5 Best Iowa Public Radio Podcasts
Iowa Public Radio Podcasts
Here are 5 Best Iowa Public Radio Podcasts worth listening to in 2026.
Export Contact List1. Talk of Iowa
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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.MORE Host Charity Nebbe
Producer/Network Iowa Public Radio
Email ****@iowapublicradio.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.6/5Apple Reviews 86Facebook 30.7KTwitter 17KInstagram 22.4K Avg Length 48 min Format Long form Get Email Contact Get access to full database of 2.7M podcastsCreate podcast lists, export in spreadsheet or CSV file with email contacts and start your podcast outreach in minutes.Sign Up for Free with Email Continue with Google
2. Here First
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Start your day with the essentials. Coffee. Breakfast. And the local news you need to know. Host Meghan McKinney rises bright and early to bring you the top news stories from around Iowa in under 10 minutes. Wake up, grab that coffee and get your news Here First. You can support what you hear on this podcast at ipr.org/donate.MORE Host Meghan McKinney
Producer/Network Iowa Public Radio
Email ****@iowapublicradio.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.8/5Apple Reviews 51Facebook 30.7KTwitter 17KInstagram 22.4K Avg Length 6 min Format Bite size Get Email Contact
3. River to River
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River to River is a conversation about the news with an Iowa perspective. Together we dig into the story behind the headlines - we talk with newsmakers and a diverse range of experts to find out how the news affects you. We take on challenging topics, explore issues from all sides, and foster conversation and understandingMORE Producer/Network Iowa Public Radio
Email ****@iowapublicradio.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.5/5Apple Reviews 48 Avg Length 49 min Format Long form Get Email Contact
4. Talk of Iowa Book Club
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We love to read! We know many of you do too. That's why we created a book club at Iowa Public Radio. Hear about the themes, characters and big picture questions raised by the titles on our reading list. Get a copy of the books, find a comfortable chair, and read or re-read with us.The Talk of Iowa Book Club podcast is sponsored by Western Home Communities and Cultivating Compassion: The Dr. Deming Foundation.MORE Producer/Network Iowa Public Radio
Email ****@iowapublicradio.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.9/5Apple Reviews 8Facebook 30.7KTwitter 17KInstagram 22.4K Get Email Contact
5. Under the Golden Dome
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Policymaking can be complicated. Host John Pemble breaks it all down and makes it easier to understand. Under the Golden Dome provides context around the Iowa legislative session and the laws that come out of it. Learn about the elected officials, influencers, issues and bills working their way through the Iowa Statehouse.MORE Producer/Network Iowa Public Radio
Email ****@iowapublicradio.org
Estimated listeners
Apple Rating 4.8/5Apple Reviews 45Facebook 30.7KTwitter 17KInstagram 22.4K Get Email Contact
Iowa Public Radio shows hosts and producers
| Podcaster Name | Podcast Link | Podcast Episodes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charity Nebbe | iowapublicradio.org/podcast/talk-of-iowa | 1268 | |
| Meghan McKinney | iowapublicradio.org/podcast/here-first | 1313 | |
| Iowa Public Radio | iowapublicradio.org/2022/2022-03-12/changing-confirmation-time-and-property-tax-notifications | 55 | |
| Charity Nebbe, Caitlin Troutman | iowapublicradio.org/2022/2022-06-16/jane-smileys-a-thousand-acres | 52 | |
| John Pemble | iowapublicradio.org/2022/2022-03-05/private-scholarships-drug-changes-and-a-ban-becomes-law | 55 | |
| Charity Nebbe, Matthew Alvarez | iowapublicradio.org/2021/2021-12-11/willa-cathers-classic-novel-was-both-ahead-of-its-time-and-of-its-time | 52 | |
| Ben Kieffer, Caitlin Troutman | iowapublicradio.org/podcast/river-to-river/2025-12-05/more-than-one-in-three-adults-have-prediabetes-and-most-dont-know-it | 1273 | |
| Ben Kieffer, Danielle Gehr, Madeleine Willis | iowapublicradio.org/podcast/river-to-river/2024-06-13/immigration-debates-in-iowa-and-at-large | 1273 | |
| Ben Kieffer, Katherine Perkins, Madeleine Willis | iowapublicradio.org/podcast/river-to-river/2024-06-20/the-political-messaging-behind-iowas-new-immigration-law-now-blocked-by-a-federal-judge | 1273 | |
| Ben Kieffer, Samantha Mcintosh, Madeleine Willis | iowapublicradio.org/podcast/river-to-river/2024-06-25/a-changing-climate-and-lower-utility-bills-have-led-iowans-to-build-more-energy-efficient-homes | 1273 | |
| Ben Kieffer, Caitlin Troutman, Madeleine Willis | iowapublicradio.org/podcast/river-to-river/2024-07-12/u-s-surgeon-general-calls-for-warning-labels-on-social-media | 1273 | |
| Ben Kieffer, Madeleine Willis | iowapublicradio.org/podcast/river-to-river/2024-07-09/when-it-comes-to-dementia-zip-code-means-more-than-genetic-code | 1273 |