Collateral Damage

D.L. Thornton, former Vice President of the Federal Reserve bank of St. Louis, joins DJ in studio to talk about the role of the Federal Reserve, cronyism in the U.S. tax code, and how change in our economic system is unlikely. Thornton, who continues his research on his own website, points to the dot.com and housing bubbles as warnings for the future, as some of the same conditions persist. 

William Powell, outgoing Senior Editor for St. Louis Magazine, sits down with DJ to talk about his departure from St. Louis for New Haven, Connecticut to attend Yale Law School. He talks about his move from rural Pennsylvania to the New York Times and Esquire, to city magazines. Powell also goes over his past work with St. Louis Magazine , which includes covering competitive eating in the sports section, Bob Costas, Larry Rice, and his final article with the magazine: a look at the shootings of Vonderrit Meyers and Kajieme Powell. 

St. Louis Post-Dispatch City Hall reporter Nick Pistor joins DJ in studio to talk about the upcoming mayor's race and possible candidates. He also discusses crime in downtown and St. Louis's struggle with regionalism.

DJ is joined in studio by Jim Nesbitt, author and former editor of the Riverfront Times. Jim talks about his new book, The Last Second Chance, his leap from journalism to fiction, nights of poker with St. Louis politicians, and his tumultuous time at the Riverfront Times.

George Otte, who grew up in south city, taught Urban Affairs at St. Louis University before moving to France more than 30 years ago with his wife Francoise, who is a native of France. The Ottes return to St. Louis about once a year and visit Collateral Damage to give their account of life in Europe and the view of America (and Trump) they get from their homes in Orleans and Paris. 

Elisa Crouch, reporter from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, joins DJ in studio to talk about her newest piece, looking into racial disparities in AP classes in the area. She also discusses the lack of opportunity and access to educational resources as well as the structural barriers to getting ahead when you're already behind.

Sean Thomas joins DJ in the KDHX studio to talk about his time with Old North St. Louis Restoration Group. He talks about the great progress the neighborhood has seen since he joined in 2003, what attracted him to the area, and how he thinks other St. Louis neighborhoods can replicate their success

DJ is joined in the KDHX studio by Thomas Crone. RFT contributor and co-owner of the Tick Tock Tavern, Thomas talks about his recent work, including a piece on the former owner of the Broadway Oyster Bar, and his look into graffiti artists in St. Louis. Also discussed — the chemical indifference between Natty Light and Bud Light as well as the meaning behind a certain graffiti tag we probably can’t say here.

Stephen Houldsworth joins DJ Wilson in the KDHX studio to talk about the St. Louis music scene, as well as his own work on stage,most recently with the spoken word piece Protests and Punk Shows: Musings of a Grumpy Old Gay Man. He also talks about changing the narrative of what success looks like in our society, how protest movements lose their radical side, perfecting the literary form of the Facebook post, and why basements are the best place to catch local music.

Tonight, DJ is joined by Josh Wiese, Senior Staff Member for Mayor Slay. John talks about Slay’s recent announcement that he wouldn’t be running in the next election, growing up in a political, and musical, family, and finding out the ugly truth behind how city government runs. He also talks about his own past running neighborhood associations, musical endeavors, and tattoos.

Adam Frick, of Webster University and StlVernacular.com 'splains pod casts for us: what they are, why they're growing in popularity, who does them, and where you can find local versions (at his stlvernacular website). Frick breaks down their appeal and what works, and what doesn't.

Megan Ellyia Green (Ald.15th Ward), joins D.J. in studio to talk about her recent dust-up at the Trump rally at the Opera House, reflections on the failed stadium deal, and her ideals as an elected official in the city. Topics include Trump's rhetoric, what she overheard at the rally, her arrest for her protest, the static and slurs during the stadium controversy, and her hopes for participatory budgeting and transparency in government. 

Lana Stein, Chairman Emeritus of Political Science at UMSL, and author of St. Louis Politics: The Triumph of Tradition, drops by the KDHX studio to discuss the national presidential race, her surprise at Sanders' close results in Missouri, how voting can be illogical, and local ballot measures.

Lyda Krewson has been the alderwoman for the 28th Ward since 1997. During her visit to KDHX, she talks about recent development in her Central West End ward, and discusses the importance of the continuation of the city's earnings tax, which is a ballot issue on April 5th.  Krewson has no plans for retiring and hopes to continue on the board when it is reformulated to just 14 aldermen after the 2020 census. 

Dylan Hassinger drops by the KDHX studio to talk about his newly announced candidacy for the 5th District State Senate Seat against Jamilah Nasheed. He talks about his work on previous campaigns and activism in St. Louis, his belief in the 50-state strategy, and how he intends to reach across the aisle to get bipartisan work done in Jefferson City.

Long-time Collateral Damage guest, and member of the State Board of Education, joins DJ to exchange sports analogies about St. Louis public schools, how businessmen and civics do not mix, and the civic purpose and meaning behind sports, particularly in regards to the recent departure of the Rams. 

Ken Warren, SLU Political Science professor and pollster, talks about the survey he and a colleague conducted, collecting citizen feedback on how people in the system view the St. Louis County Municipal Court system. It doesn't get good reviews. Warren also discusses the current state of the presidential primaries.

Jack Gardetti joins DJ in studio to discuss New Approach Missouri's efforts in changing the Missouri Constitution to make marijuana legal for medical purposes. Gardetti talks about their May deadline to gather 167,000 signatures, Missourians' support for medical marijuana, and how the measure would support veterans' causes in the state.

Former City Comptroller and Alderman Virvus Jones explains why he's backing Bernie Sanders, why the Rams leaving town is no big deal, how St. Louis County is more fractured than ever, and what needs to be done to address the problem of poverty, crime, troubled schools, and a growing number disadvantaged people.

Veteran Collateral Damage guest, Bill Haas, joins DJ to talk about his new book “Pink Collar Blue,” a story about love and politics. He also talks about his past and future political aspirations in St. Louis, money in politics, education, and the lifelong pursuit to achieve your dreams.