Best Average Book Report Podcasts (2025)

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Missouri Republicans learn that redrawing congressional lines isn’t so easy 49:46

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34m ago49:46

49:46

Missouri is one of several states where state officials are working quickly to redraw voting maps to benefit the Trump administration and congressional Republicans before the next election. Those efforts have hit multiple legal obstacles in the Show Me State, including lawsuits and a looming referendum. How these legal battles end could decide the …

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The Gateway Arch was completed 60 years ago. Here’s a history of how it happened 51:04

2h ago51:04

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Sixty years ago, a construction crew added the final section to the very top of the Gateway Arch. In recognition of its 60th anniversary, we talk with two local historians about the monument’s place in American history, its influence on international architecture and labor movements, and why the Arch is still considered a modern engineering marvel …

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After January snow debacle, St. Louis is preparing now for winter storms 7:13

3d ago7:13

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In January, streets across St. Louis were covered with ice and snow — as much as 10 inches in some places — and the ice remained on the roadways for weeks. Frustrated residents complained that the response from the City of St. Louis was inadequate.This week, Mayor Cara Spencer announced newly updated plans for snow removal. STLPR’s Jason Rosenbaum …

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Ruin and beauty loom 30 feet over museum visitors at new St. Louis Art Museum exhibition 18:08

4d ago18:08

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The monumental work of artist Anselm Kiefer presents visitors at the St. Louis Art Museum with six 30-foot-tall paintings and dozens of other works in a new exhibit, “Becoming Sea.” The German-born artist is renowned for his massive paintings, which use different textures to create vast landscapes. Museum director Min Jung Kim discusses the exhibit…

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Former Washington Post editor Marty Baron says democracy depends on a free press 24:38

3d ago24:38

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Accomplished journalist Marty Baron will speak at the Gateway Journalism Review’s 14th First Amendment Celebration on Nov. 2 on “The Case for Worry...and for Optimism.” Baron served as editor of the Boston Globe during its Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of the Catholic priest sex abuse scandals and later as executive editor of the Washington Post …

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Landmarks Illinois awards celebrate community centered historic preservation 25:14

4d ago25:14

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Landmarks Illinois awards nine landmarks statewide with its Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award. Among this year's winners are the Old Millstadt Water Tower in Millstadt and the Edison Avenue Arts Lofts in Granite City — two projects that showcase the importance of community buy-in when it comes to historic preservation.…

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Computer program brings ‘education, hope and opportunity’ to St. Louis jail 24:47

4d ago24:47

24:47

Jessica Hicklin co-founded Unlocked Labs while serving what she thought would be a life sentence in Potosi Correctional Center. She taught herself how to code using the prison’s library books, and when she was released in January 2022, the company grew from there. Unlocked Labs provides secure software on computers for detainees to access education…

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Ferguson organizer offers a blueprint for student-led activism in his new book 49:59

5d ago49:59

49:59

Jonathan Pulphus was a sophomore at St. Louis University in 2014 when Michael Brown, Jr. was fatally shot by a police officer. He says his participation in the Ferguson Uprising was central to his education. In his new book, “With My People,” Pulphus shares the lessons he learned as a young community organizer, reflects on what makes student activi…

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How Rung for Women helps women restart their careers — and boost St. Louis’ workforce 24:50

6d ago24:50

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Economists in the U.S. are sounding the alarm on what they call a “she-cession” – a term started during the COVID-19 pandemic to describe the steep decline in the number of women in the workforce. Since then, that decrease has continued with more women leaving the workforce than entering it. In St. Louis, Rung for Women trains women in professions …

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Dara Eskridge is a rising star — and she’s committed to taking St. Louis with her 25:08

6d ago25:08

25:08

Time Magazine recently named University City native Dara Eskridge as one of the world’s most influential rising stars. As the CEO of Invest STL, she leads community-building efforts where she and her team put money directly into the hands of residents to create the neighborhoods they want for themselves. Eskridge shares the intentionality behind In…

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Finding joy, misery and hallucinations on a race down the Missouri River 23:23

