Talk of Iowa

Carlotta Walls LaNier is one of the Little Rock Nine — one of the first nine Black students to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas in September 1957. Leona Tate is one of the McDonogh Three — one of the first three Black students at McDonogh elementary in New Orleans in 1960. On this episode, we talk with civil rights pioneers LaNier and Tate, who are speaking across Iowa this week. Then, we hear from actor Tony Danza who spoke with IPR's arts and culture reporter Nicole Baxter. He discusses how he made the switch from boxing to acting, his upcoming performance in Mason City and his ukulele, Lucy. (Danza's performance is part of the NIACC Performing Arts and Leadership Series, which is an underwriter of IPR.)

Your home is your first space. Work is your second space. A third space is a place where you can gather with other people in your community, meet people and make connections. But many of these spaces have disappeared, particularly in small towns. On this episode, rural sociologist Dave Peters shares how gas stations have become a social hub for small towns. Library director Mary Kathryn Gepner talks about the local library enduring as a third space. Jennifer Drinkwater talks about her work uplifting third spaces in Iowa's small towns and how they inspire her art. Finally, Tiara Phillips has been bringing people in the Iowa City area together with "stuff swaps," book clubs and bingo nights through her Instagram page, Bitchin' Events. (This episode was originally produced March 12, 2026.)

On this episode, we listen back to a 2025 conversation about the bicentennial anniversary of organized Norwegian immigration to the U.S. and how Norwegian culture has shaped the Midwest and the U.S. as a whole. First, we hear highlights from the now-King of Norway's visit to the Vesterheim National Norwegian American Museum and Folk Art School and Luther College in Decorah. Then, we hear more about the Decorah-Norway partnership from Chris Johnson of Vesterheim and Maren Johnson of Luther. Later, Norwegian Torgrim Sneve Guttormsen and ISU faculty Ted Grevstad-Nordbrock discuss how Leif Erikson lore has been enshrined across the U.S., as the two of them have had Fulbright residencies in each other's homeland. (This episode was originally produced Oct. 8, 2025.)

We talk with artist and writer Katie Holten, author of 'The Language of Trees: How Trees Make Our World Change Our Minds and Rewild our Lives.' Holten discusses the ideas behind the project and explores how language, nature and place intersect. The Anne Frank Initiative is presenting a conversation with Holten about the project on Thursday, Oct. 1 at the Senate Chamber in the Old Capitol Museum in Iowa City at 5:30 p.m. Then, we listen back to a conversation with father and daughter Dan and April Wilson, co-owners of Seven W Farm in Paullina. The farm was named Niman Ranch's Sustainable Farm of the Year for 2025. (A portion of this episode was originally produced in January 2026.)

Autumn is here and before winter arrives, insects and arachnids have some important work to get done. In the meantime, we can enjoy the beautiful handiwork of orb weaver spiders which is especially visible this time of year. On this episode, entomologist Zach Schumm of the Iowa State University Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic joins us to talk about orb weaver spiders. He discusses their beautiful work and how they prepare for winter. Then, extension horticulture specialist Aaron Steil joins us to listener questions.

The Anne Frank Initiative at the University of Iowa is dedicated to preserving and sharing Frank's legacy with new generations. On this episode, Charity Nebbe takes a virtual reality tour of the secret annex where the Frank family lived for two years. We also visit a tree grown from the sapling of the tree outside of the annex that Frank would look at from the window. Then, have you ever asked yourself, what would Dolly do? The late, great Dolly Parton means many things to many people. We talk with Sarah Dees of Iowa State University about Parton's role as a spiritual icon.

On this episode, we explore the long, hard process of preserving Dolly the Mastodon. In 2024, University of Iowa archaeologists excavated the first-ever well-preserved mastodon skull found in the state. For the past two years the skull has since been cleaned and preserved at the Office of the State Archaeologist and was recently transported to its permanent home at the Prairie Trails Museum of Wayne County, with a ribbon cutting on Saturday, Sept. 26. On this episode, we witness the final progress with State Archaeologist John Doershuk and Mike Eklund, who's been consulting on the work. We also talk with museum director Brenda DeVore about her work preparing the new exhibit, and we hear from lead Dolly preparator and University of Iowa junior Will Sprengelmeyer.

