The Iowa Podcast

The most beautiful and best Iowa Park may be found in your corner of the state claims Sally Ortgies, the "Iowa Park Lady." Ortgies has visited all Iowa state parks and has seen every corner of Iowa and knows better than anyone the beauty it offers. She has recommendations in your part of the state.  It took Ortgies just over one year to complete her tour of all state parks but she says the experie...

The Hamas slaughter of innocent Israeli citizens and the Jewish people is enough evil for a lifetime, but pro-Hamas protests in Iowa have the Iowa Jewish population noticeably concerned, saddened and sick. As state and city leaders rally around our Jewish population, now's the time to stand up, says Jarad Bernstein, Executive Director of The Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines. Despite threats...

You may have heard of The Villages of Van Buren, but what is it exactly? Is it a town? A county? An entertainment destination? Not quite. Emily Starnes, the executive director, explained the background of the area, and told the story of when Missouri threatened to invade Iowa over honey trees. (Iowa won) The Villages of Van Buren is actually 11 small towns with a combined population of just over 7...

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Anamosa, Iowa being named the Pumpkin Capital of our state. The town hosts Pumpkinfest every year, says executive director of the Anamosa Chamber, Blaire Lawton. They smash cars, toss pumpkins, carve pumpkins, smoke pumpkins, roll pumpkins, but get this: you can test your pumpkin agility skills using big construction equipment! (With supervision of course) T...

For those not in the know, The Slaughterhouse in Des Moines, Iowa is a highly sophisticated and upgraded version of the haunted house. But the owner, Ian Miller has gone one step further opening a secret underground Haunt Speakeasy opening Halloween of this year. If that sounds fun, there's a catch, to get in on opening day you'll need a hidden key for access.  Gone are the days of cheap outfits,...

For the first time, fewer Iowans are using Instagram. According to a new report by Iowa company, Blue Compass Iowans are changing their social media habits. Drew Harden shares how Iowans use social media, why Facebook is regaining some steam, and why small businesses actually have an edge on big brands. Harden and his team analyzed the impact of Elon's Twitter takeover, Snapchat's incredible growt...

Human trafficking may seem like a distant problem, but it's far closer in Iowa than you think. Iowa Secretary of State, Paul Pate explains trafficking today happens to kids still living at home, with parents having absolutely no idea. Trafficking can start on social media, and target children in safe suburbs.  Sound of Freedom has been quite the popular film with a powerful message, but most of us...

What the heck is happening in Bondurant? From 2010 to 2020 they have nearly doubled their population size at a growth rate of 91%, making them the 2nd fastest growing city in the state, and with what would normally be growing pains taxes actually fell! Mayor Doug Elrod explains why young people are moving in, and the new recreation activities they're planning for. Mayor Elrod also discusses why Am...

It's no secret, Iowa Universities and Colleges took a beating the last few years, and with the student debt crisis taking center stage, how is enrollment? Pete Moris, Director of University Relations at The University of Northern Iowa explains the outlook, discusses their mental health efforts, and tells parents (and students) what to expect and how to prepare. We also discuss if the zero-alcohol...

Some people in Iowa are already chomping at the bit for Autumn, and with the spooky holiday season that quickly follows. Iowa has a rich history, and thanks to one of the state's natives, Lauren Riensche, Iowans can experience Cedar Falls' creepy true stories. Riensche is the owner and host of Cedar Falls Ghost Tour which returns this October. This will be Cedar Falls Ghost Tour's third year of ch...

The arts in education have been hotly debated for decades, always under threat of being cut. But today administrators are finding it much more difficult as data proves the positive impact an arts education has on child development. Leslie Nolte, head of school for The Iowa Conservatory in Iowa City gives us her thoughts on the new school year.  While it's true arts programs increase engagement and...

Upon graduation or entering the workforce, previous generations may have wanted to move to the big city, seeking excitement and adventure. But Iowa students today are built different. Seeing their parents go through financial trouble, and coming through the response to COVID, they're focused on stability, mortgage payments, and the low cost of living Iowa's known for.  When it comes to picking a c...

When companies sent their people home to work remotely during the pandemic, many predicted the end of the modern office. Others predicted the office would make a comeback. But is it possible both were wrong? Geoff Wood, the founder and owner of Gravitate Coworking, Iowa's largest coworking space, discusses why many Iowa's have opted to choose neither. Is the future of work coworking?  Wood is pres...

