Total Information AM Weekend

TV Guide's Matt Roush has his top 10 of 2025

A holiday edition of Three Good Things filled with classic stand-up humor takes a playful look at Christmas and Hanukkah traditions. The segment pokes fun at cutting down Christmas trees, overstuffed stockings, mistletoe jokes, and the sometimes strange rituals we all accept this time of year. There are humorous reflections on the Christmas story, Santa and his reindeer, and a tipsy parody of The Twelve Days of Christmas featuring festive drinks and food.

In a special Christmas week edition of Chat with Stu Mac, Scott Jagow, Stuart McMillan, and Matt Podjeski share their personal Christmas traditions, from cutting down a tree in the Mark Twain National Forest to real trees, Candy Cane Lane, and holiday concerts like Mannheim Steamroller and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The conversation also explores unique and sometimes bizarre Christmas customs from around the world, including Japan's KFC tradition and Iceland's Yule Cat.

Scott Jagow and Michael Kelley break down national and local political headlines, including the ongoing Epstein files controversy, growing calls for transparency in Washington, and major developments in St. Louis County politics as the county executive race takes shape amid financial and demographic challenges.

Scott Jagow and Stuart McMillan explore the role of small talk in everyday life. They discuss how surface level conversation can feel uncomfortable or unhelpful in serious moments, while also acknowledging its value as a social courtesy and a gateway to deeper connection. The conversation highlights Claire Eastham's “No Small Talk for a Month” experiment, the importance of truly listening in interviews, and the difference between meaningful conversation and what they jokingly call tiny or stupid talk.

On Week in Politics, Scott Jagow is joined by John Hancock and Michael Kelley on KMOX to discuss recent shootings tied to anti Semitism, including incidents connected to Hanukkah events and college campuses, and the broader rise of antisemitic rhetoric. The conversation examines the role of social media and extremism on both the far left and far right, gun access, and why society has grown increasingly numb to mass violence. The hour also looks ahead to Missouri's upcoming legislative session in an election year, concerns over performative politics, and debates around overturning voter backed decisions.

In this Three Good Things segment on Total Information Weekend, Scott Jagow reflects on what makes a life meaningful, not just long. The discussion looks at impact over lifespan, learning to truly appreciate life, and how we “illuminate” the world by helping others shine. Scott also shares a personal reflection on Jeff Buckley, his lasting musical legacy, and how his voice and art continue to resonate long after his life ended.

Debbie Monterrey talks with Scott Colbert, Commerce Bank Chief Economist about the economy has he near the end of 2025.

Scott Jagow and Stuart McMillian chat about small talk.

Today in History, December 13.

In this week's edition of Roaming St. Louis, KMOX host Scott Jagow visits the bakery, Made by Lia. A few years ago, owner Lia Holter won TLC's Next Great Baker show. In 2020, she opened her shop in Old Town Florissant. Scott talks to her about her sweets, her cookbook and running a business while raising three kids.

John Hancock and Michael Kelley break down the week in politics, starting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's sharp criticism of post Cold War US foreign policy, which he calls utopian idealism. They argue that his approach would weaken American influence and empower foreign autocrats. The conversation moves to the Trump administration's actions in Venezuela and the suggestion that regime change and control of oil resources are part of the strategy.

Scott and Stuart McMillan reflect on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, the shock of the December 7 attack, and how it propelled the United States into World War II. They walk through the details of the two wave assault, the casualties, the devastation of the USS Arizona, and the wartime language of the era. The conversation highlights the lasting impact of FDR's declaration of war and how Pearl Harbor shaped the events that followed.

Scott Jagow explores the origins of favorite Christmas traditions, from the Aztec roots of poinsettias to the mythology behind mistletoe. He breaks down the meaning of wassailing and the long history of caroling, then highlights the surprising backstory of A Christmas Story and its connection to Jean Shepherd's radio work. The segment ends with three good things for the season: traditions and faith, a little downtime before the new year, and time with the people you care about.

