Talk of Iowa
908 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 days ago - ★★★★★ - 82 ratingsTalk of Iowa is a place for Iowans to connect to our shared culture and what it means to live in Iowa. Host Charity Nebbe brings a mix of regular guests and a range of experts to discuss the arts, history, literature and everything else happening in Iowa. Every day brings something new — even if it's in a recurring segment like Talk of Iowa Book Club or comes from a familiar voice on Horticulture Day.
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Episodes
A Closer Look At Tallgrass Prairie
November 03, 2020 20:14 - 18 minutes - 24.8 MBChris Helzer describes what he learned by photographing one square meter of prairie for an entire year.
Experts Worry About Mental Health As The Pandemic Continues To Rage In Rural Iowa
November 02, 2020 21:57 - 17 minutes - 24.4 MBIt took a while for COVID-19 to hit rural Iowa. Now, the pandemic is hitting the state’s rural communities hard in many ways. As the pandemic drags on and gets worse, so may the strain of living under these unusual circumstances.
To Improve Black Representation In Film, More Opportunities Are Needed For Black Creators
November 02, 2020 21:49 - 31 minutes - 42.5 MBHollywood has received a lot of well-deserved criticism for its lack of diversity and representation of African Americans on the big screen. When representation of Black lives is brought to cinema, it too often misses the mark. Especially when designed by white creators.
Spiders And Creepy Crawlers
October 30, 2020 20:00 - 48 minutes - 66.6 MBSpiders are everywhere this time of year. Invading our warm houses and dangling from large artificial webs to startle trick or treaters. We all encounter spiders all the time, but a lot of what we know about them is wrong.
A Very Pandemic Holiday Season
October 29, 2020 21:05 - 48 minutes - 67 MBCOVID-19 cases remain high in Iowa, and as the weather grows cooler, families are facing unique challenges when it comes to safely celebrating the upcoming holiday season.
Book Explores How Latinos Experience Ignored Racism
October 28, 2020 17:57 - 31 minutes - 42.6 MBCharity Nebbe is joined by the authors of the book "Ignored Racism: White Animus Toward Latinos."
Poems Inspired By The Pandemic
October 28, 2020 17:50 - 18 minutes - 24.7 MBCharity Nebbe is joined by poet Ralph Savarese to discuss his newest book of poems.
Installing Ventilation And Air Mitigation Systems
October 27, 2020 20:04 - 48 minutes - 66.9 MBHost Charity Nebbe speaks with home improvement expert Bill McAnally on this edition of Talk of Iowa.
12-Year-Old Gideon Kidd Celebrates, Guides Dog Enthusiasts In New Book
October 26, 2020 19:24 - 17 minutes - 24.4 MB12-year-old Gideon Kidd of Cedar Falls really loves dogs. A few years ago, he decided to share that love with the world through his Twitter and Instagram accounts “I’ve Pet That Dog,” which chronicle the many, many dogs Kidd meets to hundreds of thousands of followers.
Finding Your Creativity With Mary Potter Kenyon
October 26, 2020 18:35 - 31 minutes - 42.6 MBA lot of us think about creativity as a luxury. Something that we will do when we have time, but we never have time. On this Talk of Iowa podcast, Charity Nebbe speaks with Mary Potter Kenyon about her newest book "Called to be Creative: A Guide to Reigniting Your Creativity."
Using The Power Of Art To Create Empathy And Change
October 26, 2020 14:23 - 48 minutes - 66.6 MBIn this episode of Talk of Iowa, we conclude our series, "Iowa Week 2020: Listening to Black Voices." Host Charity Nebbe talks with Black artists about creating empathy and change through words, stories and music.
Building Black Families In Iowa
October 22, 2020 22:40 - 48 minutes - 66.6 MBRaising Black children in an overwhelmingly white state isn’t always easy. On this episode of Talk of Iowa, host Charity Nebbe talks with Black parents about their children.
'The First,' Or 'The Only,' Being Black In Small-Town Iowa
October 22, 2020 15:17 - 49 minutes - 67.9 MBIn today's "Iowa Week" episode of Talk of Iowa, host Charity Nebbe takes us out of the cities to small-town, rural Iowa where Black Iowans are often "the first," or "the only."
Combating Systemic Racism In Iowa
October 20, 2020 21:47 - 48 minutes - 66.8 MBBlack Iowa leaders talk about systemic racism, police violence and other challenges facing Black Americans.
Anti-Racist Organizing After A Summer Of Protest
October 19, 2020 20:01 - 48 minutes - 66.6 MBOn this episode of Talk of Iowa, four Black Iowans who have become leaders in the movement to fight anti-Black racism.
It’s Time For End-Of-Season Lawn Care
October 19, 2020 14:27 - 48 minutes - 66.5 MBLeaves are falling and it’s almost time to put the mower away, but give yourself a minute. There’s still a bit more lawn care to tend to before closing up shop for the season.
