Iowa is known for its first-in-the-nation caucuses, but only WONKS! has the infamous war stories of the political wannabes as they out-huckster the midway barkers for Iowans’ attention. Enjoy!
WONKS! Episode 9 - Politics at the Fair!
WONKS! Exclusive - Michael Avenatti tests the presidential waters in Iowa!
He’s best known for being Stormy Daniels’ attorney, but Michael Avenatti is at the Iowa State Fair, doing what candidates do, hanging with local Democratic political operatives and seeing if there’s support for a presidential bid.
WONKS! Episode 8 - Sports & The Media ...and a Little Politics - Part 2
WONKS! drills deeper into the issue of "Sports & the Media" as we hear about college athletics from the business side. When did athletic departments get so powerful – and how did it happen? Are there racial barriers in college sports? And we discuss the plight of the youngest athletes, from participation trophies to the over-emphasis on sport specialization.
With Olympian Natasha Kaiser Brown, Iowa Cubs Owner Michael Gartner, investigative sports journalist Tom Witosky, Drake basketball legend Adam Emmenecker, KXNO Host Heather Burnside, Missouri Associate Athletic Director Brian Brown, and KCCI TV Sports Director Andy Garman. Hosted by Kevin Cooney and recorded before a live audience at Noce Jazz Cabaret in Des Moines, Iowa.
WONKS! Episode 8 - Sports & The Media ...and a Little Politics - Part 1
The chemistry & conflict of sports goes beyond the teams and events. It's in the media coverage. It's in the administration by owners, coaches and boards. It's even among the athletes themselves. In this WONKS!, the first of two dealing with the topic, we hear from Iowa Cubs Owner Michael Gartner; journalists Andy Garman, Tom Witosky, and Heather Burnside; iconic athletes Natasha Kaiser-Brown and Adam Emenecker; and University of Missouri Associate Athletic Director Brian Brown. Hosted by Kevin Cooney and recorded live from Noce Jazz Cabaret in Des Moines.
Wee WONKS! - Bonnie Campbell on the Future of Women in Iowa Politics
Our May WONKS! looked at "Women & Politics" and we focused on the experiences of our panelists. In this Wee WONKS!, former Attorney General and former candidate for governor Bonnie Campbell may surprise you with her assessment of future female empowerment.
Wee WONKS! - Female Groundbreakers: Journalist O. Kay Henderson and Pollster Ann Selzer
WONKS! Questioners Ann Selzer and Kay Henderson - both successful in their fields - talk of their experience with gender prejudice and whether they feel they've reached the "mountaintop."
Wee WONKS! - Mary Kramer's Musical Interpretation of the Iowa Legislature
Mary Kramer was invited to be one of the panelists for the WONKS! "Women & Politics" show in May. You may know we record our podcasts at the Noce Jazz Cabaret, where there is always a piano present. Host Kevin Cooney had asked Mary a few days before whether she'd like to entertain during intermission, but it would be our secret. We only had one microphone in that part of the stage and hadn't planned on making a podcast from it but it turned out to be the surprise of the night, and we couldn't resist sharing. Enjoy!
WONKS! Episode 7 - The Democrats Debate
Five Democrats running for Governor have their say in the final debate before the Iowa Primary. WONKS! Regulars Matt Paul, Matt Strawn and Ann Selzer join Kevin Cooney to see who got the hits, errors and win.
WONKS! Episode 6 - Women & Politics
A former president of the Iowa Senate and former Iowa Attorney General join two experienced political campaign experts to assess the past, present, and future of women in Iowa politics. With Mary Kramer, Bonnie Campbell, Melissa Gesing and Jessica Vanden Berg! Veteran reporter Kay Henderson and nationally recognized pollster Ann Selzer join in. Recorded live at the Noce Jazz Cabaret in Des Moines.
