Best Michael Sykes Podcasts (2025)

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Michael Scherer: Inside RFK Jr.’s Rise 45:50

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14d ago45:50

45:50

Charlie Sykes speaks with The Atlantic’s Michael Scherer about his in-depth cover story on Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now one of the most influential—and divisive—figures shaping American science policy. Scherer discusses Kennedy’s complicated personal history, his fraught relationship with scientific institutions, and his unexpected alliance with Dona…

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Is Donald Trump the Real Speaker of the House? 47:56

3h ago47:56

47:56

In this episode, Charlie speaks with Charlie Dent, former Congressman from Pennsylvania and National Co-Chair of Our Republican Legacy. Together, they're trying to figure out whether Speaker Mike Johnson has a problem with women, what’s next for health care legislation, and just how much weaker Congress can get. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva…

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Why raccoons in Forest Park don’t cross the road 21:41

8h ago21:41

21:41

As highly intelligent and adaptive animals, raccoons have learned to live alongside humans for many thousands of years. For the raccoons that live in Forest Park, adaptability includes the careful avoidance of crossing the road, despite the availability of food sources on the other side. Dr. Sharon Deem and Stephen Blake discuss their latest resear…

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$500 monthly payments helped St. Louis families — then a lawsuit and a tornado hit 19:57

8h ago19:57

19:57

In September 2023, then St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones initiated a Guaranteed Basic Income pilot program that gave $500 direct cash payments to qualifying families across the city. Six months into the program, a lawsuit from members of the Holy Joe Society halted its funding for one month. Despite the pause in payments, researchers and city leaders…

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Best of Wild Nevadacast - Ep 001 Mark Maynard, Producer/Director, Piconland 39:32

24h ago39:32

39:32

We're ending the year with some favorite podcasts from the series. TMCC professor Mark Maynard undertook a documentary film that took him across the state of Nevada tracing the history and stories behind the (now) official state drink, the Picon Punch. This was recorded in 2024 so a few things have changed, like the Picon's ascendance to officialdo…

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The Fog of Spin 52:25

3d ago52:25

52:25

In this solo episode, Charlie answers readers' questions about RFK Jr., the murderous boat strikes, the ranking of stupidity among cabinet members, and how it's all connected to our children's education. As a bonus, he also talks about his dogs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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Funding cuts may leave hundreds in St. Louis homeless, advocates and city leaders warn 41:15

3d ago41:15

41:15

St. Louis officials and advocates for homeless people say they are bracing for, and oppose, the Trump administration’s cuts to programs that put people in permanent homes. In November, HUD Secretary Scott Turner called the use of billions of dollars to provide permanent housing a “Biden-era slush fund” that would be replaced by a focus on temporary…

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A food writer’s new book celebrates St. Louis restaurants, bars and shops 40:16

4d ago40:16

40:16

Longtime St. Louis food writer Matt Sorrell’s new book is a celebration of his favorite restaurants, bars and shops. Among the 80 selections are old standbys like the Hideaway and Crown Candy Kitchen, as well as newer arrivals like Kain Tayo and Balkan Treat Box. The book, “Matt’s St. Louis Food Story,” highlights not just the food, but the atmosph…

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Ed Luce: Xenophobia, Murder on the High Seas, and Europe's Moment of Truth 46:15

5d ago46:15

46:15

In this episode, Charlie speaks with Ed Luce, US national editor and a columnist for the Financial Times. They discuss Trump's latest racist comments, the US military murderous boat strikes, and the decision that Europe has to make soon on whether to seize Russian assets and turn them over to Ukraine. Also, are we finally starting to imagine a post…

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Best books of 2025, chosen by St. Louis librarians 49:24

5d ago49:24

49:24

With the end of 2025 approaching and cold weather keeping us indoors, what better time to dig into some of the best books of the year? Jennifer Alexander of St. Louis County Library and Lauren Brickey of St. Louis Public Library share their top picks.

