Iowa Business Podcast
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Energy joins healthcare as growing business Iowa concern
The ABI Survey results are out and energy is now a growing concern alongside healthcare and talent acquisition for Iowa leaders. Nicole Crain, President of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI), breaks down fresh Q2 survey data out today. To be clear, energy is cheap and accessible in Iowa, but Iowa business leaders…
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As restaurants close, Hyper Energy Bar grows. Why?
Can an Iowa-based drive-through brand focused on energy drinks survive? Can it take on the likes of Starbucks? Apparently the answer is yes. After building numerous stores across Iowa, the founder of Hyper Energy Bar, Chris Whalen, is expanding throughout the midwest. Service runs in Whalen’s blood. As a kid he was surrounded by hotel…
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Dubuque developer blurs lines between property owner and investor
While some small downtowns across the country are dying, towns like Dubuque, Iowa are growing. John Gronen, founder of Gronen Development explains how their role has evolved into a hybrid of a state economic development, tourism office, and investment firm. Gronen’s approach has been profitable, but isn’t solely focused on the numbers. He doesn’t see…
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Iowa’s top CEOs are cautious as they face volatility, Ai changes, and tariffs.
Iowa’s top 21 CEOs are in between a rock and a hard place. They want to continue their traditional calculated approach, the reason for Iowa’s dependable economy, but face new market volatility, a weekly-changing regulatory landscape, Ai disruption, and future energy concerns. Is it time for change? Joe Murphy, President of the Iowa Business Council…
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The reason young talent is leaving Iowa Workforce. And how to reverse it.
Iowa’s young talent has been leaving the state for decades, but the “baby boomerang” gave Iowa employers a sense of peace. Iowans know leaving students will return to start a family. But that’s no longer happening. Anna Mable, of Association of Business and Industry asks why Iowa employers are ignoring a proven solution. As ABI’s…
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Should marketers still focus on written content? Iowa AI pro answers.
Follower numbers and web traffic aren’t meaningful numbers anymore. Iowa CMO and Comms leads need to switch focus to AI search and control mind share, not worry about vanity metrics. Iowa-based AI and search pro Ryan Doser explains why trust signals need to lead your marcom strategy. Doser details why audio-only podcasts are dead and what…
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HR lawyer: what really triggers employee departures
Attracting top talent in Iowa, and retaining great workers is a growing concern and challenge. For many CEOs though, it’s entirely preventable. Beth Coonan, an HR focused lawyer at Dentons Davis Brown explains the signs of an employee who wants to leave, how to retain them, and what to do if they leave. You won’t…
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Meet the man behind Iowa’s critical mineral “urban mining”
Critical minerals are in high demand for US-based manufacturing, but access has become a pressing concern. Can a new Iowa startup solve the problem for the country? Daniel Bina, CEO of Critical Materials Recycling explains how their partnered with Iowa State University will commercialize what is known as “urban mining.” Presently, companies send spent electronics…
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Forging the Future: How Seneca Foundry Blends Tradition, Technology, and Teamwork
In this episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, host Leisa Fox visits Seneca Foundry to talk with Lori Mason and Steph Kruger, two of the driving forces behind one of Iowa’s most resilient and forward-thinking manufacturers. The conversation dives deep into the foundry business—its history, challenges, and evolution. Lori and Steph open up about navigating…
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Automation for All: Inside the Mind of a Student Innovator
Keegan Fogarty didn’t come to the University of Iowa planning to start a business — but a spark from the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC) ignited something bigger. Now a senior mechanical engineering student, Keegan is building General Robotics, a company that could change how small and mid-size manufacturers think about automation. In this…