Talk of Iowa

Benjamin Percy's Short Story Collection "Suicide Woods" Conjures Horror And Crime

Love Girls provides young women a safe place to tell their stories

We explore the important conversations being produced by Love Girls Magazine and the Love Girls Podcast.

Told to plan her baby’s funeral, one Iowa mother found hope instead

Listen back to Charity Nebbe's 2020 conversation about micro-preemies - babies born before 26 weeks gestation or weighing less than 1 point 12 ounces.

Kiley Reid casts a sharp eye on race and privilege in her novel

The title of Kiley Reid's debut novel works on multiple levels — it can refer to chronological age or political era — and those different meanings echo throughout this funny, uncomfortable book.

For the love of nature. Here's what it takes to become a master conservationist

Host Charity Nebbe learns what these highly trained volunteers do to work toward a sustainable future for Iowa.

Guidance and inspiration for planning garden spaces

Landscape Architect and garden designer Lisa Nunamaker talks about planning for this coming growing season.

Home improvement expert helps make your outdoor spaces shine on budget

While a beverage between friends on a carport is a classic, spiffing up outdoor spaces could raise the bar for your next outdoor gathering.

Exploring works of African American Literature

A high school teacher gives us a reading list full of great African American Literature, and we learn about The Jordan House in West Des Moines.

John Irving's novel is about the forces that shape us

This is the December meeting of the Talk of Iowa Book Club. Host Charity Nebbe and her guests have been reading The Cider House Rules by John Irving.

Drafting as craft: Journal opens up the essential process of working through writing

Featuring stories, essays and poetry, first drafts and interviews with authors, draft attempts to part the curtain on the backend work that takes a piece from concept to a flushed out whole.

Iowa boasts several community college national champions

Host Charity Nebbe learns how athletic programs at Iowa Central Community College and Iowa Western Community College have become national powerhouses. Then, Emil and Caleb Polashek reflect on the education career of their wife and mother Mary Kay Polashek, who's been teaching at Ames High School for 35 years. Mary Kay was recently diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

What does it take to rekindle a friendship? And should you?

There are many reasons that friends drift apart. What does it take to reconnect?

Register journalist chronicles the crisis of hope inside an Iowa ICU

Iowa hospitals—particularly intensive care wards—have been off-limits for most newspapers and outlets. In her work capturing the human stories of the pandemic, one journalist pulls back the curtain to the pain, hope and crisis experienced by staff and patients during the COVID surge.

Remembering Nathaniel Morgan and the 1840s lynching in Dubuque that took his life

A group in Dubuque is raising money for a monument memorializing a Black man who was murdered in 1840 by a group of men.

If you're sending flowers for Valentine's Day, an expert florist has advice.

Whether it's a dozen roses or a bunch of lilies, the biggest day for the flower industry comes with a lot of questions about how to keep these flowers alive.

The healing power of music and how we can harness it

Charity Nebbe and her guests talk about how the power of music, making music, listening to music and moving to music can be harnessed to promote healing, wellness and mental health.

How literature can teach young readers to build empathy and resilience

Charity Nebbe and her guests talk about why reading books written about the Holocaust and by those who witnessed the atrocities is so important.

Lan Samantha Chang tells the story of a messy and complicated Chinese American family living in a small Wisconsin city

Charity Nebbe talks to Lan Samantha Chang about her new book "The Family Chao."

Landscape ecologist and MacArthur Genius explains how combining prairie strips, agriculture and ecology benefits the environment

Charity Nebbe talks to landscape ecologist and MacArthur Genius Lisa Schulte Moore, of ISU, about prairie strips and bringing together agriculture and ecology.

Girls high school wrestling has been officially sanctioned by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union

Host Charity Nebbe and her guests talk about girls high school wrestling and how it has been officially sanctioned by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.

Jen Loeb becomes the first Iowa woman to complete the seven summits

Mountain climber Jen Loeb is the first Iowa woman to complete the seven summits, which means she has climbed the highest peak on every continent in the world. Loeb joins Charity Nebbe to discuss her latest mountain climbing expedition to Antarctica, where she summited Vinson Massis. Before that, Heather Henson and Monica Leo talk about the new collection of short films "Dreamscapes Volume One" that will be screened at Owl Glass Puppetry Center in West Liberty.

Exploring the history behind Iowa's feed sacks and quilts

Historian Michael Zahs joins Charity Nebbe at the Kalona Historical Society to talk about his latest exhibit on the stories behind 20th century feed sacks and quilts. Plus, Timothy LeDuc of Cedar Rapids, along with Ashley Caine-Gribble, discuss their upcoming trip to the 2022 winter Olympics in Beijing in pairs figure skating.

State program highlights Iowa's Great Places

Learn about three Iowa towns and how they're trying to better understand themselves and make a path for their future.

Bolstering democracy is about more than just voting

Are you concerned about the future of democracy in the United States? Experts and organizers talk about just what you can do to buttress our civic institutions and elections.

Orchids aren't as fussy as you think

Hear horticulturists describe just what makes orchids bloom and what conditions make them wither.

Understanding how the latest COVID-19 surge is impacting kids and young adults

Dr. William Ching of St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids joins Charity Nebbe to discuss the latest studies on COVID-19 and children. They also discuss strategies for handling a positive case and the differences between rapid and PCR tests. Plus, a conversation with Brittany Peacock of the the Davenport Public Library, which became the first library in Iowa to hire a full-time social worker.

