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There's Always Plenty To Talk About On Talk Of Iowa - Host Charity Nebbe Picks Some Of Her Recent Favorites

Hard conversations about the COVID-19 pandemic and dives into great pieces of literature: host Charity Nebbe walks through some of her recent favorite episodes of Talk of Iowa.

New Novel Trudges Through The Conflicting, Intense Realities Of Motherhood

Talk of Iowa 8-2-21

Aug. 8, 2021

"Becoming a parent is a radical transformation — but not usually the kind of transformation that takes place in Rachel Yoder's debut novel "Nightbitch."

In it, a new mother quit her dream job at an art gallery to stay home with her son. Meanwhile, her husband's work travel has him home on only the weekends. In the isolation of her house and against the cries of her child, she is changing. Her behavior is different, and so is her body.

She's beginning to suspect that she might be transforming into a dog.

Rachel Yoder came into the studio to talk about her book, and it's the kind of conversation that makes the show special."

Parents Face Difficult Decisions As Children Return To The Classroom

Talk of Iowa 8-16-21

Aug. 16, 2021

"The rise of the COVID-19 delta variant has meant a rise in the number of cases among children. This spike of new infections among children who are under the age of 18 — including more break-through infections or positive cases among vaccinated people — has correlated with the return to school. While people 12-years-old and up are eligible for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, there are many students who just aren't eligible.

I'm a parent, and I thought it was important to have the Iowa Legislator who originated the bill that, until very recently, prevented schools from mandating masks to explain why he and the state's Republican majority chose to take this public health best practice away from school districts. We also hear from parents about their concerns and a pediatric doctor about the reality of spread in school."

Exploring The Pleasures And Dangers Of Nostalgia With Bill Bryson's “The Life And Times Of The Thunderbolt Kid”

Talk of Iowa 8-17-21

Aug. 17, 2021

"Over the past year and a half I have had the great joy of digging deep into a wide variety of books with the Talk of Iowa Book Club. We read a book each month and convene a panel of 'expert readers' to talk through the themes, characters and big questions they raise.

In August, we stepped back in time with Bill Bryson's “The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid." In the book, Bryson gets in touch with his inner child, recreating the city of Des Moines and the culture he remembers from his youth."

The Pros And Cons Of Monitoring Children Via Smartphone Technology

TOI 8-30-21

Aug. 30, 2021

"I listen to stories all the time about how big companies are using my smartphone to track my behaviors and habits. But this year I learned some parents are taking a nod from Amazon and keeping track of their kids through the phone in their pocket.

I spoke with two experts on communication and technology about how parents are finding a balance between the drive to keep up with their kids and the need for independence. "

Rural And Urban, Health Care Providers Strained During COVID Pandemic

Talk of Iowa 9-8-21

Sept. 8, 2021

"Now in our second year of the pandemic, frontline nurses and public health workers are still operating at full throttle. With the pandemic showing no sign of stopping, we talked with Iowans, rural and urban, about what they are going through.

We hear from a Wayne County Public Health official who says she can't promote the vaccine without suffering attacks from anti-vaxxers and two nurses talk about what they've seen."

You can listen to Talk of Iowalive at 10 a.m. on weekdays or anytime with the Talk of Iowa podcast.

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Charity Nebbe is the host of IPR's Talk of Iowa