Iowan Jane Elliott is renowned for her pioneering work in anti-racism education. Elliott achieved celebrity for her "blue eyes/brown eyes exercise, which she first conducted in 1968 with her third grade class the day after Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. This exercise has led to several documentaries, books and discussion over the last several decades regarding race, bias and systemic inequality. At 92 years old, Elliott is still fighting bigotry and enlisting others to join. On this episode, we listen back to our 2025 interview with Elliott. Her lessons are now finding new audiences with the documentary film 'Jane Elliott Against the World' which is screening in Des Moines on Oct. 7. We talk with the documentary's director and producer Judd Ehrlich about his journey creating a film that paints a full picture of Elliott's life, family and community. (Part of this episode was originally produced Feb. 6, 2025.)

Peter Bognanni fell into YA fiction by accident. His new book, 'How to Lose Yourself Completely', is an outlet for his experience coming to terms with anxiety as a teen. On this episode, we talk with Bognanni, an award-winning novelist and Iowa Writers' Workshop graduate about his new book and his own mental health experiences. Then, we talk with 'New York Times' best-selling author Loryn Brantz about her new children's book, 'I Am a Spicy Nugget.'

Some Iowans spent a lot of the summer wishing for rain, others spent the summer wishing the rain would stop. Later summer deluges are raising some concerns about what a strong El Nino means for the next few months. Agricultural climatology specialist Madelynn Wuestenberg joins us on this Horticulture Day episode with her insight. Then, horticulture specialist Aaron Steil joins us to answer listener questions.

There are many joys that come along with womanhood, but there are plenty of challenges as well. 'You Know Nothing' is a collection of very short stories from Yasmina Din Madden that focuses mostly on the challenges. The stories are insightful, funny, heartbreaking — and readers may occasionally feel like they're looking in a mirror. Yasmina Din Madden joins us on this episode to talk about her eclectic collection. Then, in 1933, Eleanor Roosevelt published an article titled 'I want you to write to me,' a call that was answered with droves of letters from American people struggling through the Great Depression. Musicology professor Marian Wilson Kimber came across these letters, music and poetry sent to the First Lady in the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library. We speak with Wilson Kimber and UI archivist Kate Orazem about this peek into the lives of Iowans during the Great Depression.

In 1997 Annette Gordon-Reed published 'Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings: An American Controversy.' Her work has inspired other historians to look beyond the traditional narrative when researching and writing about American history. We talk with Gordon-Reed about her contributions to historical scholarship and dedication to preserving complex American history. Then, we listen back to a 2024 conversation with musician Lucinda Williams about her memoir 'Don't Tell Anybody the Secrets I Told You'. Williams is headlining the Iowa City Songwriters Festival in November. (Part of this episode was originally produced Aug. 20, 2024.)

Iowa City-based artist Sonja Strathearn began making Regency-era attire three years ago to attend The Jane Austen Fest and the obsession has only grown from there. To celebrate Jane Austen's 250th birthday, Strathearn welcomes Charity Nebbe into her home to talk about her love for Austen and show off her closet of Regency attire. Then, Nebbe speaks with author Curtis Sittenfeld, an Austen fan and the author of the 'Pride & Prejudice' reimagining, 'Eligible.' Then, musicologist Marian Wilson Kimber talks about Austen's musical inclinations, the pieces in her playbook and the ways music influenced her books. (This show was originally produced Dec. 16, 2025.)

In 1965, John and Mary Beth Tinker went to school in Des Moines wearing black armbands to protest the Vietnam War. They were suspended, and the incident led to a landmark Supreme Court decision that guaranteed free speech rights for public school students. Host Charity Nebbe revisits this history with John and Mary Beth and they discuss present day threats to the First Amendment. Then, Donna Reed is beloved for roles like Mary Bailey in 'It's a Wonderful Life' and Donna Stone in 'The Donna Reed Show.' She was born in Denison, Iowa, where the Donna Reed Foundation keeps her legacy alive. We speak with her daughter, Mary Owen, board member and treasurer for The Donna Reed Foundation. (Portions of this episode were originally produced on Jan. 13, 2026 and Sept. 22, 2025)

Iowa will see it's first frost sometime between September 21st and October 31st — and now is the time to prepare. On this Horticulture Day episode, we talk about final harvests, row covers, clean up cover crops and more.

