The Iowa Podcast
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Is Iowa a tech hub? Well… No. VC Liz Keehner explains.
Does Iowa have a rising tech scene? Many community leaders may brag about it, but the reality is far more sobering. Liz Keehner, Principal at Next Level Ventures, explains the hard truths that many Iowans probably don’t want to hear—the money simply isn’t there. So is it time to pack it in or double down?
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DSM Airport Half-Way Point Video & Photos
The Des Moines International Airport (DSM) is stepping into a new era of air travel with a terminal project that reflects not just growth, but ambition. Now at the official halfway point of construction, DSM is no longer a quiet regional hub—it’s rapidly positioning itself as a serious Midwest transit player with carriers asking about…
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Fluoride and nitrates in tap water? Polk County Supervisor says it’s safe.
Editors Note 6/12: This interview was recorded before Des Moines Water Works officially announced high nitrate levels in the water. Iowa nitrate levels fluctuate seasonally, and many Iowans wants to know: is Iowa tap water safe? Podcaster Dr. Andrew Huberman cautions listeners on tap, citing fluoride among other concerns, but the American Dental Association argues…
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Exclusive: Auditor Rob Sand candidate for Iowa Governor
Audio version: State Auditor Rob Sand is running for Iowa Governor. As the lone Democrat in Iowa public office, backed by a significantly weaker Democrat party, is he going to run as a Democrat or Independent? He discussed why he may not actually be opposed to the new ESA law, how he’ll handle a GOP…
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A Midwest Pope? What’s it mean for Iowa Catholics?
Audio version: For the first time in history, the Pope isn’t just from the United States, but from the midwest! Pope Leo XIV hails from Chicago, and this close proximity to Iowa could have an impact. Tom Chapman, Executive Director of The Iowa Catholic Conference discusses Pope Leo’s history, what it means for Iowans, and…
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The Carbon Pipeline – Top Concerns From Opponents
In this episode of The Iowa Podcast, guest host Mark Gannon speaks with Jessica Mazour of the Iowa Sierra Club who is leading an effort to end carbon pipelines in Iowa. For those unfamiliar with the issue, pipelines carrying carbon dioxide would run from ethanol plants in Iowa to North Dakota and then into the…
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Trendsetters? Iowa farm was an agritourism destination 30 years ago
Audio version: Farms aren’t fun. Right? Someone tell Samantha (Sammy) Petersen of Bloomsbury Farm in Atkins, Iowa. As a 5th generation farmer she has helped her parents build an agritourism destination in the Eastern Iowa empire. While many Iowa farms have been jumping into the agritourism trend, Peterson says her mother jumped on the trend…
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Celebrating the 2025 Des Moines Downtown Farmers’ Market with Elizabeth Weyers
In this exciting episode of The Iowa Podcast, guest host Rob Newton sits down with Elizabeth Weyers, the Downtown Farmers’ Market Manager at the Greater Des Moines Partnership, to talk all things local, seasonal, and community-driven as the 2025 season of the Des Moines Downtown Farmers’ Market kicks off on May 3rd. Elizabeth shares her…
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The Best of Iowa’s 99 Counties: Breaded Pork Tenderloins, Burgers, and State Landmarks
Audio version: If you’re a fan of Iowa’s iconic breaded pork tenderloin, this episode of The Iowa Podcast: Iowa Eats Edition is a can’t-miss. Guest host Jensen Cummings, a fifth-generation chef and food storyteller, steps in for Justin Brady to sit down with the one and only JayJay Goodvin, also known as The Iowa Gallivant. …
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Amanda Wanke, CEO of DART discusses transit’s challenge
Public transit in Iowa is a challenge. Amanda Wanke explains why central Iowan’s shouldn’t expect profitability any time soon, and speaks about their plans to address future budget shortfalls.