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
-
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
-
Sonja Strathearn has turned her passion for Jane Austen into an art project, sewing and collecting Regency-era costumes for Austen conventions halfway across the world. -
Give the gift of a great story to a child in your life. Our expert readers recommend the best new books for the littlest readers through young adult readers. -
Expert readers share the best new fiction and nonfiction books to give and receive in this holiday season.
My Latest Podcasts
-
We talk all things Jane Austen in celebration of the 250th anniversary of her birth. First, Iowa City-based artist Sonja Strathearn began making Regency-era attire three years ago to attend The Jane Austen Fest and the obsession has only grown from there. Strathearn invites us into her closet to show off her Regency attire. Then, Nebbe speaks with author Curtis Sittenfeld, an Austen fan and the author of the 'Pride & Prejudice' reimagining, 'Eligible.' Finally, musicologist Marian Wilson Kimber talks about Austen's musical inclinations, the pieces in her playbook and the ways music influenced her books.
-
On this special bonus episode in honor of Jane Austen's 250th birthday, 'Talk of Iowa' host Charity Nebbe and producer Dani Gehr settle a debate they've been having for years: Which adaptation of 'Pride and Prejudice' is best? Nebbe makes her case for the longer and more by the book 1995 BBC miniseries, while Gehr advocates for the iconic moments in the more modern 2005 film with Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen. You can see the two debate in Regency-era outfits on IPR's Instagram, Facebook and TikTok accounts.
-
The holidays are often framed as a season of joy, generosity and togetherness. But for many families, they also bring financial stress — from buying gifts and hosting meals, to booking travel and navigating expectations, especially with kids in the mix. Chief consumer finance analyst Matt Schulz breaks down the latest data on holiday spending, debt and travel. Then, journalist Annaliese Griffin shares how her family has embraced secondhand gifts, experiences over things and open conversations about money. Lastly, developmental psychologist Maryam Abdullah discusses how kids experience gift-giving and what actually matters most for their well-being during the holidays.