Talk of Iowa is a place for Iowans to connect to our shared culture and what it means to live in Iowa. Host Charity Nebbe brings a mix of regular guests and a range of experts to discuss the arts, history, literature and everything else happening in Iowa. Every day brings something new — even if it's in a recurring segment like Talk of Iowa Book Club or comes from a familiar voice on Horticulture Day.
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Sep 29, 2026 · 47:59
We talk with artist and writer Katie Holten, author of 'The Language of Trees: How Trees Make Our World Change Our Minds and Rewild our Lives.' Holten discusses the ideas behind…
Sep 26, 2026 · 47:42
Autumn is here and before winter arrives, insects and arachnids have some important work to get done. In the meantime, we can enjoy the beautiful handiwork of orb weaver spiders…
Sep 25, 2026 · 47:57
The Anne Frank Initiative at the University of Iowa is dedicated to preserving and sharing Frank's legacy with new generations. On this episode, Charity Nebbe takes a virtual…
Sep 24, 2026 · 48:05
On this episode, we explore the long, hard process of preserving Dolly the Mastodon. In 2024, University of Iowa archaeologists excavated the first-ever well-preserved mastodon…
Sep 23, 2026 · 48:05
Iowan Jane Elliott is renowned for her pioneering work in anti-racism education. Elliott achieved celebrity for her "blue eyes/brown eyes exercise, which she first conducted in…
Sep 22, 2026 · 47:55
Peter Bognanni fell into YA fiction by accident. His new book, 'How to Lose Yourself Completely', is an outlet for his experience coming to terms with anxiety as a teen. On this…
Sep 19, 2026 · 48:02
Some Iowans spent a lot of the summer wishing for rain, others spent the summer wishing the rain would stop. Later summer deluges are raising some concerns about what a strong El…
Sep 18, 2026 · 48:03
There are many joys that come along with womanhood, but there are plenty of challenges as well. 'You Know Nothing' is a collection of very short stories from Yasmina Din Madden…
Sep 17, 2026 · 38:18
In 1997 Annette Gordon-Reed published 'Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings: An American Controversy.' Her work has inspired other historians to look beyond the traditional…
Sep 16, 2026 · 48:00
Iowa City-based artist Sonja Strathearn began making Regency-era attire three years ago to attend The Jane Austen Fest and the obsession has only grown from there. To celebrate…
Sep 15, 2026 · 48:04
In 1965, John and Mary Beth Tinker went to school in Des Moines wearing black armbands to protest the Vietnam War. They were suspended, and the incident led to a landmark Supreme…
Sep 12, 2026 · 40:06
Iowa will see it’s first frost sometime between September 21st and October 31st — and now is the time to prepare. On this Horticulture Day episode, we talk about final harvests,…
Sep 11, 2026 · 40:54
In 2013, the Iowa Legislature passed a law that changed calendar requirements for school districts, allowing them to change their schedule from five days of classes to four. In…
Sep 10, 2026 · 47:52
Everyone wants a house with good bones, but as a home ages, the bones age too. Home improvement expert Bill McAnally joins this episode to share the signs that the structure of…
Sep 9, 2026 · 48:06
One hundred years ago, Iowa writer Ruth Suckow published a short story collection that put her on the map. That collection, 'Iowa Interiors,' has been out of print for many…
Sep 5, 2026 · 47:59
If you step outside into the quiet of a summer afternoon or evening, you will probably hear a merry cacophony of insect sounds. We going to talk about the singing insects of late…
Sep 4, 2026 · 47:57
Head Start is a free, federally-funded program that provides comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition and parent-involvement services to low-income children and…
Sep 3, 2026 · 47:57