In 2013, the Iowa Legislature passed a law that changed calendar requirements for school districts, allowing them to change their schedule from five days of classes to four. In the years since, more rural school districts have adopted this schedule as a more affordable way to attract and retain teachers. On this episode, we talk about this trend and the impacts that have been seen nationwide. (This episode was originally produced Aug. 21, 2025)

Everyone wants a house with good bones, but as a home ages, the bones age too. Home improvement expert Bill McAnally joins this episode to share the signs that the structure of your home could use some work and what can be done to mend its bones. Then, he answers listener questions.

One hundred years ago, Iowa writer Ruth Suckow published a short story collection that put her on the map. That collection, 'Iowa Interiors,' has been out of print for many years, but is available again in a new centennial edition. On this episode, we learn about Ruth Suckow and how new editions are keeping her legacy alive. We talk with University of Northern Iowa professors Julie Husband and Jim O'Laughlin, the husband-and-wife duo who edited and wrote the introduction for the centennial edition of 'Iowa Interiors.' Then, we hear about the Ruth Suckow Memorial Association's traveling exhibit that celebrates Suckow's life and work with UNI professor Barbara Launsberry and author Cherie Dargan.

If you step outside into the quiet of a summer afternoon or evening, you will probably hear a merry cacophony of insect sounds. We going to talk about the singing insects of late summer in Iowa with entomologist Laura Iles, director of the North Central Integrated Pest Management Center. Then, ISU Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist Aaron Steil answers late summer gardening questions.

Head Start is a free, federally-funded program that provides comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition and parent-involvement services to low-income children and families. A new proposal from the Trump administration would do away with many of the federal regulations that guide the program. On this episode, we talk with stakeholders across the state about what the proposed changes may mean for Iowa families. We talk with Chris Juett, executive director of the Iowa Head Start Association, and Drake University Head Start Director Lisa Proctor. We also hear from Mimi Solis, Head Start teacher and former Head Start parent. Later in the episode, the Library Bill of Rights was adopted by the American Library Association in 1939. We listen back to a conversation with former Des Moines Public Library Director Sue Woody about the purpose of the Library Bill of Rights, and the threats it faces today. (Part of this episode was originally produced March 1, 2023.)

Kids are back to school, but for Iowa's public schools, things have gotten more challenging. Public school funding hasn't kept pace with inflation, and many districts are losing students and the funds that come with them. On this episode, we check in with school districts around the state — Des Moines, Creston, Cedar Rapids and Sumner-Fredericksburg. We discuss how these school districts have been navigating the strained budget and their plans moving forward.

In 1883, the Secrests commissioned a builder to construct a new barn on their property. The structure is three stories tall with a gothic roof and eight sides. The Iowa Barn Foundation's All-State Barn Tour is Sept. 19-20 and there are a record 108 barns participating. On this episode, we talk with Deann Haden about the Iowa Barn Foundation and highlights for this year's tour. Then, we travel to Cedar County to tour the Secrest 1883 Octagonal Barn with owner Rich Tyler. Later in the hour, we talk with Rachelle Long, founder and executive director of Taste of the Junction, a multicultural festival that celebrates the people and culture of Valley Junction. It takes place Sept. 3-5, and features presentations, live jazz and a street festival.

The woods may be lovely, dark and deep, but most Iowa woodlands are plagued with invasive species. On this Horticulture Day episode, we talk with DNR District Forester Mark Vitosh about the non-native invasive plants that we should be concerned about in Iowa forests and some management techniques. Then, Iowa State University Horticulture Professor Cindy Haynes joins us to answer listener questions.

Dr. Lulu Merle Johnson was the first Black woman to receive a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa and went on to build a distinguished career in higher education. In 2020, she was made the new namesake of Johnson County. We talk with her great-niece, Sonya Jackson, the lead consultant on the Dr. Lulu Merle Johnson project, and project historian Rebecca Conard. Then, poet and artist Dave Morice, known to many as Dr. Alphabet, died after a long battle with Lewy body dementia. We speak with his son Danny Maurice about the impact of his words and how he is being remembered in Iowa City.

