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Artwork for River to River

River to River

Iowa Public Radio
Iowa
Trump Administration
Donald Trump
Affordable Care Act
Government Shutdown
Alzheimer's Disease
University Of Iowa
United States
Iran
Iowa State University
Democracy
Climate Change
Immigration
Water Quality
Republican Party
Covid-19
Governor Kim Reynolds
Artificial Intelligence
SNAP
NASA

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

Headlines from this week, including a Supreme Court ruling related to Roundup weed killer, a new law concerning medication abortion access and more.

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President Donald Trump abruptly cancelled plans to sign a bipartisan housing bill Wednesday morning, surprising Republicans and Democrats alike. Trump wrote in a social media post that he would not sign the legislation until Congress passed the Save ... more

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Dozens of rural Catholic churches in Iowa are about to lose their weekend mass. Today, we hear about the changing map of midwestern Catholicism. First, we hear from a Vinton resident who's Catholic parish has appealed to the Vatican in effort to keep... more

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'Urban Mining' explores how discarded electronics and wind turbines are being turned into a domestic source of rare earth elements. We hear from the filmmaker behind the documentary and two of the Iowans at the center of this work. The film will be s... more

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Key Facts

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Contact Information
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Corban Addison
Author, attorney, and activist
Episode: New book explores the damage of large scale hog operations on one small community
Grace King
K-12 education reporter
Gazette
Episode: Reynolds signs bills into law — likely for the last time
Sarah Clausen
manager at Voy 61 drive-in
Episode: Reynolds signs bills into law — likely for the last time
Justin Glisan
Iowa state climatologist
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship / Iowa State University
Episode: Reynolds signs bills into law — likely for the last time
Nicole Baxter
IPR's digital news producer
Episode: Reynolds signs bills into law — likely for the last time
Aaron Murphy
Des Moines Bureau Chief
Gazette
Episode: Reynolds signs bills into law — likely for the last time
Dave Zwirtny
Professor of Civil Engineering, future head of Iowa Insight program
University of Iowa
Episode: Reynolds signs bills into law — likely for the last time
Josh Turek
Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Iowa, para-Olympic athlete
Democratic Party / Iowa Senate candidate
Episode: Iowa voters pick their nominees for the 2026 election
Wesley Lefferts
Assistant Professor of Kinesiology, principal investigator of BRAVA study
Iowa State University
Episode: Identifying how menopause impacts risks of stroke and Alzheimer's

Host

Ben Keefer
Host focused on Iowa politics and policy, often guiding discussions with a local lens.

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 States4 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 States4 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 States7 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Mixed feedback on pacing; some feel hosts could push back more for sharper answers.
Positive notes on diverse guest mix and topic breadth across policy, science, and culture.
Listeners appreciate local political context and grounded analysis for Iowa and the Midwest.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Identifying how menopause impacts risks of stroke and Alzheimer's
Q: What is the biggest change in stroke care in Iowa over the last 20 years?
The introduction of mechanical thrombectomy and improved system-wide coordination across hospitals dramatically reduced treatment times and expanded the eligible patient population for stroke interventions.
Who has the most funding and the greater sway ahead of the gubernatorial primary?
Q: What implications does Rob Sand's fundraising have for the Democratic side as the field narrows?
Sand's large war chest and broad donor base, including contributions from independents and some Republicans, positions him as a strong frontrunner, potentially shaping fundraising and messaging for the party's general election strategy.
Who has the most funding and the greater sway ahead of the gubernatorial primary?
Q: Tell us about Iowa's pitch to be back in the early nominating window and how that could affect campaign strategy.
The pitch argues that Iowa could leverage its smaller, cheaper campaign environment to support lesser-known candidates and give Democrats a chance to mobilize rural and working-class voters before other states take the lead.
This biomechanic researcher's achievements stem from someone who pioneered orthopaedic advances
Q: Can you explain the significance of titin and how your work altered the understanding of muscle force production?
Herzog explains discovering titin's role alongside actin and myosin, leading to a three-filament model of muscle contraction and connecting this to implications for disease and variability across muscles.
This biomechanic researcher's achievements stem from someone who pioneered orthopaedic advances
Q: How did your time at the University of Iowa influence your trajectory in biomechanics and your work with athletes like Carl Lewis?
He describes meeting mentors like Jim Hay, the coaching environment, and how collaborating on biomechanical analysis for Olympic hopefuls redirected his focus from coaching to understanding fundamental muscle and movement mechanics.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
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?

This program centers on Iowa-focused news and policy, pairing reporters, lawmakers, and subject-matter experts to unpack what's happening beyond the headlines. Episodes routinely blend local politics, state policy shifts, and national issues with grounded analyses from academics, journalists, and practitioners. A notable strength is its ability to connect Iowa's developments to broader national conversations, from election integrity and legislative dynamics to environmental policy and science-driven topics. The show often features guests who bring deep expertise and practical perspectives, making it valuable for listeners who want context, nuance, and actionable takeaways relevant to Iowa and the wider Midwest. A few episodes stand out for ... 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. Up First from NPR
4. The NPR Politics Podcast
5. On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti

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.

How do I contact River to River?

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What guests have appeared on River to River?

Recent guests on River to River include:

1. Corban Addison
2. Grace King
3. Sarah Clausen
4. Justin Glisan
5. Nicole Baxter
6. Aaron Murphy
7. Dave Zwirtny
8. Josh Turek

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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