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304 - Supporting the "Becoming" of Others in Therapy with Santiago Delboy 28:54

6d ago28:54

28:54

Before pursuing a career as a psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and founder of Fermata Psychotherapy, a psychoanalytic group practice in Chicago, Santiago Delboy, MBA, LCSW, spent over a decade climbing the corporate ladder in the US and his home country of Peru. The shift forced him to grapple with the "disagreeable" parts of himself. In a nod…

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Months after the tornado, insurance fights drag on for St. Louis property owners 17:21

6d ago17:21

17:21

Many property owners in the EF3 tornado’s path are still locked in fights with their insurance companies more than six months after the storm. STLPR economic development reporter Kavahn Mansouri shares what he and fellow reporter Andrea Henderson found as they followed two households on their journeys for fair payouts — and how they hope to hold in…

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Brett Hull, Isaac Bruce and Missouri’s first day of legal sports betting 8:47

6d ago8:47

8:47

Missouri’s first day of legal sports betting drew gamblers to both casinos and mobile apps to place their first bets in the state. Questions about revenue and responsible gambling remain. STLPR journalists Olivia Mizelle and Brian Munoz talk about their reporting, which included visits to Horseshoe St. Louis Casino and a DraftKings event that featu…

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Here’s what St. Louis restaurants opened and closed in November 2025 24:14

6d ago24:14

24:14

Generations of bleary-eyed St. Louisans have flitted into late night diners like moths to lamplight, drawn in by one of our most treasured regional dishes: the slinger — an artful pile of eggs, hash browns, onions, cheese, meat and chile (or gravy). So the city mourned at the beginning of November when one of the last best places to get a slinger —…

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Paul Rieckhoff: Trump, War Crimes, and the Afghan Betrayal 47:49

7d ago47:49

47:49

Charlie Sykes sits down with veteran advocate and Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff for a conversation about the escalating crises surrounding Donald Trump’s cabinet, the alleged “kill them all” order, and the looming threat of war with Venezuela. Rieckhoff breaks down the moral and national-security fallout of Trump’s shutdown of Afghan vi…

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How St. Louisans with disabilities push for a more equitable world for all 49:59

7d ago49:59

49:59

Thirty five years after its signing, the Americans with Disabilities Act has led to changes in schools, work, and public spaces. The stories of St. Louisans with disabilities reveal what that landmark legislation — and disability rights activists' work in St. Louis long before ADA — changed. They also illustrate what remains to be done. Guests Lori…

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Tom Nichols: Black Friday Blues 56:02

11d ago56:02

56:02

Charlie Sykes and Tom Nichols unpack a chaotic stretch in American politics that includes Trump’s fixation on loyalty, his escalating rhetoric, and his increasingly erratic behavior. They discuss the fallout from Trump’s attack on Sen. Mark Kelly, the strain inside the Pentagon, and the surreal spectacle of a president intervening in Hollywood sequ…

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What to know when Missouri sports betting goes live on Dec. 1 12:39

12d ago12:39

12:39

Missourians will finally get their chance to place wagers on sporting events on Monday, Dec. 1. That’s because the Show-Me State’s voters narrowly legalized sports betting last year, meaning that St. Louisans will no longer have to physically travel to Illinois to place a wager. STLPR’s Sarah Kellogg talks about what sports betting enthusiasts shou…

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Decision looms in St. Louis sheriff removal case 11:51

12d ago11:51

11:51

The trial in the Missouri attorney general’s case that could remove St. Louis Sheriff Alfred Montgomery from office came to a close on Tuesday, with more than 30 witnesses testifying over the course of a week. STLPR’s Visuals Editor Brian Munoz joins the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air to discuss.…

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St. Louis County’s health director wants to preserve clinics amid budget crunch 26:50

12d ago26:50

26:50

St. Louis County officials are grappling with a major budgetary hole, one that includes a roughly $20 million deficit for the county’s health department. But while acknowledging the perilous financial times for the county, St. Louis County Director of Public Health Dr. Kanika Cunningham is pushing back against the idea that the county should shutte…

