The Okoboji Project

Ryan Maris and Emma Myhre
  • 5.0 (23)
  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Iowa Great Lakes story is a vibrant quilt woven from the threads of American history: railroad tycoons and boat builders, the U.S.-Dakota War, every beat of American music culture, evolutions in biology, and countless summer memories.

  1. 08/06/2025

    A Night Out in 1926

    We'll pick you up at the train station, old sport! Explore photos from Arnolds Park, Prohibition in Okoboji and these incredible party destinations on our blog. Follow The Okoboji Project on Instagram and Facebook Sign up for our weekly newsletter and never miss an episode of The Okoboji Project! Explore The Dickinson County Museum and support their incredible work. Guests: Cole Clawson, Director of The Dickinson County Museum Jonathan Reed, Author and Historian

    16 min

  2. 07/23/2025

    Love Stories from Okoboji

    In Okoboji, romance is always in the air. For five couples, it’s where something lasting began. Check out heart-melting shots from our guest's photo albums on our blog -- and some bonus pictures of backdrops from these beautiful love stories. Follow The Okoboji Project on Instagram and Facebook Sign up for our weekly newsletter and never miss an episode of The Okoboji Project! Thank you to Bank Midwest for sponsoring this episode! Guests: Kenz Lode Dennis and Dori Lippon Brad and Sarah Bourret Nancy Payne Mark and Sheila Reed

    25 min

  3. 07/09/2025

    Wake Sports

    From homemade skis to world championships, we trace the homegrown history of wake sports in Okoboji -- and the lake rats who made it legendary. Check out more videos, maps, and illustrations about The Iowa Great Lakes' glacial history on our blog. Follow The Okoboji Project on Instagram and Facebook Sign up for our weekly newsletter and never miss an episode of The Okoboji Project! Follow Tyler on Instagram and TikTok. Follow Mia on Performance Stand Up Paddle and Vail Mountain Bike Camps. Guest: Tyler Stewart, Pro Wake Surfer Mia Stockdale, Okoboji Ski Club alumni

    25 min

  4. 06/25/2025

    The Life of the Lakes

    The Iowa Great Lakes region: shaped by ice, studied for over a century... and still revealing new discoveries. Check out more videos, maps, and illustrations about The Iowa Great Lakes' glacial history on our blog. Follow The Okoboji Project on Instagram and Facebook Sign up for our weekly newsletter and never miss an episode of The Okoboji Project! Explore incredible resources and community events at the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory. Or learn how to get involved with CLAMP! Read a preview of The Iowa Great Lakes Water Diagnostic Study from the Iowa Geological Survey (IGS). Donate to support the IGS and their work across Iowa. Guest: Keith Schilling, State Geologist and Director of IGS Phillip Kerr, Quaternary Geologist at IGS Thomas Doyle, Hydrogeologist at IGS Mary Skopec, Executive Director of The Lakeside Laboratory

    25 min

  5. 06/11/2025

    The Flood of '93

    In northwest Iowa, The Flood of ’93 left more than damage. In 2024, those lessons rose with the water. Watch The Sandbag Summer and explore more stories on our blog. Follow The Okoboji Project on Instagram and Facebook Sign up for our weekly newsletter and never miss an episode of The Okoboji Project! Donate to Spencer's Flood Relief Disaster Fund. Launched by the Spencer Chamber Foundation, this fund supports local organizations helping the community recover, providing emergency housing, cleanup, repairs, and more. Your donation goes directly where it’s needed most. Follow Clay County Long Term Recovery on Facebook to stay up-to-date on all the ways to get involved and give back.  Guest: Curtis Dean, former News and Public Affairs Director for KICD

    27 min

  6. 05/28/2025

    Her Majesty, The Queen

    The Queen isn’t a monarch—she’s a boat. A moving landmark, carrying the spirit of Okoboji. But her story is anything but smooth sailing. Explore more stories from The Queen and The Queen II on our blog. Follow The Okoboji Project on Instagram and Facebook Sign up for our weekly newsletter and never miss an episode of The Okoboji Project! Get your tickets to ride The Queen II this summer. And make plans to stop by the Maritime Museum in Arnolds Park to soak up even more of this incredible history. Guests: Jon Pausley, CEO of Historic Arnolds Park Rory Marra, Captain of The Queen II

    30 min

  7. 05/14/2025

    The Legend of The Loon Lake Cemetery

    The Loon Lake Cemetery was active for just fifty years, but a single myth reshaped its memory. We trace the records, names, and lives behind the legend. Explore more stories from The Loon Lake Cemetery on our blog. Follow The Okoboji Project on Instagram and Facebook Sign up for our weekly newsletter and never miss an episode of The Okoboji Project! Visit The Jackson County Historical Society in Lakefield, Minnesota. And consider making a gift to power their outstanding programs and scholarships. Guests: Nick Riordan, Director of The Jackson County Historical Society

    25 min

  8. 04/30/2025

    The Okoboji Foundation

    What do bike trails, an art center, and (several!) clean water projects have in common? A group of locals who rolled up their sleeves four decades ago. Explore some of our favorite community projects supported by the Foundation on our blog. Follow The Okoboji Project on Instagram and Facebook Sign up for our weekly newsletter and never miss an episode of The Okoboji Project! Love Okoboji? So do we. Visit The Okoboji Foundation’s website and follow them on Facebook to see how locals and lake lovers are making a difference—together. Guests: Tom Bedell, Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of The Okoboji Foundation Sue Richter, First President of The Okoboji Foundation Mindy Gress, President of The Okoboji Foundation Ali Schmitz, Administrative Director of The Okoboji Foundation Mark and Polly Peterson, Former Board Chairs Holly Skopec, Co-Creator of Youth in Philanthropy

    33 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

The Iowa Great Lakes story is a vibrant quilt woven from the threads of American history: railroad tycoons and boat builders, the U.S.-Dakota War, every beat of American music culture, evolutions in biology, and countless summer memories.

Information

  • Creator
    Ryan Maris and Emma Myhre
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Okoboji Project
  • Show Website
    The Okoboji Project