Watts Happening Podcast

Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa reaches over 40,000 students annually to help them prepare for successful careers. We are excited to be joined on the podcast this week by the VP of Education for JA of Eastern Iowa, Nate Klein. Join Gary and Nate as they discuss Junior Achievement’s impact on our community, the practical teaching they implement, JA’s upcoming events & programs, and much more...

From being a pre-med student to starting her own organic farm, Corbin Scholz is a perfect example of letting your passion drive your career. We are excited to be joined by Corbin on the podcast this week to hear all about the world of organic agriculture and the work being done by her farm, Camp Creek Organic Produce. Join Gary and Corbin as they discuss the benefits of organic food, the difficult...

Ronald McDonald House helps families feel at home, even when they can’t be 🏥 We are excited to be joined on the podcast this week by the CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois, Shannon Greene. Join Gary and Shannon as they discuss the important support that RMH provides, the experience provided to their guests, the organization’s upcoming fundraising events,...

We’re celebrating our 50TH! episode of the Watts Happening podcast! 🎉 What better way to celebrate than alongside an organizer that brings so much joy & excitement to our community, Josh Schamberger. Josh leads Think Iowa City, which is responsible for drawing visitors to our area and organizing the community amenities that make the IC area such a great place to live. Join Gary and Josh as th...

No Foot Too Small is a locally founded organization that drives national awareness of pregnancy and infant loss by celebrating angels, uniting families and building birthing and bereavement suites nationwide. We are joined on the podcast this week by NFTS’s Founder and Executive Director, Robin Boudreau. Join Gary and Robin as they discuss the pillars of the organization, the importance of support...

Finding affordable childcare is a challenge for many Iowans, but our guest this week is passionate about helping parents find solutions! We are excited to be joined on the podcast by Missie Forbes, the Executive Director at 4Cs of Johnson County. 4Cs stands for Community Coordinated Child Care, which is an organization that strives to ensure that all children have a quality learning experience, en...

Our guest on the podcast this week is local real estate agent, Whitney Russell! Whitney is an accomplished Realtor® at Urban Acres Real Estate as well as a profound animal lover and shelter advocate. Join Gary and Whitney as they discuss what it’s like to sell real estate in the Corridor, the day-to-day benefits of having theater experience, all the joys of growing up in Iowa, and much more!  Vide...

Our guest saves babies! 👶 Dr. Patrick McNamara is a Professor of Pediatrics and leads one of the absolute best neonatal departments in the country at UIHC. Join Gary and Dr. McNamara as they discuss life in the NICU, Iowa’s global reputation for quality care, new innovations to neonatal treatments, and much more! Video Version 🎥 https://youtu.be/deUY69rjONg Music by local artist, Ace Jones - www...

Our guest this week is an expert in Iowa’s natural prairies and diverse wildlife, Jason Taylor. Jason leads Bur Oak Land Trust, which is a local nonprofit focused on biodiversity, protecting eastern Iowa's land and wildlife, and connecting people to nature. Join Gary and Jason as they discuss the history of our state’s ecosystem, the variety of species that call Iowa home, current risks to ou...

Dr. Buatti has treated thousands of local cancer patients during his 25 years at UIHC. Join us on the podcast this week to learn more about the lifesaving efforts of Radiation Oncologists like John - such as different treatments for various forms of cancer, preventative measures, cancer symptoms to look out for, current research efforts, and much more! Video Version 🎥 https://youtu.be/pGZ6JDeKLwI...

Best-selling author of “ The Energy Bus ” , Jon Gordon, joins us on the podcast this week! Jon is a well-renowned keynote motivational speaker as well as an accomplished author of 28 books, including “ The Energy Bus ” - which has sold over 3 million copies worldwide. Join Gary and Jon as they discuss methods of tuning into a positive mindset, allowing vulnerability in team building, paths to pers...

The Iowa Heartlanders hockey team in Coralville has a new President and he’s our guest this week, Matt Getz! Matt has been leading the organization for just 10 weeks but already has big plans for the future of the team. Join Gary and Matt as they discuss the many joys of hockey, the Heartlanders impact on the community, playing at the Xtream Arena, and much more! Video Version 🎥 https://youtu.be/...

