The Iowa Revolution Podcast Celebrates its 100th Episode

With Iowa Political Legend Laura Belin...

Tattered flags fly on the east side of Des Moines.

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Every week, my friend Spencer Dirks and I do a podcast called the “Iowa Revolution,” and we recently completed our 100th episode with Laura Belin as our special guest. If there is a better political analyst in Iowa than Laura, I would like to meet them. Spencer also collaborates with Laura on Capitol Week, a program on KHOI Community Radio that airs every Monday.

We talk about Iowa and National politics and share commentary that most local and national news outlets won’t. We don’t hold anything back and try to have some fun.

I first met Spencer nearly 20 years ago when we both worked for KNIA/KRLS radio in Knoxville/Pella/Indianola. We became fast friends and shared an interest in politics that has led to innumerable political discussions that we decided to bring to the podcast.

We cover the unraveling of our democracy by MAGA-aligned billionaires and believe that all of us can play a role in the resistance. If you don’t like what’s happening to our country, join us and you will be among friends.

We have hosted a few special guests but are planning more. Along with Laura, our guests have been Democratic candidate for Senate Nathan Sage, Iowa State Representative Sean Bagniewski, former presidential candidate and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, and Washington County, Iowa, organizer J.J. Johnson. We plan on talking with Nathan again next week.

Feedspot has us in the top four political podcasts in Iowa and in the top 30 podcasts in the Midwest. '

If you would like to suggest a guest, email Spencer at spencerdirks@gmail.com.

I encourage you to subscribe to Iowa Revolution because if you like Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture, you will love the Iowa Revolution.

And like Deep Midwest, the Iowa Revolution will always be free.

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The Iowa Writers Collaborative is throwing an event in Winterset on July 26. Paid subscribers of any of the members, including those paid subscribers of this newsletter—thank you for supporting my writing, are invited to attend at no cost. To register, click on this RSVP form.

Saturday, July 26

3 to 5 pm: private screening of "Storm Lake" documentary film at the Iowa Theater, free to IWC writers and all PAID subscribers, followed by Q&A with guest of honor Art Cullen, moderated by Julie Gammack. Free popcorn, paid concessions. (Non-paid subscribers and public members can attend for $20.)

5:30 to 7 pm: Robust appetizers with a cash bar will be served at The Winterset Livery (an event space once a horse livery, just off the square), which is open free to paid subscribers. Non-paid subscribers who paid to attend the movie are also welcome to attend the after-party.

Come! We have a terrific community and want you all to meet one another!

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Please consider sharing this post and upgrading to a paid subscription if you can afford it.

My content will always be free, as for over 60 years the words of Simon and Garfunkle in their 1964 song, “The Sound of Silence” have influenced me, “the words of the prophets are written on the subway walls and tenement halls,” and I’m not going to paywall them out should they be interested in my writing. My favorite version is by “Disturbed.”

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I’m a proud member of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. Please check out our work here. Subscribe! Become a paid subscriber if you can afford it. Please and thank you. We need you. Thanks for being part of the team! Want to buy me lunch or a cup of coffee? Venmo @Robert-Leonard-238. My friend Spencer Dirks and I have a podcast titled The Iowa Revolution. Check it out! We can get ornery. And have fun! I also publish Cedar Creek Nature Notes, about Violet the Dog and my adventures on our morning walks at Cedar Bluffs Natural Area in Mahaska County, Iowa.

Here is the Zoom link for this month’s Office Lounge for paid subscribers. It’s always held on the last Friday of the month at noon, except for November and December.