The Iowa Podcast

Is Des Moines Water Works tap water safe? That depends on who you ask. Medical podcaster Dr. Andrew Huberman has recommended filtering your tap water on his popular show Huberman Lab due to new studies on DBPs and negative effects from fluoride. Polk County Supervisor Matt McCoy discusses water safety, addresses concerns, and explains why Des Moines Water Works is developing a new marketing campaign designed to encourage immigrants and low-income people to drink more tap water.

Citing studies on DBPs as potential endocrine disruptors and fluoridated water lowering IQ scores in children, Huberman, among other experts like Dr. Staci Whitman, have cautioned listeners to evaluate their own water quality in their area. The scientific community remains divided on issues of water fluoridation and purification.

Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/des-moines-iowa-water-safety-fluoride

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State Auditor Rob Sand is running for Iowa Governor. As the lone Democrat in Iowa public office, backed by a significantly weaker Democrat party, is he going to run as a Democrat or Independent? He discussed why he may not actually be opposed to the new ESA law, how he'll handle a GOP majority, and discusses his opposition to gender being removed from the Iowa Civil Rights Act.

Sand is positioning himself as an independent voice for Iowans but he has a difficult road ahead, especially as the national Democrat party faces a 30% approval rate, which is likely to lower after polls are conducted post the Biden cover-up news. But Sand is hopeful and explains why the time is perfect to win his campaign for Governor.

Find your favorite player or watch the full video here: https://iowapodcast.com/rob-sand-for-governor

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For the first time in history, the Pope isn't just from the United States, but from the midwest! Pope Leo XIV hails from Chicago, and this close proximity to Iowa could have an impact. Tom Chapman, Executive Director of The Iowa Catholic Conference discusses Pope Leo's history, what it means for Iowans, and tackles the big question we all want to know: is Pope Leo going to make a Midwest visit?

Pope Leo XIV has been the center of attention for the last week, and many want to know what kind of Pope he will be. Will he be political, as was Pope Francis, or will he be more reserved? Will he break tradition or keep it? Will he change the Catholic Church or maintain the status quo? These are the questions we tackle, separating fact from fiction.

Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/iowa-catholic-church-midwest-pope-leo

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In today's episode guest host Mark Gannon sit down with Jessica Mazour of the Iowa Sierra Club and the carbon pipeline - what is it? Who's behind? And, most importantly, how does it affect us?

Some topics discussed include:

• The use of tax dollars by a private company to fund this project
• Use of eminent domain for a private company. How is this allowed?
• The damage to our Iowa land.
• Safety around the pipeline and what accidents have already occurred

Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/jessica-mazour-carbon-pipelines

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Farms aren't fun. Right? Someone tell Samantha (Sammy) Petersen of Bloomsbury Farms in Atkins, Iowa. As a 5th generation farmer she has helped her parents build an agritourism destination in the Eastern Iowa empire. While many Iowa farms have been jumping into the agritourism trend, Peterson says her mother jumped on the trend 30 years ago. Talk about agritourism trendsetters!

Starting out as a grain farm, today Bloomsbury Farms is growing "U-Pick" flowers, has acres of tulip gardens, and of course has a pumpkin patch, but the big attraction is Instagram-worthy experience. Petersen explains all the thought that went around creating an immersive outdoor farm experience for their guests. They've even gone as far to help guests pick the right time for that cute photo with their golden-hour date night, and strategically placed camera stands so you can rub it in your coastal elite friends' faces.

Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/sammy-petersen-bloomsbury-farms

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In this episode of The Iowa Podcast, guest host Rob Newton chats with Elizabeth Weyers, Manager of the Downtown Farmers' Market at the Greater Des Moines Partnership, as she shares what's ahead for the 2025 season starting May 3rd. With over 300 vendors participating, Elizabeth highlights the Market's wide-ranging showcase of Iowa's agricultural bounty, food producers, artisans, and small businesses. She outlines the blend of new offerings and crowd-favorite vendors, making this year's Market a must-visit experience for both newcomers and longtime supporters.

Beyond its charm as a weekend destination, the Market is a key economic driver for Des Moines. Elizabeth explains how it fosters local entrepreneurship, fuels downtown business activity through increased foot traffic, and serves as a launching point for small enterprises. The conversation also covers community partnerships, live entertainment, and inclusive programming that strengthens local food systems while ensuring accessibility for all. Whether you're craving fresh produce or community connection, the episode paints the Market as an essential seasonal event with wide-reaching benefits.

Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/elizabeth-weyers-dsm-farmers-market

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If you're a fan of Iowa's famous breaded pork tenderloin, this special Iowa Eats edition of The Iowa Podcast is a must-listen. Guest host and fifth-generation chef Jensen Cummings chats with JayJay Goodvin—aka The Iowa Gallivant—about his flavorful journey across all 99 counties in search of the state's best tenderloin.

Broadcast from Jethro's BBQ studio in Des Moines, JayJay shares what went into crowning a champion pork sandwich, and dives into his latest food adventures—from the Iowa Beef Council's Best Burger finalists to his new "Specials" tour featuring unique dishes county by county.

Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/jayjay-goodvin-iowa-eats

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Public transit in Iowa is a challenge. Cities like Des Moines are more expansive and were built around the automobile. There are upsides of course, but it makes public transit quite a challenge. DART CEO, Amanda Wanke explains why central Iowan's shouldn't expect profitability any time soon, and speaks about their plans to address future budget shortfalls.

Public transit, says Wanke, is a challenge in many American cities. People who have a 5-15 commute by car are unlikely to take a bus that could take 30 minutes to 1 hour. COVID also cut into their margins a bit as more people found work-from-home solutions. But with extra funding on the horizon, and new route plans, Wanke is confident in DART's future plans and ability to serve the greater Des Moines metro.

Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/iowa-DART-Amanda-Wanke

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How do Iowa storm chasers get incredible footage? Do they go 120mph in sports cars around the state? Actually no, they just book a hotel room near the area they suspect of tornadic activity. Todd Rector with The Iowa Storm Chasing Network says they have advance notice. But there's a breakdown in how that information is communicated to you.

Getting the word out and Iowans can be a challenge, the communication delay can be significant if alert systems are outdated, he says. Adding additional confusion, he says Iowans are facing alert fatigue. When sirens do go off, they're unclear if it's for high winds, or an actual tornado. He also says our alert system is actually vulnerable to bad actors.

Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/iowa-storm-watch

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If you ask some, the anti-Trump and Elon Musk protests are saving Democracy. If you ask others, the're burning Tesla stores and vandalizing property. Saturday protest organizer, Michaelyn Mankel describes their objectives, and tells us if anyone is getting paid to protest.

Mankel says their objectives are around concerns with President Trump, Elon Musk, DOGE, and Congressman Zach Nunn are around them cutting social security, medicare, and medicaid despite their claims those benefits won't be removed. She says violence won't be tolerated at the protests, and protestors should not bring Nazi symbols or Hitler-depictions as we've seen in other states. She says they would appreciate Nunn meeting with them, and even mentioned what condtions may cause them to applaud him.

See the video & show notes: https://iowapodcast.com/des-moines-anti-trump-elon-musk-protest

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