Whether you’re looking to get your first bike, join local rides, or learn to do your own repairs, the Iowa City Bike Library is a great resource to get started! 🚴 We are excited to be joined on the podcast this week by the Executive Director of the Bike Library, Audrey Wiedemeier. Join Gary and Audrey as they discuss the various services that the Bike Library provides, cycling safety practices, w...

We are joined on the podcast this week by Tyler Pedersen & Luke Reiland of Push Pedal Pull!  These two lifelong friends are both accomplished athletes & members of the commercial sales team for Push Pedal Pull exercise equipment. Join Gary, Tyler & Luke as they discuss todays’ fitness trends, the secrets to a successful career in sales, ways to motivate yourself to stay in shape, and m...

The Eat Shop bakery in Solon has expanded to a new location on the University of Iowa’s campus and is looking to grow further. Leading this wonderful, local business is the Eat Shop’s founder & CEO, Cheryl Maloney. The Eat Shop pays homage to Cheryl’s great aunt, who owned “Mary Ann Eat Shop” in Cedar Rapids from 1935 to 1950. Cheryl keeps up her family’s baking legacy with fresh pastries &amp...

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Learn more about the support available in our area by checking out this week’s podcast featuring Kristie Fortmann-Doser, Executive Director of DVIP Iowa. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience a form of domestic violence in their lives - thankfully the great people at the Domestic Violence Intervention Program are committed to providing support to vict...

Heating & cooling is something we don’t usually think about until it stops working 🥵🥶 our guest this week has spent the last 50 years making sure we stay comfortable in our homes! We are excited to be joined on the podcast by Bill Brandt, President of Brandt Heating & Air Conditioning in Iowa City. Bill’s family has been in the heating & cooling business for over 70 years and continu...

There are few (if any) who know more about the campus & architecture of University of Iowa than our guest this week, Rod Lehnertz. Rod is the Vice President of Finance & Operations at U of I as well as an Iowa City Native and voice of Carver Hawkeye Arena. Join Gary and Rod as they discuss the history of the University’s most iconic buildings, what new construction projects are in the work...

From the Iowa Hawkeyes to the NFL and back to Iowa City, we’re excited to be joined this week by former pro kicker & local entrepreneur, Nate Kaeding. Join Gary and Nate as they discuss his football career and how it helped him become the business man he is today. Learn more about Nate’s life growing up in Iowa City as well as his transition back home and journey into entrepreneurship. Video V...

We’re excited to be joined on the podcast this week by the Hoover Presidential Foundation Vice President of Development, Mundi McCarty. Join Gary and Mundi as they discuss the life of Herbert Hoover before, after, and during his presidency. Learn more about his time abroad, relationships with presidents that succeeded him, and his wife Lou Henry. Gary and Mundi also discuss The Herbert Hoover Pres...

Loyalty to a company takes another meaning when you’ve spent 39 years working for the same organization. Our guest this week, Tim Finer, exemplifies this with an extraordinary career at Hills Bank that has lasted nearly four decades. Join Gary and Tim as they discuss the history of Hills bank, changes in modern banking, trends in interest rates, raising foster children, and much more! Video Versio...

We’re excited to be joined by one of our own this week, Adam Hahn! Adam has been with Watts Group for nearly ten years and has a deep knowledge of everything that goes into our construction projects. Join Gary and Adam as they discuss their history together, the development process at Watts Group, paths to a successful career in construction, and much more! Video Version 🎥 https://youtu.be/4POjnk...

Ep 31 | Doug Boldt | City Administrator of Tiffin We are joined this week by the City Administrator of Tiffin IA, Doug Boldt! Doug has held the role since 2015 and has a seasoned background in Iowa public administration. Join Gary and Doug as they discuss Tiffin’s incredible population growth, new amenities coming to the community, Clear Creek School District, and much more! Video Version 🎥 https...

We’re excited to be joined this week by the Head of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Iowa, Dr. Matt Howard! Dr. Howard joined the University in 1993 and has been the Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery since 2001 where he leads a team of 12 faculty and 14 residents. Join Gary and Matt as they discuss innovations in machine brain interface, the importance of medical research,...

Our guest this week is Nate Kullbom of Sugar Bottom Bikes in North Liberty. Nate has worked at bike shops for over 20 years and has competed in cycling races of nearly all disciplines. This includes the “Rule of Three” race in May of this year where Nate placed 5th among 380 other national racers. Join Gary and Nate as they discuss the diversities of the cycling world, including mountain biking, f...