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River to River

Iowa Public Radio
Iowa
Iran
Water Quality
United States
Donald Trump
Artificial Intelligence
Trump Administration
Affordable Care Act
Iowa State University
Covid-19
Alzheimer's Disease
Climate Change
SNAP
Public Health
Republican Party
Des Moines
Iran War
Government Shutdown
Immigration
China

River to River is a conversation about the news with an Iowa perspective. Together we dig into the story behind the headlines - we talk with newsmakers and a diverse range of experts to find out how the news affects you. We take on challenging topics, explore issues from all sides, and foster conversation and understanding

PublishesDailyEpisodes130Founded13 years ago
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NewsGovernment

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Artwork for River to River

Latest Episodes

All but two of the University of Iowa’s Center for Intellectual Freedom advisory council members resigned this week. On this episode, we find out why from 'Gazette' reporter Vanessa Miller. Then, we talk with Robin Opsahl of the Iowa Capitol Dispatch... more

More than 10,000 Iowans are living with Parkinson's disease — and one state senator believes a common weed killer may be part of the story. On this episode, we talk with state Sen. Art Staed, D-Cedar Rapids, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease... more

On this Politics Day episode, we hear from political scientists Sara Mitchell of the University of Iowa and Dave Peterson of Iowa State. We discuss Vice President JD Vance's visit to Council Bluffs, Trump's address to the UN, the White House banning ... more

Iowa will select its new governor in a few weeks. Where do candidates stand on some of the top issues on voters' minds? On this episode, host Ben Kieffer interviews both major-party nominees for governor — Republican Zach Lahn and Democrat Rob Sand. ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Sarah Trone Garriott
Democratic nominee for Iowa's 3rd Congressional District; former Iowa State Senator
Democratic Party / Iowa Senate
Episode: Develop healthy habits to protect the brain against dementia
Kai Slater
Musician featured in Stop Time Festival segment
Sharp Pins / Lifeguard
Episode: Chinese writer-director shares perspectives on Iowa City campus life
Emma Stapleton Thornell
Co-lead author of the 2026 Iowa Climate Statement
Iowa Climate Statement / Iowa Scientists
Episode: Chinese writer-director shares perspectives on Iowa City campus life
Jun Li
Award-winning filmmaker and playwright, IWP resident
International Writing Program, University of Iowa
Episode: Chinese writer-director shares perspectives on Iowa City campus life
Bill Kristol
Prominent Republican strategist; founder of The Weekly Standard; founder/editor of The Bulwark (with colleagues)
The Bulwark; The Weekly Standard
Episode: Political analyst William Kristol on American democracy, modern conservativism
Cece Mitchell
IPR Studio One host
IPR Studio One
Episode: Former Iowa governor recounts 9/11 attacks and response on 25th anniversary
Amber Essau
Poet from New Zealand
International Writing Program residency at University of Iowa
Episode: Former Iowa governor recounts 9/11 attacks and response on 25th anniversary
Mark Listes
CEO of Pendulum Intelligence
Pendulum Intelligence
Episode: Former Iowa governor recounts 9/11 attacks and response on 25th anniversary
Colin Gordon
F. Wendell Miller Professor of History, University of Iowa
University of Iowa
Episode: Iowa native reflects on his 9/11 volunteer experience 25 years later

Host

Ben Kiefer
Host of River to River; IPR News / Iowa Public Radio

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 72 ratings
  • Great Content, Okay Host

    The reporting is solid, but the host is prone to rambling, presumptive questions.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    @B*
    United States4 years ago
  • Terrible

    The host only asks questions and does no push back to get real answers. No worth the time.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    IA04
    United States5 years ago
  • Maybe someday

    I listened to IPR for many years, but I have reached my limit of Fake News Enemy of the People. I do not, and will not waste any more time on anything pushing the Woke gospel of Lies, Hate and Division. Maybe once the country returns to sanity, I will try again, and contribute again. But as it stands now, I will not support Woke, and that includes NPR/IPR.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    rue883
    United States5 years ago
  • Invaluable

    Providing balanced and insightful political commentary from a local perspective, River to River Politics Wednesday is an invaluable local treasure for those seeking to be well-informed Iowans. For me it answers the question: What is Iowa’s take? With the advent of this podcast I am overjoyed that I will never have to miss one again! Thank you IPR!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hubris1
    United States8 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Solid local insight with strong reporting on Iowa issues.
Balancing depth and accessibility, though some listeners want tougher follow-up questions.
A valuable resource for understanding how national news plays out locally.
Local voices and context make it a standout for Iowans seeking informed discussion.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Political analyst William Kristol on American democracy, modern conservativism
Q: Given the threats to a free and fair election, do you think the coming election will be fair?
Kristol expresses cautious optimism, noting strong court action and a generally robust system, while acknowledging risks from state actors and potential manipulation that he believes are unlikely to prevail.
Gov. Reynolds calls for total ban of kratom
Q: What is driving the push for a Kratom ban in Iowa right now?
The governor is framing Kratom as unsafe and pushing for a total ban while regulators consider emergency rules, with attention to public health risks and federal actions.
Former Iowa governor recounts 9/11 attacks and response on 25th anniversary
Q: Iowa faces a high target for misinformation; what concrete steps can individuals take to protect themselves during the election cycle?
Slow down consumption of emotional content, improve reading and research literacy, and verify sources before sharing, while staying mindful of how rapid, bite-sized content can distort truth.
Former Iowa governor recounts 9/11 attacks and response on 25th anniversary
Q: To what end is this information warfare aimed, and how does it affect everyday decisions?
It aims to influence a range of outcomes from travel to voting, with a broad objective of shaping beliefs and behaviors by exploiting fault lines in information consumption, especially as screens and AI amplify reach and speed.
Should it take a supermajority to raise taxes?
Q: What are the potential downsides of a two-thirds requirement?
Opponents warn it could lead to less flexibility to fund essential services and respond to emergencies, and could result in greater dependence on alternative revenue sources that may be regressive or less transparent.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About River to River

What is River to River about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Conversations span politics, policy, law, and regional affairs with a distinctly Iowa lens. Across recent episodes, topics include local and national election dynamics, civil rights history, public-health policy, energy and environmental issues, and the mechanics of governance, often anchored by academics, journalists, and policy experts. The show leans thorough and analytical, frequently bringing in guests who provide historical context, data-driven insights, or on-the-ground reporting. A notable strength is how it stitches state-level concerns to national trends, giving listeners a grounded view of how headlines translate into Iowa and regional policy. This mix should appeal to listeners who want a thoughtful, data-informed, locally relev... more

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Which podcasts are similar to River to River?

These podcasts share a similar audience with River to River:

1. Talk of Iowa
2. Here First
3. Fresh Air
4. On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti
5. Here & Now Anytime

How many episodes of River to River are there?

River to River launched 13 years ago and published 130 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on River to River?

Recent guests on River to River include:

1. Sarah Trone Garriott
2. Kai Slater
3. Emma Stapleton Thornell
4. Jun Li
5. Bill Kristol
6. Cece Mitchell
7. Amber Essau
8. Mark Listes

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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