The Iowa Podcast

The Iowa Podcast
  • 4.9 (36)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

You probably heard about it from a friend getting your morning coffee at Brewhemia or Daisy Chain. Or perhaps you saw your favorite Iowan post about it? Maybe you searched the net for something that interested you. So, what is The Iowa Podcast? It's Real Iowans, talking about real events and stuff within the state worth paying attention to. It seems like even objective news today is pushing some kind of agenda. You won't find that garbage here! We certainly won't shy away from real issues, and we certainly won't stay away from difficult questions, but on The Iowa Podcast we will never take our guests out of context or edit their comments in any way (unless we both agree of course—sometimes people say dumb stuff or cough in the microphone!)

  1. Local NW Iowa newspaper bucking national trend in growth by launching a new podcast!

    3D AGO

    Local NW Iowa newspaper bucking national trend in growth by launching a new podcast!

    As newspapers struggle across the country, one small town in Northwestern Iowa is bucking the trend. Not only are they're seeing subscriber and advertiser growth through a new podcast. Erin Sommers, editor of The Record Democrat in Pocahontas, Iowa explains why she launched their new podcast, "On The Record," before their first website! Links: 💡 Find this show on every app: iowapodcast.com/pocahontas-on-the-record-podcast 🐖 Get a free $30 gift card from Jethro's BBQ: iowapodcast.com/jethrosbbq 🩺 Sign up for Hy-Vee Health Exemplar Care: exemplar.care 🌾 Watch The World Food Prize Podcast: https://www.worldfoodprize.org/en/newsroom/world_food_prize_podcast/ ⚖️ Hurt on the job? Get Nate Boulton's help workerslawyers.com In this interview Sommers explains how On The Record has not only led to new readers, but has revived interest from advertisers! She explains why viral reach isn't the goal, and how they think about content serving Pocahontas, and Northwest Iowa. Chapters: 00:00 - Podcasts Beat Radio 01:21 - Why Print Still Matters 10:01 - Launching a Local News Podcast 19:25 - Podcasting Takes Work 23:55 - Print Plus Podcast Strategy 28:52 - AI Newsroom Future

    37 min
  2. Zach Lahn, Iowa's MAHA Candidate for Governor wants to break up big ag. Are farmers on board?

    APR 1

    Zach Lahn, Iowa's MAHA Candidate for Governor wants to break up big ag. Are farmers on board?

    Zach Lahn is running for Governor in Iowa and he happens to be the very first candidate to be endorsed by RFK JR's MAHA Action organization. In this discussion, Lahn explains his intent to stop subsidies and veto incentives for big ag, even if it means losing party backing entirely. Links: 💡 Find this show on every app: https://iowapodcast.com/zach-lahn-iowa-governor-maha 🐖 Get a free $30 gift card from Jethro's BBQ: https://iowapodcast.com/jethrosbbq 🩺 Sign up for Hy-Vee Health Exemplar Care: https://www.exemplar.care/ 🌾 Watch The World Food Prize Podcast: https://www.worldfoodprize.org/en/newsroom/world_food_prize_podcast/ ⚖️ Hurt on the job? Get Nate Boulton's help https://workerslawyers.com Lahn gives his perspective on President Trump's executive order protecting Glyphosate. Is this the end of the end of the MAHA, MAGA, and GOP alignment on health? Are new battle lines being formed in Iowa and US Politics? Can he convince Iowa to lead the country in regenerative agriculture? Chapters: 00:00 - Intro and MAHA Endorsement 04:03 - Glyphosate Immunity Fight 10:51 - Iowa First Farm Reforms 16:57 - Break Up Big Ag 19:44 - Regenerative Farming Shift 26:49 - Incentives MAHA Wrap Up

    38 min
  3. Burlington's downtown is thriving. Was The Capitol Theater the catalyst?

    MAR 25

    Burlington's downtown is thriving. Was The Capitol Theater the catalyst?

    Back in 2012, downtown Burlington was a beautiful, albeit quiet. But today it's thriving and active, at times with four shows performing simultaneously in the downtown area. Jeff Poulter, Director of The Capitol Theater complex discusses the historic theater and the thriving Downtown area.  💡 Find this show on every app: https://iowapodcast.com/capitol-theater-burlington 🐖 Get a free $30 gift card from Jethro's BBQ: https://iowapodcast.com/jethrosbbq ⚖️ Hurt on the job? Get Nate Boulton's help https://workerslawyers.com  Poulter isn't sure if the Theater's historic renovation set off the growth in Dubuque but the timing is notable. Oftentimes historic renovations and artistic pursuit are the catalyst to new growth. Poulter explains all the activity at the theater, the new speakeasy and gives a first-hand account of what traveling acts say about Dubuque when they stop by. Chapters: 00:00 - Welcome to Burlington's Arts Hub 01:21 - Inside the Capitol Complex and Nightcap 07:58 - Renovation History and Riverfront Revival 15:16 - Local Music Partners 16:19 - Why Acts Return 22:25 - River Cruises And Events

    30 min
  4. Iowa's "risk averse" nature linked to farmer trauma? Dr. Chris Morris of ISU explains the research.

