Binge Watch Greetings From Iowa
With nearly 90 episodes available on demand, Greetings From Iowa offers viewers the perfect snapshot of the state, from its interesting people to the unique spaces dotted throughout the state. Produced over the span of six years, our Greetings From Iowa collection offers the perfect bingefest on the PBS Video App, available on mobile devices, smart TVs, Roku and other streaming devices.
You can always start with season 1 and work your way through all the episodes, or you can take a look at our producers favorite stories as a place to dive in.
Producer Picks
The Kaleidoscope Factory
Leonard Olson runs The Kaleidoscope Factory in Pocahontas. After an emergency trip to the hospital, Leonard emerged a changed man and charted a new career path. His inventions draw visitors from all corners and his unique spirit shines a bright light in a changing rural community.
Producer Tyler Brinegar has a soft spot for The Kaleidoscope Factory episode, in part because it was the first episode of the entire series. "Leonard was our first shoot for this series and he provided a lot of material to work with. It was clear from the moment we arrived that everything he said should be recorded!"
Chuy Renteria
Chuy Renteria is the author of "We Heard It When We Were Young." It's the story of growing up Mexican American in West Liberty, Iowa's first majority Hispanic town. He's also a break dancer.
Youth Art Team
Youth Art Team is a group of young artists in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area. They are creating community, making social change and bringing color to their city.
Costume Designer
Angie Lampe brings characters to life through her work as a costume designer at the Des Moines Playhouse.
The Power of Art
The Power of Art tells the story of more than 20 murals that were painted during the spring and summer of the pandemic by community, local students and artists from Creston and all over the U.S. It was an ambitious undertaking by a small community.
Hot Air Balloon Racing
Carlisle insurance salesman Todd Isely has raced hot air balloons since 2004, traveling across the United States and the world. The 2015 champion at Indianola's National Balloon Classic, Todd and crew returned a year later with Iowa PBS along for the ride to see how it's done.
Sikh in the Spotlight
"The turban is supposed to be an outward symbol. We as Sikhs are meant to stand out from the crowd." Meet JJ Singh Kapur - a teenager, a Sikh, a championship speaker, and an Iowan.
Floyd of Rosedale Trophy
The Floyd of Rosedale trophy has been passed between the University of Iowa and University of Minnesota football teams since 1935. While there are many trophies passed back and forth nationwide, the Floyd of Rosedale was recently ranked number one. It's a friendly tradition between rivals, but the story behind it is about more than just football.
According to this episode's producer, Laurel Bower, her love of football made learning the history of this trophy special: "I'm a life-long Hawkeye fan and never knew the whole story behind the trophy passed between the University of Iowa and University of Minnesota football teams. It was a great story about how two states came together to resolve racial tensions and begin a college football tradition known nationally."
The Bobblehead Guy
Bryan Guise has been handcrafting custom bobbleheads in his hometown of Des Moines since 2002. Business skyrocketed when his creations showed up on network television, but he became overwhelmed and his company came crashing down. Now, stationed in a studio above his parents’ garage, Guise is back doing “the only thing in the world he knows how to do.”
Sioux City Train Museum
Set in a former rail yard that's been converted into an interactive experience, the Sioux City Railroad Museum offers visitors a chance to explore the history of Iowa's rail system.
Community Shout Outs
From the musical history of Spillville to the castles of Ida Grove, season 9 showcases a variety of fun facts, history and iconic destinations of many of Iowa's towns in Community Shout Outs.