Kids are back to school, but for Iowa's public schools, things have gotten more challenging. Public school funding hasn't kept pace with inflation, and many districts are losing…
Sep 2, 2026 · 48:02
In 1883, the Secrests commissioned a builder to construct a new barn on their property. The structure is three stories tall with a gothic roof and eight sides. The Iowa Barn…
Aug 29, 2026 · 47:46
The woods may be lovely, dark and deep, but most Iowa woodlands are plagued with invasive species. On this Horticulture Day episode, we talk with DNR District Forester Mark…
Aug 28, 2026 · 48:03
Dr. Lulu Merle Johnson was the first Black woman to receive a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa and went on to build a distinguished career in higher education. In 2020, she was…
Aug 27, 2026 · 48:06
On this episode, we talk with Mari Miller about her memoir 'That Which Does Not Kill Us.' It explores her family history and a legacy of generational trauma and how that has…
Aug 26, 2026 · 48:05
The vast majority of Americans engage with some kind of social media. Some of it is wonderful, some is terrible and its definitely habit forming. On this episode, we talk about…
Aug 25, 2026 · 47:56
The Loess Hills in Western Iowa were shaped by wind. It's a rare and rugged landscape that is home to some of the largest tracts of native prairie in the state. On this episode,…
Aug 22, 2026 · 47:45
One of the perennial questions we field on Horticulture Day is when to plant grass seed. The answer is right now. On this episode, we talk with Iowa State University turfgrass…
Aug 21, 2026 · 48:05
On this episode, we meet the Lobe Rangers, three Iowa farmers from who are frustrated with how few of their fellow farmers have implemented conservation practices. We learn about…
Aug 19, 2026 · 48:01
Clinton artists Gabi Torres and Chris Shannon have helped put the city of Clinton on the map with their annual Paint it Back event. Starting as an effort to activate a vacant…
Aug 18, 2026 · 48:02
Losing the ability to drive can mean that an older person can no longer live independently. On this episode, we talk about aging, driving and how to know when it's time to stop.…
Aug 15, 2026 · 47:43
Eating a ripe tomato fresh from the garden is one of the true pleasures of summer, but growing tomatoes can be challenging — especially if your plants get hit by disease. On this…
Aug 14, 2026
On this episode, we listen back to some of our favorite state fair interviews. We talk with Iowa State Fair butter sculptor Sarah Pratt and her apprentices, her twin daughters…
Aug 13, 2026 · 48:00
In 1973, Ron Rosmann gave up his plans to go to graduate school and moved back home to Westphalia to run the family farm. In 1973, he did something radical — he stopped using…
Aug 12, 2026 · 48:05
On this episode of the 'Talk of Iowa' Book Club, we talk about 'The Book Thief' with author Markus Zusak and two expert readers. It's a story about a young girl growing up in…
Aug 11, 2026 · 48:04
The teenage years can be tough for parents and kids and new research from Iowa State University tells us that the consequences of that conflict can linger for decades. On this…
Aug 8, 2026 · 47:42
Beautiful fall mums will soon be everywhere. But, getting them to grow in your home landscape takes more planning.On this horticulture day episode, host Charity Nebbe talks with…
Aug 7, 2026 · 48:05
The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch first opened on Aug.10, 1962. It reopened on Aug. 6, 2026, after a $20 million complete renovation. On this…
Aug 6, 2026 · 48:05
The 2026 Iowa State Fair is almost here. On this episode, we meet some of the winningest State Fair competitors of all time. Dr. Rod Zeitler is a master canner, Deb Zeitler is a…
Aug 5, 2026 · 48:03
Mary Oliver's poetry has touched millions of readers. She passed away in 2019, but a new documentary tells her story. On this episode, we talk with filmmaker and former…
Aug 4, 2026 · 47:57
