Substacks recommended by Robert Leonard | Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture

Recommended by Robert Leonard

Thoughts on government transparency, politics and civic affairs written weekly -- and sometimes, weakly -- by a longtime advocate for government transparency.

Newburg Stories

By J. Harley McIlrath

Exploring the history of Hickory Grove Township and the town of Newburg in Jasper County, Iowa.

Ponderings

By Andrea Dorn

An Iowan's view of the world of nature and animals and anything that might affect the life of Iowans.

The Racontourists

By Jason Walsmith

Hey there! We are Jason and Emma Walsmith - we call ourselves racontourists - and yes we made that word up, a beautiful mish mash of two words we are very fond of. We will write about music, travel, people, places and things.

Zeteo

By Mehdi Hasan

Zeteo is a new media organization that seeks to answer the questions that really matter, while always striving for the truth. Founded by Mehdi Hasan, Zeteo is a movement for media accountability, unfiltered news and bold opinions.

The Paragraph Stacker

By Daniel P. Finney

Uncensored columns from an exiled newspaper man

Great writing, and fun.

- Robert Leonard

Ancestor Stories

By Annie Leonard

Telling Stories About Ordinary People in Extraordinary Circumstances in History

Great stories about ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.

- Robert Leonard

My Integrated Life

By Dartanyan L. Brown

Stories and Sounds from a Life In Jazz and Journalism

Naturally Al Batt

A wonderful day outside leaves a wonderful feeling inside. Everyone has a story. That’s true of all creatures great and small. The love of birds and their stories can change a person. Take me. My wife claims I haven’t always looked like a sandhill crane.

From Red Earth Drive

By Ray Young Bear

Narratives from a Meskwaki on modern day America in the Midwest.

988: Mental Healthcare in Iowa

By Kali White VanBaale

Stories from the front lines of Iowa's mental healthcare crisis and beyond

Helping us understand the mental health care crisis in Iowa through stories.

- Robert Leonard

Blackout Baby

By Sam Lou Talbot

"Night drives on music & more by Sam Lou Talbot"

Arnold Garson: Second Thoughts

A unique perspective on public affairs built on commentary, historical perspective, and subject matter that is deeply researched.

This Stays Here

By Nicole Baart

A Substack about community for people who want to be better neighbors. Life in my small, rural, Iowa town is idyllic--and also really hard. I imagine the same can be said about wherever you live. Come join the conversation!

American Bardic Poet

By Emily Lupita 🌿

Joseph S. Plum is a poet in the bardic tradition. He lives off-grid in rural Iowa and composes his unique chant-like oral poetry for fascinated audiences around the world. Spiritual / Mystic / Star Knowledge / New Age

Joe Plum is an amazing person and poet. I am very happy that he and his talented daughter Emily Lupita have teamed up to share his work. Please check it out.

- Robert Leonard

Barnstorming Brain

By Tim Grover

My mind wanders far and wide. And I like writing about history, genealogy, current events, nature, and sports...and whatever "godservations" may come my way. I've also written the book "Barnstorming Babe--A Slugger's Bumpy Trek Across Small-Town America."

Iowa Captive

By IowaCaptive

I am a white, queer, longtime iowaphile, who has finally relocated and wonders what the f(&# did I do?? Writing about the intersection of relocation, education and queerness. And a smattering of anything else that gets stuck in my craw.

The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper

My name is Jess and I was a high school Literature teacher for 16 years until I decided to run as a Democrat in a rural, red district in Missouri. I bring you news and politics from Missouri and beyond from a rural progressive point of view.

Digital Ink Spots

By Gordon Schenck

Free form ramblings in magnetic ink.

RiverWords

By Mathew Snyder

Weekly poems and writings on finding your way through the mud.

J. Dudley's World

By J. Dudley Gilbert

J. Dudley Gilbert is a Golden Doodle, born July 26, 2023.

The Five and Dime

By Avery Gregurich

A sporadic establishment situated in the guts of Midwestland. Mainly stocking essays, fanaticisms, and other inquiries into music, film, and whatever culture means. It's cheap, and always aims to please.

Rhetoric & Reality in the Corn Reich

By Christopher Burgess

As the rhetoric goes, so goes Iowa.

