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
New medical interventions that are making a big difference in the health consequences of obesity
May 13, 2022 12:00Charity Nebbe and her guest talk about the health consequences of obesity and new medical interventions that are making a big difference. Later, she heads to the woods to search for morel mushrooms with Iowa DNR forester Mark Vitosh.
Exploring the power of longstanding friendships
May 12, 2022 12:00Listen back to Charity Nebbe's conversation with Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow about the ups, downs and power of long-term friendships.
Burnout is bad for business
May 11, 2022 12:00Host Charity Nebbe talks with two business researchers on the causes of burnout and the solutions for organizations and individuals.
As Russia's war rages on, Ukrainians living in Iowa find a way to give back
May 10, 2022 12:00Charity Nebbe talks to Viktor Soloviov, a Ukrainian living in Iowa City, about his efforts to raise funds for the largest hospital in Ukraine and how his family is coping with the ongoing conflict.
Gardening gifts for moms
May 07, 2022 12:00Host Charity Nebbe talks with Aaron Steil and Cindy Haynes about gifts for the gardening moms in your life and what you can do now that we're (mostly) past the risk of frost.
Steve Inskeep book about an early American power couple helps us understand our nation's history
May 06, 2022 12:00Charity Nebbe talks to NPR's Morning Edition co-host Steve Inskeep about his book Imperfect Union.
Watching the Ukrainian diaspora from afar, this Iowa couple and an Oregon language testing company donated 1,500 books to Ukrainian refugee children
May 05, 2022 12:00Charity Nebbe talks to a Des Moines family with strong Ukrainian roots about their efforts to help Ukrainian refugee children, and Dr. Suzanne Bartlett Hackenmiller talks about the benefits of time spent in nature.
T.C. Boyle on writing his 30th book and predicting the grim reality in our future
May 04, 2022 12:00Charity Nebbe talks to author T.C. Boyle about his 30th book and Grinnell teacher and songwriter Kent Mick about his new solo album.
Tracking the movement of bird flu through wildlife populations
May 03, 2022 14:57Charity Nebbe and her guests talk about bird flu and wild bird migration.
Despite the cold, wet spring now is the perfect time to plant trees
April 30, 2022 12:00Charity Nebbe talks to Iowa State University horticulturist Jeff Iles about flowering trees. Iowa DNR Forrester Mark Vitosh and horticulturist Cindy Haynes answer questions about other plants and trees.
Celebrating 100 years of radio and the start of public broadcasting in Iowa
April 29, 2022 12:00Charity Nebbe and her guests explore the history of WOI and WSUI, now part of Iowa Public Radio, two of the oldest radio stations in the country.
A new treatment program for domestic abusers is effective at preventing future acts of violence
April 28, 2022 12:00Charity Nebbe and her guests talk about the alarming rise in domestic violence cases in Iowa and the resources to help and possibly prevent abuse.
Akwi Nji on helping people create textile memoirs, using fabric remnants they've saved over time
April 27, 2022 19:12Listen back to Charity Nebbe's 2020 conversation with poet, story-teller and artist Akwi Nji about her project Remoir.
The decades-long discrimination a Chinese American doctor at the UI faced and the legal battle that brought it to light
April 26, 2022 12:00Charity Nebbe talks to Carolyn Chalmers about her book They Didn’t want her There: Fighting Sexual and Racial Harassment in the American University.
How will a cold winter and chilly spring impact Iowa's insect populations
April 23, 2022 12:00Host Charity Nebbe talks with Extension Entomologist Donald Lewis about the insect outlook for the coming growing season.
Adventures in inn-keeping and a closer look at tallgrass prairie
April 22, 2022 12:00Listen back to Charity Nebbe's 2020 conversation with Scott Fisher about his experiences in running a rural bed and breakfast. Later, a closer look at a tallgrass prairie
100 Grannies reflect on a decade of agitating and advocating for a cleaner environment
April 21, 2022 12:00While the younger generations may have to live with the effects of climate change for longer, it's a mistake to think that older generations aren't worried about the future of our planet.
Former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove reflects on her Pulitzer Prize-winning poetry collection and her grandparents' love
April 20, 2022 12:00This is the April meeting of the Talk of Iowa Book Club. Host Charity Nebbe and her guests have been reading Thomas and Beulah by Rita Dove.
Adoptees share their experiences through writing
April 19, 2022 12:00Charity Nebbe and her guests talk about adoption and how the people who were adopted as children often find themselves with a lot to process.
Few things are as lovely as a springtime hike in the woods when wildflowers are in bloom
April 16, 2022 12:00At least, once the weather warms up.
The growing crisis with Black Maternal Health
April 16, 2022 00:00Charity Nebbe and her guests talk about their experiences and work to raise awareness about Black Maternal Health.
Exploring modern faith in the Midwest
April 14, 2022 12:00Listen back to Charity Nebbe's conversation with Iowa writer Lyz Lenz.
Family drama front and center in Iowa writer's novel
April 13, 2022 12:00Listen back to Charity Nebbe's conversation with Clair Lombardo about her novel, The Most Fun We Ever Had.
Rewriting Shakespeare
April 12, 2022 12:00Listen back to Charity Nebbe's conversation with James Anthony, who rewrote every one of Shakespeare’s sonnets.
What to do before you mow your lawn this spring
April 09, 2022 12:00Host Charity Nebbe speaks with Iowa State University horticulturists Adam Thoms and Aaron Steil about lawn care.
