Under the Arch Podcast

After emptying the notoriously hellish Workhouse jail in June of 2022, the City of St. Louis pledged the community would shape its future. Yet, this spring, the Jones administration announced plans to disregard the community’s recommendations and continue St. Louis’ history of disappearing vulnerable people onto the site.

“Building tiny homes at the Workhouse is unconscionable. I am disgusted at the idea of it, and everyone involved in putting this plan together ought to be ashamed,” says Inez Bordeaux, Deputy Director of Community Collaborations at ArchCity Defenders and a lead organizer with the Close the Workhouse campaign.

This week, we talk to about her journey from nurse to organizer extraordinaire, the findings of the Re-Envisioning the Workhouse report, and why Jones' plan to move STL's unhoused to the Workhouse jail site is a BAD, BAD idea!

Access to quality, fresh food isn’t guaranteed in every zip code. In this episode, Nick Speed, Founder & Executive Director of Ujima, talks about food apartheid, community engagement with environmental and food justice issues, and how local Black residents are reclaiming food and land.

Ujima combats the racialized history of food access in a couple of ways, one of them is urban farming. In recent years, their local community gardeners have grown an increasing amount of fruit and vegetable produce, herbs, and flowers at various sites. Through this, Ujima sparks a connection between people and the food we eat, a connection that racism and scarcity has jeopardized.

“Our communities look like this for certain reasons,” Nick says. Hear more about what Nick, Ujima, and St. Louisans are doing to transform the places they call home and the food on our plates in this episode.

This week’s Music Minute features “Purple Cotton Haze” by Whitworth. Stream their music on your favorite platform!

Dara Eskridge with Invest STL walks us through the good, the bad, and the ugly of community development in St. Louis. Some efforts prioritize residents’ histories, resources, and vision while others bulldoze memorable places because someone in power said to. Hear how Invest STL is working with residents to reflect the changes and improvements they want to see on their block and in their neighborhood.

This week’s Music Minute features “Freedom” by Monkh . Stream their music on your favorite platform!

First episode of season 5 out now! 💯

To kick off the season, we tackle an issue permeating our political landscape and personal lives: abortion access. Blake and Kayla talk to Mallory Schwarz, Executive Director of , about the current state of abortion access, lasting impacts of the fall of Roe, and Abortion Access Missouri’s campaign to end the total abortion ban in the Show Me state.

This week's Music Minute features the song "Make Love in the Middle of War" by and . Stream their music on your favorite platform!

Your favorite podcast exploring St. Louis' critical issues returns next week for season 5. Thanks for your support, we love y'all and we're excited to continue highlighting the resilience of our beautiful city! ✊🏾

Stream on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

“Our goal is to give people a real sense of what the pressing issues are today in St. Louis and how people are fighting back. We’re hoping to introduce listeners to issues, work, campaigns and projects that they might be unaware of, and hopefully through talking to people who are involved in that work, provide people with ways to get involved.” - Blake Strode, co-host of 🗣️

Read the full article by at the link in our bio and stream wherever you get you podcasts! 🎧🔥

For the final episode of Under the Arch season four, we wanted to end this season with a bang by bringing back one of our favorite guests: none other than Congresswoman Cori Bush ()! 🔥
We speak with Congresswoman Bush about her latest efforts to fight white supremacy on the federal level, including two bills introduced this summer: the Reparations Now Resolution and the End Solitary Confinement Act. Congresswoman Bush shares firsthand what each of these bills seeks to accomplish, why they’re imperative now, and how her work in Congress is strengthened by local fights for racial justice in St. Louis and around the country. Listen wherever you get your podcasts! 🎧
This week's Music Minute features the song "Beach Journey" by the Kaleb Kirby Quintet. You can find more of their music on your favorite streaming platform.

2023 is the Year of the Tenant, as we fight an array of housing issues that still plague St. Louis communities. Along with the recent passage of Right to Counsel, it is crucial that we continue to share stories, support anchor institutions, and push back against unjust landlords to ensure housing as a human right.

In this episode, our hosts speak with Kristian Blackmon, ’s coalition coordinator, about Homes for All St. Louis’s efforts to achieve housing justice and her personal experience with organizing efforts, including teachers' unions, Occupy Wall Street, and most recently, Right to Counsel.

This week’s Music Minute features the song “Shoveling Rocks” by the band Furthest. You can find more of their music on Bandcamp.

One of the most salient political issues of this moment is the sustained attack on q***r and trans rights. Across the nation, conservative legislatures have coordinated and implemented dangerous policies such as bans on gender-affirming healthcare, youth sports participation, and more.

In this episode, our hosts speak with ’s Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, Shira Berkowitz. Shira addresses the rise of trans-hate, the prioritization of anti-trans legislation by conservative politicians, and the devastating impact on trans youth and their families. As always, our guest leaves us with steps to support the fight for trans rights and dignity. 🏳️‍⚧️

This week's Music Minute features the song "Wretched" by 18 and Counting. You can find more of their music on your favorite streaming platform.

