Podcast
The Iowa Podcast
Hosted by The Iowa Podcast · EN
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!)
33episodes
Episodes
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Iowa's "risk averse" nature linked to farmer trauma? Dr. Chris Morris of ISU explains the research.
Mar 1800:36:46Tap to summarizeHave 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
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Major media and Iowa tourism use his photos. Meet The Iowa Road Trip Guy!
Mar 1100:33:33Tap to summarizeIf 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
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Des Moines Symphony is one of four in the country in developing young musicians.
Mar 400:24:40Tap to summarizeThe 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
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Will Iowa ban autonomous cars? Rep. Megan Jones answers the challenge of future regulations.
Feb 2500:36:13Tap to summarizeAs 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
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Iowa's hottest restaurants are closing. What happened?
Feb 1800:39:17Tap to summarizeAmericana 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
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If glyphosate causes cancer, why is used on over 70% of Iowa crops?
Feb 1100:44:44Tap to summarizeThe Florida surgeon general has labeled glyphosate a "contaminant" and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) considers it carcinogenic. So, why is it used on over 70% of Iowa fields? Dr. Richard Deming of MercyOne explains why Iowa is #2 in cancer rates and what can be done. 💡 Find this show on your favorite player: https://iowapodcast.com/iowa-cancer-r... 🗞️ Be first to get new interviews: https://iowapodcast.com/subscribe/ 🐖 Get a free $30 gift card from Jethro's BBQ: https://iowapodcast.com/jethrosbbq Deming is an oncologist and director of the Richard Deming Cancer Center at MercyOne. He explains why almost 50% of cancer causes are preventable, but rates climb anyway. He goes into vivid detail on what causes cancer, including some of the very treatments that are supposed to fight it. He also explains why eating healthy food, lowering obesity, and perhaps even some yoga are stronger cancer fighters than we initially thought. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction and Topic Overview 00:44 - Guest Introduction: Dr. Richard Deming 00:51 - The Complexity of Cancer Causes 02:32 - Government Actions on Glyphosate 03:12 - Public Policy and Cancer Prevention 04:35 - Environmental Factors and Cancer 15:15 - Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Cancer Risk 20:16 - Unique Cancer Risks in Iowa 24:08 - The Impact of Obesity on Cancer 24:30 - Organic Food and Cancer Rates 25:10 - Modern Agriculture and Food Distribution 26:04 - The Role of Mutations in Cancer 30:17 - Cancer Screening and Prevention 37:35 - Above and Beyond Cancer: A Public Charity 41:56 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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Where are the best eagle watching locations in Iowa? Pro photographer tells us his secrets.
Feb 400:29:26Tap to summarizeWant to see bald eagles snatching fish out of the water? Would you like to have a front row seat seeing eagles fight over a fresh meal? Professional photographer Ron Maggard explains how to find the best Iowa locations and what times are ideal. 💡 Find this show on your favorite player: https://iowapodcast.com/eagle-watching-locations-in-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 Maggard is an Iowa-based wildlife photographer and he's a big fan of bald eagles. He explains why below zero temperatures in February are great for bald eagle photography and how to find the best eagle locations across the state. He also discusses some breathtaking experiences and what time of day gets the best photographs. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:10 Eagle Watching in Iowa: An Overview 00:25 Expert Insights: Ron Maggard on Eagle Watching 01:16 Best Locations for Eagle Watching 02:00 Why Winter is Ideal for Eagle Watching 07:24 Photography Tips for Capturing Eagles 10:51 Eagle Behavior and Interactions 13:28 Respecting Eagle Nests: Legal Distances and Common Mistakes 14:27 The Size and Construction of Eagle Nests 16:28 Eagle Watching in Iowa: A New Phenomenon 17:20 Photography Tips for Capturing Eagles 19:21 Eagle Behavior and Hunting Techniques 21:24 The Impact of Removing Roller Dams on Eagle Populations 22:29 Exploring Iowa's Hidden Gems Through Photography 24:40 Final Thoughts and Photography Advice
