The 314 Podcast: Alan Greenblatt On Standing Up To Trump

In this episode of The 314 Podcast, host Sarah Fenske talks with Alan Greenblatt, former editor of Governing magazine. The Webster Groves-based Greenblatt, who quit his job rather than kill a story criticizing the Trump administration, discusses self-censorship, the national media’s myopia, and the reaction to his decision. Then, Sarah chats with SLM staff writer Ryan Krull about a high-profile incident in South St. Louis County involving a Black police officer and the three construction workers accused of beating him up. Listen and follow The 314 Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available.

“ I was trying to protect the publication and its integrity, and I felt like I couldn’t do that if we were going to be afraid of touching certain subjects for fear of giving offense. Particularly to somebody in elected office. So I resigned and then I decided to write about it.” —Alan Greenblatt

Donald Trump’s signature on a story Greenblatt wrote, as mentioned in the episode. Reads "Couy, you are great! Thanks –Donald J. Trump." Couy Griffin, pictured, was later pardoned by Trump for January 6 actions.

Alan Greenblatt started working at "Governing" before his son Simon, now 19, was born.

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About The Hosts

Sarah Fenske

Sarah Fenske is St. Louis Magazine‘s executive editor. She manages news and business coverage and edits The Daily newsletter. She’s been a reporter, columnist, newspaper editor, and radio host, and she is currently host of the monthly Legal Roundtable on St. Louis Public Radio and a panelist on Nine PBS’ Donnybrook. She lives in the city, where she attempts to juggle herding her kids to sports practice and swapping political gossip over a good martini.

Ryan Krull

Ryan Krull is a staff writer at St. Louis Magazine, writing for the The Daily newsletter. A graduate of the University of Missouri-St. Louis, he taught there for many years before joining the staff of the Riverfront Times, where he was a reporter for the last years of the paper’s life. He lives near Tower Grove Park in the city with his wife and son.