Lifestyle

Iowa is full of old structures including barns, churches and abandoned schools. Some enterprising Iowans have turned old structures into beautiful, non-traditional homes. What does it take to improve an old home or to turn a barn into a house?

Brent Herrig is a culinary lifestyle photographer living in New York City, and he has created a photo exhibit that features the favorite spoons of chefs, bartenders and baristas around the world and the stories behind each spoon. In collaboration with chefs, Herrig shows us in his website the chefs' favorite spoons with the ingredients that inspired them. 

Just about every four years the rest of the country turns its attention toward Iowa. Everybody wants to figure out what makes us tick and who we'll vote for.

Robert Leonard is a keen observer of his fellow humans. He studies us from the perspective of a trained anthropologist and a seasoned journalist. He also, it turns out, has the heart of a poet. All of these facets come together in his latest book "Deep Midwest: Midwestern Explorations," published by Ice Cube Press.

Megan Gogerty made a name for herself in Iowa's theater scene with her witty and comedic writing and delivery. Her latest work "FEAST." is a departure from this style, and takes the audience into a visceral, immersive theater experience where those seated in the theater are just as much a part of the story as Gogerty.

On this segment of Talk of Iowa, Gogerty joins host Charity Nebbe for a look at her new one-woman show set at a dinner party where political discontent and patriarchal critique are on the menu.

The average American consumer is responsible for 234 pounds of plastic waste each year, and of the 30 million tons of plastic produced each year across the globe, about half are created for single-use purposes. Used once, then thrown away.   

Nate Sherwood grew up in a time when skateboarding was viewed as rebellious and countercultural. Now skateboarding is viewed in an entirely different light with clinics for young skaters, family skateboard outings, and cities all across Iowa constructing skateparks. This fall the City of Des Moines will be opening the Lauridsen Skatepark, which will be the largest skatepark in the United States with 88,000 square-feet of skatable surface.  

Many people are willing to pay a lot of money for thrilling adventures. They ride ziplines and roller coasters, go bungee jumping, paragliding, cliff jumping, and sky diving. For some, thrill-seeking is the ultimate kind of fun. For others, the idea of getting on a plane, let alone jumping out of it, is terrifying. 

While some travel bloggers write about exotic getaways or gourmet food tours, Megan Bannister decided to document Iowa's quirky and often times lesser-known destinations along I-80 and elsewhere. In this interview on Talk of Iowa, host Charity Nebbe talks with Bannister about why she decided to write about these roadside attractions and her list of must-see hidden gems.

Stops Worth Getting off I-80

Social media platforms like Pinterest contain more than just fun recipes and party planning ideas. They are an excellent resource for homeowners and DIY fanatics for innovative projects and building advice.

There is a stereotype that comes to mind when we talk about eating disorders -- the too thin anorexic or bulimic teenage girl. In reality anyone can have an eating disorder and many who struggle with eating disorders don’t fit this description, and as a result, those people do not get the help they need.

During this Talk of Iowa interview Charity Nebbe talks with Sarah Thompson.

With plenty of fast fashion outlets and cheap clothing available, Americans are purchasing, and discarding, clothing items at a rate never seen before. Allison Engel, co-author of second-hand shopping guide, "Thrift Style," says used clothign stores often provide cheaper, high-qualilty clothing options, while decreasing textile waste.