The Iowa Podcast

Many Iowans suffer from chronic health issues with 37% suffering from obesity. Will the new "MAHA" food pyramid actually help? The answer is yes, according to Dr. Rachel Poll. Poll is a functional medicine doctor at Delta Health in Clive, and has been recommending her own similar version of the new food pyramid to her patients for years, and the results are striking with many reversing chronic hea...

This week, the US Mint launched a new coin honoring Iowa and Dr. Norman Borlaug. Many Iowans have heard his name, but most still don't know who he is, how he saved billions of people or how why his innovation won him recognition alongside Nelson Mandela. Mashal Husain, President of The World Food Prize Foundation tells the story.  Borlaug's innovation in wheat is credited with saving billions of l...

48,000 of the Iowans we serve will fail their fitness New Year's resolutions. That's about 80% of our listeners if you're doing the math. The reason many people fail isn't because they think small, it's because think too big or have no specified goal at all. The 9% who hit their goals keep it way simpler says personal trainer Nick Fey.  Fey is a Doctoral Student in Kinesiology and has a Masters in...

As 2026 ushers in sweeping tax reforms for business owners, CPA Ann Hartz, founder of Ann Hartz CPA in Des Moines, offers tactical steps business owners can take before January 1st to avoid overpaying their 2025 taxes. 🗞️ Be first to get new interviews: https://iowapodcast.com/subscribe/  🐖 Get a free $30 gift card from Jethro's BBQ: https://iowapodcast.com/jethrosbbq  💡 Find this show on your f...

Antisemitism is a problem not just in Australia but here in Iowa. The last few years have been an eye opener for a few of us, but sadly not all. Sadly, most Iowans still have the blinders on, or think this problem will simply go away. In fact, it has gotten worse. Jarad Bernstein, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines discusses the violent Hanukkah attack at Australia's...

Tell me if you've heard this one… three actors walk into a show, one gets sick and goes to the hospital, the others finish the show and the audience thinks it's part of the show. Patrick Albanese of Triple Espresso reacts to 30 Years, crazy stories, and what surprised him most about "Iowa Nice." Albanese couldn't have picked out Iowa on a map when he heard of the show opportunity but not only did...

High tea, Victorian costumes, classy Christmas parties, and you're invited. Did you have any clue that any Iowan can sign up for tea parties, and this month the official Terrace Hill Christmas party? Also called the Governor's Mansion you can also do a tour, but you can't go to the basement vault. We asked Terrace Hill administrator, Molly Franta what's inside. Terrace Hill hosts Christmas and tea...

In this special Thanksgiving show, host Justin Brady asks his wife, Vanessa Brady, how to whip up a 15 minute cranberry sauce for those of you with no time, using few ingredients. This cranberry sauce is a yearly go-to. It can be prepped early, but in your case, you can go to the store, buy a few ingredients, prep, make, and serve all in 2 hours or less. She also explains why actions you take toda...

"Move that bus!" is a phrase ABC watchers remember. And so does Rick Tollakson, the CEO of Hubbell Realty, Iowa's largest real estate company. He discussed working with Extreme Home Makeover and how it changed Iowa real estate. He also gives his expert analysis on Iowa home values, home costs, and how to keep young people in Iowa. Tollakson just launched a new book called  Think Bigger, Lead Bette...

If you're a Shark Tank fan, you saw Iowa Falls native Billie Asmus, Founder of Repaint Studios get a deal with Chip and Joanna Gains, and Barbara Corcoran. But you also didn't see quite a bit. You didn't see the full 1 hour pitch, you didn't see Chip trying to crush her paint tray, and you didn't see the 5 years leading up to her "lucky break."  Asmus discusses her experience, and tells other Iowa...

SNAP benefits are extended through November but only at 50%. Because Congress didn't appropriate funds, The White House released a contingency fund this week, November 3rd. Tami Nielsen, CEO of The Food Bank of Iowa explains the impact on Iowa, how the funds will be allocated, and why Iowans' SNAP benefits might still be delayed for weeks. One out of every 9 meals for food insecure Iowans is cover...

The Des Moines Public Schools Bond Measure, dubbed the Reimagining Education program, is up for a vote November 4th, which will increase funding by 265 million dollars. Iowa podcast host, Ross Peterson of The Rush shares his research of the measure but also his concerns.  New Superintendent Matt Smith shared updates on Des Moines Public Schools, advocating for new Pre-K programs, and Career and Te...

