Talk of Iowa
Talk of Iowa is a place for Iowans to connect to our shared culture and what it means to live in Iowa. Host Charity Nebbe brings a mix of regular guests and a range of experts to discuss the arts, history, literature and everything else happening in Iowa. 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.
- Update frequency
- every day
- Average duration
- 47 minutes
- Episodes
- 147
- Years Active
- 2025
Iowa native explores the interplay between education and mental health in new memoir
The author of a new memoir, Learning in the Free Fall: A Testimony of Mental Health, Poverty and Race in America, shares her experience in America's education system.
00:47:48 |
Thu 07 Aug 2025
Des Moines-based quiltmaker stitches a deeper layer into his pieces
The bright palette in Ben Millett's quilts nod to queer iconography and activism. Then, UNI professor Jim O'Loughlin shares the life and work of poet James Hearst.
00:47:57 |
Wed 06 Aug 2025
How peregrine falcons bounced back after near extinction
Once considered nonexistent in Iowa, peregrine falcons have had a comeback since the species was reintroduced in 1989.
00:47:36 |
Tue 05 Aug 2025
Adorn your landscape with these ornamental grasses
Ornamental grasses can add color, texture and maybe a bit of sophistication to your yard.
00:47:55 |
Sat 02 Aug 2025
Seed Savers Exchange celebrates 50 years of dedication to preserving biodiversity
A look at the 50 year legacy of Seed Savers, and revisiting a 2015 conversation with Sean Sherman, The Sioux Chef.
00:48:04 |
Fri 01 Aug 2025
Young, educated adults leave Iowa at a higher rate than most of the U.S.
In recent decades, growing numbers of young educated people have been leaving Iowa, with far fewer coming in.
00:47:53 |
Thu 31 Jul 2025
Salvador Dali's visit to Cedar Falls and other unearthed pieces of Iowa history
Roy Behrens is the author of Dreams of Fields: Memory Traces of Iowa’s Past. Then, a conversation with the founder and owner of Iowa novelty store, RAYGUN.
00:48:02 |
Tue 29 Jul 2025
Using rootstocks to help grow healthy root systems
Iowa State University horticulture specialists share how rootstocks help produce healthy root systems and answer listener questions.
00:47:47 |
Sat 26 Jul 2025
Memory care specialists share resources for caregivers and loved ones with dementia
Whether you provide daily caregiving, participate in decision making, or simply care about a person with the disease, there are resources available.
00:48:01 |
Fri 25 Jul 2025
Pros and cons of do-it-yourself heating and cooling systems
Home improvement and maintenance expert Bill McAnally gives tips to help you stay cool.
00:48:02 |
Thu 24 Jul 2025
New documentary explores the impact of coal plants in Iowa
Iowa’s Dirty Secret: The True Cost of Burning Coal explores the impact of MidAmerican Energy coal plants. Then, we talk with the director of the Quad-City Times Bix7 race.
00:48:03 |
Wed 23 Jul 2025
Iowa City suspense authors bring their unique backgrounds to their writing
Tim Johnston and Anna Bruno discuss their latest novels. Then, we'll hear about two relics of Iowa history in Pottawattamie County.
00:47:50 |
Tue 22 Jul 2025
How a field of solar panels can support a field of crops
Iowa State University horticulture experts discuss the practice of combining solar energy and agriculture.
00:47:47 |
Sat 19 Jul 2025
A walk through a 'wild place' with Robin Wall Kimmerer
We tour the Corriell Nature Preserve with Robin Wall Kimmerer and talk about the tools of land preservation.
00:48:05 |
Fri 18 Jul 2025
How to live lightly on our planet during a time of uncertainty
In her new book Shelter and Storm: At Home in the Driftless, Tamara Dean hopes to inspire readers to interact with nature and community.
00:48:03 |
Thu 17 Jul 2025
Dump the landfill, not your trash
How to avoid creating trash in Iowa — from repairing your things instead of replacing them, to recycling and composting and more.
00:47:57 |
Wed 16 Jul 2025
A behind-the-scenes look at one of Iowa's greatest traditions
New PBS documentary Behind the Blue Ribbon shows a side of the Iowa State Fair you haven't seen before. And, an Iowa City physics teacher is a finalist for a prestigious national award.
00:47:58 |
Tue 15 Jul 2025
Learn how plants and insects can peacefully coexist in your garden
Insects are essential for a healthy ecosystem, but it can be hard not to see some insects as pests.
00:47:47 |
Sat 12 Jul 2025
Celebrating the 33rd annual Iowa Municipal Band Festival
Iowa communities celebrate a long musical tradition. Then, two Brazilian musicians say their farewell to Iowa.
00:47:34 |
Fri 11 Jul 2025
Iowa museum shows the racist items that were once common in American homes
A visit to the African American Museum of Iowa, then a conversation with a mother and son artist and filmmaker duo.
00:48:06 |
Thu 10 Jul 2025
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