Talk of Iowa

By Iowa Public Radio

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, his... more

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How many episodes does Talk of Iowa have?

The podcast currently has 2,555 episodes available.

Best of Talk of Iowa

The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

Number 1: Taking care of your turf
One of the perennial questions we field on Horticulture Day is when to plant grass seed. The answer is right now. On this episode, we talk with Iowa State University turfgrass specialist Adam Thoms about seeding and overseeding your lawn. We also talk about the fall lawn chores you should have on your horizon. Then, horticulturist Aaron Steil also joins us to answer listener questions.
August 22, 202648min
Number 2: Prepare your garden for the first frost
Iowa will see it’s first frost sometime between September 21st and October 31st — and now is the time to prepare. On this Horticulture Day episode, we talk about final harvests, row covers, clean up cover crops and more.
September 12, 202641min
Number 3: Four-day school weeks are increasing across Iowa
In 2013, the Iowa Legislature passed a law that changed calendar requirements for school districts, allowing them to change their schedule from five days of classes to four. In the years since, more rural school districts have adopted this schedule as a more affordable way to attract and retain teachers. On this episode, we talk about this trend and the impacts that have been seen nationwide. (This episode was originally produced Aug. 21, 2025)
September 11, 202641min
Number 4: Smaller populations and more school options mean less funds for public schools
Kids are back to school, but for Iowa's public schools, things have gotten more challenging. Public school funding hasn't kept pace with inflation, and many districts are losing students and the funds that come with them. On this episode, we check in with school districts around the state — Des Moines, Creston, Cedar Rapids and Sumner-Fredericksburg. We discuss how these school districts have been navigating the strained budget and their plans moving forward.
September 03, 202648min
Number 5: Into the woods
The woods may be lovely, dark and deep, but most Iowa woodlands are plagued with invasive species. On this Horticulture Day episode, we talk with DNR District Forester Mark Vitosh about the non-native invasive plants that we should be concerned about in Iowa forests and some management techniques. Then, Iowa State University Horticulture Professor Cindy Haynes joins us to answer listener questions.
August 29, 202648min