Explore every episode of the podcast Pints & Diplomacy

This week on Pints & Diplomacy, we sit down with Ross Eveland, candidate for Story County Supervisor. We talk local government, Story County issues, politics, and what it takes to serve your community. As always, we crack open a few drinks and get into the conversation beyond the campaign trail.

We sit down with Sean Bagniewski and Mandy Newton Rosenow for a fun conversation about Mandy’s campaign for the Iowa House, Iowa politics, and what’s at stake in November. Plus, Sean mixes up his famous Old Fashioneds while we talk politics, life, and everything in between. Grab a drink and join us!

This week we sit down with Democratic candidate for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Chris Jones to talk about Iowa water quality, why so many farmers vote Republican, and how Democrats can better connect with rural Iowa. We also dive into science, busted a few myths, drank a few beers, and had the kind of honest conversation you probably will not hear in a campaign ad.

John Norwood joins Pints & Diplomacy to talk about his campaign for Iowa Treasurer and why he believes the office matters more than most people realize. We discuss protecting IPERS, the debate over legalizing marijuana in Iowa, his thoughts on his opponent, and what he would bring to the Treasurer's office.

Grab a pint and join us for a conversation about retirement security, state finances, cannabis policy, and the future of Iowa politics.

This Mother’s Day, we sit down with State Senator Catelin Drey for a fun, honest, and relatable conversation about balancing life under the Capitol dome and life at home as a mom. From surviving her first legislative session as a State Senator to navigating the chaos of parenting, Senator Drey shares her experiences with us over a couple beers.

We also dive into the important questions: Which little white lies are acceptable to tell your kids? Is “the ice cream machine is broken” fair game?

Recorded over great beer at Twisted Vine Brewery, this special episode is equal parts politics, parenting, and personality. Perfect for Mother’s Day weekend.

In this episode, we sit down with Taylor Wettach, who’s currently running for Iowa State Auditor, for a wide-ranging and entertaining conversation. Taylor opens up about his decision to drop out of the congressional race and what ultimately led him to pivot toward a statewide run for auditor. He shares the strategic thinking behind the move and what he hopes to accomplish in this new role.

We also dive into the performance of current State Auditor Rob Sand, discussing his record, approach to accountability, and how Taylor would differentiate himself if elected. Of course, things don’t stay too serious for long—Taylor takes on the important task of auditing a questionable hairline, weighs in on beer preferences, and even steps in to settle a few ongoing arguments once and for all.

It’s a mix of politics, personality, and plenty of laughs—giving listeners a clearer picture of Taylor as both a candidate and a person.

In this episode of Pints & Diplomacy, we sit down with Independent candidate Dave Bushaw for a wide-ranging conversation recorded live at Carl’s Place.

Over a couple of beers, we dig into the common myths surrounding Independent candidates—why many voters assume they “can’t win,” what it actually takes to run outside the two-party system, and why Bushaw believes more independents could change the tone of American politics. The conversation also gets personal and a little fun as we play our classic segment: “Who would you rather have a beer with?”—putting politicians and public figures head-to-head to see who makes the better barstool conversation.

Along the way, we explore everything from the challenges of campaigning as an Independent in Iowa's 2nd congressional district to the broader frustrations many voters feel with the current political climate.

It’s a laid-back but thoughtful discussion about politics, independence, and whether sharing a drink might actually help people find common ground.

Grab a pint and join us for a conversation that proves political dialogue doesn’t have to be hostile—it can start with a handshake and a beer. 🍻

This week on Pints & Diplomacy, we’re joined by Iowa State Representative and infectious disease physician Megan Srinivas. She discusses how her career in medicine shapes her approach to policymaking and public service. We also break down Iowa’s budget crisis! What led to it, its impact across the state, and potential solutions for moving forward. A thoughtful conversation on public health, fiscal responsibility, and governing in Iowa.

In this episode of Pints & Diplomacy, were joined by Des Moines attorney Ben Lynch to unpack the intersection of law, power, and everyday life. Ben discusses a Draft Kings lawsuit he's currently involved in, explains the work he does through charity and community service (Charles City), and breaks down the legal realities of ICE encounters. What agents can or cannot do, and what people should know about their rights. It's a clear, grounded conversation about accountability, civic responsibility, and why understanding the law matters more than ever!

