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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Nov 14, 2026 · 47:52
The oak is the state tree of Iowa. It’s a keystone species that provides habitat for many different species of wildlife. Iowa’s oaks are facing significant challenges, but they…
Nov 13, 2026 · 47:38
Smoking cigarettes is still the primary risk factor for developing lung cancer, but just about 20% of the people in the U.S. who are diagnosed with lung cancer each year have…
Nov 12, 2026 · 48:04
'The Couple with the Pitchfork: American Gothic from Easel to Icon,' a new book by historian Wanda Corn, explores how Grant Woods' painting became an international, iconic image.…
Nov 11, 2026 · 47:45
IPR's new CEO talks about his career, the state of public media today and his vision for the future. Then, a conversation with comedian Ethan Simmons-Patterson. He came to the…
Nov 10, 2026 · 47:34
Money trouble is at the heart of a short story collection from Keith Pilapil Lesmeister, 'Ask Me About the Money.' Later in the hour, we learn about a simple new way to treat…
Nov 7, 2026 · 47:35
Squirrels are busy building up their winter caches, but humans can also enjoy a nut harvest in Iowa. If you’re willing to put in the time and effort you can grow a variety of nuts.
Nov 6, 2026 · 47:49
Why ovarian cancer is so difficult to catch early and a very effective new tool for prevention.
Nov 5, 2026 · 48:00
The house that may have been just right for you and your family at one point in time might not meet your needs as you age. It's another Home Improvement Day, and expert Bill…
Nov 4, 2026 · 48:06
Protest movements have been a part of American history since before the United States was founded. In this episode, we hear from three historians about three different and…
Nov 3, 2026 · 47:56
In 1883, the U.S. Department of the Interior created a Code of Indian Offenses — it made Native dancing and ceremonies illegal and gave Indian Agents authority to punish anyone…
Oct 31, 2026 · 47:54
On this Horticulture Day episode, we talk with Iowa State University extension horticulture specialist Aaron Steil and professor of horticulture Cindy Haynes. We learn how to…
Oct 30, 2026 · 48:00
On this episode, we learn about some of Iowa's early conservationists — Theodore Parvin, Thomas MacBride, Bohumil Shimek, Louis Pammel and Ada Hayden. We discuss their important…
Oct 29, 2026 · 30:01
The drone of cicadas has always been one of the sounds of summer in Iowa. Annual cicada populations are holding their own, but periodical cicadas are in trouble. On this episode,…
Oct 28, 2026 · 48:04
Sports betting can elevate a sports fan's connection to the game, but can lead to corruption and decimate savings. Des Moines resident Caleb Tessmer shares his positive…
Oct 27, 2026 · 47:32
On this episode, we listen back to a 2023 conversation with Iowa Playwrights Workshop alum Samuel Hunter about his play-turned-film 'The Whale.' Then a 2025 conversation with…
Oct 24, 2026 · 47:28
Thousands of monarch butterflies are finishing their annual migration to Mexico. On this episode, Samantha McIntosh sits in for Charity Nebbe. We talk with Mykayla Hagaman of the…
Oct 23, 2026 · 48:01
On this episode, we listen back to a 2025 conversation with Dawson resident and Air Force veteran Justin Wolfe, who received bronze at the 10th annual Invictus Games in…
Oct 22, 2026 · 47:30
The Americans with Disabilities Act has done a lot to improve accessibility in public spaces, but people with physical disabilities still encounter barriers every day. Host…
Oct 21, 2026 · 47:55
On this episode, we talk with author Yiyun Li about her Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir is 'Things in Nature Merely Grow,' and her new novel 'Music Against the Night.' Then, we…
Oct 20, 2026 · 48:05
Sixty years ago, the National Historic Preservation Act was signed into law, establishing a partnership and preservation ethic on historic properties between the federal…
Oct 17, 2026 · 47:43
Now that it feels like fall, it's time to grapple with reality. On this Horticulture Day episode, Iowa State University horticulture professor Jeff Iles tells us how to prepare…
Oct 16, 2026 · 44:46
Oct 16, 2026 · 47:51
On this episode, we explore the tools needed to tackle political discussions with loved ones, first by hearing the skills Greg and Jennifer Brost have developed since 2016. Then,…
Oct 15, 2026 · 48:03
We revisit an interview with author Joanna Dee Das about her book, 'Faith, Family and Flag: Branson Entertainment and the Idea of America' and what Branson’s entertainment…
Oct 14, 2026 · 47:47
More than two hundred years later, Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' still feels urgently relevant as it explores the dangers of playing God, the traumas of parental abandonment and…
Oct 13, 2026 · 48:01
As second wave feminism was taking off, an equal and opposite movement to keep women in traditional roles was also gaining steam. On this episode, a 'Live, Laugh Love: The Secret…
Oct 10, 2026 · 48:02
Fall has arrived and beautiful colors are creeping across the landscape. After a couple of dry and less vibrant autumns, this year may be quite different. On this Horticulture…
Oct 9, 2026 · 48:03
When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, millions of Ukrainians were displaced, searching for a safe place to live and work. Augustana College professor Angela Boelens saw this need…
Oct 8, 2026 · 48:02
The Amplifying Black Voices in Iowa project has digitized thousands of resources created by Black Iowans from the 19th through 21st centuries. The project has digitized 'The Iowa…
Oct 7, 2026 · 47:56
On this episode, we talk with Laura Wifler, a bestselling author of books for adults and children. She's hosted a popular podcast and founded Kid Lit Lab to help aspiring authors…
Oct 6, 2026 · 48:04
Over 20 years ago, Iowa State University’s creative writing program wanted to elevate its Master of Arts program to a Master of Fine Arts, but the University of Iowa was already…
Oct 3, 2026 · 47:35
It’s a staple in almost every kitchen, but if you’re going to grow your own garlic you have to do some planning ahead. On this Horticulture Day episode, Iowa State University…
Oct 2, 2026 · 48:02
Carlotta Walls LaNier is one of the Little Rock Nine — one of the first nine Black students to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas in September 1957. Leona…
Oct 1, 2026 · 47:59
Your home is your first space. Work is your second space. A third space is a place where you can gather with other people in your community, meet people and make connections. But…
Sep 30, 2026 · 48:03
On this episode, we listen back to a 2025 conversation about the bicentennial anniversary of organized Norwegian immigration to the U.S. and how Norwegian culture has shaped the…
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…
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