Neve Kelley

In his book 'Freedom Season: How 1963 Transformed America’s Civil Rights,' Peniel Joseph writes how 1963 was a landmark year for the Civil Rights Movement. Now, Joseph says, the United States is experiencing rollbacks of civil rights and racial justice ideals that the turmoil and violence of 1963 ushered in. Host Charity Nebbe speaks with Joseph about his book, and how the events of 1963 help us better understand contemporary political polarization and racial and cultural divisions. Joseph explains struggles for racial justice in 1963 reverberated worldwide, at times strengthening and damaging America’s global reputation in a manner that echoes the present. (This episode was originally produced June 17, 2025.)

A conversation with expert readers about 'Their Eyes Were Watching God' for the 'Talk of Iowa' Book Club. Author Zora Neale Hurston drew on her experience as a folklorist, anthologist and a Black woman who came of age in the Jim Crow South when she wrote her beloved novel. (This show was originally produced August 12, 2025.)

'Warrior Girl Unearthed' is a young adult thriller that gives readers insight into Ojibwe culture, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, missing and murdered Indigenous persons and teenage shenanigans. On this episode of 'Talk of Iowa,' host Charity Nebbe talks with author Angeline Boulley about her inspiration for the novel, then turns to three expert readers. (This episode was originally produced June 10, 2025.)

We tour the Corriell Nature Preserve with Robin Wall Kimmerer and talk about the tools of land preservation.

Iowa State University Extension horticulture specialist Dan Fillius shares how to use cover crops in your garden.

Farmers who use cover crops see all kinds of benefits, improvements in soil health, reductions in runoff and erosion — they even help with weed control. Home gardeners can also harness the power of cover crops.

Iowan Mike Rowley shares the detective work that revealed his ancestor's service. Then, we meet the pilot who flew around the world to raise awareness for polio eradication.

Six Iowa public school districts operated on a four-day week during the 2023-2024 school year. This fall, 27 districts will be using this schedule.

Candidates enter and exit the Iowa races for 2026. Today, a look at the shifting primary field with analysis from professor Jim McCormick of Iowa State University.

The upcoming movie Death of a Brewer tells the story of the three breweries that dominated the northside of Iowa City in the 1880s.