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In a time of political backlash and attempts to reverse progress, it’s important to remember the role of Black-led movements in our historic development. ✊🏿 In this special playback episode, we revisit evergreen lessons from Season 3 Episode 10, "St. Louis is Resistance.” Listen now! 🔥

This episode was recorded live from the national conference "Lawyering for Liberation: Defending Black Lives, Building Black Power,” held in St. Louis in July 2022. Our hosts speak with movement leaders Michael Jones, Jamala Rodgers, and Tef Poe. They discuss St. Louis's role in Black resistance history, insights from their careers in movement politics, and lessons they would share with today's youth. 🧠

Know a local artist who'd like to feature their song in our Music Minute segment? Email us with the subject "Music Minute”.

State takeover of the police is a problem. Let’s talk about it. This week, our hosts speak with professor and attorney at SLU School of Law, Brendan Roediger, about the local control debate, what it is and how we got here, St. Louis’ complicated relationship with , and what history can teach us about white supremacist retaliation and the power of electoral organizing.

This week’s Music Minute features the song “No Fans” by Tef Poe. Find more of his music on your favorite streaming platform.

Stream S4 Episode 2 now on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

The first episode of Under the Arch Season 4 is out now! To kick off the season, our hosts speak with the President of the St. Louis Board of Alderman, Megan Green, about what her position is responsible for, how she became interested in politics, the values that guide her work and so much more!

This week’s Music Minute features the song “Right Fist” by . Find more of his music on your favorite streaming platform.

Stream S4 Episode 1 now on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. Link in our bio.

Happy 314 Day, St. Louis! Did you miss us? Don’t worry, Under the Arch returns with Season 4 next Tuesday, March 21st. Stay tuned 👀

You can stream on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

A new bonus episode of Under The Arch Is Out Now! The 2022 midterms are quickly approaching and the stakes have never been higher. In this special “election edition” episode, we are joined by brilliant actress and activist, , to discuss what’s at stake this upcoming election and why she is working to ensure that we all vote. You don’t want to miss this one!

This week’s Music Minute features the song “Good For Us” by The Knuckles.

Stream now on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. Link in our bio.

In our last episode, our hosts spoke with activist, organizer, and newly elected member of the St. Louis Board of Education Alisha Sonnier about St. Louis’s education system. In this quote, Sonnier speaks on the importance of holistic education, emphasizing the the connection between children's academic performance and their overall health and wellness. In order to address the crisis of education in our city, we must invest in resources that support and encourage overall stability in our children's lives.

A new episode of Under The Arch is here! This week, our hosts speak with activist, organizer, and newly elected member of the St. Louis Board of Education Alisha Sonnier about St. Louis’s education system and how education influences many important political conversations, such as voting and public safety.

This week’s Music Minute segment features the song “New Tradition” by YOUPEOPL. You can find more of their music on your favorite streaming platform.

Tune in to Episode 8 now: https://soundcloud.com/archcitydefenders/under-the-arch-s3-ep-8-the-promise-of-education-ft-alisha-sonnier

In our last episode, our guest Emanuel Powell talked about some of the harsh realities that the families of victims of fatal state violence face when their loved one is unjustly taken from them.

“All of a sudden, you have to figure out a funeral. All of a sudden, you have to figure out how to deal with the media and the comments in news reporting, what little there is, criminalizing your loved one, parroting back what police say. You have to figure out what it looks like to get justice.”

Our organizations (ArchCity Defenders, Inc. and Action St. Louis) are honored to be a part and in support of the work that Emanuel leads through the Fatal State Violence Project helping families through these tragedies and advocating for systemic change in efforts to put an end to fatal state violence. Learn more about the Project by listening to Season 3 Episode 7 now wherever you get your podcasts.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s3-ep-7-exposing-fatal-state-violence-ft-emanuel-powell/id1475274041?i=1000559035793

Our newest episode features ACD Staff Attorney & Skadden Fellow Emanuel Powell, who shares how his personal experience losing a family member inspired his current role leading the , through which he works with individuals and families who have also lost loved ones to police and state violence.

This week's Music Minute segment features the song "R!GHT NOW" by K!NG QUE. You can find more of his music on your favorite streaming platform, and follow him on social media on Instagram and KING QUE on Facebook.

Stream S3 Episode 7 now on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s3-ep-7-exposing-fatal-state-violence-ft-emanuel-powell/id1475274041?i=1000559035793

In episode 6, returning guest Mike Milton talked about what influenced him to found and lead his organization Freedom Community Center and the mission behind their work. Listen in to learn more about Mike's personal abolitionist journey, how he defines transformative and restorative justice, and how FCC is making an impact in the very communities he grew up in in St. Louis.

