Meet Me

St. Louis Public Radio

In St. Louis, it doesn’t take much to find a divide. There are the invisible lines we draw around politics, high schools — even what toppings belong on a pizza. And then, there are the big divides, like the 150-year-old split between St. Louis city and county. “Meet Me” is all about connecting across divides to find a way forward.

  1. 3d ago

    Revisiting City-County Reunification

    Should St. Louis join the county as its largest municipality? In March, County Executive Sam Page said, yes, it should. One month after the first two episodes of “Meet Me” explored the St. Louis city-county divide and past efforts to reunite, Page reignited the conversation. In this episode of “Meet Me” host Luis Antonio Perez moderates a discussion with three local leaders about the impact of such a move. Dara Eskridge, CEO of Invest STL, which works to shift the region's approach to development through equitable investment in neighborhoods. Pat Kelly, executive director of the Municipal League of Metro St. Louis, which represents the interests of the municipalities in the city and county. Karen Branding, CEO and president of the Regional Business Council, a group made up of 100 CEOs in the region. Video vignettes - Living on the border V1: The Brodsky’s in St. Louis/Maplewood V2: Honey J’s Snack Shop in Wellston V3: Mr. Larry Jackson in Jennings Sign up for the Meet Me newsletter at STLPR.org/newsletters Follow us on Instagram @MeetMeSTL Credits: This episode was hosted, produced and mixed by Luis Antonio Perez. Additional production and editing by Alex Heuer. Paola Rodriguez is the engagement producer for “Meet Me” and produced the video vignettes with STLPR Visuals Editor Brian Munoz. Technical assistance from Drew Yount, Mike Everding, David Torrence and Josh Walowitz. The executive producer of “Meet Me” is Brian Heffernan. Podcast art by Cristina Fletes-Mach. Our theme music is by Kudda & Friends. Additional music by Thomas Paden. Special thanks to Elaine Cha, Leslie Davis and the staff of the Missouri Historical Society including Emily Underwood, Lindsay Newton, Sam Moore, Jody Sowell and Andrew Wanko. Grant support comes from the James S. McDonnell Foundation. Support this work at stlpr.org/donate

  2. Sep 29

    To Choose A School

    About half of the school-aged kids in the St. Louis don’t attend the city’s public school district. St. Louis parents face an overwhelming number of school options: magnet, neighborhood, gifted, charter, parochial, private or homeschool. Host Luis Antonio Perez walks to school with a family in Ellisville, then sits down with three parents. Each chose different educational paths for their kids: moving to a school district in St. Louis County, sticking with public schools in the city and homeschooling. In a candid conversation they talk about why they love their choices, what they wish they had from the other options, and how people react when they find out.  And, STLPR education reporter Hiba Ahmad also explains how a new proposal to close 14 schools next year might affect students and families.  Sign up for the Meet Me newsletter at STLPR.org/newsletters    Follow us on Instagram @MeetMeSTL Credits: This episode was written, hosted, produced and mixed by Luis Antonio Perez, with story editing by Alex Heuer and Brian Heffernan and additional editorial support from Hiba Ahmad. The executive producer of “Meet Me” is Brian Heffernan. Paola Rodriguez is our engagement producer with editorial support from Lara Hamdan. Podcast art by Cristina Fletes-Mach. Our theme music is by Kudda & Friends. Special thanks to Rukiya Anthony and Frances Landis. Grant support comes from the James S. McDonnell Foundation. Support this work at stlpr.org/donate

  3. Sep 5 ·  Bonus

    Update: MO Supreme Court Historic Redistricting Decision

    Missouri Supreme Court ruled unanimously that a referendum challenging the Trump-backed 2025 Missouri First map belongs on the November ballot. This means voters will get a chance to weigh in on the state’s new congressional map but also that congressional districts drawn in 2022 will be in effect for the November election. In this episode of “Meet Me” host Luis Antonio Perez sits with STLPR politics correspondent Jason Rosenbaum to catch up on the latest news and the significance of this historic decision. Read more: Hoskins vows to fight on despite stinging rebuke from Missouri Supreme Court Missouri Supreme Court puts referendum to overturn new congressional map on ballot Credits: This episode was written, hosted, produced and mixed by Luis Antonio Perez, with editing by Brian Heffernan and Alex Heur who also engineered the interview. The executive producer of “Meet Me” is Brian Heffernan. Paola Rodriguez is our engagement producer with editorial support from Lara Hamdan. Podcast art by Cristina Fletes-Mach. Our theme music is by Kudda & Friends. Additional music by Thomas Paden. Grant support comes from the James S. McDonnell Foundation. Follow us on Instagram @MeetMeSTL Sign up for the Meet Me Newsletter To support this work please donate

