Segment 1: A KU professor's book explores the sense of place created by our technology. Where do you live? What is your neighborhood? Is it a physical place — or a digital one? " The Digital City: Media and the Social Production of Place " argues that smartphones are replacing cities. It also looks into how smart cities, like Kansas City, privilege people who already have a lot of resources. Germaine Halegoua , associate professor of film and media studies, University of Kansas Segment 2,

Segment 1: An article from The Atlantic sparked debate over the merits of gym class last year. Gym class in school is supposed to be fun. But according to a study, it may have a negative impact on students. In today's conversation, we explore the merits of gym and how a new crop of physical education teachers is trying to make P.E. enjoyable for every kid. Alia Wong , staff writer, The Atlantic Nick Williamson , P.E. teacher, Crossroads Academy - Quality Hill Stephanie Dickson , instructional

Segment 1: Kansas lawmakers are debating a bill to end hair discrimination. The idea behind the CROWN Act is to ban employers and schools from expecting people of color to adopt "white hair norms" in the workplace and the classroom. Michele Watley , founder, Shirley's Kitchen Cabinet Jenee Osterheldt , culture writer for the Boston Globe and former columnist for the Kansas City Star Emily Brown Segment 2, beginning at 39:03: An urban explorer tells us what she loves about abandoned places in

Segment 1: How Missouri is dealing with opioids. After House Bill 188 died in the Senate last year, Missouri became the only state without a database to detect abuse. We're now starting to see some improvements, but it still remains a prevalant issue in the state. Susan Whitmore , president and CEO, First Call Brandon Costerison , project manager, MO-HOPE Liz Chiarello , associate professor of sociology at Saint Louis University and fellow, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard

Segment 1: A key player in Kansas City's hip hop community died unexpectedly. In addition to being a producer for Ces Cru, Justin "Info Gates" Gillespie started the Beat Academy of Kansas City at the Plaza Academy, touching a lot of teens. Now the hip hop community is banding together to carry on his legacy and make sure those teens will continue to be supported. Kemet Coleman , The Phantastics Segment 2, beginning at 12:31: This band writes and produces beautiful songs in just an hour. The

Segment 1: Who gets to tell what stories? Controversy over a novel called “American Dirt” led to a canceled book tour—a week before author Jeanine Cummins was set to come to Kansas City. Critics have a problem with the fact that Cummins is white, yet wrote a book about a Mexican family trying to make it across the US-Mexico border. Jose Faus , poet and artist Jessica Ayala , poet Alex Martinez , writer and poet Segment 2, beginning at 27:46: Would you move to Topeka for $15,000? The organization

Segment 1: MU and other universities are tracking attendance through a cellphone app. Developed by a former Mizzou basketball coach, SpotterEDU has been used by MU to track attendance for student athletes for years and now they're expanding its use . MU says students can opt out if they're uncomfortable, but people across the country are concerned by the trend. Drew Harwell , Washington Post technology reporter, Colleges are turning students' phones into surveillance machines, tracking the

Segment 1: A young Kansas City poet reads Dear White Police Officer. Veronica Clay was one of the featured performers at the Kansas City Jazz Museum for last year's Martin Luther King Day celebration (2019). This is a rebroadcast of a conversation about the poem she read, and her experience of race in Kansas City. Veronica Clay , poet and spoken word artist Segment 2: What premature birth can teach us about being human. Sarah DiGregorio's story of giving birth early, at 28 weeks, and spending

How Kansas City should be preparing for climate change. Average temperatures in Kansas and Missouri are up a degree or two from a century ago. That may not seem like much, but only the Dust Bowl years were hotter than the last decade. KCUR's extensive reporting on this explains how climate change is already affecting us in the Kansas City metro area, as well as what we can do about it.

An ode to a witty and charming food critic that we'll dearly miss. Kansas City journalist and bon vivant Charles Ferruzza, who was a longtime food critic on Central Standard, died early Tuesday . He was only 62. To remember him, we decided to listen back to this portrait session with him from 2015 , where he reflects on being a food critic, his relationship with food, and his life in Kansas City.