QC, THAT'S WHERE!

Send us Fan Mail AI is changing how we work, learn, create and make decisions — but what does responsible AI adoption look like for a community like the Quad Cities? In this episode, we sit down with Padmini Soni, founder of Rezonance AI and an AI strategy advisor with more than 25 years in technology, to talk about the opportunities — and responsibilities — that come with an AI-powered future. Pa...

Send us Fan Mail Join sisters Alexey Knudsen and Katrina Keuning for a laugh-out-loud, nostalgic conversation as they reminisce about experiencing the Quad Cities as children and watching the place they once knew as kids evolve over the last 40 years. From childhood trips to Rock Island that somehow felt like a full-blown theme park weekend (including an inexplicable love for Rock Island water) to...

Send us Fan Mail Jerry Jones has built a life around service. Not just to the Quad Cities, but to the people who call it home. In this conversation, we get to know the man behind that commitment, from growing up in the Chicago suburbs to finding his way to Augustana College and eventually making the Quad Cities a place he didn’t just work, but chose to stay. Today, Jerry leads the Martin Luther Ki...

Send us Fan Mail A Conestoga wagon that doubles as a kaleidoscope, Holocaust survivor violins that still fill a concert hall, and a triceratops headed for Iowa. That’s not a movie plot, it’s what’s happening across the Quad Cities museum world right now. We’re joined by Kelly Lau, Vice President of Museum Experiences at the Putnam Museum and Science Center in Davenport, Iowa. Kelly walks us throug...

Send us Fan Mail We sit down with John David of Sports ETA to unpack the surge in sports tourism, the rise of women’s athletics, and how smart facilities turn weekend tournaments into lasting economic impact. Stories, data, and practical plays show how authentic moments become lifelong memories. • sports eta’s four pillars and national view • data on female participation and leadership links • fac...

Send us Fan Mail A train rumbles past our new Union Station studio as we kick off a candid, future-facing look at what makes the Quad Cities move: river, road, rail and a visitor economy ready to surge in 2026. We walk through the marquee wins already on the books and the quiet engine behind them: high-impact group tourism that fills weeknights, fuels local businesses, and lifts community pride. F...

Send us Fan Mail A city can whisper its story before anyone speaks—the curve of a bridge, the hum of a market, the glow of a fourth‑generation soda fountain. We sit down with PBS host and producer Darley Newman of 'Travels with Darley' to explore how travel becomes a public service when it lifts up people, preserves memory, and invites visitors to feel at home in places they’ve never bee...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the remarkable story behind the Mississippi Dragon Boat Festival, a new event coming to the Quad Cities waterfront that blends ancient tradition with a compassionate purpose. At the heart of it is Lexi Doxsee, Communications and Event Manager at Cancer Support Community of Iowa & NW Illinois at Gilda’s Club. She has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life, w...

Send us Fan Mail The most profound truth about youth sports might just surprise you. For Gary Thrapp, founder of Beyond the Baseline and veteran coach with 40 years of experience, it's not about trophies or championships—it's about relationships. "I don't remember wins, losses, much of anything," Thrapp reveals, "but I remember the commitment and what's really co...

Send us Fan Mail Dylan Wiemers, Club Director at the QC Tennis Club, brings a unique perspective to the local sports scene. Growing up in Coal Valley and training at the very facility he now manages, his journey from competitive college player to club director reflects the deep community bonds formed through sports in the Quad Cities. The 50-year legacy of the QC Tennis Club has entered an excitin...

Send us Fan Mail Something extraordinary is about to light up the Quad Cities skyline. The Figge Art Museum's glass façade will soon transform into Evanescent Field – a breathtaking light installation and the largest public art display in Iowa's history. As the Figge celebrates its centennial year, Executive Director Melissa Mohr and one of the Senior Curators, Joshua Johnson, reveal the...

Send us Fan Mail We're diving deep into the transformative power of cultural exchange, as our guest, Emerald Johnson from the Iowa Resource for International Service, shares her insights on what it means to welcome someone from across the globe into your home.  Discover how hosting fosters unforgettable connections, bringing families together through shared experiences. You'll hear heart...