  4. Aug 27

    Drawing Divides II

    Missouri’s congressional map is one court ruling away from being locked in for the 2026 midterms. “Meet Me” host Luis Antonio Perez talks with voters about the confusing primary election, then sits down with STLPR politics correspondent Jason Rosenbaum to unpack the redistricting drama and the upcoming court battle. Along the way, they revisit why the plot of the ‘90s film “Air Bud” is key to understanding the legal arguments over voting rights and representation in Missouri. Sign up for the Politically Speaking and Meet Me newsletters. Follow us on Instagram @MeetMeSTL Read Luis’ essay on Kansas City that's created a stir online! Credits: This episode was written, hosted, produced and mixed by Luis Antonio Perez, with story editing by Alex Heuer and Brian Heffernan. The executive producer of “Meet Me” is Brian Heffernan. Paola Rodriguez is our engagement producer with editorial support from Lara Hamdan. Podcast art by Cristina Fletes-Mach. Our theme music is by Kudda & Friends. Special thanks to Jason Rosenbaum, Fred Erlich, Daniel Wheaton from the Midwest Newsroom, and the Webster Groves Public Library. Grant support comes from the James S. McDonnell Foundation. Support this work at stlpr.org/donate

  5. Jul 31

    The Rams’ Final Gift

    St. Louis city leaders voted to spend $255 million from a legal settlement tied to the departure of the Rams football team. Host Luis Antonio Perez revisits the glory days of the St. Louis Rams’ Super Bowl runs and the disappointment of team owner Stan Kroenke moving the team to Los Angeles. He also sits with two St. Louis residents — Brendalyn King and Eli Front — who live in different parts of the city. Brendalyn lives in the city’s historically disinvested north side that was also impacted by an EF3 tornado last year, and Eli lives downtown, where conversations about regional economic development are often centered.They discuss what it’s like to live in their respective neighborhoods, what they think would help their communities flourish, and issues that they see that money can’t fix.  Eli Front is a member of the Laclede’s Landing neighborhood association and co-founder of OpsCompanion, a software startup based in downtown St. Louis. Brendalyn King is an executive leadership coach and steward and developer of a 244-acre retreat property in the Missouri Ozarks, originally founded in 1934 by an African American physician. Credits: This episode was hosted, produced, written and mixed by Luis Antonio Perez with story editing by Brian Heffernan and Alex Heur, who also engineered the conversation. Meet Me's engagement producer is Paola Rodriguez with editorial support from Lara Hamdan. Brian Heffernan is our executive producer. Theme music by Kudda and Friends. Additional music by Holizna. Special thanks to Denis Beganovic, Alyssa Potter, Vontriece McDowell, Rachel Lippmann, and Sean Malone at KMOX for archival audio.  Grant support for "Meet Me" comes from the James S. McDonnell Foundation.  Follow us on Instagram @MEETMESTL and sign up for the "Meet Me" newsletter. Support this work with a donation to St. Louis Public Radio.

