Jearlyn Steele

Michael has returned from his time away for this lone hour of Steele Talkin'.  During the "Mom & Michael Hour", Jearlyn & Michael discuss the American worker's reluctance to take vacations and the fascination with Halloween.  Plus, we get the short, short review of the new film, "Black Adam".

Michael is taking some time off, so producer Jonathan Lowe steps in to chat with Jearlyn.  Over the hour, they look into raising the priority level of a certain local sports team, gluten-free eating, and the difference between cheese and sour cream.

On this edition of Center Stage, Jearlyn sits down with: Director of Northern Lights.mn and Northern Spark Sarah Peters Legendary singer/musician St. Paul Peterson Sidekick Theatre co-founder Brian Pekol Singer/songwriter Amanda B. Perry

Recently, one of the area's own was recognized for his work in the field of Historical Demography.  Dr. Steven Ruggles' decades-long efforts studying demographics, immigration, and their effects on society has earned him a MacArthur Fellow award.  The University of Minnesota professor of History & Population Studies joins the show to talk about the field he has dedicated his career to.

Earlier this month, the national debt reached $31 trillion for the first time.  What factors contributed the amount ballooning as much as it has (especially in recent years)?  Marc Goldwein, Senior VP & Senior Policy Director at the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, offers an explanation, as well as some of the ways he would try to chip at it.

Marc Goldwein, Senior VP & Senior Policy Director at the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, tells us how the national debt reached $31 trillion. U of M professor of History & Population Studies Dr. Steven Ruggles explains the career-long research that has earned him a MacArthur Genius award.

Have you heard of the Indigenous Food Lab over at Minneapolis' Midtown Global Market?  This newer, award-winning space is introducing many to foods popular among Native cultures.  Dawn Drouillard, culinary director at the Food Lab, explains how this became a reality and what we can expect next from this space?

Does you believe that your vote truly counts in political elections?  Jearlyn reaches out to the listening audience. North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems culinary director Dawn Drouillard explains the Indigenous Food Lab and what's next for the space over at the Midtown Global Market.

On this shortened edition of Center Stage, Jearlyn previews a previous concert series that she is going to revive soon.  Also, we hear from The Lovin' Spoonful drummer Mike Arturi, who will preview his Spoonful tribute band's performance next Sunday at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres.

Earlier in the week, State AG Keith Ellison announced a civil lawsuit against Fleet Farm for gun purchases that were previously made by convicted straw buyers.  Could this be a small step in the effort to slow this practice down?  Protect MN executive director Rashmi Seneviratne joins the program to discuss what else can be done to solve this problem.

Protect MN executive director Rashmi Seneviratne talks about this week's lawsuit against Fleet Farm and why it may be a first step in combatting straw gun buyers. Jearlyn takes a few minutes to discuss how powerful a photograph can be in telling someone's history.

While Hurricane Ian left a path of destruction across parts of Southwest Florida, one community stood out among the devastation.  Dr. Jennifer Languell is the designer of a newer community called Babcock Ranch.  The president and owner of Trinity Construction Solutions tells us how her vision helped build a community that could better withstand such a severe weather phenomenon.

After attending a Gospel concert earlier in the day, Jearlyn takes some time to discuss that music and how we connect to it. Dr. Jennifer Languell, President/Owner of Trifecta Construction Solutions, describes how the community she helped design weathered the force of Hurricane Ian.

Michael is off tonight, so Jearlyn chats with producer Jonathan Lowe for the hour.  They speculate about whether Russia may actually trigger a nuclear attack, remember the career of the rapper Coolio, and dive into why people love Halloween.

On this week's Center Stage, we hear from: Star Tribune lead theatre critic Rohan Preston "Once Upon a Mattress" director Garry Lennon Twin Cities Film Fest executive director Jatin Setia Lake Wobegon Brass Band's conductor Mike Halstenson

This week, the Grow North program will hold its annual "Food, Ag, Ideas Week" to help connect some of the biggest brand names in agriculture with smaller companies, the newest technological advances, and more.  The program's executive director, Allison Hohn, gives us a preview of what you'll find during the event.

Grow North executive director Allison Hohn previews the organization's "Food, Ag, Ideas Week" event, including the introduction of a new initiative. Theater Latte Da actor Reese Britts discusses his role in the new production of "Merrily We Roll Along".

There have been many recent developments when discussing the War in Ukraine.  From Ukrainian counter offenses to Russian claims of annexation, tensions appear to be ramping up again in eastern Europe.  Diplomat-in-Residence and Global Policy Area Chair at the U of M Dr. Mary Curtin joins the program to discuss what we should expect next.

Jearlyn discusses the importance of being engaged with all elections, let alone the 2022 Midterm cycle. Humphrey School of Public Affairs Global Policy Area Chair Dr. Mary Curtin lends her expertise to the latest developments on the War in Ukraine.

With the return of the "Mom & Michael Hour", Jearlyn and her son dig into topics we would relate to the Fall season, including allergies, eating for the season, and Michael's review of the children's Halloween film "Under Wraps 2".