On this episode, we talk with Mari Miller about her memoir 'That Which Does Not Kill Us.' It explores her family history and a legacy of generational trauma and how that has impacted her own health. Then, we talk with veterinarian and Iowa State professor Bill Williams about pet owner vaccine hesitancy. He talks about what he's seen at his practice and how to approach pet owners with questions about vaccination.

The vast majority of Americans engage with some kind of social media. Some of it is wonderful, some is terrible and its definitely habit forming. On this episode, we talk about how social media affects the lives and mental health of teenagers and adults. We also discuss realistic ways we can set boundaries with technology, limit our screentime and focus on our physical reality. (This show was originally produced Jan. 20, 2026.)

The Loess Hills in Western Iowa were shaped by wind. It's a rare and rugged landscape that is home to some of the largest tracts of native prairie in the state. On this episode, we learn about the new Loess Hills Hiking Guide, which highlights 20 places to hike and explore. We talk with its creator Seth Brooks of Golden Hills Resource Conservation and Development and Tyler Ruge of Monona County Conservation about why these landforms are so unique and how access has improved. Jason Taylor of the Bur Oak Land Trust also joins us to talk about how prescribed burns have shaped the Loess Hills. Then, he shares some common nature misconceptions.

One of the perennial questions we field on Horticulture Day is when to plant grass seed. The answer is right now. On this episode, we talk with Iowa State University turfgrass specialist Adam Thoms about seeding and overseeding your lawn. We also talk about the fall lawn chores you should have on your horizon. Then, horticulturist Aaron Steil also joins us to answer listener questions.

On this episode, we meet the Lobe Rangers, three Iowa farmers from who are frustrated with how few of their fellow farmers have implemented conservation practices. We learn about their vision for a more sustainable future for Iowa. Then, 'Talk of Iowa' Summer School continues with agriculture teacher Anna Brooks. She makes the farm to table process a focus of her classes.

Clinton artists Gabi Torres and Chris Shannon have helped put the city of Clinton on the map with their annual Paint it Back event. Starting as an effort to activate a vacant building with artists' murals near the Mississippi River in 2023 has gotten bigger each year, with an art market, live music, kids activities and more. For its fourth year, they're moving west to downtown with a mission to make this its biggest year ever. We talk with co-founder Gabi Torres, Paint it Back Board President Matt Parbs on the impact its had on the Clinton community, and Colorado-based artist James Foster, aka East, who has taken part in the event since its second year. Then, a new art installation on the pond at Wilson's Orchard in Cumming appears as a quilt, and absorbs excess nitrates from the water. We talk with its creators, Drake University professors Emily Newman and Edward Kelley. They co-founded the Parts Per Million Collective, an art collaboration that addresses climate change through art.

Losing the ability to drive can mean that an older person can no longer live independently. On this episode, we talk about aging, driving and how to know when it's time to stop. We hear from Justin Mason, associate research scientist at the University of Iowa's Driving Safety Research Institute, and Anne Dickerson, director of the research for Older Adult Driver Initiative (ROADI) at East Carolina University, about what happens to our driving abilities as we age and making plans to stop driving. We also talk with John McCurdy, executive director of the Southwest Iowa Planning Council about alternative forms of transportation and maintaining independence.

Eating a ripe tomato fresh from the garden is one of the true pleasures of summer, but growing tomatoes can be challenging — especially if your plants get hit by disease. On this Horticulture Day episode, we talk about tomatoes and their many diseases with Chelsea Harbach, plant disease diagnostician with the Iowa State University Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic. Then, horticulturist Aaron Steil joins us to answer listener questions.

On this episode, we listen back to some of our favorite state fair interviews. We talk with Iowa State Fair butter sculptor Sarah Pratt and her apprentices, her twin daughters Hannah and Grace, about working together and making buttery artwork. Then, we travel to the fairgrounds to take a ride on the Sky Glider with Tracy Shedd. Shedd has worked on the Sky Glider in some capacity for the last 50 years. (Portions of this episode were originally produced August 2025 and August 2024.)

