Why subscribe?
Welcome to the table.
This is where curious people gather—current and former Iowans, culture-watchers, and idea lovers—drawn by good conversation, surprising characters, and the occasional dose of righteous disruption.
Every Monday, you’re invited to listen in or join in as I interview Iowa’s most interesting folks—artists, elected officials, business leaders, poets, farmers, provocateurs. No scripts, no spin. Just real talk, shaped by sharp questions and honest curiosity. Think of it as a live podcast with a door cracked open for you to eavesdrop—or walk right in.
What’s it like to be you?
That’s a favorite question of mine. And over a lifetime in journalism and public life, I’ve learned the answer always starts with a story.
My father, Gordon Gammack, was a beloved Iowa columnist and war correspondent who believed “there’s a story in everyone.” That belief guided me as a columnist, radio host, Vistage CEO coach, and now as the founder of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative and producer of the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat.
After years away—living in Annapolis and Chicago—I came home to Iowa, where I’ve now launched this Substack as a new kind of front porch: part commentary, part podcast, part community conversation.
So why subscribe?
Because Iowa matters.
Because stories connect us.
Because your voice is welcome here.
And because this Potluck is just getting started.
Pull up a chair.
At Julie Gammack’s Potluck, you’re invited to a rich stew of voices—provocateurs and poets, troublemakers and truth-tellers, artists, leaders, and everyday Iowans with something to say.
Every Monday, you can join our live Zoom conversations or listen later to the podcast. We talk with elected officials, musicians, business thinkers, and creatives. It’s local, yes—we’re rooted in Iowa—but the ideas stretch far beyond state lines. No scripts, no spin. Just listening, probing, reacting, and getting real.
Why subscribe?
Because you want to know what’s happening in Iowa—and how it connects to what’s happening everywhere else.
Because you believe in the power of storytelling.
Because you like being part of a smart, curious community.
How did I get here?
I started as a teenage copy kid at The Des Moines Register. I’ve been a cocktail waitress, a radio talk show host, a newspaper columnist, a college activist, a CEO coach, and a business consultant who crisscrossed the country through Vistage International. I’ve lived in Annapolis, Chicago, and every corner of Iowa (seriously—I can win at Iowa Trivia). I returned to my home state to launch the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative, lead the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat, and dig back into the storytelling work I love.
Why now?
With legacy newspapers in decline, I feared we were losing too much in Iowa—too many voices, too much nuance, too much connection. This Substack is my way to hold the line. To amplify voices. To ask better questions. To bring people together for civil, curious, and sometimes uncomfortable conversations.
What’s it like to be you?
That’s one of my favorite questions. My father, Gordon Gammack, a war correspondent and beloved columnist, used to say, “There’s a story in everyone.” I still believe that. Especially now.
Thanks for being here.
Let’s dig in.
Sh*t Richard Says
My husband and life partner also had a career in journalism, first as an ink-stained wretch (literally) to what I call a ‘suit’ where he was a media executive. He occasionally takes over the Potluck column with what we call ‘Sh*t Richard Says.’ Watch for it.
Dudley
Oh, yeah, and I supervise the column ‘J. Dudley’s World,’ authored by our puppy, J. Dudley. I figured we’d lose a lot of Potluck subscribers if he took over writing in this space, so if you want to know what a dog thinks, check out what he has to say.
I guess I’m mission-driven at this stage of life. There are stories to tell and stories to be told. And they matter. Even if reported by a dog.
Potluck
The wonderful (mostly) thing about a potluck is that everyone brings something to the table. I’ll provide the utensils (this substack format), and you or others I find of particular interest will fill the table.
Paid subscribers of this column support scholarships to the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat. This means emerging journalists, novelists, essayists, and songwriters can experience a life-changing experience. So, thank you in advance for your role in this effort.
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