In our latest episode, our hosts speak with returning guest Mike Milton, Founder and Executive Director of Freedom Community Center to talk about the origins of his organization, how he defines restorative and transformative justice, and the ways the FCC works to achieve such outcomes for community members that have faced interpersonal violence. ⠀
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This week's Music Minute features the song "Something Bout the Way" by Jay Marie Is Holy ft. Seaux Chill. Stream more of their music on your favorite platform. ⠀
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Tune in to Season 3 Episode 6 now on your favorite streaming platform.

A new episode of Under The Arch is here! This week, our hosts speak with Rev. Michelle Higgins, a community faith-based leader in several ways. Co-founder of Action St. Louis, Executive Director of Faith For Justice, and Pastor at St. John's Church - The Beloved Community, Michelle comes equipped with the knowledge and experience to share in the conversation on how faith shows up in the work of building a movement centered around justice. Our hosts also pay tribute to the late Cora Faith Walker, whose memory will live on as we continue this work.

This week's Music Minute features the song "Black Joy" by "Black Joy" by Seaux Chill & Summer Dregs ft. Michelle Higgins. Stream more of their music on your favorite streaming platform.

Tune in now on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s3-ep-5-faith-in-action-ft-rev-michelle-higgins/id1475274041?i=1000554873056

A new episode of Under The Arch is out now! This week, our hosts speak with Dr. Donald Suggs, long-time publisher of the St. Louis American. Tune in as he shares a range of life reflections and recounts his numerous contributions to the St. Louis community made in love and solidarity.

This week's Music Minute features the song "Go For Life" by KaRon Demarko from his latest project "Hard Feelings," available everywhere.

Stream now on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s3-ep-4-formation-of-a-life-ft-dr-donald-suggs/id1475274041?i=1000553349780

Our latest episode with author, professor, and historian Walter Johnson was packed with insightful analyses of St. Louis's racial history and the removalist ideals that informed it. In summarizing this history, Johnson offers an observation that he helps our listeners unpack throughout the episode. Tune in to hear more thoughts and reflections from Season 3 Ep. 3: "The Broken Heart of America".

As Black History Month comes to a close, we know that our celebration of Black history in the making will continue. This February, we’ve highlighted campaigns and efforts that are critical to the ongoing movement for Black liberation in St. Louis, such as Close The Workhouse campaign, the Defund. Re-Envision. Transform. campaign, and our Power and Plight of Protest graphic series.

As our final reflection, we highlight the Black leaders, organizers, politicians, artists, and community members who have shared in several important and insightful conversations with us on our podcast, Under the Arch Podcast. We launched this podcast in collaboration with Action St. Louis in August of 2019, where our hosts Blake Strode and Kayla discuss the issues facing our community and the people fighting to transform them. Throughout 3 seasons, we’ve tackled topics relevant to the lives of St. Louisans, equipping them with the knowledge and perspectives of those at the frontlines. We’re grateful for the opportunity to hear and learn from Black voices that lead the community and influence the work we do to support their leadership.

Episode 3 is now live! Listen now for special conversation with Walter Johnson, professor and author of the 2020 book "The Broken Heart of America." Heralded as an essential read for those looking to understand "St. Louis's turbulent history and the racial dynamics that lie inescapably at the heart of our nation," this engaging conversation and analysis help to bring insights from the reading full circle.

Tune in now on Apple Podcasts: https://loom.ly/c0KJlgM

Our last episode featured a recorded conversation with Dr. Angela Y. Davis, originally captured during the 2021 Racial Equity Summit. This keynote discussion about understanding and implementing racial equity capacity building is full of wise and thoughtful reflections from one of the movement's most beloved leaders. In this quote, Dr. Davis urges listeners to ponder the significance of the language that we use to describe abolitionist and racial justice-based work. Hear more thought-provoking insights and teachable moments from this conversation by tuning in wherever you get your podcasts.

Episode 2 is now live! Tune in to a special recording of the 2021 Racial Equity Summit keynote discussion featuring Dr. Angela Y. Davis, moderated by your favorite podcast hosts. This important conversation follows the summit's general scope by calling into question our understanding of and implementation of racial equity capacity building.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s3-ep-2-always-create-community-ft-dr-angela-y-davis/id1475274041?i=1000550461013

Happy Birthday to our amazing co-host, Kayla Reed! Please join us in celebrating her on this special day!

And, after that, check out the many great conversations Kayla & Blake had with guests in our first 2 seasons. , a joint podcast by Action St. Louis & ArchCity Defenders, Inc., can be found on all major platforms.

Register now for an virtual event, "The Crisis in St. Louis Jails," happening tomorrow at 6pm. Learn about what led to the recent actions and how these events fit into the conversation on closing the Workhouse: bit.ly/STLJailsCrisis

Revisit the CTW episode for more context: https://soundcloud.com/archcitydefenders/s2-ep7-live-close-the-workhouse-now?in=archcitydefenders/sets/under-the-arch