Charity Nebbe
Talk of Iowa HostExpertise: Interviewing, literature, ecology, political science, history and life in Iowa, all in order to help IPR listeners and readers better understand, appreciate and explore their state
Education: Bachelors degree from Iowa State University
Favorite Iowa Destination: Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Experience:
Has served as a talk show and podcast host for IPR and WOI Radio, as well as for Michigan Public in Ann Arbor from 2000 — 2010
- Has been the host of Talk of Iowa since 2010
- Hosts the podcasts Garden Variety and Unsettled
- Founder of the Talk of Iowa Book Club
- Is a multi-award-winning host and reporter, including a regional Edward R. Murrow for The Bonobo Hope Great Ape Trust Sanctuary, a first place award from the Public Media Journalists Association for her Iowa Veteran Talks About Being Trafficked as a Teenager interview, a first place newscast award from the Public Media Journalists Association, and a Regional Upper Midwest Emmy for Iowa PBS' Iowa Ingredient
- Created the nationally-syndicated public radio show Chinwag Theater, which she produced and co-hosted with author Daniel Pinkwater
- Honored with an Alumni Achievement Award by Iowa State University's Department of Political Science
- Host of Iowa Life and Iowa Ingredient for Iowa PBS
- Author of the children's book Our Walk in the Woods, published in 2008
- Co-founder of Let Me Run Eastern Iowa Corridor, a character development and running program for boys
My Favorite Conversations
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The Talk of Iowa team hops into a dugout canoe on Lake Darling to learn about Indigenous cultural practices. Plus, Project AWARE uses canoes to clean up Iowa waters. -
While floodwaters destroyed and damaged Spencer homes, neighbors organized to help their community, supporting each other and the community after the devastating floodwaters receeded. -
Every spring, nearly one million Sandhill Cranes pass through an 80-mile stretch of the Platte River in Nebraska on their northward migration. -
In her memoir, Lucinda Williams explains how she spent her career making music on her own terms. -
The 108th annual Meskwaki Powwow takes place this weekend. It’s a four-day celebration of Meskwaki culture and tradition where everyone is welcome.
My Latest Stories
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‘Why We Dance’ takes viewers into the heart of Indigenous communities in Iowa, South Dakota, Hawaii and Mexico. -
Iowa Writers’ Workshop graduate Yiyun Li is headlining the University of Iowa’s Literary Legends event Oct. 23 in conjunction with the Iowa City Book Festival. -
Two best friends have been working to make Clinton a destination and create connection in their community through art — from colorful murals to giant wooden trolls.
My Latest Podcasts
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Oaks are a keystone species that provide habitat for many different species of wildlife. Iowa’s oaks are facing significant challenges, but they are still worth planting. Charity Nebbe speaks with Iowa Department of Natural Resources District Forester Mark Vitosh about fostering healthy oak trees. -
Smoking cigarettes is still the primary risk factor for developing lung cancer, but just about 20% of the people in the U.S. who are diagnosed with lung cancer each year have never smoked. On this episode, we learn about the causes of lung cancer, diagnosis, treatment and why many cases are missed until it is too late.
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'The Couple with the Pitchfork: American Gothic from Easel to Icon,' a new book by historian Wanda Corn, explores how Grant Woods' painting became an international, iconic image. Then, primatologist Jill Pruetz talks about the fascinating Fongoli chimps ahead of the premiere of "HumanLike: The Chimps of Fongoli" on PBS.
