Best Strange And Beautiful Book Club Podcasts (2025)

We're busy with Halloween prep this week so enjoy this spooky repost of our episode on "Dracula" released in 1979 and starring Frank Langella. There's more from the Strange and Beautiful Network! Enjoying our work? Buy us a cup of Hot Jala! https://ko-fi.com/strangeandbeautifulnetwork Listen to Rachel, Kate, and Hannah discuss spicy books, serious …

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Trans voices take center stage in St. Louis play ‘Just Human’ 23:50

Play Pause

36m ago23:50

23:50

A documentary-style play opening this week in St. Louis presents the experiences of transgender people and allies in their own words. Jamie Linson, a clinical psychologist, wrote the play after conducting more than 30 interviews with trans people and their families. The result is “Just Human: Transgender Lives in the 2020s.” Along with Linson, we t…

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Coordinator wants ‘true reform in Ferguson’ as consent decree faces funding cuts 26:08

38m ago26:08

26:08

After the police shooting of Michael Brown, the City of Ferguson entered into a consent decree agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice. Now, almost a decade later, Ferguson residents and officials are eager for that contract to end. We’ll get an update on its progress from Ferguson Consent Decree Coordinator Patricia Washington, who spoke wit…

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Branson has a reputation. A new book explores what’s true — and what’s missed 30:02

3h ago30:02

30:02

Each year, more than 10 million visitors make their way to Branson, Missouri. Over many decades, the once-small hillside town developed a reputation for being the U.S. capital for performances with overtly religious and patriotic themes, and sometimes, a Christian nationalist bent. Joanna Dee Das’s new book, “Faith, Family, and Flag: Branson Entert…

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Evidence — not politics — is key to tackling gun violence, says WashU dean 20:05

18m ago20:05

20:05

Firearms are deeply politicized in the United States, hampering regulation and safer gun laws. In St. Louis, 44% of residents say firearm violence is their top public health concern. A new report in JAMA Health Forum outlines a five-step, evidence-based roadmap to safer firearm regulation Dr. Sandro Galea, dean of Washington University’s School of …

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Six months post-tornado, a north St. Louis family has its roof back, and seeks answers 28:46

10m ago28:46

28:46

The Nolan family in St. Louis has been on a long road to recovery since an EF3 tornado tore the roof off their O'Fallon neighborhood home on May 16. We check in with mom Gloria Nolan and her 13-year-old daughter Dylan about how their family's been navigating busy schedules, a new school year, ongoing house repairs and questions they still have abou…

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Tornado damaged schools could see repairs, reopening as soon as next semester 11:50

16h ago11:50

11:50

The EF3 tornado that ravaged parts of St. Louis six months ago devastated thousands of homes and businesses — and a dozen buildings in the St. Louis Public Schools district. Seven schools were so severely damaged that students were displaced. Now, SLPS administrators plan to have the schools either reopened or renovated by December 2026. STLPR’s Hi…

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Why St. Louisans affected by the tornado are concerned about the future of their neighborhoods 10:02

5h ago10:02

10:02

Six months after an EF3 tornado devastated parts of St. Louis, affected residents are still dealing with debris. Others are just now getting their roofs repaired. Without adequate support to rebuild and repair, some are left asking themselves: “What level of degradation to my home am I willing to live with long term?” STLPR engagement producer Paol…

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Babylon 5 (Season 2 Ep 15) - "And Now For a Word" 2:33:00

3d ago2:33:00

2:33:00

Can you spot Cookie's first cameo? Not when he fell asleep on the soundboard but some little mews later on <3. An ISN journalist reports live from the space station on the conflict between the Narn and Centauri and how it will affect the future of the Babylon project. Writer: J. Michael Straczynski Air date: May 3, 1995 Lurker Guide: http://www.mid…

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What Missouri’s 2026 races could reveal about national enthusiasm 13:42

24m ago13:42

13:42

With roughly a year before the nation heads to polls for the 2026 midterm elections, STLPR’s Jason Rosenbaum examines some of the Missouri-based races that could foretell a national Democratic wave – or continued GOP dominance. Some of those contests include Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District contest, a slew of high-stakes ballot initiatives – a…

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As the 6-month anniversary of the St. Louis tornado looms, Spencer reflects on recovery 20:40

5d ago20:40

20:40

Sunday marks six months since a devastating tornado struck St. Louis and St. Louis County. And the recovery process still has a long way to go. St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer joins the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air to talk about the challenges of rebuilding parts of the city and whether the St. Louis region needs to work together …

