PlatPhorm Podcasts

PlatPhorm Podcasts

River to River

River to River is a conversation about the news with an Iowa perspective. Together we dig into the story behind the headlines - we talk with newsmakers and a diverse range of experts to find out how the news affects you. We take on challenging topics, explore issues from all sides, and foster conversation and understanding

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Episodes

10/23/2026

What's behind the historic drop in violent crime across the U.S.? artwork

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What's behind the historic drop in violent crime across the U.S.?

River to River

Violent crime in America has fallen dramatically since the 1990s. On this episode, we find out why. First, we hear from Amber Sheppard, who went from prison to helping others rebuild their lives. Then, we talk with University of Iowa researchers Jason Robey and Mark Berg about theories behind the great crime decline. We also hear from Polk County Sgt. Brittany Worrall about the launch of a new inmate enrichment program that reduced violence among inmates and recidivism in other jails.

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10/22/2026

1st Congressional District candidates debate tariffs, war in Iran artwork

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1st Congressional District candidates debate tariffs, war in Iran

River to River

On this episode, analysis of the sole 1st District debate between Republican Rep. Miller-Meeks and Democratic challenger Christina Bohannon held this week from Kelly Winfrey of Iowa State University and Sara Mitchell of the University of Iowa. We also discuss President Trump's upcoming Sioux City rally and $8 billion plan to cover farm losses, actor Martin Sheen's plea in Des Moines to revive USAID and more.

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10/21/2026

Dutch food safety researcher receives 2026 World Food Prize in Des Moines artwork

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Dutch food safety researcher receives 2026 World Food Prize in Des Moines

River to River

A conversation with 2026 World Food Prize Laureate Huub Lelieveld. Lelieveld is a Dutch food scientist who was awarded the World Food Prize for helping prevent millions of cases of foodborne illness. He has been recognized for marshaling a movement across 113 countries to deliver the scientific evidence for modern food safety regulations, legislation and standards that safeguard the world’s food supply.

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10/20/2026

A conversation with Republican U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Ashley Hinson artwork

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A conversation with Republican U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Ashley Hinson

River to River

On today's episode, a conversation with Rep. Ashley Hinson, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, one of the most competitive Senate races in the country. But first, we talk with Harvest Academy’s Derek Johnson about the legacy of Walter Lauridsen Jr., who died Oct. 15 after being struck by a vehicle. Lauridsen was the brother-in-law of auditor and gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand. He is being remembered for his work helping those experiencing homelessness or substance abuse at Harvest Academy. Later in the hour, the University of Iowa has opened the state’s first Exercise Oncology Clinic. We explore the science of exercise as part of cancer care with Jessica Gorzelitz, director and founder of the Exercise Oncology Clinic.

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10/17/2026

Eight states including Iowa sue OpenAI over child safety risks artwork

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Eight states including Iowa sue OpenAI over child safety risks

River to River

Eight states, including Iowa, are suing OpenAI. On this Newsbuzz episode, we talk with William Morris of the 'Des Moines Register' about that lawsuit. IPR's Tom Barton joins us to discuss Trump's plans for Iowa rallies before the midterms. We also talk with IPR's Eliza Billingham about an Iowa City woman who was deported to a country she’s never lived in. We talk with Courtney Crowder of the 'Des Moines Register' about the questions facing a long time Des Moines radio station. And we meet Hidayat Nodin, writer in residence from Singapore, who takes us to a world where light is rented. Then, we groove into the weekend with IPR’s Lucius Pham.

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10/16/2026

Checking in with third party and independent candidates in Iowa races artwork

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Checking in with third party and independent candidates in Iowa races

River to River

Republicans and Democrats aren't the only choices on Iowa ballots. On this episode, we check in with third party and independent candidates. We talk with Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate Thomas Laehn as well as three U.S. House candidates — Libertarian Rick Stewart and independent Dave Bushaw in the 2nd District, and independent Michael Bridgford in the 1st District. We discuss what it means to be running for office against the two-party system and many of the top issues on voters' minds.