In 1973, Ron Rosmann gave up his plans to go to graduate school and moved back home to Westphalia to run the family farm. In 1973, he did something radical — he stopped using chemical inputs. Rosmann has been farming for more than 50 years, and he's one of the founding members of Practical Farmers of Iowa, a farmer-led community that focuses on sustainable agriculture. He joins us on this episode to talk about his book, 'A Practical Farmer's Journey: A History of Community, Stewardship and Resilience.' We also talk with Steve Hopkins, a member of Practical Farmers of Iowa and an innovator in regenerative agriculture and water conservation.

On this episode of the 'Talk of Iowa' Book Club, we talk about 'The Book Thief' with author Markus Zusak and two expert readers. It's a story about a young girl growing up in Nazi Germany who steals books — and it's narrated by death. They reflect on the book's 20th anniversary and discuss how reading it in 2026 feels the same and different than at its release in 2006.

The teenage years can be tough for parents and kids and new research from Iowa State University tells us that the consequences of that conflict can linger for decades. On this episode, we learn about Iowa State's Family Transitions Project. It is one of the nation's most extensive longitudinal studies of family life. We talk with Iowa State University professor Tricia Neppl and doctoral student Jannatul Ferdous Zinia about the program and a recent study that came out of the project about tension between parents and their children. Then, 'Talk of Iowa Summer School' continues with middle school art teacher Rachael Ayers-Arnone. Her 'artist autopsy' project gives students a chance to study an artist and practice their style.

Beautiful fall mums will soon be everywhere. But, getting them to grow in your home landscape takes more planning.On this horticulture day episode, host Charity Nebbe talks with Randall Vos, ISU Extension horticulture specialist, about producing fall plants on demand. Then, ISU horticulture professor Cindy Haynes joins to help answer listener questions.

The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch first opened on Aug.10, 1962. It reopened on Aug. 6, 2026, after a $20 million complete renovation. On this episode, we speak with Mundi McCarty, president and CEO of the Hoover Presidential Foundation. She shares the vision for the renovation and the collaborative efforts that made it possible. Then, we tour the museum with Museum and Library Director Thomas Schwartz. He also discusses his role in shaping the museum narrative and his hopes for visitor engagement.

The 2026 Iowa State Fair is almost here. On this episode, we meet some of the winningest State Fair competitors of all time. Dr. Rod Zeitler is a master canner, Deb Zeitler is a master weaver and Marcia Miller is a master pie maker. Rod and Deb Zeitler's State Fair entries made it to the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. And Marcia Miller shares how she turned her State Fair pie domination into a way to raise money for animals. Then, a new documentary tells an untold State Fair story. East side native and filmmaker Shawn Hicks decided to capture those who live around the State Fair grounds and sell parking. There will be screenings of 'Parkers' at the Fleur in Des Moines Aug. 29 and Sept. 5 at 7 p.m.

Mary Oliver's poetry has touched millions of readers. She passed away in 2019, but a new documentary tells her story. On this episode, we talk with filmmaker and former University of Iowa professor Sasha Waters about her film 'Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World.' She shares her experience working on the film and discusses Mary Oliver's legacy. The film is screening in Iowa City through Aug. 13, and will be released on PBS on Aug. 25. Then, we meet musician Ari Dubin, founder the Rolling Hills Music Festival. This new classical music festival looks to celebrate musicians in Central Iowa and takes place August 6-9 in Ames.

In 1861, 32 students and two teachers from Greene County left to enlist in the Union Army. The school closed behind them and 11 of them never came home. On this episode, we learn about the schoolboy soldiers of Rippey and the people who are keeping this history alive. We talk with local historian Chuck Offenburger, who spoke to a Greene County High School class, which then inspired students and history teacher Dena Boyd to research further into the soldiers. We also hear from one of those students, Oliver Harris, and Rippey resident Mary Weaver who have all been involved in bringing the Schoolboy Soldiers of Rippey to life with monuments, re-enactments, and an upcoming theatrical production.

If your yard and landscape look worse for the wear after a few weeks extreme heat, maybe it's time to think about a refresh. On this Horticulture Day episode, Iowa State University Extension Horticulture Specialist Aaron Steil joins us. He tells us about the beautiful perennials that thrive in the heat of summer. We also talk with DNR Forester Mark Vitosh, and he and Steil answer listener questions.