The 314 Podcast

In this episode of The 314 Podcast, host Sarah Fenske talks with Nahuel Fefer, who worked at City Hall under four mayors, most recently as executive director of the Community Development Administration. The native of Argentina explains what’s broken in St. Louis city government—and his ideas for city-county unification. Then, Sarah chats with SLM staff writer Ryan Krull about the city treasurer’s failure to hold people accountable when they rack up tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid tickets. Listen and follow The 314 Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available.
This episode is sponsored by STAGES St. Louis. STAGES is celebrating 40 years of Broadway-quality musical theatre right here in St. Louis. Join STAGES for a milestone season featuring the hilarious 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, the return of the high-rolling charm, Guys and Dolls, and the powerful, heartwarming hit Come From Away. Get tickets.
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Want more? Check out all of St. Louis Magazine’s podcasts.
Have an idea for a future episode? Send your thoughts or feedback by emailing [email protected].
Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at [email protected].
You may also enjoy these SLM stories:
St. Louis treasurer let vehicles rack up $10.7M in unpaid tickets
St. Louis treasurer voided his own parking tickets
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In this episode of The 314 Podcast, host Sarah Fenske talks with Haliday Douglas, CEO of the St. Louis Education Fund, which harnesses private dollars to help St. Louis Public Schools students. Douglas discusses how teachers at SLPS helped change his life—and propel him to Harvard—and the work his nonprofit is doing to give kids a chance at upward economic mobility. Then, Sarah chats with SLM staff writer Ryan Krull about the new legislation in Jefferson City that would create “innovation zones” to help downtown St. Louis and other central business districts. Listen and follow The 314 Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available.

This episode is sponsored by Opera Theatre of St. Louis. Discover the excitement of the Opera Theatre’s 2026 Festival Season, running from May 23 to June 28. Tickets start at just $25 for the timeless classic The Pirates of Penzance and the acclaimed Tony Award-winning musical The Light in the Piazza. Enjoy unforgettable performances of A Streetcar Named Desire and the romantic tragedy Romeo and Juliet, showcasing artistic excellence you're sure to love. Get your tickets now.

New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing!

Want more? Check out all of St. Louis Magazine’s podcasts.

Have an idea for a future episode? Send your thoughts or feedback by emailing [email protected].

Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at [email protected].

You may also enjoy these SLM stories:

Missouri rep proposes ‘innovation zones’ as a cure for downtown’s woes
For former St. Louis rep, moving to the county was about the Special School District
The turnaround strategy inside St. Louis Public Schools that may be working—and may get discontinued
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More episodes of The 314 Podcast

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In this episode of The 314 Podcast, host Sarah Fenske talks with Fred Wellman, who is running against six-term U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner (R-Ballwin). A U.S. Army veteran, political consultant, and podcast host, Wellman discusses why he thinks this could be Democrats’ year, why his opponent is like a jellyfish, and what brought him back to St. Louis after decades away. Then, Sarah chats with SLM staff writer Ryan Krull about the big raises that the new state-run Board of Police Commissioners just bestowed upon St. Louis police officers—and why Mayor Cara Spencer was a loud “no” vote. Listen and follow The 314 Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available.
This episode is sponsored by Royal Banks of Missouri and supported by St. Louis Public Library Foundation. Discover how Royal Banks of Missouri can help you navigate 2026 with confidence! They’re more than a bank; their team will serve as trusted partners at any point in your journey and provide personalized solutions to set you up for financial success. Learn more.
New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing!
Want more? Check out all of St. Louis Magazine’s podcasts.
Have an idea for a future episode? Send your thoughts or feedback by emailing [email protected].
Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at [email protected].
You may also enjoy these SLM stories:
Police board gears up to give St. Louis police another 7 percent raise
Ray Hartmann is convinced he can win—and he’ll happily tell you why
State control of St. Louis police brings added costs beyond salary increases
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More episodes of The 314 Podcast
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In this episode of The 314 Podcast, host Sarah Fenske talks with Nicholas Phillips and Samir Knox, the two reporters anchoring St. Louis Magazine’s new Economic Mobility Lab funded by the James S. McDonnell Foundation. They discuss Nick’s new story about a high-achieving young man who went from a working class background to earning a doctorate—and how social capital played a key role in his journey. They also explain what they plan to focus on as they seek to cover policies, programs, and people trying to achieve a better life for themselves and their kids.
Listen and follow The 314 Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available. Keep up with the latest Economic Mobility Lab coverage by subscribing to the St. Louis Daily newsletter.
New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing!
Want more? Check out all of St. Louis Magazine’s podcasts.
Have an idea for a future episode? Send your thoughts or feedback by emailing [email protected].
Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at [email protected].
Mentioned in this episode:
Surprise $5M gift will grant some St. Charles Community College students a free 4-year degree
Bridge Bread will open a bakery in the Loop, with new opportunities for workers
You may also enjoy these SLM stories:
Latest Economic Mobility Lab coverage
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In this episode of The 314 Podcast, host Sarah Fenske talks with Giles Oldroyd, the British scientist who recently took over as president of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. He talks about settling into Missouri, responding to federal cuts hitting the not-for-profit research institute, and St. Louis’ role as an agtech hub. Then, Sarah chats with SLM staff writer Ryan Krull about the hard line the city is taking on a long-vacant historic theater. Listen and follow The 314 Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available.
This episode is sponsored by Royal Banks of Missouri and supported by St. Louis Public Library Foundation. Since 1964, Royal Banks of Missouri has been proud to be your local community bank. Visit one of their fifteen convenient locations to discover how they can help you work towards a financial fresh start and achieve your goals in 2026. Learn more.
New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing!
Want more? Check out all of St. Louis Magazine’s podcasts.
Have an idea for a future episode? Send your thoughts or feedback by emailing [email protected].
Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at [email protected].
You may also enjoy these SLM stories:
St. Louis Business 500: Q&A with James Carrington, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Cary Fowler warns of headwinds for global food security—but sees solutions in St. Louis
City yanks tax-exempt status for downtown’s Orpheum Theater
Shop The 314 Podcast and St. Louis Daily merch
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.