This week on Pints & Diplomacy, we break down a slow news cycle, touching on Michigan football drama, Randy Feenstra’s rocky campaign, and the enduring appeal of Conan O’Brien. The heart of the episode is a candid, wide ranging conversation with Iowa State Senator and U.S. Senate candidate Zach Wahls. We crack open a few beers, talk politics and public life, and do it all while watching the Packers/Vikings game from Iowa City.

In this episode of Pints & Diplomacy, we sit down with U.S. Senate candidate Nathan Sage in the bar tucked beneath the historic Val Air Ballroom. Over a couple cold ones, we dig into his candidacy, his military service and how it shaped his worldview, and talk about some classic Hawkeye sports heroes. A laid-back, honest conversation with a candidate who isn’t afraid to mix policy with personality. Cheers!

We sat down with Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart at Lua Brewing in Des Moines for a wide-ranging conversation over a few pints.

We talked about the recent special election wins for Democrats, what Rita has been focused on as IDP Chair, and how the party is working to rebuild across the state. Rita also shared her thoughts on Iowa’s struggling economy, the most popular Democratic Candidate in Iowa Rob Sand, and why she’s optimistic about the strong slate of Democratic candidates stepping up for 2026.

Whether you’re a political junkie or just curious about what’s brewing in Iowa politics, this one’s worth a listen. 🍺

On this week’s episode of Pints & Diplomacy, we sit down with Iowa State Athletic Director Jamie Pollard for a wide-ranging conversation on the past, present, and future of Cyclone athletics. From the growth of ISU’s national profile to the challenges of modern college sports, Pollard shares insights into what it takes to lead one of the Big 12’s rising programs. Plus, in our signature segment, we convene the Supreme Court of Iowa State Athletes to debate and decide which Cyclones deserve a spot on the ultimate Supreme Court of ISU legends. Grab a pint and join us for an episode filled with Cyclone pride, big-picture perspective, and a few tough choices.

We sit down with US Senate Candidates JD Scholten and Josh Turek as JD announces that he is suspending his campaign and endorsing Josh Turek. We hold the first sit down interview with both guests as they explain the thought process behind their decision! We also talk about the issues State Representative Turek seeks to address if elected US Senator. We also talk about Josh's experience in the Paralympics and make predictions for this years Super Bowl and World Series.

This SPECIAL ELECTION Episode with SD-01 Candidate Catelin Drey covers everything you need to know for the upcoming August 26th Special Election. We touch on issues that are important to Iowa along with other topics including raising children, Taylor Swift, and life on the Campaign Trail!

From 4th of July Parade to the State Senate—and even deployments overseas—Matt Blake has a story worth hearing. In this episode of Pints & Diplomacy, we start with our Buzzed Briefings and our wildly competitive Supreme Court of Lawyers draft, then dive into a conversation with the newly elected Iowa State Senator representing District 22.

We talk about service, leadership, and the surprising moments that shaped his journey. Politics, pints, and plenty of stories—this one’s got it all.

In this episode of Pints & Diplomacy, we sit down with Iowa State Senator Mike Zimmer as he officially announces his campaign for reelection. Over a beer, we dive into his legislative goals, lessons from his time in office, and what’s next for Iowa politics.

🍺 Plus, in our Buzzed Briefings, we share a few headlines that caught our eye — some serious, some just plain strange.

🕵️‍♂️ Then we take a sobering turn and unpack the timeline of Donald Trump’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, tracing public statements and key moments that raise important questions.

From local races to global scandals, we’re bringing the conversation back to the table — one pint at a time.

What happens when you share a beer with the man who made Elphaba iconic? We sit down with Wicked author Gregory Maguire to talk about the political soul of Oz, the surprising Hollywood twists his story has taken, and how villains aren’t always what they seem. Plus — we close the case on the ultimate debate: who belongs on the Supreme Court of Witches? (Yes, it gets delightfully weird.) Pour one and join us for a magical, meaningful conversation that defies gravity — and expectations.

This week on Pints & Diplomacy, we sit down with Travis Terrell, candidate for Congress, to talk about why he's running, how his background shapes his political views, and what he'd bring to Washington. Then, we shift gears and take the bench for the Supreme Court of Dream Bachelor Party Destinations—from Vegas to the woods, we make our ruling. Grab a beer and join the conversation.