In 1861, 32 students and two teachers from Greene County left to enlist in the Union Army. The school closed behind them and 11 of them never came home. On this episode, we learn…
Aug 1, 2026 · 47:41
If your yard and landscape look worse for the wear after a few weeks extreme heat, maybe it's time to think about a refresh. On this Horticulture Day episode, Iowa State…
Jul 31, 2026 · 48:01
Iowa has the second-highest cancer rate in the nation and young people — ages 15-49 — are not being spared. The six leading corn-producing states have a cancer rate for young…
Jul 30, 2026 · 48:04
When the Africa Live Network announced the first Iowa African Film Festival, they were overwhelmed with submissions. We talk with Jack Chimbetete, founder of the Africa Live…
Jul 29, 2026 · 47:48
Painter Rose Frantzen of Maquoketa recently won top honors at the prestigious Portrait Society of America's International Portrait Competition. Frantzen, co-founder of the…
Jul 28, 2026 · 47:56
Any time is a great time to visit an Iowa State Park, but if you go now through the end of October, you can discover hidden gems with the Iowa State Parks Passport. On this…
Jul 25, 2026 · 47:30
We are at the height of the season for homegrown produce. On this Horticulture Day episode, we talk about what's ripe and nearly ripe, and best practices for this harvest season.…
Jul 24, 2026 · 47:49
In 2023, the Iowa Legislature overhauled our property tax system with overwhelming bipartisan support. Part of that overhaul changed the way that many Iowa libraries and museums…
Jul 23, 2026 · 48:05
If you find yourself in Marshalltown, keep your eyes open for some very small art installations. On this episode, we meet Josh Cox and Dawn Gettler, the artistic couple behind…
Jul 22, 2026 · 48:05
Let's say you're building a house or tackling a massive remodel. Should you try to save some money by acting as your own contractor? On this episode of Talk of Iowa, home…
Jul 21, 2026 · 48:04
The Spirit Lake Conflict of 1857 is remembered at the Abbie Gardner Sharp Cabin state historic site in Arnolds Park. This history is being re-examined and reinvigorated for…
Jul 18, 2026 · 48:05
Warm season crops like tomatoes and green beans need consistent warmth to thrive, and it may seem like they love the heat, but when it gets too hot some of our favorite…
Jul 17, 2026 · 48:03
On this episode, it's summer school! We talk about the summer slide with University of Iowa expert Leah Zimmermann. The University of Iowa launched a literacy hub to help…
Jul 16, 2026 · 47:52
Elizabeth Wehrle of Montezuma went into the hospital in February and this week she gets to go home. In March, she received a first-of-its-kind lifesaving surgery, a quadruple…
Jul 15, 2026 · 48:04
The Granny Basketball League is growing fast, and this year's national tournament is in Ankeny. We hear from the Cedar Rapids Sizzlers, the Iowa Gold Stars and league founder…
Jul 14, 2026 · 46:15
The Iowa Water and Land Legacy (IWiLL) Constitutional Amendment passed in 2010 with 63% of the vote. It was designed to fund a Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation trust…
Jul 11, 2026 · 47:34
Thanks to storms and severe weather, tree limbs are down while tree stress is up. But there are ways to help the timber in your area and to keep damage from happening. On this…
Jul 10, 2026 · 48:02
In a new University of Northern Iowa course, a pottery lesson from a local artist is a chance for intergenerational connection. Jim Kerns has been joining the class,…
Jul 9, 2026 · 47:41
As Carl Weems conducted research in New Orleans, he documented children's recollections of Hurricane Katrina. When Hurricane Gustav hit, Weems found that those with another…
Jul 8, 2026 · 48:05
The Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake is a rock and roll landmark and one of the few historic ballrooms still operating today. Its legacy is closely tied to 'The Day the Music Died,'…
