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Artwork for River to River

River to River

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

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
Number of ListenersCategories
GovernmentNews

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Artwork for River to River

Latest Episodes

The Alzheimer's Association has released a new report on brain health and the findings are eye-opening. Nine in 10 Americans said brain health matters deeply to them — but only 9% said they know enough about how to protect their brains. Heather Snyde... more

Two psychologists from Iowa State University join the program. Their whose research seeks to improve accuracy in witness and suspect testimony in the criminal justice system. Professor of psychology Zlatan Krizan discusses how sleep deprivation may i... more

As President Donald Trump has promised deregulation, experts share what that means for water quality and where regulations already fall short. Farmer and former Iowa Corn Growers Association President Tim Recker has dramatically changed his farm, goi... more

YouTube

On this Politics Day, political scientists Donna Hoffman of the University of Northern Iowa and Jonathan Hassid of Iowa State University dissect the debate between Democrat Senate hopefuls Josh Turek and Zach Wahls. They also reflect on the end of th... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Andrew Smith
ISU colleague, video/eyewitness lineup researcher
Iowa State University
Episode: Psychologists share latest research on improving criminal procedures
Zlatan Krizan
Professor of Psychology, Iowa State University; director of Sleep, Self and Personality Lab
Iowa State University
Episode: Psychologists share latest research on improving criminal procedures
Colin Kenny
Assistant Professor of Surgery, Surgical Oncology, and Endocrine Surgery
University of Iowa College of Medicine
Episode: Psychologists share latest research on improving criminal procedures
Nina El-Khadi
Investigative reporter with Sentient Media
Sentient Media
Episode: Water quality in the age of deregulations
Tim Recker
A third generation corn and soybean farmer and former president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association
Iowa Corn Growers Association
Episode: Water quality in the age of deregulations
Sylvia Secchi
Professor of Geographical and Sustainability Sciences at the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
Episode: Water quality in the age of deregulations
Melissa Miller
Project director of the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative
Iowa Nitrogen Initiative
Episode: Water quality in the age of deregulations
Isabella Liu
IPR News Central Iowa reporter
IPR News
Episode: The 2026 legislative session has ended. Here's how it will affect Iowans
Aaron Murphy
Des Moines Bureau Chief, Gazette
The Gazette
Episode: The 2026 legislative session has ended. Here's how it will affect Iowans

Host

Ben Kieffer
Host and journalist experienced in reporting on local and political issues in Iowa.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 70 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.

Some find the host's questioning style leads to superficial answers, expressing a desire for more critical engagement during interviews.
Listeners appreciate the depth and insight provided on Iowa's political landscape, highlighting the informative nature of the discussions.
The quality and relevance of guests is often commended, offering varied perspectives on crucial issues affecting the community.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Psychologists share latest research on improving criminal procedures
Q: Why is video-recording eyewitness lineups considered best practice and how widespread is it?
Andrew notes that accurate witnesses show fast, confident identifications while unreliable ones are slower and more deliberative; recording helps analyze behavior and is increasingly common but not universal, varying by jurisdiction.
Psychologists share latest research on improving criminal procedures
Q: What are the three stages where sleep deprivation distorts evidence?
The guest outlines cognitive, memory, and decision-making stages affected by sleep loss, emphasizing how each stage influences reliability during initial interviews, second contact, and accusatorial strategies.
Psychologists share latest research on improving criminal procedures
Q: How did you come to see them as deeply linked?
Zlatan explains that sleep disruption affects social behavior, emotions, and decisions, creating gaps with legal standards and investigative practices, leading to a disconnect that research can help bridge.
Key candidates missing from Iowa gubernatorial debate
Q: What stands out when you consider this third serious attempt at violence?
The guests acknowledge it's hard to generalize from rare events, emphasize the role of political culture, and stress the importance of safeguarding institutions and preventive mechanisms, while noting data limitations and the need for policy-focused discourse over personal attacks.
The power struggle over the country's water quality
Q: What are the ecological stakes if ephemeral streams and some wetlands fall outside protection?
Gardner emphasizes that wetlands and floodplains provide essential services—pollutant filtration, flood attenuation, aquifer recharge, habitat, and recreation—so their loss worsens water quality and resilience.

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?

Explore the intricate tapestry of regional news with a distinctive Iowa perspective, emphasizing deep discussions that reveal the stories behind the headlines. The content engages with a diverse array of voices, including newsmakers, experts, and community leaders, examining pressing issues such as legislation, healthcare advancements, environmental concerns, and political dynamics that resonate locally and beyond. The show aims to foster a rich understanding of how these critical topics affect everyday Iowans, combining commentary, expert insights, and the latest developments in government and community affairs.

Listeners can expect a blend of serious political analysis and engaging narratives that highlight community concerns, ranging fr... 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. On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti
4. The Daily Show: Ears Edition
5. The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart

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. Andrew Smith
2. Zlatan Krizan
3. Colin Kenny
4. Nina El-Khadi
5. Tim Recker
6. Sylvia Secchi
7. Melissa Miller
8. Isabella Liu

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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