Here’s a chance to get inside the mind of the most powerful political columnist in the state. Kathie Obradovich talks about a career that didn’t start with political reporting. She and Kevin Cooney talk on-on-one about life as The Des Moines Register’s primary political voice.

Wee Wonks: Money & Politics - Des Moines Register Political Columnist Kathie Obradovich

“Wonks” - The people who work behind the scenes of the campaigns- gather with reporters and other insiders for a good-natured (and usually humorous) look at candidates, campaigns and each other. WONKS! is recorded in front of a live audience and with journalists thrown into the mix it’s always filled with laughs and unexpected insight.

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Iowa is known for its first-in-the-nation caucuses, but only WONKS! has the infamous war stories of the political wannabes as they out-huckster the midway barkers for Iowans’ attention. Enjoy!

WONKS! Episode 9 - Politics at the Fair!

He’s best known for being Stormy Daniels’ attorney, but Michael Avenatti is at the Iowa State Fair, doing what candidates do, hanging with local Democratic political operatives and seeing if there’s support for a presidential bid.

WONKS! Exclusive - Michael Avenatti tests the presidential waters in Iowa!

WONKS! drills deeper into the issue of "Sports & the Media" as we hear about college athletics from the business side. When did athletic departments get so powerful – and how did it happen? Are there racial barriers in college sports? And we discuss the plight of the youngest athletes, from participation trophies to the over-emphasis on sport specialization. 

With Olympian Natasha Kaiser Brown, Iowa Cubs Owner Michael Gartner, investigative sports journalist Tom Witosky, Drake basketball legend Adam Emmenecker, KXNO Host Heather Burnside, Missouri Associate Athletic Director Brian Brown, and KCCI TV Sports Director Andy Garman. Hosted by Kevin Cooney and recorded before a live audience at Noce Jazz Cabaret in Des Moines, Iowa.

WONKS! Episode 8 - Sports & The Media ...and a Little Politics - Part 2

The chemistry & conflict of sports goes beyond the teams and events. It's in the media coverage. It's in the administration by owners, coaches and boards. It's even among the athletes themselves. In this WONKS!, the first of two dealing with the topic, we hear from a baseball team owner, three journalists, two iconic athletes and the associate athletic director of a major state university.

WONKS! Episode 8 - Sports & The Media ...and a Little Politics - Part 1

Our May WONKS! looked at "Women & Politics" and we focused on the experiences of our panelists. In this Wee WONKS!, Bonnie Campbell may surprise you with her assessment of future female empowerment.

Wee Wonks: Money & Politics - Des Moines Register Political Columnist Kathie Obradovich

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