Jul 7, 2026 · 47:57
On this episode of Talk of Iowa, we talk with Dan Roche, author of Eyes By Hand: The Prosthetics of Art and Healing, a book on how prosthetic eyes are crafted and how ocularists…
Jul 3, 2026 · 48:03
Peter Simons, author of 'Global Heartland: Cultivating the American Century on the Midwestern Farm,' shares an in-depth look at the role farmers throughout the Midwest played in…
Jul 2, 2026 · 48:05
Nicole Terrizzi joins the show to discuss her memoir, 'Learning in Free Fall: A Testimony of Mental Health, Poverty and Race in American Education.' Her book focuses on the…
Jul 1, 2026 · 48:05
Dave Good was a District Court Judge living in Cedar Rapids. In 2003, at the age of 56, he was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. His wife Kathy became his caregiver while…
Jun 30, 2026 · 47:35
We choose our spouses or life partners, but the in-laws they come with are part of the package. They come with a long history, a family culture and expectations for the future.…
Jun 27, 2026 · 47:35
Native plants improve biodiversity and help local wildlife thrive. On this Horticulture Day episode of Talk of Iowa, host Dani Gehr sits in for Charity Nebbe. She talks with Iowa…
Jun 26, 2026 · 40:31
Danish artist Thomas Dambo has built giant troll sculptures all over the world. He makes them entirely out of reclaimed materials and hides them in natural spaces. Iowa is now…
Jun 25, 2026 · 47:57
Mrs. Meyer of Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day cleaning products is a real woman who lives right here in Iowa. Today, we hear from Thelma Meyer and her daughter Monica Nassif, founder of…
Jun 24, 2026 · 47:55
Five young journalists spent a week learning about radio, exploring moments of truth and creating multimedia stories. On this episode, we meet the journalists who participated in…
Jun 23, 2026 · 47:42
The Des Moines Gay Men's Chorus sings music with a message. On this episode of Talk of Iowa, we hear from two members as the chorus turns 25 years old. Then, we hear from the…
Jun 20, 2026 · 47:52
Addressing the challenges that are showing up in our trees and perennials this summer.
Jun 19, 2026 · 48:05
Shakespeare is everywhere in Iowa this summer! On this episode we talk to the creatives behind the inaugural Northern Iowa Shakespeare Festival in Cedar Falls, which is holding…
Jun 18, 2026 · 48:01
A summer road trip is a ticket to adventure, and experienced road trippers know to expect the unexpected. On this episode, we’re hitting the road — we’ll hear stories about two…
Jun 17, 2026 · 48:01
Mark Twain said the Missouri River is too thick to drink and too thin to plow. The Big Muddy doesn’t get the kind of attention the Mighty Mississippi does, but it’s the longest…
Jun 16, 2026 · 47:47
A pediatrician who works with a range of patients with autism helps us understand autism spectrum disorder, why diagnosis is more common today and what we know about possible…
Jun 13, 2026 · 48:00
There are a lot of different things that can derail a fruit crop, even after your blossoms have survived the last frost. It was a tough spring for many fruit crops, but if you…
Jun 12, 2026 · 48:04
Jean Lloyd-Jones served in both the Iowa House and the Iowa Senate, starting in 1979. Now, at age 96, she has published a memoir called 'A Women's Place: My Life as a Public…
Jun 11, 2026 · 47:57
Frederick Newell came to Iowa City 20 years ago as a college freshman and single father, who recognized a need for support for young parents and underrepresented Iowans. As…
Jun 10, 2026 · 55:58
Behind every great man in a powdered wig is a remarkable woman. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we’re reading about some of the women who…
Jun 6, 2026 · 47:52
Clematis plants make a beautiful addition to any yard. Iowa State Horticulturists Cindy Haynes and Aaron Steil share tips for growing and caring for your clematis.
