'Warrior Girl Unearthed' is a young adult thriller that gives readers insight into Ojibwe culture, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, missing and murdered Indigenous persons and teenage shenanigans. On this episode of 'Talk of Iowa,' host Charity Nebbe talks with author Angeline Boulley about her inspiration for the novel, then turns to three expert readers. (This episode was originally produced June 10, 2025.)

In this episode of the 'Talk of Iowa' book club, author Sarah McCammon and expert readers discuss 'The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church.' The book is a blend of memoir and reporting, focusing on McCammon's life growing up in an evangelical church in Missouri and attending an evangelical college before parting ways with the church as a young adult. McCammon also writes about the experiences of other so-called "exvangelicals." (This episode was originally produced April 15, 2025.)

'James' is a retelling of Mark Twain's 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,' but this time the story is told by Huck’s companion, Jim or James. James is an enslaved man who flees when he learns that he is at risk of being sold. Expert readers Rachelle Chase, Faye Dant and Jocelyn Chadwick discuss their reading experiences for this episode of the 'Talk of Iowa' book club. Please be advised: a portion of this show references racist language used in the book. (This episode was originally produced on Feb. 11, 2025.)

In 1946 Joseph Geha moved with his family from Lebanon to Toledo, Ohio. He grew up on his family’s stories and delicious Lebanese food, and brings them together in the book 'Kitchen Arabic.' On the Talk of Iowa book club, Geha discusses the book with host Charity Nebbe and expert readers. (This episode was originally produced on Dec. 17, 2024.)

Paul Lasley has repaired and donated 18 used violins in the last year for students in need. Also in this episode, ISU psychology professor Doug Gentile shares how acts of kindness towards others can help us take better care of ourselves, too.

IPR Studio One hosts Nick Brunner, Tony Dehner, Cece Mitchell, Sean McClain and Tressa Glass share their favorite new music from the last year.

As winter holidays like Christmas, Hanukkah and the solstice bring light into the darkest time of year, we’re taking a closer look at the plants tied to those traditions — beyond poinsettias and Christmas trees.

Five Iowans told stories with the theme water, the current of life, in front of an audience at Trumpet Blossom Cafe in Iowa City. Host Charity Nebbe was emcee for the event hosted by Investigate Midwest, an independent nonprofit newsroom that reports about agriculture with data-driven investigative journalism. Hear from storytellers Kylah Hedding, Larry Weber, Katie Roche, Parker Field and Judith Joyce.

We listen back to a favorite episode of holidays' past about how four Iowa families have used their creativity to make Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Christmas extra special for their families. (This episode was originally produced Dec. 21, 2022.)

We talk all things Jane Austen in celebration of the 250th anniversary of her birth. First, Iowa City-based artist Sonja Strathearn began making Regency-era attire three years ago to attend The Jane Austen Fest and the obsession has only grown from there. Strathearn invites us into her closet to show off her Regency attire. Then, Nebbe speaks with author Curtis Sittenfeld, an Austen fan and the author of the 'Pride & Prejudice' reimagining, 'Eligible.' Finally, musicologist Marian Wilson Kimber talks about Austen's musical inclinations, the pieces in her playbook and the ways music influenced her books.