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River to River

Iowa Public Radio
Iowa
Iran
Water Quality
Iowa State University
Alzheimer's Disease
United States
Donald Trump
Affordable Care Act
Climate Change
Artificial Intelligence
Republican Party
Iran War
Cancer
Public Health
Des Moines
Covid-19
Insurance
Tariffs
Higher Education
Trump Administration

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes130Founded14 years ago
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NewsGovernment

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Artwork for River to River

Latest Episodes

A conversation with 2026 World Food Prize Laureate Huub Lelieveld. Lelieveld is a Dutch food scientist who was awarded the World Food Prize for helping prevent millions of cases of foodborne illness. He has been recognized for marshaling a movement a... more

On today's episode, a conversation with Rep. Ashley Hinson, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, one of the most competitive Senate races in the country. But first, we talk with Harvest Academy’s Derek Johnson about the legacy of Walter Lauridsen Jr... more

YouTube

Eight states, including Iowa, are suing OpenAI. On this Newsbuzz episode, we talk with William Morris of the 'Des Moines Register' about that lawsuit. IPR's Tom Barton joins us to discuss Trump's plans for Iowa rallies before the midterms. We also ta... more

YouTube

Republicans and Democrats aren't the only choices on Iowa ballots. On this episode, we check in with third party and independent candidates. We talk with Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate Thomas Laehn as well as three U.S. House candidates — Libe... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Tyler Jett
Investigative reporter
Des Moines Register
Episode: Early voting in Iowa begins Oct. 14
Brianne Pfannenstiel
Chief Politics Reporter for the Des Moines Register
Des Moines Register
Episode: Early voting in Iowa begins Oct. 14
Lionel Ruffel
French literary scholar, publisher in Paris, professor
University/International Writing Program
Episode: Early voting in Iowa begins Oct. 14
Jack Brook
Associated Press reporter
Associated Press
Episode: Early voting in Iowa begins Oct. 14
Erin Fuller
Studio One host and producer
IPR Studio One
Episode: Early voting in Iowa begins Oct. 14
James Tutson
Iowa City singer-songwriter
Independent artist
Episode: Early voting in Iowa begins Oct. 14
Eliza Billingham
IPR's Eastern Iowa reporter
IPR News
Episode: Early voting in Iowa begins Oct. 14
Joe Mitchell
Republican nominee for Iowa's 2nd Congressional District
Republican Party candidate
Episode: 2nd Congressional District candidate Joe Mitchell on affordability, partisanship
Karen Kedrowski
Director, Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics, Iowa State University
Iowa State University
Episode: 2nd Congressional District candidate Joe Mitchell on affordability, partisanship

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.

Rep. Miller-Meeks on seeking a fourth term in Iowa's 1st Congressional District
Q: What protections should be built so that Iowans benefit the most from this huge steel mill?
Miller-Meeks describes prioritizing local job opportunities for Iowans, supporting vertical integration for domestic production, leveraging a state-partnered sourcing approach through Source Iowa, and ensuring that construction and ongoing operations use local labor and materials as much as possible.
A conversation with Iowa's major-party candidates ahead of 2026 gubernatorial election
Q: If voluntary measures fail, would you support mandates or penalties for runoff reduction?
Lahn argues that incentives can work and should be the first line, while acknowledging penalties in some sectors as a possibility if needed; Sand emphasizes accountability and targeted enforcement, with a focus on funding, monitoring, and public transparency to drive improvement.
A conversation with Iowa's major-party candidates ahead of 2026 gubernatorial election
Q: What is your plan for cleaning up Iowa's water and why would it work better than current efforts?
Both candidates argue for a more active, incentive-based approach that targets the most affected areas through programs like I Will, while increasing monitoring and wetlands/restoration efforts to reduce nitrates and improve water quality.
Does a common weed killer play a part in a neurodegenerative disease?
Q: What personal impact has paraquat exposure had on Nate Peterson's family and life?
Peterson grew up near sprayed fields and river runoff; he was diagnosed in his 30s, has young children, and describes the practical and emotional challenges while advocating for policy change.
Does a common weed killer play a part in a neurodegenerative disease?
Q: What does the EPA say about paraquat and what actions are they taking?
The EPA is reassessing safety and convening forums; proponents argue for quicker action at the state level rather than waiting for federal action.

Audience Metrics

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

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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. NPR News Now
4. On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti
5. Radio Atlantic

How many episodes of River to River are there?

River to River launched 14 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. Tyler Jett
2. Brianne Pfannenstiel
3. Lionel Ruffel
4. Jack Brook
5. Erin Fuller
6. James Tutson
7. Eliza Billingham
8. Joe Mitchell

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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