The Des Moines Symphony is 1 of 4 symphonies in the USA with a young musician academy, which is the focus of their final 3 Masterworks performances. Get 20% off using code: IOWAPODCAST to see this unique experience right here in Iowa!

Maestro Joseph Giunta breaks down their final three Masterworks concerts featuring the Heartland Youth Choir singing the well known Shaker Hymn "Tis a Gift to be Simple" and 17-year old child prodigy Amaryn Olmeda for Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto and a whole lot more.

Chapters: 00:50 - Orchestra Size and Hall Acoustics 02:05 - Masterworks 5: Reflection featuring Stella Chen 09:44 - Masterworks 6: Hope featuring Heartland Youth Choir 14:13 - Masterworks 7: Courage featuring Amaryn Olmeda 15:32 - Alpine Symphony And Hall Sound

🎻 Get Masterworks tickets https://dmsymphony.org/about/news/des-moines-symphony-masterworks-2025-2026/

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As the Iowa Legislature navigates the accelerating reality of autonomous vehicles, State Representative Megan Jones (R-Sioux Rapids) is seeking a delicate balance between technological innovation and public safety. But the current state of the bill may create a regulatory framework that inadvertently bans them entirely.

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Jones chairs the House Transportation Subcommittee. She addresses the evolution of bills like HF 2375, HSB 598, HF 2673, which aim to define the "rules of the road" for driverless technology in the Hawkeye State.

Chapters: 01:00 - Bills and Safety Fears 07:51 - Hazmat Trucks and Future Proofing 14:41 - Public Input and Liability Questions 16:30 - Liability and Tort Reform 19:24 - Insurance and Road Safety 22:10 - Bill Language and Labor Concerns 29:50 - State Rules and Closing Thoughts

Americana and Django, two iconic Des Moines restaurants, are gone for good and they're not alone. 600 restaurants in Iowa will be closing in 2026 and it's because the challenges are too many to count. Scott Carlson, owner of The Craft Beer Tent, and Gilroy's opens up about Americana's closing.

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Increasing taxes, work from home, zero-proof, changing food preferences, homeless population, increasing food and labor costs, regulatory burdens, food delivery, and rising insurance rates are just a few challenges most restaurateurs have to deal with. But Iowa eateries are dealing with all of them simultaneously. Carlson breaks down what happened and what needs to change.

Chapters:

00:00 - Welcome - Meet Scott Carlson

01:18 - Why Americana Is Closing: 'Death by a Thousand Cuts'

02:21 - Downtown Des Moines After COVID: Lost Office Crowds & Corporate Spending

04:54 - Western Gateway Headwinds: Homelessness, Street Closures, Construction & Plumbing

06:29 - The Bigger Picture

08:44 - New Pressures on Margins

11:56 - What Can Government Do? Small Business Blind Spots & the 'Slow Exit from COVID' Warning

15:20 - Regulation, Liquor Liability, Insurance & Credit Card Fees Squeezing Restaurants

18:59 - Changing Food Preferences

20:07 - Food cost spikes & the limits of raising menu prices

22:07 - Adapting without alienating customers

23:47 - Seed oils vs beef tallow: how health rules reshaped frying

26:11 - Food vs fuel

27:17 - Why it's called Gilroy's: the ginger-themed origin story

27:56 - Survival strategy: Des Moines' "Golden Circle"

31:04 - Construction & downtown events: the hidden cost to restaurants

33:38 - The downtown dining experience

35:57 - Wrap-up

The Florida surgeon general has labeled glyphosate a "contaminant" and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) considers it carcinogenic. So, why is it used on over 70% of Iowa fields? Dr. Richard Deming of MercyOne explains why Iowa is #2 in cancer rates and what can be done. 💡 Find this show on your favorite player: https://iowapodcast.com/iowa-cancer-r... 🗞️ Be first to get new interviews: https://iowapodcast.com/subscribe/ 🐖 Get a free $30 gift card from Jethro's BBQ: https://iowapodcast.com/jethrosbbq Deming is an oncologist and director of the Richard Deming Cancer Center at MercyOne. He explains why almost 50% of cancer causes are preventable, but rates climb anyway. He goes into vivid detail on what causes cancer, including some of the very treatments that are supposed to fight it. He also explains why eating healthy food, lowering obesity, and perhaps even some yoga are stronger cancer fighters than we initially thought. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction and Topic Overview 00:44 - Guest Introduction: Dr. Richard Deming 00:51 - The Complexity of Cancer Causes 02:32 - Government Actions on Glyphosate 03:12 - Public Policy and Cancer Prevention 04:35 - Environmental Factors and Cancer 15:15 - Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Cancer Risk 20:16 - Unique Cancer Risks in Iowa 24:08 - The Impact of Obesity on Cancer 24:30 - Organic Food and Cancer Rates 25:10 - Modern Agriculture and Food Distribution 26:04 - The Role of Mutations in Cancer 30:17 - Cancer Screening and Prevention 37:35 - Above and Beyond Cancer: A Public Charity 41:56 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Want to see bald eagles snatching fish out of the water? Would you like to have a front row seat seeing eagles fight over a fresh meal? Professional photographer Ron Maggard explains how to find the best Iowa locations and what times are ideal.