Living with and treating the autoimmune disorder that results in hair loss
April 07, 2022 12:00Charity Nebbe talks to Dr. Ali Jabbari of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics about alopecia areata.
Tips on making a safe space in your home, or business, to shelter from severe storms
April 06, 2022 12:00Home improvement expert Bill McAnally explains how to create or reinforce a safe room to shelter from extreme weather.
A Canada goose has taken up residence in a former Decorah eagle's nest
April 05, 2022 12:00Charity Nebbe talks to John Howe and Amy Ries of the Raptor Resource Project about the Decorah eagles and we’ll preview the Mission Creek Festival in Iowa City.
This important ingredient for cooking can make a great addition to your garden, too
April 02, 2022 12:00Learn about the best practices for growing onions with horticulturist Ajay Nair.
Ancient algae could be the canaries of our oceans
April 01, 2022 12:00Charity Nebbe talks with scientists who will be part of the Iowa City Darwin Day celebration.
A sapling from Anne Frank's beloved chestnut tree will take root in Iowa
March 31, 2022 12:00Charity Nebbe and her guests talk about the life of Anne Frank and explain that one of the offspring of the chestnut tree — mentioned in her diary — will be planted in Iowa City in remembrance of her legacy.
A deep dive into Iowa history
March 30, 2022 12:00Charity Nebbe and her guests celebrate Iowa History Month by learning more about some of the stories most Iowans have heard and some stories that were nearly lost.
Finding your creativity with Mary Potter Kenyon and a 13-year-old takes his dog enthusiasm to the page
March 29, 2022 12:00Listen back to Charity Nebbe's conversation with Mary Potter Kenyon about creativity and Gideon Kidd's social media journey from petting dogs to co-writing his own book.
The joy and beauty of lesser-known spring-blooming bulbs
March 26, 2022 12:00Charity Nebbe talks with horticulture experts about some of their favorite blossoms of spring.
Angeline Boulley's young adult thriller has a brilliant, determined young Ojibwe woman at its core
March 25, 2022 12:00Host Charity Nebbe talks to Angeline Boulley about her new book, and Lenore Metrick- Chen about her art exhibit about Black Iowan history.
Melissa Febos on writing and writing personal narrative
March 22, 2022 12:00Melissa Febos talks about her new book about writing, and historian Leo Landis discusses Iowa's history with year-round Daylight Saving Time.
Rain gardens are a powerful tool for stopping runoff
March 19, 2022 12:00Host Charity Nebbe talks about the benefits of rain gardens with urban conservationist Jennifer Welch
Mildred Armstrong Kalish's book paints a vivid portrait of depression-era farm life
March 18, 2022 12:00Charity Nebbe and her guests talk about the treasures to be found in Mildred Armstrong Kalish's literary time capsule that details family life on a farm.
Stegner’s final novel is a beautiful, life-affirming way to end a storied career
March 17, 2022 12:00Host Charity Nebbe is joined by three expert readers to discuss "Crossing to Safety."
Two classic novels read in concert and contrast
March 16, 2022 12:00Charity Nebbe and her guests talk about two books, about different families, during the same period in history and what young readers can learn from reading them together.
In her novel, Ayana Mathis tells the story of a mother’s monumental courage and a nation's tumultuous journey
March 15, 2022 12:00Charity Nebbe talks to author, Ayana Mathis, and expert readers author Rachelle Chase and retired librarian Maeve Clark for the very first Talk of Iowa Book Club episode.
The importance of planting diverse tree species
March 12, 2022 13:00Charity Nebbe talks to Iowa DNR Forester Mark Vitosh about the need for tree diversity.
Living with long COVID and an even longer road to recovery
March 11, 2022 13:00A conversation with one of Iowa’s very first long COVID-19 patients.
Lee Cole's debut novel is an empathetic exploration of a deeply divided nation
March 10, 2022 13:00The novel Groundskeeping is about a young man, trying to find his way in the world, who falls in love with a young woman from a very different background. The story covers less than a year in their lives, but the scope of the novel is much larger.
One Iowan's story of choosing sobriety for a better life
March 09, 2022 13:00It’s been two years since Angie Chaplin’s doctor presented her with a stark choice. He said, “You can keep drinking and you will die. Or you can stop drinking and have a chance at a better life.”
If you are planning to start your own seeds, it's time to get your hands dirty
March 05, 2022 13:00Aaron Steil and Cindy Haynes of Iowa State University Extension talk about transplants and how to make sure they're strong enough to go the distance.
The triumphant return of bald eagles, Trumpeter swans and river otters
March 04, 2022 13:00Charity Nebbe and her guests talk about some of Iowa’s greatest environmental success stories and the vision and work that made them possible.
Understanding Ukraine's long history, culture and unique identity
March 03, 2022 13:00Charity Nebbe and her guests take a step back from the news of the moment and learn about the history, culture and people of Ukraine.
Andre Perry explores issues of race, racism, homophobia, self discovery and identity in his collection of short stories
March 02, 2022 13:00Listen back to Charity Nebbe's conversation with Andre Perry as he describes the inspiration behind his collection of essays. Later, the Des Moines Metropolitan Opera will be kicking off their 50th anniversary season with Mozart’s final opera: The Magic Flute.
Andre Perry explores issues of race, racism, hemophobia, self discovery and identity in his collection of short stories
March 02, 2022 13:00Listen back to Charity Nebbe's conversation with Andre Perry as he describes the inspiration behind his collection of essays. Later, the Des Moines Metropolitan Opera will be kicking off their 50th anniversary season with Mozart’s final opera: The Magic Flute.