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.