Collateral Damage

Host DJ Wilson sits down with Alderwoman Megan Green, discussing her plans for the future of St. Louis.

Host DJ Wilson discusses the upcoming Board of Alderman elections with regular guest Virvus Jones, former comptroller of the Board of Alderman, and Assessor for the City if St. Louis.

Dj Wilson talks with long time colleague Byron Kerman, writer for St. Louis Magazine and the RFT, and photographer, writer, blogger, and musician Toby Weiss about plots and plans for St. Louis City and County reunification.

Dj Wilson talks with lime time colleague Byron Kerman, writer for St. Louis Magazine and the RFT, about the year in Missouri politics, and healthy dose of holiday humor.

DJ Wilson speaks with Virvus Jones, former comptroller of the Board of Alderman, and Assessor for the City if St. Louis - topics include city issues such as the proposed privatization of the STL airport, water, and the move to bring a new Major League Soccer stadium and franchise to the area.

DJ Wilson talks with Alderman Cara Spencer about various issues including airport issues and about her experiences as an Alderman.

Host DJ Wilson and Les Sterman, former Executive Director of The East - West Gateway Council of Governments, discuss previous efforts to raise funds through the gas tax and otherwise to repair the roads. Other issues are discussed as well.

Mike Jones, member of the State Board of Education joins DJ in studio to talk about various issues of the day, including the proposed new soccer stadium.

Host DJ Wilson talks with former St. Louis City former comptroller Virvus Jones and about his new novel "Stalking Horse."

DJ Wilson sat down with Dr. Jian Campian from the Siteman Cancer Center to discuss immunotherapy and how it has helped DJ in his own battle with brain cancer. The two talk about the ways in which immunotherapy and its awareness has progressed and the ways in which it differs from chemotherapy. Throughout the discussion, they explore the idea of everyone's journey with cancer being unique.

DJ Wilson talks with Jason Sibert, Executive Director of the Peace Economy Project, about his letter to the editor in the Post Dispatch, and about the Peace Economy Project in general.

St. Charles County Executive Director Steve Ehlmann has been involved in local and state politics in numerous roles, and wrote the book Crossroads: A History of St. Charles County, Missouri. DJ Wilson hosts this conversation about the similarities and differences between St. Louis and St. Charles, historically and currently, and the state of public schools, in the region.

DJ hosts this conversation with Harvey Ferdman, chair of the West Lake Landfill Community Advisory Group (CAG), and Susan Folle, also with the CAG and STL Toxic Aware. Ferdman and Folle are actively working for public awareness of the multitude of problems related to top secret Manhattan Project work, conducted in the St. Louis area, and the lack of toxic waste management in area landfills and dump sites. After years of CAG pressure, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 has published the proposed plan and initiated a public comment period for the West Lake Landfill Superfund Site, located in Bridgeton, Missouri. Comment via this EPA link. Recommended documentary films on Atomic Waste: First Secret City Atomic Homefront The Safe Side of the Fence

Roland Klose's first paid writing gig was right here in St Louis in the early days of the Riverfront Times; he is now the Enterprise Editor for the St Louis Post-Dispatch. Working inside and out of the St Louis area over the course of his career has provided Klose with great insights into the business of media and journalism. The conversation went a little something like this: Chapter 1. Journalism has been in a state of decline for 30-40 years, but so have other industries. The media has been in a constant state of restructuring for decades. (0:00-14:45) Chapter 2. Cable news is a "poor imitation of news." The consolidation of media companies and the public's insatiable appetite for so-called "breaking news" has changed the way we consume information. While today's papers may be thinner than they were last century, there's still good content in there. (14:45-35:00) Chapter 3. In the age of Facebook and Twitter, journalists feel the need to cover all of the big stories, but "how do you pick and choose?" Klose also takes a look at the transformation of journalists into psuedo-celebrities with their own personal brands. (35:00-44:30) Chapter 4. Where's media going and what's the outlook for aspiring journalists? As long as newsmen keep asking "how did things get this way?" there will be hope for modern media. (44:30-54:00) Thanks again to DJ's family who have helped him get back into the studio after several months away. Also, many thanks to Hank Thompson, who has been keeping Wilson's seat warm. Look for a new show from Thompson coming out in late March 2018 - right here at Podcasts.KDHX.org. Andy Heaslet is the engineer for Collateral Damage.

