Talk of Iowa

In the novel Nothing to See Here, 28-year-old Lillian Breaker is unhappily drifting through life when an old school friend asks for a big favor. Suddenly she is the caretaker of 10-year-old twins — who sometimes burst...

Gathering with extended family can be wonderful, pleasant, awkward, difficult or even toxic. Sylvia Mikucki-Enyart, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Family Communication, joins with advice about how to navigate the...

Comedian Jane Lynch, known for roles in Glee and Only Murders in the Building, has been bringing holiday spirit and her musical talents across the country for the last decade. Lynch spoke with Charity Nebbe ahead of her...

When science journalists Sadie Dingfelder mistook a stranger for her husband at the grocery store, it was the beginning of her discovery that she literally sees and processes the world differently than most people do...

Andrew Lopez is on FX's The Bear and Apple TV's Platonic with some of the biggest stars in Hollywood. He also has his own show in development with HBO. But it wasn't long ago that he was a kid growing up in Pella. Then...

On this Horticulture Day, DNR Forester Mark Vitosh is here to give us some insight into the industry that brings so many people joy this time of year. When you buy a Christmas tree at a farm, tree lot or store, you’re...

The third annual Iowa Farmers of Color Conference takes place Saturday, Dec. 6. It's an opportunity for farmers of color from around the Midwest to come to together to learn from each other and build community...

Author and baker Beth Howard moved into the American Gothic house 15 years ago, started a pie stand and became known to many as the “pie lady.” Now, she’s created a documentary that demonstrates how pie is baked into...

A conversation with author Kevin Wilson about his novel Run for the Hills, recorded at the Des Moines Public Library. Wilson and Charity Nebbe talk about reading out loud, Wilson's writing process and why his book sales...

If you’re looking for brilliant, beautiful and delicious ideas for the holiday season, influencer and best-selling author Kaleb Wyse is the man to turn to. Wyse shares his favorite seasonal traditions and recipes, plus...

Iowa book lovers Devin Redmond, Molly Roberts and Amanda Lepper share their favorite new titles for kids, ages 0 to young adults.

Stephen King once said, “Books are a uniquely portable magic,” and that’s just one of the reasons they make great gifts. Booksellers Jan Weismiller, Tim Budd and Linzi Murray share their recommendations.

The six leading corn-producing states have a cancer rate for young adults that is about 5% higher than the rest of the nation. We speak with two women who were diagnosed with cancer in their 30s about how the disease...

Apple harvest season is coming to an end, but there are ways to enjoy their flavor for more than just the fall.

A new documentary captured the experiences of Vietnam War veterans in Iowa. Then, a theatre started by Grant Wood and his friends turns 100 years old.

Two new exhibitions at the Dubuque Museum of Art rethink representation through Indigenous, Latinx and community-centered storytelling. Then, two sisters organize an annual Thanksgiving day giveaway of pies, no...

A new development theory out of Iowa State University reshapes how experts understand the impact of trauma and adverse childhood experiences on our memories and how those memories can change over time.

The inaugural Cedar Rapids Storytelling Festival, a four-day event created by TellersBridge, showcased stories that span decades, cultures and emotional tones — including a first kiss, a pivotal moment in the Civil...

Fresh, ripe berries right out of the garden are a distant dream at the moment, but there are steps you can take now that will give those berries their best chance to thrive.

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...

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...

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...