Talk of Iowa
Weekdays @ 10 a.m. on News & Studio One (FM) | Weekdays @ 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on News (Online & AM)
Talk of Iowa is a place for Iowans to interact with and learn from each other. Together, we delve into culture, history, art and literature. We want you to come away connected to our culture and what it means to live in Iowa.
Host Charity Nebbe brings a mix of regular guests and a range of experts to the microphone to discuss what’s happening in Iowa and what makes this a special place. Every day brings something new — even if it's in a recurring segment like Talk of Iowa Book Club or comes from a familiar voice on Horticulture Day.
Talk of Iowa is produced by Caitlin Troutman, Danielle Gehr and Samantha McIntosh, and our digital producer is Natalie Dunlap. Our executive producer is Katherine Perkins. Our theme music is by The River Monks. Call into the live show on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at 866-780-9100. Email the show's hosts and producers anytime at talkofiowa@iowapublicradio.org. Or download the latest episode to listen to the conversations you missed.
Latest Episodes
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Beautiful fall mums will soon be everywhere. But, getting them to grow in your home landscape takes more planning.On this horticulture day episode, host Charity Nebbe talks with Randall Vos, ISU Extension horticulture specialist, about producing fall plants on demand. Then, ISU horticulture professor Cindy Haynes joins to help answer listener questions. -
The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch first opened on Aug.10, 1962. It reopened on Aug. 6, 2026, after a $20 million complete renovation. On this episode, we speak with Mundi McCarty, president and CEO of the Hoover Presidential Foundation. She shares the vision for the renovation and the collaborative efforts that made it possible. Then, we tour the museum with Museum and Library Director Thomas Schwartz. He also discusses his role in shaping the museum narrative and his hopes for visitor engagement.
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The 2026 Iowa State Fair is almost here. On this episode, we meet some of the winningest State Fair competitors of all time. Dr. Rod Zietler is a master canner, Deb Zietler is a master weaver and Marcia Miller is a master pie maker. Rod and Deb Zietler's State Fair entries made it to the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. And Marcia Miller shares how she turned her State Fair pie domination into a way to raise money for animals. Then, a new documentary tells an untold State Fair story. East side native and filmmaker Shawn Hicks decided to capture those who live around the State Fair grounds and sell parking. There will be screenings of 'Parkers' at the Fleur in Des Moines Aug. 29 and Sept. 5 at 7 p.m.
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Mary Oliver's poetry has touched millions of readers. She passed away in 2019, but a new documentary tells her story. On this episode, we talk with filmmaker and former University of Iowa professor Sasha Waters about her film 'Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World.' She shares her experience working on the film and discusses Mary Oliver's legacy. The film is screening in Iowa City through Aug. 13, and will be released on PBS on Aug. 25. Then, we meet musician Ari Dubin, founder the Rolling Hills Music Festival. This new classical music festival looks to celebrate musicians in Central Iowa and takes place August 6-9 in Ames.
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In 1861, 32 students and two teachers from Greene County left to enlist in the Union Army. The school closed behind them and 11 of them never came home. On this episode, we learn about the schoolboy soldiers of Rippey and the people who are keeping this history alive. We talk with local historian Chuck Offenburger, who spoke to a Greene County High School class, which then inspired students and history teacher Dena Boyd to research further into the soldiers. We also hear from one of those students, Oliver Harris, and Rippey resident Mary Weaver who have all been involved in bringing the Schoolboy Soldiers of Rippey to life with monuments, re-enactments, and an upcoming theatrical production.
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If your yard and landscape look worse for the wear after a few weeks extreme heat, maybe it's time to think about a refresh. On this Horticulture Day episode, Iowa State University Extension Horticulture Specialist Aaron Steil joins us. He tells us about the beautiful perennials that thrive in the heat of summer. We also talk with DNR Forester Mark Vitosh, and he and Steil answer listener questions.
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Iowa has the second-highest cancer rate in the nation and young people — ages 15-49 — are not being spared. The six leading corn-producing states have a cancer rate for young adults that is about 5% higher than the rest of the nation. Host Charity Nebbe speaks with director of the Iowa Cancer Registry Mary Charlton and two young cancer survivors. (This show was originally produced November 24, 2025.)
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When the Africa Live Network announced the first Iowa African Film Festival, they were overwhelmed with submissions. We talk with Jack Chimbetete, founder of the Africa Live Network, about how the Iowa African Film Festival will showcase African culture and about what it means to connect people from the African diaspora. We also talk with Omar Love, founder and executive director of The Motherland Experience Festival. The Iowa African Film Festival takes place Aug. 6 through 8 at Drake University in Des Moines. The festival ends on Aug. 8 with the Motherland Experience Festival, a day of African arts, culture, and community. Then, Talk of Iowa Summer School continues with Alex Grapp, a high school language arts teacher at Ames High School. He shares how he is turning his students into readers by teaching them how to connect books to their own lives.
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Painter Rose Frantzen of Maquoketa recently won top honors at the prestigious Portrait Society of America's International Portrait Competition. Frantzen, co-founder of the Maquoketa Art Experience, discusses her career and why Iowa is where she makes her home. Then, Tamara Marcus, owner of Empowered Solutions Collective, discusses how a gardening and yoga class helps Cedar Rapids youth make sustainability a part of their everyday lives.
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Any time is a great time to visit an Iowa State Park, but if you go now through the end of October, you can discover hidden gems with the Iowa State Parks Passport. On this episode, we learn about the Iowa State Parks Passport, which encourages Iowans to explore historic landmarks and scenic overlooks around the state. We also talk with William Bortz about his new poetry collection. Then, we meet Anne Harris Carter, the new director of the African American Museum of Iowa.