The Inquisitive Quad Citizen

By Alison McGaughey

I write about places and people (including myself) that I want to learn more about, and that make the Quad Cities, Eastern Iowa, and/or the Midwest their home. Proud member of the Iowa Writers' Collaborative.

Firmly Rooted

By Denise O’Brien

Denise O'Brien and Larry Harris, unique individuals who chose to remain in their place of birth to be organic farmers. The Harris/O'Brien partnership has lived by the philosophy that "the personal is political", a feminist movement phrase from the 1970s.

The Life and Times of a Midwestern Girl

By Connie Taylor

I grew up in Iowa and completely love the Iowa State Fair, am an avid people-watcher, and love a good local craft cider.

Rob Gray's Area

Musings and observations on sports, gardening, travel — and anything else I care to write about.

Notes from the Prairie

By Carol Van Klompenburg

Gardening, Aging, Memories, and More

The Nature Magazine

By Calin Oancea

I'm a person witch is intrested in nature and animals. My blog is written in a intresting way about animals and things about nature.

My personal Substack

This column consists of Letters to the Editor of the Iowa Writers' Collaborative.

Dave Price's Perspective

An award-winning Iowa journalist's observations on politics, current events, family and some random things, too.

Dave is an Iowa institution in political reporting. His feature stories are outstanding as well.

- Robert Leonard

My personal Substack

My personal Substack

WTF Iowa? What the actual f*%k is happening to our state? How are your tax dollars being spent? What does the Iowa Legislature consider "priority issues" for Iowans? Check out my take on how decisions in Des Moines affect all Iowans.

Between Two Rivers

By Jeff Morrison

Exploring the Hawkeye (Cyclone!) State through history, road trips, and more. Posts appear about every 10 days.

Excellent, informative, analytical.

- Robert Leonard

Listening to the Land

By Larry Stone

Join me on my travels in Iowa outdoors.

The Swine Republic

By Chris Jones

Writing about confluence of agriculture and environment from the heart of the big ag beast here in Iowa

Wini’s Food Stories

By Wini Moranville

With 25-plus years of restaurant reviewing and food writing, I'm taking a close, weekly look at Des Moines food and dining.

Great stories about the Iowa food scene.

- Robert Leonard

Ice Cube Press: The Pulse of A Heartland Publisher

By Ice Cube Press: On Beats & Off Beats the Heart of Publishing

The thoughts, ideas, pulses, and opinions of a long-time indie Midwest publisher, since 1991.

Steve and Ice Cube press has done more for Iowa writers than any other press.

- Robert Leonard

The Civics Center

By Laura W. Brill

The Civics Center is on a mission to get every high school student in America registered to vote. Every year, 4 million Americans turn 18 and become eligible to vote. But less than half of them do so, because they are not registered. thecivicscenter.org

The Crossover

By Jane Burns

Women's sports stories from Iowa - a place where new generations of female athletes carry on a century of success.

Great sports reporting from Iowa!

- Robert Leonard

Warmly, Iowa

By Sarah Davis

Exploring the beauty and complexity of life in Iowa through the stories of its people.

Cranky Dad: Fatherhood, Life and Otherwise

By Ali Noorani

It is a big world with lots to talk about. And I am now an old-man-girl-dad. So, I’ve started a Substack so I can share my latest take on fatherhood, life and otherwise. Come for the bitterness, stay for the recipes.

Podcast By George

Release the Truthtellers!

George is a legend. One of the best podcasts I regularly listen to.

- Robert Leonard

Substack Writers at Work

By Sarah Fay

The only expert guide to Substack—where you grow your Substack, earn an income, and produce your best work ✦ Home of the 2024 Substack Growth Cohort

HERSAY

By ClaudiaLong

What the hell happened to Iowa?

By Julie

On the hunt to find out: What the hell happened to Iowa?

The TransAtlantic

By John Welsh

Politics, government, history, and economy in the USA, Britain, and everything in-between. With occasional forays onto the Continent, The TransAtlantic operates on the political and ideological realignment currently underway in the North Atlantic world.

Inner Life

By Joshua Doležal

An open conversation about the life of the mind.

The Midwest Creative

By Macey Shofroth

Essays and explorations on the creative life and those of us living it in the Midwest.