7d ago23:23

23:23

St. Louis Magazine editor Nick Phillips spent three days kayaking across the state of Missouri in the MR340, the world’s longest nonstop paddling race. He crossed the finish line after nearly 74 hours. Writing about the experience in St. Louis Magazine, Nick describes the journey as a "sweaty, maddening hell.” Along with Phillips, MR340 race direct…

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Another St. Louis Public Schools superintendent has been fired. What happens next? 10:34

7d ago10:34

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The St. Louis Public Schools Board of Education voted Friday to fire Superintendent Millicent Borishade without cause during a closed session. Borishade served in the role for just over a year and previously served as deputy superintendent and Chief of Schools. STLPR education reporter Hiba Ahmad shares what we know so far about what happened, and …

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Missouri is courting data centers. Here's how it could affect your energy bill 17:07

7d ago17:07

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As officials in Missouri and St. Louis try to attract data center proposals, advocates and academics are raising the alarm about the effects such centers may have on utilities. Energy policy expert Ari Peskoe shares how the data center boom is changing the utility landscape, why everyday consumers may be left footing the bill for big tech’s use of …

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Missouri Attorney General Hanaway’s agenda includes fighting crime and restricting abortion 21:45

10d ago21:45

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Just over a month into her new role as Missouri’s attorney general, Catherine Hanaway is outlining her priorities — focusing on fighting crime and defending the state’s abortion laws. A former Missouri House speaker, U.S. attorney and chair of Husch Blackwell, Hanaway discusses her agenda and the case to remove St. Louis Sheriff Alfred Montgomery.…

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Missouri Rep. Graves leads bipartisan push to overhaul FEMA 28:57

10d ago28:57

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Missouri’s Republican and Democratic elected officials have been underwhelmed by the federal response to the May 16 tornado in St. Louis. And at least one member of Missouri’s congressional delegation, Republican U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, said the problems he sees this year aren’t new – and should prompt lawmakers to overhaul the disaster response agen…

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Comic Timing Episode 263 – New York Comic Con 2025 Convention Report 2:51:18

10d ago2:51:18

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New York Comic Con 2025 has come and gone, and now it’s time to break it down and discuss it. Ian is joined by Kris and Raph for the bulk of this one, and then Chad Burdette pops in for his thoughts about an hour or so in! We go through what changed since last year including major revisions to the show floor layout, some news from the con including…

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Not your average ghost tour — 'Voices at Bellefontaine' looks to educate, not scare 27:45

11d ago27:45

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There are a multitude of stories waiting to be discovered at the historic, 175 year old Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum. The annual event “Voices at Bellefontaine” brings new life to the stories of those buried and memorialized there. In collaboration with theatre company Hawthorne Players, Bellefontaine puts on the outdoor theatrical experien…

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The Lemp family history is dogged by death. A new book tracks the rise of its beer empire 22:46

11d ago22:46

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The story of the Lemp beer dynasty still holds sway in St. Louis, but it’s the tragedies, suicides — and a supposedly haunted mansion — that have made the family name infamous. But there is so much more to the Lemp family than tragedy. A new book, “Adam Lemp and Western Brewery,” has uncovered records that give us a better picture of what it took t…

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Students report greater focus and ‘more social conversations’ after Missouri cellphone ban 23:15

13d ago23:15

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Missouri passed legislation earlier this year that requires school districts to adopt a cellphone policy that limits usage during the school day. STLPR education reporter Hiba Ahmad and two student journalists from Rockwood Summit High School discuss how the school and its students have adapted to the policy so far.…

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‘American Skyjacker’ brings one of St. Louis’ wildest true-crime tales to the big screen 26:02

12d ago26:02

26:02

In 1972, Martin McNally hijacked American Airlines Flight 119 out of St. Louis Lambert International Airport – and years of chaos ensued. His story inspired the 2020 true crime podcast “American Skyjacker.” Now, a feature documentary film of the same name premieres in St. Louis on Friday, Oct.17 at Ronnie’s Cinema. St. Louis on the Air producer Dan…

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How the Missouri Historical Society’s ‘I am St. Louis’ campaign is building civic pride 49:44

