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River to River

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

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Artwork for River to River

Latest Episodes

On this Newsbuzz episode, we take a look at the latest bills Gov. Reynolds has signed into law in her final session as governor. We also hear about a new University of Iowa program to improve health outcomes for Iowans and how the Iowa City School Di... more

On June 1, 52-year-old Ryan Willis McFarland of Muscatine allegedly fatally shot six family members before taking his own life. On this episode, we get analysis on the tragedy and the community's response from Tom Loewy of 'Quad City Times.' Lindsay ... more

Iowa Republicans rejected a candidate President Donald Trump endorsed for governor. On this politics day episode, we dive into the primary results. Political scientists Donna Hoffman of the University of Northern Iowa and Kelly Shaw of Iowa State Uni... more

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Women are more vulnerable to strokes, yet they're historically underreported and underdiagnosed. On this episode, the science of menopause and the aging brain. First, University of Iowa neurologist Dr. Hannah Roeder shares how stroke risk in women ne... 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

Jess Savage
Environmental reporter
Northern Public Radio (DeKalb, Illinois)
Episode: Who has the most funding and the greater sway ahead of the gubernatorial primary?
Joseph Jody Buckwalter IV
Institute-affiliated orthopedic surgeon and expert on Arthur Steindler
University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
Episode: This biomechanic researcher's achievements stem from someone who pioneered orthopaedic advances
Walter Herzog
Biomechanist, University of Calgary
University of Calgary
Episode: This biomechanic researcher's achievements stem from someone who pioneered orthopaedic advances
Rachel Payne-Cawfield
Professor and Chair, Drake University
Drake University, Des Moines
Episode: Democratic candidates for open Senate seat focus on electability ahead of primary race
Kathy Westerkamp
Long-time swim instructor and head coach for the Ankeny Swordfish swim team, discussing water safety and the importance of swimming education.
Episode: Former Iowa lawmaker and trailblazer shares about growing up amid the civil rights movement
Helen Miller
Former Iowa State Representative and author of the memoir 'I Don't Swim', who discusses her experiences growing up amid systemic racism.
Episode: Former Iowa lawmaker and trailblazer shares about growing up amid the civil rights movement
Evan Renfro
Political scientist specializing in international security, defense policy, Middle Eastern politics and culture
University of Northern Iowa
Episode: JD Vance says the war with Iran isn't a 'forever war,' but the end isn't in sight
Jeffrey Winters
Political scientist, Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Episode: How the U.S. has arrived at its most blatant era of oligarchy
Bethany Berger
Professor of Law, University of Iowa College of Law
University of Iowa College of Law
Episode: If you are near a crime, should law enforcement be able to access your data?

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 71 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.

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.
This biomechanic researcher's achievements stem from someone who pioneered orthopaedic advances
Q: Let's start with your early life. What was it like growing up in your farming village and choosing to pursue higher education?
Herzog explains the rural upbringing, the four-decade move from a Swiss village to Iowa, and how school and athletics shaped his path, ultimately steering him toward biomechanics and movement science rather than just coaching.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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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. Throughline
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.

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What guests have appeared on River to River?

Recent guests on River to River include:

1. Jess Savage
2. Joseph Jody Buckwalter IV
3. Walter Herzog
4. Rachel Payne-Cawfield
5. Kathy Westerkamp
6. Helen Miller
7. Evan Renfro
8. Jeffrey Winters

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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