Scott Jagow reflects on what makes human creativity one of the true bright spots in life. He looks at the uniqueness of the human brain compared to artificial intelligence and why real creativity in music, visual art, and comedy comes from lived experience and emotional depth. Scott highlights the limits of AI in capturing individuality and compares AI generated work with the richness of human created art. The segment wraps with personal stories and emotional moments that show why authentic human expression remains one of the good things worth celebrating.

Scott Jagow sits down with StuMac to talk Thanksgiving traditions, holiday celebrations, and the stories that shape family gatherings. They dig into the history and legend of Sally Lunn bread, walk through how it is made, and share reactions after tasting a homemade batch. The conversation wraps with reflections on creating new traditions that bring people together.

Scott Jagow talks with John Hancock and Michael Kelley about the shooting of National Guard members and how it connects to current immigration policies. The conversation explores the impact of immigration crackdowns on poorer countries, concerns about vetting evacuees from Afghanistan, and the legality of President Trump's actions in Venezuela. They compare Trump's use of executive power across both of his terms and discuss whether Democrats are acting as an effective opposition party.

Scott Jagow shares a special Thanksgiving edition of Three Good Things. The conversation explores the real history and the common myths behind Thanksgiving, along with unique gratitude and celebration traditions from around the world. Scott breaks down the science of gratitude and explains the simple Three Good Things exercise that can improve well-being.

Scott Jagow talks with Hancock and Kelley about a charged political hour that opens with a debate over calling the President a fascist and whether the rhetoric fits the moment. They break down the unexpected meeting between New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and President Trump, including how Mamdani used preparation, flattery, and confidence to catch Trump off guard. They discuss why many Trump supporters were confused by the interaction and why the administration may soon try to spin the moment by turning Mamdani into the villain. The trio explains why Trump often struggles more in person than at a distance. The conversation wraps with the news that Marjorie Taylor Greene is resigning from Congress.

Debbie Monterrey talks with Scott Colbert, Chief Economist for Commerce Bank and Commerce Trust, about the current state of the U S economy. They discuss falling consumer sentiment, why economic activity looks stronger than people feel, and the wide differences in performance from region to region. The conversation covers how the government shutdown affected jobs reporting, what spending looks like across different income groups, and why growth is uneven nationwide. Colbert wraps the hour with a cautiously optimistic outlook while acknowledging the challenges and uncertainty ahead.

Scott Jagow sits down with Stuart McMillian for the 100th episode of Chat with Stu Mac as KMOX marks its 100th anniversary. They look back at how radio has evolved from reel to reel tapes to the digital world, why radio still matters to the St. Louis community, and the memories of legendary KMOX voices who shaped the station. McMillian shares personal stories about listeners and the deep connection between hosts and their audience.

As we kick off the celebration of turning 100 on Christmas Eve. Scott and Stu discuss what radio means to people and some of the conversations they had on KMOX Day.

Former KMOX intern Leland Vittert joined Debbie Monterrey to talk about his new book "Born Lucky: A Dedicated Father, A Grateful Son, and My Journey with Autism"

In this edition of Roaming St. Louis, KMOX host Scott Jagow visits the brand new Key Burger Bar and Boogie in the Midtown/Grand Center Arts District area. It's the latest addition to the neighborhood from the Kranzberg Arts Foundation.

Scott Jagow talks with political commentators John Hancock and Michael Kelley about the growing concerns over rising insurance premiums and how healthcare issues could shape the political landscape for both Democrats and Republicans. The conversation covers the release of the Epstein files and what the revelations could mean for President Trump, the latest actions in the Senate, and how shifting approval ratings may influence upcoming elections. Scott, John, and Michael also break down a major local issue, the St. Louis 1 percent earnings tax, and how changes to the tax could impact the city budget and essential services.

Host Scott Jagow looks back on the 100 year history of KMOX, the voice of St. Louis. The episode explores how the station began on 1090 AM in 1925 before moving to 1120 AM in 1941, growing into one of the most influential signals in the country. Scott highlights the power of the 50,000 watt broadcast that reached listeners nationwide, the rise of signature news programs like Total Information AM, and the unforgettable sports moments delivered by icons such as Jack Buck. The episode also revisits KMOX's early variety shows with a 26 piece orchestra and its long connection to CBS, capturing how the station became a trusted part of life in St. Louis for an entire century.