Send us Fan Mail Captivating and unique, Books & Meows is not your average spot for coffee and cuddles. This podcast episode dives deep into the establishment's heart, exploring how Nicole Puryear has created a sanctuary blending feline friendlies with the love of reading. Nicole shares the journey behind opening her cat lounge, emphasizing its mission to promote children's literacy...

Send us Fan Mail Rene Gellerman, President and CEO of United Way, joins us to share the inspiring journey behind her new book, "Adventures of Kids United: The Glass Bridge." Her personal story translates into a powerful narrative about five children discovering their unique superpowers. Through the lens of the iconic Sky Bridge (located in Davenport, Iowa in real life), Rene paints a vib...

Send us Fan Mail What sparks a lifelong passion for music? Join us as we uncover the journeys of Jack and Anna, two spirited members of the University of Illinois Marching Illini, as they prepare for a heartfelt return to their hometown of Geneseo. From the sousaphone to the trumpet, Jack and Anna reveal their deep connections to their instruments, the thrill of their transition from high school t...

Send us Fan Mail Do not attempt the feats described in this podcast unless with a trained guide or professional. Always practice safety on the water. Find paddlecraft info on the US Coast Guard's website, here Adventurer Dana Starkell shares his awe-inspiring journey, starting from his unique upbringing with an eccentric father who turned ordinary days into extraordinary adventures. Listen as...

Send us Fan Mail Can you imagine an air show that not only fills the sky with breathtaking maneuvers but also rocks out with three incredible concerts? Join us for an enlightening chat with Evan Hopper, the Vice President of Air Show Operations, as we unravel the magic behind this year's Quad City Air Show, set for June 22nd and 23rd.  Take a nostalgic trip with us to the origins and highligh...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to keep a family business thriving for generations? Join us as we sit down with Annika and Jon Tunberg from Whitey's Ice Cream, a beloved staple in the Quad Cities community. Jon reminisces about his early days with the company, from picking up trash in the parking lot before school to watching the business grow. Annika shares her insights on the unique dyna...

Send us Fan Mail Join us as we delve into the unique world of Midwest parenting with Sierra Stuart and Alyssa Williams, of Quad Cities Mom. They share their journey of creating a digital space for parents, filled with practical tips, personal stories, and a directory of family resources. From toddler tantrums to family outings, we discuss the resources Quad Cities Mom offers to readers, and the co...

Send us Fan Mail There's a special kind of connection that occurs when books and coffee come together, and this episode's guest, Kara Taghon from The Atlas Collective, is a true magician in that respect. With the scent of freshly brewed coffee in the air and a library of stories at our fingertips, we explore the creation of a community hub that's reinvigorating the Quad Cities. Kara...

Send us Fan Mail Embark on a delightful journey with me as I sit down with Kristen Vito, the passionate assistant Director of Alumni Events and Community Engagement at St Ambrose University. During our conversation, we traverse Kristen's surprising path from exercise science to the vibrant world of community engagement, uncovering how her work is integral to nurturing the future through the S...

Send us Fan Mail Did you know the Davenport Junior Theater is the second-oldest kids' theater in the country?  Daniel Sheridan shares with us the secrets to the theater's longevity and some updates on what's in store for the community staple. Imagine a place where the vibrancy of young performers infuses life into the rich tapestry of arts in the Quad Cities. Daniel takes us behind...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered what it feels like to truly belong? Ashley Gore, the VP of Marketing and PR for the Quad Cities Jaycees, joins us to unravel the tapestry of community engagement and how it's not just about the events, but the connections that blossom from them. From teaching to telecommuting, Ashley's journey to find her tribe in her 30s is a tale that resonates w...

Send us Fan Mail When you get a golden idea - run with it. That's what Rachel Stahle and Kelsey Watson did, leading to the creation of Snap Wagon. Embark on a journey with us and discover how a mobile photo booth became the cornerstone of a thriving business. This episode unravels the tapestry of their hard-won success, detailing the metamorphosis of a simple concept into a community-connecti...

Send us Fan Mail When Grace Boffeli decided to take her basketball talents to Northern Iowa, little did she know that her story would become an inspiration for countless young athletes in her hometown of the Quad Cities. In our latest episode, Grace, a former North Scott High School phenom and now a key player for UNI, sits down to recount her exhilarating journey. She shares how the roar of her l...