Breaking News: Please welcome award-winning author, playwright, filmmaker, and former Iowan, Peter Hedges to the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. His introduction is in today’s Roundup.
Peter will also be conducting workshops during the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat, September 28-October 1.
Learn more:
https://okobojiwritersretreat.com
Highlights from the Robert Leonard Zoom Call
A Voice for the Voiceless
Robert Leonard, Iowa Writers’ Collaborative columnist and self-described anthropologist, shared stories from his life and work as a writer, carpenter, cab driver, bouncer, professor, river raft guide, and, yes, even car salesman. His varied background has shaped a unique, empathetic lens that guides his writing—especially about rural Iowa’s overlooked communities.
If you don’t yet subscribe, here is the link to explore his work:
On the Front Lines of Protest
He opened by describing a recent protest at the Iowa Capitol, where he marched with thousands—including family from across the country—and fellow Iowans like Marianne Fons. For him, activism isn’t an occasional choice, it’s a calling. He emphasizes that in times of political crisis, “taking to the streets” is both empowering and necessary.
Anthropologist First, Journalist Always
Robert sees his work less as traditional journalism and more as cultural anthropology. His goal is to make the world "safe for other people,” a phrase borrowed from anthropological tradition. He insists on going where others won’t—talking to Satanists, MAGA supporters, the homeless—and listening, truly listening, without judgment.
A New Era of Reporting
No longer confined by a conservative radio station or institutional oversight, Robert now writes independently on Substack. This freedom allows him to dig deep into the people and places mainstream media often ignores. His reporting covers everything from veterans working at Walmart to the philosophical musings of a Russian-speaking stripper he once drove in his cab.
Roots in Real Work
Robert’s upbringing in “Dogpatch,” a humble Iowa neighborhood without indoor plumbing until he was eight, and his early work on construction crews from the age of five, shaped his understanding of working-class life. He says that kind of childhood makes you “used to anything”—and teaches diplomacy when leading older men on job sites at just 15.
The Healing Power of the Woods
Near the end of the conversation, Robert shared what may be the soul of his storytelling practice: his daily walks in the woods. He visits Cedar Bluffs every morning, where he reflects, heals, and renews his sense of wonder. It’s where he reconnects with the natural world and finds the clarity and perspective that fuels his writing. “I feel the toxins of modern life leave my body when I step into the trees,” he said. “It makes me a better writer, and a better person.”
Encouragement for Emerging Writers
Robert urged others to tell their stories, regardless of grammar or fear of imperfection. He challenged the long-held belief that writing must be flawless to matter, saying, “Nobody else sees the world the way you do. That means you are the only one who can tell your story.”
Takeaways
Listen deeply. Silence often leads to the truth.
Tell local stories. The world needs them more than ever.
Walk in the woods. Healing and clarity await in the quiet.
Write fearlessly. The stories that matter aren’t always the ones that get the headlines—but they’re the ones that stick in our hearts.
If Robert Leonard’s work reminds us of anything, it’s that the heart of journalism beats loudest when it’s close to the ground—and close to the truth.
Kaye Gammack’s Secret Sauce
My sister and I started a column this month where we reveal our mother’s heirloom ‘secret’ recipes. We laugh a lot, as sisters sometimes do. Join the merriment. We launched this as a way to support the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat scholarship fund. So far, we’ve raised enough for three scholarships. If you want to come but can’t afford the fee, apply for a full or partial scholarship today. They will go fast. Email me if you’d like to apply:
I am thrilled to be a founder of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative, your source for professional commentary by a network of extraordinary writers. This is a rapidly growing community movement. Please tell your friends.
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