After some 5 months battling brain cancer, DJ Wilson returns to the studio with a friend of the show, Professor Todd Swanstrom. DJ starts his interview by discussing a conversation he had with Swanstrom just hours before the St Louis region learned that there would be no trial for Officer Darren Wilson (no relation), who had killed Mike Brown in Ferguson some three months earlier. You can read a piece DJ wrote the next day, reflecting on the protests and his recorded conversation with Swanstrom right here. These two old friends go on to speak for about an hour about race, politics, economics, and if St Louisans should feel bad about the state of the region when comparing themselves to other urban areas. Here's a look at how the conversation went: Chapter 1. "Same DJ Wilson as before, just sittin' in a wheelchair." DJ briefly explains his health and jumps into a familiar topic, Ferguson, and whether we've learned or done anything to improve the region since that tragedy and subsequent uprising. (0:00-9:45) Chapter 2. The poor have been unable to accumulate wealth while the already wealthy have been profiting off of "unearned increments." Thankfully, the professor explains this all very clearly. (9:45-15:30) Chapter 3. DJ asks Swanstrom to take out the metaphorical yardstick to compare St Louis to other cities and regions. Sprawl, Prof Swanstrom explains, is related to segreation and inequality. (15:30-31:30) Chapter 4. Can urban areas improve on their own or is Federal and State intervention and empowerment necessary? Yes. (31:30-39:00) Chapter 5. A look at the political landscape: There's a new police chief in town, we're in the middle of a race for County Executive, Expresscripts has been bought out, and more. (39:00-60:00) Thanks to DJ's family who have been helping him heal and a huge shoutout to Hank Thompson, who has been keeping Wilson's seat warm in the studio these past several months. Look for a new show from Thompson coming out in late March 2018 - right here at Podcasts.KDHX.org.

"I have some great guests this evening," host Hank Thompson texted to Collateral Damage Engineer Andy Heaslet. "Richard Gaines of the SAB for the St Louis Public Schools and Pat Washington, former aid to Charlie Dooley and mayor Freeman Bosley Jr, and a candidate for the University City School Board of Directors." This lively, fast-paced, and educational conversation will change the way you look at urban schools in the St Louis Region. Vocabulary for the day, psychometrist - a professional who uses their training and/or experience in psychology to specialize in tests and measurements Here's a glance at how the conversation went: Chapter 1. A week after a 19-year-old killed 17 people at a high school in Florida, Washington and Gaines discuss safety in our schools - especially in our urban context. (0:00-18:45) Chapter 2. Hank wanted to have a linear conversation about how schools today are becoming more segregated. Gaines and Washington entertained the subject, but they both emphasized that perceptions of our urban schools may not match the reality on the ground. (18:45-38:00) Chapter 3. Solution sharing. While our schools face a great deal of problems, there are solutions that are already making improvements. (38:00-47:00) This is Hank's last week filling-in as host of Collateral Damage - he will be returning in mid-March with a brand new KDHX podcast called Tangazo. Until then, you can also catch Thompson on the air Sunday nights at 6pm on 88.7 WSIE. If you're wondering why Hank keeps talking to an "Andy" throughout the podcast, that would be Andy Heaslet, the show's engineer who joins the host and his guests in-studio each week. *We're hoping to have DJ Wilson back in the studio very soon!*

While Hank reads much of these bios within the show, it's worth checking out the full bios of both Ronald and Hattie Jackson (Click on each name to read more about their backgrounds). From civil rights to poverty to education to black empowerment, the Jackson's have spent their lives fighting for those in need. As Hank likes to say, these are, undoubtedly, two of St Louis' Finest. Here's a glance at how the conversation went: Chapter 1. Background and inspiration for a lifetime of dedicated and disciplined activism and work. (0:00-11:30) Chapter 2. A power-couple is formed. (11:30-16:45) Chapter 3. Understanding the difference between internal and external control. If you're poor, the world seems to control you. With enough socioeconomic capital, you can have the confidence that comes from your own, internal control of yourself and the world around you. (16:45-24:00) Chapter 4. Convincing children that they could. "I want excellence [from students] because that's how I made it out of poverty." (24:00-28:00) Chapter 5. "Being poor is hard as hell," explains Ronald. "Unpredictability in life has a powerful influence on people." (28:00-32:30) Chapter 6. A common theme: Children. "Children respond to parental expectations" (33:00-39:30) Chapter 7. 1,000 Ron & Haddie Jacksons, PLUS a special recounting of putting her life on the line during the civil rights movement of the 60's to integrate an Alabama theater. (39:45-50:30) You can also catch guest host Hank Thompson on the air Sunday nights at 6pm on 88.7 WSIE. If you're wondering why Hank seems to be talking to a character named Andy, that would be Andy Heaslet, the show's engineer who joins the host and his guests in-studio each week. *Hope you're back on your feet soon, DJ Wilson!*