13d ago49:44

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Research shows that when people form strong emotional bonds with their home, communities experience greater economic growth, recover faster from natural disasters and foster deeper connection and meaning among residents. The Missouri Historical Society’s “I am St. Louis” campaign seeks to do just that. President and CEO Jody Sowell, alongside STLPR…

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Ongoing St. Louis strike could damage Boeing’s reputation, WashU labor expert says 26:03

14d ago26:03

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The approximately 3,200 unionized Boeing machinists in the St. Louis area have been on strike since August 4 in pursuit of better wages and benefits. The strike has been compared to the one in the Pacific Northwest in the fall of 2024, though it has not garnered as much national attention. Labor expert and Washington University Professor Jake Rosen…

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Lance Shockley will be executed Tuesday. Unlike most states, a judge ordered his death 23:44

14d ago23:44

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Rejecting calls for mercy from opponents of the death penalty, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe announced Monday that Lance Shockley’s execution will be carried out as planned at 6 p.m. Tuesday. We sit down with Mary Fox, coordinator of the Death Penalty Abolition Program with the Archdiocese of St. Louis, and Heidi Moore of Missourians to Abolish the Deat…

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St. Louis doom metal band Fister releases new album ‘Graceless’ 25:16

17d ago25:16

25:16

For 16 years, St. Louis band Fister has brought their own brand of heavy metal doom to fans across the world. Their latest album, “Graceless,” was released last month under bassist Kenny Snarzyk’s record label Possession Press. Snarzyk shares the keys to Fister’s success, how their music and the metal scene has evolved over the years as well as the…

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These songs from St. Louis artists will ease you through those end-of-summer woes 25:11

17d ago25:11

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October’s new music round up is for those experiencing end-of-summer woes. Experimental jazz hits from the mad genius world of Mad Keys and Kaelin Ellis on “Citrus Punch” and Russo & Co.’s country cruisin’ song “Key West of the Midwest” are two tracks that will give your Fall 2025 playlist a fresh summery vibe. Musician and artist development coach…

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Comic Timing Extra Point – Episode 20: Nineteen Years of New York Comic Con 17:52

19d ago17:52

17:52

Hey gang, here’s a quick Extra Point with Ian solo, as he reflects on how times flies. This was recorded right before Day One of the NINETEENTH New York Comic Con. There’s discussion on how the show has changed, how Ian’s tackling of conventions has evolved, and some other thoughts along the way. Wanted to make sure we had a release this week for y…

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In 'Soul on Fire,' John O'Leary takes St. Louis and his story of survival to the big screen 40:19

18d ago40:19

40:19

In 1987, 9-year-old John O’Leary was playing with matches in his family’s garage. In the blink of an eye he was fighting for his life at St. Louis Children’s Hospital with severe burns on 90% of his body. After years of rehabilitation and healing, O’Leary has shared his story to motivate thousands of people around the world. He has also written two…

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Here’s what St. Louis restaurants opened and closed in September 2025 21:36

19d ago21:36

21:36

An old favorite sandwich shop returned, many coffee shops opened and downtown St. Louis lost a pizza place of note. STLPR foodies Jessica Rogen and Abby Llorico share what’s good in St. Louis’ food scene. They also discuss the loss of food magazine, Feast, and how its closure may affect the food and events scene in the region.…

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‘Spooky America’ takes young readers on a haunted tour of St. Charles 17:32

19d ago17:32

17:32

Nicki Jacobsmeyer’s new book Spooky America: The Ghostly Tales of St. Charles could be just the thing to get the kids in your life into Halloween spirit. Jacobsmeyer takes us inside the new book and shares some of the ghostly experiences people have had on St. Charles’ historic Main Street.

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Taiwanese-style moon cakes from St. Louis bakery are almost too pretty to eat 19:19

21d ago19:19

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‘We’ve lost a lot of hope’: Granite City steelworkers’ futures in limbo 21:38

21d ago21:38

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1M ago11:34

11:34

After 30 years of annual reports, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that it will no longer provide its Household Food Security Report, citing cost savings on “redundant, costly, politicized, and extraneous studies.” Without data from the annual report, organizations that fight food insecurity will be “flying blind” in their effort to pro…