Benign Inspiration

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

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

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

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!

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.

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

My personal Substack

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

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

My personal Substack

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

Join me on my travels in Iowa outdoors.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Connect with the Latino communities in Iowa.

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

I write about the importance of simply showing up.

Adventures in travel, food and fun. And Iowa sports, of course.

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

opinions on topics

Diverse people voice their opinions for the Iowa Writers Collaborative

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

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

Highlighting Black triumph from the West Coast to the Midwest - and beyond. Posting multimedia stories about small Black-owned businesses.

Consistently ahead of the curve political commentary and analysis

Reflections on change and transformation.

We can make the world new every day.

Viewpoint on current issues in media

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

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, small towns, and saddle shoes

The Amish, sustainability, and the wider rural environment.

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

Iowa's Politics, People, Economy and Culture

What an Iowa political reporter is reading and writing

Linking readers and writers who care about Iowa.

The politics and culture of Iowa, the midwest, and beyond.

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

a weekly newspaper humor column

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.

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!

How we write is how we live. And how we live is how we write. A dose of creative writing for the soul.

A newsletter about the history behind today's politics.