Scott Jagow sits down with Stuart McMillen for a conversation about the Gettysburg Address and why it still resonates today. They explore the historical context of Lincoln's remarks, little known facts about the event, and the two hour speech delivered by Edward Everett before Lincoln took the stage. Scott and Stuart talk about how the address was received in 1863, its lasting impact, and the upcoming free day at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield to mark the anniversary.

In this edition of Roaming St. Louis, KMOX host Scot Jagow visits Central West End's Cathedral Basilica, an internationally renowned church with the Western Hemisphere's largest mosaic collection. He's joined by John Guenther, author of a new book about the cathedral.

John Hancock and Michael Kelley break down the impact of the ongoing government shutdown, from travel delays to food assistance concerns and stalled action in Washington. They also react to St. Louis Alderwoman Sharon Tyus's controversial remarks and discuss crime in St. Louis and whether more police on the streets is the answer.

On this edition of Three Good Things, Scott Jagow explores the unexpected joys of winter and the value of darkness in our lives. From appreciating the slower, calmer rhythm of the season to understanding how darkness benefits our sleep, health, and creativity, Scott offers a refreshing perspective on a time of year many people resist. He also adds a humorous look at winter habits and the people who truly love the cold.

On this episode of Chat with StuMac on KMOX, Scott Jagow and Stuart McMillan explore the mind bending world of the Mandela Effect. Why do so many of us share the same false memories? From JIF or Jiffy peanut butter to the Fruit Loops spelling debate and movie or TV quotes that everyone swears were said a certain way, Scott and StuMac go through the most famous examples and break down why our brains often rewrite history without us realizing.

This week Scott Jagow and Stuart McMillian look at how our mind views things.

In this week's edition of Roaming St. Louis, KMOX host Scott Jagow visits Cafe Miami, a breakfast/lunch spot in Soulard. The family that owns the place loves deep sea and deep lake fishing and they make excellent Cuban-influenced sandwiches, desserts and more.

ohnny Rabbit looks back at St. Louis dining in 1995, remembering now-gone favorites like Goody Goody Drive In, Melrose Pizza, and Augustine's. He highlights classic dishes including the Wilbur omelet and spaghetti a la Caruso, and touches on the history of spots such as the Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theater. Johnny also shares details on the upcoming 60th anniversary of the Arch and a Missouri History Museum lecture.

Hancock and Kelly break down the ongoing government shutdown, why it has dragged on, and who voters are blaming. They look at new polling that shows rising public distrust in government and both political parties. The discussion also touches on the Democratic Party's struggle to connect with working-class voters, criticism of the current administration's handling of optics, and why healthcare remains the key issue shaping public opinion.

Scott Jagow explores the importance of hope, drawing on a scene from Shawshank Redemption and research from the Hope Research Center at the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Chan Hellman explains how hope improves physical and mental well-being, academic success, and social outcomes. He shares that hope is a social gift built through relationships and connection, and that it is also a skill that combines imagination with determination.

Scott Jagow is joined by Stuart McMillan and TIAM anchor Debbie Monterrey for a fun look into the world of mondegreens, the misheard lyrics that have confused music fans for years. They explore why our brains hear songs incorrectly, share famous examples like Blinded by the Light and Bad Moon Rising, and tell personal stories about lyrics they got hilariously wrong. The conversation also touches on how streaming and lyric apps have changed the way we listen to music today.

A musical history of misheard lyrics with a special guest.

In this edition of Roaming St. Louis, KMOX host Scott Jagow visits the ever-growing City Foundry on art market night. He chats with one of the shop owners there -- Amanda Helman, co-owner of Golden Gems, a unusual boutique with local flair and some "edgy" branding.

With us falling back next week, Scott Jagow takes a look at how we look at time.

As we enter Halloween week Johnny Rabbitt looks back at some of the haunted places in St. Louis.

Week-in-Health