  6. Jun 25

    Drawing Divides

    At the start of every decade the Census redraws America's lines of representation. But in 2025, at President Trump's urging, several states — including Missouri — moved to redraw their congressional maps mid-decade. The result is a high-drama scramble that could reshape who controls the U.S. House. In this episode, host Luis Antonio Perez sits down with St. Louis Public Radio politics correspondent Jason Rosenbaum to break down the "what, how, and why" of Missouri's new 2025 map and how the movie “Air Bud” explains part of this saga. With August primaries already underway, we trace where things stand and what's still left to play out. Find updates on redistricting in Missouri on our website. Sign up for the Politically Speaking and Meet Me newsletters at STLPR.org/newsletters    Follow us on Instagram @MeetMeSTL Credits: This episode was written, hosted, produced and mixed by Luis Antonio Perez, with story editing by Alex Heuer and Brian Heffernan. The executive producer of “Meet Me” is Brian Heffernan. Paola Rodriguez is our engagement producer with editorial support from Lara Hamdan. Podcast art by Cristina Fletes-Mach. Our theme music is by Kudda & Friends. Special thanks to Jason Rosenbaum and Fred Erlich. Grant support comes from the James S. McDonnell Foundation. Support this work at stlpr.org/donate

  7. May 29

    Other Side of the Arch

    St. Louis civic and political leaders want to expand Gateway Arch National Park across the river to East St. Louis, Illinois. It would fulfill the vision of Eero Saarinen whose original design included park grounds on both sides of the river. It would also fulfill the dream of a man who spent his life — and dedicated his fortune — to park expansion, Malcolm W. Martin. Host Luis Antonio Perez visits Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park — directly across from the Gateway Arch — with Ryan McClure, executive director of the Gateway Arch Park Foundation. Perez learns about Malcolm Martin's life from his longtime friend and colleague, Marshall Hier, and sets out on a canoe tour on the Mississippi River. (0:00) - Big windy adventure on the Mississippi River  (6:25) - Ryan McClure and Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park  (16:42) - Marshall Hier and the life of Malcolm Martin (26:25) - Debra Moore of East St. Louis (28:36) - Back on the river at Mosenthein Island (30:49) - Final thoughts: Daring to dream Follow us on Instagram @MeetMeSTL | Sign up for the Meet Me newsletter Credits: This episode was hosted, produced and mixed by Luis Antonio Perez, with writing and story editing by Luis, Brian Heffernan and Alex Heuer. The executive producer of “Meet Me” is Brian Heffernan. Paola Rodriguez is our engagement producer with editorial support from Lara Hamdan. Podcast art by Cristina Fletes-Mach. Our theme music is by Kudda & Friends with additional music by Thomas Paden. Special thanks to Will Bauer, Matt Green of Big Muddy Adventures, Arielle Claypool and Thomas Schlafly. Grant support comes from the James S. McDonnell Foundation. Support this work at stlpr.org/donate

  8. May 15 ·  Bonus

    Bonus: Tornado Open Mic Montage

    More stories from the "Meet Me" open mic eleven months after an EF3 tornado ripped through St. Louis. Residents were invited to share experiences and reflections about the tornado almost a year later. This piece was produced for the STLPR series TORN - about the struggle to recover from the tornado, the flailing government response, and the fight for north city. (1:26) - Brendalyn King, Xavier Phillips, Tabitha Hunt, Elmer Simril, Yolanda Owens, Sandra Blackshear-Miller, Clara Washington and Patricia Miller.  Follow us on Instagram @MeetMeSTL | Sign up for the Meet Me newsletter Credits: This episode was written, hosted, produced and mixed by Luis Antonio Perez, with story editing by Alex Heuer and Brian Heffernan. The executive producer of “Meet Me” is Brian Heffernan. Paola Rodriguez is our engagement producer with editorial support from Lara Hamdan. Recording by Drew Yount. Podcast art by Cristina Fletes-Mach. Our theme music is by Kudda & Friends. Special thanks to Cami Thomas, Alyssa Potter, Brittini Gray-Chiquillo, Leslie Davis, Maia WIlliams, Hiba Ahmad, Andrea Henderson, and the Black Healer’s Collective of InPower Institute and Freedom Community Center. Grant support comes from the James S. McDonnell foundation. Support this work at stlpr.org/donate

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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

In St. Louis, it doesn’t take much to find a divide. There are the invisible lines we draw around politics, high schools — even what toppings belong on a pizza. And then, there are the big divides, like the 150-year-old split between St. Louis city and county. “Meet Me” is all about connecting across divides to find a way forward.

Information

  • Creator
    St. Louis Public Radio
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 St. Louis Public Radio (325560)
  • Show Website
    Meet Me

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