Talk of Iowa

Writers Bob Leonard and Jason Walsmith share stories from their new series Portraits of Hunger in Iowa, documenting Iowans facing food insecurity and homelessness. Also, a conversation with members of the Des Moines Gamer Symphony Orchestra ahead of their first-ever honor orchestra concert.

We look at how Iowa’s organic movement began, how it’s evolved and what the future holds for the next generation of farmers.

When Mike Jay isn't announcing track and field meets around the state and country, he's sending running shoes to student athletes as part of the Track Guy Foundation. Also, a conversation about the veteran-led humanitarian organization Team Rubicon.

As food insecurity grows, Iowa’s gardeners are stepping up to help feed those in need — plus, how an improv nonprofit is empowering Iowa's youth to grow confident on and off stage.

We’ve reached peak fall color across the state and leaves are dropping. This hour — fallen leaves, fall cleanup and overwintering tender perennials.

UNI gerontology professor Melinda Heinz launched a new course this semester that explores the importance of creative pursuits for older adults. Then, a space that is combating social isolation, particularly for older men.

The book Red Earth Nation: a History of the Meskwaki Settlement tells that story. On this Talk of Iowa, host Charity Nebbe speaks with Meskwaki tribal historian Johnathan Buffalo and author Eric Steven Zimmer.

The number of people identifying as Native Americans in the U.S. nearly doubled between 2010 and 2020, according to the U.S. Census.