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Contemporary Art Museum celebrates 30 years of teen art in ‘We Find Ourselves’ 27:51

13d ago27:51

27:51

Thirty years ago, a group of St. Louis teens walked into the Forum of Contemporary Art, sparking youth programs that have since reached more than 30,000 young people. Now the Contemporary Art Museum, a new exhibit, “We Find Ourselves: 30 Years of Teens Making Art,” looks back on that legacy and showcases new works by emerging artists in St. Louis. …

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The holidays can be stressful. A St. Louis psychologist offers tips on protecting your peace 22:29

13d ago22:29

22:29

For many people, the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year. But even the most heartwarming Thanksgiving meal with loved ones can come with sides of social obligation, financial strain and expectation. St. Louis clinical psychologist Dr. Marva Robinson shares advice on connecting with family, managing expectations and making the most…

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A little less conversation, a lot more consequences for 'Elvis' judge in St. Louis County 49:55

14d ago49:55

49:55

In Charles County, Elvis has left the courtroom. That’s thanks to an official Missouri disciplinary commission whose decision is forcing the retirement of Judge Matthew Thornhill. Thornhill drew complaints for his habit of dressing up as Elvis in the courtroom, wearing an Elvis wig and making jokes about Elvis to litigants. In this month’s Legal Ro…

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EP 034 - Chris Orr & Josh Fuss, Wild Nevada Season 8 Preview 31:07

15d ago31:07

31:07

Wild Nevada Season 8 is about to premiere, so Producer-Host Chris Orr and Director Josh Fuss are here to prepare us for what's coming up when the series premieres December 18.By PBS Reno

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Terry Moran: Patriotism, Power, and a Perilous Moment 50:01

16d ago50:01

50:01

Charlie Sykes and journalist Terry Moran examine a week that showcased two starkly different Americas—from Dick Cheney’s solemn, apolitical funeral to the president’s public calls for executing political opponents. They discuss the escalating authoritarian rhetoric, the Ukraine “surrender plan,” the White House’s embrace of MBS, and the alarming si…

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Bates’ passion for music production, horror inspired her album ‘The Terrible Tales of Mother Goose’ 24:47

17d ago24:47

24:47

Bates is a self proclaimed music and horror fanatic. The St. Louis rapper’s latest album, “The Terrible Tales of Mother Goose” blends her love of music and scary stories by flipping classic nursery rhymes with twisted origins and showcasing her expansive music tastes with her lyricism. She takes us behind the scenes of her fifth album and she share…

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Sensual and rebellious – this month’s new music round up highlights St. Louis’ take on R&B 25:35

17d ago25:35

25:35

November’s new music roundup is full of R&B bangers.. Alternative R&B tracks like “Mistakes” by Brock Seals and Nate Fox blend jazz and hip-hop with soulful vocals. Latoya Sharen’s “90’s R&B Love (Remix), featuring The HamilTones, takes us on a romantic trip back in time. Along with the music highlights, singer-songwriter Alexia Simone joins host E…

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There are few pigeons in St. Louis. Research shows it’s due to design 22:35

18d ago22:35

22:35

Pigeons are assumed to be common in most urban areas, but St. Louis does not have as many of these birds compared to other major cities. Washington University researchers have found that urban design and planning has a lot to do with that pigeon disparity, which highlights what’s missing in the city’s ecosystem. Postdoctoral fellow Elizabeth Carlen…

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Why there’s no such thing as an ‘authentic’ taco 26:37

18d ago26:37

26:37

In reviews of Mexican restaurants across St. Louis, you’ll find numerous mentions of “authenticity.” But what makes a Mexican dish, like the taco, truly authentic? For Ignacio M. Sánchez Prado, that’s asking the wrong question. In his new book, “Taco,” Sánchez Prado challenges the idea of authentic food by exploring how migration and modernity have…

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

19d 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…