Iowa Bluesman Kevin Burt On New Album “Stone Crazy”
October 15, 2020 23:21 - 17 minutes - 24.4 MBIf there has ever been a year screaming out for the blues, it’s 2020, and Iowa bluesman Kevin Burt has risen to the occasion.
NBC’s Harry Smith On Environmental Stewardship And Midwestern Reporting
October 15, 2020 23:11 - 31 minutes - 42.9 MBHarry Smith grew up in Illinois and went to Central College in Pella, where he will return on October 24th to give the keynote address at “Called to Climate Action 2020: Uphold & Upheave!” The event is sponsored by Iowa Interfaith Power & Light and Central College.
Cisneros' Classic "The House On Mango Street," Explores, Celebrates Identity
October 14, 2020 14:33 - 48 minutes - 66.5 MBThe October meeting of the Talk of Iowa Book Club discusses "The House on Mango Street," by Sandra Cisneros
Where and When To View The Best Fall Foliage
October 09, 2020 20:44 - 48 minutes - 66.5 MBFall is here and beautiful colors are creeping across the landscape.
Efforts Continue To Rename Parks And Counties With Problematic Namesakes
October 09, 2020 14:07 - 17 minutes - 24.4 MBOn this episode of Talk of Iowa, a look at the decision to change the namesake of Johnson County to honor Lulu Merle Johnson, the first Black woman to receive a doctorate in Iowa. Also, efforts to rename a park in Linn County to honor Adeline Wanatee, the second Meskwaki woman inducted into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame.
New Book Looks At The Experiences Of Iowa Conservation Officers
October 08, 2020 22:10 - 30 minutes - 42.2 MBErika Billerbeck became a conservation officer partially because she loves nature. But protecting land and wildlife is just a small part of this challenging law enforcement job.
Looking For Love In A Global Pandemic
October 07, 2020 22:24 - 48 minutes - 66.5 MBDating can be a daunting task in the best of times. Add in a highly contagious virus and all of the social, emotional and health concerns that go along with it, and things get even harder.
School Is In Session. Here’s What That Looks Like In A Pandemic.
October 06, 2020 21:40 - 48 minutes - 66.5 MBOn this episode of Talk of Iowa, a look at the state of education in Iowa during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A History Of Election Ballots And A New York Filmmaker Finds Opportunity In Iowa
October 05, 2020 20:59 - 49 minutes - 67.9 MBAs early voting in the 2020 general election begins in Iowa, we look back on the history of voting in the state. And we talk with a New York filmmaker who found more opportunities in Iowa.
Making Your Fall Gardening Checklist
October 02, 2020 20:59 - 48 minutes - 66.6 MBFall is here and frost is in the forecast. A few crops may linger in the garden, but it’s time to start thinking about next year.
The Tense Social Media Climate Will Not Get Better After The 2020 Election
October 01, 2020 20:41 - 48 minutes - 66.6 MBThe country is deeply divided right now. In addition to the misinformation, and partly fueled by it, many social media feeds have become battlegrounds with angry and accusatory exchanges and a whole lot of blocking and unfriending. We talk about whether it’s okay to engage with someone with an opposing view, or who is sharing false information over social media.
Sculpting Damaged Trees Into Art
September 30, 2020 22:51 - 17 minutes - 24.7 MBWe meet a man who is turning some of Eastern Iowa's downed trees into artwork.
Working Towards A Healthier Future In Charles Connerly’s “Green, Fair and Prosperous: Paths to Sustainable Iowa”
September 30, 2020 22:20 - 30 minutes - 42.5 MBCharles Connerly joins the program to talk about his new book: “Green, Fair and Prosperous: Paths to Sustainable Iowa.”
Horticulturist Richard Jauron Retires
September 25, 2020 21:11 - 9 minutes - 13.2 MBA heartfelt tribute to ISU Extension Horticulturist Richard Jauron who is retiring.
Summer Is Officially Over And It’s Time To Bring Your Plants Indoors
September 25, 2020 20:41 - 38 minutes - 52.5 MBSummer has come to an end and if your houseplants have been vacationing outside it’s time to bring them in. The "hort gang" explains how to transition your plants indoors for the cooler months ahead.
Linn-Mar High Schooler Crafts Pandemic-Inspired Cookbook For Kids
September 24, 2020 21:33 - 7 minutes - 10.6 MBElizabeth Low is a high school senior at Linn-Mar. She loves to cook and had big plans to share her skills with other students this summer by teaching cooking classes through the Marion Youth Coalition. But when the pandemic scrambled that plan, her vision got bigger.
“The White Man Who Stayed” Tells A Story Of Activism During The Civil Rights Era
September 23, 2020 22:03 - 37 minutes - 52 MBJim Autry talks about life in the Deep South and his cousin, Douglas Autry, who chose to live, during a time when segregation was the norm, in Mississippi.
