Iowa Economy, The Business Outlook Podcast

The challenging landscape facing Iowa's restaurant industry is shaped by rising costs, changing consumer habits and razor-thin profit margins. In this episode of the Iowa Economy Podcast, restaurant owners, industry experts, economists and commercial real estate leaders share with host Chris Conetzkey what's driving restaurant openings and closures, how operators are adapting and why restaurants r...

The banking industry, known for valuing stability, has remained well-positioned in Iowa despite various economic headwinds that could tilt it off balance. On this episode of the Iowa Economy Podcast, host Chris Conetzkey talks with two banking leaders — one from Iowa, one national — about maintaining the foundations that keep banks financially strong while progressing and innovating in response to...

Not all economic issues are fast-moving, market-shifting events — some, like health care, can take years or longer for implications to materialize but then deliver a broader impact. On this episode of the Iowa Economy Podcast, public health economists and leaders join host Chris Conetzkey to share one issue or trend related to health that is affecting the state’s economy followed by discussion of...

Fuel price fluctuations stemming from the war in Iran are shaping near-term business strategy and consumer decision-making, according to industry leaders in trucking and convenience retail. This episode of the Iowa Economy Podcast, hosted by BPC President Chris Conetzkey explores how energy markets influence freight demand, purchasing behavior and broader economic expectations. In this episode: Co...

In this episode of the Iowa Economy Podcast, economist Bryce Kanago and Directors Council Executive Director Jerrica Marshall join host Chris Conetzkey to explore how the conflict involving Iran, shifting consumer behavior and workforce changes could influence inflation, interest rates and business activity. Marshall also shares insights from regional economic data and her experience as an adviser...

In this episode of the Iowa Economy Podcast, economist Bryce Kanago and Directors Council Executive Director Jerrica Marshall join host Chris Conetzkey to explore how the conflict involving Iran, shifting consumer behavior and workforce changes could influence inflation, interest rates and business activity. Marshall also shares insights from regional economic data and her experience as an adviser...

At the end of our Economic Forecast event, there are always questions and discussions that there isn’t time to cover. So, the day after the event, host Chris Conetzkey asked several of the panelists back along with an event attendee to hear what questions and thoughts lingered for them after hearing the panel’s insights. In this episode: The landscape of ongoing uncertainty facing Iowa businesses,...

Ahead of the Business Record’s annual Economic Forecast event, host Chris Conetzkey sits down with the event speakers to ask them for a glimpse at their projections for the year. From persistent uncertainty around trade, inflation and geopolitics to pockets of stability and modest growth, the guests share why 2026 may feel “steady but strained” — and what that means for Iowa businesses planning fo...

The latest Principal Financial Well-Being Index shows a widening confidence gap between large and small businesses — and the divide is accelerating. Host Chris Conetzkey sits down with Principal’s Nate Schelhaas to break down why bigger companies remain relatively resilient while small and midsize firms are struggling with rising costs, tariff uncertainty, and limited pricing power. The result: Ov...

When the federal government shut down this fall, economists suddenly lost access to key data — just as questions about the economy’s health were heating up. Host Chris Conetzkey sits down with NPR’s Scott Horsley and the University of Iowa’s Anne Villamil to make sense of what we can see — and what uncertainty still clouds the picture. In this episode: How the government shutdown is blinding econo...

From a federal shutdown to an overheated stock market and volatile trade policies, Iowa’s economy is facing headwinds from nearly every direction. Host Chris Conetzkey sits down with ISU economist Peter Orazem to unpack the state and national factors shaping Iowa’s outlook — and what the long-term risks might be. In this episode: How the prolonged federal shutdown is disrupting research, regulatio...

Iowa’s agricultural and manufacturing sectors are under stress — but not without opportunity. Host Chris Conetzkey talks with Vermeer CEO Jason Andringa and Iowa Farm Bureau economist Christopher Pudenz about the effects of the ag economy and how shifting markets, tariffs, and technology are reshaping opportunity across the state’s economy. In this episode: How low row-crop prices and high input c...