Podcast Featuring Mike Hlas, Newest Member of The Iowa Writers' Collaborative

Welcome to the Iowa Writers Collaborative podcast.Today’s conversation features Mike Hlas, the longtime Cedar Rapids sports columnist whose voice helped shape how Iowans understood sports for decades—and who is now writing independently after being let go by the new owners of The Cedar Rapids Gazette. Mike has launched a new Substack, Out of Bounds, and is beginning his next chapter outside the confines of a legacy newsroom.In this wide-ranging discussion, Mike shares his origin story—how a part-time job at the Gazette turned into a career, why he stayed rooted in Cedar Rapids, and what it means to write for a community that has known and trusted him for years. He talks candidly about the changes at the Gazette, the broader unraveling of local newspapers, and the frustrations of an industry that struggled to adapt to the digital age.We also explore what freedom looks like on the other side: writing without editors or corporate ownership, experimenting with format, reacting quickly to breaking sports news, and building a direct relationship with readers. Mike explains why he has always written for casual sports fans rather than hardcore stat-obsessives—and why perspective, humanity, and storytelling matter more than box scores.Former Gazette editor Lyle Muller joins the conversation, offering context about the paper’s evolution, missed digital opportunities, and the enduring importance of journalistic ethics. Together, they reflect on the professionalization of college sports, the money driving it, and the kinds of stories that still resonate when institutions falter but readers remain hungry for trustworthy voices.This episode is about sports, yes—but it’s also about journalism, independence, community, and what happens when an experienced writer is pushed out by new ownership and chooses to keep going anyway.Okoboji Mastery Circle + Okoboji Writers’ Retreat = Best Sale Ever Ends TomorrowNew in the coming year: speakers from the legendary Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat will recreate their popular 90-minute workshops online, beginning Wednesday, January 14, 2026. Each month through October, our most in-demand topics will be presented live via Zoom (Memoir, Storytelling Basics, Getting to the Heart of a Story, Character Development, Adapting a Novel to Script and much more). The sixth annual OWSR then begins in real time on September 27–30. This year we’ll have five—count ’em, FIVE—literary agents, plus expanded programming in comedy, documentary filmmaking, journalism, and fiction. OWSR truly gets better every year.When various Early Bird promotions end in July, enrollment will be $995—still less than half the cost of conferences offering this level of speaker access. But if you sign up before midnight tomorrow, you’ll receive the entire online class series plus retreat enrollment for just $795.Why? Early enrollments allow us to put down deposits and order supplies in advance. It’s a win-win.Our own Robert Leonard and I talked about this in an interview he conducted last week:The Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Holiday Dessert Party for Paid Subscribers is Wednesday Are you signed up? We are closing RSVPs at noon today. If you’re a paid subscriber to at least one member of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative, you can attend our upcoming holiday party for free. Otherwise, cover charge is $35 at the door. Other details:What: Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Holiday PartyWhen: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17Where: The Harkin Institute, 2800 University Ave., Des MoinesWho: Mingle with members and fellow supporters of the collaborative, and hear the wonderful music duo Weary Ramblers perform.RSVP: Reserve your spot by Dec. 15. 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