A quiet but decisive revolution in zoos puts animal welfare ahead of the pack

Over the last century, the treatment of animals in captivity has dramatically changed from holding cells for fauna to environments designed with their behaviors in the wild in mind.

Cherokee museum exhibit offers visitors a deeper understanding of the area's Indigenous history

The exhibit at the Sanford Museum and Planetarium includes artifacts found at a site near Cherokee and highlights the art and lives of Indigenous people today. Host Charity Nebbe also talks with author Xixuan Collins about her debut novel, "Flowing Water, Falling Flowers."

University of Iowa medical team solves a medical mystery

Host Charity Nebbe talks to two doctors about their years of testing and research to stop a disease plaguing an Iowa family. Later, a conversation with Gary Porter on his memoir, "Town Kid: Reflections of a Midwestern Boyhood."

Are our assumptions about generations based in science or myth?

How do generations get formed? What do they mean? Do they matter? A new book explores the fuzzy lines of generations and the extent to which they matter.

What would it take to solve the Iowa child care shortage?

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds called solving the child care shortage a priority in last year's Condition of the State address. What's being done to add more slots for families?

Musician and painter Chad Elliot on the challenges and perks of making work in Iowa

The singer-songwriter talks about living the artist's life in Lamoni, Iowa. Then, two high school seniors describe their journey towards politics at a divisive time in the state.

Here's how to keep insects off your house plants

Iowa State University entomologist Donald Lewis joins Charity Nebbe to discuss how to prevent insects from damaging house plants during the winter. Later, Cindy Haynes of Iowa State University also joins to answer questions about the plants and trees in the lives of listeners.

The omicron surge has begun in Iowa

Dr. Greg Cohen and IPR health reporter Natalie Krebs join Charity Nebbe to discuss the omicron surge in Iowa and what people can expect over the next several weeks. Later, Lisa Bluder, head coach of the University of Iowa women's basketball team, discusses the life of Christine Grant, a champion for women's equality in athletics.

Iowa celebrates 175 years of statehood

Leo Landis of the State Historical Society of Iowa joins Charity Nebbe to talk about ways people can celebrate Iowa's 175 years of statehood. Later, Des Moines-based filmmaker Hannah Rosalie Wright discusses her career and her upcoming trilogy of short films titled "Daughters."

Statewide collaboration brings 3D printed homes to Iowa

Pete Evans of Iowa State University and home improvement expert Bill McAnally join Charity Nebbe to discuss the future of 3D printed homes in Iowa. McAnally also answers home-improvement questions.

Josh Turek's long and bumpy road to becoming a two-time gold medalist

Josh Turek of Council Bluffs joins Charity Nebbe to discuss his professional wheelchair basketball career and his path to becoming a two-time gold medalist as a Paralympic athlete. Later, Damani Phillips of the University of Iowa jazz department talks about his latest album "No More Apologies."

Stories of gratitude for all the educators in Iowa

Host Charity Nebbe shares stories of committed and inspiring teachers as told by their former students.

Amy Tan explores identity, trauma, relocation and raising first-generation children in America in her best selling book

This is the December meeting of the Talk of Iowa Book Club. Host Charity Nebbe and her guests have been reading "The Joy Luck Club” by Amy Tan.

How Randy McIntyre survived COVID-19 and a double-lung transplant

Randy McIntyre and Dr. John Keech join Charity Nebbe to talk about McIntyre's recovery from COVID-19 and the double-lung transplant that saved his life. Later in the show, Bob Stewart of KCCK shares his top jazz releases of 2021.

Great gift ideas for the gardener in your life

Cindy Haynes and Aaron Steil of Iowa State University join Charity Nebbe to discuss gift ideas for gardeners this holiday season. They also answer plant and tree questions from listeners.

IPR Studio One hosts share their favorite indie and alternative music releases of 2021

Mark Simmet, Tony Dehner and Cece Mitchell of IPR's Studio One team join Charity Nebbe to discuss their top song selections of 2021.

A taste of the best new folk, classical and blues music releases of 2021

IPR Music hosts Karen Impola, Barney Sherman and Bob Dorr share their top picks for new music releases of 2021

Jane Smiley’s trilogy follows one Iowa family over the course of 100 years

Pulitzer-prize winning author Jane Smiley joins Charity Nebbe to discuss her novel "Some Luck." This conversation was originally produced in October 2014.

Jim Gaffigan is fat

Stand-up comedian Jim Gaffigan joins Charity Nebbe to discuss his book "Dad Is Fat." This conversation was originally produced in June 2013.

What it takes to keep Iowa's largest indoor garden alive

The Des Moines Botanical Garden has things growing inside and out. We hear from one of the people who make the year-to-year exhibits happen.

Charity Nebbe announces 2022 reading list for Talk of Iowa Book Club

We love to read. We love to talk about what we're reading. We know many of you do too. That’s why we created a book club at Talk of Iowa.

Discovering Iowa's hidden pockets of natural beauty

Wildlife biologist Jim Pease joins Charity Nebbe to talk about some of his favorite rivers to canoe and secret hiking spots around Iowa.

How to help Afghan refugees coming to Iowa

The logistics of setting Afghan refugees up in Iowa. And what It's a Wonderful Life can teach us about history and representations of Iowa.

The oldest Jewish congregant of the oldest synagogue reflects on the history of her community and its future

Iowa history is Jewish history. We talk about how synagogues created space for Iowans to be Jewish in public and how these communities are changing. Then we hear from a quilter bringing her craft to the streaming platform Twitch.