From a Northwest Iowa guy to Arctic Explorer: How David Thoreson’s Journey Through the Northwest Passage Changed Everything

Is the U.S. headed toward a dictatorship? Our Monday Zoom lunch guest has experience to share about this concern. See below for details and a link to the Zoom call. David Thoreson, an Iowa native who grew up far from any ocean, set his sights on something more extreme—the Arctic’s fabled Northwest Passage. From his childhood on the banks of the Des Moines River and Lake Okoboji to sailing 40,000 miles across some of the most treacherous waters on Earth, Thoreson’s life has been one of relentless exploration and environmental advocacy.In a riveting conversation, Thoreson recounts his transformation from a small-town boy to a world-renowned sailor, photographer, and climate witness. He shares how a chance encounter with a Minnesota hog farmer made him the first American to sail the Northwest Passage ice-free—a voyage that made history and captured global attention.When he boarded the sailboat Cloud Nine, he was told that if he fell overboard, he would likely not survive—a warning he shared with his family before embarking on the journey of a lifetime. But this isn't just an adventure story. Thoreson brings firsthand evidence of our rapidly changing planet, describing the stark contrast between his first Arctic expedition in 1994—where he and his crew were nearly trapped in the ice—and his 2007 voyage, where the ice had vanished. With stunning photography and unflinching honesty, he lays bare the consequences of climate change and the urgent need for action, particularly in Iowa, where water quality and sustainable agriculture remain at the forefront of environmental battles.Thoreson uses his voice to connect the dots between Iowa’s lakes, agriculture, and global climate trends. His mission is to inspire change, one story at a time.We are thrilled to have this Iowa writer, photographer, and storyteller as one of the newest members of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. Here is a link to David’s most recent column: Is the United States on the cusp of a takeover by an authoritarian regime?John Dinges is our Monday Zoom lunch guest (starting at noon central time). Please join my friend and Okoboji Writers’ Retreat speaker, John Dinges on our Monday Zoom call. Some of us have mixed reactions to today's news. Many are either riveted by the scattershot chaos being sewn by the incoming administration or, on the other hand, are averting their eyes, hoping the midterm election or the United States Courts will save our Democracy. For a reality check, our guest on February 3 will be a man who lived during a dictatorship and sees parallels to what is happening in the United States today. John has a deep understanding of authoritarian regimes and their tactics, which has made him a sought-after expert. In April 2015, Dinges provided extensive testimony during the "Plan Condor" trial in Buenos Aires, Argentina, contributing valuable insights into the coordinated efforts of South American dictatorships to suppress dissent.Given his firsthand experience in Chile during a period of oppressive military rule, his investigative work uncovering the operations of authoritarian regimes, and his scholarly contributions on the subject. John Dinges is an American journalist and author renowned for his extensive work on Latin American politics, particularly regarding military dictatorships. He grew up in Emmetsburg, Iowa, and holds a bachelor's degree in English and Philosophy from Loras College and a master's in Latin American Studies from Stanford University. Initially studying theology at the University of Innsbruck in Austria, Dinges transitioned to journalism and began his journalism career at the Des Moines Register & Tribune. He also worked as a freelance correspondent in Latin America, reporting for Time, The Washington Post, ABC Radio, and other news organizations during a period marked by military governments and civil wars. Upon returning to the United States, he served as an assistant editor on the foreign desk at The Washington Post. He later joined National Public Radio (NPR) as deputy foreign editor and managing editor for news. From 1972 to 1978, Dinges resided in Chile, serving as a special correspondent for Time, The Washington Post, and ABC Radio. He was among the few American journalists present during Chile's most tumultuous periods under military rule. During this time, he co-founded APSI/Actualidad Internacional, a magazine that became a leading investigative outlet exposing the abuses of the military regime, operating under intense censorship.Dinges's expertise is further solidified through his authorship of several significant works:* "Assassination on Embassy Row" (1980): Co-authored with Saul Landau, this book investigates the murder of Orlando Letelier, a former Chilean ambassador, in Washington, D.C., highlighting the international reach of Chile's military dictatorship.* "The Condor Years: How Pinochet and His Allies Brought Terrorism to Three Continents" (2003): This work delves into Operation Condor, a covert campaign by South American dictatorships to eliminate global political opponents.Did you catch the Iowa Writer’s Collaborative Flipside Edition last week? The Sunday Roundup will be available early tomorrow (February 2) morning. This is a public episode. 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