We mark our 400th show by tracing how Saint Louis in Tune began, why we keep going, and what the program has always tried to do: offer fresh perspectives on issues and events by talking with experts, community leaders and everyday people who are making a difference. I recount an early studio anecdote about arriving a minute before our inaugural broadcast and explain why the show’s name — and even the logo — is rooted in my musical background: ‘‘In Tune’’ is a nod to my years as a musician and music educator.

We highlight how the show’s mission translates into practice: we seek credible sources rather than lightweight opinion, invite local nonprofits and cultural institutions to tell their stories, and curate a wide range of topics from history and public policy to arts and health. Brief selections of memorable interviews are played. We explain how we select guests — driven by what interests us and by what will inform or challenge listeners. Throughout, we emphasize that while the program originates in St. Louis, its reach and relevance extend regionally, nationally and internationally via our website and podcast platforms.

A big thank you to our listeners who are encouraged to explore stlintune.com where every episode is catalogued with background material and links so you can follow up on guests and topics.

[00:00] 400th Show Kickoff

[01:25] Thought To Ponder

[02:29] First Show Story

[04:38] Co Host Origins

[05:32] Show Mission Branding

[07:47] Name And Logo Trivia

[08:48] Beatbox Champions Clip

[12:09] Memorable Guests Topics

[14:55] MLK Speeches Spotlight

[16:23] USS Missouri Interview

[24:39] Jokes And Fun Episodes

[26:45] Holiday Gag Gifts

[27:00] Big Issue Interviews

[28:05] True Crime Spotlight

[29:39] Why The Show Works

[31:34] Inspiring Guest Stories

[33:51] Music And Local Flavor

[37:16] Going Deep On Tariffs

[39:06] Jokes And Odd Holidays

[44:44] Website And DIY Team

[46:51] Episode 401 Tease

[47:58] Wrapping Up Show 400

Takeaways:

• We celebrate our 400th episode and reflect on nine seasons of varied, meaningful programming.
• I emphasize our mission to offer fresh perspectives with experts, community leaders, and everyday people shaping society.
• I describe our editorial approach of prioritizing credible experts and factual reporting over lightweight opinions and sensationalism.
• We use the show to amplify local nonprofits and initiatives, including Tiny Superheroes and the Woman's Safe House.
• I remind listeners that our content reaches beyond St. Louis through stlintune.com and major podcast platforms worldwide.
• Listeners are invited to explore episode archives, photos, and guest resources on the website and to leave reviews supporting our work.

Links to Audio Conversations in This Episode

Beatbox Champions

He Served on the USS Missouri

• Saint Louis In Tune - Home Page

This is Season 9! For more episodes, go to stlintune.com

#stlintune #saintlouis #podcast #radiopodcast

We welcome Angela Ricketts, an author, business owner, and nonprofit founder, ahead of the show’s 400th episode. Angela discusses her son’s diagnosis at age five with choroideremia, an ultra-rare, progressive blinding eye disease affecting boys and men. She contrasts families who wait to accept the disease with her approach of learning, fundraising, and advocacy.

She shares how grief after losing her grandmother and father led her back to clay, inspiring Sight Stones—thumbprinted clay “worry stones” with a center hole symbolizing vision loss and messages about choosing focus. The donated proceeds (100%) of Sight Stones and her August-released book Never Lose Sight fund research for a cure for choroideremia. She highlights growing hope through gene therapy research and describes integrating the “never lose sight” mission into her St. Louis-based cleaning company’s supportive culture.

[00:00] Choosing Hope

[00:34] Show Introduction

[01:41] Meet Angela Ricketts

[03:49] Son’s Diagnosis

[04:28] Understanding Choroideremia

[05:55] Taking Action Path

[08:08] Not Broken Moment

[11:23] What Are Sight Stones

[12:18] Never Lose Sight Message

[15:13] Grief and Finding Focus

[15:50] Hope in Clay Origins

[21:37] Seeds of Happiness Connection

[23:43] Genetics and Gene Therapy

[25:29] Book and Speaking Mission

[26:46] Break and What’s Next

[27:19] Sponsor Break Better Rate

[28:04] Welcome Corps Refugee Program

[28:49] Back With Angela Ricketts

[30:00] Grandma Inspired Cleaning

[32:53] Ripple Effect Culture

[34:21] Funding Vision Research

[36:23] Waiting Room Sightstone

[38:52] Kids Adapting To Vision

[40:41] Family Coping And Travel

[43:26] Story Matters Takeaway

[46:08] Donations And Gift Ideas

[48:32] Closing Thanks

Takeaways:

• I remind listeners that every day we get to choose what to focus on, even amid crushing uncertainty.
• We created Sightstones — small clay worry-stone tokens stamped with a thumbprint and a hole — to fund research and spread a simple, tangible message.
• I started rolling stones from my garage and basically turned grief into purpose by fundraising for choroideremia research.
• We put 100% of the book proceeds toward research and I truly believe gene therapy will halt this disease for future kids.
• I learned that clay and pottery reconnected me to my dad and grandmother, pulling me out of stuck grief and into action.
• We use Sightstones in corporate settings, schools, and hospitals because a tiny, tangible reminder can change how people see their worth and purpose.
• As a mom I watched my son navigate progressive vision loss since age five, and I want listeners to know their stories matter — never lose sight of purpose, consider giving, because every dollar and shared stone moves research and hope forward.

• Home Page - Sight Stones
• Facebook - Sight Stones
• Instagram - Sight Stones
• Linktree - Sight Stones

This is Season 9! For more episodes, go to stlintune.com

#sightstones #choroideremia #visionloss #visiondiseases #rareeyedisease #visionawareness #stlouisnonprofit

We welcomed St. Louis native Jessica Radloff, a New York Times bestselling author, TV host, and podcaster, to discuss her upcoming book, Young Sheldon: The Juicier Than Meemaw’s Brisket Inside Story of the Hit Comedy (releasing October 20, 2026), and her work on The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series and official podcast. Jessica explained she began watching The Big Bang Theory after seeing reruns while sick in St. Louis, then pursued deep, new interviews—over 200 hours—for fresh behind-the-scenes details.

Many cast members recorded their own audiobook portions for the Young Sheldon book, including Reba McEntire. She teased surprises such as Jim Parsons becoming narrator late in development and a recast librarian role, plus end-of-series tensions and spinoff drama. Jessica encouraged preorders and will appear on November 8, at 7:00 PM at the St. Louis Jewish Book Festival with Matt Hobby. She advised aspiring journalists to diversify skills and build relationships amid major media industry changes.

[00:00] Opening

[00:41] Show Welcome Sponsor

[00:52] Meet Jessica Radloff

[02:41] St Louis Roots

[03:03] Big Bang Breakthrough

[04:49] Deep Research Process

[06:16] Cast Reads Audiobook

[07:37] Juicy Book Surprises

[10:35] Naming Young Sheldon

[12:28] Big Bang Universe Updates

[14:31] Sheldon The Cat Story

[15:25] How To Get The Book

[17:48] St Louis Jewish Book Festival Event

[20:16] Why Audiobook Is Special

[25:01] Advice For Media Careers

[30:01] Final Thanks Wrap Up

[30:32] Recap & Outro

Takeaways:

• Jessica spent over 200 hours interviewing cast and crew to ensure new, deeply reported material for the book.
• The oral history format made people more willing to be candid about tensions and surprises behind the scenes.
• She confirmed there are genuine surprises in the book, including narrator choices, casting changes, and spin-off-related tensions.
• Many original actors recorded their own sections, bringing authentic voices to listeners.
• She advised aspiring journalists to diversify skills across multimedia, public speaking, and platform-building to succeed in modern media.
• Jessica emphasized building professional relationships early and maintaining them rather than waiting until you're out of a job to ask for help.
• Listeners were encouraged to pre-order Young Sheldon to secure a copy for the October 20 release and to attend the November 8 event in St. Louis.

• St Louis Jewish Book Festival Speaker Series - Jessica Radloff
• Purchase - Young Sheldon The (Juicier-Than-Meemaw’s-Brisket) Inside Story of the Hit Comedy
• TikTok - Jessica Radloff
• X - Jessica Radloff
• LinkedIn - Jessica Radloff
• Instagram - Jessica Radloff
• Facebook - Jessica Radloff

This is Season 9! For more episodes, go to stlintune.com

#jessicaradloff #youngsheldon #thebigbangtheory #YoungSheldonbook #YoungSheldonoralhistory #BigBangTheoryoralhistory #StLouisJewishBookFestival