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River to River

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

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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Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for River to River

Latest Episodes

On this Politics Day episode, Dani Gehr sits in for host Ben Kieffer. We get analysis from political scientists Rachel Caufield of Drake University and Jim McCormick of Iowa State University on recent primary outcomes and how midterm races across the... more

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How does family's private tragedy relate to 70 years of history? On this episode, we talk with journalist and author Paige Towers about her new book 'What They Stole: A Familicide Rooted in Intercountry Adoption.' It investigates the 2008 murder-suic... more

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The Senate's farm bill has stalled along with billions in conservation money. WCMU’s Emma George-Griffin discusses what that means for farmers. On this Newsbuzz episode, we also take a look at new state rules for the biggest power line buildout in Io... more

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Iowa's record summer heat isn't just uncomfortable. Inside two of the state's oldest prisons, it's dangerous. For 15 years, the Iowa Department of Corrections has asked lawmakers to fund air conditioning at two of the state's oldest prisons in Anamos... more

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Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Talk of IowaIowa Public Radio
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Science FridayScience Friday and WNYC Studios

Recent Guests

Henry Hamilton III
Civil rights attorney, former president of the Iowa National Bar Association
Iowa National Bar Association
Episode: The country's oldest association for Black attorneys began in Iowa
James Carter
Current National Bar Association president
National Bar Association
Episode: The country's oldest association for Black attorneys began in Iowa
Troy Roberts
Harvest Academy graduate and program manager
Harvest Academy
Episode: Recovery program relocates to Des Moines to expand services
Derek Johnson
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Harvest Academy
Harvest Academy
Episode: Recovery program relocates to Des Moines to expand services
Sean McClain
Studio One host and broadcast operations specialist
IPR News
Episode: Retired Iowa State professor wins $2.2 million in landmark equal pay case
Fern Alling
General Assignment Reporter for the Gazette
The Gazette (Iowa)
Episode: Retired Iowa State professor wins $2.2 million in landmark equal pay case
Nicole Grundmeier
Senior Content Editor for the Midwest Newsroom
Midwest Newsroom
Episode: Retired Iowa State professor wins $2.2 million in landmark equal pay case
Jake DeGroat
President of the Iowa Climbers Coalition
Iowa Climbers Coalition
Episode: Retired Iowa State professor wins $2.2 million in landmark equal pay case
Megan Graham
Clinical professor and director of the Technology Law Clinic at the University of Iowa College of Law
University of Iowa College of Law
Episode: Bill aims to protect kids online but raises privacy concerns

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 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 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.

Top News Podcasts

The Daily
The DailyThe New York Times
Pod Save America
Pod Save AmericaPod Save America
The Ben Shapiro Show
The Ben Shapiro ShowThe Daily Wire
The Tucker Carlson Show
The Tucker Carlson ShowTucker Carlson Network
Pivot
PivotNew York Magazine
The Dan Bongino Show
The Dan Bongino ShowCumulus Podcast Network | Dan Bongino

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Recovery program relocates to Des Moines to expand services
Q: What is Harvest Academy's approach and how is it different from other recovery methods?
Harvest Academy offers a minimum two-year Life Skills Academy with a residential setting, emphasizing real-life routines, accountability, and staff who are graduates, to provide credibility and lasting habit change; it positions itself as a longer, more intensive alternative to shorter treatment models.
'This Vast Enterprise' gives new accounts of the Lewis and Clark expedition
Q: at what point in reading through these journals did you realize this was an ensemble story, not just a two-man show here?
The realization came from a small, human detail in the journals—York's role and perspective revealed through multiple voices—leading to a broader, ensemble narrative.
Muscatine mass shooting raises questions about firearms and domestic violence
Q: How do civil protection orders currently function in Iowa, and where are the gaps?
Protection orders involve court hearings and possible firearm relinquishment, but gaps include no automatic enforcement and no fixed deadlines for surrender, with compliance often self-reported rather than actively enforced.
Muscatine mass shooting raises questions about firearms and domestic violence
Q: What do we know about the motive and any domestic context?
Preliminary information points to a domestic dispute as a driver, with discussion of the lack of domestic abuse convictions in the shooter's background and how that complicates interpretation of motive.
Muscatine mass shooting raises questions about firearms and domestic violence
Q: What did you find on the ground in Muscatine, and how did the community respond?
Residents described trauma and disbelief, with neighbors recalling a close-knit, ordinary neighborhood demeanor of the McFarland family and the community rallying around victims and their families during the vigil.

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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How many listeners does River to River get?

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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. Science Friday
5. Fresh Air

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. Henry Hamilton III
2. James Carter
3. Troy Roberts
4. Derek Johnson
5. Sean McClain
6. Fern Alling
7. Nicole Grundmeier
8. Jake DeGroat

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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