In this episode of Pints & Diplomacy, we serve up a sizzling segment: the Supreme Court of Appetizers—where we debate the ultimate starter foods and lay down some snack-based rulings. Then, we dive into the viral clash between Riley Gaines and Simone Biles, unpack the political energy behind the LA Protests, and take a nostalgic trip through our favorite memories at Des Moines’ own Wells Fargo Arena. From mozzarella sticks to medal counts—this episode has range. Grab a pint and press play.

This week we get a surprise visit from JD Scholten and he discusses his recent candidacy for US Senate. We also cover our Supreme Court of 90s TV Show Sitcoms and recap the news of the week!

This week, the guys sit down with Iowa State Senator and current U.S. House candidate Sarah Trone Garriott for a wide-ranging conversation on faith, public service, and the politics of religion. We dive into her perspective as a Lutheran pastor in the state legislature, her thoughts on the controversial School Chaplain bill, and what it’s like balancing spiritual values with the demands of public office.

Then, Ryan, Josh, and Tyler shift gears and debate their Supreme Court of War Movies—each host nominates their top three films for the ultimate war movie canon. Will your favorite make the cut?

Grab a pint, tune in, and join the conversation.

This week on Pints & Diplomacy, we sit down with fellow Big J Journalist Zachary Oren Smith and maybe our next Best Friend to talk about his journey from growing up in Mississippi to reporting in Iowa. We dive into the role of journalism in today's world, hear personal stories from Zach’s career, and put his friendship to the test with our signature Best Friend Quiz. We also spend some time discussing our favorite expletives. It’s a thoughtful, funny, and honest conversation you won’t want to miss.

this live episode from the hoppy heart of Des Moines at Lua Brewing, we sit down with Iowa State Auditor—and now gubernatorial candidate—Rob Sand. Over some top-tier craft beers, we ask the big questions: Why’s he running for governor? What’s his go-to music festival? And can our half-baked money-saving ideas actually fix the state budget (spoiler: probably not, but he humors us anyway)?

We also dig into the serious stuff—like the real challenges facing Iowans—and Rob shares why showing up and listening still matter in politics. It’s equal parts civic discourse, brewery banter, and dad-joke diplomacy. Come for the policy, stay for the pints.

This week, we sit down with Iowa State Representative Sean Bagniewski for a conversation that covers everything from serious policy to serious comedy.

We dig into key legislation passed this year, including the cell phone ban, and get Sean's take on how it will impact schools across the state. But this episode isn't just politics—Sean opens up about growing up in a trailer park, the lessons it taught him, and how it influences his approach to public service today.

And of course, it wouldn’t be Pints & Diplomacy without a little pop culture. We break down some of Sean’s favorite movies, including why Step Brothers still hits, and how film can connect to politics more than you’d think.

Pour a pint and join us for a fun, thoughtful conversation with one of Iowa’s most interesting lawmakers

This week we recap the world of news that occured in the last week. We cover SignalGate 2, The Death of Pope Francis, and Kim Reynolds not seeking reelection. Tyler reads an original poem in honor of the Pope and the guys help predict the future of Iowa Politics now that Kim Reynolds has chosen not to seek reelection.

This episode we sit down with my former High School Government Teacher Ben Fridley. He retired from teaching back in 2010 and we discuss the current state of teaching along with his experiences as a teacher in Hampton-Dumont. We talk about how much education has changed throughout the years and he gives advice for future teachers in Iowa. We also spend some time talking about the community of Hampton and the infamous Senior Prank from the Class of 2010.

This week we have a massive Buzzed Briefings lined up for the listeners along with a VERY contentious Supreme Court of Leaks in light of the leaked Signal chat with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and other officials in the Trump Administration.

This episode we spend an hour with Immigration Attorney Jessica Malott and discuss the Trump Administrations approach towards immigration and we unpack stereotypes surrounding the immigration process in America. We also cover our Supreme Court of American Immigrants!

This weeks episode explores the State of Wisconsin and their upcoming Supreme Court Election with the Host of "As Goes Wisconsin" Kristin Brey. We unpack every Wisconsin stereotype and hear great stories about Wisconsin greats Bob Uecker and Chris Farley. We also tackle the Supreme Court of Turning Heel where we nominate people who have fallen from the good graces of society.

Todays episode we touch on the Buzzed Briefings from the week which includes the Oval Office Meltdown with President Trump and President Zelenskyy. We revisit the Joint Session of Congress and discuss Rep. Al Greens ejection from the House Chambers. We conduct our 2nd Supreme Court by nominating movies we have never seen.