Penning Ink Substack

By Tim Penning

The Penning Ink Substack, written by Professor Tim Penning, PhD, APR, Fellow PRSA, includes insights and commentary about public relations.

Juniper Evenings

By Emily Martin

A cozy newsletter about the wonder of life and the lessons we learn from nature.

The Asian Iowan

By Jane Nguyen

Born in Saigon, Vietnam. Nearly lifelong Iowan writing about people, places, and things.

Claire’s Invisible Life

By Claire Richmond

Compassionate rituals for living with a chronic illness.

Hola Iowa

Connect with the Latino communities in Iowa.

Headwaters

By Nolan Monaghan

Exploring landscapes, food, and a Midwestern life

View from the Cedar Valley

By Pat Kinney

Column of news and observations from the Waterloo-Cedar Falls and greater Cedar Valley area.

Talking Good

By Teresa Zilk

In this space, I’ll write about the people, places, and learnings that have helped to shape me and my journey here in Iowa.

Because Teresa is an Iowa treasure.

- Robert Leonard

Hopium Chronicles By Simon Rosenberg

Expert commentary from a 30-year veteran of US politics. Here at Hopium we work on strategies to defeat MAGA, tell our story more effectively, and ensure freedom and democracy prevail. Expect sharp analysis, live events, and all sorts of Hopium!

Dispatches from Oz

By Marcel Harmon of Dispatches

buildings, behavior, evolution, education, culture, politics, plus…

Important topics well examined. Great writing.

- Robert Leonard

Of Spanglish and Maximalism

By Chuy Renteria

First generation Mexican-American Midwestern musings.

Great storytelling and philosophy related to our multicultural world. Thoughtful, compelling, and challenging.

- Robert Leonard

Fern and Joe

By Fern Kupfer and Joe Geha

opinions on topics

Great writing! Excellent topics.

- Robert Leonard

Mary Swander's Emerging Voices

Diverse people voice their opinions for the Iowa Writers Collaborative

Because it is beautiful.

- Robert Leonard

Kyle Munson's Main Street

Stories from along the thoroughfare and down the side streets, too

everyone is entitled to my own opinion

By Jeff Tiedrich

I read the news today, oh boy

Unfinished Business

By Cheryl Tevis

Current events, rural living/consumer issues, women's challenges, Iowa life

My Gaia

By Diane Porter

It's about personal contact with nature, especially birds, native plants, and other wildlife in rural Iowa and farther afield. Whenever I can, I try to give nature a helping hand.

Barry Piatt on Politics: - Behind the Curtains

Consistently ahead of the curve political commentary and analysis

I love his fascinating historical and insider perspective!

- Robert Leonard

Benign Inspiration

By Jody Gifford

Consider this a warning: I write about whatever inspires me. It's random, I know.

Dispatches from the Heartland

By Suzanna de Baca

Reflections on change and transformation.

A Whole New World

By Debra Engle

We can make the world new every day.

"Old Judge" Artis’s Newsletter

By Artis Reis

Old Judge Notebook

Dave Busiek on Media

Viewpoint on current issues in media

Barbara’s Newsletter

By Barbara Leach

Saving the World One Vote At a Time

Along the Mississippi

By Ed Tibbetts

News, opinions and ideas from the Quad-Cities, where the river runs east to west

Michael Mohr's Sincere American Writing

Buy my YA literary punk novel, THE CREW. Find me on Facebook. Author. Book editor. Thinker. Contrarian. Essays. Politics. Memoir. Book reviews. Fiction. No teams. No loyalties. Straight bourbon honesty.

Black Iowa News

Black Iowa News is an independent news platform designed to highlight Black perspectives, showcase the Black community and amplify the voices of Black Iowans — online and in print.

Iowa Boy Chuck Offenburger

...Iowa, small towns, and saddle shoes

Mary Swander’s Buggy Land

By swandermary@gmail.com

The Amish, sustainability, and the wider rural environment.

Art Cullen’s Notebook

A view from rural America: immigration, agriculture, environment, politics

The Iowa Mercury

By Douglas Burns

Iowa's Politics, People, Economy and Culture

Things We Don't Talk About Like Politics & Religion

By Daniel Henderson

I like to write about current affairs in politics and religion and how they affect our lives. It can be controversial, but always enjoyable, and sometimes humorous. Join me!

