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
Navigating A Fall Sports Season Unlike Any Other
August 27, 2020 20:44Iowa was the first state in the country to re-start high school athletics with baseball and softball early in the summer. On this edition of Talk of Iowa, how both high school and college athletic programs are approaching fall sports.
Kittie Weston-Knauer Offers Encouragement, Perspective For This School Year
August 27, 2020 20:35Most students in Iowa will not be in the classroom full-time, at least for the start of the year. It's not going to be an easy or normal school year, but this isn’t the first time students have had to overcome obstacles.
How To Get The Most Out Of Online Learning
August 26, 2020 22:22While the majority of Iowa students will be physically returning to classrooms, at least on a part-time basis, online learning is a very important component of the 2020-2021 school year. On this edition of Talk of Iowa, we explore the pros and cons of learning online and talk about how teachers and students can make the most of it.
Finding The Helpers During Derecho Recovery
August 25, 2020 22:20On this edition of Talk of Iowa, host Charity Nebbe introduces us to the helpers who have gone above and beyond to make a difference in the aftermath of the derecho.
Mourning Over 1,000 Iowans Lost To COVID-19
August 24, 2020 22:29On this edition of Talk of Iowa, we’re going to take some time to remember and mourn the Iowans who have died of COVID-19. Not as numbers or statistics, but as men and women, people who loved and were loved.
Getting Into The Weeds With Late Summer Lawn Care
August 21, 2020 19:49This Hort Day episode talks about lawn care. Tree and gardening questions are also answered.
Iowa Agriculture Facing A Number Of Economic Consequences From 2020 Derecho
August 20, 2020 21:42A conversation on the damage that has been done to crops and rural infrastructure in Iowa from Derecho2020.
Despite Being Displaced, Cedar Rapids Media Tirelessly Report On Derecho's Aftermath
August 19, 2020 21:23After the storm hit it took a while for news of how bad the damage was in Linn County to trickle out.
Derecho's Impact On The Meskwaki Nation
August 18, 2020 23:11Lawrence SpottedBird joins Talk of Iowa host Charity Nebbe to talk about damage and recovery at the Meskwaki Nation near Tama.
Grinnell Mayor Dan Agnew Discusses Damages, Recovery
August 18, 2020 23:09Mayor of Grinnell Dan Agnew joins Talk of Iowa host Charity Nebbe to give the latest on the derecho damage and what recovery will look like for his community.
Is Derecho Linked To Climate Change? It's Difficult To Know.
August 18, 2020 22:59The storm we’re calling Derecho 2020 was enormous and powerful. It traveled 770 miles from Nebraska to Indiana and left a path of destruction 50 miles wide. Wind gusts over 100 MPH were registered in several locations. Even though Iowa is no stranger to severe weather with tornadoes, flooding and drought, most of us have never experienced a storm of this magnitude. On this edition of Talk of Iowa we asked two of Iowa’s leading experts on climate change to help us put this storm in perspective...
Assessing Your Derecho Storm Damage
August 17, 2020 20:45Clean-up after the August 10 derecho continues as communities and food banks struggle.
Dealing With Damaged Trees
August 14, 2020 21:15All the freshly fallen trees from Monday's derecho are green wood at this point. That means that the wood will be very smokey when it burns, because it still contains a lot of moisture. Split it, and stack it. Don't burn it.
Filing Insurance Claims And Assessing Property Damage
August 13, 2020 22:37Thousands of Iowans suffered major damages to their homes due to the high winds from derecho storm.
From Hydrangeas To Black Eyed Susan, Let's Talk Flowers
August 12, 2020 16:22On this episode of Talk of Iowa, Charity Nebbe talks with guests about the flowers marking the end of summer
Making A Difference In Your Community
August 11, 2020 21:12Mary Beth Tinker had made a difference in a lot of ways during her life in her career as a pediatric nurse, her work as an activist and a free speech activist. She joins the program to share her experience.
Looking Back On The Ames Project At 75 Years
August 11, 2020 19:49Seventy-five years ago, the United States dropped two nuclear bombs on Japan. We’ll learn about the role that scientists in Ames, Iowa had in developing those weapons.
Iowa Film Production Continues Amid Pandemic
August 11, 2020 19:19At the start of the pandemic, many film makers from New York City, Los Angeles and London were seeking to film to Iowa.