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St. Louis County Council Chairman Days sees a ‘dire’ budgetary trajectory 17:09

1h ago17:09

17:09

St. Louis County is facing a sobering financial reality: The budget is nearly $80 million in the red. While a combination of reserve funds and special pots of money like the NFL settlement may bridge the gap this year, policymakers will have to make some tough decisions that may not be popular with residents. STLPR’s Jason Rosenbaum talks with St. …

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Australian football club brings hits, kicks and a championship to St. Louis 24:25

33m ago24:25

24:25

St. Louis is no stranger to sports championships, but you may have missed the news of the St. Louis Australian Football Club’s victory over its division rival Denver in the USAFL championships last month. Club players Dave Zitko and Rhiannon Duryea take us inside the championship season. They also break down the basics of the sport, from the hits, …

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Why health insurance marketplace premiums are on the rise 25:57

32m ago25:57

25:57

As open enrollment is underway for people who rely on getting health insurance from the Affordable Care Act marketplace, many are facing steep premium hikes. STLPR health reporter Sarah Fentem talks about what’s driving the increases, how subsidies factor in and what the changes mean for consumers. We also hear real-life stories from people weighin…

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Mill Creek exhibition presents a ‘Black Metropolis’ before its 1959 destruction 28:31

1h ago28:31

28:31

On November 15, the Missouri History Museum will open a major new exhibit focused on Mill Creek Valley. Home to nearly 20,000 people, the neighborhood was erased in 1959 as part of St. Louis' push for urban renewal. We get to know two former residents of Mill Creek Valley who experienced that destruction as children, and who now are part of the lar…

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Flyover Comedy Festival has made St. Louis a comedy destination says co-headliner Jason Sklar 21:43

6d ago21:43

21:43

Identical twin brothers and stand-up comedians Jason and Randy Sklar have become household names in the world of entertainment. The St. Louis natives will be returning home to headline the eighth annual Flyover Comedy Festival on November 13-16 . Jason Sklar joined us to talk about his and his brother’s comedy origins, their favorite memories growi…

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Wanda Sykes shows her dramatic side at St. Louis film festival 24:07

41m ago24:07

24:07

Wanda Sykes is most known for her stand-up prowess, comedic roles and activism on and off the stage. Sykes steps into a new kind of spotlight as a dramatic actor in “Undercard,” portraying Cheryl “No Mercy” Stewart: a former boxing champ and trainer trying to reconnect with the 21-year-old son she gave up when he was a child because of alcoholism. …

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Dances of India St. Louis brings the story of a 16th century king to new audiences 20:35

1h ago20:35

20:35

The reign of Mughal emperor of India Akbar the Great was more than four centuries ago, but for Dances of India President Nartana Premachandra, the story of his court — and its welcoming of all nationalities, religions and perspectives — is as salient as ever. She shares some of that history in her original dance-theater production, “Nine Jewels: Mu…

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Babylon 5 (Season 2 Ep 14) - "There All the Honor Lies" 3:04:44

10d ago3:04:44

3:04:44

An attack on Sheridan by a thief results in the death of a Minbari warrior, sparking a controversy that could end the captain's career. Originally Aired - April 26, 1995 Lurker Guide: http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/guide/036.html There's more from the Strange and Beautiful Network! Enjoying our work? Buy us a cup of Hot Jala! https://ko-fi.com/stran…

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In a final role, Michael Madsen shows new depth in St. Louis debut of 'Mr. Wonderful' 20:03

4d ago20:03

20:03

St. Louis-based writer Daniel Blake Smith turned his 2018 novel “Mr. Wonderful” into a feature film starring the late Michael Madsen of “Reservoir Dogs” and “Kill Bill” fame. Ahead of its St. Louis premiere at the St. Louis International Film Festival on Tuesday, Smith talks with St. Louis Public Radio’s Chad Davis about the film, its personal root…

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Missouri U.S. Sen. Schmitt thinks longest government shutdown in history can end soon 29:30

12d ago29:30

29:30

The federal government shutdown has stretched into the longest in U.S. history, with ripple effects across the country — from unpaid federal workers to stalled safety net benefits. STLPR politics correspondent Jason Rosenbaum sat down with U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt in his Washington, D.C. office to talk about the shutdown’s impact, immigration poli…

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New book explores Missouri’s role in the secretive world of execution by lethal injection 25:23

3h ago25:23

25:23

Since its introduction in 1977, lethal injection has been the most commonly used method of execution by states with the death penalty. While it’s often viewed as more humane than other methods, when the curtain is pulled back, it is tainted with error, ineptitude and secrecy that has led to many botched executions and unnecessary suffering. Univers…

