When companies sent their people home to work remotely during the pandemic, many predicted the end of the modern office. Others predicted the office would make a comeback. But is it possible both were wrong? Geoff Wood, the founder and owner of Gravitate Coworking, Iowa's largest coworking space, discusses why many Iowa's have opted to choose neither. Is the future of work coworking?

Wood is presently celebrating Gravitate's 10 year birthday. Over that 10 years he's seen the ebbs and flows of remote and hybrid work. He's seen entrepreneurs, corporate workers, authors, drop-ins from others states, non-profits, and business groups from other countries stop by to understand coworking in Iowa. He explains where we're going, and why rural coworking might catch on in the future.

Full show details are at https://iowapodcast.com/gravitate-geoff-wood-coworking-iowa

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On Wednesday, July 26th an Intelligence Official confirmed the US Government is in possession of an alien space craft and non-human "biologics." So, host Justin Brady hit the streets to ask Iowans "do you believe aliens exist?" Their responses surprised us.

It turns out, even before the intelligence report, most Iowans do believe intelligent life exists beyond our planet. But interestingly, the official report didn't change anyone minds. In one case, a couple believed it to be a distraction, and one man said he has believed aliens exist for some time, but after the official report, he finds himself doubting their existence more than before.

What's your opinion? Do they exist? Are we being lied to? Send us your thoughts at [email protected] or DM us on Twitter/X at @IowaPod.

Check the full show notes at https://iowapodcast.com/aliens

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There may be no more polarizing issue in 2023 than abortion and education. With party setbacks has the Iowa Democratic party lost its way and become out of touch with Democrat voters? Rita Hart, chair of the Iowa Democratic Party reacts to new Republican-led abortion and education laws, and condemns vitriol she sees coming from her own party. Is it time for a new era of healing?

The Iowa Podcast is doing a political roundup, and asking party leaders what their priorities are for 2023 and beyond. It's no surprise Iowa Democrats have not been successful with their agenda in 2022-2023. Hart explains her concerns that the Republican agenda on education and abortion are too extreme, but is asked about if her parties, considered to be extreme as well, are partially to blame.

(Governor Reynolds communications team has not agreed to come on the show. An invitation has been extended to Iowa Republican Party Chair Jeff Kaufman instead. We will update this note when we hear back.)

Full show details are at https://iowapodcast.com/rita-hart-iowa-democrats

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Agri-tourism was a $69.24 billion industry in 2019, and is projected to reach $117.37 billion by 2027. In 2017, 28,575 farms offered agri-tourism, generating $949 million in sales! Kara Grupp, operator of Three Pines Farm near Cedar Falls explains why people are visiting Iowa farms for "glamping" and to better understand where their food comes from.

Grupp explains how agriculture has changed in Iowa, and what led her from working with DNA at Iowa State to helping run her Iowa family farm to help start an agri-tourism business. She also explains how a little-known Iowa law helped encourage more agri-tourism in Iowa.

Full show details are at https://iowapodcast.com/glamping-in-iowa-three-pines-farm

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Our studio sponsor, Brady Dental Care, is giving a free box of teeth whitening strips to our listeners who become new patients. Get the offer here: https://bradydentalcare.com/hello

Iowa's largest lake is Lake Red Rock. It's 10 minutes from Pella and 15 minutes from Knoxville. Park Ranger, Tracy Spry, offers insight into the lake, free kid packs, and super-simple water safety tactics. She also tells us how you can tour the inside of the dam and why tours changed after 9-11.

Spry also discusses the difference between CO2 auto-inflating life jackets and foam life jackets, Lake Red Rock's water safety mascot, a 100ft tower you can climb, and free science, bird, geocaching, tracking, and bug packs for kids. You might also be surprised to know COVID actually created more first time campers.

