Charity Nebbe
...the talk of Iowa
With the Derecho-like winds of change hitting Iowa Public Radio, it's a good thing folks like Charity Nebbe are behind the microphone.
The popular 'Talk of Iowa' host managed through Covid quarantine, raising two kids, broadcasting from a closet in her home for seven weeks, all while being buffeted by the disappearance of funding for her station from the Iowa Board of Regents.
The pressure to increase listener support is vital, and Charity delivers.
It was Charity Nebbe's turn to answer questions during our Monday Zoom Lunch conversation, and she was the main ingredient.
Charity (named from First Corinthians 13) was born in Ogden; her family moved to Cedar Falls when she began kindergarten. Her mom, Linda Nebbe, was an elementary school counselor and 'wildlife rehabilitator.' Her father, Dennis Nebbe, was a stockbroker. Charity's parents live on 22 acres of land near Cedar Falls that the family restored to native prairie and where they dug 'a couple of ponds.' They plant hardwood trees and host all kinds of animals. While she was growing up, Iowa Public Radio played in the background.
Charity was a self-described nerd whose 'super power' was her reading and retention ability. Yes, she does read the books before interviewing authors. And it shows. Yeah, she was in the Talented and Gifted program and afforded those opportunities, where she loved Model U.N. in high school.
It is this idyl that's deeply rooted in the broadcaster's psyche. Charity and her husband concluded that she would not pursue the dream of being the next 'Cokie Roberts' on a national stage but rather appreciate Iowa for what it is, 'a best-kept secret.'
"When I was growing up, I'd wake up early to bottle-feed baby raccoons," said Charity, "There were baby beavers, too," she added with the ever-present smile in her voice.
This early love of nature was the backdrop for her first children's book published in 2008, titled "Our Walk in the Woods," a story of a girl and her dog who explored their natural environment daily.
Her mom, Linda, founded Pet Pals, which provided pet therapy to folks in assisted living centers. Said, Charity:
“I grew up believing if you can make a positive impact on the planet, you should do so.”
It's an odd time of transition for the station, which the state universities will no longer own. Historically, on-air talent hasn't needed to be concerned about ratings like commercial stations do, where advertising cash and listenership numbers rise and fall together.
This new member-supported model doesn't necessarily mean they have to program for a higher VOLUME of listeners. Still, their shows must compel audience support. Producing local programming is costly, and it's often the first to go on commercial radio when economic pressures make it easier to pick up a nationally syndicated show.
And that was a cause for concern among our Monday Zoom Lunch bunch. Denise Essman asked how the withdrawal of taxpayer funds would impact programming.
"This has been a long steady march for us," said our guest. "We have been preparing for these shifts. There are no immediate plans to change programming. We are always looking at the budget. Local programming is expensive; two hosts, three producers, and all the other things around it. We'll always be asking ourselves if we are putting our assets in the right place."
On the other hand, Iowa Public Radio has more potential to expand listenership now, thanks to on-demand podcasts. One can hope the broader reach translates into more support.
In an age where we are battling misinformation right and left, it seems odd that the Regents would shed this essential public service asset. Public radio is an established and trustworthy source of Iowa news, and information so it seems odd to put this venerable institution on the cutting block. Then again, could that be why? I'm speculating here, not Charity, and will pass the baton to pursue this angle to another reporter.
It's been a tough couple of years for all of us. And the isolation and loss of collegiality and collaboration have taken an emotional toll on Charity.
Last Friday night, her daughter had a jazz band concert in the Iowa City Ped Mall, and Charity attended.
"I was actually out in the world, which I haven't done much of in the last couple of years. A woman came up to me and said she wanted to thank me because an interview I did changed her life. She teared up when she told me how.
"I don't do this for recognition, but those feelings. Oh, wow, I needed that so badly. I realized the doubts growing in my mind during the pandemic were because I was disconnected in isolation.
"There are times when I think I should do something where I make more money and there are times when I feel like maybe I could do something that would make more of a difference. Public radio listeners are self-selecting. Often I feel like I'm preaching to the choir.
"I wonder, should I be putting my energy somewhere else, is there more I can do?" Charity reflected.
The show 'Iowa Ingredient' she hosted ended on Iowa Public Television after a ten-year run, which was a disappointment. But last month, she began hosting another show, "Greetings from Iowa."
Radio is her first love, undoubtedly fostered and nurtured by broadcasting legend Doug Brown at WOI-FM.
"I'd give anything to have more time with my mentor, Doug Brown."
We, our Monday Zoom Lunch bunch, could have carried on for hours. What was it like to win an Emmy? What’s your husband, Rob Parrish like?
I have Charity Nebbe to thank for introducing me to some of the Iowa authors and poets who will be resources for the Okoboji Writers' Retreat. She revels in amplifying talented Iowans who don't often find a platform to get their words into the world. Local programing gives Iowans a perspective they can’t get elsewhere. She even makes Iowa wrestling interesting because she sees it as her job to find those sparks of human interest.
If you haven’t listened to Charity Nebbe, I hope this column does for her what she does every day for other Iowans. Here you go. Enjoy: TALK OF IOWA
For another link, here is an example of a poet in our midst, brought into the spotlight through Iowa Public Radio. He is Caleb Rainey and he will be a speaker during the Okoboji Writers’ Retreat. September 19, 20, and 21. I would not have known about Caleb were it not for Charity. I hope you can take the time to take a look: https://www.iowapublicradio.org/arts-life/2021-06-17/caleb-the-negro-artist-rainey-on-poetry-race-and-understanding
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Julie, fix the typo: wjere she loved Model U.N. in high school.