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

Recommended by Robert Leonard

Unflinching journalism in defense of democracy

Democracy Defender 1787 responds to the dangers posed to America's democracy and the rule of law by Trump II and the MAGA movement.

American Politics: Views from the Upper Midwest

By Andrew Green

American Politics: Views from the Upper Midwest focuses on providing data-driven content to readers about contemporary American politics, elections, and government.

Cornhole Champions

By Zach

Cornhole Champions is a weekly podcast, powered by Iowa Starting Line, where we throw bags at Iowa's biggest stories and maybe sip a beer or two.

Zachary Oren Smith and the Iowa Starting Line are great resources for Iowans seeking great news coverage.

- Robert Leonard

Coyote Run Farm: Growing New Leaders

By Matt Russell

A newsletter advancing a hopeful future from and through rural America.

The Power

By Carole Cadwalladr

Girl power vs Tech bros

Food & Power

By Claire Kelloway

From seeds to meat to grocery, the food industry is highly consolidated. Food & Power investigates how corporate power shapes our food system, and how monopolization impacts farmers, consumers, and entrepreneurs.

Chip Happens

By Chip Albright

A catalog of stories and songs following the musical endeavors of Midwestern singer-songwriter, Chip Albright.

Nuts and Bolts

By curbow314@gmail.com

A hardwareman's daughter writes about politics, popular culture, and plenty more

Henry Jay Karp

From 1985 to 2017 I served as Rabbi of Temple Emanuel in Davenport. A social justice activist, I founded or co-founded such organizations as In From the Cold, The David Lane Coats for Kids, and One Human Family QCA.

Kelsey Bigelow

Poet and speaker

Meidas+

By MeidasTouch Network

The ad-free home base for Meidas News, the fastest growing pro-democracy news network. Bonus articles, exclusive content, and interactive chats. Led by Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas, with exclusive articles by Ron Filipkowski.

Ty's Take

By Ty Rushing

My personal Substack

Ty is one of the very best journalists in the Midwest. Aside from his straight journalism, he is an astute analyst and commentator of contemporary pop culture. He will never dissapoint.

- Robert Leonard

Rural Routes

Rural Routes is an exploration of power and creativity in all parts of Iowa, with an emphasis on how rural life fills this place. This publication is a branch of Progress Iowa.

Progress Iowa is a great organization working to make the world a better place.

- Robert Leonard

Weathering Climate Change

By Chris Gloninger

The nexus between extreme weather events and climate change - we will be connecting the dots between the two and why it matters to you.

The Education Wars

By Jennifer Berkshire

Reporting from the front lines of the education wars from freelance journalist and podcaster Jennifer Berkshire.

Bill Tubbs, "Impressions"

Bill Tubbs' editorial column, "Impressions," a combination of reflections about local, state and national issues, has appeared weekly in the Eldridge (IA) North Scott Press since 1971.

Let's Talk Politics

By Dennis Goldford

These are short discussions of various aspects of American politics in particular and the nature of politics and political affairs generally.

Taylor’s Millennial Mindset

By Taylor Deckert

What's happening in Siouxland? The perspective of a tech-savvy, Sioux City, Iowa-based news anchor prioritizing self care, mental health and a social life.

Passport 2 Pleasure

By Ally Iseman

Where sex, love, and relationship nerds come together for humorously unfiltered, science-backed, data-driven 'edutainment' about inclusive relationship dynamics.

John’s Substack

By John Crabtree

My personal Substack

Shifting Gears with Phoebe Wall Howard

Your home for Detroit auto industry news, information and analysis. All original reporting by award-winning beat reporter Phoebe Wall Howard.

Reporting from Quiltropolis

By Marianne Fons

Marianne Fons writes from the small town of Winterset, Iowa, reporting on quilty and non-quilty topics.

Reading with Rachelle

By Rachelle Chase

Exploring history you never learned in school — but wish you had

Rachelle is one of Iowa's best authors, and I love the concept.

- Robert Leonard

The Nature of Things

By Ron Dodson

Regular thoughts on moments of life from a biologist and environmental educator.

Stray Thoughts

By Randy Evans

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.

Corn Belt Newsletter

By Joshua Manske

Welcome to the Corn Belt Newsletter where we focus on the events and indicators that affect the land market and agriculture.

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.

Jason is a great musician and an outstanding writer. Always takes me somewhere new.

- Robert Leonard

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.

Robert’s Substack

By Robert Hopkins

Poetry, short story, a few laments, political commentary. I've written two novels, both fiction murder-mystery genres. Happy to send a copy if you like ... just need an address. Cheers.

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

Jonathan Larsen’s Substack

Original reporting, investigative journalism, and occasional thoughts about stuff from a veteran of MSNBC, CNN, and more.

My Integrated Life

By Dartanyan L. Brown

Stories and Sounds from a Life In Jazz and Journalism

Piecemaker: Musings & Meditations of a Midwest Maker

By Sarah

Quilter who upcycles textiles into stories of connection, identity, and belonging.

Through the Fog, by Elliot Kirschner

An idiosyncratic exploration of current events, history, art, science, and community.

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". Come on board.,,

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. History, genealogy, current events, nature, and sports...and whatever "godservations" may come my way. Author of 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.

Iowa Valley RC&D

Leading in the development of farmers and food value chains toward a more collaborative, equitable, and resilient food system across Iowa’s communities. Don't want to subscribe? You can still access our content by clicking "no thanks."

Building Iowa's local food system. Great content by great people doing great things.

- Robert Leonard

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.

Jess Piper is a fearless advocate for rural America..

- Robert Leonard

Digital Ink Spots

By Gordon Schenck

Free form ramblings in magnetic ink.