The fifth season of "Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan" concludes with a very special guest: U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo. A highly acclaimed writer and artist in her own right, Harjo joined the podcast to discuss Bob Dylan's “All Along the Watchtower," as well as Jimi Hendrix's classic cover.

It's our first show of 2026! Joining us on set is Beth Orns, LCSW, therapist and owner of Better Together Mental Health. If you're thinking of making a resolution, or this is day one of your resolution, watch this interview because it'll give you some guidance going forward! January 1, 2026

We're ringing in the new year with local musician Audra Sergel! She performs a jazzy rendition of Sleigh Ride and then Auld Lang Syne. December 31, 2025

Access Arts provides accessible and diverse art education for the entire mid-Missouri community, including vulnerable and underserved populations (specifically children from low-income families and military veterans). On today's show, executive director Sarah Catlin tells us why its annual fundraising event, CelebrARTy, is moving from September to April. December 30, 2025

"If we didn't buy it or nobody else picked it up, we would lose Bluestem, and that is a crown jewel of our community." -- Stephen McBee, telling us why he and his wife decided to purchase Bluestem Missouri Crafts, a downtown Columbia mainstay for the past 42 years December 29, 2025

Colleen Finney didn't start out on the pageant circuit; in fact, just the opposite, telling us that she hated the idea growing up and would rather play football with the boys. Cut to now, after years of playing volleyball both in college and professionally, she's the reigning Miss Boone County! Hear her story on today's show. December 26, 2025

In this episode of "Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan," Jordan Embrack, a vocalist and graduate of the University of Maryland, joins Stephanie to discuss "Home," Dorothy's finale song in the 1975 Broadway musical The Wiz. "Home" was first performed by Stephanie Mills, and Diana Ross sang it for the film adaptation of The Wiz that premiered in 1978. Jordan and Stephanie discuss the song's national impact and the personal meaning it holds for Jordan as she begins her career as a singer and entertainer.

Merry Christmas, everyone! We hope you enjoy these two performances - "Christmas Cookies" and "Hard Candy Christmas" - courtesy of local musicians Audra Sergel and Meredith Shaw. December 25, 2025

Self-described "nerdy" girl Erica Martin joins us to talk about her web design company, Pixel Jam Digital. She recently organized the "Small Business, Big Heart" campaign, challenging local small businesses to raise money for The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri. Her company matched up to $5,000, contributing to a total of over $14,400 raised! December 24, 2025

In this episode, hosts Eric Fey and Brianna Lennon speak with Tom Rogers, who was the Australian Electoral Commissioner from 2014 to 2024.They spoke about the structure of Australian elections, how the country counts its ballots, and the importance of democracy sausages.