As the third full-time head of the Department of Homeland Security since its creation post September 11th, Secretary Napolitano is very well versed about the threats that the United States faces.

Internationally best-selling crime novelist Karin Slaughter is killing it. 18 novels in 17 years. Over 35 million sold in 120 countries with three movie options in the works.

410,000 people worked on the Apollo missions. Author Charles Fishman talks about their incredible, often unbelievable, stories.

Ambassador William J. Burns shares lessons learned from a life in service in “The Back Channel: A Memoir of American Diplomacy and the Case for its Renewal.”

We discuss all things Parks and Rec, Ron Swanson, woodworking, and much more with Nick Offerman, in this episode of Talking with Authors. Download wherever you get your podcasts.

Whether you’re in the car, cleaning the house, or on a run, podcasts can make the time pass, while you’re being entertained and enlightened. Here are our favorite podcasts we’re listening to right now.

St. Louis based journalist and authors of “The View From Flyover Country”, Sarah Kendzior, is often credited with being the first to predict Donald Trump’s presidential victory.

Fans of “Lilac Girls” will hear how Martha Hall Kelly discovered another true story of resilient women who lost everything in WWI, in her prequel,”Lost Roses.”

Today, our author is journalist and New York Times best selling writer Charles Fishman. We spoke with him as part of a book tour for his latest work “One Giant Leap: The Impossible Mission that Flew Us to the Moon” in July of 2019…50 years to the month after the first historic words transmitted from the surface of the moon were heard, “Houston…Tranquility Base here…the Eagle has landed.”

New York Times bestselling author Brad Meltzer LOVES a good adventure. And, that’s all his most recent book was until he ran across some key information while doing research.

Writer George Packer tells the story of America and one man in the brilliant biography, “Our Man: Richard Holbrooke and the End of the American Century.”

Talking with Authors is a bi-weekly podcast, with new podcasts every other Thursday.

Author Alexis Clark talks about her new book, Enemies in Love; the true story of a black nurse and a German P.O.W. who fell in love during World War Two.

St. Louis native Jenna Fischer reveals the “nitty gritty” of making it in Hollywood; it took her 8 years in LA to land the role of Pam Beesley on “The Office.”

In this one-on-one interview with plant expert Jon Drori, we discuss his new book “Around the World in 80 Tress”.

Scouting for a beach read this summer? Look no further than “Sunset Beach!” Meet New York Times best-selling author, Mary Kay Andrews in our One On One.

Children’s book author/illustrator Peter Reynolds discusses his books’ influences, the advantage of being a twin and what comes first: photos or words.

In “First: Sandra Day O’Connor,” author Evan Thomas introduces us to the Arizona cowgirl who became “the most powerful woman in America.”

“How Safe Are We,” is the question posed by a new book with that same question as its title, written by former Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. She sits down to discuss her concerns for the security of America in this edition of First Person One on One.

Hosted by HEC Media and Left Bank Books, Not So Late Night is an evening of readings, entertainment, and conversation.

Elizabeth Letts discusses her historical fiction “Finding Dorothy,” which reveals many true secrets about “The Wizard of Oz” and its author L. Frank Baum.

Lynne Olson talks about Madame Fourcade’s Secret War, the true story of the woman who headed the largest spy network in occupied France during World War II.

Lynda Cohen Loigman talks about the “small moments” that inspired her to write “The Wartime Sisters” and her acclaimed first novel, “The Two-Family House.”

Bestselling author Brad Meltzer discusses how he writes/researches, family & his most recent thriller, a non-fiction on a secret plot to kill George Washington.

Veterans dealing with traumatic experiences find value in putting their thoughts and experiences on paper and then sharing them with an audience.

Take a look back at some of our favorite authors and their works while the snow and ice are keeping you inside!

Andrew Delbanco talks about his new book, “The War Before The War, Fugitive Slaves and the Struggle for America’s Soul from the Revolution to the Civil War”.

By Amanda Honigfort, Special Programs and Projects Producer But 2019 isn’t here quite yet, so let us take a minute to look back at the past year. It’s been a year of more than 300 quality segments covering everything from the start of Fablist Stories, the construction of City Foundry, Sunken Cities at the Art […]

Author Elliot Ackerman discusses his latest fiction novel “Waiting for Eden”, a book about love, fidelity, loyalty and grief.

University of Chicago law professor, Justin Driver, traces the history of Supreme Court cases involving the constitutional rights of students.

Fiona Davis (The Dollhouse, The Apartment) discusses her new novel, The Masterpiece, an ode to Grand Central Terminal and the forgotten artist Helen Dryden.

#slaughtersquad fans can add to their library with the latest book “Pieces of Her” from #1 New York Times bestselling thriller author, Karin Slaughter.

Paul Schankman talks with author Nick Bunker about his book, Young Benjamin Franklin, offering readers a fascinating look at the youth of this founding father.

Kate DiCamillo reveals the reason behind her new novel, “Louisiana’s Way Home,” a companion story to her beloved bestseller “Raymie Nightingale.”

The Pony Express is iconic for the Wild West with characters like Buffalo Bill Cody. Learn about the Pony’s history and some of its most entertaining tales.

Driving around city, you’ve probably seen work by local artist Cbabi Bayoc, who wants his paintings to bring hope and color to the streets of St. Louis. Cbabi Bayoc is a self-created name that is an acronym for “Creative Black Artist Battling Ignorance” and “Blesses African Youth Of Creativity.” His work is proudly shown around […]

Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha is a pediatrician and public health advocate whose research exposed the Flint, MI water crisis. “What They Eyes Don’t See” is her story.

Author Alexis Clark talks about her new book, Enemies in Love; the true story of a black nurse and a German P.O.W. who fell in love during World War Two.

Congratulations to all those nominated! HEC couldn’t carry out its mission to “strengthen the education, art, and cultural communities in the metropolitan area” without you and all our supporters! These nominations are for you, St. Louis! Arts/Entertainment- Program Feature Segment 15 Year-Old Short Film Director Kara Vaninger Brock Seals: New Artist, Old Soul Suzanne Vanderhoef, […]

Was one of the most influential literary artists of the 20th century a spy? Former CIA archivist Nicholas Reynolds discusses his research on Ernest Hemingway.