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River to River

Iowa Public Radio
Abortion
Energy Efficiency
Donald Trump
Iowa
Catastrophic Flooding
Supreme Court
Energy Codes
LEED Certification
Planned Parenthood
Joe Biden
Climate Resiliency
Sustainability
Evacuations
Climate Change
Farm Bill
Ed Stone
Voyager Mission
Utility Costs
HUD
Mini-Split Heat Pumps

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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Artwork for River to River

Latest Episodes

Iowa leads the nation with a federal education funding waiver — what does it mean for classrooms and students? We also explore farmers’ struggles, Iowa’s ties to the Jan. 6 Capitol attack and other headlines from the week.

For years the Iowa State Patrol has set a goal of keeping traffic deaths below 300. In 2025, they not only met that goal, but had the smallest number since 1925 with 259 deaths. On this episode we discuss some of the factors that have led to this dec... more

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Recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela has ignited debate across the country, not only over the action against Maduro, but more broadly over the President Donald Trump's foreign policy doctrine. Political scientists Kelly Shaw of Iowa State Univ... more

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The Iowa Legislature gavels in for the 2026 session next week. On today's episode we take a closer look at the processes and people at the statehouse, starting with IPR reporters Katarina Sostaric and Isabella Luu to share their insights on reporting... more

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Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Vania Boyd
Driver Education Manager at the Iowa DOT
Iowa Department of Transportation
Episode: Iowa least traffic deaths hit a century record low in 2025
Larry Grant
State Safety Planner at the Iowa DOT
Iowa Department of Transportation
Episode: Iowa least traffic deaths hit a century record low in 2025
Andy McKean
Former state lawmaker, longest-serving Republican in the Iowa Legislature, and a retired attorney.
Episode: The processes and people of the Iowa Legislature ahead of the 2026 session
O. Kay Henderson
News director at Radio Iowa and host of Iowa Press on Iowa PBS, covering Iowa politics for decades.
Radio Iowa
Episode: The processes and people of the Iowa Legislature ahead of the 2026 session
Dustin Miller
Multi-client lobbyist, partner at CWL Group in Des Moines, with extensive experience in various levels of government.
CWL Group
Episode: The processes and people of the Iowa Legislature ahead of the 2026 session
Rachel Cramer
Reporter at Iowa Public Radio covering SNAP changes
Iowa Public Radio
Episode: More of Iowans' personal data is now available to federal government
Nick Bruner
Studio One Program Director at Iowa Public Radio
Iowa Public Radio
Episode: More of Iowans' personal data is now available to federal government
Diogenes Ayala
Public Safety Manager for Mercy One Des Moines Health Care System and Iowa Emergency Manager of the Year 2022
Mercy One Des Moines Health Care System
Episode: An Iowan was appointed to FEMA's advisory council. A few weeks later the council was dismissed
Martin O'Malley
Former Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, former Maryland Governor, and Baltimore Mayor.
Social Security Administration
Episode: The future of social security benefits

Host

Ben Kiefer
Host known for his in-depth conversations about local news. Ben connects with experts and newsmakers to provide a detailed analysis of current events and their implications for Iowans.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 67 ratings
  • Great Content, Okay Host

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

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    @B*
    United States3 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.

The program is regarded as a valuable resource for Iowans wanting to stay informed about local issues and legislative changes.
Listeners appreciate the insightful political commentary and community-focused narratives.
Some reviewers express dissatisfaction with the host's questioning style, noting a lack of follow-up or pushback against guests' statements.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Iowa least traffic deaths hit a century record low in 2025
Q: What challenges have you faced and successes perhaps you can point to with the 'Alive at 25' program?
The program has gone smoothly, with great outreach leading to a significant completion rate among participants.
Iowa least traffic deaths hit a century record low in 2025
Q: What is the goal of the 'Alive at 25' program?
The goal is to provide young drivers with education opportunities to correct poor driving behavior instead of suspending their licenses.
Iowa least traffic deaths hit a century record low in 2025
Q: What changed January 1st regarding the hands-free law?
Starting January 1st, officers have the discretion to issue citations instead of just written warnings for hands-free law violations.
An Iowan was appointed to FEMA's advisory council. A few weeks later the council was dismissed
Q: How did you fit in there during the Winter Set Tornado?
He was the Emergency Management Director for Madison County, where he issued warnings during the tornado and participated in rescue efforts.
An Iowan was appointed to FEMA's advisory council. A few weeks later the council was dismissed
Q: What do you remember most from that tragedy?
Ayala recounted the communication challenges he faced while working for Verizon in the aftermath of 9/11, recognizing the need for better preparedness in emergency management.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Interests
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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?

Engaging discussions surrounding news and current events are central to the content, focusing on critical topics such as healthcare, education, political dynamics, and environmental issues. The conversation is often framed through an Iowa lens, offering insights into local implications while drawing on expert opinions and analysis. Noteworthy episodes cover the potential impacts of federal legislative actions on the state's residents, exploring everything from the Affordable Care Act to the challenges faced by rural legal communities. Unique aspects include a blend of political discourse and personal narratives, reflecting the diverse experiences of Iowans.

Where can I find podcast stats for River to River?

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How many listeners does River to River get?

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What are the audience demographics for River to River?

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How many subscribers and views does River to River have?

To see how many followers or subscribers River to River has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

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. The Daily

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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for River to River?

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What guests have appeared on River to River?

Recent guests on River to River include:

1. Vania Boyd
2. Larry Grant
3. Andy McKean
4. O. Kay Henderson
5. Dustin Miller
6. Rachel Cramer
7. Nick Bruner
8. Diogenes Ayala

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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