Dubuque Is The Wall Street Journal's Pick For Summer Travel
Release Date: 06/28/2025
Hubbell’s Rick Tollakson on Iowa Real Estate Status
The Iowa Podcast
“Move that bus!” is a phrase ABC watchers remember. And so does Rick Tollakson, the CEO of Hubbell Realty, Iowa’s largest real estate company. He discussed working with Extreme Home Makeover and how it changed Iowa real estate. He also gives his expert analysis on Iowa home values, home costs, and how to keep young people in Iowa. Tollakson just launched a new book called Think Bigger, Lead Better. In the book he discusses stories about Iowa and how he grew Hubbell into the powerhouse it is today. Tollakson also dives into current market conditions, downtown Des Moines challenges,...
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Billie Asmus of Repaint Studios on Shark Tank experience
The Iowa Podcast
If you’re a Shark Tank fan, you saw Iowa Falls native Billie Asmus, Founder of Repaint Studios get a deal with Chip and Joanna Gains, and Barbara Corcoran. But you also didn’t see quite a bit. You didn’t see the full 1 hour pitch, you didn’t see Chip trying to crush her paint tray, and you didn’t see the 5 years leading up to her “lucky break.” Asmus discusses her experience, and tells other Iowans how to get in the tank: Spoiler: it’s about hard work and trying over and over again. She explains her backstory and risks, but also explains how she mitigated risks up front...
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Food Bank of Iowa CEO on SNAP Lapse and Coming Storm
The Iowa Podcast
SNAP benefits are extended through November but only at 50%. Because Congress didn’t appropriate funds, The White House released a contingency fund this week, November 3rd. Tami Nielsen, CEO of The Food Bank of Iowa explains the impact on Iowa, how the funds will be allocated, and why Iowans’ SNAP benefits might still be delayed for weeks. One out of every 9 meals for food insecure Iowans is covered by The Food Bank of Iowa and their partner pantries. This means, Iowans will now be turning to food pantries to fill that gap. Due to the incredible increase in need, The Food Bank of Iowa has...
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Ross Peterson of The Rush on DMPS Reimagining Education Concerns
The Iowa Podcast
The Des Moines Public Schools Bond Measure, dubbed the Reimagining Education program, is up for a vote November 4th, which will increase funding by 265 million dollars. Iowa podcast host, Ross Peterson of The Rush shares his research of the measure but also his concerns. New Superintendent Matt Smith shared updates on Des Moines Public Schools, advocating for new Pre-K programs, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) changes, but Peterson says accountability is needed before this measure should pass. Peterson has one child enrolled in DMPS and ever since sharing his research on the...
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2025 Bourlaug Dialoge Exclusive The World Food Prize!
The Iowa Podcast
In this special edition of the Iowa Podcast, recorded during the World Food Prize’s Borlaug Dialogue, host Justin Brady captures a rare cross-section of voices that drive the global food security conversation—from international leaders to Iowa farmers. Interviews with Mashal Husain, President of the World Food Prize Foundation; Brent Renner, soybean farmer and United Soybean Board member; and Ray Gasser, Iowa farmer and global agriculture advocate, paint a rich portrait of how Iowa's heartland is influencing global hunger solutions. Find this show on your favorite app: *** Exclusive...
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Saving Iowa Prairie Only Possible By Hand in the Loess Hills?
The Iowa Podcast
99.9% of Iowa's prairies are gone and half of remaining 0.01% are in the Loess Hills. Saving and restoring native prairie land is critical to maintain soil health BUT saving it is remarkably difficult. Technological attempts have failed so Lance Brisbois of Golden Hills Resource Conservation and Development has turned to a tried and true approach. Manually picking seed by hand. Brisbois’ last “Prairie Seed Harvest” for the season is Monday, October 20th. He’s looking for volunteers to walk through nature and pick seed. The seed is used for conservation efforts, grown for sale,...
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DMPS Interim Superintendent Matt Smith on Roberts hiring
The Iowa Podcast
The ICE arrest of Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts shocked Iowa, leaving community members with more questions than answers. In this interview, newly installed Interim Superintendent, Matt Smith tries to fill the information vacuum, but concedes much of the process was a mystery even to him. Serving as Associate Superintendent, this will be his second time stepping into the role left open by controversy. Smith says he was kept out of much of the Roberts hiring process and hasn't kept up with the news. Instead he is choosing to counter declining enrollment and sliding test...
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Outside group involved in DMPS Superintendent Hiring?
The Iowa Podcast
Des Moines Public Schools is now international news after its Superintendent was arrested by ICE. Ian Roberts criminal history including drug trafficking, illegal firearms, and even grand theft auto has slowly come to light led by a citizen journalist, Laura Powell. Powell is a civil rights lawyer from California, and discusses mysterious outsider groups that may have been involved. Powell’s research, questioned by local media at first then later copied, shows a disturbing pattern and potential negligence by the State Department of Education and The Des Moines School Board. Shockingly,...
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Amana Colonies Oktoberfest Celebrates 60 years!
The Iowa Podcast
This month the Amana Colonies Oktoberfest celebrates its 60-year anniversary and the Amana Colonies Bürgermeister himself, Jon Childers, joins us to explain the special occasion, free sausages, local bands, and of course… Lots of beer! He also explains the backstory, why the Amana communal living experiment failed and why they’re not Amish! The Amana Colonies are an Iowa institution, but most Iowans don’t actually understand their importance. They don’t understand the communal society was run by their church, or how they actually embraced technology vs the Amish community they’re...
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Erin Kiernan of WHOTV on growing conflict in autism community.
The Iowa Podcast
Erin Kiernan, anchor of WHOTV suddenly vanished off the airwaves leaving viewers to wonder what happened. Upon returning, she explained her time away from the camera was spent on her family, specifically her son Michael Francis who has Autism. She discusses the growing conflict within the autism community and why autism is still very misunderstood. She breaks down common misunderstanding’s like “the spectrum” and “levels” and the difference between Asperger's and autism. She also explains what a day in the life looks like, and how friends, neighbors, and family can help. She also...
info_outlinehttps://iowapodcast.com/dubuque-is-the-wall-street-journals-pick-for-travel/Iowans love it when people from the rest of the country recognize our awesomeness. This week, the state was pleasantly surprised to see just that. A piece in The Wall Street Journal hailed Dubuque, Iowa as a top summer destination. Writer David Farley joined the show to discuss why he wrote the piece and what surprises he encountered.
Farley grew up in Dubuque, leaving when he was 6. Without that personal connection, he said he probably wouldn't have thought to return. But when he did decide to give it a visit he was surprised how the city had made a complete 180. When he left, the city was hurting from layoffs and boarded up buildings, but today it's thriving. Farley's piece shines a spotlight on the thriving small town, alerting millions of WSJ readers to the local charm.
Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/dubuque-is-the-wall-street-journals-pick-for-travel/
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