Reflecting on My 24 Years in St. Louis

When I arrived in St. Louis in May 2001, I couldn’t have imagined living in this region for 24 years. And even after two decades, I don’t feel like an expert. I still have new experiences, speak with new people, and visit new places several times a week.

So I was bemused to be invited onto the B Side podcast with hosts JB Anderson of Gaslight Studios and Anthony Bartlett of Acclimate to talk about becoming a St. Louisan. But as we got to talking, I realized my story perhaps could help others figure out their place in this community.

I do not love being in front of a microphone and camera, so it was perhaps fortunate that my power was out the morning of the interview! It provided enough of a distraction to keep me from stressing.

We ended up taking a lovely trip down memory lane and touching on some of my favorite topics—food and drink, education, community development, and more—and I’m surprised the episode ended up being more than an hour long! I guess I do have something to say about this place I call home after all.