For Working Moms, Pandemic Strain Is Unsustainable
August 06, 2020 22:04While parents of all genders are feeling the strain of the pandemic, data shows that women, particularly in heterosexual couples, take on a disproportionate amount of unpaid care work even under normal conditions. With the growing responsibilities brought on by the pandemic and a loss of networks such as school, childcare and social groups that may otherwise offer balance, it is likely that this additional, unpaid work will only increase for mothers.
Calling All Young Writers! Prompts To Get Rid of Summer Writer's Block
August 04, 2020 22:19Summer is a wonderful time to escape into the worlds and lives created by writers. It’s also a great time to do a little creating of your own.
How To Tell The Difference Between The Cicada Killer Wasp And The Asian Giant Hornet
July 31, 2020 21:48No, that's likely not a murder hornet in your backyard. On this episode of Talk of Iowa, we learn about the cicada killer wasp.
Jazz Up Your Summer By "Letting The Music Get In Your Spirit"
July 28, 2020 20:37On this episode of Talk of Iowa, we're looking into the past and present of jazz music.
Harvesting And Preserving Herbs
July 24, 2020 21:12Host Charity Nebbe speaks with horticulture specialists about herbs and answers questions about gardens and trees.
Black History Is American History: Teaching Black History In K-12 Classrooms
July 23, 2020 22:08Teaching Black history has always been important, but recent attention on the killings of Black Americans by police and the resulting protests have put a newfound focus on how Black history is taught and included in K-12 classrooms.
New Book Explores The Power Of Longstanding Friendships
July 22, 2020 21:17If you’re lucky, the opening text of Aminatou So and Ann Friedman’s new book might sound familiar to you.“BIG FRIENDSHIP is a bond of great strength, force and significance that transcends life phases, geography and emotional shifts. It is large in dimension, affecting most aspects of each person’s life. It is full of meaning and resonance.”
So You Want To Be A Journalist? Here's How To Get Started
July 22, 2020 13:06It’s never too early to get into journalism.
An Iowan’s Long Battle With COVID-19
July 20, 2020 21:20Charity Nebbe speaks with a Nora Boerner on her battle with COVID-19
Help Your Garden Beat The Heat With These Watering Tricks
July 20, 2020 13:14Mother Nature can be pretty inconsistent in her watering strategy, so sometimes she needs a little help.
Iowa Universities Prepare Return To Campus
July 16, 2020 21:09Colleges and universities around the world are working on ways to safely bring students back to campus.
Dip Your Toes Into Classical Music By Starting Small
July 14, 2020 21:19On this episode of Talk of Iowa, we're taking a deep dive into the history and modern role of classical music.
What’s In Store For Your 2020 Growing Season
July 14, 2020 15:08Every growing season brings a unique set of insects, diseases and challenges for gardeners, homeowners and farmers.
What’s In Store For Your 2020 Growing Season
July 14, 2020 05:16Every growing season brings a unique set of insects, diseases and challenges for gardeners, homeowners and farmers.
What It's Like To Be An Iowa Business Owner During The Pandemic
July 13, 2020 22:15Iowa businesses weigh in on pandemic challenges
"Little House On The Prairie" And "The Birchbark House" Read In Concert and Contrast
July 09, 2020 21:36 - 47 minutes"Little House on the Prairie" was first published 85 years ago in 1935. It tells the story of the Ingalls family, white settlers traveling West to Kansas from their home in Wisconsin. "The Birchbark House," which was published in 1999, explores a similar time period and similarly revolves around family life, but from a completely different perspective. The book follows an Ojibwe family living on Madeline Island in Wisconsin as they seek to keep their way of life in the face of colonialsim.
The History Of Rock 'n' Roll With Talk Of Iowa Summer Camp
July 07, 2020 20:59 - 47 minutesSummer may be a little different this year, but it's still a wonderful time for learning and adventure. Every Tuesday, Talk of Iowa is hosting an episode meant for learners of all ages who are missing out on summer camp this year. On this epsiode of Talk of Iowa, we're taking a deep dive into the history and modern role of rock 'n' roll.
The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter
July 06, 2020 15:00 - 48 minutesThis program originally aired on August 22, 2018.
The Suprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter
July 06, 2020 15:00 - 48 minutes - 2.87 KBThis program originally aired on August 22, 2018. Trying to slow down floods or filter out pollution? Hoping to capture more water for agriculture? Worried about erosion or wildfire? It turns out that one creature can help with all these problems and more - the beaver. According to Ben Goldfarb, the author of a new book about beavers, the beaver is as useful of an animal as it is interesting. The beaver's iconic tail, for example, has many purposes. "A beaver's tail, it's a fat storage mechan...
Finding Hope In Grief: A Mother Shares Her Story
July 02, 2020 21:00 - 47 minutesAcross the country and globe, people are grieving. That’s nothing new. People can experience terrible loss and tragedy at any time. But right now, loss is all around us. For Maurine Neiman and Bennett Brown of Iowa City, 2020 brought the worst kind of loss. Their son, JJ, died in February just before his third birthday. His death was categorized as sudden unexplained death in childhood. Until the day he died, JJ was a healthy, happy little boy.
COVID-19 In Rural Iowa
July 01, 2020 22:27 - 47 minutesDepending on where someone lives, it may seem like the COVID-19 lockdown is a long-forgotten moment from the past. In certain parts of Iowa, many residents can be found roaming the streets without masks and without physical distancing. In other areas, stores require patrons to mask-up before entering. As cases in Iowa continue to grow, host of Talk of Iowa Charity Nebbe speaks with guests about the disparate experiences with COVID-19 throughout the state.
Hacks To Keep Kids Active At Home This Summer
June 30, 2020 20:29 - 48 minutesTeam sports may not be an option this summer, but there are a lot of reasons and ways to get moving all the same. Games and activities that keep your body moving are good for your body, your brain and they make you feel good. During this hour of Talk of Iowa, we get some ideas for ways to keep moving at home this summer. Play is great exercise, so get outside and have fun, but if you're looking for something a little more challenging, keep scrolling for some good suggestions.
The Best New Books For Children And Teens This Summer
June 29, 2020 22:04 - 48 minutesWith kids out of school for the summer, there is no better time for them to kick back with a good book. Especially at a time when there are no longer in-person birthday parties or days spent lounging at the pool, these summer reads are a perfect way to let a young person escape into another world.
Fighting Bumps, Growths And Galls In The Garden
June 26, 2020 19:39 - 37 minutesIt’s not unusual to see strange bumps and growths on tree branches or leaves. Often, insects are to blame.
Author Kiley Reid Casts A Sharp Eye On Race And Privilege In Her Novel “Such A Fun Age”
June 25, 2020 21:29 - 30 minutesThis program originally aired 1-23-20.
What's The Deal With TikTok? A 14-Year-Old Expert Explains
June 25, 2020 17:18 - 6 minutesWith more than 800 million active users worldwide, TikTok is hugely popular and growing fast. This is particularly true among young people. Forty-one percent of all users are between the ages of 16 and 24. TikTok has taken over headlines in recent days as news broke of app users making and sharing videos encouraging others to claim tickets to President Trump’s rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma with no intention of showing up.
Deming Helps Patients Find Joy Above And Beyond Cancer
June 24, 2020 22:56 - 39 minutesOn today's episode of Talk of Iowa, Charity Nebbe speaks with Dr. Richard Deming, an oncologist and medical director of Mercy One Cancer Center in Des Moines. Deming has made it his mission to go way beyond what is taught in medical school. His goal is to help his patients live each day to the fullest.
Cooking At Home With Talk Of Iowa Summer Camp
June 22, 2020 21:48 - 48 minutesCooking and sharing meals brings people together. Learning to cook and prepare food might sound tedious and time consuming. But, with a few basic skills and recipes, you can become self-sufficent in your own kitchen. During this episode of Talk of Iowa, learn how to make new recipes and get your children interested in cooking at home with Kumar Wickramasingha and Katy Meyer.
Iowa City High Grad Wins Kennedy Human Rights Award
June 22, 2020 21:42 - 18 minutesIowa City student journalist Nina Lavezzo-Stecopoulos took a class on social justice. That inspired her to investigate the racial breakdown of detention and suspension rates at her high school. Her investigation uncovered a significant disaparity and earned her national recognition.
Langston Thomas Reflects On DC Protests
June 22, 2020 20:34 - 31 minutesThe day law enforcement fired tear gas and rubber bullets to clear the way for President Trump’s notorious photo-op at St. John’s church, Grinnell College graduate Langston Thomas was there.