Katie tells Rachel about Oscar Micheaux, one of the most prolific filmmakers of all-black films from 1918 to 1950. Not only was he a filmmaker, but he was also a railroad worker, farmer, frontiersmen on the South Dakota prairie, novelist, direc

African American Migration in the Midwest: Part Two

Feb 18th, 2022 1h

Katie and Rachel continue their discussion of the history of African American migration in the midwest, focusing on the patterns of travel, political organization, and culture that created predominantly black cities in the American midwest. The

African American Migration in the Midwest: Part One

Feb 11th, 2022 1h 3m

Katie and Rachel break down and discuss the history of black midwesterners moving to the region and forming powerful communities that impact the culture and landscape of the midwest today.

Iowa City: Part Two

Feb 5th, 2022 37m 50s

Max Asman joins Rachel and Katie again to tell us about Iowa City, its history, and the story of Burch the Bear, who was UI's first mascot (and a real bear).

Iowa City Part One with Max Asman

Jan 21st, 2022 56m 59s

Katie and Rachel are joined again by their friend Max Asman to talk about Iowa City, the first capital of Iowa and current home to the University of Iowa.

Foods of the Midwest

Jan 14th, 2022 1h 6m

Katie and Rachel are joined by friend Max Asman to discuss the regional cuisine of the midwest, with all its unique pairings and flavors.

Jack Trice

Jan 7th, 2022 43m 34s

Katie and Rachel discuss Jack Trice, the first black student-athlete at Iowa State University, and his death on the football field.

Youth in Agriculture

Dec 31st, 2021 1h 17m

Katie and Rachel are joined by a special guest to discuss youth development programs in agriculture like 4-H and FFA. What are they? Who can join? Nick Thompson, Katie's younger brother, and club president of a local FFA chapter answers all the

Black Panther Party of Des Moines

Dec 10th, 2021 55m 26s

Rachel and Katie discuss the creation and eventual destruction of the Des Moines chapter of the Black Panther Party.

Bleeding Kansas

Dec 3rd, 2021 41m 18s

Katie and Rachel learn about the violence that broke out in Kansas during the 1850's over the fate of Kansas as a free state or slave state.

The Mormon Trail

Nov 26th, 2021 50m 12s

The Church of Latter-Day Saints organized and carried out a mass migration across the midwest during the mid-1800s, forever shaping the landscape and future of those areas.

McDonald Territory

Nov 19th, 2021 59m 44s

Join Katie and Rachel as they discuss the time that McDonald County in Missouri tried to secede from the United States.

Ranking Midwest States

Nov 12th, 2021 1h 8m

No history this time! Katie and Rachel get goofy and rank every midwestern state in order of how much they like them.

Annie Oakley

Nov 5th, 2021 53m 22s

Annie Oakley might have become famous for her time in the American West, but she was an Ohio native with her roots right here in the midwest. Born as Pheobe Ann Mosey, she went on to become the most prolific sharpshooter of her time. Listen as

Villisca Axe Murders

Oct 29th, 2021 59m 44s

On this special Halloween episode, Katie tells Rachel the gruesome story of a family of eight, murdered in their beds. On June 9th, 1912, the Moore family of Villisca, Iowa was brutally killed with an axe in a crime that has never been solved.

The Iowa State Fair

Oct 15th, 2021 53m 3s

Rachel and Katie discuss the Iowa State Fair, including their personal experiences, some unbelievable facts, and the bizarre history of the Grandstand entertainment.