    MAR 18

    Iowa's "risk averse" nature linked to farmer trauma? Dr. Chris Morris of ISU explains the research.

    Have you heard Iowans are "risk averse" creatures? Research from Iowa State University not only suggests this may be true, but its origin may be tied to farmer trauma, passed down to our children and grandchildren. Chris Morris, PhD research shows stress from farming has a compounding effect over time and becomes mentally destructive. The resulting trauma not only results in risk averse behavior and higher than average suicide rates, but is passed down.  Dr. Morris has spoken with farmers across the entire state, and his stories are heartbreaking and shocking. The immense pressure farmer's face of "feeding the world" and protecting their ancestors legacy are heavy burdens result in low-grade stress that builds. Making things more difficult, farmers rarely share these social pressures, and therefore lack the mental tools to reverse the trend. 💡 Find this show on your favorite player: https://iowapodcast.com/iowa-risk-aversion 🐖 Get a free $30 gift card from Jethro's BBQ: https://iowapodcast.com/jethrosbbq   Chapters: 00:00 - Why Iowans Play It Safe 02:06 - Farm Trauma Explained 06:38 - Risk Aversion and Ripple Effects 16:52 - Stigma and Isolation 24:03 - Trauma Stories and Policy 29:32 - What Helps Farmers Heal

    37 min

  5. MAR 11

    Major media and Iowa tourism use his photos. Meet The Iowa Road Trip Guy!

    If you've seen a national media story featuring Iowa, visited the Des Moines airport, picked up an Iowa magazine, checked out the Iowa Road Trip Facebook page, or have seen any Iowa tourism website, you've likely appreciated his work. His name is Brian Abeling and he explains the stories behind Iowa's most iconic shots. 💡 Find this show on your favorite player: https://iowapodcast.com/iowa-road-trip 🗞️ Be first to get new interviews: https://iowapodcast.com/subscribe/ 🐖 Get a free $30 gift card from Jethro's BBQ: https://iowapodcast.com/jethrosbbq Born in New York, Abeling lives in central Iowa and although it may seem like taking breathtaking Iowa photo is his full time job, he explains it's just a hobby, but his organizational skill and dedication to finding the most perfect Iowa shots are 2nd to none. He explains his favorite Iowa moments, how far Iowa nice goes, and his incredibly detailed system that grew his Iowa Road Trip Facebook page to over 330,000 followers.  Chapters: 00:00 - Welcome And Introduction 01:15 - Career Highlights And Features 03:15 - Day Job Vs Night Job 03:39 - Automating Iowa Road Trip 04:38 - Food Photos And Fan Encounters 07:45 - Iowa Safety And Iowa Nice 11:00 - Favorite Hidden Iowa Spots 12:48 - Page Growth And Content Strategy 14:48 - Iowa Pride And Social Media 16:24 - Ignore the Comments 16:51 - Quiet Iowa Moments 18:23 - When Fans Don't Believe 19:48 - Photos That Boost Business 21:27 - Iowa Food Obsessions 22:54 - Iowa Isn't Flat 24:03 - From New York to Iowa 25:35 - Photography Origin Story 27:05 - Planning Road Trip Shoots 29:31 Years of Dedication 30:28 - Where to Find Brian 30:54 - Wrap up and Closing

    34 min

  6. MAR 4

    Des Moines Symphony is one of four in the country in developing young musicians.

    The Des Moines Symphony is 1 of 4 symphonies in the USA with a young musician academy, which is the focus of their final 3 Masterworks performances. Get 20% off using code: IOWAPODCAST to see this unique experience right here in Iowa! Maestro Joseph Giunta breaks down their final three Masterworks concerts featuring the Heartland Youth Choir singing the well known Shaker Hymn "Tis a Gift to be Simple" and 17-year old child prodigy Amaryn Olmeda for Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto and a whole lot more.  Chapters: 00:50 - Orchestra Size and Hall Acoustics  02:05 - Masterworks 5: Reflection featuring Stella Chen  09:44 - Masterworks 6: Hope featuring Heartland Youth Choir 14:13 - Masterworks 7: Courage featuring Amaryn Olmeda 15:32 - Alpine Symphony And Hall Sound 🎻 Get Masterworks tickets https://dmsymphony.org/about/news/des-moines-symphony-masterworks-2025-2026/ 💡 Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/dm-symphony 🐖 Get a free $30 gift card from Jethro's BBQ: https://iowapodcast.com/jethrosbbq

    25 min
  7. Will Iowa ban autonomous cars? Rep. Megan Jones answers the challenge of future regulations.

