STLPR’s ‘Meet Me’ podcast wins national Signal Award for ‘Conversation Starter’

St. Louis Public Radio's "Meet Me" podcast has been named a Gold Winner for the 2026 Signal Awards in the Conversation Starter genre. The category rewards shows that dive into niche or of-the-moment topics, provide fascinating information, or otherwise inspire great conversation.

This is the second national Signal Award for an STLPR podcast. The station won a Silver Award for "We Live Here: 10 Years After the Ferguson Uprising" in 2025 in the Limited Series & Specials Local News genre.

"Our job is to help St. Louisans understand each other and the place they share. 'Meet Me' does that by naming and exploring the divides in the region honestly and focusing on how we can move forward together," said Brian Heffernan, executive producer of the show and managing editor of the STLPR newsroom. "This recognition belongs to the whole team and to the neighbors who showed up. We're so proud of the creativity, trust and heart they put into the show."

Since their inception in 2021, the Signal Awards have recognized podcasts that define the culture. The awards aim to uplift audio projects that set the standard of excellence from across the nation. Each fall, the Awards present Gold, Silver and Bronze winners.

The moment for 'Meet Me'

The 2026 Signal Awards recognized risk-takers - celebrating the spirit of experimentation by honoring creators who led with authenticity and "lowered their inhibitions in order to raise the bar."

STLPR's "Meet Me" podcast debuted this January with the bold aim to connect St. Louisans in a moment when division is dictating so much of our public discourse.

"Meet Me" launched as a podcast, monthly radio segment on "St. Louis on the Air," biweekly newsletter, events series and social media initiative.

Since January, the show's Host and Lead Producer Luis Antonio Perez and Engagement Producer Paola Rodriguez have gathered locals for coffee talks, photo walks and speed-round conversations, creating room for honest talk based less on debate models and more on mutual respect and perspective sharing.

"St. Louisans have driven the spirit of 'Meet Me,'" Rodriguez said. "It's because of their enthusiasm to lean in, listen and embrace community conversations that we are able to produce stories with real impact and candid voices."

From the profound to the personal, "Meet Me" has St. Louisans talking about what it means to live and work together as neighbors, as families, and as community.

'Meet Me' @ the History Museum

You can join "Meet Me" host Luis Antonio Perez at the Missouri History Museum for the next Thursday Nights at the Museum talk, the "St. Louis City-County Split: 150 Years Later." On Thursday, Oct. 22, Luis and guests will dive into the history and legacy of St. Louis' city-county divide, the current relationship between the city and county, the potential benefits and ramifications of the city reentering St. Louis County, and opportunities for regional cooperation.

Perez joins public historian Andrew Wanko to discuss the origins of the 1876 "Great Divorce." Next, St. Louis County Executive Sam Page will discuss why it may be time to focus more on regional collaboration. Other panelists include community leaders - Dara Eskridge, Pat Kelly and Karen Branding - who will discuss what holds the region back and how we can work together to create a thriving St. Louis.

"Meet Me" is funded in part by a grant from the James S. McDonnell Foundation.

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