The Genesis Behind The Iowa African American Heritage Trail
September 22, 2020 22:15 - 30 minutes - 42.5 MBExploring the past with Charles Pearson as he continues to develop the Iowa African American Heritage Trail.
A New Exhibit On Activism Recorded History As It Happened
September 22, 2020 21:03 - 18 minutes - 24.7 MBLaNisha Cassell, Executive Director of the African American Museum of Iowa in Cedar Rapids, explains the museum’s latest exhibit: Unwavering: 21st Century Activism.
Leaky Roofs And Other Home Improvement Questions Answered
September 21, 2020 17:09 - 48 minutes - 66.5 MBHome improvement expert Bill McAnally joins Talk of Iowa host Charity Nebbe to talk about repairing leaky roofs and answer listener questions about the projects, repairs and remodels in their lives.
The Language Of Pandemic
September 18, 2020 20:23 - 49 minutes - 67.9 MBHost Charity Nebbe talks with grammar and language scholar Patricia O'Connor about the words and phrases the COVID-19 pandemic has added to our collective vocabulary
Time To Start Thinking About Spring Blossoms
September 18, 2020 18:58 - 48 minutes - 66.5 MBRight now we’re anticipating the rich yellows, oranges and reds of fall, but it’s also time to start thinking about the vibrant colors of spring. On this edition of Talk of Iowa, Charity Nebbe and the "hort gang" talk about planning for and planting spring blooming bulbs.
The Future Of Iowa's Museums
September 15, 2020 19:37 - 48 minutes - 66.5 MBOn this edition of Talk of Iowa, host Charity Nebbe speaks with museum professionals from around the state, including the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum, the Museum of Danish America, the Science Center of Iowa and the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, about how they see their futures.
Reid Forgrave's "Love, Zac" Tells Tragic Story Of Indianola Football Player
September 14, 2020 20:06 - 48 minutes - 66.5 MBZac Easter of Indianola loved football. He was driven to be the best, but concussion after concussion led to the end of his football career and ultimately ended his life.
An Uneventful Summer For Invasive Insects Throughout Iowa
September 11, 2020 19:49 - 48 minutes - 66.5 MBA 2020 insect update and gardening questions answered.
Two Iowa Auditoriums Face An Uncertain Future Due To A Pandemic And Budget Cuts
September 10, 2020 22:10 - 17 minutes - 24 MBTwo of Iowa’s premiere performing arts venues are under pressure from the pandemic and from budget cuts. A conversation about the future of C.Y. Stephens in Ames and Hancher in Iowa City.
Supper Clubs Of Iowa’s Past And Present
September 10, 2020 21:10 - 30 minutes - 42.5 MBA nice meal, a friendly atmosphere, maybe a little dancing... Supper clubs had it all.
Exploring Secrets And Silence In Brit Bennett’s “The Mothers”
September 09, 2020 19:54 - 48 minutes - 66.5 MBIt’s the September meeting of the Talk of Iowa book club. Host Charity Nebbe is joined by Shanna Benjamin, an independent scholar with a specialization in Black women writers; Roslin Thompson, library director at Knoxville Public Library and poet Emily Spencer to discuss this New York Times Best Seller and All Iowa Reads 2020 selection.
Prolong The Taste Of Summer By Storing Your Late Season Produce
September 04, 2020 19:02Horticulturists Ajay Nair and Richard Jauron join host Charity Nebbe with tips and tricks for harvesting and storing winter squash, sweet potatoes, beets and other late season produce on this episode of Talk of Iowa.
Extensive Screen And Couch Time Could Have Long-Term Impact On Kids’ Health
September 03, 2020 22:00On this episode of Talk of Iowa, host Charity Nebbe is joined by pediatrician Dr. Jennifer Groos for a look at how sedentary behaviors may be exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and sedentary behaviors specialist Lucas Carr offers tools to decrease the amount of time spent sitting while working from home.
Author Lyz Lenz Challenges Cultural Myths Around Pregnancy In New Book, "Belabored"
September 02, 2020 21:41Belabored: A Vindication of the Rights of Pregnant Women is part memoir, part history and part manifesto. On this episode of Talk of Iowa, Lenz joins host Charity Nebbe for a look at her second book.
Iowa's New Black-Owned Bookstore
September 02, 2020 21:36Charity Nebbe speaks with Amber Collins, the owner of a new, and possibly the first, Black-owned book store in Iowa.
How Wildlife Recover From Natural Disaster
September 01, 2020 23:27A discussion about the animals affected by Derecho2020.
Educators And Professionals Adapt To Keep Music Alive During The Pandemic
August 31, 2020 22:25It’s hard to make music when a deadly virus is making the rounds. On this episode of Talk of Iowa, host Charity Nebbe is joined by maestros and educators from the symphony, college and K-12 level to explore how the pandemic is impacting the state’s music community.