    FEB 25

    Will Iowa ban autonomous cars? Rep. Megan Jones answers the challenge of future regulations.

    As the Iowa Legislature navigates the accelerating reality of autonomous vehicles, State Representative Megan Jones (R-Sioux Rapids) is seeking a delicate balance between technological innovation and public safety. But the current state of the bill may create a regulatory framework that inadvertently bans them entirely.  💡 Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/autonomous-cars-iowa 🗞️ Be first to get new interviews: https://iowapodcast.com/subscribe/ 🐖 Get a free $30 gift card from Jethro's BBQ: https://iowapodcast.com/jethrosbbq  Jones chairs the House Transportation Subcommittee. She addresses the evolution of bills like HF 2375, HSB 598, HF 2673, which aim to define the "rules of the road" for driverless technology in the Hawkeye State. Chapters: 01:00 - Bills and Safety Fears 07:51 - Hazmat Trucks and Future Proofing 14:41 - Public Input and Liability Questions 16:30 - Liability and Tort Reform 19:24 - Insurance and Road Safety 22:10 - Bill Language and Labor Concerns 29:50 - State Rules and Closing Thoughts

    36 min

  8. FEB 18

    Iowa's hottest restaurants are closing. What happened?

    Americana and Django, two iconic Des Moines restaurants, are gone for good and they're not alone. 600 restaurants in Iowa will be closing in 2026 and it's because the challenges are too many to count. Scott Carlson, owner of The Craft Beer Tent, and Gilroy's opens up about Americana's closing. 💡 Find this show on your favorite player: https://iowapodcast.com/western-gateway-restaurants/ 🗞️ Be first to get new interviews: https://iowapodcast.com/subscribe/ 🐖 Get a free $30 gift card from Jethro's BBQ: https://iowapodcast.com/jethrosbbq Increasing taxes, work from home, zero-proof, changing food preferences, homeless population, increasing food and labor costs, regulatory burdens, food delivery, and rising insurance rates are just a few challenges most restaurateurs have to deal with. But Iowa eateries are dealing with all of them simultaneously. Carlson breaks down what happened and what needs to change. Chapters:  00:00 - Welcome - Meet Scott Carlson 01:18 - Why Americana Is Closing: 'Death by a Thousand Cuts' 02:21 - Downtown Des Moines After COVID: Lost Office Crowds & Corporate Spending 04:54 - Western Gateway Headwinds: Homelessness, Street Closures, Construction & Plumbing 06:29 - The Bigger Picture 08:44 - New Pressures on Margins 11:56 - What Can Government Do? Small Business Blind Spots & the 'Slow Exit from COVID' Warning 15:20 - Regulation, Liquor Liability, Insurance & Credit Card Fees Squeezing Restaurants 18:59 - Changing Food Preferences 20:07 - Food cost spikes & the limits of raising menu prices 22:07 - Adapting without alienating customers 23:47 - Seed oils vs beef tallow: how health rules reshaped frying 26:11 - Food vs fuel 27:17 - Why it's called Gilroy's: the ginger-themed origin story 27:56 - Survival strategy: Des Moines' "Golden Circle" 31:04 - Construction & downtown events: the hidden cost to restaurants 33:38 - The downtown dining experience 35:57 - Wrap-up

    39 min
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About

You probably heard about it from a friend getting your morning coffee at Brewhemia or Daisy Chain. Or perhaps you saw your favorite Iowan post about it? Maybe you searched the net for something that interested you. So, what is The Iowa Podcast? It's Real Iowans, talking about real events and stuff within the state worth paying attention to. It seems like even objective news today is pushing some kind of agenda. You won't find that garbage here! We certainly won't shy away from real issues, and we certainly won't stay away from difficult questions, but on The Iowa Podcast we will never take our guests out of context or edit their comments in any way (unless we both agree of course—sometimes people say dumb stuff or cough in the microphone!)

Information

  • Creator
    The Iowa Podcast
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    203
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2022
  • Show Website
    The Iowa Podcast

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