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.

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.

"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

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.

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.

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."

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.

According to his bio, Mike Claiborne is "a 30-year market veteran, including more than 10 years at KMOX, has done pre- and post-game shows for the St. Louis Cardinals and the St. Louis Blues over the years."

Liner notes from the album, When Lions Roar read: "Classrooms & clubs, symphony & social halls, workshops & record shops... all are part of the Bosman's dossier of elegance... in pursuit of their aim: 'educate to elevate.'" - Dr. Eugene Redmond

This is one of the liveliest conversations featured on Collateral Damage in some time. You'll get a sneak peak into the lives of these musical geniuses and into several of the tracks on their latest album, which, by the way, you've got to pick up. 

Here's a look at how the conversation went:

Chapter 1. "We had to work at it hard." Before becoming one of the most accomplished jazz duos in St Louis, Dwight and Dwayne were raised in a musical household (0:00-10:15)

 - Track 3 - "Pootie"

Chapter 2. How do you raise talented children? "Give them the opportunity to fall in love with music." (10:15-21:30)

 - Track 8 - "My Daddy Was a Horn Player"

Chapter 3. A talented family. The Bosman Twins' mother worked for two governors and a president. Their sister performs poetry on one of their tracks - and she holds her own. (21:30-26:00)

Chapter 4.  What's it like for twins to record an album? "In the studio, time is money," explains Dwayne as Dwight makes faces behind his younger twin brother. (26:00-33:15)

 - Track 13 - "Tuned In"

Chapter 5. Progressive activism begets progressive music. The inspiration behind the music.  (33:15-39:00)

 - Track 9 - "When Lions Roar"

Chapter 6. Grammys bound! (technically). A walk through a few of the tunes on the album. (39:00-47:35)

 - Track 3 - "Pootie"

 - Track 6 - "Seclusion"

 - Track 12 - "DB Blues"

 - Track 1 - "Manifestation"

Hank and the guests occasionally mention an "Andy" through the course of the conversation, that would be KDHX volunteer engineer/producer, Andy Heaslet.

*Get well soon, DJ Wilson!*

As described by his church, "The Reverend Starsky D. Wilson is a pastor, philanthropist and activist pursuing God’s vision of community marked by justice, peace and love. He is president & CEO of Deaconess Foundation, pastor of Saint John’s Church (The Beloved Community) and former co-chair of the Ferguson Commission."

To learn more about the ongoing work of the Ferguson Commission, now called "Forward Through Ferguson," check out this organization's impressive, dynamic report. 

Here's a look at how the conversation went:

Chapter 1. Get to know Rev. Wilson and the causes he has been called to serve. (0:00-8:30)

Chapter 2. "I don't think much s going to happen... We're in St Louis." At first, Wilson didn't expect much to change following the death of Mike Brown. He would go on to serve as a co-chair of the Ferguson Commission. (8:30-18:30)

Chapter 3. "Kinda like apartheid, huh?" Laying the groundwork to move away from the minority rule of a majority population. (18:30-24:45)

Chapter 4.  "A terrific drive to be resilient." Thompson struggles with some of the philosophical differences within the black community. (24:45-32:00)

Chapter 5. "We put a lot into programs, but not into policy." Rev. Wilson helps walk Thompson through a systems analysis of building power for the black community to create a more equitable world.  (32:00-41:15)

Chapter 6. "We've all been on a learning journey." Articulating the difference between equity and equality and how Rev. Wilson came to recognize the difference. (41:15-50:30)

Like most weeks, Hank occasionally refers to an "Andy" through the course of the conversation, that would be KDHX volunteer engineer/producer, Andy Heaslet.

*Get well soon, DJ Wilson!*

Ron Himes founded The Black Repertory Theater Company in 1976 and he continues to serve as the company's Producing Director.

Linda Kennedy has been an accomplished actor for 40 years, spending much of that time performing with the Black Rep. 

Get tickets for the next performance by calling the Box Office: 314-534-3810.

Here's a look at how the conversation went:

Chapter 1. "How do you compete with the instant gratification of social media?" asks Kennedy. Get to know the guests and the Black Rep. (0:00-10:15)

Chapter 2. "A responsibility to lead our audience." Director Himes discusses the Black Rep's place in the community. (10:15-18:45)

Chapter 3. Seeing yourself represented on stage. Every performance at the theater is different - and each show has the power to change a life. (18:45-25:00)

Chapter 4.  "The place to be on a Saturday night." More about the stages where the Black Rep has performed including Washington University's Edison Theater. (25:00-30:00)

Chapter 5. "What's your favorite production?" asks Hank. "Generally the next one," responds Himes. (30:00-36:45)

Chapter 6. How the St Louis Black Rep compares to its peers. Hint: Your presence is requested at the next performance. (36:45-45:15)

Hank refers to an "Andy" a handful of times in the course of the conversation, that would be KDHX volunteer engineer/producer, Andy Heaslet.

*Get well soon, DJ Wilson!*

This week on DJ Wilson's Collateral Damage, Hank Thompson and his guests tackle the difficult topic of sexual harassment and misconduct.

Dr. Malaika Horne, is the founder and Director of the Executive Leadership Consortium at the University of Missouri, St Louis (UMSL). The consortium seeks "to prepare students and a cross-section of career professionals to become effective leaders to meet current and future demands in response to regional, state, national and international needs."  

Art Perry is a retired pharmacist, current Democratic Committeeman for St Louis' 28th Ward, and he serves on multiple boards across the city.

Join the conversation and grow with Hank and his guests.

Here's a look at how the conversation went:

Chapter 1. "Citizen Busybody." Meet Dr. Horne and Mr. Perry and catch up on the context leading up to this conversation. (0:30-8:45)

Chapter 2. "I don't think most women were surprised." Rape culture is being exposed; we learn this behavior comes from the desire to dominate women. (8:45-20:00)

Chapter 3. "We hate that... that's what airhead men think." Hank poses a question and gets set straight, eventually noting, "To some extent, we're all guilty." (20:00-26:45)

Chapter 4.  "Now we have a voice." Women have never liked being sexually harassed, what's changed is the ability to make frustrations heard (26:45-34:30)

Chapter 5. You need all types. From boycotts to marches, there are a number of strategies being deployed to work towards a vision of equality before the law for black folks. (34:30-39:00)

Chapter 6. From protest to politics. While a new crop of political leaders are standing up for a more just local government, as Art Perry explains, citizens have been organizing to protect themselves for decades. (39:00-48:31)

Hank refers to an "Andy" a handful of times in the course of the conversation, that would be KDHX volunteer engineer/producer, Andy Heaslet.

*Get well soon, DJ Wilson!*