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10/15/2026

Republican super PAC pulls support from Rep. Miller-Meeks' campaign artwork

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Republican super PAC pulls support from Rep. Miller-Meeks' campaign

River to River

Twenty days before Election Day, campaigns are making their closing arguments. On this Politics Day episode, we get analysis from Jonathan Hassid of Iowa State University and Wayne Moyer of Grinnell College.

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10/14/2026

Where does religious freedom end? artwork

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Where does religious freedom end?

River to River

On this episode, we discuss religious freedom ahead of the Iowa Religious Freedom Day symposium at Iowa State University. The symposium will explore religious freedom through the lens of constitutional law.

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10/13/2026

A conversation with Democratic 2nd District candidate Lindsay James artwork

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A conversation with Democratic 2nd District candidate Lindsay James

River to River

As early voting begins this week for the November midterm election, we continue our candidate interviews with State Rep. Lindsay James, Democratic candidate for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District. James is facing Republican candidate Joe Mitchell for the open House seat. But first, what would a world without cows look like? We talk with journalists and filmmakers Michelle Michael and Brandon Whitworth. They spent five years and traveled to more than 40 locations for their documentary, 'World Without Cows.' The film explores the complex relationship between food and sustainability through the perspectives of farmers, scientists and environmental experts.

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10/10/2026

Early voting in Iowa begins Oct. 14 artwork

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Early voting in Iowa begins Oct. 14

River to River

On this Newsbuzz episode, we talk with Brianne Pfannenstiel of the 'Des Moines Register' about the midterms as the start of early voting is days away. We also learn about the price Iowa is paying for a $15 billion steel mill, discuss what people can and can't do about data centers, and hear about why families of Iowa soldiers killed in a drone strike are seeking answers.

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10/9/2026

2nd Congressional District candidate Joe Mitchell on affordability, partisanship artwork

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2nd Congressional District candidate Joe Mitchell on affordability, partisanship

River to River

On this episode, a conversation with the Republican nominee for Iowa's 2nd Congressional District Joe Mitchell. Mitchell is facing Democratic candidate Lindsay James in the general election. We discuss affordability, the war in Iran, the trade war, how to restore faith in Congress along with other issues. But first, should it take a legislative supermajority to raise your taxes? This November, Iowans will decide whether it should take two-thirds of the legislature — not a simple majority — to raise the state income tax. We explore that proposal with political scientist Karen Kedrowski and hear from an advocate and an opponent of the proposal. (Part of this episode was originally produced Aug. 27, 2026.)

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10/8/2026

Candidates for Iowa governor talk education, economics at contentious first debate artwork

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Candidates for Iowa governor talk education, economics at contentious first debate

River to River

Election Day is less than a month away, and early voting starts in just a week. On this Politics Day episode, we get analysis from political scientists Megan Goldberg of Cornell College and Evan Renfro of the University of Northern Iowa. They discuss the recent debate between gubernatorial candidates Zach Lahn and Rob Sand, the Iran War, the Supreme Court's new term and more.

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10/7/2026

Identifying how menopause impacts risk of stroke and dementia artwork

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Identifying how menopause impacts risk of stroke and dementia

River to River

On this episode, the science of menopause and the aging brain. Women are more vulnerable to strokes, yet they're historically underreported and underdiagnosed. On this episode, the science of menopause and the aging brain. First, University of Iowa neurologist Dr. Hannah Roeder shares how stroke risk in women nearly doubles in the decade after menopause, and the gender disparities of stroke cases, response and recovery. Then, we learn about a new study to examine whether the menopause transition quietly accelerates brain and blood vessel aging, potentially helping explain why women face higher risks of stroke and Alzheimer's disease. Finally, University of Iowa Comprehensive Stroke Center Head Dr. Enrique Leira joins to share how the Code Stroke system has improved recognition and response to strokes for the past 20 years across the state. (This episode was originally produced June 2, 2026.)

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10/6/2026

Author Mary Roach explores the strange science of rebuilding the human body artwork

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Author Mary Roach explores the strange science of rebuilding the human body

River to River

A conversation with best-selling author Mary Roach. Her latest book, 'Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy,' is part medical history, part investigative travelogue, part unflinching look at how far we'll go to keep the body running. We discuss the science of rebuilding the human body from 16th-century prosthetic noses to gene-edited pig hearts to hair follicles grown from stem cells.

