The Lee Rayburn Show

Many of us look to so-called guilty pleasures when we are feeling stressed. We talk about why liking things that are considered a waste of time may actually be good for you.

Connections in small towns run deep. We talk to an author about his experience growing up in the small Wisconsin town of Marshall, where he knew everyone and everyone knew him. We also talk about the importance of preserving local history.

Many gardeners are embracing naturalistic plantings based on wild spaces. We talk with the director of the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden about designing and growing landscapes that are true to nature.

For many, life is full of worry and that is especially true in the world we live in now. We talk about the philosophy of Buddhism and how some of the practices may help us deal with these anxieties.

Olympic athlete Alexi Pappas joins the show to talk about the toll being an elite athlete can take on mental health and her own battle with depression. She also shares her tips for chasing dreams, befriending pain and being the best version of you.

Those who work for the Department of Natural Resources often grow up hunting, fishing and trapping. We talk with two wildlife biologists about the DNR’s efforts to diversify its workforce and its users. We also learn how to make a career out of working in natural resources and the great outdoors.

We hear from the self-proclaimed 'gangsta gardener' about how becoming a gardener changed his life and how he's using it to change his community and bring food justice to others.

In the second half of the 19th century immigrants from Norway, Sweden and Denmark settled in the upper Midwest. We discuss Wisconsin’s part of that history and how it impacts our modern culture. We also get tips on doing genealogical research for Scandinavian ancestry.

We talk with the author of a book that details the great Scandinavian Diaspora, and tackles the common misconceptions of the infamous Viking existence. We explore how the Scandinavian experience has universal meaning, and how the Vikings and their descendants shaped history and America.

Many people find themselves alone later in life, whether from the loss of a spouse, a divorce or having always been alone, maybe with a little curiosity for what else is out there. We talk to a guest who says finding companionship and intimacy at an older age is definitely possible.