We welcome on our Special Guest Liz Fleming, otherwise known as, Liz From Iowa to discuss her ascent into Iowa Politics and Tik Tok. She shares her story of being on the gameshow The Floor with Rob Lowe and how she once had drinks with Noah Kahan.

During this episode we recap our first month back on the Pod and we piece together our first Supreme Court of the season by nominating our favorite Fictional Bullies. We cover Elon Musk and DOGE as they attempt to eliminate waste and fraud from the Federal Government. We also discuss the Civil Rights issue at the Iowa State Capitol with protestors being arrested as the State Legislature attempts to remove Civil Rights protections from Transgender Iowans.

This weeks episode includes our Weekly Briefing where we discuss plane crashes and the Trump/Russia/Ukraine negotiations. Our Special Guest is Iowa State Representative Sami Scheetz and we discuss Fantasy Football, State Legislative Session and his experience working for the State Department. We do all of this while enjoying our guests drink of choice, Whiskey.

During this episode of Pints & Diplomacy, Ryan and Tyler go through their weekly briefing and discover the origin story of Blippi while also uncovering the Autism Diagnosis or Kanye. The interview with Dr. Austin Baeth is the highlight of the episode as we force the IA State Representative and Doctor to pick Ryan or Tyler as his new incoming patient. We cover various topics such as Iowa's Public Schools, Cancer rates in Iowa, Rumple Minze, and other mostly relevant topics. By the end of the interview Ryan and Tyler forge a new friendship with the Iowa State Representative.

This episode is the return of Pints & Diplomacy and we welcome recurring guest Iowa State Rep. JD Scholten back to the show and discuss his new Professional Baseball career along with his new career in politics.

This weeks episode we interview the President of the AFL-CIO Charlie Wishman and talk about the John Deere Strike along with other strikes currently taking place (Kellogg/MLB).  We let Charlie discuss the historical context of Unions and their role in America while also talking about the Teachers Union.  We also have the Supreme Court of First Jobs in honor of speaking to Charlie Wishman!  Ryan and Tyler also reveal their 2021 Spotify Wrapped!

This week we meet with Iowa House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst over Zoom and discuss her fairly new leadership role within the House of Representatives.  We discuss the Democrats plan to win more seats back and their path towards a majority in the Iowa House.  We also spend time discussing CRT and how members of the Iowa GOP have come after teachers in recent weeks in regards in particular books being in classrooms.  We OFFICIALLY get Rep. Konfrst to take a side in the Taylor Swift/Jake Gyllenhaal drama and thankfully she takes the right side! We also have our Supreme Court of Thanksgiving Traditions.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Ryan and Tyler "basically" attend a Red Carpet Premiere of Dave Chappelle's Documentary "Untitled" in Des Moines, IA.  We recap this event that had special guests Jeff Ross, Earthquake, DJ Trauma, Freddie Gibbs, and Dave Chappelle himself.  We also kick off the Holiday season with a Supreme Court of Days that SHOULD be Federal Holidays.  

This weeks episode we Zoomed in with Rachel Vindman who is the Cohost of the "Suburban Women Podcast" as she was visiting the UK and we discussed the Virginia Governors election results and if the Democrats should be sounding the alarm on the 2022 midterms.  We also spent time talking about the issue and role CRT will play in the midterm elections.  Rachel does devote some time to giving Tyler advice on what to wear to an upcoming Nelly concert.  Ryan and Tyler also conduct a Supreme Court of Toxic Masculinity and expose Josh Hawley. 

This weeks episode we traveled to Hiawatha to interview IA-02 Congressional Candidate and current State Senator Liz Mathis.  We spent time discussing the Jan. 6th insurrection, her reasoning for running for Congress, and we pitch the State Senator some of our "original" ideas for Legislation. We touch up on Election Day and present you the Supreme Court of Terrible Halloween Treats.  

This weeks episode we traveled to the Iowa State Fairgrounds to interview Trump Supporters during the Trump "Save America" Rally.  We run into Uncle "Jam" along with many other "Patriots" making wild conspiracy claims about Joe Biden.  We conduct a Supreme Court of Horror Movie Villains and we try to figure out the difference between Jodie Foster and Jamie Lee Curtis.  We go "viral" on Tik Tok and gain a new audience while also going to War with Tik Tok!

