St. Louis on the Air

Cellist Jody Redhage Ferber’s new concert series brings top musicians to a Kirkwood hiking trail, with small combos on six different stages playing music inspired by the wildlife around them (and even echoing their calls). Ferber explains what inspired her vision — and how she hopes it can bring a new audience to classical music.

Jason Sommer discusses his new book, “Shmuel’s Bridge,” and the story it tells of his 2001 trip to Eastern Europe with his Holocaust survivor father, Jay. The men retraced the final journey of Jason’s uncle Shmuel, who was shot by German guards after making a desperate bid to flee the cattle car transporting to Auschwitz.

St. Louis singer-songwriter Joanna Serenko discusses how she went from being a finalist on “The Voice” to releasing her debut album — and her plans to travel the country in a van after she gets her nursing degree.

About eight people experiencing homelessness are living in tents in south St. Louis along the River Des Peres. Some members of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen want to make that illegal — to pitch tents in public right of ways. 12th Ward Alderman Bill Stephens shares why he’s asking his colleagues to hit the pause button.

Wash U professor John Hendrix explains how doodling during a sermon led to his new graphic novel, how it was inspired by both his Christian faith and his doubt, and why it took 10 years to bring it to book form.

St. Charles is putting $350 million into a new riverfront development. They hope to attract younger people and more tourists, and say the Riverwalk project will “redefine the city.” Mayor Dan Borgmeyer discusses his vision for the riverfront and speaks to some criticisms of it.

Construction firms are grappling with labor shortages across the country. St. Louis-based McCarthy Building Companies discusses how it’s found success by targeting younger workers, women, and minorities — and finding ways to retain them.

Missouri’s “trigger law” goes into effect if Roe v. Wade is repealed — and could have a big impact on residents. The law would eliminate most abortion access, and law professor Marcia McCormick explains how it could also affect contraception and fertility.

Nikki Glaser has spent more than two years living in her hometown, St. Louis. A new reality show on E! documents her move back as she reconnects with old friends and hangs out with her parents, Julie and EJ. Stick around to the end for a few extra bonus minutes of talking with Nikki and EJ!

Samantha Rudolph, founder and CEO of Babyation, explains why she and her husband gave St. Louis a chance, how they were able to bring their manufacturing here, and the challenges they encountered while taking the Babyation breast pump from concept to market.

After the success of her podcast “Dr. Death,” medical journalist Laura Biel dove into the case of a St. Louis-area woman named Sarah Delashmit, who left a trail of fraud and heartbreak going back decades. Biel discusses what she uncovered, and her new podcast chronicling the bizarre case, “Sympathy Pains.”

Kaleidoscope art is a serious venture. Artists and collectors Mike and Donna Thibodeau of St. Charles discuss the kaleidoscope exhibit on display at the Foundry Art Centre and the international expo that comes to Westport Plaza later this month.

STLPR’s Greg Munteanu discusses the station’s Give STL Day campaign, which aims to raise money for window decals to stop bird strikes on its building in Grand Center. Ken Buchholz, director of the Audubon Center at Riverlands, shares his perspective on the importance of protecting migratory birds.

The director of Wash U’s Sleep Medicine Center discusses his new study on sleep apnea and driving behavior, takes questions from listeners and explains why it’s important not to let sleep problems go untreated.

The city offered a last-minute “pause” on eviction plans for a homeless encampment on the Mississippi River, but still forced two smaller camps nearby to move on Monday. Producer Danny Wicentowski shares the latest from the scene, including a morning protest.

The red Solo Cup, Gatorade sport bottle, Harry’s Razor and many more common household products were designed in St. Louis. Metaphase Design Group founder and CEO Bryce Rutter’s 30-year-old company has quietly been working with some of the most recognizable companies in the world, and he joined the show to share the stories behind his company’s success.

St. Louis has gone without alleyway recycling for nearly a year, but Mayor Tishaura Jones promises it's coming back this May. Earthday365 Program Director Bob Henkel gives a refresher course on what to toss in your bin — and where it goes after that.

St. Louis has a recent history of heartbreak with its football teams, first losing the NFL’s Rams, then the XFL’s Battlehawks – but this weekend, the St. Louis Slam opens its first home game in what could very well be the latest in a string of championship seasons. Running back Taylor Hay joins the show to talk about the return of this all-women tackle football team.

Missouri teachers rank 50th in the nation in starting pay. They’re begging lawmakers to approve a salary increase but that hasn’t happened since 2006. In this episode, three Missouri teachers educators talk about how the state’s low teaching salaries affect their personal lives, their classrooms and their plans for the future.

St. Louis will see its first plant-based restaurant week May 1-7. Caryn Dugan, a.k.a. “STL Veg Girl,” discusses why she decided to launch the event, and why veganism shouldn’t be anxiety-inducing.

Residents of four St. Louis encampments are now packing up their belongings in anticipation of a May 2 eviction. Residents say they would rather stay in the camps than go to temporary shelters — and question the timing of the city’s notice to vacate. Unhoused STL Founder Ramona Curtis shares her concerns, along with two camp residents.

Acclaimed author Arundhati Roy discusses why she’s always felt a kinship to the Mississippi River, why she was eager to visit Ferguson, what drives her activism and what keeps her from despair. Roy is in St. Louis to receive the 2022 St. Louis Literary Award from St. Louis University.

On this month’s Legal Roundtable, attorneys Booker T. Shaw, Mary Anne Sedey and Bill Freivogel discuss the legal settlements Sen. Steve Roberts Jr. entered with two women who accused him of sexual assault, former Gov. Eric Greitens’ child custody case, race-related strikes on potential jurors and more.

A report by the Center for Policing Equity provides public safety recommendations to St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones and the St. Louis police. Co-author Hans Menos discusses t5he state of St. Louis policing — and where the city can go from here.

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones hopes to devote 60% of the city’s remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds into a historic north city investment. She discusses her deep ties to north St. Louis, the opposition she faces from some members of the Board of Aldermen and her plans for the city’s troubled Justice Center.