How we do things around here...

Welcome to our new subscribers. Suppose this is the first column you’ve opened since subscribing. In that case, you might be surprised to find a podcast about how a former Des Moines businessman has discovered the personal benefits of combining tai chi and yoga to quell symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Today’s posted podcast is an example of what we do around here. I regularly hold a Zoom conversation on Mondays, and 20-50 participants will join the call live. The podcast is then posted and receives 3-4,000 views. I didn’t get last week’s ‘open show’ posted because it was recorded on a computer I don’t have with me, but I’ll do so next week. It was a fascinating, open conversation about a range of topics. It included rural Iowans, a retired Admiral of the U.S. Navy, a community leader in Jefferson helping to spearhead a successful move to bring immigrants to their town, and a variety of other topics on caller’s minds.You’ll also find occasional essays on topics you might discuss around the dinner table with friends. The conversations are fascinating because of the guests and because our participants are engaged, smart, informed, and sometimes funny. As for today’s podcast, please forward this episode to anyone you think might have an interest in how tai chi and yoga, have helped Neubauer address Parkinson’s symptoms, and he believes it can help others. To contact Neubauer: [email protected]. DudleyFor pix and posts about the latest addition to our family, join the conversation on this newly created Substack column: JOIN MEMBERS OF THE IOWA WRITERS’ COLLABORATIVE THIS THURSDAY. IF YOU ARE A PAID SUBSCRIBER TO THIS COLUMN, OR ANY OF OUR MEMBER COLUMNS. THERE IS A LINK TO THE ZOOM CALL BELOW THE PAYWALL AFTER THE LIST OF COLUMNISTS. THANKS FOR SUPPORTING THE OKOBOJI WRITERS’ RETREAT SCHOLARSHIP FUND!IOWA WRITERS’ COLLABORATIVEI am delighted to be a part of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. Members include journalists and authors who provide commentary of interest to those interested in Iowa and Iowans.ColumnistsLaura Belin: Iowa Politics with Laura Belin, Windsor HeightsDoug Burns: The Iowa Mercury, CarrollDave Busiek: Dave Busiek on Media, Des MoinesIowa Writers’ Collaborative, RoundupSteph Copley: It Was Never a Dress, JohnstonArt Cullen: Art Cullen’s Notebook, Storm LakeSuzanna de Baca: Dispatches from the Heartland, HuxleyDebra Engle: A Whole New World, Madison CountyJulie Gammack: Julie Gammack’s Iowa Potluck, Des Moines and OkobojiJoe Geha: Fern and Joe, AmesJody Gifford: Benign Inspiration, West Des MoinesRob Gray: Rob Gray’s Area, AnkenyNik Heftman: The Seven Times, Los Angeles and IowaBeth Hoffman: In the Dirt, LovillaDana James: New Black Iowa, Des MoinesPat Kinney: View from Cedar Valley, WaterlooFern Kupfer: Fern and Joe, AmesRobert Leonard: Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture, BusseyLetters from Iowans, IowaTar Macias: Hola Iowa, IowaAlison McGaughey, The Inquisitive Quad Citizen, Quad CitiesKurt Meyer: Showing Up, St. AnsgarWini Moranville: Wini’s Food Stories, Des MoinesJeff Morrison: Between Two Rivers, Cedar RapidsKyle Munson: Kyle Munson’s Main Street, Des MoinesJane Nguyen: The Asian Iowan, West Des MoinesJohn Naughton: My Life, in Color, Des MoinesChuck Offenburger: Iowa Boy Chuck Offenburger, Jefferson and Des MoinesBarry Piatt: Piatt on Politics Behind the Curtain, Washington, D.C.Dave Price: Dave Price’s Perspective, Des MoinesMacey Spensley: The Midwest Creative, NorwalkLarry Stone: Listening to the Land, ElkaderMary Swander: Mary Swander’s Buggy Land, KalonaMary Swander: Mary Swander’s Emerging Voices, KalonaCheryl Tevis: Unfinished Business, Boone CountyEd Tibbetts: Along the Mississippi, DavenportTeresa Zilk: Talking Good, Des MoinesThe Iowa Writers Collaborative is also proud to ally with Iowa Capital Dispatch. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit okobojiwriters.substack.com/subscribe