In this special edition of the Iowa Podcast , recorded during the World Food Prize's Borlaug Dialogue, host Justin Brady captures a rare cross-section of voices that drive the global food security conversation—from international leaders to Iowa farmers. Interviews with Mashal Husain, President of the World Food Prize Foundation; Brent Renner, soybean farmer and United Soybean Board member; and Ray...

99.9% of Iowa's prairies are gone and half of remaining 0.01% are in the Loess Hills. Saving and restoring native prairie land is critical to maintain soil health BUT saving it is remarkably difficult. Technological attempts have failed so Lance Brisbois of Golden Hills Resource Conservation and Development has turned to a tried and true approach. Manually picking seed by hand.  Brisbois' last "Pr...

The ICE arrest of Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts shocked Iowa, leaving community members with more questions than answers. In this interview, newly installed Interim Superintendent, Matt Smith tries to fill the information vacuum, but concedes much of the process was a mystery even to him. Serving as Associate Superintendent, this will be his second time stepping into the rol...

Des Moines Public Schools is now international news after its Superintendent was arrested by ICE. Ian Roberts criminal history including drug trafficking, illegal firearms, and even grand theft auto has slowly come to light led by a citizen journalist, Laura Powell. Powell is a civil rights lawyer from California, and discusses mysterious outsider groups that may have been involved.  Powell's rese...

This month the Amana Colonies Oktoberfest celebrates its 60-year anniversary and the Amana Colonies Bürgermeister himself, Jon Childers, joins us to explain the special occasion, free sausages, local bands, and of course… Lots of beer! He also explains the backstory, why the Amana communal living experiment failed and why they're not Amish! The Amana Colonies are an Iowa institution, but most Iowa...

Erin Kiernan, anchor of WHOTV suddenly vanished off the airwaves leaving viewers to wonder what happened. Upon returning, she explained her time away from the camera was spent on her family, specifically her son Michael Francis who has Autism. She discusses the growing conflict within the autism community and why autism is still very misunderstood. She breaks down common misunderstanding's like "t...

Charlie Kirk's killing sent shockwaves through the entire world but Congressional candidate Christian Schlaefer says the violence isn't surprising. In an exclusive sit down interview, he explains younger conservatives have seen the increase in hatred and vitriol including himself.  Schlaefer takes a strong position against what he considers a United States that has strayed from its Christian roots...

If you want to see how the state is advocating for many different areas of Iowa, the Empower Rural Iowa Task Force would be a good place to start. It is co-chaired by Iowa Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer and aims to invest, grow, and connect rural America through many different programs and initiatives.  Important aspects of maintaining rural America are being monitored by the task force. From...

HHS released a bombshell report in July finding organ procurement organizations had began the procurement process while patients showed signs of life. But Suzanne Conrad, CEO of the Iowa Donor Network, an OPO that covers Iowa, disagrees with the framing of the story. Conrad explains how the process works in Iowa, what checks and balances are in place, and how this news has impacted organ donations...

There are many ways to be a good neighbor, for Iowa's farmers, it is an important part of telling their story. Brian Waddingham is the executive director for the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers he says their group was made by farmers to support farmers and that means advocacy and implementing best management practices. Guest host and farm broadcaster, David Geiger hosts in this Saturday specia...

Painters from across the state of Iowa are coming to Madison County for a fascinating real-time art challenge. They will be assigned mystery landscape locations in the area and paint their assigned scene under time constraints all with a live audience. Sarah Pugh, the Executive Director of the Madison County Chamber of Commerce explains what this "Plein Air" event is all about. Pugh says artist ca...

Adam Steen is running for Iowa Governor. Appointed by Governor Reynolds in 2021 to lead the Iowa Department of Administrative Services, he announced his candidacy for Governor this week and says he's running as "the faith guy." But what does that mean? Steen left no room for confusion. He explains why his faith matters to him, and explains how it would impact his Governing decisions. He explains h...

Camp Creek Organic Produce owner, James Nisly is the Iowa's organic farmer. Nisly discusses why transitions to organic farms is hard, how soil health translates to your nutrition, and how his efforts to provide healthy organic food for Iowa schools are being opposed by the US Government.  Starting in 1998, Nisly was one of the first to go organic in Iowa. Only recently, has the world caught up wit...