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Maggard is an Iowa-based wildlife photographer and he's a big fan of bald eagles. He explains why below zero temperatures in February are great for bald eagle photography and how to find the best eagle locations across the state. He also discusses some breathtaking experiences and what time of day gets the best photographs.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:10 Eagle Watching in Iowa: An Overview

00:25 Expert Insights: Ron Maggard on Eagle Watching

01:16 Best Locations for Eagle Watching

02:00 Why Winter is Ideal for Eagle Watching

07:24 Photography Tips for Capturing Eagles

10:51 Eagle Behavior and Interactions

13:28 Respecting Eagle Nests: Legal Distances and Common Mistakes

14:27 The Size and Construction of Eagle Nests

16:28 Eagle Watching in Iowa: A New Phenomenon

17:20 Photography Tips for Capturing Eagles

19:21 Eagle Behavior and Hunting Techniques

21:24 The Impact of Removing Roller Dams on Eagle Populations

22:29 Exploring Iowa's Hidden Gems Through Photography

24:40 Final Thoughts and Photography Advice

The drive down Ingersoll avenue is a juxtaposition of new and trendy, but also rundown and gross. But this month, with the launch of The Ingersoll that brand is finally behind us. Steve Peters, co-owner of The Ingersoll, and CEO of VenuWorks describes the process of saving the building and bringing back to life the iconic marquee.

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Peters says every inch of the building needed to be gutted and redone to save it. But Iowans have responded favorably, selling the venue out every night in January. And the good news doesn't stop there. Despite it being open for only a few weeks, 50% of the acts are from across the country. Musicians, actors, and touring groups are already getting in line to come perform for Iowans.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:13 The Ingersoll Theater: From Eyesore to Crown Jewel

01:14 Challenges and Delays in Renovation

03:04 The Grand Opening and Community Response

03:48 Historical Significance and Restoration Efforts

06:50 Modern Upgrades and Technological Enhancements

14:01 Community Support and Unexpected Challenges

14:53 Unexpected Challenges in Building Restoration

15:25 Community Support and Initial Steps

16:02 Long-term Viability and Programming Plans

16:31 Theater Offerings and Local Talent

18:58 Personal Connection to the Arts

19:36 Private vs. Public Funding in Theater Restoration

20:28 Ensuring Professional Management and Maintenance

23:03 Interest from Outside Acts and Community Involvement

27:29 Diverse Entertainment Spectrum

29:14 Conclusion and Ticket Information

20% of cyclists coming to Ankeny aren't from Iowa. The economic potential cyclists bring is estimated to be in the billions, but currently each stay only brings $250 in economic activity. Derek Lord, Ankeny economic development director explains the retail and business opportunity accommodate the massive and untapped revenue potential. Will retailers answer the call?

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Lord explains the High Trestle Trail has brought 250,000 cyclists through Ankeny every year. Cutting right through the middle of Uptown, the revenue potential has been immense. Will hospitality companies capitalize on the potential in 2026? Lord also addresses the growth plans for the NE Ankeny annexation, new mixed use retail and apartments in Uptown, and why traffic on Delaware is probably not changing any time soon, especially as new retailers show interest.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene

00:20 High Trestle Trail: A Unique Attraction

01:13 Flow Line and Glow Trail: Enhancing the Experience

03:39 Economic Impact and Visitor Statistics

08:22 Future Plans and Opportunities

16:21 Enhancing Hotel Amenities for Cyclists

16:42 Airbnb Opportunities in Rural Communities

17:29 Economic Impact of Bicycling in Iowa

18:40 Winter Biking Potential in Ankeny

21:14 Revitalizing Uptown Ankeny

28:05 Future Growth and Annexation Plans

30:56 Conclusion and Staying Informed

Many Iowans suffer from chronic health issues with 37% suffering from obesity. Will the new "MAHA" food pyramid actually help? The answer is yes, according to Dr. Rachel Poll. Poll is a functional medicine doctor at Delta Health in Clive, and has been recommending her own similar version of the new food pyramid to her patients for years, and the results are striking with many reversing chronic health issues.

This week the Department of Health and Human Services published a new version of the 1980s food pyramid, but the change is striking with them literally flipping much of it upside down. Healthy fats are good, red meat is on top, and grains are deemphasized. Poll said her patients have been eating a similar version of this recommended diet for years and the results she sees are irrefutable.

Thinking about picking up your phone and ordering food to your door step? After listening to this, you might want to dash to your favorite restaurant instead. Jessica Dunker of the Iowa Restaurant Association and Bruce Gerleman, owner of Splash explain the state of the Iowa restaurant business, changing trends, and the truth about food delivery. Setting aside the fact restaurant food is more fresh and experiences matter, you need to be careful when ordering online. Gerleman, who is celebrating 30 years of Splash being in business, also gives restaurant owners practical strategies to keep food costs down, treat guests well, and even how technology is making operations more efficient.

This week, the US Mint launched a new coin honoring Iowa and Dr. Norman Borlaug. Many Iowans have heard his name, but most still don't know who he is, how he saved billions of people or how why his innovation won him recognition alongside Nelson Mandela. Mashal Husain, President of The World Food Prize Foundation tells the story.

Borlaug's innovation in wheat is credited with saving billions of lives, and after he founded the World Food Prize in 1986, his work of ending global hunger continued. Husain unpacks his legacy, discusses the 40 laureates selected over the years, and explains the over 20 million dollar process to renovate the former Downtown Des Moines public library into the World Food Prize headquarters and Hall of Laureates in downtown Des Moines.

https://iowapodcast.com/norman-borlaug-coin

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