THE AMNER MARTINEZ PODCAST

his episode takes place at North End Barbershop in Highland Park—Amner’s regular barbershop. It’s a familiar place, but when you really sit inside it, you start to notice everything happening around the cuts. People come in, sit down, catch up, laugh, talk about life. It’s just part of the rhythm here. North End isn’t just where people get a haircut. It’s where they show up, stay connected, and ru...

In this episode, Amner Martinez sits down with Iowa State Representative Rob Johnson for a powerful and honest conversation about mental health, new legislation, civic engagement, and what’s really happening inside the Iowa Capitol. Rob shares his personal journey from growing up in the projects of Chicago to becoming one of the few Black elected officials in Iowa. He talks about the influence of...

In this episode, Amner sits down with Emma Colman of the Sierra Club for a powerful conversation about climate change, environmental accountability, and the future of clean water in Iowa. The discussion centers around the award-winning documentary Iowa’s Dirty Secret: The True Cost of Burning Coal , directed by Trevor Tejeda-Gervais . The film explores the real and often hidden costs of coal-fired...

What does it really mean to live well? And are most of us getting it wrong? In this deeply personal and provocative conversation, Amner Martinez sits down with Dr. Richard Kim , Associate Professor of Philosophy at Loyola University Chicago and author of Confucianism and the Philosophy of Well-Being . Rather than abstract ideas, Dr. Kim brings philosophy into real life — family, community, conflic...

In this special episode, Amner talks with 10-year-old Ruby Rollins about AI, school, and life — plus favorite movies, cats vs. dogs, school drama, and what “67” really means. Ruby’s perspective is honest, curious, and refreshing, offering a glimpse into how kids are thinking about the world today. A lighthearted but meaningful conversation that reminds us the next generation is already asking big...

In scary times, facts matter. In this episode, Amner is joined by an immigration lawyer to have a real, honest conversation about immigration in America. Together, they break down employment and business immigration, address the harmful narratives surrounding immigrants, and challenge the misinformation constantly shared on social media and television. Amner talks about why he values education ove...

Amner se sienta con Fabiola Schrrmeister, la querida periodista y conductora de radio de Des Moines, en una conversación que revela la persona detrás del micrófono. Fabiola comparte su increíble trayectoria, cómo construyó su carrera desde cero y las lecciones que aprendió en el camino. Además, abre su corazón sobre cómo su vida cambió por completo al conocer a su ahora esposo, y cómo esa experien...

Immigration is all over the news — but how much of what we hear is fact, and how much is opinion? In this episode of The Amner Martinez Podcast, Amner talks with immigration lawyer Sonia Parras to uncover the truth about immigration in the United States. From the tragedies of family separation to the politics driving public opinion, Sonia explains what’s really happening inside the system and what...

It’s easy to ignore local elections… until you realize they touch everything in your day-to-day life. Amner and Rob Barron dive into what it means to step up for Des Moines — and why your voice here has more power than you think.

Tired of political noise? Liz from Iowa is cutting through it. Amner Martinez talks with the viral content creator who’s holding leaders accountable, fact-checking the narratives, and speaking up for everyday Iowans. This is politics without the BS.

In this powerful and timely conversation, we sit down with Joshua Barr, a renowned human rights advocate and champion for empathy-driven change, to explore the deeper forces shaping our communities—and the lives of the children growing up in them. Drawing inspiration from James Baldwin’s haunting reminder,  “If I am starving, you are in danger,”  we unpack what it truly means to live in an interco...

In this episode, Amner sits down with Katie Roth , Principal Owner of RC Search Group , to dive deep into the world of recruiting — and what it really takes to build lasting, meaningful careers. With over 20 years of experience in the staffing industry, Katie shares invaluable insight into hiring trends, red flags, and the human side of recruitment. They discuss: Katie’s journey to becoming the ow...

Amner sits down with attorney and author  Christopher Johnson  — founder of the  Law Group of Iowa  and author of the thought-provoking book  "Nobody's Coming to Save Us." Together, they unpack what it really means to pursue justice in today's America — especially for marginalized communities. From courtroom battles to policy reform, Christopher shares his journey as a lawyer com...