Iowa politics with Laura Belin

What an Iowa political reporter is reading and writing

Iowa Writers Collaborative

By Julie Gammack

Linking readers and writers who care about Iowa.

This is a growing list of great Iowa writers.

- Robert Leonard

We Hold These Truths: Understanding the Rural Midwest

By Dennis Christopher

Essays and commentary on the realities of the rural Midwestern United States.

Mary Tabor "Only connect ..."

By <Mary L. Tabor>

The arts, books, movies, all things literary--and a course: Write it! How to get started, The Writing Life and (Re)Making Love: a memoir in serial chapters

Excellent, thought provoking writing.

- Robert Leonard

The Cocklebur

By Bryce Oates

Reporting and analysis on rural politics, policy, people, and places.

Brecht's Beat

By Tory Brecht

On Iowa sports, life on the Upper Mississippi and other subjects.

Emily Lupita 💜 Explores

By Artist Emily Lupita

✨ American Latina artist & writer living in Ankara, Türkiye. ✨ Originally from rural Iowa, Emily Lupita shares explorations from her art desk, cultural travels, and motherhood with her Autistic sons. New Cappadocia book coming soon.

Zach's Iowa Senate Update

By Zach Wahls

A first-person, weekly update from the Iowa Senate — 100% free.

Relatively Minor

By Vicki Minor

a weekly newspaper humor column

The Recovering Academic

By Joshua Doležal

Notes on life after academe with exclusive interviews, essays, and craft resources.

Okoboji Writers' and Songwriters' News

By Julie Gammack

The Okoboji Writers' Retreat is a tradition started in 2021. Writers of all skill levels come to experience Lake Okoboji for a 2.5 day retreat. Topics range from getting started, memoir, nonfiction, fiction, playwriting, opinion, and now songwriting.

Because the Okoboji Writers' Retreat is wonderful, and has been life-changing for many of us, including me. Julie Gammack is a national treasure. Whoever you are, whatever you write, and whatever skill level you are at, you will be welcomed with open arms.

- Robert Leonard

The First Person with Michael Judge

The former WSJ editor's independent newsletter featuring conversations with—and essays by—writers, thinkers, and doers around the globe.

New Ground Iowa

By Jim Sayers

Awareness, growth, kindness, inspiration, and creativity

Powerful writing. Makes me think about things I have never pondered, or even knew to ponder. Now I do.

- Robert Leonard

Seeing Things

By Liza Donnelly

New and unpublished drawings and thoughts for people who want to see more of life, from a New Yorker cartoonist. Drawings, cartoons, words, live drawing, process, more...

In the Dirt

By Beth Hoffman

I dive into the the economics of growing food, give you the dirt on the politics of agriculture and occasionally share a funny tale from our ranch, Whippoorwill Creek Farm.

The Good in Us by Mary L. Trump

By Mary L Trump

In which we come together to save American democracy, or at least have fun while trying.

The Writing Life With Jason Liegois

A newsletter on writing and the writing life.

AI Supremacy

By Michael Spencer

News at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, technology and business including Op-Eds, research summaries, guest contributions and valuable info about A.I. startups.

Sherman Alexie

poems, short fiction, essays, opinion, audio, video

Julie Gammack's Iowa Potluck

By Julie Gammack's Potluck

Julie unearths stories you'll want to read, and or listen to via podcast. She's in the know, so you'll be in the know. She was into 'reader engagement' before 'reader engagement' was a thing. Join the community!

The Fucking News

By The F Team

"I recommend signing up for these guys, if you like getting your morning news with swearing." -- Naomi Klein

Volts

By David Roberts

A newsletter, podcast, & community focused on the technology, politics, and policy of decarbonization. In your inbox once or twice a week.

On Repeat by Kevin Alexander

By Kevin

Hot takes on cool records.

The Bulwark

Analysis and reporting on politics and culture in America. Home to Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, Bill Kristol, JVL and more. No partisan loyalties. No tribal prejudices.

PR@ctical

By Sarah Evans @prsarahevans

Once weekly newsletter that actually helps you get in the news or build influence. Practical tips you can use to be better at: -build visibility; -work with media; and -create a more influential presence