The Iowa Podcast

If you're an Iowa outdoors fanatic, you likely follow or have heard of Outdoors Dan. Dan Young has been a familiar voice on WHO Radio, ESPN Radio, and KXNO and The Outdoor Call Radio Network online. Young shares his best bow hunting and fishing advice, including taking down a bear, or two, or three. Young explains tips for beginners and pros including some of his favorite fishing spots. He also ex...

American is 250 years old and Clear Lake, Iowa is celebrating with a bang! Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, Stacy Doughan explains why 60,000 Iowans squeeze into the town during this massive celebration, visitor FAQs, and why key decisions around lake restoration improved the local area. 💡 Official show page with links: https://iowapodcast.com/clear-lake-4th-of-july ⚖️ Hurt at work? Talk to N...

County fairs are county-wide celebrations, but because of their local focus Iowans don't understand the incredible economic impact they have on our state. Thomas Barnes explains the billion dollar economic impact county fairs have, and why our 99 counties somehow have 106 county fairs. 💡 Find this show on your favorite player: http://iowapodcast.com/association-of-iowa-fairs ⚖️ Hurt at work? Talk...

It's almost here! Le Mars Iowa hosts it's annual Ice Cream Days festival. Executive Director, Kristen Heimgartner explains the history of the special event, how you can get free ice cream, why their town is growing, and how their biggest employer, Wells, sources dairy from Iowa farms. 💡 Find this show on your favorite player: https://iowapodcast.com/ice-cream-days   ⚖️ Hurt at work? Talk to Nate...

With cancer rates and water quality concerns, Iowans are paying close attention to the Secretary of Agriculture race. Should we make changes? Should we ban chemical pesticides or herbicides like glyphosate? Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said his administration will prioritize accelerating voluntary conservation practices vs new regulations, laws, or mandates. 💡 Find this show on your favorit...

Iowa's craft beer scene is experiencing a shift toward crisp, lower-alcohol beverages. Noreen Otto, the executive director of the Iowa Brewers Guild, and "ringmaster" of The Iowa Craft Brew Festival, highlights a major renaissance in craft ciders made from heritage fruits grown in local orchards.  💡 Find this show on your favorite player: https://iowapodcast.com/craft-brew-festival ⚖️ Hurt at wor...

Marked by unprecedented vacancies in its top offices, Iowa is seeing a wild election cycle. Kathie Obradovich, editor-in-chief of the IowaCapital Dispatch, breaks down the bizarre election cycle, how the GOP Gubernatorial primary may have flipped, what's happening in the Senate and Congressional races, and is Iowa still a purple state? 💡 Find this show on your favorite player: https://iowapodcast...

Staff Sergeant Ben Doyle of the The US Army gives us a first hand look at what happens when a soldier falls and also teaches ONE simple thing we can do this Memorial Day to honor our fallen.  💡 Find this show on your favorite player: https://iowapodcast.com/memorial-day ⚖️ Hurt at work? Talk to Nate Boulton for free: https://workerslawyers.com  🐖 Get a free $30 gift card from Jethro's BBQ: https...

In the past, the Secretary of Agriculture position wasn't a race that demanded a lot of attention. As most Iowans become increasingly concerned with Iowa soil health and water quality however, the race has taken more attention and Chris Jones hopes his solutions for Iowa water quality will land him the job. Jones discusses how he proposes to fix the "upstream" problems and what regulations may be...

It's Tulip Time! Iowan's are aware of the annual Tulip Time Festival in Pella, Iowa BUT did you know it's a honeypot of high-brow visitors? Royalty and even musical celebrities are known to make an appearance, all for the love of Dutch heritage and culture. Jessi Galligan, Executive Director of Pella Historical Museums & Tulip Time joins us. 💡 Find this show on your favorite player: https://iowap...

According to new data from Edison Research, more people are listening to podcasts in the USA than radio. It's the very first time this has happened. Ryan Snaadt of Snaadt media comes in the studio to explain why podcasts aren't just limited to news companies or publishers. Any brand or person can start a show. Is radio dead? 💡 Find this show on every app: https://iowapodcast.com/ryan-snaadt-media...

While AI is an incredibly sophisticated "copy paste" tool capable of replicating patterns, can it close the biological "last mile" of creativity that defines true artistry? Tony Bohnenkamp of The Canary Collective, and former member of The Nadas discusses the creative process of composing original music for Kreg Tool. Music requires emotional depth and intent that algorithms cannot simulate. Can A...

