In this episode of The 314 Podcast, host Sarah Fenske talks with Dara Eskridge and surprises her with this year’s Visionary Award. The CEO of Invest STL discusses how she immediately got to work helping North City in the aftermath of the May 16 tornado, what it will take to get enough resources to make tornado victims whole, and why it’s imperative that St. Louis address the factors leading to Black residents leaving the city. Then, Sarah chats with SLM staff writer Ryan Krull about the city’s decision to scrap its alley recycling program. Listen and follow The 314 Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available.

This episode is sponsored by Missouri Historical Society and supported by Cardinals Special Events. Take part in the “New to St. Louis” experience from the Missouri Historical Society and hear from local history experts, explore neighborhoods, oddities, and landmarks. Then, wrap it up with a happy hour featuring iconic STL foods and local beers. Book your tour today.

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

Have an idea for a future episode? Send your thoughts or feedback by emailing podcasts@stlmag.com.

Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at lleppert@stlmag.com.

You may also enjoy these SLM stories:

The tornado that shook the heart of St. Louis
Tangled titles complicate tornado recovery for North St. Louis
As St. Louis waits for FEMA, volunteers continue to do what they can
St. Louis Magazine’s A-List Awards 2025

In this episode of&nbsp;The 314 Podcast, host&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/author/sarah-fenske/">Sarah Fenske</a>&nbsp;talks with Dara Eskridge and surprises her with this year&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/a-list/visionary-award-2025/">Visionary Award</a>. The CEO of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.investstl.org/">Invest STL&nbsp;</a>discusses how she immediately got to work helping North City in the aftermath of the May 16 tornado, what it will take to get enough resources to make tornado victims whole, and why it&rsquo;s imperative that St. Louis address the factors leading to Black residents leaving the city. Then, Sarah chats with&nbsp;SLM&nbsp;staff writer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/author/ryan-krull/">Ryan Krull</a>&nbsp;about the city&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/news/st-louis-ends-alley-recycling/">decision</a>&nbsp;to scrap its alley recycling program. Listen and follow&nbsp;The 314 Podcast&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-314-podcast/id1793192207">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0mJtCTOoiTpN2Jjc2VW0eE">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGme7iXhvDnXB6ZTWV-1RtWf">YouTube</a>, or wherever podcasts are available.
This episode is sponsored by&nbsp;<a href="https://mohistory.org/museum/host-an-event/corporate-rentals/stl-101-business">Missouri Historical Society</a>&nbsp;and supported by&nbsp;<a href="http://cardinals.com/events">Cardinals Special Events</a>.&nbsp;Take part in the &ldquo;New to St. Louis&rdquo; experience from the Missouri Historical Society and hear from local history experts, explore neighborhoods, oddities, and landmarks. Then, wrap it up with a happy hour featuring iconic STL foods and local beers.&nbsp;<a href="https://mohistory.org/museum/host-an-event/corporate-rentals/stl-101-business">Book your tour today.</a>
New to podcasts?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/">Follow these instructions</a>&nbsp;to start listening to our shows, and hear what you&rsquo;ve been missing!
Have an idea for a future&nbsp;episode?&nbsp;Send your thoughts or feedback by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:podcasts@stlmag.com">podcasts@stlmag.com</a>.
Interested in being a podcast sponsor?&nbsp;Contact Lauren Leppert at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lleppert@stlmag.com">lleppert@stlmag.com</a>.
You may also enjoy these&nbsp;SLM&nbsp;stories:
<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/news/st-louis-tornado-power-fury/">The tornado that shook the heart of St. Louis</a> <a href="https://www.stlmag.com/news/solutions/st-louis-tornado-recovery-tangled-titles/">Tangled titles complicate tornado recovery for North St. Louis</a> <a href="https://www.stlmag.com/news/tornado-response-fema-volunteers/">As St. Louis waits for FEMA, volunteers continue to do what they can</a> <a href="https://www.stlmag.com/a-list/visionary-award-2025/">St. Louis Magazine&rsquo;s A-List Awards 2025</a>

Join St. Louis Magazine executive editor Sarah Fenske for conversations that dig into why things are the way they are in St. Louis — and how we can make them better. From the stories that inspire us to the challenges that push us, The 314 Podcast is here to celebrate the good, confront the bad, and untangle the complicated.

Join St. Louis Magazine executive editor Sarah Fenske for conversations that dig into why things are the way they are in St. Louis &mdash; and how we can make them better. From the stories that inspire us to the challenges that push us, The 314 Podcast is here to celebrate the good, confront the bad, and untangle the complicated.

The 314 Podcast

Join St. Louis Magazine executive editor Sarah Fenske for conversations that dig into why things are the way they are in St. Louis — and how we can make them better. From the stories that inspire us to the challenges that push us, the 314 podcast is here to celebrate the good, confront the bad, and untangle the complicated.

Join St. Louis Magazine executive editor Sarah Fenske for conversations that dig into why things are the way they are in St. Louis &mdash; and how we can make them better. From the stories that inspire us to the challenges that push us, the 314 podcast is here to celebrate the good, confront the bad, and untangle the complicated.