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10/3/2026

Rep. Miller-Meeks on seeking a fourth term in Iowa's 1st Congressional District artwork

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Rep. Miller-Meeks on seeking a fourth term in Iowa's 1st Congressional District

River to River

Iowa lawmakers are back at the Capitol for one reason: a $15 billion steel mill, and what Iowa will pay to land it. On this Newsbuzz episode, IPR's Grant Gerlock on the special session over that steel plant. We also hear from Rachel Fey and Megan Kavanaugh about new maps that show how hard it is to get affordable birth control in Iowa. Then, we talk with Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks. She represents Iowa's 1st Congressional District, and is running for reelection against Democrat Christina Bohannan. We also discuss a relay carrying a copy of the Declaration of Independence throughout Iowa with Butch Niebuhr and Mitch Barloga. And, IPR’s Nick Brunner grooves us into the weekend.

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10/2/2026

Choose Iowa program connects Iowans to local foods artwork

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Choose Iowa program connects Iowans to local foods

River to River

Nearly 360 Iowa farms and food businesses carry the Choose Iowa label. Does buying local make a difference? On this episode, we discuss the Choose Iowa Program, the state's buy-local brand. First, we hear from Choose Iowa Program director Beth Romer. We also hear from Chris Deal, co-manager of Deal's Orchard, and Laura Cunningham, founder and owner of Skyview Beef, a dairy barn turned market for dozens of local farmers near Nora Springs. Then, we talk with Shelly Greving, a marketer mapping Iowa's back-road gems, and Andrew and Marissa Waldo, owners of Goose Hill Farm, which grows heritage wheat and other unique grains.

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10/1/2026

Reactions to President Trump's $15 billion Iowa steel mill proposal artwork

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Reactions to President Trump's $15 billion Iowa steel mill proposal

River to River

President Donald Trump said it will be the biggest steel plant in American history — and its home will be Iowa. On this Politics Day episode, we talk with political scientists Peter Hanson of Grinnell College and Jim McCormick of Iowa State University. We get their view on the new steel mill proposed in eastern Iowa, what the latest polls say about Iowa's toss-up races, Iowa Republicans breaking with Trump over the Iran war and more.

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9/30/2026

A conversation with Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek artwork

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A conversation with Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek

River to River

On this episode, a conversation with the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, state Rep. Josh Turek. The contest with Republican nominee Rep. Ashley Hinson is one of the most competitive Senate races in the country. Turek discusses fuel prices and the war in Iran, farm policy, healthcare and his record in the Iowa House. Then, we’ll hear about a new survey of rural voters from Liz Hamel of KFF, a healthcare policy nonprofit. We discuss rural voters' views of health care issues and how it may impact midterms.

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9/29/2026

Author Priya Parker believes a healthy community needs healthy conflict artwork

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Author Priya Parker believes a healthy community needs healthy conflict

River to River

Author and conflict facilitator Priya Parker believes most people aren't over-fighting, they're under-fighting. On this episode, Parker joins us to explore how unhealthy peace can fracture families. Her new book is titled 'The Art of Fighting: The Transformative Power of Conflict.' The story opens at her grandfather's funeral in Waterloo, where the minister's highest praise for a 50-year marriage was that the couple never once quarreled.

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9/26/2026

UI Center for Intellectual Freedom faces mass resignations artwork

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UI Center for Intellectual Freedom faces mass resignations

River to River

All but two of the University of Iowa’s Center for Intellectual Freedom advisory council members resigned this week. On this episode, we find out why from 'Gazette' reporter Vanessa Miller. Then, we talk with Robin Opsahl of the Iowa Capitol Dispatch about President Trump's lawsuit over the Iowa Poll. A court orders the state to reopen its historical research center in Iowa City. We hear from IPR's Maura Curran about this decision. We also talk with Mark Licht of Iowa State University about what a soggy September means for harvest. Then, we meet Wame Molefhe, a writer in residence from Botswana. And IPR’s Tony Dehner grooves us into the weekend.

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