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Here’s what St. Louis restaurants opened and closed in October 2025 25:22

13d ago25:22

25:22

St. Louis’ restaurant scene had a “long-awaited” month. Nicky Slices finally opened its brick-and-mortar location — and sold out almost immediately. New spots like Extra Wavy and Prohibition brought fresh life to vacant spaces near Lafayette Square. And the supper club Mainlander reopened in its new location. We dig into the latest openings and clo…

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As the affordable housing crisis grows, so does overcrowding at St. Louis animal shelters 49:56

13h ago49:56

49:56

Animal shelters in the St. Louis region are facing unprecedented overcrowding as the number of surrendered and abandoned pets continues to grow. The Center for Animal Rescue and Enrichment of St. Louis reported a 64% increase in the amount of animals taken in between 2023 and 2024, and shelter staff are currently struggling to take care of more tha…

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‘Keenelan’ combines awkward romance and a deep love for St. Louis 22:56

7d ago22:56

22:56

Visual storytellers and creatives like filmmaker Cami Thomas are breathing life into the region’s TV and film industry by drawing in the attention of larger production companies. With her narrative short “Keenelan,” Thomas hopes to foster the region’s economic growth and civic pride, and introduce St. Louis to a national audience. Thomas and “Keene…

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Lost in Missouri jail cells: Why a backlog of defendants deemed mentally unfit for trial persists 28:02

15d ago28:02

28:02

Journalist Jesse Bogan of the Marshall Project reports on the case of Megan Jolly, a 52-year-old woman who has been jailed at the St. Charles County Justice Center for nearly two years. Jolly is among more than 500 Missouri defendants deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial and are waiting for a state-mandated treatment to restore competency. Th…

Strange And Beautiful Book Club Podcasts

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Strange and Beautiful Book Club

Strange and Beautiful Network

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We Are All Kosh: A Babylon 5 Podcast

Strange and Beautiful Network

4
St. Louis on the Air

St. Louis Public Radio

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The Dune Deep Cuts - By Strange and Beautiful Book Club

Strange and Beautiful Network

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"Dune" by Frank Herbert (Book 1 - Dune) 2:22:41

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"Dracula (1979)" - Strange and Beautiful Book Club Repost 1:56:24

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Trans voices take center stage in St. Louis play ‘Just Human’ 23:50

1
Coordinator wants ‘true reform in Ferguson’ as consent decree faces funding cuts 26:08

1
Branson has a reputation. A new book explores what’s true — and what’s missed 30:02

1
Evidence — not politics — is key to tackling gun violence, says WashU dean 20:05

1
Six months post-tornado, a north St. Louis family has its roof back, and seeks answers 28:46

1
Tornado damaged schools could see repairs, reopening as soon as next semester 11:50

1
Why St. Louisans affected by the tornado are concerned about the future of their neighborhoods 10:02

1
Babylon 5 (Season 2 Ep 15) - "And Now For a Word" 2:33:00

1
What Missouri’s 2026 races could reveal about national enthusiasm 13:42

1
As the 6-month anniversary of the St. Louis tornado looms, Spencer reflects on recovery 20:40

1
St. Louis County Council Chairman Days sees a ‘dire’ budgetary trajectory 17:09

1
Australian football club brings hits, kicks and a championship to St. Louis 24:25

1
Why health insurance marketplace premiums are on the rise 25:57

1
Mill Creek exhibition presents a ‘Black Metropolis’ before its 1959 destruction 28:31

1
Flyover Comedy Festival has made St. Louis a comedy destination says co-headliner Jason Sklar 21:43

1
Wanda Sykes shows her dramatic side at St. Louis film festival 24:07

1
Dances of India St. Louis brings the story of a 16th century king to new audiences 20:35

1
Babylon 5 (Season 2 Ep 14) - "There All the Honor Lies" 3:04:44

1
In a final role, Michael Madsen shows new depth in St. Louis debut of 'Mr. Wonderful' 20:03

1
Missouri U.S. Sen. Schmitt thinks longest government shutdown in history can end soon 29:30

1
New book explores Missouri’s role in the secretive world of execution by lethal injection 25:23

1
Here’s what St. Louis restaurants opened and closed in October 2025 25:22

1
As the affordable housing crisis grows, so does overcrowding at St. Louis animal shelters 49:56

1
‘Keenelan’ combines awkward romance and a deep love for St. Louis 22:56

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Lost in Missouri jail cells: Why a backlog of defendants deemed mentally unfit for trial persists 28:02