What if the most powerful marketing strategy isn’t a digital ad or viral video—but showing up in your own neighborhood? Emily Steele has spent the last 10+ years proving that community-driven, hyper-local marketing isn’t just effective—it’s the future. She joins Amner Martinez to talk about how brands can shift away from outdated, one-size-fits-all strategies and instead build momentum by being re...

La cirugía plástica es mucho más que estética. En este episodio de El Amner Martinez Podcast, hablamos con el Dr. Héctor Marcano, un cirujano plástico venezolano con una historia fascinante y una vocación clara: ayudar a transformar vidas. Discutimos los riesgos de operarse en el extranjero sin regulaciones adecuadas, el impacto de la dismorfia corporal, y la importancia de la reconstrucción mamar...

In this exciting new season of the Amner Martinez Podcast, Amner brings you a very special episode recorded live at Panka Peruvian Restaurant in Des Moines, Iowa. Join Amner as he sits down with Mariela, the owner of Panka, for an in-depth conversation about the delicious world of Peruvian cuisine. This episode takes you behind the scenes of Panka, where Mariela shares her inspiring journey—from b...

Dive into the inspiring world of fitness, perseverance, and personal growth with Jeremiah Wright of "GETITWRIGHT Fitness." In this episode, Jeremiah shares his journey from personal loss to becoming a nationally certified trainer, dedicated to transforming lives through fitness and mindset. Learn how to overcome excuses, develop sustainable health habits, and unlock your potential with practical t...

This episode delves into a profound conversation on building communities, nurturing compassion, and addressing the challenges faced by local movements. Our guest shares the journey of "Good Vibes," a grassroots initiative aimed at creating a space for movement, wellness, and personal growth within the community. From discussing the struggles of sustaining a donation-based model to the challenges o...

In this insightful episode, we dive deep with Iowa's State Auditor as he discusses the importance of holding government accountable, uncovering public corruption, and ensuring tax dollars are spent wisely. Our guest sheds light on recent challenges, such as new restrictions impacting audit transparency, significant cases of financial fraud, and the contentious topic of school vouchers and tax refo...

In this compelling episode, we sit down with Amy Putney, a multi-faceted artist, death doula, and survivor, who takes us on a journey through grief, addiction, and the profound lessons learned from loss. Amy opens up about her transformative path from enduring the pain of a family tragedy to finding purpose in her work as a death doula and creative advocate. With honesty and vulnerability, she sha...

In this compelling episode, we sit down with Amy Putney, a multi-faceted artist, death doula, and survivor, who takes us on a journey through grief, addiction, and the profound lessons learned from loss. Amy opens up about her transformative path from enduring the pain of a family tragedy to finding purpose in her work as a death doula and creative advocate. With honesty and vulnerability, she sha...

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Sailu Timbo, a sought-after business adviser, to discuss pivotal moments in business growth and the crucial role of diversity, organization, and adaptation in building long-lasting companies. Sailu shares personal stories of how diversity has impacted his own journey and the businesses he's worked with. We also explore the state of Diversity, Equity, an...

In this episode, we sit down with Joshua Barr, founder of Raising the Barr LLC and former member of the Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Commission. Joshua shares his journey of promoting human rights, community dialogues, and cultural transformation. He talks about his role in creating policies that promote respectful cultures within organizations and his thoughts on housing solutions, economic...

In this episode, we sit down with Katherine Harrington, CEO of the West Des Moines Chamber, to discuss her dynamic career journey, leadership insights, and personal growth. From running a World Music Festival to navigating the challenges of the pandemic, Katherine shares her unique perspective on resilience, energy management, and the importance of mental and physical well-being. She offers practi...

In this episode, Claire Brehmer, a seasoned professional in media, public relations, and corporate communications, joins the host to discuss her career journey from TV news to PR and the evolving role of media. Claire shares insights on how traditional media like radio and print still play a critical role despite the rise of digital platforms, and how social media strategy is essential for modern...