This weeks episode we meet up with Tik Tok Star Tom Powell Jr. and talk about his days following around The Grateful Dead and how he found his more than 640k followers through Tik Tok!  We also play a game where we name fictional characters and Tom tells us if they would vote Republican or Democrat.  Before our interview we conduct our 4th Supreme Court and this time around we put together the oldest court in the history of Supreme Courts.  

On this weeks episode we sit down with the Founder/Editor of The Bulwark and host of The Bulwark Podcast.  Charlie is also a contributor on MSNBC while also holding the title of Author of the book, "How the Right Lost its Mind" We spend time with Charlie talking about the lasting effects of Donald Trumps legacy and whether or not the Trump era is nearing an end.  During this episode Ryan and Tyler also nominate their Supreme Court of Presidential Quotes and give an update on IA Senator Chuck Grassley.  

This weeks episode we sit down with Former CEO of the Iowa Lottery, Terry Rich.  We conducted this interview after the Party Like A Patriot event hosted by the Dallas County GOP.  Terry talks about his role within the Dallas County GOP while also sharing his vision for the Republican Party moving forward.  He also discusses the many jobs he has held over his lifetime which surprised all of us!  Ryan and Tyler work on their 2nd Supreme Court and this time their Supreme Court covers the best Fall Vibes as Fall is approaching.  They also hand out some Pints of Diplomacy to people in America doing good things for our country!  

We travelled to Marengo, IA to attend the Iowa County Democrats 1st Annual Hot Dog Caucus were we listened to several candidates for office speak while also getting about 5 minutes to speak to almost every candidate in attendance.  We were able to conduct interviews with US Senate Candidates Abby Finkenauer, and Glenn Hurst.  IA-01 Candidate Liz Mathis and State House Candidate Sarah Smith.  Ryan and Tyler also make an attempt at creating a new game called Supreme Court and the first topic they tackle are Hot Dogs. 

We were afforded the opportunity to attend the 3rd Annual Party Like a Patriot event in West Des Moines courtesy of the Dallas County GOP.  This event had guest speakers such as Governor Reynolds, Iowa Wrestling Legend Dan Gable, and Ohio Representative Jim Jordan. We were able to sit down with several people to conduct interviews and they included: State Senator Zach Nunn, State Representative Eddie Andrews, the Co-Chair of the Dallas County GOP, Sheriff Chad Leonard, and a few others with ties to the GOP.  This was a great learning experience for us and we hope we can attend next years event!

We met up with the Johnson County Supervisor @ The Big Twig in Lone Tree, IA.  —  We spent the entire length of the interview drinking Hamms and Big Grove's Easy Eddy while hitting Jon with the hard hitting questions.  We covered many topics including, Star Wars vs Star Trek, his story on how he became involved in politics, and the story of how Johnson County decided to replace their namesake with someone far more deserving!  We do a deep dive into Jon's Spotify playlist and also hear his philosophy on why he is the way he is! You WON'T want to miss this interview!

We met up with Iowa Gubernatorial Candidate Ras Smith at Uncle Nancy's in Newton, Iowa.  —  We spent some time discussing how he plans to stand out from the rest of the Democrats running for Governor.  We also pitched him the most Bipartisan ideas he could use in order to appeal to a larger portion of Iowans.  Other topics covered include, Black Lives Matter, Covid-19 (Delta variant), and the potential for a FUTURE Governor Ras Smith to end the MLB Blackouts.  If you're from a small town then you'll want to listen as this man is the most relatable candidate we have interviewed!

Texas State Rep. Alex Dominguez joins us through Zoom as an alleged "fugitive" of the state! —  We spend some time discussing his decision to flee Texas in order to prevent a voter suppression bill from passing and we discuss the long term plan for the Texas State Democratic Party.  We figure out a way to discuss how Matthew McConaughey has the key to Texas and may even run for Governor.  We wrap up the interview with the State Representative telling us about how he teamed up with Former Governor Rick Perry to pass a bill that created a Psychedelic Drug Study aimed at helping those with PTSD.  We also hand out our first ever Pints of Diplomacy as awards for people doing great things for diplomacy!

Tyler & Ryan go to counseling to uncover all their deeply rooted issues — we met up with Licensed Mental Health Counselor Ben Lehl at Gezellig Brewery in Newton, IA to discuss the importance of taking care of your mental health!  We spend some time discussing the stigma of mental health counseling along with how Covid-19 has impacted the mental health of our country. During this episode we attempt to battle the stigma that surrounds mental health and discuss its importance in a very open and non-threatening manner.