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Artwork for Talk of Iowa

Talk of Iowa

Iowa Public Radio
Iowa
Iowa State University
Horticulture
Mental Health
Education
Iowa City
Gender Gap
Public Health
Domestic Violence
Civil Rights Movement
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Family Dynamics
Climate Change
Vietnam War
Cover Crops
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Meskwaki Nation
Four-Day School Week
Prosthetic Eyes
Halloween

Talk of Iowa is a place for Iowans to connect to our shared culture and what it means to live in Iowa. Host Charity Nebbe brings a mix of regular guests and a range of experts to discuss the arts, history, literature and everything else happening in Iowa. Every day brings something new — even if it's in a recurring segment like Talk of Iowa Book Club or comes from a familiar voice on Horticulture ... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes141Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Talk of Iowa

Latest Episodes

Best-selling author Tim Johnston was a master of the thriller. He passed away in May. To mark his passing, we’re revisiting a conversation from 2025 with Johnston and author Anna Bruno. We talk about their books 'Distant Sons' and 'Fine Young People'... more

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At its peak in the late 1950s, there were over 4,000 drive-in movie theaters in the U.S., with nearly 70 in Iowa. Today, there are four drive-in theaters operating in the state. On this episode, we hear from operators of three of the remaining theate... more

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Liz Ledgett, Des Moines gallery owner and author of 'Art is for Everyone,' shares how to curate an art collection on a budget. Then, we hear from Chris Nelson, the founder of Nelson Media Company, who is working to turn around several small-town news... more

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E-bikes have made cycling more accessible and expanded the ability to replace car trips with a bike ride. However, electric motors have complicated bike trails and have people worried about safety. Today, we go on an e-commute with IPR's Meghan Polk ... 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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Recent Guests

Tim Johnston
Best-selling author known for his literary suspense novels
Episode: Iowa City suspense authors bring their unique backgrounds to their writing
Anna Bruno
Author of Fine Young People, a literary suspense novel
Episode: Iowa City suspense authors bring their unique backgrounds to their writing
Sydney Bloom
Site manager of the Squirrel Cage Jail museum
Episode: Iowa City suspense authors bring their unique backgrounds to their writing
Madison Barbin
Site manager of the Rails West History Museum
Episode: Iowa City suspense authors bring their unique backgrounds to their writing
Amanda Lepper
Co-owner of Dog Eared Books
Dog Eared Books
Episode: Some of this summer's best books for young readers
Molly Roberts
Manager of the Children's Section at Prairie Lights Bookstore
Prairie Lights Bookstore
Episode: Some of this summer's best books for young readers
Janaye Jackson-Doring
Youth Service Coordinator for the State Library of Iowa
State Library of Iowa
Episode: Some of this summer's best books for young readers
Sydney Houlton
Board Chair, The Quire of Eastern Iowa
The Quire of Eastern Iowa
Episode: The Quire of Eastern Iowa celebrates a civil rights icon you may have never heard of
Elena Cressy
Artistic Director, The Quire of Eastern Iowa
The Quire of Eastern Iowa
Episode: The Quire of Eastern Iowa celebrates a civil rights icon you may have never heard of

Host

Charity Nebbe
Host of Talk of Iowa focusing on arts, culture, and community life in Iowa.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 129 ratings
  • Maybe one day

    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
  • Exquisitely informative, unassumingly entertaining

    In true Iowa fashion, Charity Nebbe welcomes her on-air guests with a tone of genuine intrigue that invites listeners and and guests alike into a space of sharing both educational and personal. Its nonchalant presentation makes this program the perfect companion to bouts of house chores or cooking, long drives, and moments of downtime. As a post-college student who's lived outside Iowa for years, I must thank Ms. Nebbe and the rest of the team for consistently renewing my Iowa pride and offering... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Aliese G
    United States11 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the host's thoughtful, down-to-earth approach and the diverse guest mix.
Some listeners feel the show can lean into controversy when covering politics or social issues.
High-quality local context and actionable insights make it a reliable source for Iowan culture and policy.

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HumansHank Green

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Iowa's state tree is in trouble
Q: Angela asks if late-spring hydrangea dieback could be caused by herbicide drift and what to check for root health.
The host suggests herbicide drift as a possibility and emphasizes inspecting the root system and ensuring proper drainage and site conditions; if environmental stress or disease is suspected, consult diagnostic services to identify issues and guide recovery.
Iowa's state tree is in trouble
Q: Diane asks about saving a damaged 60-year-old magnolia after a long limb break in a storm.
Experts explain decay is often internal and cannot be repaired; removal may be necessary if the tree is structurally compromised, and if possible, have a certified arborist assess the risk and structure before deciding on removal; if far from targets, the tree might be left standing.
Iowa's state tree is in trouble
Q: Marilyn asks how to manage a gravel driveway to control grass and weeds without Roundup, using salt or vinegar.
The experts explain household vinegar is a weak, non-translocating herbicide that only affects exposed foliage, while salt is mobile and temporary; more effective approaches include improving gravel grading and planning to manage weeds over time, with longer-term strategies emphasizing non-chemical methods and maintaining coarse gravel to reduce germination.
Nonprofit maps the next route for this historic road stop site
Q: What does the preservation effort involve right now for the gas station and cafe?
Work includes restoring the station to look like it did when staff like Scott Berka worked there, turning the gas station into a museum, preserving memorabilia, stabilizing foundations, updating parking, and planning for ongoing maintenance and insurance costs.
Nonprofit maps the next route for this historic road stop site
Q: Tell me how you got involved in these preservation efforts in COLO.
Brenda and others got involved after a city council discussion about selling the site; public meetings, a task force, and collaboration with Prairie Rivers and Lincoln Highway associations built momentum and led to forming a nonprofit and pursuing preservation and National Register nomination.

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
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Frequently Asked Questions About Talk of Iowa

What is Talk of Iowa about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful mix of arts, culture, history, and community issues centered on Iowa. Episodes frequently feature local authors, poets, historians, university experts, and nonprofit leaders who unpack literature, gardening, civil rights, and regional policy through conversations that illuminate Iowa's cultural landscape and public life. Listeners can expect deep-dive discussions with practitioners and scholars, practical how-tos (like lawn and garden care), and room for human-interest storytelling that connects geographic pride with broader social themes. A notable strength is the breadth of guests—from academics and authors to community organizers and arts administrators—creating a holistic view of Iowa's identity and ongoing changes.

Where can I find podcast stats for Talk of Iowa?

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How many listeners does Talk of Iowa get?

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How many subscribers and views does Talk of Iowa have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Talk of Iowa 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 Talk of Iowa?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Talk of Iowa:

1. River to River
2. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
3. Science Friday
4. Throughline
5. Here First

How many episodes of Talk of Iowa are there?

Talk of Iowa launched 13 years ago and published 141 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 Talk of Iowa?

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.

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What guests have appeared on Talk of Iowa?

Recent guests on Talk of Iowa include:

1. Tim Johnston
2. Anna Bruno
3. Sydney Bloom
4. Madison Barbin
5. Amanda Lepper
6. Molly Roberts
7. Janaye Jackson-Doring
8. Sydney Houlton

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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