Full show details are at https://iowapodcast.com/kids-activities-lake-redrock-iowa

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Our studio sponsor, Brady Dental Care, is giving a free box of teeth whitening strips to our listeners who become new patients. Get the offer here: https://bradydentalcare.com/hello

AI in healthcare can dramatically bring the cost of healthcare down, but only if Congress is cautious about regulating AI. Iowa tech founder and retina surgeon Michael Abramoff, MD, PhD of Digital Diagnostics out of Iowa City has developed an "AI Doctor" that can diagnose diabetic retinopathy faster, and more accurately than a trained physician. He explains the future of AI in healthcare, how Iowa innovation is beating Silicon Valley, and why regulations must be balanced.

Abramoff has testified and consulted with Congress on the use of AI in medicine and he's authored numerous papers on the impact AI will have on not just the entire health system, but for each individual. His AI doctor can diagnose disease better than a physician, and the operator hardly needs any training at all. In fact, Digital Diagnostics' device, Luminetics Core, is already being installed into grocery stores. Any physician can write a prescription and any patient can do their own evaluation.

Full show details are at https://iowapodcast.com/michael-abramoff-digital-diagnostics-ai-healthcare-regulation

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You probably heard all about Juneteenth, but do you know what it is? Do you know why it's important? Many people don't actually know the history. LaNisha Cassell, executive director of The African American Museum of Iowa explains the history, importance, and why owning slaves in the USA didn't end with the Emancipation Proclamation.

Iowa has rich African American history, but when most people think of Civil Rights and African American heritage they think of national figures like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., not Iowans. Cassell gives a few short examples of Iowa Civil Rights leaders, and explains what takes places on Juneteenth including a partnership with the Des Moines Metro Opera.

Full show details are at https://iowapodcast.com/lanisha-cassell-african-american-museum-of-iowa

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The Apple Vision Pro was just announced and it's already the center of the conversation and quite a polarizing device. Juan Pablo Hourcade, Ph.D, Professor and Director of Graduate Studies for the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Informatics at The University of Iowa explains what the device does and gives a few use cases for manufacturing and perhaps even agriculture.

The biggest challenge he says, is for Apple to overcome the "social acceptance" barrier. Will people actually wear this pair of ski goggles on their face that often? And is the value of using it enough to make people shell out $3500? He's not so sure.

See the full show notes at https://iowapodcast.com/juan-pablo-hourcade-apple-vision-pro

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Iowa has secrets. Some are hidden in plain sight like a few mysterious concrete structures in a popular kids area at the Iowa State Fair. Megan Bannister, author and editor of Olio in Iowa is a walking encyclopedia of Iowa's craziest stories.

The author of Iowa Supper Clubs and her second book, Secret Iowa has fascinating stories collected all over the state. She explains why Audubon's "Albert the bull" can beat up New York City's Wall Street bull, why Sac City should consider making bridges out of popcorn balls, and how the world's largest wooden nickel was made in protest to speed limits.

See the full show notes at https://iowapodcast.com/famous-travel-destinations-in-iowa-megan-bannister

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Our studio sponsor, Brady Dental Care, is giving a free box of teeth whitening strips to our listeners who become new patients. Get the offer here: https://bradydentalcare.com/hello

Scandinavian Days happen every year in Story City and to celebrate Scandinavian immigrants culture and traditions. Shanon McKinley, Executive Director of the Story City Greater Chamber Connection explains the history of this annual tradition, how it's evolved through the years and why Scandinavians come to this fun event!

Established 1965, May 17th on Norwegian Constitution day, the celebration was renamed Scandinavian Days in 1967. It was also switched to the first part of June for warmer weather. The event features live music, a beer garden, a live musical, a parade and a lot more. We briefly touch on Story City's growing manufacturing sector.

See the full show notes at https://iowapodcast.com/scandinavian-days-shanon-mcinley

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Our studio sponsor, Brady Dental Care, is giving a free box of teeth whitening strips to our listeners who become new patients. Get the offer here: https://bradydentalcare.com/hello