On Wednesday, July 26th an Intelligence Official confirmed the US Government is in possession of an alien space craft and non-human "biologics." So, host Justin Brady hit the streets to ask Iowans "do you believe aliens exist?" Their responses surprised us.  It turns out, even before the intelligence report, most Iowans do believe intelligent life exists beyond our planet. But interestingly, the o...

There may be no more polarizing issue in 2023 than abortion and education. With party setbacks has the Iowa Democratic party lost its way and become out of touch with Democrat voters? Rita Hart, chair of the Iowa Democratic Party reacts to new Republican-led abortion and education laws, and condemns vitriol she sees coming from her own party. Is it time for a new era of healing? The Iowa Podcast i...

Agri-tourism was a $69.24 billion industry in 2019, and is projected to reach $117.37 billion by 2027. In 2017, 28,575 farms offered agri-tourism, generating $949 million in sales! Kara Grupp, operator of Three Pines Farm near Cedar Falls explains why people are visiting Iowa farms for "glamping" and to better understand where their food comes from. Grupp explains how agriculture has changed in Io...

Iowa's largest lake is Lake Red Rock . It's 10 minutes from Pella and 15 minutes from Knoxville. Park Ranger, Tracy Spry, offers insight into the lake, free kid packs, and super-simple water safety tactics. She also tells us how you can tour the inside of the dam and why tours changed after 9-11. Spry also discusses the difference between CO2 auto-inflating life jackets and foam life jackets, Lake...

AI in healthcare can dramatically bring the cost of healthcare down, but only if Congress is cautious about regulating AI. Iowa tech founder and retina surgeon Michael Abramoff, MD, PhD of Digital Diagnostics out of Iowa City has developed an "AI Doctor" that can diagnose diabetic retinopathy faster, and more accurately than a trained physician. He explains the future of AI in healthcare, how Iowa...

You probably heard all about Juneteenth, but do you know what it is? Do you know why it's important? Many people don't actually know the history. LaNisha Cassell, executive director of The African American Museum of Iowa explains the history, importance, and why owning slaves in the USA didn't end with the Emancipation Proclamation.  Iowa has rich African American history, but when most people thi...

The Apple Vision Pro was just announced and it's already the center of the conversation and quite a polarizing device. Juan Pablo Hourcade, Ph. D, Professor and Director of Graduate Studies for the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Informatics at The University of Iowa explains what the device does and gives a few use cases for manufacturing and perhaps even agriculture. The biggest challenge...

Iowa has secrets. Some are hidden in plain sight like a few mysterious concrete structures in a popular kids area at the Iowa State Fair. Megan Bannister, author and editor of Olio in Iowa is a walking encyclopedia of Iowa's craziest stories. The author of Iowa Supper Clubs and her second book, Secret Iowa has fascinating stories collected all over the state. She explains why Audubon's "Albert the...

Scandinavian Days happen every year in Story City and to celebrate Scandinavian immigrants culture and traditions. Shanon McKinley, Executive Director of the Story City Greater Chamber Connection explains the history of this annual tradition, how it's evolved through the years and why Scandinavians come to this fun event! Established 1965, May 17th on Norwegian Constitution day, the celebration wa...

The AI economy is coming. Jessi McQuerry with the Association of Business and Industry explains how Business Horizons has pivoted to prepare students for design thinking and AI-ready jobs. The truth is, Iowa students are have incredible ideas, but execution and design thinking practices are needed to help them bring their ideas to life, start a business, or get a great career. Today's students are...

Iowa Cubs General Manager Sam Bernabe is celebrating 40 years with the Iowa Cubs this year in a big way. Principal Park will soon begin a $65 Million renovation, with the goal of becoming an entertainment district akin to Gallagher Way at Fenway Park or Ballpark Village at Busch Stadium. Will downtown Des Moines soon connect to a "Cubbie Village?" The city's goal is to extend Principal Park amenit...

People travel from the entire globe to ride RAGBRAI and this week a new documentary premiers in Iowa revealing the stories, people and places that make up this ride. The documentary is titled Shift. Courtney Crowder and Kelsey Kremer of  The Des Moines Register explain a side of RAGBRAI you probably didn't know existed.  They discuss the impact the ride has on Iowa towns, who the average rider is...