What happens when a centuries-old trade meets the cutting edge of artificial intelligence? Riana LeJeune is proving that upholstery is far from a "dying art" by launching a first-of-its-kind national apprenticeship and developing a global design app without any coding knowledge. 💡 Find this show on every app: https://iowapodcast.com/repinned-workroom   🐖 Get a free $30 gift card from Jethro's BB...

As newspapers struggle across the country, one small town in Northwestern Iowa is bucking the trend. Not only are they're seeing subscriber and advertiser growth through a new podcast. Erin Sommers, editor of The Record Democrat in Pocahontas, Iowa explains why she launched their new podcast, "On The Record," before their first website! Links: 💡 Find this show on every app: iowapodcast.com/pocaho...

Zach Lahn is running for Governor in Iowa and he happens to be the very first candidate to be endorsed by RFK JR's MAHA Action organization. In this discussion, Lahn explains his intent to stop subsidies and veto incentives for big ag, even if it means losing party backing entirely. Links: 💡 Find this show on every app: https://iowapodcast.com/zach-lahn-iowa-governor-maha 🐖 Get a free $30 gift c...

Back in 2012, downtown Burlington was a beautiful, albeit quiet. But today it's thriving and active, at times with four shows performing simultaneously in the downtown area. Jeff Poulter, Director of The Capitol Theater complex discusses the historic theater and the thriving Downtown area.  💡 Find this show on every app:  https://iowapodcast.com/capitol-theater-burlington 🐖 Get a free $30 gift c...

Have you heard Iowans are "risk averse" creatures? Research from Iowa State University not only suggests this may be true, but its origin may be tied to farmer trauma, passed down to our children and grandchildren. Chris Morris, PhD research shows stress from farming has a compounding effect over time and becomes mentally destructive. The resulting trauma not only results in risk averse behavior a...

If you've seen a national media story featuring Iowa, visited the Des Moines airport, picked up an Iowa magazine, checked out the Iowa Road Trip Facebook page, or have seen any Iowa tourism website, you've likely appreciated his work. His name is Brian Abeling and he explains the stories behind Iowa's most iconic shots. 💡 Find this show on your favorite player: https://iowapodcast.com/iowa-road-t...

The Des Moines Symphony is 1 of 4 symphonies in the USA with a young musician academy, which is the focus of their final 3 Masterworks performances. Get 20% off using code: IOWAPODCAST to see this unique experience right here in Iowa! Maestro Joseph Giunta breaks down their final three Masterworks concerts featuring the Heartland Youth Choir singing the well known Shaker Hymn "Tis a Gift to be Sim...

As the Iowa Legislature navigates the accelerating reality of autonomous vehicles, State Representative Megan Jones (R-Sioux Rapids) is seeking a delicate balance between technological innovation and public safety. But the current state of the bill may create a regulatory framework that inadvertently bans them entirely.  💡 Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/autonomous-ca...

Americana and Django, two iconic Des Moines restaurants, are gone for good and they're not alone. 600 restaurants in Iowa will be closing in 2026 and it's because the challenges are too many to count. Scott Carlson, owner of The Craft Beer Tent, and Gilroy's opens up about Americana's closing. 💡 Find this show on your favorite player: https://iowapodcast.com/western-gateway-restaurants/ 🗞️ Be fir...

The Florida surgeon general has labeled glyphosate a "contaminant" and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) considers it carcinogenic. So, why is it used on over 70% of Iowa fields? Dr. Richard Deming of MercyOne explains why Iowa is #2 in cancer rates and what can be done.   💡 Find this show on your favorite player: https://iowapodcast.com/iowa-cancer-r... 🗞️ Be first to get ne...

Want to see bald eagles snatching fish out of the water? Would you like to have a front row seat seeing eagles fight over a fresh meal? Professional photographer Ron Maggard explains how to find the best Iowa locations and what times are ideal.   💡 Find this show on your favorite player: https://iowapodcast.com/eagle-watching-locations-in-iowa   🗞️ Be first to get new interviews: https://iowapodc...

The drive down Ingersoll avenue is a juxtaposition of new and trendy, but also rundown and gross. But this month, with the launch of The Ingersoll that brand is finally behind us. Steve Peters, co-owner of The Ingersoll, and CEO of VenuWorks describes the process of saving the building and bringing back to life the iconic marquee.   💡 Find this show on your favorite player: https://iowapodcast.co...

20% of cyclists coming to Ankeny aren't from Iowa. The economic potential cyclists bring is estimated to be in the billions, but currently each stay only brings $250 in economic activity. Derek Lord, Ankeny economic development director explains the retail and business opportunity accommodate the massive and untapped revenue potential. Will retailers answer the call? 💡 Find this show on your favo...