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Iowa eyesore becomes Iowa icon! Steve Peters on saving The Ingersoll
Jan 2800:32:01Tap to summarizeThe drive down Ingersoll avenue is a juxtaposition of new and trendy, but also rundown and gross. But this month, with the launch of The Ingersoll that brand is finally behind us. Steve Peters, co-owner of The Ingersoll, and CEO of VenuWorks describes the process of saving the building and bringing back to life the iconic marquee. 💡 Find this show on your favorite player: https://iowapodcast.com/the-iconic-ingersoll/ 🗞️ Be first to get new interviews: https://iowapodcast.com/subscribe/ 🐖 Get a free $30 gift card from Jethro's BBQ: https://iowapodcast.com/jethrosbbq Peters says every inch of the building needed to be gutted and redone to save it. But Iowans have responded favorably, selling the venue out every night in January. And the good news doesn't stop there. Despite it being open for only a few weeks, 50% of the acts are from across the country. Musicians, actors, and touring groups are already getting in line to come perform for Iowans. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:13 The Ingersoll Theater: From Eyesore to Crown Jewel 01:14 Challenges and Delays in Renovation 03:04 The Grand Opening and Community Response 03:48 Historical Significance and Restoration Efforts 06:50 Modern Upgrades and Technological Enhancements 14:01 Community Support and Unexpected Challenges 14:53 Unexpected Challenges in Building Restoration 15:25 Community Support and Initial Steps 16:02 Long-term Viability and Programming Plans 16:31 Theater Offerings and Local Talent 18:58 Personal Connection to the Arts 19:36 Private vs. Public Funding in Theater Restoration 20:28 Ensuring Professional Management and Maintenance 23:03 Interest from Outside Acts and Community Involvement 27:29 Diverse Entertainment Spectrum 29:14 Conclusion and Ticket Information
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As cyclists come to this Iowa town, is revenue being left on the table?
Jan 2100:33:39Tap to summarize20% of cyclists coming to Ankeny aren't from Iowa. The economic potential cyclists bring is estimated to be in the billions, but currently each stay only brings $250 in economic activity. Derek Lord, Ankeny economic development director explains the retail and business opportunity accommodate the massive and untapped revenue potential. Will retailers answer the call? 💡 Find this show on your favorite player: https://iowapodcast.com/high-trestle-trail-ankeny 🗞️ Be first to get new interviews: https://iowapodcast.com/subscribe/ 🐖 Get a free $30 gift card from Jethro's BBQ: https://iowapodcast.com/jethrosbbq Lord explains the High Trestle Trail has brought 250,000 cyclists through Ankeny every year. Cutting right through the middle of Uptown, the revenue potential has been immense. Will hospitality companies capitalize on the potential in 2026? Lord also addresses the growth plans for the NE Ankeny annexation, new mixed use retail and apartments in Uptown, and why traffic on Delaware is probably not changing any time soon, especially as new retailers show interest. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene 00:20 High Trestle Trail: A Unique Attraction 01:13 Flow Line and Glow Trail: Enhancing the Experience 03:39 Economic Impact and Visitor Statistics 08:22 Future Plans and Opportunities 16:21 Enhancing Hotel Amenities for Cyclists 16:42 Airbnb Opportunities in Rural Communities 17:29 Economic Impact of Bicycling in Iowa 18:40 Winter Biking Potential in Ankeny 21:14 Revitalizing Uptown Ankeny 28:05 Future Growth and Annexation Plans 30:56 Conclusion and Staying Informed
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Doctor shares how MAHA diet reverses chronic symptoms!
Jan 1400:33:23Tap to summarizeMany Iowans suffer from chronic health issues with 37% suffering from obesity. Will the new "MAHA" food pyramid actually help? The answer is yes, according to Dr. Rachel Poll. Poll is a functional medicine doctor at Delta Health in Clive, and has been recommending her own similar version of the new food pyramid to her patients for years, and the results are striking with many reversing chronic health issues. This week the Department of Health and Human Services published a new version of the 1980s food pyramid, but the change is striking with them literally flipping much of it upside down. Healthy fats are good, red meat is on top, and grains are deemphasized. Poll said her patients have been eating a similar version of this recommended diet for years and the results she sees are irrefutable.
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