Barracks Division of the VA Medical Center in south St. Louis County. They aim to create an environment where there is mutual learning and understanding in efforts to dispel potential misconceptions on both sides. Producer Lara Hamdan talks with som...

The 18th annual Green Living Festival returns to the Missouri Botanical Garden this weekend and offers patrons expertise on making links between sustainability and a healthy environment. Guest host Jim Kirchherr talks with Jean Ponzi, green resources manager at the Missouri Botanical Garden, to expand on the importance of sustainability and green living.

St. Louis Public Radio reporter Sarah Fentem joins "St. Louis on the Air" for analysis of the licensing situation at the state's only remaining abortion clinic and related topics.

Cancer in its many forms has plagued humanity for millennia, and it’s still taking a relentless toll in the 21st century. The hope that scientists will eventually find a cure can feel like a long shot. But one Washington University scholar is making the case that cancer researchers are on the cusp of a breakthrough. In his latest book, “The End of the Beginning: Cancer, Immunity, and the Future of...

May is Older Americans Month, and senior citizens currently make up the fastest-growing age group in the U.S. Expanding along with their numerical ranks is a movement among older adults committed to enabling people to age in place – in communities of their choosing. Producer Evie Hemphill talks with three St. Louisans who are deeply invested in efforts to help seniors thrive right where they are.

St. Louis Public Radio executive editor Shula Neuman discusses current issues pertaining to the law with a panel of legal experts. Topics include the recent wave of anti-abortion bills passed in Missouri, Alabama and other states; last week's espionage indictment of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange; and the legal implications involving the indictment of former St. Louis County Executive Steve Sten...

Producer Lara Hamdan talks with Alyson Thompson, founder of the Mixed Feelings group dedicated to creating a community for multiracial people seeking community among other multiracial and multiethnic individuals. It relaunches in June and will include events that center on community building in various ways through private meetups, including themed discussions, low-key parties and film screenings,...

From French colonial architecture in Ste. Genevieve and “levee-high pie” in Kimmswick to Civil War history in Bonnots Mill, Missouri is home to plenty of fascinating travel destinations –many of them off the beaten path. Bill Hart gives readers a roadmap for exploring them in “Historic Missouri Roadsides.” He talks with St. Louis Public Radio editor Holly Edgell.

The 28th annual St. Louis African Arts Festival will return to the World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park this weekend. Running Saturday through Monday, the festival aims to educate people in St. Louis about the wide ranges of cultures among African nations and the African diaspora. A couple of the festival’s organizers discuss what patrons can expect at the event, such as an African marketplace, mo...

St. Louis Public Radio's Kae Petrin talks with guest host Sharon Stevens about the allegations of sexual misconduct involving the head of Webster University's game design program.

The 28th annual St. Louis African Arts Festival will return to the World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park this weekend. Running Saturday through Monday, the festival aims to educate people in St. Louis about the wide ranges of cultures among African nations and the African diaspora. A couple of the festival’s organizers discuss what patrons can expect at the event, such as an African marketplace, mo...

St. Louis resident Harold Crawford is among many local college graduates who are celebrating major academic milestones this spring. The path he traveled to get to his University of Missouri-St. Louis degree was an unusual one – and far from easy. Crawford lived through tough times to make ends meet and left a life of crime and gang involvement about a decade ago.

Poet and author Jason Reynolds talks with former “We Live Here” podcast co-host Kameel Stanley at an event at University City High School. Reynolds writes books for middle grade and young adult audiences.

St. Louis Public Radio reporter Rachel Lippmann talks with guest host Sharon Stevens as the St. Louis Blues head back to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 49 years.

Guest host Sharon Stevens explores parts of the new “Flores Mexicanas: A Lindbergh Love Story” exhibit at the Missouri History Museum with the exhibit’s content lead and public historian Adam Kloppe. The exhibit illustrates the couple’s celebrity status as ambassadors for aviation and America.

English rock band The Who first released “Tommy,” the wildly successful rock opera, on May 23, 1969 – exactly 50 years ago this Thursday, when Missouri-based bluegrass band The HillBenders are set to open for The Who at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre. It might seem an unlikely concert pairing, except that The HillBenders’ 2015 album is a full-length Tommy tribute, bluegrass-opry style. "St. Louis o...

A three-day-long dance extravaganza gets underway later this week as Spring to Dance takes over the Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Considered to be Dance St. Louis’ signature festival of the year, this 12th annual event will feature everything from tap, ballet and clogging to hip-hop and aerial performances Thursday through Saturday.

Missouri is home to 22 of the 100 puppy mills on the Humane Society's most recent list of known problem dealers, topping the list for the seventh year in a row. Released last week, the “Horrible Hundred” report highlights animal-welfare issues including high puppy death rates, underweight dogs, neglected health needs and other problems. Guest host Sharon Stevens discusses the topic with Sarah Javi...