Welcome to the Flipside
. . . tired of politics? Need a laugh, a good cry, or a place to eat?
Flipside
This is the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative from the easy chair! The Flipside edition brings you a midweek helping of music, arts, books, sports, entertainment, tech, and deeply personal essays—a fresh break from the news cycle that still keeps you thinking. And hey, sometimes politics and policy sneak in from Sunday, because let’s face it, the world doesn’t hit pause.
So grab your coffee or tea, settle in, and dive into the stories that make Iowa—and beyond—so intriguing. This is your midweek spark of inspiration, insight, and entertainment. Welcome to the Flipside—let’s go!
This week, we introduce a new member who will primarily offer a podcast in the Substack platform. He comes to us by the recommendation of
, who introduced us by saying that Ken Chester has a successful, 30-year, syndicated radio show and podcast called The TechMobility Show. He's covered a lot of tech and the automotive industry but he also has an intriguing, eclectic mix of other topics, "everything from walking to outer space." Ken also runs the monthly Minority Business Roundtable. His show, Road Worthy Drive was heard on WHO-AM radio, and his writing about the automotive industry has been carried in newspapers across the state, including The Des Moines Register.Ken Chester, Tech Mobility, introductory column
Pulitzer Prize Winner Spills the Truth, Trump’s Shocking Rhetoric, and a High School’s Emotional Goodbye
What does it take to truly see the world—the good, the bad, and everything in between? Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Art Cullen has spent decades uncovering the truth, and in Doctor, My Eyes,
captures Cullen’s wisdom in a raw and riveting conversation. Meanwhile, takes on the Trump administration’s jaw-dropping defense of the phrase “Normalize Indian hate,” pulling no punches in a political takedown you won’t forget. And in a bittersweet farewell, students at Orient-Macksburg High School create The Last Letter Jacket to honor their school before it closes forever. Read .From Iowa Legends to World Affairs—The Stories Everyone Will Be Talking About
Basketball fans, take note: Iowa’s own “Machine Gun Molly” could be heading to the Naismith Hall of Fame.
has the full story. Meanwhile, over in Cedar Falls, former SNL star Gary Kroeger returns just in time for the show’s 50th anniversary—get the behind-the-scenes scoop from . But this week is not just about nostalgia— dives into the powerful Palestinian concept of Sumud, revealing a lesson in resilience that has global implications. And if you’re looking for a surprising take on international politics, makes the bold case for Canada becoming the 51st state.Political Bombshells, Jaw-Dropping Deals, and a Dining Steal You Can’t Miss
Iowa politics is heating up, and
breaks down how Skylar Wheeler is pushing a Christian Nationalist agenda that could change the state forever. If technology is more your speed, exposes why GM’s decision to shut down Cruise Automation could mean the end of self-driving taxis as we know them. And for food lovers, reveals an incredible three-course prix-fixe meal for just $20—no tipping required. With humor, hard-hitting journalism, and can’t-miss cultural coverage, Iowa at Large delivers stories that will keep you clicking for more!
The Flipside by Category, Writer Name, and Link
Iowa at Large
Michael Judge – Doctor, My Eyes
A conversation with Art Cullen, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Iowa journalist who has done all that he could to see the evil and the good.
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Political Comedy
Romen Borsellino – As an Indian, Borsellino writes, I have some thoughts on the Trump Administration's defense of the phrase "Normalize Indian hate."
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Music
Like a teeter totter, Kathryn Severing Fox’s life balances structure and spontaneity, from meticulously tuning pianos for world-class artists to fostering creativity through Multiplicity, a songwriting ensemble that gives students a space to bring their music to life. Also, listen to a song written and recorded by Kathryn.
Vicki Minor – Weary Ramblers: Engaging Audiences with Outstanding Music.
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Chip Albright – America is full of amazing people with hearts the size of the Iowa State Fair.
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Carol Montag – Listen to this song on YouTube, then read Carol’s backstory about the composition. Figure Eight
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Food & Dining
Wini Moranville – A three-course prix-fixe meal for $20—no tipping required.
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Entertainment & Travel
Alison McGaughey – Adult Prom in the Quad Cities: When there's three inches of slushy mess, wear peep-toe heels!
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Daniel P. Finney – The new Captain America movie is neither new nor brave, writes exhausted comic book fan Daniel P. Finney.
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Pat Kinney – Former "Saturday Night Live" cast member Gary Kroeger of Cedar Falls returns for the show's 50th anniversary.
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Around Iowa
Sarah Scull – At Strangers & Guests Catholic Worker, art, activism, and radical compassion intersect.
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Marianne Fons – Marianne Fons is heading for QuiltCon in Phoenix, where she'll meet up with her quilty people, shop around, and look at quilts.
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Pat Kinney – Two Waterloo World War II veterans passed away, both at age 99.
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John Crabtree – Lunch at La Frontera in Hampton, Iowa—family, friends, fellowship, and social justice.
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Robert Leonard – Cedar Creek Nature Notes: Snow, timber, controlled burn, artifacts, and a Valentine.
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Jeff Morrison – Orient-Macksburg High School students create "The Last Letter Jacket" to honor their school before it shuts down.
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Julie Gammack – Substack created a new tool writers can use to conduct live video interviews or speak directly to followers. Julie offers a recording of the first two. Marianne Fons and Art Cullen were her debut guests, followed by angel Tech investor (and new Substack columnist)
.🔗 Marianne, Julie, Art
Sports
Rob Gray – Iowa State's T.J. Otzelberger loves—I mean, really loves—his team.
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Tory Brecht – As the Ides of March approach, the Fran McCaffery era in Iowa City appears to be winding down.
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Jane Burns – Jane Burns talks to Molly (Bolin) Kazmer, best known in Iowa as "Machine Gun Molly," a finalist for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
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Agriculture
Darcy Maulsby – Wouldn't you think if you make it to the NFL you'd be on easy street? The competition only gets more intense.
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World Affairs
Hanah Breckbill – What the Palestinian concept of Sumud teaches us.
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Humor
Vicki Minor – The Seasonal Struggle: Embracing the Chill.
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Poetry
Kelsey Bigelow – A sneak peek into the future of "There's a Poem In That" and advice for life from a poetry event.
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National Politics
Ed Tibbetts – Elon Musk's changes will make customer service worse for Americans on Social Security.
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Nicole Baart – Nicole Baart shares her thoughts on Canada becoming the 51st state.
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Books, Art
Steve Semken – A slow motion memory and a writing lesson based on paradox.
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Mary Swander – A transcribed interview with Liese Greensfelder and her memoir Accidental Shepherd.
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Kurtis Meyer – Kurt Meyer on collecting all published books by specific authors.
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Iowa Politics
Dan Henderson – Skylar Wheeler and the Iowa Christian Nationalist Nanny State.
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Technology
Ken Chester – With GM closing Cruise Automation, self-driving taxis are in trouble.
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Strictly Personal
Christina Fernández-Morrow – Setting boundaries is a superpower that transforms relationships and self-worth.
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