Jun 5, 2026 · 47:22
Best-selling author Tim Johnston was a master of the thriller. He passed away in May. To mark his passing, we’re revisiting a conversation from 2025 with Johnston and author Anna…
Jun 4, 2026 · 48:02
At its peak in the late 1950s, there were over 4,000 drive-in movie theaters in the U.S., with nearly 70 in Iowa. Today, there are four drive-in theaters operating in the state.…
Jun 3, 2026 · 48:01
Liz Ledgett, Des Moines gallery owner and author of 'Art is for Everyone,' shares how to curate an art collection on a budget. Then, we hear from Chris Nelson, the founder of…
Jun 2, 2026 · 47:53
E-bikes have made cycling more accessible and expanded the ability to replace car trips with a bike ride. However, electric motors have complicated bike trails and have people…
May 30, 2026 · 47:59
When you flip through the pages of your favorite garden catalog, your eye might be caught by any number of new varieties of your favorite plants. All of the new plants at your…
May 29, 2026 · 48:03
Looking for a deep dive into current affairs, a captivating memoir or an opportunity to get lost in a novel? We’ve got you covered. Booksellers Jan Weismiller, Tim Budd and Linzi…
May 28, 2026 · 48:04
Summer is here and it’s a great time to share a book with a child or find some books that will light up the imaginations of the kids you love. Host Charity Nebbe is joined by…
May 27, 2026 · 48:04
Author Paige Lewis discusses their debut novel, 'Canon.' With echoes of the Odyssey and other historic epics, the novel's heroes go on is full of quests, battles — and a trip to…
May 26, 2026 · 48:03
Danish artist Thomas Dambo has built giant troll sculptures all over the world. He makes them entirely out of reclaimed materials and hides them in natural spaces. Iowa is now…
May 23, 2026 · 47:58
The oak is the state tree of Iowa and an important part of native Iowa ecosystems, but Iowa’s oak woodlands are disappearing at an alarming rate. On this Horticulture Day,…
May 22, 2026 · 48:03
There are many Indigenous people in this country working on food sovereignty. The best known member of this movement is Chef Sean Sherman, founder and CEO of The Sioux Chef,…
May 21, 2026 · 48:03
The Lincoln and Jefferson highways were two of the nation's earliest transcontinental roads. These two highways intersected in Colo, Iowa, where a farmer named Charlie Reed had…
May 20, 2026 · 47:41
In 2008, 47% of Iowa’s college students planned to stay in the state after graduation. That dropped to 41% in 2024. That’s a big concern in a state where many businesses are…
May 19, 2026 · 48:44
For her entire adulthood, Melissa Febos went from one relationship to another, shaping her life around each new partner’s needs and desires. At the age of 35, she decided she…
May 16, 2026 · 47:56
Fire blight can spread fast through orchards and backyard fruit trees, leaving growers scrambling to protect their crops. On this Horticulture Day episode, we talk with Iowa…
May 15, 2026 · 48:08
Iowa alum and author Tayari Jones set out to write a very different story for her much-anticipated novel 'Kin' following the widely acclaimed 'An American Marriage.' She joins…
May 14, 2026 · 47:46
In his book 'Freedom Season: How 1963 Transformed America’s Civil Rights,' Peniel Joseph writes how 1963 was a landmark year for the Civil Rights Movement. Now, Joseph says, the…
May 13, 2026 · 48:05
Neil Hamilton wants Iowans to listen to the land, and throughout his career as director of Drake University’s Agricultural Law Center, he advocated for the land and sustainable…
May 12, 2026 · 48:00
Mother’s Day looks different for everyone, and for some, the holiday can bring difficult emotions and relationship challenges. We discuss how to navigate complicated family…
May 9, 2026 · 47:54
We are living in a time of deep division, and this week we have been looking at the forces driving us apart. But people in communities across the country are working to combat…
May 8, 2026 · 46:51
We've seen a recent rise in Christian nationalism, a powerful political movement. To some it looks like a threat to our democracy, and to others it looks like voting their…
May 7, 2026 · 47:52
Major news networks used to regularly present Americans with the same set of facts. Today, it's easy to stay in echo chambers with competing realities. On this episode, we take a…
May 6, 2026 · 48:03
The Center Street Neighborhood — a tight-knit, predominantly Black community — was destroyed by highway construction and city urban renewal projects. Our sense of community is…
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