"Pre WONKS!" - Women & Politics
Previewing our Women & Politics WONKS!, some thoughts on women and how they are treated differently in the political world. With Ambassador Mary Kramer, Melissa Gesing, who resigned as head of the Iowa Federation of Republican Women after then-candidate Donald Trump made his infamous off-camera statements to Access Hollywood, and Jessica Vanden Berg who has worked as communications director with Democrats in Congress and on congressional campaigns.
Wee Wonks - Millennials: Is Anyone Listening to Us?
If Millennials are soon to be the “biggest generation,” you would think they’d have some big-time political clout... right? Well, a questioner at WONKS doesn’t think politicians are listening. Why is that? Some interesting opinions – as always – from our “Millennials & Politics” edition.
Wee Wonks - Eric Branstad
We heard a lot about Millennials and their impact in the 2016 election. Mostly the focus has been on the Sanders and Clinton campaigns. But the director of Donald Trump’s Iowa campaigns in the caucuses and general election says Millennials came out for Trump too, and they weren’t your stereotypical Millennials. Eric Branstad is just a couple of years too old to be called a Millennial, but he was thinking about them — a lot — during the campaigns.
Wee Wonks - Do Millennials Lean Left?
At a recent WONKS! looking at Millennials, a questioner raised the issue of whether the demographic leaned left and that fewer Millennials were supporting third-party candidates. So how would that affect elections?
Wee Wonks - Judy Downs: An Elected Millennial
They're literally the biggest thing since the Baby Boom. Millennials will soon overtake Boomers in numbers on the demographic charts, but is it fair to pigeonhole them politically? Do they really have an impact? Find out what WONKS! panelist Judy Downs thinks will be more important than just Millennials in a Wee Wonks! presentation.
And, as always, thanks for your subscription/support/review!
WONKS! Episode 5 - Millennials & Politics
They’ll soon outnumber Baby Boomers as the biggest generation. But who are they and how do they feel about issues? Former Branstad & Reynolds spokesman Jimmy Centers and Trump Iowa Campaign Director Eric Branstad join Democratic Millennials Judy Downs and Kimberley Boggus in a free-wheeling WONKS! Journalists Jason Noble of the Des Moines Register and IPR’s Clay Masters are with Dennis Goldford and Kevin Cooney at the “Inquisitors Table.”
Wee Wonks - Pollster Ann Selzer: I think, therefore I Ann!
Ann Selzer knows the best questions to ask and — perhaps more importantly — the best people to ask! But there’s a ton of science that goes into polling. Money too! These are just some of the topics Selzer discussed with Kevin Cooney after she was part of the WONKS! Podcast looking at one of her favorite topics: The Iowa Caucuses.
WONKS! Episode 4 - The Iowa Caucuses
The Iowa Caucuses attract worldwide attention as America’s first indicator of presidential preference. But these neighborhood meetings are not without controversy, history and humor. In this edition of WONKS! party and campaign leaders take questions on what works — and what doesn’t. Guests are former Congressman Dave Nagle, campaign and communications manager Eric Woolson, Democratic National Committeewoman Jan Bauer and former Iowa GOP Chairman David Oman. Joining hosts Dennis Goldford and Kevin Cooney with questions are nationally renowned pollster Ann Selzer and WHO-TV Political Director Dave Price. Great stories and great insight.
Wee Wonks - Erin Murphy: 21st Century Journalist
Erin Murphy heads up the Des Moines bureau for Lee Enterprises, reporting for several newspapers across Iowa. His career started in the new millennium, giving him insight into the role and requirements of 21st century reporting.
Wee Wonks - Dave Busiek: TV News in the Digital Age
Live vans and satellite trucks pale in comparison to the changes brought by the internet. Dave Busiek talks with Kevin Cooney about TV news in the digital age.
Wee Wonks - Michael Gartner on Politicians: "They're fun to be with."
They're interesting and tell good stories. Michael Gartner has been listening to - and hearing from - politicians for decades. In our Wee Wonks with Michael, he talks about the good, the bad, and the ugly of befriending pols.