As the City of St Louis' website explains, "Judge Edwards earned an undergraduate degree in 1978 and a law degree in 1982 from St. Louis University. He rose through private and public legal positions to the legal staff of Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in 1990. From there he was appointed to the St. Louis Circuit Court. He was the Administrative Judge of the Family Court and Chief Juvenile Court Judge from 2007 to 2012." Edwards was appointed as Public Safety Director by Mayor Krewson in the fall of 2017. Here's a glance at how the conversation went: Chapter 1. "It's what you do for others that matters most." How Edwards came to be a judge appointed to the distinguished role of Public Safety Director. (0:00-8:15) Chapter 2. Judge Edwards says he has "High expectations... for all of the 3600 people that work for [him]..." and they're not the only ones; Judge Edwards has earned respect from police and "crooks" alike. (8:15-11:30) Chapter 3. "Our City is basically safe." While this may be the case, Judge Edwards understands that we "have to be smarter about how we utilize our [police] officers," if we want citizens to feel safe. (11:30-19:15) Chapter 4. But 205 murders last year! The public must be a part of public safety and this will require courage from citizens. (19:15-24:15) Chapter 5. Edwards envisions "A community where your grandkids can walk to the corner store without the fear of being hurt." When it comes to better crime fighting, Edwards says, "It is my job to root out the bad police officers, but I also need help from the police officers on the inside." Similarly, he needs the support of the community to keep criminals off the streets. (24:15-29:00) Chapter 6. "We're not going to incarcerate our way out of crime" in our communities. Plus a surprising reality-check looking at white-on-white vs black-on-black crimes. (29:00-34:30) Chapter 7. Dating back to the Dred Scott trial held here, the City of St Louis has been on the cutting edge of changing America and Edwards sees us as continuing to lead when it come to police relations as well. At the end of the day, "Reducing Crime is [Edwards'] number one goal..." and it's what he knows best. (34:30-41:20) You can also catch guest host Hank Thompson on the air Sunday nights at 6pm on 88.7 WSIE. Andy Heaslet is the show's engineer. *Wishing you well, DJ Wilson!*

Alderwomen Green, according to the website that bears her name, "first was elected in represent the 15th Ward in a Special Election in October of 2014 and was later re-elected in March of 2016." "Since assuming office, her bio continues, "Alderwoman Green has become the progressive champion of St. Louis, fighting for a $15 minimum wage, civilian oversight of our police department, reproductive rights for women, and responsible development with community benefits. She has been an outspoken supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement to address racial disparities that exist within the St. Louis Community, and nation. She also currently sits on the Continuum of Care to end homelessness in the St. Louis Region." Here's a glance at how the conversation went: Chapter 1. It can be scary, standing up to bullies. How Megan became an activist and politician. (0:00-7:30) Chapter 2. "What if we invested in the people who live here?" imagines Green. "We could grow the next fortune 500 company" instead of hoping to recruit a silver bullet company to come and save us. (7:30-12:15) Chapter 3. Green knows who got her elected and those are the same folks who hold her accountable in her quest to push for progressive policies. (12:15-21:00) Chapter 4. "The power comes from us working together." Green discusses playing a role in elevating women and people of color in the St Louis political scene. (21:00-29:15) Chapter 5. A different look at crime. "Your budget is your values statement," says Green; she thinks we should be spending more to help people rather than criminalizing them. (29:15-39:00) Chapter 6. What makes young progressives tick? "We're about the work," explains Green in a closing conversation that covers the city-county merger, racial bridge building, theories of change, and a final look at what makes St Louis a great place to live. (39:00-48:30) You can also catch guest host Hank Thompson on the air Sunday nights at 6pm on 88.7 WSIE. You may have heard Hank chatting with an Andy during the course of the show - that would be Andy Heaslet, the show's engineer. *Wishing you well, DJ Wilson!*

Jamala Rogers, according to the website bearing her name, grew up in a working class neighborhood Kansas City, MO, coming "of political and cultural age during the tumultuous 60’s... She’s been organizing and raising hell ever since." "Jamala currently resides in St. Louis, MO where she has devoted all of her adult life to creating a child-centered, family-oriented community–one that embraces, celebrates and protects human rights for all citizens regardless of race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation or religion... "Jamala is a featured columnist for the award-winning St. Louis American newspaper [this is her 25th year]... and is on the editorial boards of BlackCommentator.com and The Black Scholar. She has authored many articles for both local and national publications on issues that she is passionately involved in." Rogers is married to legendary St Louis activist Percy Green and is one of the founders of the Organization for Black Struggle (OBS). OBS is celebrating its 38th anniversary on Saturday Jan 27, 2018. Here's a glance at how the conversation went: Chapter 1. A 15 minute introduction crammed into 5. (0:00-5:00) Chapter 2. Not asking for permission. Hank asks Jamala how she came to be a leader in the black community. (5:00-11:45) Chapter 3. Malcom X or Dr. King? Garvey or DuBois? Green or Rogers? Getting to systemic change isn't an either/or proposition. (11:45-16:45) Chapter 4. Bringing along people to help them learn about empowerment. Not everyone understands the reasoning behind protests, Rogers asks you to imagine the society we're trying to create. (16:45-26:00) Chapter 5. The fight for local control of the St Louis City Police Dept. After a 30 year fight, this may be one of the brightest feathers in Rogers' cap. (26:15-31:00) Chapter 6. Protest vs Activist vs Organizer. You should have seen Jamala glaring at Hank over her glasses when he described her as never having been loud. "I can get loud if I need to," she retorted. (31:00-43:00) Chapter 7. Highs, lows, and legacies. The first black mayor in St Louis, Reggie Clemons, Frankie Freeman, and what lies ahead for Rogers. (43:00-51:00) You can also catch guest host Hank Thompson on the air Sunday nights at 6pm on 88.7 WSIE. Andy Heaslet engineered the show. *Our thoughts and prayers are with you, DJ Wilson!*