Iowa is hemorrhaging talent, and the numbers are staggering. With 34% more college graduates leaving than staying, the state lost $17.6 billion in potential income from just the 2023 cohort alone. But that's not the only crisis hitting Iowans hard.

On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amie Rivers Rivers, and Avery Staker dive into Iowa's brain drain crisis and explore why young professionals—especially LGBTQ+ Iowans—are fleeing the state.

Toss some bags about the economic cost of brain drain… how pesticides contribute to Iowa’s cancer problem… and how the Iowa Supreme Court is approaching new “strict scrutiny” language.

Cornhole Champions is a weekly podcast powered by Iowa Starting Line. This podcast is produced by Zachary Oren Smith and edited by Rebecca Steinberg. Our music is by Avery Mossman and our show art is from Desirée Tapia.

Watch the full episode on Iowa Starting Line’s YouTube.

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SHOW RUNDOWN:

00:00 - Classic 1980s Waterloo Tourism Commercial (Viral Opening)

06:30 - Iowa's $17.6 Billion Brain Drain Crisis Begins

08:30 - Why 34% More College Graduates Leave Iowa Than Stay

16:30 - LGBTQ+ Exodus: "Most of My Friends Are Leaving the State"

19:00 - 53 Million Pounds: Iowa's Massive Pesticide Problem

24:00 - Cancer Rates & Agricultural Health Study Findings

32:30 - Iowa Supreme Court's Surprising Gun Law Divisions

36:00 - Domestic Violence & "While Criming" Court Cases

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